Tony glanced over to the silent man in his passenger seat. The slave, whose name he still didn't know, hadn't spoken at all. Making a snap decision, Tony pulled over the car and turned off the engine. They were on a quiet road, so Tony was confident they wouldn't be disturbed. The slave looked over, but his expression remained unreadable.
"Ok, here's the deal," Tony began, letting his exhaustion and confusion show. "I didn't want this. I don't know how to do this. My father sent me here, and I'm probably about as happy about this situation as you are. I have one summer left; one summer and I'm gone. I get to go to Ohio for college. I get a nice penthouse apartment, and I get to be miles away from my family. I don't want to be an Owner, so if you can just help me out, play the part with me, then I'll set you up real nice, ok? You can share the apartment with me; live like a person. I won't keep tabs on you or anything. I just need you to act like you're mine for two months, and then we'll both be free." Tony took a deep breath; not having meant to talk quite that much. The man regarded him for a moment longer before finally speaking.
"And if I refuse?"
"My wallet is in that coat," Tony offered. "There's a couple C notes in it. You can get out right here; see how far you can go. I'll go home, and if anyone asks what happened I'll say you gave me the slip and I don't know where you are. I don't want to keep you against your will. I don't want a slave, but I do need a partner." Tony again fell silent and watched the man before him. After a few more agonising minutes, he got one word.
"Gibbs."
"Excuse me?"
The man smirked. "My name is Gibbs."
"Gibbs," Tony repeated, a smile forming. "Nice to meet you, Gibbs. I'm Tony."
"Two months?"
"That's all," Tony assured. "Attend a few boring parties, help out around the house. My father spends a lot of time away on business, and when he's not around we won't even have to pretend."
"Why me?" Gibbs asked, once again searching Tony's face.
"Gut feeling," Tony replied honestly. "You ever have one of those."
Gibbs laughed and gave Tony an honest smile. "I think I'm getting one right now."
Tony took that as permission to start the car.