The evening of the party arrived without a hitch that weekend. Caterers and party planners had been milling around the house for most of the day, so Tony and Gibbs had decided to stay out of the way. As guests started to arrive, they dressed in the suits that had been picked out for them by one of the planners and prepared to head downstairs.

"You ready for this?" Tony asked. Gibbs gave a lopsided smile in return.

"All I've gotta do is stand behind you and look good; you're the one who has to put on a show all night."

Tony laughed and dipped his head in acquiescence. They shared a look for a moment more, before Tony turned towards the door.

"We should get going. Don't want someone being sent to fetch us." Tony headed for the door, laughing again when Gibbs stepped ahead of him to open it and allow him through. Maybe this wouldn't be such a bad night after all.

(~*~)

As expected, the party was dull. A stream of Senior's business acquaintances came up to Tony to ask how school was going and to coo over his new purchase. Tony tried to keep his concerned looks toward Gibbs as subtle as possible. He could see the man bristling under the scrutiny, but luckily it was overlooked by all others. They just saw a new toy, determined to stay still for his Owner. When it seemed the string of visitors was finally at an end, Tony led Gibbs to a quiet corner and allowed his worry to show on his face.

"Sorry about all that," Tony said quietly so as not to be overheard. Gibbs gave him a small smile and shook his head in dismissal.

"I was a Marine," he whispered, and Tony's eyes widened at the revelation. "I'm used to standing to attention while superiors talk about you like you're not even there."

"These people aren't your superiors," Tony argued. "You're a better person than all of them."

Gibbs wanted to protest that claim. Tony had no idea what kind of man he was, but the expression of trust and almost pride at being with Gibbs tonight made the older man keep his mouth shut. Tony looked around, and someone he spotted in the crowd made him frown.

"What is it?" Gibbs asked, a hand going to Tony's elbow despite the informality it showed. Tony's eyes didn't stray from the older man heading towards them. He looked to be fifteen years Gibbs' senior, and the look of sad disappointment on his face was unmistakable.

"Oh, Anthony," the man, who had a British accent, sighed as he looked from Tony to Gibbs and back.

"I can explain," Tony looked desperate for this man to understand, and he turned towards the kitchen. "Join me in the garden?"

The man nodded once, and Tony hurriedly led them through the kitchen to the garden. He invited the man with a wave to sit on a bench that was secluded by trees. The man sat, and Gibbs followed suit without being invited. This seemed to shock the man, and Gibbs laughed softly.

"Think you should get to explaining, Tony."

Tony heaved a relieved exhale. Gibbs clearly understood that this man wasn't happy about Tony owning anyone.

"Ducky, this is Gibbs. Gibbs, this is Dr Mallard. He's an old friend of the family. More of a father to me than my actual father."

"Pleased to meet you," Gibbs tilted his head in greeting as he spoke. Ducky still seemed confused, and Tony began to pace as he tried to think of a way to explain.

"I know this is weird," he started. "I know I promised not to go, and you know I'm against all of this as much as you are." Tony was wringing his hands as he spoke, and Ducky gave an amused sigh.

"Anthony, do calm down," Ducky spoke up, and Tony stopped his pacing. "I can clearly see this man is in no way subservient to you. Just tell me what happened."

"He was trying to escape," Tony skipped to the shortened account of events. "I got him out. Everyone thinks he's mine, because it keeps him safe and it keeps Senior off my back."

Ducky was silent for a long moment, and Gibbs could see Tony getting anxious again. When Ducky finally spoke, it was directed at Gibbs.

"Why were you bound?"

Tony looked shocked at the question. Gibbs suspected it was because he himself hadn't thought to ask, and Ducky clearly knew this without having to check. There were a few seconds of silence as Gibbs composed himself. Ducky was patient, but Gibbs could see from the corner of his eye that Tony was afraid he would refuse to answer.

"I had a wife and a daughter," Gibbs spoke softly, keeping eye contact with Ducky as he told his story. Gibbs didn't think he would be able to handle looking at Tony for this. "They witnessed a crime, and the drug lord they were set to testify against had them killed." Gibbs forced himself to ignore Tony's muted gasp as he continued. "So I went AWOL from my marine base, I took my sniper rifle with me to Mexico, and I killed him."

"You were arrested in Mexico?" Ducky pushed for information. Gibbs understood; Ducky wanted to be sure the man Tony had let into his life was safe to be around.

"I had a friend, Mike Franks, who retired to Mexico a few years before. He let me hide out with him. The Marine Corps are the ones who brought me in. My CO figured out the whole thing when he saw the news, and he knew it would be better for me to be brought back to the US. Mike was going to buy me out at first, but he had a heart attack a week after my trial, so I ended up in general holding. You can probably tell the training there didn't stick."

Ducky chuckled and gave Gibbs an approving smile. He then turned to look at Tony, who was still standing in front of them, shocked by Gibbs' story.

"How…" Tony cleared his throat when he heard how strangled his own voiced sounded. "How long ago was this?"

"Almost ten years," Gibbs looked at Tony as he replied. He wanted the younger man to know he wouldn't keep secrets. "I've been moved around different training houses for the last six; nobody knew how to handle me. The reason I was trying to get out when you found me was because I heard them saying if they couldn't get me to comply in the next two months they were going to call it a day."

"You mean…"

"They would've put me down," Gibbs finished Tony's thought for him.

"You didn't tell me any of this," Tony whispered, hurt despite his common sense telling him he shouldn't be.

"I didn't know you," Gibbs' reply was gentle, and he stood up to approach Tony. "I didn't know what you'd use against me if I told you."

"It seems you no longer hold that fear," Ducky interjected, and Gibbs smiled at Tony in response.

"I know you now. I know you don't want to hurt me, or control me. I'll tell you anything you want to know from now on."

"I don't want to pry," Tony protested, although he was moving closer to Gibbs as he spoke. "You don't owe me anything, Gibbs."

"Jethro," Gibbs corrected softly when they were almost toe-to-toe. "My name is Jethro."

Tony considered this for a second before smiling. "I think I prefer Gibbs."

A sad laugh from Gibbs made Tony cock his head in question, and Gibbs mumbled. "That's what my wife used to say." Tony looked guilt stricken, and Gibbs reached out to stop him moving away. He put a hand on Tony's shoulder and looked into his eyes. "You call me whatever you like, alright?"

Tony gave a mute nod, not trusting his voice to reply. Ducky stood up behind them.

"I think it's time we get back to the party," Ducky's voice was falsely chipper, and Gibbs gave him an appreciative look for the effort. "It was nice to meet you, Jethro. Anthony, we will have to catch up over tea."

"Sure Ducky," Tony spoke. Gibbs moved to the side to let the two say their goodbyes. "I'll call you when Senior flies out next. Rosa would love to see you again." There was a teasing note in Tony's voice, and the look on Ducky's face told a story of its own.