Tony was disoriented when he opened his eyes. Somehow both he and Gibbs had fallen asleep during the movie. It was still dark outside, and the TV was flickering blue now that the movie was over. Tony was lying on his side, and Gibbs was pressed up behind him with an arm around Tony's waist. Judging from is breathing, Tony guessed Gibbs was still asleep. The feeling of being held, and of Gibbs' body pressed against him, was something Tony could admit to himself was completely wonderful. He didn't want to move; didn't want to risk waking Gibbs and having that warmth take away, but now that he was awake the TV screen was annoying. Moving carefully, Tony stretched out an arm to reach the remote on his bedside table. The change in position stirred Gibbs awake, and the arm around Tony's waist tightened.

"Everything ok?" came Gibbs' sleep-rough voice in the dark. Tony continued reaching for the remote before turning to face Gibbs with it in his hand.

"Yeah, just need to turn the TV off," Tony whispered back before doing just that. Gibbs gave Tony enough room to manoeuvre but didn't release his hold completely. Soon enough the remote was back in its place and Tony was settling down next to Gibbs again. Now that they were both awake, Tony was wary of their position. If he snuggled back into Gibbs' hold like he wanted to, it couldn't be blamed on accidental sleeping positions now. It would be a choice that Tony had made; one that Gibbs had accepted. It changed everything. As if he could hear Tony's inner turmoil, Gibbs rolled onto his back and removed his hands from Tony. Still Tony was frozen with indecision. With a huff that sounded both tired and amused, Gibbs turned his head towards Tony in the dark.

"I can hear your wheels spinning from here. What's wrong?"

"I just…" Tony shifted to fully face Gibbs. "I didn't want you to think… I don't want you to feel… I want you to be comfortable," Tony eventually decided on his words, but Gibbs knew there was more that wasn't being said.

"I look uncomfortable to you?" Gibbs asked.

"No."

"Is there anything you've seen of me so far that makes you think I would do something I didn't want to?"

"Well… no."

"And were you holding me just now, or was I holding you?"

"You were…" Tony laughed softly, finally understanding his fears were unfounded, and moved into Gibbs' arms. He rested his head on Gibbs' chest and wrapped an arm around his middle. Gibbs' arm in return came to wrap around Tony's shoulder and pull him in more securely. Tony almost giggled with happiness when he felt a chaste kiss placed on the top of his head.

"Goodnight Tony," Gibbs whispered. Tony hummed in reply, but was already too close to sleep for words.

(~*~)

When Tony woke he was sprawled across the bed on his stomach, and Gibbs was nowhere to be found. A bleary-eyed look towards the bedside clock told Tony it was past 10, which explained Gibbs' absence. The older man couldn't stay in bed for long once he was awake, and the Marine in him still stirred at 0600. Tony rolled over and stretched before sitting up and sliding out of bed.

Tony found Gibbs in the kitchen. Rosa was stirring something on the stove, and Gibbs was making coffee next to her. They looked at perfect ease with each other, and the sight made Tony grin. He moved as silently as possible into the kitchen, not wanting to ruin the moment. Rosa looked up when he sat down and smiled. Tony didn't want to spoil the silent kinship he could feel in the room, so he simply smiled back. Gibbs hadn't noticed him come in, and that made Tony giddy on the inside. Not only was Gibbs a trained soldier with no doubt years of experience in dangerous surroundings, his time with the slave trainers would have made him even more aware of another's presence. The fact that Gibbs had become relaxed enough in Tony's home to lower his guard this way was enough to make Tony want to hug the man here and now.

Despite knowing Rosa probably saw exactly how Tony felt every time he was looking at Gibbs, the younger man decided Gibbs wouldn't appreciate the public display, and so instead he cleared his throat softly. Gibbs looked up at the sound and shot Tony a small smile. Without missing a beat, Gibbs reached for another coffee mug; including Tony's needs in his morning routine. The relaxed atmosphere was somewhat ruined with the arrival of DiNozzo Sr.

"Ah, Junior!" Senior gave his son a fake smile as he adjusted his cufflinks. "Just the man I wanted to see. I need to talk to you. Come into my office." Senior turned and left the room without checking to see if Tony would follow. Gibbs and Rosa had both watched the exchange, and Tony instinctively gave an exaggerated sigh to hide his worry over Senior's sudden appearance. It was clear that the move didn't convince either of them, but neither said anything as Tony followed his father out of the room.

(~*~)

Tony shut the door behind him, and the sound caused Senior to look up. He smiled almost as if he hadn't been expecting Tony, and leaned against his desk.

"I have a business deal to take care of this weekend," Senior explained without preamble. "It's a client I've been working on for a while, and I've finally found the right hook. I'll be gone for about a week; leaving on Friday."

"Alright…" Tony didn't understand why Senior was telling him this. Usually he found out about his father's business trips from the staff.

"I'm taking Gibbs with me."

"What?!" Tony, who had been leaning against the closed door, stood up straight and took a step towards Senior. "You're not taking him anywhere!"

"Son, it's taken me months to figure out what I can use to get Alwaan to agree to this deal. I've tried girls, boys, hell I even took him to the most expensive whorehouse in Vegas! Finally someone let slip that he's into… older gentlemen. Tough types. Exactly what you happen to have brought home." Tony opened his mouth to protest, but Senior cut him off. "Now I'm sorry you're going to be left alone for a while, and I can promise no permanent damage will come to him, but I am not letting the deal of a lifetime get away just because you're smitten with your new toy."

"Dad," Tony tried again, but Senior stood up from his relaxed position and continued.

"I shouldn't have to remind you that my money paid for him. From the bill I got 'overpaid' is a better word, and don't think I didn't notice how expensive those clothes you bought him were either. Now, I get it, the first flutterings of infatuation have rendered you stupid for a little while, and I'll let that go, but if you expect to be kept in my home then you need to contribute, and that goes for your slave too."

Tony clenched his jaw. He knew there was nothing he could say that would convince Senior to change his mind. Dipping his head in feigned submission, Tony was already formulating a plan when he spoke softly to his father.

"Will you make sure he uses protection?" Tony caught Senior's gaze and put on his most pleading expression. "Please?"

Senior nodded, compassion flickering across his face as he looked at his son. "Of course, Junior. I would never risk your health like that."

Not trusting himself to push the charade further, Tony turned to leave. He was stopped by Senior calling out.

"I have to make a trip tonight, to get everything in order. I'll be home in two days; make sure he's ready to go."

Tony didn't reply as he left the room and closed the door behind him.