Author:
amy_0127Rating: T
Characters: Gibbs/DiNozzo
Summary: Tag to the episode "Check"
Disclaimer: Not mine, fortunately for them.
A/N: Stupidly short - 361 words but I didn't see reason for more than that.
Tony shut off the engine, his hand shaking as he removed the key from the ignition and opened the car door. It took every bit of resolve he had to get out of the vehicle and walk up the steps and cross the front porch.
He closed his eyes and immediately images of the night flashed behind his eyes. Two dead bodies and his boss, his lover, lie on the floor of the small apartment. The relief he felt when Gibbs - no, Jethro, opened his eyes was overwhelming and it was all he could do to keep his crouched position.
The door was yanked open and suddenly he was in the present and being pulled in the house. “DiNozzo!” the familiar bark cut through his haze and he was lead into the living room, the small object in his left hand cutting deeper into his palm
Gibbs turned away and sat on the sofa expecting Tony to follow. He looked up as Tony closed in the few feet that separated them and fell to his knees, the object still tightly clutched in his hand. He wrapped his right arm around Gibbs’ knee and pressed his forehead into his thigh letting a small sob escape.
“Aw, Tony - no.” Gibbs stroked the back of Tony’s head. “Don’t.”
Tony tightened his grip on Gibbs’ leg briefly and then untangled himself as he lifted his head and held out his left hand. Taking Gibbs’ free hand, he placed it over his closed fist and opened it. “Take it, Jethro.”
“Tony, no. I can’t.” His gripped tightened on the back of Tony’s neck.
“Take it, Jethro because I can’t have this anymore.” Tony’s eyes glistened with tears. His voice hitched, “I can’t have this knowing that one day I will unlock the door you locked for me to find that you won’t be coming home”.
Gibbs shifted and pulled Tony close, burying his face in the crook of his shoulder. “I waited twelve years to have you.”
Tony pulled away, held his face with both hands and kissed him softly. “Then why not 30 more minutes?”
He stood up and walked out of the house, the door closing quietly behind him.