Category: Slash. And angst. Lots and lots of angst.

Rating: PG-13 this part in places

Characters: Gibbs/DiNozzo mainly

Series: No

Spoilers: None intended but anything might get a mention

Summary: Gibbs and Tony talk. And not about work or pizza. Although there is ice cream.

Archive: Just tell me where it's going

Additional `stuff': My first fic based around NCIS. Apparently, that could be a Medic Alert bracelet around Gibbs' wrist.

Tough Love Part Five

`It's the only time I've ever seen you so quiet.' Gibbs teased.

Tony scowled. `I can be quiet.'

`You can?' Gibbs eyebrows shot up.

Tony gave his boss a withering glare which didn't seem to have the effect he hoped. He wasn't wholly surprised.

`I have a lot to say.' Tony noticed Gibbs hadn't moved from where he sat.

`Yes you do.' Gibbs said softly.

Tony took a deep breath. `You have a short attention span.'

Gibbs didn't respond and Tony lifted himself up onto his elbows. `Boss!'

Gibbs eyes focused instantly on Tony and he nodded. `Yeah?' His smile and teasing chuckle left Tony sighing and rolling his eyes and falling for the trick.

`I have an attention span appropriate to the matter at hand.'

Tony nodded. `Yes you do.'

Gibbs got up suddenly. `Breakfast. Get dressed.'

They ate in near-silence and Gibbs let Tony suffer for a few more minutes while he loaded the dishwasher. Finally he straightened up. `I'm sure I'm gonna regret this, but tell me what's bothering you.'

Tony sat back in the chair and watched Gibbs for a few seconds. `Nothing…I'm fine…now…really…okay…fine…now.'

Gibbs turned, slammed his hand on the table and regretted it the instant the sound reverberated around the room. Tony's hands gripped the table top and he tried without success to push himself away from Gibb's flattened palm. Tony's reaction was out of all proportion to the action and Gibbs filed that away for later examination.

However, Tony's speed of recovery was also worrying. A moment later, it was as if he hadn't even noticed the impact and he leaned back in the chair, reaching for his coffee, winning smile fixed in place. `Boss…I'm fine, okay?'

`Okay Agent Dinozzo, I'm gonna make this real easy. Either you talk or you're fired.' Gibbs stood close to the younger man, almost touching, arms folded, body posture as dominant as he could make it without contact.

`You're not serious Boss!!' Dinozzo protested, eyes wide.

Gibbs stood unmoving and silent, watching, waiting.

`What is this?! Tough love?!' Tony exploded suddenly, getting up, the chair falling over as he stood.

`If that's what it takes.' Gibbs said calmly.

Frantically, Tony babbled: `You can't do this! It's not fair!!'

`Sit down.' Gibbs said firmly, reaching to lift Tony's chair upright.

`Don't hit me!' Tony panicked, backing up, falling over the chair, sprawling on the floor.

Gibbs stood up, backed up, hands in sight, body language calm and open, waiting for Tony to recover his composure.

Tony stood up, grabbed for his jacket and walked to the door. `You don't want me? Fine! I don't need you!'

Gibbs cursed inwardly. //Great…thanks Ducky. Thanks *a lot*.//

`STOP RIGHT THERE DINOZZO!!' Gibbs shouted, not sure it would have any effect. He was as surprised as Tony judging by the younger man's expression when Tony stopped, hand on the door knob.

Voice soft, Gibbs asked: `Your Dad slapped your face. Who hit you Tony?'

Tony squirmed and looked everywhere except at Gibbs. `It doesn't matter. You said talk or leave. And I talk too much. You said so yourself.'

`I said you had a lot to say.'

`Same thing.' Tony muttered stubbornly.

`Is not.' Gibbs said firmly.

Tony moved back into the room by degrees, approaching the table slowly, righting the chair. `You were gonna let me just walk out?'

`Nah.' Gibbs shook his head.

`What were you gonna do? Shoot me?'

`Crossed my mind. But you scream like a baby if you get so much as a scratch, so I reconsidered. I was gonna offer you ice cream.' Gibbs was relieved to see a small smile ghost over Tony's lips.

`You can't have ice cream.'

Gibbs nodded. `I got it in just for you.'

`When?' Tony frowned.

`When you were sleeping.' Gibbs said impatiently.

`Thanks. Where is it?'

`It's eight am Tony!' Gibbs protested.

`So? You can't withdraw an offer like that.' Tony scowled.

Sighing, giving in, Gibbs shook his head. `Help yourself. I'm gonna shower.' Gibbs nodded at the dishwasher. `Clear up after yourself.'

`Yes boss.' Tony smiled.

Tony was in the middle of his second bowl of ice cream when Gibbs cell phone rang. Tony left it for a moment, then answered it. `Um… Gibb's ph…'

`So is it kill or cure Jethro?'

`Uh…this is Tony, Ducky. Boss is in the shower.'

Ducky chuckled. `Does he usually let you answer his phone?'

Tony gulped. `Uh…well, it was…ringing…'

Ducky's voice suddenly became serious. `He can give you what you need Anthony. But you do have to ask. Ask him. You might be surprised at the answer.'

`He asked me who hit me.'

Ducky sighed. `Did you tell him?'

`Ducky!'

Ducky huffed crossly. `Kate has Confession, I have…well never mind. You need someone. And Gibbs doesn't offer lightly.'

`I know. It's hard…it's been a while.'

Ducky smiled. `For both of you. Up you go.'

`Where?' Tony frowned.

`You said he was in the shower.'

Tony folded the phone closed and walked slowly up the stairs.

Continued (and concluded) in Part Six...

Tough Love Part Six...click here

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