Title: Revelation

Fandom: NCIS

Pairing: Gibbs/DiNozzo

Rating: R (at the end... probably)

Spoilers: "Dead Man Talking" thru "Split Decision"

Author: Asa Meda

Email: asameada@comcast.net

NCIS Website: http://home.comcast.net/~asameada/NCISpage.htm

Feedback: sure!

Archive: Not yet... until finished

Summary: As people asked... expanding of a snippit... Tony is upset after Kate's parting comment in "Split Decision"... yet another

suggestion on the way we'd like to see it go :-)

Warnings: Um... slash? Nothing to write home about.



Revelation
by Asa Meda


"He's conflicted."

Gibbs half heard the self satisfied tone in Kate's voice as he sat down at his desk for a ritual he engaged in when there seem to be nothing else to do. The program searching the ever-updated terrorist database, to match the only picture they had of the man who had infiltrated them... who had hurt them... ran continuously. Sometimes he almost forgot about it. Sometimes he feared he would miss the moment when there would be a match. Right now his attention hovered somewhere between because something he just witnessed was still bothering him.

"What's he conflicted about?" he threw out finally.

Silence drew Gibbs' interest away from his obsession. Kate was standing, obviously ready to leave. Her cheeks were flushed... embarrassed? Guilty? Gibbs' instincts kicked in. Tony had been upset... very upset.

"You two have a fight?" he ventured.

Todd's expression was neutral, almost relaxed. But she licked her lips... a nervous gesture.

"What did you say to him, Kate?" Gibbs demanded.

Again the licking of lips. A shift in posture. "Tony and I were just... talking."

Alarm bells dinged in his head. There was a time when "talking" between them was friendly banter, even sibling-like arguments... meaning nothing. But lately Kate had been going for the throat, her words more and more cutting. He didn't understand what her problem was but he had a feeling he had let it go too far. "What were you two talking about?"

Kate deflated in front of him. "He was going on about that ATF agent... Melinda Stone... how pretty she was... then he said something about his tastes in women... that he liked them... complex. I told him---" She fell silent and looked away.

Gibbs didn't realize he was standing until he took a step towards her. He didn't want to hear this but knew he had to. "Told him what, Agent Todd."

She swallowed, her eyes still downcast. "Something about last week's case... that he... she... he kissed--"

"Agent Todd." Gibbs forced himself to reign his fury. He had been surprised when Kate had brought it up after the Voss case. But in the midst of dealing with Pacci's death, with killing a suspect... as much as he wanted that suspect dead... he had overlooked it, assuming fatigue and stress was a large part of the problem. Now he realized it was something else entirely. "Do you have a problem with men kissing men?"

Kate's eyes met his, clearly surprised. "I-- no... But Tony goes on about what a ladies man he is--"

"So?"

"He just thinks he's such a gift--"

"He is." Gibbs almost smiled as shock then wary surprise rippled over Kate's face. "You had no right," he said evenly. "I don't know why you have a problem with the fact that Tony kissed a man... even accidentally. And I don't care. I like you, Kate. I think you're an exceptional agent." He drew a breath, sorry he had to say what he was about to say. "The subject of Agent DiNozzo and Voss is dead, except as it relates to case review. This is your first and last warning. Clear?"

Special Agent Todd stood at attention, her glistening with emotion. "Yes," she said simply then waited.

Gibbs relaxed a little, hoping it would be the last time he'd have to talk to her this way. "Go home," he ordered.

Without hesitation Kate walked past him and left.

Gibbs sighed as he tried to settle his heart. His pulled out his cell. He wanted to call Tony, to see if he was all right... but what could he say without embarrassing him more than Kate had? How could he keep himself telling Tony how special he was... how he wished, for a moment, that he had been sitting where Voss had been when Tony's mouth descended....

"No." Gibbs closed his phone and put it away. He was a coward. He couldn't do it. He couldn't be sure Tony would understand... would want--

"Go talk to him."

Gibbs turned his head, surprised to find Tim McGee soberly sitting in near darkness. "You were eavesdropping," he challenged.

McGee held up his hands. "I was here... Kate knew. Then this..." He shrugged then sighed. "Tony... likes you, Gibbs. He said something once. I don't even know if he realized he said it out loud. But I think you should talk to him. I mean." He gazed at him worriedly. "Not that I'm assuming you-- you know... I mean I don't care. But I think that's why Kate's comments hurt him so much... because he doesn't know. He might feel better if he knew you knew... and it was all right... no matter how you felt about him."

Gibbs studied McGee. The young agent acted like he was raised in a cave, seemingly ignorant of popular trends that you'd had to have been raised on an alien planet not to know anything about. And Gibbs sensed the lack of knowledge was genuine. But then there were moments like this... the insight... that convinced him that McGee would be a good permanent addition to their team. "You about finished with that report?"

McGee attention returned to his monitor, his expression once again focused on his task. "I can have a print out tonight," he offered.

Gibbs shook his head. "Go home, McGee. You can give it to me by noon tomorrow. It's not priority right now."

McGee stared at him, his body visibly relaxing. "Yes, bo-- Gibbs. Thank you."

"You're welcome." Gibbs turned and left him, mentally mapping his way from NCIS headquarters to Tony's home. He had no idea what he would say... what Tony would do. But he was willing to find out.

//Could the day get any shittier than it was?// Tony paced around his car. He had already thrown his bag in the trunk and slammed it shut. All he wanted to do was get in and drive as fast and as far as he could. A week and a half ago Kate's words had stung but he dismissed it as revenge for his getting into her purse... for the stress of the case. But tonight it stung for reason she probably didn't know.

He... She... Inwardly he long ago realized what he wanted. Women were pretty, soft... and acceptable. He liked women. Particularly smart, interesting women. And sex was good... mostly... when he managed to find the right woman... the right moment...

The Voss case was just a case. Yes... Amanda Reed was pretty, though not really soft... he had assumed at the time, being hooked to a Marine, she worked out. And she was smart. Having worked undercover Tony knew how to get close, knew the lines to say... knew how far to go. But this time there was a difference. There had been a charisma about Reed that was unlike any woman he had ever known. Charisma. Strength. Control. When they kissed--

//Shit!// Tony wiped his hand over his face as he continued to pace. There was a difference in the kiss... in the focus. Or maybe not. Maybe in retrospect he was just thinking there was. But whatever it was it was the best kiss he ever had. Amanda... Voss... had taken control... held nothing back. Fully engaged. It was a great kiss. So much so Tony actually failed to answer Gibbs' call. At the time he didn't think a few moments would make a difference. Finish the experience... go to the men's room... call Gibbs back. After all Amanda wasn't the killer... she was just a stepping stone.

"Dammit! Dammit!" Tony felt his eyes burn as his thoughts wandered down a well-worn path. He had kissed a guy... Pacci's killer... a guy. He had violated one of Gibbs' most sacred rules in order to kiss a murderer. He had failed though Gibbs was surprisingly forgiving, letting him off with a stern warning laced with concern about his head injury. Gibbs had touched him briefly, examined the wound on his scalp. He was lucky. The bottle that hit the back of his head had been empty and the blow had been glancing. Yet it seemed Gibbs fingers remained in his hair a little longer than necessary. //Definitely my freaky imagination,// he chided himself.

Yet the moment was duly recorded in his perverse memory. Gibbs had touched him. Not the normal brushing aside. Not the odd smack up the side of the head for a smart remark. It had been a personal touch... caring. Then, less than a week ago, when he had been kidnapped, when the mission to find the Gunnery Sergeant was over, Gibbs stayed by his side during the drive back to headquarters, asking if he was all right, warning him against taking strange drinks in strange bars.

Then yesterday... when he faced ATF Agent Stone... and her gun. The deal was going to go down. The woman was to be arrested and questioned; stolen weapons would be recovered. But he missed a moment and found himself focused on the business end of a gun held by a suspect who didn't seem to give a damn that a weapon was trained on her.

Then Gibbs appeared... almost as if he knew ahead of time. Like when he faced Voss case, his supervisor's aim was true. Though he told Stone to go ahead and shoot and Tony teased him about it a moment later, he had seen the cold gleam in Gibbs eyes, the unwavering aim, Tony watched Tony wondered if Stone had accidentally twitched if their case would ended then.

But, DiNozzo was quick to remind himself, it was something Gibbs would have done for any of them. His people. //You're making too much of this. He likes you fine... but not like that. He's a Marine... he's been married...// Yet there was that moment when Tony had teased about Gibbs caring about him, when the older man had paused to face him. Tony had been prepared to receive a smack on the head, a friendly indication that he was crossing the line. But instead Gibbs had enclosed Tony's face in his hands, telling him he was irreplaceable. His tone, DiNozzo remembered, had been exasperating, well within the norm for his kind of teasing. But a fleeting expression crossed over his supervisor's face that caught Tony off guard. In that tiny encounter Tony had an urge to lean closer, to kiss Gibbs.

Then the moment was ended abruptly as Gibbs openly teased both himself and McGee who for some reason was sitting at his desk. It was back to business as usual... until Kate's comment this evening. It shouldn't be that big a deal he reminded himself. He usually gave as good as he got. What was different here? His attraction to Gibbs? That was an old deal going on since before Kate started working there. He had a handle on it. Or was the fact that he actually kissed a guy... had enjoyed it... but he didn't know.

A sound caught his attention. The parking garage door opened and Kate stepped out. Tony swallowed, ready for her to spot him, to throw in a last jab at his expense. But her posture alerted him. She walked quickly and efficiently to her car a few rows down without looking around, without acknowledging anything. She got in and drove away in less than a minute. Very unusual.

"You're still here, Anthony?"

Ducky. Tony turned around. Donald Mallard, NCIS Medical Examiner, stood a few cars down, his bow tie in place, along with his had and brief case. He was going home. DiNozzo sighed. "I'm going... soon."

Mallard studied him. "What's wrong?" he asked quietly.

"Nothing," Tony said shortly. He did not want to have a discussion about this with anyone. He just needed to get himself together and stop whining. Focus on reality, not fantasy.

"You don't look like it's nothing, Tony."

Tony... not Anthony. That drew his attention.

"Don't go anywhere," Ducky ordered as he opened his trunk and put his brief case in. He then walked up to DiNozzo, his blue eyes sharp as they wandered over Tony. "Come to my office," he suggested... ordered.

All shields within Tony's psyche rose up in unison. He did not like discussing his problems. It wasn't that big a deal anyway. "I'm fine, Ducky. Just a long day. Need to go home."

Mallard nodded in a paternal fashion. "You're upset. Probably too upset to drive safely." His hand patted Tony's arm. "Come with me. I can make some tea or coffee." He paused then added; "I'll be honest and tell you Kate passed me on her way out here. She was very upset. Wouldn't say much to me, only something about hurting someone more than she meant to. I assume, given your attitude, that that person was you."

//Oh shit... fucking goddamn shit!// Tony closed his eyes. "I really don't want to talk about it," he said as politely as he could manage, wishing hadn't wasted his time prancing around the garage. He could have been home by now, getting agitated in private.

"Well it might help," Ducky told him firmly, his expression more serious. "You really shouldn't drive in the state you're in." He cocked his head. "I'm a good listener... or good company."

Mallard's tone was casual. His suggestion was more an order. Tony considered then gave up and in. In a sense Ducky ranked over him and if he refused Gibbs would hear about it and then he would have to tell him about the whole thing. No, better only Ducky knew and he gave into the offer for a private talk... or maybe he could just sit detention until the old man decided he could go. "Okay."

"Right then!" Mallard released him, turned and started walking away... a silent order to follow.

Tony tried hard not to feel like he was walking his last mile as he moved down the corridor and silently rode the elevator down to Ducky's office. As he walked through the late night stillness he thought once or twice that he sensed someone watching but gave it up as paranoia. Walking side by side with Ducky, they had only encountered a night shift clerk and a cleaning person. All very common and usual. No lurking here.

"Here we are." Ducky lead him through the examination room, now empty and clean, to his office door. "Have a seat, Tony," he commanded in a friendly fashion as they walked in.

Tony glanced around the sparse space. There were two utility chairs in front of Ducky's desk. Tony shrugged and collapsed into one of them. "So Dad," he quipped as bravado rose up to protect him. If he could distract maybe the medical examiner would just give up and let him go. "If this is going to be about the birds and the bees I'm sorry to tell you it's a little too late."

Mallard grunted as knowledgeable eyes mused over him. Mallard was sitting behind his desk with his hands folded in front of him. "Well perhaps not the birds and the bees, young man," he said directly. "But perhaps more about the bees... and the bees?"

Tony deflated. //Shit.// He looked away. "Can we talk about something else?"

"We can talk about anything you want, Anthony. But I'm not sure there's anything else we need to talk about. Am I correct?"

Exposed, Tony squirmed in his seat. "You said Kate didn't tell you anything," he accused as he continued to look away.

"She didn't. Abby told me what she said to you after the Voss case. She was very upset with Agent Todd but I told her I thought perhaps it was all due to fatigue causing a more heated exchange between the two of you. Abby had her doubts but I thought I'd wait and see." He sighed. "I surmised that she said something to you again tonight?"

Tony shrugged. "Maybe she got pissed because Gibbs left her out of the loop with the case we just worked on. I was going on about that ATF agent. She was good looking... and smart." He smiled a bit. "I know I give the impression I only go for babes for their looks. I told her that it was a shame about Agent Stone because she had other good qualities and Kate ripped into me." He blinked as his eyes began to burn. //Damn, I'm a grown man! I'm not going to get upset about this!//

"What did she say?" Ducky prodded.

Tony got up and paced away. "It's not important." He didn't want to talk about it.

"Anthony..."

DiNozzo turned on him. "Why do you want to know?"

Ducky pursed his lips and sat back. "Because you don't usually get this... defensive about what others say to you. Her words must have hurt you."

Tony eyed the door then gave up. Ducky was trying to help... and maybe he'd understand. "I told her the truth... that I like my women... complex. And I do... though I guess I don't get to prove that too often." He sat back down and met Ducky's gaze. "She got pretty nasty and said something about "tonguing that he/she". Caught me completely off guard. It was so... nasty." He threw his hands up. "I don't know what her problem is... though I've had the amazing thought that she doesn't like gay people..."

Mallard frowned. "That would be unfortunate... considering where she works... and with whom."

Tony grinned a bit. "You mean... about you?"

Ducky returned the grin. "Me... Gerald..." His blue eyes pinned Tony. "You?"

//Me?// At first the notion didn't register. Then Tony straightened in his chair as his heart thudded in reaction. "What about me? I like women."

"I'm sure you do, Anthony," Ducky agreed. "Not everyone finds themselves on one side of the fence or the other... some always find themselves leaning over to see the other side."

Tony found he couldn't even muster a suitable protest. It would be a lie. "So... I might be bi?"

Ducky's eyebrows rose. "Might be?"

DiNozzo shifted again, wishing he could just go. "I've... some guys have caught my eye. But I've never-- you know... done it."

"No?" Mallard queried gently.

"No!" Tony wiped his mouth, remembering Amanda's lips... Voss' lips. "I was never brave enough. I mean I don't know how you managed to do what you do without them giving you a hard time."

"I was very circumspect at a young man.... as was my partner. He and I were together almost seventeen years before he died of a heart attack... all very sudden."

"I'm sorry," Tony said sincerely. He knew of Ducky and Gerald... knew what they had started before he joined NCIS. But Gerald was young... Tony didn't think about anyone else who might have been a part of Ducky's life.

"You're very kind, Anthony," Ducky accepted quietly... sadly. "But this isn't about me... and it's not all about you either."

That drew Tony's interest. "Come again?"

Mallard's eyes moved around then rested on DiNozzo once more. "You said some men have caught your eye. Anyone recently?"

That was a loaded question. A slow burn erupted across Tony's face. "Um... no one who'd be interested back..." He winced as he played out the mental image of Gibbs facing him after finding out. Not pretty... though he figured Kate might want to watch--

"You sure of that?" the older man persisted. "I promise what you say won't go beyond this room."

Tony studied him. "He'd kill me."

Ducky chuckled. "No, Anthony. I don't think he'd kill you."

DiNozzo's gaze narrowed. "You think you know who I'm talking about?" //He couldn't!//

"Tell me, Tony," Mallard began, again reverting to DiNozzo's nickname. "Do you... like Jethro Gibbs?"

//Okay... he could.// DiNozzo gave up being surprised. Seemed it was all so obvious to the old man. "I know he doesn't care... about who anyone sleeps with. At least as long as it doesn't compromise security or something. But I would never tell him about me, because I'd have to tell him rest."

Mallard's expression was amused. "That you're attracted to him... want to sleep with him?" He chuckled. His eyes wandered beyond Tony then returned. "You should tell him."

Tony snorted. "Yeah... that'd work. Hey boss... I'm just accepting the fact that I have the hots for guys... in particular you." He shivered as his mind again replayed what he was sure would be Gibbs' reaction. "No way on this planet, Ducky! Not a chance! I like my job... and I like Gibbs as a friend. No way I'm going to risk that!"

"Maybe you should."

DiNozzo saw the sparkle in Ducky's eyes as Gibb's rough voice reached his ears from behind. //Shit.// Mallard regarded him with a knowing gaze. Shock twisted into something close to anger. "You fucking set me up," he whispered fiercely.

Ducky raised his hand in a calming gesture. "He came in about five minutes ago and by his expression he had already heard enough." He got up. "I'm going home. Gerald is getting around better but he's so tired by the end of the day he still needs some help getting ready for bed." He waved a hand. "Why don't you sit here, Jethro? I think you and this young man need to have a long chat." He put his hat on and picked up his brief case. As he walked around the desk he leaned close to Tony. "For you he is all bark, my dear Anthony. Remember that."

Tony didn't acknowledge him. He was too busy examining the floor between his feet. Truly and rudely busted. What was he going to do now? Would Gibbs let him transfer? Let him start fresh? He was good at that... starting fresh when the heat was on. He tensed as he heard Ducky whisper something and Gibbs answer. A moment later the door opened and closed. He was alone... with Gibbs.

"Kate told me what she said and I spoke her," Gibbs said behind him, tentatively.

Tony closed his eyes. He really wanted the issue to die. No fall out. No casualties. "She didn't mean anything," he defended.

"Last week she didn't seem to mean anything, which is why I let it go." Tony heard three precise steps, felt his supervisor draw closer. "The sniping you two have down to an art form is just fine with me... you're both big enough to give and take. But this time it got too personal, too cutting." Pause. "And I would have spoken to you if you had done same thing, Tony."

No favorites. Gibbs was trying to reassure him. Tony shrugged. There was some kind of crawling thing on the floor that touched his shoe and back away to find another direction. DiNozzo watched as he waited for sentencing. He gasped as strong hands gripped his shoulders from behind.

"Calm down," Gibbs soothed. The warmth of his body teased Tony's upper back. "I'm not offended... or mad." His fingers began a gentle massage around Tony's neck. "In fact I'm flattered... and interested."

Interested. Tony lifted his head. "You're kidding." This was too unreal. Gibbs was interested. The man was married... three times... to women. Never gave the slightest hint that he was interested in--

Hands patted his shoulders. "Stand up, Tony."

It was an order wrapped in a gentle suggestion. DiNozzo wiped his hands over his face. "Kate's not hiding in here too, is she?"

Soft laughter. Strong hands coaxed. "Stand up, DiNozzo and face me."

Order. Tony sighed and stood but kept his eyes on the floor as he turned. "I really just want to go, Boss," he said... begged.

"Do you?" Hands cupped his face, forcing it up. A delicious shudder coursed through Tony's body as Gibbs' compelling gaze riveted him to the spot. "Was Voss the first time you kissed a guy?" the older man asked quietly.

"I don't think that counts, Boss.... because I didn't know... you know--" He stopped as Gibbs' thumbs wiped over his cheeks. "I--uh..."

"Do you want to know what it's like to 'tongue a guy'?" Gibbs challenged, his voice softer, his blue eyes watching.

//Do I want to know...// Pleasure whispered down Tony's spine in anticipation, nearly overcoming his fear of the unknown. Gibbs wanted to kiss him? For real? He took in Gibbs' open expression. //Oh man... it's for real.// "Okay."

Gibbs smiled and pulled Tony's face closer. Without preamble his lips teased then pressed, making gentle demand. Tony closed his eyes, immediately giving into the strength of the man holding him, parting his lips as Gibbs' tongue licked over them. The experience with Reed... aka Voss... wasn't like this. But then, beyond surface attraction, he didn't feel anything for her... him... But this... Tony groaned as Gibbs' tongue explored his mouth, as well-trained hands moved from his face to cradle the back of his head, deepening the contact between them. Tony lost himself to the man holding him, to sensations he had fantasized about but never thought it would be like... this.

Gibbs grunted then sighed as he drew back, his hands coming to rest on Tony's hips. "Hey," he breathed.

Tony blinked, inwardly crying out as the arousal building within him was suddenly cooled. "Um... hey..." He studied Gibbs' flushed face, seeing something he had never seen before... and never thought to see directed towards him. Passion. Need. "That was... different," he ventured, not knowing what else to say. His cock throbbed painfully within the confines of his pants, reminding him he didn't really want to say anything.

"Different from Voss?" Gibbs ventured, his tone light.

But Tony took him seriously. "Fucking bastard killed Pacci, Boss." He hesitated then added; "I'm not going to compare."

Gibbs nodded as his eyes considered. "You're a great kisser," he said. His fingers brushed hair from Tony's forehead. "Wanna do it again?"

Tony shivered. He dared to rub his hands over the material covering Gibbs' arms, feeling the steel-hard muscles under his touch. "I want..." He swallowed as he hesitated then forged ahead. "I want to do more... I mean if you--"

"I do." Gibbs' smiled brightly. Both his hands gripped Tony's buttocks and forced their hips together. DiNozzo gasped then moaned as Gibbs' hardness pressed against his own. Then Tony's lips were captured again. Gibbs' tongue thrust as his crotch boldly slid against Tony's. DiNozzo held on, his entire being centering on the sensation the other man was creating, building towards a kind of ectasy he had never known with a woman--

"Not here."

Tony protested as Gibbs suddenly stopped, forcing him back. Breathing hard, Tony struggled to recover. "What the hell--"

Gibbs' eyes sparkled in amusement as his hand held onto Tony's arm in support. "I'm sorry." His gaze traced a path over Tony's body. "Let's take this home.. my home. All right?"

His home. Tony was compelled to finish what Gibbs started... to open his fly and bring himself off right in Ducky's office... Ducky's... Tony glanced around as he remembered where he was. "Oh... yeah..."

"Yeah," Gibbs echoed as if following his thoughts. He gently cuffed the side of Tony's head then threaded his fingers into DiNozzo's dark hair. "Come on."

//Okay.// Tony moved with Gibbs towards the door but just before it opened, just before he knew they would have to act as if nothing happened until they got out of the building, he quickly pulled Gibbs to him and kissed him. "Just making sure, Boss."

Gibbs snorted and briefly caressed Tony's face. "DiNozzo, I promise you that by tomorrow morning you will be very sure."



The End