YOU KNOW IT'S LOVE
By
Ashleigh Anpilova
Gibbs surprises more than one person.
An established relationship story.
Written: May 2008. Word count: 488.
Love is, in fact, everything it's cracked up to be. It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for. And the trouble is, if you don't risk anything, you risk even more.
Tobias leaned back on his bed and watched Jethro throw things into his case and bags.
After a moment or two of watching the rather frenetic activity, he asked, "You going somewhere?"
Jethro, a pack of coffee in his hand, paused and glanced across the room they'd shared for the duration of the conference. "Thought I'd get off now, rather than in the morning." He returned to his packing.
Tobias stared at him. "Jethro, it's a four-hour drive, you won't get there until the early hours of the morning."
"Know that."
"So?"
Jethro glanced up and frowned. "So what?"
"So why the hurry?" To his amazement Tobias could have sworn he saw his old friend flush slightly. But surely not? Jethro Gibbs embarrassed? And then it hit him. "It's Ducky, isn't it? You're going back to see him?"
He was treated to the infamous 'Gibbs glare'. "You got a problem with that, Fornell?"
Tobias shrugged and shook his head. "Nope. Not me. I'm just a bit surprised, I never thought the day'd come when . . ."
"Yeah, well," Jethro's tone told Tobias that he was almost as surprised as Tobias himself was by his actions.
"Mind you, if you hadn't been such a stubborn bastard all these years and failed to see what was under your nose, you wouldn't still be in the first flush of love." Other than flashing him another, this time half-hearted, 'Gibbs glare', Jethro ignored him. "Are you going to call Ducky first and tell him?"
Jethro, zipping up his bag, shook his head. "Thought I'd just surprise him. Duck likes surprises." He glanced around him, his gaze sweeping the room, checking he had everything.
Had it been anyone other than Ducky, Tobias might have advised making the phone call. But as it was Ducky there was no chance Jethro was going to walk in on him and another man – unlike the time he'd 'surprised' their shared ex-wife.
"Guess I'm going to have to find someone else to drink with tonight," was all Tobias said.
Jethro nodded, his attention clearly only partly on Tobias's words; Tobias could see his mind had already left him and was miles away. "See you back in DC, Tobias," Jethro said, striding towards the door.
"Drive carefully. Oh, and tell Ducky I said hello." The door closed on the final words.
FOUR HOURS LATER
Jethro let himself into the house he had shared with Ducky for three weeks, locked the front door behind him, dropped his case and bags on the floor, and quietly hurried up the stairs.
Swiftly he stripped off his clothes in the bathroom, paused long enough to relieve himself, brush his teeth, wash his hands and face, before going into the bedroom and sliding under the covers next to a sleeping Ducky.
"Ah, Jethro my dear," Ducky murmured, seconds later, moving swiftly into Jethro's arms and kissing him. "This is a very pleasant surprise."
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