"Dad, look what I remembered we had." Abby came bounding into the room, causing Tony and Gibbs to break from the kiss.
Gibbs' head turned and saw the wheelchair. "I had forgotten you had that."
"Well, when Nanna came over last year we got it for her."
"True."
"What are you both talking about?" Tony asked as he was nuzzling into Gibbs. Still kind of sleeping.
"A wheelchair. Not sure how you're going to use it, but we can ask Ducky that tomorrow when he comes over."
"Hmm," was Tony's only comment as he was falling back to sleep.
Abby was glowing from the way her dad and her friend were on the sofa.
"Nope, no falling asleep. Carrying you will hurt too much. If you're tired, then let's put you to bed."
"Hmm." Tony was still very tried; his pills were kicking in.
Gibbs got Tony up and helped, all but carried him up the stairs and placed him in the bed. He left all his clothing on and put him under the sheet and then tucked him in. Abby was following him up the stairs and met Gibbs in the hall with a sandwich for dinner.
"Here, I know you, Dad, you're not leaving his side."
"Thanks, Princess."
Gibbs kissed his daughter's temple, and she left the men alone. Gibbs was sitting in the corner chair, the only one in the room. It was an over-sized fluffy chair. Gibbs had just marveled from the kiss. That kiss should not have happened, he thought to himself. He couldn't push Tony, he had to form a friendship first, then they could get to the rest. He would have to talk about it with Tony if it came up again, and he knew it would.
Gibbs just watched over Tony, and his mind drifted to the first time he'd seen the handsome man. He'd been introduced to him while on his first day at work. The old mail guy who was retiring was showing him the route and taking their time, counting steps and such. Gibbs had liked the man then and there, the way he stood, the way he looked, his ass, his overall demeanor, the fact that even though he was blind he was doing a job that some people with sight could not do. To Gibbs this man was strong. He couldn't explain why but every time he looked at the blind man a spark went throughout his body. That was why he was gruff and rode the man. He had to put up a wall so that he wouldn't let it be known that he liked the man, let alone had feelings for him.
Gibbs was watching Tony. The younger man was sleeping very soundly. The past night he'd been tossing and turning in the bed, having some kind of nightmare about his father trying to kill him. Damn that man, he would pay, Gibbs thought. He would call Fornell in the morning but not without telling Tony first. He was also going to try to get Tony to go after the banker. Gibbs wasn't scared of the men, no matter how powerful they thought they were. He would also not let Tony back down. He had to show Tony that this was about truth.
Then it hit Gibbs that Tony would not be able to do much of anything, even the bathroom would be a problem. He would talk to Ducky in the morning. Be it him or Abby, one of them was going to be there 24/7. He also needed to call Cait and have them process Tony's cane fast so he would have that. Then another thing hit Gibbs. Maybe he could get Tony a seeing-eye dog. Also he would learn Braille himself so he could help Tony out even more; that made Gibbs wonder if Tony even knew Braille. He'd lost his sight and his house all in one day, so maybe not.
He and Tony would have to sit down and have a talk so he could learn more about what Tony's limitations were. He'd also have Abby pull up research on the web about blindness and programs for them.
Gibbs ate his sandwich and eventually fell asleep till sometime in the night when he heard Tony calling his name.
"Jethro, are you there?"
"Yes, buddy, I'm here. What's up?" Gibbs was walking towards him and sat on the side of the bed next to him. It seemed to startle him a little. Gibbs had to remember to make more noise around Tony.
"I got to go."
"You're not leaving this house till you're better."
"I know that, but I got to, um, GO."
"No, Tony, I'm not letting you out-" Gibbs stopped mid-sentence of his barking. "Oh, that, okay, um, well, how do you want to work this, Tony?"
"I can do that myself."
"Um, Tony, your arms are broken. You're not to be using them, and that might be a little of a reach."
"I'm not having you wipe my ass, Jethro."
"Then Abby will, since I'm not sure…"
"Can I at least give it a try?"
"Sure."
He heard it right in that one moment, that voice that made him like Gibbs. For all his rough and gruff exterior, he was a big softy at heart. The first time he fell for Gibbs was in Abby's lab. One moment he was talking and biting off Cait and McGee's heads and the next he was being a soft and gentle soul. He now understood why, but Tony knew that Gibbs was not the kind of person to favor his own blood.
"Okay, I'm going to be your leg. Lean on me and let's go, okay?"
"Sure."
Gibbs helped Tony to the bathroom, Tony's broken leg as if it was tied to Gibbs' leg, one of Tony's casted arms wrapped around Gibbs' shoulder. They got to the bathroom and Tony relented and let Gibbs help. He only had to relieve his bladder, but it still was quite embarrassing for Tony. While Gibbs was helping Tony pull up his pants, Tony tried to make Gibbs hand touch him. Gibbs pulled away quickly, almost letting go of Tony.
"What? What did I do? Don't you want to touch me?"
"Okay, we're having this talk once I get you to bed."
Tony looked panicked. He'd never meant to piss Gibbs off; he would kick him out for sure now. That was okay, he would go into service, he had before and would again. Once Gibbs got Tony back into the bedroom, he sat on the edge of the bed and took Tony's hand.
"Okay, Tony. That kiss earlier, that was wrong. I took advantage of you. We need to take this VERY slowly."
"But how else can I make you happy?" Tony asked with a frown.
"Tony, I'm not here to make you have sex with me. Not at all. I want to be your friend first and foremost. That's all. I'm hoping that we can build from there."
"But how else will I pay you back for all that you do for me?"
"Sit here and trust Abby and me to take care of you."
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why are you being so nice to me and not wanting anything in return? You must want something."
"I told you what I'd like from you, Tony, and I meant it. I'm sure it's hard for you to believe. I know no one ever gave you anything without asking for something in return."
"True."
"Well, welcome to a new life, Tony. Again, look, I liked the kiss. Damn that was good and hot, but Tony we can't do that again for awhile. I want you as a friend first and foremost. Think we can make this work? You've got to trust me."
"I do, Jethro, I'm just so confused. No one ever opened their home to me and let me in without wanting me to bend over and take it."
"Tony, I'm not going to lie. I'm going to ask for your help to get your father and maybe even that banker you told me about."
"No, you can't, they'll both try to kill you. They have money and can make things happen."
"Let me worry about that."
"No, Jethro, please, no, just tell me you will not."
"I'm not gong to tell you that. I will tell you that it's not going to happen right now. It won't be till you're ready, okay?"
"NO! I will not let you do that. Not for me. I'm not worth that."
Gibbs leaned over and head slapped Tony for the first time, lightly since he was still in pain.
"What was that for?"
"You will not now or ever talk about yourself like that. Am I clear?"
"But it's the truth."
Another head slap. After this one Gibbs pulled way and was now standing. "No, it is not. You're worth a lot to Abby and myself. I talked to Cait and McGee and they both like you. Ducky cares about you a great deal."
"Okay, just stop hitting me."
"I'm putting the word out that if you start that kind of talk, they are going to head slap you. Got me, mister?"
"Yes, sir."
"Okay, now, we're clear about the fact that I want nothing but your trust and honesty, right? I'm going to take care of you."
"Yes," Tony said meekly.
"Okay, now let's get you back to sleep. Do you need a pain pill?"
Tony tried to move without showing the pain, but it was just too much and Gibbs saw it in his face.
"Okay, don't move. Do you like milk?"
"It's okay."
"Good."
Gibbs left the room and was back a minute later with a glass of milk and a pill. "Okay, drink the glass but leave a sip. Okay?"
Tony did as Gibbs said, then Gibbs handed Tony the pill and he finished the milk up.
"Where are you sleeping?" he asked as he held out the empty glass.
"Don't you worry about that," Gibbs said, taking the glass.
"No, I'm not having you sleep on the floor or something."
"I'm in a big chair in the corner."
"The bed is big enough."
"No, Tony, I meant it. We take it slow. We date, we ask questions of each other, that kind of thing. I meant it, Tony, if that kiss is all we get, then fine. Got me?"
"Yes," Tony said weakly, confused as to why anyone would be so nice like Gibbs was. This was why he'd fallen for Gibbs in the first place. He was right, they both knew nothing about the other.
Tony fell asleep with Gibbs sitting on the bed, but that was not how he woke up.
The next morning Tony awoke to the smell of bacon cooking and the scent of Patchouli.
"Abby."
"Correctamundo, handsome. So, you hungry? Dad is downstairs cooking up a storm. Ducky is with him."
"What's he here for?"
"Why, you, of course. He's going over your aftercare since the doctor at the hospital fucked it all up."
"I'm good, don't bother worrying about me."
Abby walked closer, sat on the bed, making sure to make plenty of sound, and head-slapped him. "Dad's orders to head tap you if you talk bad about yourself. Kind of fun. Can I do it again?"
"No, I get it. Okay, so you're going to help me in to relieve myself?"
"Nope, I'm to call Dad. He did talk to me and asked me to see if you would rather him or me help you in the shower."
"Abby, I'm scared."
"Why, Tony?"
"Him. I'm confused. He doesn't want me to sleep with him for letting me stay here."
"Well, I wouldn't exactly say that. He likes you, Tony, a lot, but you're right. Right now he wants you to get better. And he would never expect it as payment for you staying here."
"I don't know what to do. All I know is how to make people happy and give them pleasure."
"Well, Tony, I guess you'll learn a whole new side to yourself, because Dad does not want that from you at all. Nor do I. Now let me go and get him and we can eat. I'm starved."
Abby went bounding out of the room and a moment later Tony picked up the scent of Gibbs; sawdust. He always knew Gibbs was around just from his scent.
"Morning, Jethro."
"Morning, Tony. Now, do you want a shower before you eat or after?"
"After. I'm, well, I'm not feeling well and maybe eating will help."
"You took the last pain pill on an empty stomach with only milk, so yeah, that sounds about right. Ducky's here, as is Cait. She just got here with a gift for you."
"For me? What? She shouldn't have."
"Its nothing, Tony. Now let's get you to the wheelchair at the bottom of the stairs, got me?"
"Yes, sir."
"Cut the sir shit."
Gibbs was Tony's legs now. He got Tony down the stairs, and that was no easy feat. At the bottom Tony sat in the chair and Gibbs pushed him into the dining room where everyone was sitting around eating.
"Hey, Tony, what's up?"
"Tim."
"Tony, how are you holding up? Is Gibbs treating you okay?"
"Yes, Cait, he's been great."
"Good. If not, let me know, I'll kick his ass for you."
"Thanks, but I'm sure Abby will beat you to it," Tony said. He had made sure to put his glasses on before coming down.
"Now, Anthony, how are you really feeling?"
"Good, my stomach is a little upset, but I'm hoping some food will help."
"You are taking your pills with food, right?"
"Not last night, Ducky," Jethro said before Tony could. The younger man just kind of melted at his words, words of protection and guilt mixed together.
"And why not, Jethro? Anthony needed food."
"Well, he was sleepy, and I figured sleeping was more important. I did make sure he drank them with milk at least."
"Okay, in a pinch that will do, but he needs to eat. Got me, Anthony?"
"Ducky, call me Tony, please. I hate the name Anthony."
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Tony. If I had known."
"Well, I'm sorry, but Jethro said I needed to speak for myself now. I'm sorry if it's a big deal. Don't listen to my stupidity."
Gibbs head-tapped him for the words.
"Okay, enough. I'm hungry, where's the food?"
"Tony, do you think you can use a fork, or-"
"I can feed myself. At least let me do that."
"Okay, but after you eat, straight to the shower. Oh, and Cait, you have a gift for Tony."
"Oh, yeah, here, Tony." Cait handed Tony his cane.
He knew it right away and smiled. "Where was it?"
"We had to process it before you could have it back. Had to make sure it was-" Cait stopped when Gibbs made the sign to.
"Make sure what? That it was really my blood? I can smell it on the cane."
"Yes, Tony. Look, we're looking into who did this to you."
"Jethro, no, you said-"
"I said I would not go after your father. Unless you can tell me that is who did this to you, then we are tracking down a few leads on your beating."
Tony sat there in fear. Gibbs sensed it as did the rest of the people in the room.
"Tony, now how about we get some food into you. Boss made some great eggs and the bacon is the best."
"Thanks, Tim, but I'm no longer hungry." Tony tried to wheel away but his cast was getting in the way.
"You're not going anyplace till you eat."
"Jethro, I'm not hungry. Let me just go watch TV."
"Tony, please."
"You know what I mean. I want to just listen to it."
Gibbs was lost. He didn't know what to do.
"Jethro, let Tony and I have a moment alone. Is that okay, Tony? We'll go to the kitchen." Ducky didn't wait, he just wheeled Tony to the kitchen and sat at one of the chairs. "Tony, we just want the best for you."
"Ducky, he can't, he'll get killed. I-" Tony stopped and was looking in the direction of the smell of Old Spice.
"Tony, what is it?"
"Nothing, it's nothing, Ducky."
"No, young man, I have seen that face on many other people. What is wrong? Why do you fear for his life so much?"
"I like him, Ducky. I mean REALLY like him, more than just as friends, and I can't lose that. He is the first person who wants me to find out who I am and not make me sleep with them to pay them back."
"And your point, young man? Jethro only wants you to be happy."
"I can't let him do that. If he finds the attacker who was sent to kill me, he, himself will get hurt."
"Posh, Tony. Jethro is a fighter and will not let you hurt or get anyone else hurt. Tony, listen to me. Jethro knows what he is doing. Let him take care of you. Trust him."
"I can't, Ducky. I'm just going to get hurt. The last person I trusted, well…"
"What, Tony, what happened? Talk to me. None of us can understand unless you tell us."
"I got kicked out of my home," Tony blurted out loudly and was now in tears.
Ducky put his older hand on the boy's hand and patted him. "Oh, dear boy. That's not going to happen this time. Gibbs is not going to kick you out for anything. You have always trusted me, right?"
"I try, Ducky."
"Then just trust him. He will-"
"Is everything okay in here?" Gibbs had come running to Tony's yelling, his gut telling him to find out what was going on, that Tony was in pain and he needed to fix it.
"We're good, Jethro, just a little longer, please."
"No, he can stay."
"Tony, are you sure?"
"Yes. I can't have secrets anymore, right, Jethro?"
"Right, Tony. What's wrong in here?" Gibbs walked and sat next to Tony, across from Ducky, placing his hand on Tony's hand so he knew where to turn his head.
"You can't go after the attacker."
"Okay, why not?"
"You just can't. You asked me to trust you. Can you trust me?"
"I already do. But, Tony, this man all but killed you and left you to die."
"Yes, he, well, I can't say."
"Tony, please, I'm not understanding. This is stupid. You've got to let me-"
"Jethro, maybe that's not the right question. Okay, you two play nice, I'm going to finish the biscuits and gravy that I have in the other room. It is some of the best I have ever had." Ducky stood. "Tony, will you be okay?"
"Yes, Jethro, won't let me get hurt."
"Hell, no, I won't."
"Okay, you two talk about things. Remember, he needs food."
"We'll be right in."
Ducky left the two men.
"Okay, Tony, what? Make me understand."
"He'll kill you. I can't have that."
"Who will? Tony, I'm not going anyplace."
"He's powerful, Jethro. He can hurt you, if not physically then he will get you fired or worse, he has powerful friends."
"Tony, so do I. I'm not worried about losing my job."
"Jethro, he won't worry about using me to get to you, outing you."
"I'm out, Tony. I never hide the fact that I like men as well as women."
"So he will use that against you."
"Well, not too many people in this town don't already know. I'm not an angel, Tony."
"What?"
"I've slept around and slept with some powerful people who owe me favors. Tony, I'm not worried."
"You?"
"Yes, me. I like sex. I love it. I'm not stupid. I play it safe, Tony, but tell me why can't we make this person pay?"
"Jethro, he will come and kill Abby, then you. I can't lose you both."
"Oh, Tony, you're not losing anyone. Really, if it gets bad, Cait used to protect the President. I think she would protect us. I'm not worried, and I don't want you to be, okay?"
"But-"
"No buts. Tony, your attacker will be caught. We have some very good leads, and we'll get him and get the one who paid him."
"If he's still alive. I'm not dead, so I'm sure HE is."
"Well, we're very good at what we do, so we'll find who did it." Gibbs stood. Tony put his hand on Gibbs' and the older man sat back down. "What, Tony? You need to eat."
"I'm sorry, Jethro."
"For what?"
"For being such a pain in the ass. You should just get rid of me."
"Okay, I'm not hitting you for that, but I'm telling you, Tony, we all care about you and want you happy. I've been thinking, and I think we'll talk after you eat and maybe take a shower. Ducky got us some kind of cover for your cast while showering."
"I thought the ER doc said-"
"He was stupid. The cast will hold up in water, but if the padding underneath gets wet and doesn't dry right, you can get an infection, so we cover them."
"Oh, okay."
Tony let Gibbs push him back to the dining room where people were bantering back and forth. Tony fit right in, giving as good as he got. After the meal Cait left to follow up on something at the office, even though it was Saturday. Tim went back to Abby's side of the house, and Ducky went up to the shower with Tony and Gibbs. Tony got undressed and Ducky did an exam to make sure anything was okay.
"Well, you seem to be in good hands. I'll take my leave. If either of you need anything, call me day or night."
"Thanks, Ducky." Gibbs shook the older man's hand and showed him to the door. He returned to the bathroom in only a swimsuit. "Okay, Tony, let's get you covered, then into the shower. We have a chair. I'm going to be in there with you, but I'm in a swimsuit. I also will be washing you since your hands are covered. Is that okay?"
"Yes."
"Also, Tony, I'm telling you this; there is nothing to get embarrassed about, got me?"
"Yes," Tony said with only his boxers on.
"Okay, Tony, let's do this, then I have a few more questions and maybe some ideas about your recovery. Ducky thinks they are good ideas, but after this you're taking your pills."
"Okay, I'm kind of starting to hurt."
"Then let's get this done."
Gibbs helped Tony remove his boxers and then placed the special bags over the three casts. Then he started the water. Tony asked for it hot, so Gibbs got it to Tony's liking, then started the washing, starting with the hair first. The shampoo smelled of peppermint.
"I like this," Tony said.
"What?" Gibbs questioned as he was lathering up Tony's silky hair.
"The smell. It's very nice."
"Abby got it for me for my birthday last year. It has a hint of-"
"Lavender in it."
"Yes, she got it for me to relax."
Gibbs rinsed Tony's hair and then grabbed a loofah and started washing the younger man's beautiful body. Tony was a little shocked that Gibbs even had a loofah, let alone used one. The body soap had a stronger lavender scent. Tony was now hard as a rock from the touching. Gibbs washed Tony's whole body but didn't linger in any once place. He was just washing Tony, and Tony was just relaxing. It felt good knowing Gibbs wasn't out for him to do anything but sit there. After Gibbs was done he rinsed Tony and then shut off the water.
"Okay, I'm going to put a towel on me, then you. I don't want to drip all over you."
Gibbs did just that, wrapped a towel around his waist and then removed his trunks and then dried Tony. He got Tony all dry and wrapped in a towel and then went back to his room. Gibbs had a pair of boxers in the bathroom he threw on before leaving. He got Tony dressed in a pair of boxers and shirt. He was going to bed and asked for no sweats.
"Okay, Tony, I need to ask you a few questions, okay?"
"Okay."
"Can you read Braille?"
"I know numbers, only from teaching myself in the elevator at the office."
"Okay, what else can you do? I'm not being rude, I'm trying to help you."
"No, I'm good after I set up a routine. I walk around and build a mental image of the layout. You just can't move things around. I mean that."
"Okay, I will even label stuff so that other people know."
"I took care of the banker's place. I cleaned it and everything."
"Okay, good. Tony, have you ever thought about getting a seeing-eye dog?"
"No, only people who can get into the programs and prove they are worth it get the dogs."
"Okay, Ducky has a friend who runs a program here in DC, if you want."
Tony started tearing up. The care and sincerity in Gibbs' voice was coming through to him.
"What's the matter, Tony?"
"Nothing. I'm just, well, no one has ever even given me the time day, and in two days you've already given me a room and now are trying to help me get a helper dog."
"Yes, once the casts are off we can look into that. Also maybe get someone to come out and teach you, me and Abby to read Braille."
"Why all of us?"
"Tony, if you're going to live here, then some things might be put in Braille, then we can also know it for helping out. Both Abby and I know ASL."
"What's that?"
"American Sign Language, but this is all for the future. For now we just get you better and get the casts off your arms and leg, and then we talk about learning Braille and all the rest. Now, let's get you some sleep. I'll wake you up for lunch. Okay?"
"Thank you, Jethro."
"Hey, no need."
Gibbs pulled up the covers and left the room only for a moment to clean up the bathroom, then he returned and was taking his seat in the chair watching his charge.
Chapter End Notes:
I would like to thanks all the readers form this group. i have tryed to answer Feedback but for some reason a lot of the mails bounce but i thank you all for the ego boost