No matter how many times I read your stories I continue to love them so much more! I love your mind! Lol

An extra chapter where the team gets told?

The sex chapter! It was a lovely, um, finish. You had them take such good care of each other. It really occurred naturally too, which I could tell you intended. If this fic was meant to show two people made for each other finally finding the means and the courage to talk it out and make it happen, you really succeeded. I could feel the love. (And the hawtness, great job!) You tied your themes together superbly as well. The sea, the boat, pirates lol, but mostly, drawing on Kelly's allusion to the future, the fact that Gibbs and Tony will now both be having good days, something you mentioned several times in the story, but it still took my breath a little to have it brought full circle. Great instinct for a wonderful ending! Yours, Cacky

They are settling in so sweetly. I'm envious. I love to sit by myself on a warm beach, to read for hours, to make bacon and eggs! And long intervals of Tibbs kissing? Yes! I'm very happy for them. Can't wait to find out what Gibbs wants to do in retirement.

Adding something to the last sentence of my the last review before I move on to this chapter. When I watched Stop the Bleeding and Personal Day, I thought I could see some nuance that was never expanded upon. In trying to understand Gibbs' behavior, I thought he might have believed that he'd permanently shattered their relationship, both professionally and as friends, when he ordered Tony off his six (not for the first time) and then proceeded to let Luke shoot him. He projected this guilt and loss as flagrant hostility towards Tony, from which he never retreated, as he would have done in the old days. The discomfort between them was excruciating. Tony stayed in character but was clearly miserable. Gibbs progressed to cold hate. It was nihilistic as hell, not the NCIS I fell in love with. I like this much better. You process all of that but with "better angels" than canon gave us. Now on to this chapter...

Omg. You're really good at this. "It keeps ...coming back to you." "Our track record with women - not so good - yet here we are, despite everything. Couldn't help but wonder..." GUH. *sniffs* That's the way I've always seen them. I can really feel Gibbs as he waits for Tony's reaction. I like the frank way in which he go fronts his emotions. I like that he HAS emotions! He's riveted and so am I. (I think your use of expression and body language perfectly suits what's going on. I've liked that about this story from the first.) And Tony agrees! Joy! I also like you bringing back the theme of the secret favorite, which I loved, very original, but now it's crunch-time and favorite means much more. All that time Gibbs was protecting Tony by not revealing him as his favorite, Gibbs must have been protecting himself, too. I also liked their reflections on where the job was taking them - the darkness, Gibbs being off his game. Okay, I can see this is a long chapter and now I must finish it...

And there it is. Anchor. Well done, my friend. The rest of it - I can feel the intimacy as it overwhelms them. All those years of wondering and waiting and stumbling, and now it comes pouring out. I think anyone would cry, even men. I'm so happy they hit this moment at the same time. Their instincts were in tune, as usual and despite every bad bump in fifteen years of knowing each other. Now they both feel known, and safe, and yet the excitement of a new relationship is shining before them! I love how they're both tired of being alone. And the kisses? Girl! I LOVED them, and I could feel the steam though they agree to slow down for the moment. I've enjoyed this night of reading, and I'm going to save the last two chapters for tomorrow. Nice job!

Forgot to mention something about the last chapter - Gibbs seeing Tony's "bacon face." Oh, man! Also, I had to rest my brain a little after the oiling. So sweet and intimate. Slow burn.

Okay, there's a substantial payoff in this chapter. Tony saying "You look like you've had something to say for the last couple of days." I just love when Tony's intelligence is vindicated like that, and I'd just been wondering where Tony was headed. Still, you're not jumping the gun with Tony, and I admire that, especially since you're giving us a different kind of Gibbs. There's a real dynamic at work as a result. A real tension. I liked how heavily fraught their conversation was, and that Gibbs knew he needed to step back from the brink because he hasn't yet evened the score with Tony. But he's off to a good start, a very good start, in admitting his care. It was moving the way you described Gibbs' longing for his friend as he lay close to death, and after he awakened in the hospital. I thought I saw the same thing when I watched that ep, and Gibbs' curious behavior after.

Hoo boy. Now we are skinny dipping, flirting, and oiling. The sheriffs provided a nice opening for a conversation that provides yet more. I'm thrilled at how much Tony is smiling. I'm also grinning at the idea of getting up and making breakfast with either of those guys! But honestly I'd rather see them doing that together. This all seems to be coming very naturally to Tony, while Gibbs is almost in a ferment. That's an interesting turnabout, and this side of Gibbs is interesting too. I always enjoy when a writer tries to show me what is behind those silent, expressive, daunting eyes. The hidden vulnerabilities that go along with the bastardry. I'm curious now to see how this will unfold for Tony, as in how much he suspected and how he is managing to play it so cool while being so warm. I think it's just the way he is, a true friend. They are working hard at fixing that, as shown in the part about McGee and Ziva and the headslaps. Very insightful. I sighed at the invocation of rule five, hearkening back to the first headslap. I chuckled at "New rule, don't lie to me." Gibbs is still hurting enough to make me wince! I forgot to mention the thing with the beds. Saw that coming, but who cares? ;)

The beach house sounds like a dream. My favorite image is of having a light supper on the deck with the waves crashing in the distance. And I don't like fake decorative vines in houses either! Nice touch. But yeah, it sounds great and Gibbs is starting to relax. I enjoyed that he checked out the house's construction. He is opening up, with a flirt and a question about Zoe. Again, he is concerned about Tony's self esteem. Then the bombshell. Tony is in love with somebody! Additionally, I am starting to appreciate more and more the device you're using here: Gibbs' minute observation of Tony. And both men are thinking about family. Sigh.

Wow, I loved this! Each successive chapter shows something a little bit new. Gibbs' mannerisms are spot-on, and especially funny in the first few paragraphs, with the glaring and eye-rolling and stuff. Then you transition seamlessly to Gibbs studying Tony in the car, with Doug, etc. You make sure to include Gibbs' take on Tony's expressions and body language, giving us bits of Tony and his psychology, though not in his POV. It really shows him. I love his slight discomfort when they are talking. Its so Tony, not knowing what to do with the praise and affirmation he needs. They are both definitely looking for something - the shreds of their friendship, or in the case of Gibbs, something more. Tony is holding his cards, as he should. And finally - the grocery store! ADORABLE. Just wonderful, with some feels to top it off. Gibbs seeing the real Tony. That's some good stuff right there.

The vacation will be so good for both of them. They've both been under incredible strain. That comes through nicely. I LOVE serious Tony. I can see his face as he pales and purses his lips, then tells of the killing of Budd. I enjoyed the unvarnished nature of them speaking alone together. I really needed to read something where Tony is afraid Gibbs was mad at him for the shooting, and then Gibbs is all wtf, how could you think that! The show messed that up. They never told us why Gibbs was mad at all, everyone has to guess, leading to much fic. Anyway, since Gibbs is the one who told Tony to hang back while Gibbs crossed the square before the shooting, I'm glad to see you handle that. My favorite line: "sighed dramatically, as only Tony DiNozzo could." My favorite themes: 1. The emotional connection that they can feel in their words and in their silences, evidence of a long and special relationship. 2. The vulnerability they show in front of each other, as if the time for games has suddenly ended for both of them.
These are the types of things, with a few notable exceptions, that the episode writers seldom had the patience or motivation to do. Great job!

I love the patient detail you bring to this. In one chapter, you've touched on so many different points, but nothing gets lost. Being inside a character's head can be hard, and I really admire the way you weave external events and internal thought as though they were one. It's very difficult. When I do that I get tired of the sound of my words and I end up going for atmosphere. It is refreshing to read something that displays so much hard work but is easy to read. I smiled at the mention of the fruit baskets. I thought Taft was excellently described, as was the pain of Gibbs' recovery. His thoughts on sex and relationships were, to use your word, pragmatic, and therefore believable. I'm glad Gibbs doesn't think he owns Tony. He respects him and doesn't take him for granted anymore. He also knows he has hurt him in the past, and that the only real indications that a relationship might be possible are their long friendship and Tony's continued presence.

I love this story! Any chance you're thinking of a sequel? Also you mentioned a sequel for Something's Gotta Give, any idea when that'd be coming? I really like Tony / Gibbs in a relationship, other than father/son theme...I'm also a fan of Tony whump, especially in the line of duty, just a hint...Oh, you mentioned that you got started in the slash verse after reading another story, what was it? Keep up you writing, you are really good!

Good story. Loved the way Jethro opens up. Never get tired of seeing a vulnerable Gibbs. Glad they finally laid everything on the table about their feelings for each other. I know Gibbs has to retire soon, but it just wouldn't be the same, especially without Tony. Thank you for sharing this story.

I just reread this for a third time. I think it gets better with every reading. I love how you lay out the story, the concerns each character has, as well as the desire they have for one another. Hopefully, you have a sequel brewing, even if it is still in infant form.

On another note, I appreciate that you post completed stories. It is very satisfying to move quickly through one in its entirety before going back and savoring it on later reading.

Satisfying story- just the right pace and place for the relationship to bloom into new intimacy - to move into a believable life after wounds of a career in law enforcement. Thanks