Epilogue: Not my Rules!

"You had no right to take my case." Gibbs demanded.

"Hello to you too Gibbs."

Tony took a deep breath because this was his home. He would give Gibbs one thing, he was a tenacious bastard. What Gibbs failed to understand was that he didn't work for him any longer. In fact, the whole situation was even weirder as he was Gibbs superior now in the hierarchy.

"You broke the rules, Tony, you left me."

Tony did probably the last thing Gibbs would expect - he laughed. "Oh Jethro, you need to realise something... They are not my rules and I don't care whether you think I broke Rule 1 or 45."

"You had no right to take my case and Yates doesn't know how to obey orders."

Tony was glad that Vance listened to his suggestion, Cassie Yates was a brilliant Agent. She would follow orders but refuse to break the rules or bend them even for Gibbs, and that was what Gibbs needed - someone to rein him in. Tony didn't hold back with his opinion. There were some lines you need to draw in the sand. "I had every right as I was asked by the Director to track down the person you let slip."

"You got my team canned!" Gibbs retorted not quite able to hide his anger. Oh, so it was all Tony's fault in Gibbs's mind - that made sense, easier to blame someone else than yourself.

Tony shook his head because Jesus, it was like he had a serious case of tunnel vision. "No Gibbs, they got themselves canned by not following the rules because guess what Gibbs? The United State laws supersede your precious rules."

Gibbs was mulish. "They just wanted to talk sense into their friend."

Tony did laugh then because seriously? "No, Gibbs they didn't like that I acted without their permission, well, I am a grown ass man and I don't have to."

Gibbs reeled backward at the vehemence shown, and then it hit home. They had lost Tony truly and it hurt. Tony had always been there, always had a way with him, put up with his worst moods. Oh, and to add insult to injury his SEAL stepped outside. "Stallion?"

Looming in the background but not stepping into the conversation unless he was invited. It made Gibbs hate him more - He couldn't find an angle to attack his presence. This was his home, he wasn't being overbearing and interfering. He was just waiting to see if Tony needed him.

Tony turned his back on Gibbs, he trusted Steve to have his six. "Hey dearest. It's time it seems for you to meet my ex-boss."

There was nothing cordial in Tony's voice - it was as cold as Ice. In fact, it was more damning by the fact that he hadn't spoke with any emotion.

It was weird to see Tony this way and Steve hoped he didn't see it too often. Steve was not scared of the old Gunny, and in fact, he surprised Gibbs by walking up to him and shaking his hand. "Nice to meet you Gunny. I've been hoping our paths would cross."

"What for?" Gibbs asked not liking the lack of control in this situation. He wanted to retreat and regroup. He didn't have control of his emotions and that wasn't like him.

"For being stupid enough to let Tony go." Steve said with a smirk.

Gibbs sneered. "He didn't say goodbye. He slinked away whilst faking a holiday - he must have picked up some bad habits."

Steve turned back towards Tony. "Babe, did I miss the part where you were promoted?"

Tony laughed. "No, you and the team helped me celebrate the day I moved in. Little Gracie even drew a picture to commemorate it, it's on the fridge."

Gibbs saw Tony was truly happy in a way he couldn't ever recall.

Steve knew Gibbs type, he liked to be the 'good guy' of the story and he wouldn't give him the satisfaction of a physical fight. Well, he wouldn't start the fight but if Gibbs took a swing at him - all bets were off. Still, he might not want to engage physically but he wasn't above putting the boot in - in a metaphorical sense.

Steve still smiling and pretending like he wanted to be having this chat. "Actually I really should thank you for being an ass and like I said before, for letting Tony go."

"I didn't let him go, I forgot him... There is a difference," Gibbs tried to argue.

Tony stepped into Steve's side as he wasn't going to let Gibbs go there. "It's done. We had a long run together Gibbs, good and bad. Let it go, it's in the past... I have."

Gibbs had to have the last word. "That's it?"

Tony smiled and it was his real smile and it was all better and stunning for it. "Yeah, Jethro it is ... You need to go back to the MCRT and rein your team back in before Vance does it and wonders why his team lead couldn't."

The bit left unsaid was if Vance had to sort the team out then Gibbs would be out of a job. You couldn't afford to have a weak leader in charge of the flagship team. Gibbs was by no stretch a weak leader but he perhaps needed a wake-up call. He would either heed the warning or not, Tony didn't care.

The couple watched the man leave as quickly as he came. It was one of the more bizarre visits they'd experienced. Steve turned Tony around in his arms, keeping up the hug. "I could go beat him up if you want?"

It was a ridiculous offer but it made Tony laugh. "No, my honour is just fine and I think we dealt with it in a mature way. I am so proud of us right now especially as Secretary Davenport owes us a meal at the steakhouse."

Steve snorted but he wanted to hear a proper confirmation. Steve knew that this little discussion was a long time coming, there was too much history between Gibbs and Tony for there not to be. "You sure? Just say the word."

Tony shivered at the whispered question in his ear. Steve played dirty. "You betcha, I would be better if my superseal took me upstairs and sexed me up."

"I got you hot under the collar." Steve grinned, all smug and relaxed.

Tony snorted. "Babe you get me hot above and below the collar in fact... you get me hot everywhere."

Steve didn't say anything else - he had a clearly defined mission, he could work with those goals.

Forget Virginia, the MCRT and anyone else who would get in their way - this was a new chapter in their lives.

Together.