Just one touch. That's all it took, and I was gone. It was something so simple most people would not have given it a second thought. In that one innocent touch I felt a million different things. The calluses from late nights sanding that damn boat, the strength of a man that had his share of tragedy. Concern from someone who pretended not to give a damn. Leroy Jethro Gibbs slid his hand over the side of my cheek, then gripped my shoulder looked into my eyes and said " We'll beat this Tony." I was lost in those eyes, that concern, and that seemingly unending well of strength from a man who had suffered more than most.

"Thank's Boss." was the only thing that I could manage. No one had shown that much concern for me, especially someone I had grown to love.

I had always kind of noticed other guys, there build or look, but never had I ever felt such a strong pull to another man. I had always dated women, lots of women, but not one of those women had the effect on me like that one innoccent touch from Gibbs did. He squeezed my shoulder one more time and left to talk to the director. I walked back to my desk and sat down unsure what exactly to do next.

The letter from my father had been delivered to NCIS that morning, fitting since he didn't know my home address, also fitting because he had wanted to embarrass me in front of co-workers. What he didn't know, and probably would never understand, was that these people were my family. I belong here, I fit, and they would never turn on me.