A/N: This is my first NCIS fanfiction. It takes place just after the season finale of season 9. We're just going to pretend that season 10 never happens. Thanks to Kesterpan for her help! TONY/GIBBS SLASH DON'T LIKE DON'T READ! Well, here goes…

Disclaimer: If I owned NCIS… that just wouldn't end well… I don't think I could write the whole show as well as CBS has…

Chapter 1

One week after the explosion, Tony knocked on his boss's door. He had been avoiding seeing the older agent out of fear for what he may say. Tony was worried that the next time they met, Gibbs would tell him that he was done being blown up, that he couldn't do it anymore. More than that, Tony was scared that this time, it would be final. He couldn't handle that. He couldn't handle losing Gibbs, his boss, the man he loved, forever. But he had realized that he had to face Gibbs sooner or later, whether it be at work (which was still ruined) or at one of their houses. So one week later, here he was, standing on Gibbs' doorstep.

A minute passed, and the door wasn't answered. Tony tried the handle and found it unlocked, just like always. He stepped through the doorway.

"Boss?" he called, coming down the stairs into the basement. He glanced around, taking in the mostly finished boat. At the sound of Tony's voice, Gibbs stood up from where he had been crouched behind it. Tony was halfway across the room before he realized what he was doing.

Gibbs remained where he was for a moment more before walking over to his desk. He poured two glasses of bourbon and held one out to Tony. He took it, grateful for the distraction.

"What brings you here, DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked, looking at Tony.

"I… I don't want you to quit again," Tony blurted out before he could stop himself.

Gibbs watched his senior field agent thoughtfully for a few moments, long enough to make Tony regret what he had said. Then he spoke. "I'm not retiring anytime soon," he said, amused.

Tony let out the breath he didn't know he had been holding. Gibbs chuckled. "What, you don't want to lead the team?" he asked.

Tony blushed, then took a gulp of bourbon to hide it. The warm liquid slid down his throat as he thought of how to reply. "I don't want to lead the team without you," he murmured.

Was it just Tony's imagination, or had something flickered across the older man's face? He couldn't be sure, because as soon as he had noticed it, it was gone again.

"I mean..." Tony started, but Gibbs cut him off.

"I know, Tony," he said. His blue eyes, those eyes that had always melted Tony's heart, softened. "I'm not retiring now, or tomorrow, or next week, or this year. You're stuck with me," Gibbs said.

Tony smiled sheepishly. "Good," he said.

Gibbs smiled.

Tony finally lost it. "Leroy Jethro Gibbs, I love you."