Hey guys!

So many thanks for all your amazing reviews. I love them all so much. Every review is a tiny smile on my face and trust me, I can use it...

Well this is going to be the LAST chapter! :O I know it's a surprise, but I loved how it ended and left it there. It's not however the last story in the series, I assure you :)

Enjoy your reading!

By the time it was time to go again, Tony almost felt the sparks that Gibbs gave from seething inside. Jackson had been telling stories about Gibbs, from when he was younger. They were great stories, but Tony noted that by the way Jackson told them, that they showed Gibbs' vaults over and over again, instead of telling the stories and telling what was important.

Several times, as Jack stood up to get something to drink or answer the phone or get something to show, Gibbs would let out a deep sigh and Tony would just look at him with an understanding look and say one word. 'Easy'. No he knew it wasn't easy for Gibbs, he simply meant, that Gibbs had to take it easy and calm down. Or at least try to. Gibbs only gave a small nod in return and exhaling slowly.

''Well, kid. I must say that your presence has done good in Leroy. He's never been so calm around me'' Jackson said.

''That's weird, because Gibbs is the calm himself at work and when I need it'' Tony told him sharply, before Gibbs could say anything. ''I'm a little hyper sometimes you see, together with a colleague of ours. Abby. And he's the one to keep me in check'' He glanced at Gibbs, a almost invisible smile appeared on his face. ''I think you should start seeing him, instead of just looking at him and seeing what you think is only there''

Jackson's eyes narrowed, put off guard by Tony's words. ''What do you mean by that?''

''Tony'' Gibbs interrupted, not wanting Tony to discus this with his father now.

Tony sighed, but did as Gibbs silently ordered. ''Nothing, I meant nothing'' He lied.

''We should go'' Gibbs said quickly, standing up. Tony followed.

''Right'' Jackson said also following. They walked to the front of the store.

''It was nice to meet you, Mr. Gibbs'' Tony reached out his hand for Jackson to shake.

''Jack, kid. Or Jackson. But no Mr. Gibbs for your. Any friend of Leroy's is almost family, considering Leroy doesn't have many''

Tony felt Gibbs tense beside him. Glancing to the Marine next to him, he noticed that his face was perfectly masked from being offended by the unintended insult. Tony bit back a retort of his own and then let himself be hugged by the elderly man. As they pulled back Jack hugged Gibbs— Leroy. Tony noticed that Gibbs didn't sink into the arms again, like before and knew that Jackson's non-insults had hurt Gibbs. It was difficult to see for Tony. Jackson truly cared for Gibbs, meant well and tried, but didn't see his repeated mistake.

''Must be tiresome'' Tony thought, with understanding why Gibbs wanted away. Hell, Tony would too, if he had to hear that on a daily basis. He was gone too, very young, mostly due of his father sending him away when he turned twelve. But he didn't return home after that either so he was glad to get rid of that.

Jackson pulled back and held Gibbs' head in his hands. ''Don't be a stranger again. Son'' He said, with a hint of a plea in his voice.

Gibbs sighed, but nodded in agreement. ''I won't'' He said, pulling his head out of his father's grip, turning and grabbing his coat, that Tony held out for him.

After another quick goodbye, they were gone. Jackson watching after them, as they walked away.

Walking to the car, Tony opened his mouth several times, only to close it again. He knew that what he wanted to say would be dismissed right away, but still he kept trying to let the words out. It took him, getting into the car, next to Gibbs and heading off, for the words to come out. ''I'm sorry, Gibbs''

''Don't, Tony'' Gibbs cut him off.

''I knew it'' Tony thought. ''But—''

''No''

'But if I hadn't told your father you were here, this wouldn't have happened. I see what you meant, I understand why you left. I just wanted you to make up with your father, but—''

''Tony'' Gibbs stopped him and stopped the car on the side of the road with a sigh. ''You did good. You tried to fix something that wasn't yours to fix. I don't hate my father. He made mistakes, makes them without seeing it, but he was a good father when I was young and I shunned him just because of a typical row, that was no different then any other. I just couldn't bare to have people coddle me after what happened to Sh— them so I took the first best excuse to write him out of my life'' He explained. ''But that doesn't mean I don't care about my father, or that he doesn't care about me. I know he cares. I appreciated what you did, insisting I had to meet him again and I appreciate it even more how you handled things''

''But he insulted you''

''He didn't mean it like that. He never means it like that''

''I know, but still—''

''Would you stop with the buts? You sound like a child who doesn't get what he wants'' Gibbs complained, he started the car again to drive to his house.

Tony's jaw snapped shut and he growled in his throat. He didn't get what he wanted. He wanted everything to be good between Gibbs and his father, because they cared about each other. Like any other father and son. Well, almost every father and son. He shook those thoughts out of his head.

''What do you want to do now?'' Tony asked instead.

Gibbs shrugged. ''Dunno''

''What do you usually do on a day off if you don't have your boat?'' Tony raised an eyebrow at him.

Gibbs glanced at him with a smirk. ''Watch T.V. Read a book. Drink coffee''

Tony rolled his eyes and shook his head. ''How surprising'' He mumbled. He then thought of something. ''Do you uhm... When he you read, do you listen to music or something?''

''Depends on if the radio works. Why?''

''Well, I was supposed to go to the music cafe the night you run off. I got my guitar in the trunk of my car... Is it okay if I work on some melodies?'' He asked.

Gibbs thought this over. The uncertainty was in Tony's voice. He knew that the younger man was apprehensive about his hobby in front of others. Especially people he knew. ''Why wouldn't it be okay?''

''I don't know. Maybe you don't want to hear my strumming'' Tony shrugged. ''Wouldn't blame you if you didn't. I can be annoying''

''You listen to me sanding the boat all the time'' Gibbs commented. Then he asked himself why he hadn't realized that fact before. Tony did come to his house, then simply sat on one of the steps and was silent.

''Yeah, but that's when I go to your house. Now I practically invited myself to come along with a trip that was just for you—''

''My house is not just for me?'' Gibbs asked amused.

Tony narrowed his eyes at the Marine. ''You know what I mean! If you didn't want people coming in, you would've locked the house''

''You're right about that'' Gibbs told him. He turned onto the dirt road leading to his house, while adding. ''Coming back to your question, No, I wouldn't mind if you played guitar while I read a book or make something to eat''

''Thanks'' Tony said appreciative as Gibbs stopped the car and Tony steppem out and walked towards his own car. Meanwhile he looked around. ''We did a good job, didn't we?''

''Considering it was your first time working on a garden or yard, yes you did'' Gibbs smirked walking towards the house. As he reached it, he unlocked the door. He turned around as the door opened, seeing Tony just closing his trunk and locking it. He came around the car with a big guitar case and jogged up to the house.

''Should I do a career switch? Maybe gardening I my new passion''

''Absolutely not!'' Gibbs snapped at him, but knew Tony was joking. Nonetheless he still slapped the back of Tony's head. ''Get your ass inside''

Tony grinned and did as he was told. Gibbs followed him in, rolling his eyes and closing the door behind him.

…

It surprised Gibbs more then anything when he found that him reading a book on the couch, with Tony sitting on the arm chair, softly playing different kind of tunes was somewhat calming. They hadn't sais a word for over an hour, but the silence was easy and there wasn't any tension, whatsoever.

It was when the tune turned into a melody and Tony started humming along with it, that Gibbs looked up again. Tony had his eyes closed and a peaceful expression. Something he didn't see often on the Italian's face. He listened to the hummings. Definitely a song.

''It's new'' Tony spoke up, still with his eyes closed. He had sensed someone watching him, and as Gibbs was the only one around, he knew it was him.

''You only got the melody?'' Gibbs asked, truly interested.

''No'' Tony shook his head and paused. He opened his eyes and looked at Gibbs. ''Also got some lyrics'' Gibbs raised an eyebrow. ''I'm just not sure about it''

''Are you really sure about anything, with this side of you?'' Gibbs asked.

Tony tilted his head. ''No'' He simply asnwered. He looked down at his guitar. He softly ran his fingers over the strings.

Gibbs watched him for a moment. Tony was blocking himself in again and Gibbs didn't like that.

''Can I hear what you have?'' He asked.

Tony let out air through his nose, then looked up. ''Would you want to?''

''Would I ask otherwise?''

Okay, no Gibbs wouldn't ask otherwise, Tony knew that. Taken a deep breath Tony sat up straighter, shifting the guitar on his lap. He cleared his throat and looked down at his fingers as he settled them on the right place. He cracked his neck and then began to play.

The sound filled the room and Gibbs was once again impressed by Tony's skills. His hands moving over the intrument like it was second nature. Maybe it was.

''There's a war we're fighting
On the front line for our Kind
It's a battle for our souls
Against a heartless enemy

''Let us rise, Warriors
United by the call
We give nothing less than all
We might stumble, we might fall''

He looked up as he sped up his hands. Gibbs looked at him with a surprised expression, but Tony didn't stop. He simply looked at some space behind Gibbs and sang without pause.

''But we won't raise that white flag
We won't run or turn back
We will hold on and never surrender!'' He locked eyes with Gibbs and grinned at the man.

''We'll be strong and courageous
'Cause nothing can break us
We'll fight for them, now and Forever! Forever...''

Tony looked down again to his guitar again as there was a couple of seconds just guitar play.

''So let us join with the angels on the battlefield tonight
There's no line between the nations
When you're on the winning side

From the left, to the right
From the black, to the white
From the south to the north
From the rich to the poor
We are one voice! One force!''

Again he sped up, closing his eyes as he did so.

''But we won't raise that white flag
We won't run or turn back
We will hold on and never surrender!
We'll be strong and courageous
Cause nothing can break us
We'll fight for them now and forever!''

He slowed down again and silently sang ''Forever...'' as he played out the guitar play.

As Tony opened his eyes again, he looked at Gibbs. The man was staring at him, his mouth falling open and snapping shut several time.

''That good or that bad?'' Tony asked, nervously.

''Uh... wow'' Gibbs said, still not sure what to say. ''Where did that come from?'' He asked impressed.

''I told you, I write about things and people around me'' Tony looked away, absently pulling on the strings.

''Around you'' Gibbs repeated, thoughtfully looking at Tony and his odd behavior. ''And this one in particular?''

Tony was silent for a moment. ''Promise you won't laugh?''

Gibbs now raised his eyebrows. ''Why would I do that?''

''Well, you see... I've been working on it for a long time. I changed it every time, not sure if the words were right. Now I think I got it right. Uhm... well the song is about Soldiers or Marines or whatever Army'' Tony said awkwardly. ''And well, I came up with the idea about 3 months ago. The Parkinson Case. You know, that Navy Seal who was found stranded in a rescue boat. And well you said something to his family ''

Gibbs frowned. ''What did I say?''

''Semper Fi. You told them you wouldn't give up until you found the one that did it.'' Tony told him. Gibbs just blinked at him. It wasn't the first time that Gibbs had said that to the loved ones of their victim and Tony already knew early on what it meant.

''Okay... How come it was your inspiration now?''

''I was the first time I really believed it— I know you would never give on a case, but it made me realize you meant everything else too. You would never give up on your team. I know I should believe something like that years ago'' He said seeing that Gibbs was about to speak up. ''But, it's not that easy for me to believe just in a phrase or words''

Gibbs sighed. ''I know, Tony'' Sometimes he really wanted to know, what made Tony think the way he did. He vowed that he would find out, someday.

''So... you like it?'' Tony asked.

Gibbs chuckled and smiled sincerely. ''Yeah, it's good''

''Good'' Tony sighed relieved. He truly was. He had a deep respect for the man and telling Gibbs it was him, who ultimately inspired the song, was something Tony didn't prepare for telling. Than again, Tony couldn't lie to Gibbs, when the man asked something. He then was relieved that there were things that Gibbs didn't ask, because he simply didn't know anything about it.

There was no need for Gibbs to ask questions that Tony wasn't ready to answer. He wasn't ready for anyone he cared about to know the truth. No, too many friendships were lost by that one tiny detail and seeing as Gibbs was a Marine and his line of work didn't make it easier. Maybe someday he would tell. But for now. Gibbs didn't ask, so Tony didn't tell.

Tony went back to his hummings and soft guitar play, while Gibbs read his book. An hour and a half later, Gibbs went to prepare dinner. It was like they did this so often, like it was a routine or something. Tony never felt more relaxed then he did then. And he hopelessly hoped that there would be more of this sort of... trips, to follow in the future. No he didn't want Gibbs to well, break down again with this sort of case, but he decided that he really liked this sort of alone time with Gibbs.

He watched the older man, in the kitchen, while the smell of seasoned meat and cooked vegetables reached his nose. Gibbs looked up from his work and locked his eyes with Tony. Tony raised an eyebrow and Gibbs let out a rare small smile, before looking down again.

Yup. He really liked this alone time. But that's all. ''Yeah, right'' A voice in the back of his mind murmured.

…

The weekend was over and Monday went by also.

Kate was the first one to walk into the bullpen. No, that wasn't true. As she looked around, she saw Gibbs' jacket hanging over his desk chair, so he must be in already. That was good, because she had a lot of questions. And she wasn't the only one. She and Abby had been talking all weekend. Because Gibbs' phone wasn't on and to their surprise, neither was Tony's.

Abby had panicked a couple of times. Her boys were missing! She had went to visit Tony's apartment and Gibbs' house. But neither one of them was home. While Abby couldn't get in Tony's apartment, she could go into Gibbs' house. She had only been there a couple of times, but the place never changed. It was bare, cold, but it was always clean. Now it had looked like someone left in a hurry.

Kate and Abby had talked about the information they had, and came back with only more questions. They even went to Ducky, be he too, didn't have a clue of what happened or where the two agents were. The Director said they had taken the weekend off, but didn't give any details. They gathered the he also didn't know.

It was a lost cause, and yesterday evening they gave up. If they weren't in today, they would go searching. Really searching. But seeing Gibbs' jacket hanging over his chair, made Kate sigh in relieve.

Her head snapped up to the elevator as it dinged. The doors opened and a cheerful Tony walked out. Sunglasses on his nose, his backpack over his shoulder and his swagger in his walk.

''Morning, Katie!'' He said happily pulling of his sunglasses.

''What happened to you?'' She demanded to know.

''What?'' Tony asked, frowning in confusion.

''We called out more then a dozen times a day the whole weekend. And you didn't pick up your phone''

''You did?'' Tony said down and dropped his backpack on the floor. He reached into his jeans pocket and grabbed his phone. ''Oh, look at that. It's was turned off'' He held it up for her to see. She gave a growl and he turned it on and waited. Then it showed he had indeed, 35 missed calls. Oops... ''Wow. Didn't know you two needed me so much''

Kate growled again. ''That's not the point! Do you have any idea how worried we were? Abby had panic attacks! Gibbs knocks out a suspect. Then he storms off, like he's about to explode. Then you come down telling me we lost the case. You were clearly angry at Gibbs. Then you get a call, saying you're in lead for the weekend, but instead of doing what you do best and playing like you're the boss, you storm off too and don't come back for the weekend and the Director told me to do paperwork for the days you two were absent and help Balboa's team if needed'' She raged. ''So do I get an explanation or what?''

''No'' Tony simply said, looking at her passively.

''What?''

''I don't have to tell you where I was or what I was doing. It was a weekend off, one that I deserved. And what I do out off work is none of your business'' He turned on his computer and looked at the screen.

A pause, then. ''Were you with Gibbs?''

''No'' Tony lied.

''You weren't'' Kate said, skeptically.

''No'' Tony said more firmly. ''Why would I spend my free time with Gibbs?'' He really didn't know why he didn't just told her the truth about it. But somehow he felt like the weekend was something that he didn't want the others to know. Besides, it wasn't like he would ever betray Gibbs' trust like that.

''I.. I don't know'' Kate said, confused. ''I thought you went after him or something''

''I talked to him and everything is back to normal. But just because I talked to him, doesn't mean I spend the rest of the weekend with him''

''I guess you're right'' Kate sighed, defeated. It wouldn't make sense anyway if he did. ''I wouldn't spend my weekend with Gibbs either. I don't think I would survive two days with him. Sorry, it was stupid to ask''

''Gibbs isn't that bad!'' His mind screamed, but otherwise he didn't comment. He just stayed silent and went to work.

''So... Was your weekend filled with girls?'' Kate asked, returning to her normal tone.

Tony looked up from his screen and grinned at her, deciding what lie he was going to tell her now. It wasn't like it was the first time.

…

Meanwhile Gibbs walked out of the elevator and into the lab. He his coffee in one hand and a Caf-Pow! In the other. The doors swooshed open and the music hit his sensitve ears. How Abby could listen to music with this volume was beyond him.

He walked up behind her, but she didn't notice him. She was looking at a picture of him and Tony on her computer, while murmuring to herself. Something about. ''I'm going to find out''

''Find out out?'' He asked out loud.

Abby spun around. ''Gibbs, Gibbs, Gibbs!'' She squealed and slung herself at him. She hugged him tightly, and he let her, holding the coffee's from her. ''Thank God, you're okay!'' She pulled back, smiled before she got an angry expression on her face and hit him straight into his arm, with her fist.

He grimaced. ''Abbs?''

''Where the hell have you been?'' She demanded with her hands on her hips.

''On a trip'' He told her. He held out the Caf-Pow, but to his surprised she didn't get it from his hand. He raised an eyebrow.

''Don't think I will accept that explanation, Mister!'' She poked him in the chest. ''Do you have any idea how worried we were? I had panic attacks! You knock out a suspect, and no one knows why. Then you storm off, like you're about to blow up the building if he you stayed. Than Tony tells Kate, that you lost the case. Tony was pissed of and we know it was because of you. Then Tony gets a call, saying he's in lead for the weekend, but instead of doing what he does best and pretending he's you, he storms off too and doesn't come back for the weekend and the Director told Kate to do paperwork for the days were you two were absent and help Balboa's team if needed'' She practically told the same as Kate told Tony.

''We tried to call you and Tony. I tried to trace you. But both your phone's were off. Even McGee couldn't trace you! Which is weird cause he can do everything!''

''Thank God McGee had a rational mind to keep it quiet after Tony called him'' Gibbs thought and made a mental note to thank the young man sometime.

''So, where the hell have you been?'' She asked, again.

''Like I said on a trip'' Gibbs told her again.

''You think I believe that?'' Abby asked, looking offended.

''I just had to clear my mind for a couple of days'' He held out the Caf-pow again and this time she took it. She took a long sip.

''What happened, Gibbs?''

''Nothing special, Abbs. I don't want to talk about it''

''You know you can tell me everything, right? I mean you're my best friend, next to Tony and Kate'' Abby told him, her eyes

''I know. You're mine too'' He hugged her with one arm and kissed her on the side of her head.

''So... was Tony with you on this trip?'' She asked, pulling back.

Gibbs frowned. ''Why would he be?''

''Well, he stormed after you and you both didn't answer your phones for the rest of the weekend...''

''Tony came to my house and we talked briefly. He's not angry with me any longer. But what he did for the rest of the weekend, I wouldn't know'' He lied.

''Oh'' Abby just said, believing him. Really why would Gibbs lie about something like that. ''But every thing's okay now?''

''Everything is just fine, Abbs'' Gibbs said sincerely, with a small smile.

''Good. Cause I really don't like it when things aren't fine'' She said, she pouted.

''I know'' He kissed her temple again, then turned to walk to the elevator. ''Get back to work''

''Yes, Sir!'' She saluted.

''I'm not a Sir, Abby''

''Yes, Ma'am!'' she called after him, just in time before the elevator doors closed.

…

Walking out of the elevator, Gibbs first noticed both Tony and Kate sitting at their desks. Both working, instead of bickering.

''Morning, Boss'' Tony greeted, briefly glancing up, with a smile, before going back to work. Gibbs grunted a response.

''Morning, Gibbs'' Kate also greeted.

Again just a grunt, as he went to his desk and started up his own computer.

Kate raised an eyebrow. ''So, how was your trip?'' She asked.

Gibbs looked at her. ''Abby called you?''

''Yes, she did'' Kate nodded.

''It was fine'' Gibbs replied.

''Good, Tony's too'' At Gibbs' lifted eyebrow she added, ''In fact he was just telling me about about a girl named Roxanna, who he met with this weekend and spend it with. You know, the usual disgusting, immature, inappropriate story''

Gibbs' eye flickered to Tony, seeing the man looking at him, his green eyes looking back in amusement. ''I know the stories, Kate'' He pulled out files from a drawer and went to work.

Kate looked at them both. Everything seemed normal. Then maybe she would listen to the rules. When the job's done, walk away. The mystery was not solved, but it was finished, so she would leave it at that. Satisfied, she too went to work.

Tony again looked at Gibbs. Relieved that they both had silently agreed to keep their weekend not-mentioned to others. It seemed right, to just leave it between the two of them. Tony knew, Gibbs didn't want anyone to know about his reasons and about his story of the past. And respected that. Gibbs held his secrets, so he would do the same for Gibbs.

Gibbs looked up and met Tony's eyes. He appreciated what Tony did for him and realized once again, that Tony was not only his agent, who had his six in the field. But also a really good friend, who had his six out of the field. He nodded in thanks and the smile he once again got, let him know that Tony understood.

And for that, he would prove to Tony again and again, that he was to be trusted to show his real self. Because Gibbs knew that the things he had seen and learned recently, were only glimpses behind a well mastered mask.

...

THE END

Yeah, this story is done! :D I hope you liked the ending. and some silent hints for in the future stories. ^^ I don't know when I will start, the following story, but I promise it will be there!

Tell me what you think of the story, I appreciate all your reviews. Well, the hating ones, I don't, but that all depends on the way you say it.

The song that Tony sang, is from Anthem Lights and is called Fight forever. I just changed a couple of words. :)

I once again, want to thank you all for sticking with this story and your reviews and your favorites and stuff. You guys are really the best

With all my love, Leonie