Title: What I'd Give

Summary: Gibbs has secret admirer, but does he really want to know who it is?

Feedback: Always welcomed and appreciated

Author's Notes: This story started because a friend, JosGotGlock sent me the lyrics of a Sugarland song title What I'd Give. She thought it really showed the feelings Tony had for Gibbs. I already knew and loved the song so this is what came out of that.

I edited this myself. I do my best but mistakes do get by me.

Would love to have you join my Facebook page, link is on my profile. We have a great time over there ;) Thanks to everyone that has joined, I appreciated the feedback, discussions and the love that you show.

And to those that have added me to their favorite author list and story alerts, again thank you. It means so much to me.

######################

"McGeek you really need to get out more...Maybe we should all go out tonight." Tony smiled as he walked into the bullpen with the two other agents. Suddenly Tony stopped and his hand hit McGee on the chest. "Is that what I think it is?"

McGee's brow furrow. "Yeah."

"Who would do that?" Ziva asked looking just as shocked as the two men.

"Someone with some major kahunas." Tony replied. "Maybe it's a mistake and they're for Ziva."

"Go check." Ziva nudged Tony's shoulder.

"Why me?" Tony scoffed.

"Because you are use to getting caught snooping." Ziva said as she and McGee both pushed Tony towards Gibbs' desk.

"Hey!" Tony turned around and glared at them.

"Just see if there is a card." Ziva said.

Tony sighed, his shoulders drooping. "Damn it!" He mumbled under his breath as he approached Gibbs' desk and stared at the vase of flowers. "Who sends Poppies?" Looking around in the large bouquet, he finally spotted a card and glanced at it. "No they're for him. Says Special Agent Gibbs on the front of the card."

"Yeah that's why they are on my desk, DiNozzo."

The head slap was quick and hard.

"Hey Boss? Got a new special someone?" Tony smiled as he turned around, always trying the charm, even though he knew it didn't work on Gibbs.

Gibbs blue eyes narrowed as he gave an answer without speaking.

"None of my business. Got it." Tony pointed at his two friends and fellow agent. "They made me do it."

Rolling his eyes, Gibbs sat down at his desk.

McGee and Ziva both gaped at Tony as he sold them out to their boss.

#################################################################################

It wasn't until hours later that Gibbs finally announced he was making a coffee run and the three agents were free to talk.

"Who would send Gibbs flowers?" Ziva asked appearing in front of Tony's desk.

"A new red head maybe."

"But flower?" McGee shook his head. "Wouldn't someone he is dating know he's really not the flower kinda guy."

"If they are from the right woman, every guy is a flower guy." Tony grinned leaning back in his chair.

"Sending them to him at work though." Ziva glanced over at the flowers. "And why poppies?"

McGee shrugged. "I know seems weird. Poppies."

"Go read the card." Ziva looked at Tony.

"Oh no." Tony chuckled. "One head slap today is enough." He rubbed the back of his head.

"You read it." McGee tipped his chin at Ziva.

"Me?"

"You're the stealthy Mossad chick." McGee grinned.

Ziva always took these kind of comments as some kind of challenge. "Fine." She opened the filing cabinet door and grabbed a pair of latex gloves.

McGee and Tony grinning at each other as she put them on and made her way to Gibbs desk. With a quick glance around she plucked the small card from the flowers and pulled it from the envelope. Her eyes skimmed over the message then she put the card back in the envelope and returned it to its original position. Pulling off the gloves she tossed them in her trash and walked back over to Tony's desk where the two men waited anxiously.

"So?" Tony asked leaned forward.

"What I'd give to bring you flowers, to bring a smile across your face."

McGee and Tony both looked at each other with a puzzled look on their face.

"Seriously?" McGee chuckled.

"Who sent them?" Tony asked.

"A secret admirer."

"Wow." McGee glanced at the flowers. "Someone actually wants to be Gibbs secret admirer?"

"Gibbs is an attractive man." Ziva smirked. "I'm sure he has no problem attracting woman."

"That's not the point." Tony said as he stared at the flowers. "Who is brave enough to try and be a secret admirer of the best NCIS agent? Someone who has the skills to find out anything he wanted. Including who sent him flowers."

Ziva nodded. Tony was right, as much as she hated to think it. Gibbs could find out anything if he wanted to.

"Question is." McGee grinned. "Does Gibbs wanna know or does he like the idea of a secret admirer?"

"That McRight, is the question." Tony sighed.

################################################################################

Stepping into the elevator, coffee in hand, he let the doors close and the elevator jerk to life then hit the emergency stop. Taking a long sip of coffee, he thought about the flowers. Gibbs sighed. He was seeing someone, nothing really serious but she definitely wasn't the type to send flowers, or pretend they weren't from her. If he wanted to, he was sure he could find out who sent them, he was an investigator after all. He shook his head. The investigator in him said to call the flower shop and find out...but the man liked the idea of a secret admirer. Someone interested in him, but maybe too shy or scared to reveal themselves. Or maybe someone that was planning to reveal themselves as time went on.

Thoughts like that forced the investigator in him back to the forefront. It could be some crazed stalker or serial killer. Running his hand down his face, he groaned. Being a Federal Agent made the things most people took at face value seem like some ominous plot of destruction. And the symbolism of the flowers did slightly worry him. The Poppy flower was a symbol to the Marines, hell to all the armed forces really, one that had been used for years. So whomever sent them knew that and knew about his background.

His first thought was someone at work. Maybe Kelly from Accounting or Desi from the gun range, both had expressed an interest in him at different times. But then there were hundreds of people within this office, it could be someone he had no clue even noticed him. Plus every day put him in contact with countless women. It could be someone from a case or from some place that was part of his daily routine.

He shook his head. Why the hell was he even bothering to think about this? It was probably a onetime thing. He'd probably never hear from this secret admirer again. Flipping the elevator back on he let the thoughts fall from his mind.

###############################################################################

The rest of the week was a blur of cases, dead bodies, long days and even longer nights. Gibbs had given little thought to the secret admirer, the only time it crossed his mind was when he saw the flowers on his desk. He had left them there, didn't want to take them home and have to explain them to Joannie if she happen to be over. Even though it wasn't serious seeing flower in his house may lead to questions. At this point he figured since a week had gone by without any more hints of his secret admirer that it was probably a onetime deal. That was until he walked into the bullpen late Sunday night.

He couldn't sleep, was tired of working on his latest carving, and figured he might as well get some work done. Walking towards his desk there was a small, but tall package on his desk. It was wrapped in plain brown paper and looked as if it had went through the mail. The NCIS address was on the front, with ATTN: Special Agent Gibbs. Pulling out his knife, he cut open the wrapping and noticed the familiar markings on the box. It was from his favorite coffee shop. Tossing his knife on the desk, he opened the box and found a pound of his favorite coffee inside, whole bean. A small note was attacked to the front.

What I'd give to make you coffee.
Find out how you like your eggs.

This was much more personal than the flowers. Not a lot of people knew the exact coffee he drank at home, or that he bought it whole bean and ground it himself. Hell, even most of his friends and co-workers didn't even know this information. Maybe it was someone from the coffee shop, an employee, someone he saw on a regular bases. That was most of them. Or maybe an ex girlfriend, not ex-wife. He had a few ex's that knew the coffee he drank, but still he couldn't see any of them trying to win him back. Most of his relationships tended to end badly. Plus, thinking about the note, most of his ex's knew how he liked his eggs.

Dropping down in his chair, Gibbs looked at the note again, it had been printed from a computer, not hand written. The first had been hand written but more than likely written by one of the flower shop employees not his secret admirer. Again, the mixture of concern and excitement rushed through him. Still could be some weirdo playing games with him, or it could be a beautiful woman truly just trying to show her interest.

He picked up his desk phone and hit a pre-programmed number. "Hey Dave anyone been in the bullpen tonight other than the mail guy?"

"No. You're the first person I've seen since early this morning."

"Who was here this morning?" Gibbs asked.

"Cleaning staff."

"Right. Thanks Dave."

"No problem."

So security hadn't seen anyone and he doubted anyone on the cleaning staff was his secret admirer. It couldn't be her! Please, not her. The thought struck him, then quickly faded. She knew about the coffee, but she was just as curious about the flowers as the rest of the team. He chuckled. In all honesty he couldn't see Ziva being so coy about anything. If it was her she'd have told him. Plus he was like a father to her, she had told him that more than once. Abby knew about the coffee, but again, they had more of a father daughter relationship, Sure she made comments about him being attractive, but they were never said with any real sexual desire behind them.

He had ruled out his team, but that still left countless women, both from work and his everyday life. The ringing of his cell phone brought him out of his thoughts. Pulling it from his pocket he looked at the caller id and chuckled.

"Yeah."

"Busy?"

"Not really."

"Want some company?"

"Not at home."

"Then come see me."

He smirked. Joannie slept almost as little as he did, which is part of the reason they got along so well. Plus she never talked about wanting more from him or taking their relationship to the next level. They enjoyed each other's company and that was enough. He glanced at his watch.

"Give me twenty minutes."

"Let yourself in." Her voice was low and seductive.

"I will." Gibbs sighed. That was her way of saying I'll be waiting in the bedroom and I don't wanna talk. Distracted by the call, he left, the coffee still sitting on his desk.

#################################################################################

Returning to work a few hours later, Gibbs realized he had left the gift on the desk and was never so glad to have beaten his agents to work. Just about to grab the coffee and toss it in a drawer, Tony and Ziva walked in to the bullpen.

"You must have really impressed this one boss." Tony smirked glancing at the box on Gibbs' desk and recognizing the logo from Gibbs' coffee shop.

"Yeah."

"Might wanna have Abby test that coffee before you brew it." Tony added.

Gibbs glared over at his Senior Field Agent.

"Shutting up Boss." Staring down at his desk, Tony tried to look busy.

Thing was, Gibbs had thought the same thing. No one would ever forget the whole SWAK letter incident and what Tony had gone through thinking he had received a harmless letter from a secret admirer.

"That's two gifts in two weeks." Ziva stood by the side of Gibbs' desk

"Yeah. I can count." Gibbs said never looking up.

"Are you concerned?"

Gibbs glanced up at her. "I get concerned when I start receiving dead things or body parts. Not coffee."

"It is still good to be cautious, yes?"

"Is that so?" As if he didn't know that.

"I know that you are always careful but what if this is some female stalker?"

"I've had three stalkers, think I can handle it."

Tony couldn't help it, he laughed then coughed to try and cover. "Tickle." Gibbs did love to get a dig in on the ex-wives whenever possible.

Pushing away from his desk, Gibbs grabbed the coffee and walked away towards the back elevator leaving Ziva and Tony alone.

"I am concerned." Ziva sighed, putting her hands on Tony's desk and leaning forward.

Tony shook his head. "Do you really think Gibbs hasn't checked into it already?"

Ziva didn't respond. She was sure Gibbs probably already had, but still, something about it bothered her.

"I believe he is actually intrigued by this secret admirer."

"Yeah so." Tony shrugged. "Most men would be. But it's Gibbs."

"I know he can protect himself but-"

"Marine, three crazy ex-wives, he already sleeps with a gun and knows how to handle insane woman." Tony smirked. "He's been hit by a baseball bat and almost had his head split open by a seven iron. He'll be fine."

################################################################################

Abby was standing staring at the computer screen completely engrossed in the picture before her.

"Abby."

She jumped at the gruff voice by her ear. Turning around she glared at Gibbs. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

He shook his head.

Then she grinned. "Did you come down to tell me the news?"

"What news?"

"Two gifts from a secret admirer." She smirked. "Mad skills."

Gibbs rolled his eyes.

"Oh come on. You know you got that sexiness about you and the piercing blue eyes."

Shaking his head he handed her the box.

"What's this?"

"Coffee."

"Coffee?"

"Yeah."

"You want me to brew you a cup?" She chuckled.

"Want you to test it."

"For what."

"Anything that shouldn't be there."

"Oh right." She nodded slowly. "This is gift number two from the secret admirer and you wanna make sure she's not trying to poison you with your favorite brew."

"Something like that."

"You know sometimes a cigar really is just a cigar."

"I wanna make sure." He wanted to believe this was just some woman that had a secret crush on him, but better to be safe than sorry. "And finger prints."

"I will check it and let you know." She smiled at him. "Any ideas who the mystery lady is?"

"No." He ran his hands down his face. "But the coffee, not a lot of people know about that."

"So maybe one of the barista's at the coffee shop?"

"Maybe."

"Are you still seeing Joannie?"

"Yeah."

"And it's not her?" She had found out about Joannie by accident. Unannounced, she had shown up at Gibbs and Joannie was there. The woman seemed nice enough, a little young, but then she was almost positive the relationship wasn't about a long term deep spiritual connection.

"It's not her." Gibbs smirked. "Not really her style."

"Yeah she's more of the show up in a trench coat naked at your door to get your attention."

"Abby!" Gibbs scoffed. Abby had made it clear she felt he was only dating Joannie because she was young, beautiful, and didn't want a commitment. And in a way she was right.

"Sorry."

He kissed her cheek. "Let me know what you find."

"Will do."

################################################################################

Strolling into accounting, Gibbs paused when he saw Kelly sitting at the front desk. She was one of the woman at work that had crossed his mind when this secret admirer gifts started.

"Jethro." She smiled, looking up and seeing him.

"Kelly." He forced a half smile. "Got a call I needed to stop by here."

"Yes." She shuffled through a file on her desk. Then held out an envelope to him. "The check for the replacement knife."

"Thanks." He nodded taking the envelope.

"Heard about your secret admirer." Her smile widened.

He just nodded. The rumor mill was alive and well at NCIS.

"Wish I had thought of it."

"Yeah." He smirked. Cross her off the list.

################################################################################

Hanging up the phone, Ziva stared over at Tony's desk, until finally Tony sighed. "What?"

"I spoke to the flower shop from the card on Gibbs' flowers."

"And?"

"They said a young girl came in and paid cash for the flowers."

"How young?" Tony finally looked over at her with a questioning grin.

"Twelve."

Tony broke out laughing. "Gibbs secret admirer is a twelve year old girl." He pounded his hand on his desk. "That's awesome!"

"No." Ziva shook her head. "The man at the shop said she told him someone gave her twenty bucks to come in and pay for the flowers."

"Someone doesn't want to be found out."

"And the store has no surveillance." Ziva sighed.

"Let it go." Tony rolled his eyes.

"Why does this not bother you?" It seemed unusual that Tony wasn't all over this. He was usually more protective of Gibbs than anyone, well other than Abby.

"Because like Gibbs." Tony paused. "I'll worry when he starts getting dead rabbits or fingers and toes. This is obviously some woman that is too scared to approach him or doesn't know how."

"I hope you are right."

#################################################################################

"Whatcha got Abs?" Gibbs asked strolling into the lab.

"Coffee." She smiled.

"Coffee?"

"Just coffee. Your secret admirer really did just want you to have your favorite cup of coffee." Again she smiled.

"Prints?"

"Yes." She turned and tapped at her key board a picture of a young blond woman came up. "Ashley Denton."

"Ashley Denton. She works at the coffee shop." Gibbs recognized her. "Why is she in the system?"

"She use to work at a preschool." Abby explained. "If she's your secret admirer, her marriage is in major trouble."

"It's not her. She probably just sold it to whoever bought it for me." Gibbs sighed.

"Why isn't it her?"

"She barely pays attention to me." Gibbs chuckled. "Always pleasant, but I've seen the way she is with men she thinks are attractive."

"Maybe she would remember the woman she sold it to."

"Do you know how much coffee that place sells in a week?" He shook his head. "She'd never remember."

"The flowers?" Abby asked.

"Came from a flower shop. My secret admirer gave a young girl twenty bucks to pay for the flowers."

"You have been checking into this."

"Yeah." Whoever his secret admirer was, she was smart. Went to a florists without camera's and sent someone else into pay.

"Think you'll get another gift next week?"

Gibbs shrugged.

"Are you at least kinda happy that she obviously isn't out to poison you."

"I'm always happy when women aren't out to poison me or beat me with some long hard object." Gibbs smirked.

#################################################################################

Another week flew by, Gibbs thought little of the secret admirer, but Monday morning reminded him again. Sitting on his desk was a another package. He blew out a deep breath and sat down. Like the others it was addressed to him and wrapped in plain wrapping paper. So what was it this week? Tearing open the wrapping, he was greeted by a plain white box and a note.

What I'd give for just one minute

to find out everything that brings you joy.

Opening it he pulled out an eight inch glass bottle with a sailboat in it. A half smile crept onto his lips. He had one similar to this as a kid, made it himself. It had been years since he thought about making a ship in a bottle. His love of boats had started with something like this. Then as he grew up building an actual boat had taken the place of the miniature.

Okay whoever this woman was, she had definitely gotten his attention with this gift. Still everyone knew he built boats. No one knew about the miniatures, but then knowing he liked boats, a boat in a bottle would make a good gift. Leaning back in the chair, Gibbs stared at the bottle. Now he was intrigued, excited even. Few people would take the time to really think about a gift for him. The standard gift everyone gave him was always Bourbon, and always Gibbs appreciated it, but it wasn't exactly a deep meaningful gift.

The ding of the elevator brought him out of his thoughts and he glanced at the clock. Realizing it was time for his agents to arrive, Gibbs stuffed the bottle back in the box and put it in his bottom drawer. Then grabbing a file he started reading it. At least this time, no one would see the package and ask questions.

"Mornin Boss." Tony said strolling into the bullpen.

Gibbs looked up and nodded. He was about to look away, but looked back.

"Something wrong?" A concerned look crossed Tony's face.

"Dress in the dark this morning?" Gibbs asked looking back down at the file on his desk.

"Why?"

"Sweaters on inside out." Gibbs tried to hid a smirk.

Looking down at his sweater, Tony sighed.

"Better fix it before McGee and Ziva get here."

"Yeah." Jerking off the sweater, Tony quickly turned it right side out and pulled it back on.

Tony was nothing if not predicable, Gibbs thought to himself. The man could chase and catch about anything in a skirt. Monday mornings were always hard for Tony, coming of a weekend with the woman of the moment. Marinda or Mindy seemed to come to mind, he remembered Tony saying something about her on Friday.

Ziva and McGee strolled in and said their hellos, Ziva stopping in front of Gibbs' deck. He waited and when she didn't say anything he looked up.

"Need something Agent David?"

Her eyes narrowed. "Did you receive a gift this morning?"

As he glared at her, she backed away slightly. He stood up, his gaze moving around the room and falling on each of his agents.

"I'll say this once. The next person that asks me about gifts or a secret admirer will get my boot up their ass and then they're FIRED! Do I make myself clear?"

"Absolutely."

"Clear."

Again he glared at Ziva when she didn't reply. "Are we clear Agent David?"

"Yes!" She snapped then went to her desk.

#################################################################################

Making his way down into the basement, he poured a drink then sat down on a sawhorse. Opening the box he pulled out the bottle again and held it in his hands. He'd been thinking about the gift all day and that bothered him, for countless reasons. A gift from a stranger shouldn't move him so much. Plus this could still be some psycho playing a game with him.

Suddenly he looked closer at the hull of the boat, actually under the boat. Going over to the workbench he rummaged around until he found what he was looking for. Popping out the cork of the bottle he used the long tweezers to reach in and grab what he had seen. He smirked when he pulled out a long folded piece of paper from under the hull of the boat.

Holding the paper, Gibbs shook his head. He was meant to find this. Unfolding the paper, it was another note, typed in the same font as the others but longer.

I'm no threat to you in any way.

Will never reveal who I am.

I only wanted to let you know I care.

Maybe make you smile.

Know that you have moved me.

Made me believe there are good ones out there.

You deserve to be happy,

Believe in that again.

I can't be the one you want or need,

You can't see me that way

But I can remind you...

Someone out there can be your everything.

One more gift and this will end.

Dropping the letter, Gibbs ran his hands down his face. How could she know she wasn't what he wanted or needed? He didn't even know who the hell she was and from the sound of it he wasn't going to find out. Why go through all of this to never reveal who you are?

"You could at least give me the option to say no." Gibbs sighed. He cocked his head, maybe that was it. Maybe this was someone he had said no to recently. A few women popped into his head, but it didn't fit.

Pulling his phone from his pocket he dialed a number and waited for an answer.

"You busy." He paused. "Need your help with something."

#################################################################################

Letters from the secret admirer in italic are from Sugarland's song What I'd give, except for the longer letter.