Sentient

Day 4: Christmas Cookies

When Tony didn’t say anything and only continued to stare at Gibbs, Gibbs pleaded, “Please give me a chance. I never meant to hurt you. I'm sorry that I have.”

Tony’s anger completely evaporated in the face of Gibbs’ confession. Not only had Gibbs given up his mostly silent ways and inability to communicate in one fell swoop, he’d practically begged Tony to take him back. This didn’t solve everything, but it did melt Tony’s heart and make him think that perhaps they had a chance.

That wasn’t to say that Tony was ready to forgive and forget, especially not the forgetting part. Gibbs would have to show he meant what he said with actions not just words. Only time would tell if Gibbs was really able to put the bastard part of his personality aside for even a little bit.

Tony couldn’t help appreciating more than ever how truly sentient beings could take you by surprise. Their self awareness and sentience allowed them to change their minds. It allowed them to realize that they were wrong.

“I’ve missed you, too.” Tony shot Gibbs a watery smile as emotions both present and past overwhelmed him.

Gibbs held out his arms, “Come mere.”

Tony couldn’t stand the distance between them anymore. He climbed over the middle seat and into Gibbs’ lap. “I never wanted you to leave, but you didn’t give me a choice.”

“I’m sorry.” Gibbs whispered, kissing Tony on the skin right above his ear.

“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry too. I said some pretty awful things when you left for Mexico.”

“I deserved it.”

Tony couldn’t deny that. “Perhaps, but I still shouldn’t have said them.”

“Thank you.”

“This doesn’t mean you’re forgiven or that I’ve forgotten what happened, not only in our relationship, but the years in between now and then.”

“I know.” Gibbs pulled Tony closer. “I’m going to make it up to you. I promise.”

They were still wrapped around each other in the driver’s seat when rescue arrived. “Oh thank God!” Abby exclaimed, opening the door to the NCIS van and hugging both men. “We were afraid you froze to death.”

Gibbs and Tony patted Abby on the back softly before pulling back. “We’re fine, Abbs.” Gibbs shushed her.

Apparently, the whole gang had decided to come rescue them. McGee had located them using the GPS in the car they’d taken from the motor pool. Ducky had come because they weren’t sure if they would need a doctor or not. McGee had suggested Jimmy come along just in case they needed help shovelling the snow out of the way to get to Gibbs and Tony.

Even Bishop was there. Tony and Gibbs stepped out of the vehicle. Tony first since he was in Gibbs’ lap, followed quickly by Gibbs. There was a collective sigh of relief that no significant injuries had occurred.

Everyone pitched in to clear the path, so that could all return to NCIS HQ. Given the weather, they all agreed to question the witness after it had cleared up. Everyone was keeping watch on Tony and Gibbs as much as they could all the way back.

Back at NCIS, Tony annoyed, pointed out, “You know, we’re fully grown adults. We can take care of ourselves.”

“It’s not that.” Bishop muttered.

“Then what?” Tony questioned, turning a confused look to Bishop.

“The tension between you and Gibbs is practically gone.” Bishop clapped a hand over her mouth. She hadn’t meant to say that out loud.

Tony shook his head. Gibbs glared at everyone. Ducky, Jimmy and Abby evaporated, leaving McGee and Bishop to face Gibbs’ wrath alone.

McGee in an attempt to defuse the situation pulled out a container of Christmas cookies. “Have a cookie. Delilah made them.” McGee thrust the container into Tony’s hands.

Delilah had told him to share them, but they were so tasty, he’d intended to keep them for himself. However, between Tony and Gibbs apparently sorting things out and Bishop stepping in it, he felt getting back to a more defused situation was worth the sacrifice of some of Delilah’s amazing cookies. He expected to only lose two or three, but before he knew it all of the cookies were gone and he stared mournfully down at the empty container.

It wasn’t just Tony, Gibbs, and Bishop. Abby, Jimmy, and Ducky had found out and wandered through to claim their own cookies. After that, it had been a free for all as all agents near the bullpen came and took a cookie.

McGee couldn’t believe how fast the cookies disappeared. It did succeed in distracting everyone and after the cookies were gone they all hunched over their computers and worked on some of that dreaded paperwork. Tony checked the weather and realized the sun was already out in force and that by afternoon tomorrow the snow should all be melted.

They made plans to question the witness tomorrow afternoon and then Gibbs sent everyone home. He had some thinking to do, but the holiday was starting to look up, at least. Now, he just needed to capitalize on the progress he'd made with Tony and figure out what to do to keep Tony interested.

Even if Tony appeared to have forgiven him, which he still wasn't sure of given Tony's final comments in the van, he knew they would have to both work hard if they were to avoid the mistakes they’d made the first time. A lot of it was on him, but it took two people to make a relationship work. Gibbs had owned up to his mistakes. Hopefully, Tony realized his mistakes as well.

The one thing Gibbs didn’t want was a repeat of the hurt feelings that happened between them both and only got exacerbated every time they were in each other’s presence. Maybe if they made sure to talk things out at home, they could avoid it spilling over into work.

Gibbs cringed at the very thought of talking it out. He knew very well that he sucked at talking things out. It wasn’t even so much that he didn’t want to talk, though there was that aspect as well, but usually when he tried to talk things out they just came out all wrong and made things worse.

He’d experienced this multiple times with his previous wives. He didn’t want to add Tony to the list even though Tony was already kind of an ex. He hoped Tony would be his forever this time.