Forlorn

“Why won’t you let me set you up?” Abby whined.

“I’m fine, Abby.”

“But you’re lonely. A forlorn Tony is never a good idea. Gibbs would be perfect for you.”

Tony shook his head. “I’m not lonely or forlorn, Abby.”

“Then why won’t you let me set you up.”

“I’m not looking for a relationship, right now, Abby.”

Abby stormed out of the bullpen and back to her lab, frustrated. She would get Tony and Gibbs setup one way or the other. Ducky, McGee, and Bishop would all help her she was sure.

Tony shook his head and returned to the current cold case he was working on. Next week it was Ducky trying to set Gibbs up. Then McGee trying with Tony again.

Gibbs and Tony kept declining. Gibbs glared whenever anyone brought up dating of any sort. Tony avoided and avoided and avoided some more until he couldn’t avoid any longer.

Tony sat on Gibbs’ basement steps as he watched Gibbs sand his boat. “You know everyone keeps trying to set us up, but we’re already together.”

Gibbs grunted.

“Maybe we should just let them set us up? Especially if they’re going to cover the costs… They don’t seem to be giving up.”

Gibbs grunted. “It’s not any of their business.”

“I know, but we could have a nice romantic dinner. Valentine’s Day is coming up, after all.”

“Fine. Let them set something up for Valentine’s Day at some place you’ll like.” Gibbs wasn’t overly excited about this, but he knew it would make Tony happy.

“Should we put them out of their misery and tell them after this?”

Gibbs grunted. “If you want. I’m not hiding you. I just don’t think it’s any of their business.”

“I know, Jet. Don’t worry.” Tony smiled from his seat. Tony felt no need to tell everyone either. Neither of them were shouting from the rooftops.

They were both secure in their relationship, but it was the old married couple type of thing. If people found out, they found out. They just lived their lives as a couple and didn’t worry about what other people thought.

Abby jumped for joy when Tony agreed to go on a date on Valentine’s day to one of the most expensive italian restaurants around. Now, they just had to get Gibbs there. She’d leave that up to Ducky.

Abby placed the reservations. The whole team was pitching in, so the cost wasn’t a big worry. She turned the time and place over to Ducky with orders to get Gibbs there.

Ducky shook his head. Getting Jethro to a fancy italian place was going to be like pulling teeth. When Gibbs agreed without a lot of fuss, Ducky became immediately suspicious.

Still he said nothing, for now. He’d wait to find out how the date went. Tony and Gibbs enjoyed themselves though Gibbs felt weird about the team paying for it.

He was going to pay them back tomorrow. He had to admit the Italian restaurant was romantic and even though he wasn’t really into all that fancy frou-frou stuff, he wouldn’t mind coming back again sometime. Best of all though was Tony’s smile as they enjoyed aphrodisiac appetizers, beautiful italian meals, and some of the best wine either of them had tasted.

Gibbs slipped Abby the money to cover the date. “Pay the team back.”

“Does that mean it went well?”

Gibbs grunted and headed up to the bullpen. He heard McGee asking Tony how the date went as he entered the bullpen.

“It was fine, McGeek. Why do you want pointers? Or are you looking to date Gibbs next?”

“What? No!” McGee spluttered.

Gibbs caught Ducky’s eye, who was listening in with interest. He winked. Ducky tipped his hat to Gibbs and returned to autopsy.

Gibbs and Tony would tell people they were dating when they were ready. It wasn’t Ducky’s secret to spill. He would find out more later when he could get Gibbs alone.