Disclaimers: I do not own Magnificent 7 or NCIS. I wish I did. I have no money so don’t sue me, I am just borrowing them.
Authors Note: Thanks to Mog for creating Mag 7 ATF AU and allowing others to play in it.
Summary: The federal agencies have a conference in LA. Vin Tanner and Chris Larabee of the ATF and Tony DiNozzo and Jethro Gibbs from NCIS run across each other and find out they all have a lot in common and not all of it is good.
Pairings: Vin/Tony, Vin/Chris, Tony/Gibbs
Chris Larabee was not happy. Director Travis had to pull out all the stops to get the ATF team 7 leader to go to the conference in LA. Then to Travis’s confusion Larabee was reluctant to take Vin Tanner sharpshooter extraordinaire with him. As far as Travis knew the men were as close as brothers but for some reason he had to order Chris to take Tanner with him. They were having several weapons seminars and he wanted the sharpshooter to attend them.Chris reluctantly told Vin that they had to go to LA so that was why the blond was currently stomping into their hotel room, he had specifically asked for two rooms with an adjoining door but the hotel had fucked up the reservation so they had to share. Thankfully there were two beds so they wouldn’t have to sleep in the same bed.
Travis would have been astonished to find out that Chris didn’t know if he could trust himself to be around Vin in such close intimate quarters. Just a couple of months ago after a close call, Chris had taken Vin home from the hospital. Vin had to visit the ER after a bullet had creased his arm. Chris was still shaken because if he hadn’t shot the man as quick as he did Vin might have taken another bullet and this one might have been fatal. Vin had stumbled walking into his apartment and Chris had grabbed him before he could tumble to the floor. In that instant Chris Larabee’s world tilted and everything he thought he knew about his best friend changed. Sure he knew that Vin was gay and he didn’t care but right then with Vin in his arms he wanted more than just mere friendship. As Vin looked up to thank him for saving him from a nasty fall Chris had leaned down and covered those soft lips with his when Vin had gasped he had slipped his tongue inside and almost moaned at the exquisite unique taste of Vin Tanner. Chris had pulled Vin closer deepening the kiss clutching the smaller man to his chest. Then he had brushed the injured arm and Vin had yelped in pain. Chris had jerked back like he had been shot staring down at his friend in shock and fear. Chris had backed away mumbling he was sorry and shot out of the apartment hearing Vin’s voice calling to him telling him it was okay but not stopping to reply.
Vin wasn’t surprised when a little later Chris’s oldest friend Buck Wilmington had shown up to check up on him. Buck informed Vin that Chris had called him in a panic worried that he had scared Vin and ruined their friendship. Buck was there because Chris wanted him to check on Vin and besides Buck adored Tanner like a kid brother kind of like he cared about JD.
Vin had informed Buck that he was fine and Chris had not scared him, which had not surprised the ladies man. Buck made it a hobby to watch people and he had known for months that Vin and Chris were made for each other. Buck knew that Vin had loved the blond for a long time, but Chris hadn’t a clue, he just knew he liked to be around the quiet calm sharpshooter. But Buck knew the signs Chris was in love with Vin it was just a matter of time before the man realized it. It wasn’t like Chris had never been with a man before, hell there had been a guy in college and he had even done the horizontal with Buck a few times, but it had never been serious. Now it looked like the knowledge that he loved his best friend had hit Chris square in the face and the blond was going to deny it.
Buck told Vin that Chris Larabee was the most stubborn bull headed man on the planet earth. Vin had just smiled sadly and told Buck that he would never embarrass Chris and if the man couldn’t see himself having a relationship with another man that was fine. They could still be friends; Vin sure as hell didn’t want to lose that important friendship.
Buck had made sure Vin had everything he needed then drove out to Chris’s ranch and informed his old friend that he was an ass and needed to his head together before Vin found someone to really love him and the blond lost him altogether.
Chris had replied that it was none of Buck’s business and he wasn’t going to lose Vin’s friendship over sex. That weekend Chris had invited Vin out to the ranch where they had a heart to heart talk. Vin had made it plain that he was willing to give a more intimate relationship with Chris a shot but the blond was adamant. There could be nothing but friendship between them and that was final.
Vin had sighed and said that if that was what Chris wanted then he would go along with it and he had. It had been hard but for the last two months they had worked together like the cohesive partners they were at least on the job. It was noticed by the others that Vin spent less time at the ranch and Chris didn’t always join the others at the bar on Friday night. Oh they tried to act normal outside of work but there was a hint of tension and both men made sure there was no accidental touching of any kind.
So it was that two rather unhappy men entered the hotel room together. Vin foresaw a very long week ahead if Chris didn’t get his head out of his ass.
Chris went about putting his clothes away barely saying two words to his friend. Vin went into the bathroom when he came back out Chris was pretending to be asleep. Vin knew by the Chris was breathing that he wasn’t asleep. The seminar didn’t start until the next day so they had all afternoon and evening to kill.
Vin wasn’t about to spend the time sitting around a hotel room while Chris ignored him.
“I’m going out for a while Chris, so you can stop pretending to be asleep. See you later,” Vin said as he left the room.
Chris sighed deeply and sat on the edge of the bed. This was so difficult. After kissing Vin all those weeks ago he couldn’t get the memory out of his head. The softness of those lips, the blueness of Vin’s eyes and how that lithe body had felt in his arms tortured his dreams almost every night. He had truly thought that by not taking their friendship to that extra step of intimacy he would save it, but it turned out he was wrong. Vin was drawing away from him and he felt too uncomfortable around Tanner to stop the withdrawal. He worried all the time that Vin would walk into his office and hand in his resignation and it would be all Chris’s fault for stealing that kiss and then slamming the door on their feelings.
Chris sat silently using the time to try to think of something to save the most important relationship he had since his marriage. Maybe by the time Vin got back he would have an answer.
+ + + + + + +
Meanwhile three floors up a similar conversation were taking place although this one was louder.
Tony went into the hotel room ahead of his boss Jethro Gibbs and tossed his suitcase down on the bed. The laptop was laid on the nightstand.
Jethro breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the two beds, thank God they wouldn’t have to share. The stupid clerk had screwed up and instead of two rooms they had to share one and there were no more rooms to be had in the hotel.
Three months ago sharing a room wouldn’t have been a problem for Gibbs after all he and Tony were lovers they shared a bed several nights a week. Of course they never spent the night with each other, it was a good arrangement for both of them, sexual release with someone you could trust but no strings attached.
At least that was the way Gibbs looked it and he thought Tony did to until the night came that Tony asked if he could stay the night after a particularly long and satisfying evening of sex.
Jethro had felt a jolt in his stomach, a sick feeling that told him someone was getting way to close and it was time to end it. He already had three failed marriages behind him and didn’t want to get into another long-term serious relationship with anyone particularly a man who was his subordinate. Tony was fun, smart and knew how to have sex. Gibbs loved being with Tony but only as long as it was on his terms and kept light and carefree.
That night Jethro put the first brick in the wall that would separate him and his best investigator not just emotionally but physically as well. Telling Tony that theirs was not a serious relationship, it was two guys getting their rocks off and enjoying each other’s company Gibbs informed the younger man that if he wanted anything more serious he’d have to look elsewhere.
Gibbs remembered how Tony how raised his head and swallowed deeply. Then he had calmly stated that he would try to live with their relationship the way it was now. At first that was all he wanted now he wanted more, but if Gibbs couldn’t give it to him that was fine.
Tony had tried to keep emotions out of it but the nights spent pleasuring each other became fewer and fewer until for the last month they had not seen each other except on the job.
What Tony couldn’t know was that Gibbs wasn’t sleeping well at night, as his brain ran over the conversation they had and regretted his harsh words more than once. But he figured that it was best this way. Their off work relationship endangered both their jobs and while Gibbs knew he could move on easily enough or even retire early he knew that Tony loved the team and didn’t want the younger man to lose that.
Unfortunately he never told Tony any of this, so Tony just figured Gibbs was Gibbs and being a bastard about the whole thing.
With the exception of Ducky the rest of the team had not been aware that Jethro and Tony were having sex. However they all noticed that for the past few weeks Gibbs was becoming more of a bastard than usual as Tony became quieter and quieter.
The whole team had breathed a sigh of relief when it was announced that Gibbs and Tony had to go to the seminar in LA. At least they would have a week of peace and quiet.
Tony wasn’t so lucky. In fact the easygoing young man had tried to keep his temper and so far it had worked until now.
When Gibbs had found out they would have to share a room he had unloaded on the hapless check in clerk until Tony had finally stepped in and told the man it was fine. The young man was slightly shaking after being read the riot act by Gibbs and had flashed Tony a relived smile.
As Gibbs tossed his own suitcase on the bed Tony rounded on him, green eyes shining as it finally registered that Anthony DiNozzo was pissed as hell.
“You fucking bastard. How dare you take your attitude out on that poor guy? You’re the one that didn’t want me in your life except as a convenient hole to fuck so don’t take it out on everyone else because you’re not getting any,” Tony snarled.
Gibbs was taken aback at first; the sight of a very angry Tony was unusual enough to get his attention.
“They screwed up the reservations; they need to do their job right. You were never a just someone to fuck, it was two friends helping each other out,” Gibbs snapped right back as he flung his suitcase open and started unpacking.
“That may be how it started out, but I actually started to care about you as more than a friend and I thought you felt the same way. You know what Gibbs I’ll unpack later I need some fresh air,” Tony said as he stalked over to the door.
“Grow up Tony, there are bigger things involved than just sex,” Jethro said as Tony opened the door.
Tony stopped looked at the older man and quietly replied, “Yeah, like love.”
Tony then left shutting the door quietly behind him.
Gibbs gasped as the sharp barb hit home, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
He could not believe Tony had said the L word a word that Gibbs had not said in years. Gibbs groaned and held his head in his hands, how had he let things get so fucked up? Sex with Tony was awesome the younger man gave everything when they were in bed, but then that was Tony. Jethro had to admit that when Tony set his mind on something he gave it his all and it had been a heady feeling having all that concentration focused on him and him alone.
Gibbs had truly went into the relationship with the idea of enjoying each others company in and out of bed but it wasn’t long before Tony snuck into his heart though he would never admit it to the younger man.
While Chris Larabee and Jethro Gibbs sat in there quiet lonely rooms Tony was walking into the hotel bar. Still seething with anger at his former lover he almost missed seeing the man sitting at the other end of the bar.
Taking a second look Tony was astonished to see Vin Tanner sitting there staring down into his beer looking as unhappy as Tony was feeling.
Tony slipped onto the stool next to the silent figure, Vin never looked up. Tony took a sip of his beer then whispered, “Fancy meeting you here.”
Vin jerked his head up the blue eyes gazed at Tony wide with surprise then delight spread across the expressive face.
Both men then found themselves hugging each other and trying to both talk at once.
Finally Vin laughed and motioned towards a secluded table in the back where they could talk without being bothered.
Sitting across from each other in the booth the two young men looked each other over seeing little changes that had occurred after three years.
“You still bounty hunting?” Tony asked hoping the answer was no. He had told his friend that it was a very dangerous profession and that despite the fact that Vin was the best Tony had worried that Vin would get into trouble without backup.
“No, I got out of that quite a while ago. I work for the ATF in Denver, Team 7,” Vin replied.
Tony whistled then said, “Wow! I’ve heard of them, the Magnificent 7 under the leadership of one bad ass Chris Larabee.”
Tony was watching Vin carefully and saw the fleeting expression of hurt and wistfulness cross the beautiful face.
Tony slouched back in the booth as he observed his friend. Vin glanced at him and then blushed; damn he had forgotten how well Tony could read people.
“So Larabee is the one huh? You didn’t have any other choices like maybe a judge down in some little southern town or a middle linebacker that is three times your size? You had to pick the man that all the federal agencies know about and most of them fear. I say most because I doubt my own indiscretion that goes by the name of Jethro Gibbs fears anything or anyone,” Tony said with a rueful smile.
Vin had to laugh despite his heartache; Tony had always been able to make him laugh.
“Tony, if Larabee has a reputation as a bad ass then Gibbs has a reputation as a bastard. Aren’t we a pair? Out of all the men in the country we fall for two men who have lived straight lives, been married and are as hard as they come. Are we pathetic or just stupid,” Vin sighed.
Tony felt a spurt of anger at the absent Larabee. During the time he and Vin had been together, which while only for a brief two months several years ago had been very memorable, he had come to realize that Vin suffered from more of a lack of self-confidence than he did. Oh Vin was very confident when it came to his job, but personal relationships were a different matter. Vin never thought he was good enough to have a decent guy in his life so the younger man had pretty much been celibate for several months until he ran across Tony. The murderer had come to Baltimore and Tony was on the case when he ran into a young bounty hunter who had already made quite a name for himself for bringing in some men who had eluded the FBI for years. Even the FBI had to admit grudging respect for the longhaired blue eyed deadly angel of death.
Oh Vin tried to bring the bounties in alive but he had no issue killing the scum of the earth and the guy in Baltimore had murdered several innocent people, including a family of four and two cops who had young children at home.
Tony had been very careful about keeping his sexual orientation a secret from his police buddies. It was easy because he did love women but he just loved men more.
Vin surprisingly agreed to work with the police and he and Tony became close. Vin had actually ended up saving Tony’s life and killing the man they had all been hunting but Vin had taken a bullet in the shoulder and Tony had insisted that the man recuperate at his place. After all Vin had saved his life it was the least he could do. No one had thought twice about it, of course they weren’t witness to all the nights that the two men made love enjoying each others bodies and making their lives fuller even if for a short while.
Unfortunately their idyllic time had to come to an end. Neither man had expected it to last, Vin was man who loved the wide-open spaces and would never be happy trapped in a city for very long and Tony was a city boy. But even beyond that they had both known that while they cared for each other it was not the deep love and commitment they were looking for, so they parted ways knowing that the chance of them ever crossing paths again was very slim. At first they had talked on the phone a couple of times a week but eventually even that stopped.
Now to their delight here they were face to face again the whole reunion overshadowed by the fact that they were in love with their bosses and there was very little chance of either one of them getting their hearts desire.
As Tony was remembering their past so was Vin. Tony had entered his life at a very opportune time. Vin was so lonely, chasing bounties had been a solitary profession and while at first that was why he took the job he was beginning to realize that he needed more out of life, and then came Baltimore.
Tony brightened his life, he made him laugh, became his friend and then his lover. Tony showed Vin that he was valuable and he was capable of being loved and loving someone in return. Tony had told Vin thanks for saving his live but Tony had also saved Vin’s. Oh not from a bullet but from sheer loneliness and despair. Despair that he would never have anyone to care and that if he died there would be no one to mourn his death or even miss him. While Tony started pulling Vin out of his isolation, Vin gave Tony some pleasure in his life. Cast out by his rich family Tony despite the fact that he seemed to have friends all over the place didn’t have one person he was close to, at least close enough to tell his hopes and dreams to, until Vin Tanner. One night after pleasuring each other they had talked and reached the conclusion that it was divine intervention that had brought them together at a time when they both needed someone to hang on and lead them back into the light or at least on the right path.
Now as they looked at each other the memories tumbling around in their heads the two men realized that despite all the time they had spent apart they still cared about each other. It wasn’t the love they felt for their stubborn dense bosses but love nevertheless. Two kindred spirits brought together by mutual need and caring.
“Do you believe in fate?” Vin asked very seriously.
“Yes I do. I think fate led us to each other before and I believe it led us to meet today,” Tony replied.
“What should we do?” Vin asked.
Vin felt a flicker of worry as Tony got his ‘I am going to shake things up’ grin on his face.
“Why should we deny ourselves, Vin? We care about each other and if our boss’s cannot see how great we are then screw them. I think I am going to chat with the front desk clerk and get us a room. Then we are going to share that room and let our boss’s stew in the bullshit of their own making. If after this week they haven’t seen the light and realized how wonderful we are then we are making other plans.”
Vin licked his lips, smiled and said, “I only have one question. Do we get to make love? I haven’t had sex for over a year and that was a quick one night stand that I felt guilty about the next day.”
Tony brushed hair off Vin’s forehead not caring if anyone saw him or not. Vin had always had that ability to raise not only his passion but also his protective instincts.
“You mean that you have never made love to the man?”
“No, he kissed me a couple of months ago, it just kind of happened and then he ran off like a scared rabbit. We talked and he apologized and said that while he cared for me it couldn’t go anywhere and that was for everyone’s sake. I told him that was a cop out but that I would go along with his wishes,” Vin replied.
Tony leaned forward and replied, “Damn he doesn’t know what he is missing. Well why not make love. I’m tired of living my life to suit Jethro Gibbs and it is none of his business who I have sex with. What about you?”
Vin sat up straighter, took a deep breath and answered, “Let’s go for it. It’s not like we’re in a personal relationship with them so we wouldn’t be cheating and I agree. I am tired of dancing to Larabee’s tune.”
The two men clicked their beer mugs together to toast their decision. After a couple of more beers they headed to the front desk. Vin was worried because there had not been any rooms available earlier. Tony had assured him that hotels always kept a few in reserve for special VIP’s and it was one of these that he intended to procure for them. He couldn’t wait for Gibbs and Larabee to see where their subordinates were staying.
It didn’t take five minutes before Tony had a suite on the one of the upper floors for them. The clerk was so grateful to Tony for deflecting Gibbs anger earlier that he was happy to provide them with a suite. Of course the hundred that Tony slipped him helped out also.
Tony handed Vin his key card to get into the suite then they went to their rooms to get their luggage. They had decided to then go straight to the suite after telling their bosses that they had met a friend and that they would be in the dining room at eight o’clock that night and the older men were welcome to join them if they wanted to.
Right before the elevator opened to let Vin off, Tony pressed Vin back against the elevator and kissed him deeply slipping inside the hot mouth to slowly drive Vin crazy. As he slipped his tongue out of the welcoming heat he nipped sharply at the full lower lip.
Vin looked at him in surprise, an elevator was rather public for that even though they were the only ones on it right then.
Tony grinned, Vin’s lips were slightly swollen, his hair slightly messed up and the blue eyes were dilated. Tony knew he was in a similar condition.
Good!
“I just couldn’t resist besides it will give the tight ass’s something to brood about,” Tony whispered.
Vin smiled, “Good idea though you better be ready to continue when we get to the suite.”
“Oh I’ll continue what I started have no doubt of that. I want to see if that gorgeous body is as hot as it looks, as I recall you have one fantastic body to go with that beautiful angelic face,” Tony teased as he watched the blush cover his friends face.
Vin growled, “That was not nice Tony. Besides as I remember your body is to die for and you have a face that could charm Satan himself.”
Tony just smiled; he privately thought ‘well maybe I could charm Satan but not one Jethro Gibbs’.
As Vin went to get off the elevator Tony couldn’t help slapping the tight ass lightly.
Vin turned around and glared at his friend who just smiled as the elevator doors shut.
Vin paused by the hotel room door then opened it and walked in. Chris was sitting at the small table with his laptop out. Vin noticed he wasn’t typing anything but didn’t comment on it.
“I met up with an old friend who works for NCIS. Tony has a suite and asked me to stay with him. Since you didn’t want to share with me anyway I said yes, that should make everyone happy.”
Chris got to his feet his green eyes looked worried but he was also feeling extremely jealous, if his eyes weren’t deceiving him Vin looked like he had been kissed and kissed hard. The lips that Chris had briefly tasted looked a little swollen, and the expressive blue eyes were shining and damned if the younger man didn’t have a blush on his cheeks. Chris had known Vin long enough to know that Vin didn’t have many friends outside of Team 7 and he wondered how long this Tony had been Vin’s friend. Despite the fact that his jealousy had no merit after all he was the one who had told Vin that they couldn’t be together, Chris couldn’t help his feelings.
“I don’t want to run you off Vin. I’m trying to do what is best for both of us and the team,” Chris tried to explain again keeping a firm grip on his temper. He knew Vin and if he got mad Vin would just clam up.
Vin picked up his suitcase and replied, “No you’re not Chris. You are doing what is best for you. The team knows I’m gay and they don’t give a damn. You can’t decide what is best for me only I can do that, I am not a child. So please don’t put your fears and worry on everyone else. Now I will be in suite 4425. Tony and I are going to the dining room at eight tonight if you want to join us then that is fine if you choose not to then that is your decision. I will talk to you later.”
Chris gaped as Vin turned on his heel and walked out the door without a backward glance. This Vin was not one he was used to seeing; Vin tried to get along and didn’t like to fight now. Chris was quite aware that Vin let him get his own way most of the time and submitted to Larabee’s whims.
Chris hated the jolt of desire and arousal that shot through him when he said Vin’s name in the same sentence as the word submit. It wasn’t like he didn’t still have dreams of his sharpshooter’s body beneath his writhing in abandonment as he was being slowly impaled on Larabee’s thick cock.
Chris cursed under his breath as he went to take a very cold shower, maybe by tonight he would have the right attitude and could sit and eat dinner like a civilized man with Vin and the man who was a threat to take Vin away from him. Chris quickly changed the thought from him to the team, he had to remember that he had not entered into a relationship with Vin to protect them all but especially the man who had stolen his heart and soul. A theft he could never admit to.
The door clicked shut, he sat down on his chair wondering how the hell he had let things get this far and worrying that Vin just might leave the team and then his life would return to the cold barren wasteland it was before Vin had entered his life.
Tony sauntered into his room like he didn’t have a care in the world. Gibbs looked up from the papers he was going over, his blue eyes narrowed into slits as he gazed at his former lover from head to toe.
The green-eyed monster took hold as he surveyed the younger man. Despite the fact that it had been a while since they had sex, Gibbs knew that look on Tony’s face. Tony had definitely been kissing someone and he looked like a satisfied purring cat.
“Tony what the hell do you think you are doing?” Gibbs demanded as Tony grabbed his suitcase and laptop.
“I have procured another room. I ran into an old friend and he needed a room also. Since you have made it plain that you didn’t want to share and I really don’t feel up to arguing with you all week I managed to get Vin and me a suite. Don’t worry I won’t charge NCIS for it. It is room 4425. We will be in the dining room at eight tonight so if you want to join us that will be fine.”
Tony turned to go when a hand gripped his arm turning him around to face an irate Gibbs. The site of the angry man didn’t faze Tony in the least; he had made up his mind that if Gibbs didn’t come around in the next week he was gone.
“You can stay here, we won’t argue. Vin can’t give you anything that I can’t. Come on Tony we’re both adults here,” Gibbs said letting his hand rub and up down Tony’s arm.
Tony pulled away from Jethro and opened the door.
“I know we are both adults Jethro. The difference is I know what I want out of life and it is more than just fucking my boss. I want a future that you don’t want any part of. Vin knows exactly how I feel,” Tony replied very seriously.
Gibbs temper snapped. “Fine, go be with your good buddy. I hope it’s really what you want. Think about that.”
Tony raised his chin and sadly said, “What I want is standing right in front of me, but I won’t settle for being an afterthought or second best. Maybe you need to do some heavy thinking of your own.”
Tony shut the door behind him leaving and angry upset man behind him.
+ + + + + + +
Tony entered the suite to find Vin sitting on the sofa staring at the TV that wasn’t even on.
Tony tossed his bags into the bedroom that Vin didn’t take. He had no doubt that they would be sharing a bed later on but was not about to push anything on his friend.
Tony sat down next to Vin and put his arm around Vin’s slumped shoulders.
“Didn’t go well with Larabee?” he quietly asked.
“I think I shocked the hell out of him. Told him I wasn’t a child and he had no right to make decisions for me,” was Vin’s answer.
Vin did look up at Tony and smiled a little, “I think he was a little jealous that I had found a friend and was staying with the friend.”
Tony laughed, “I bet he was, why do you think I kissed you. Make both of them think about what they might be losing.”
“So Gibbs was ticked off?” Vin said blue eyes alight with curiosity.
“Oh he was pissed off big time. I think he was shocked that I held my cool while he got mad. I told him he needed to do some heavy duty thinking,” Tony replied.
“Do you think they will show up tonight at dinner?” Vin asked.
“I think they will both be if for no other reason than to save face. After all they can’t let on that they might actually care about us, that would ruin their tough man image,” Tony replied.
“You want to watch some TV?” Vin asked tossing Tony the remote.
“Good idea. I think they get TV Land here and we can watch some Ozzie and Harriet,” Tony enthused settling back with his arm still around Vin.
Vin groaned he had forgotten about Tony’s obsession with old family sitcoms. However he enjoyed the man's company and it was kind of nice watching people having what was supposedly a normal life, even if he had never experienced it for himself.
Vin snuggled in close to Tony and they watched TV only getting up to use the restroom or grab something to drink.
That night found them sitting in the dining room a few minutes before eight o’clock; both men were dressed casually in khaki’s and polo shirts. Vin’s was a light blue color and Tony’s was dark green, the shirts were chosen to bring out the color in their eyes.
The waiter had been to their table and Tony had ordered a bottle of their best wine. Vin had protested the cost but Tony had informed him to remember that he could easily afford it.
Vin did remember and relaxed. While his father had booted Tony out of the house, he still had a very substantial trust fund that had come to him on his twenty-first birthday. In reality Tony did not need to work at all, but he loved his job.
Vin took a deep breath, Tony looked up and saw a striking blond enter the dining room, it only took mere seconds before the searing green gaze found them and the lean figure headed in their direction.
“Damn the man does look good in black,” Tony whispered to Vin who couldn’t take his eyes off his boss.
Chris was wearing a black dress shirt tucked into black dress pants; there were black cowboy boots on his feet.
Tony saw Jethro enter the dining room right behind Larabee and head their way. Jethro met Tony’s gaze head on even as he stalked towards them.
Jethro was wearing a light gray dress shirt with slate gray dress pants and black shoes. The light of the dining room glinted off the gray in his hair.
“I take it that’s Gibbs?” Vin questioned seeing the good-looking silver haired man behind Chris.
“Yep that’s my boss. This should be fun,” Tony chuckled.
“You have a bizarre sense of humor Tony,” Vin replied.
Both men stood up as Gibbs and Larabee reached the table.
Introductions were made Gibbs and Larabee sizing each other up then both men turned and looked at their subordinates. Jethro slid into the chair next to Tony while Chris took the one next to Vin.
The two-team leaders were very quiet watching Vin and Tony interact and watching each other. Tony poured everyone a glass of wine saying that it was to celebrate meeting up with Vin again.
Vin smiled at the man as they clinked glasses together, then a slow reacting Chris and Jethro joined into the celebration.
Tony noticed that Jethro tapped his glass a little harder than was necessary a sure sign the man was still pissed off. Jethro always hated not to be the one in control.
Vin wanted to tell Chris to ease up on his grip of the wine glass afraid that he was going to shatter the glass in his hand.
Conversation was stilted to say the least. Tony was the most relaxed of the four men; he had grown up in a household where true feelings were to be kept hidden at all costs. Vin and Jethro had been the only ones to see the true Tony DiNozzo. Vin slowly relaxed as he had another glass of wine, which was one reason Tony, had ordered the wine.
Halfway through the meal Chris and Jethro had calmed enough to converse with each other and surprise they had a lot in common. Even as the two older men talked they kept one eye on Tony and Vin.
Chris noticed how Vin didn’t seem to mind when Tony got in his space to whisper something in his ear. Chris couldn’t help but be irritated by how comfortable Vin was in Tony’s company watching as Vin laughed at something Tony said.
Jethro was noticing how well the two younger men got along. Tony treated Vin with the same affection he treated Abby but it was laced with barely hidden sexual desire.
It was apparent that Tony and Vin had been very close at one time and the spark was still there.
Both Chris and Jethro wondered if their callous disregard for the younger men’s feelings had not pushed them away for good.
At that moment the two men looked at each other. It was a shock to see the same look of loss and despair on the other man's face. Chris Larabee and Jethro Gibbs had now become brothers, brothers in the fact that they both had happiness in their grasp; a forever type of love and they both had ruthlessly tossed it away.
Tony and Vin took that time to stand up and inform their boss’s that they would see them in the morning in time to get on the shuttle bus to the convention center.
Chris and Jethro followed them out into the lobby casting worried glances at each other.
“Where are you going?” Chris demanded when the two men headed towards the door of the hotel.
“We heard about a club a few miles from here so we thought we would check it out. That okay with you mom?” Vin replied smiling but knowing that there was a sting in his reply.
“Fine, just be back early. I don’t want to miss that shuttle tomorrow morning,” Chris retorted irritated because he had wanted to get Vin alone to talk but was too proud to beg.
“What club, Tony?” Gibbs asked crossing his arms.
“Raphael’s Getaway. It is supposed to be the hottest bar in town. See you tomorrow,” Tony said and then they were hopping into a cab and gone.
Gibbs hissed under his breath as he watched the two men leave helpless to stop them...helpless to stop Tony from leaving his side. Gibbs acknowledged though somewhat reluctantly that Tony had managed to get under his skin very quickly and now it looked like the younger man was slipping away from him. Were his pride and his worry over getting deeply involved with Tony worth losing the younger man?
Chris gritted his teeth so hard he figured he was going to have to make an appointment with the dentist back home. When had he lost control of the whole thing with Vin and when had his worry about what people would think cloud his judgment so much that he was in definite danger of losing the man he loved?
Chris glanced at Jethro and nodded towards the bar. Jethro immediately headed in that direction.
Ironically they sat at the same booth that the men they cared about sat in earlier that day.
Both men ordered Jack and coke and drank the first one down quickly then ordered another one. As they sat sipping this one both men were deep in thought.
Chris finally raised his head and asked, “How long?”
Jethro didn’t even pretend that he didn’t know what the blond was talking about.
“Tony has worked for me for over two years. I knew that I enjoyed Tony’s company, he is fun, witty and smart, and the smartest investigator I have ever seen. We didn’t get together until a few months ago. The sex was awesome; Tony gives everything he’s got when he is with someone. I soaked it up like a sponge; it felt great for someone to want to be with me. Tony knows me and knows all my faults and still wants to be around me. It was going good up until Tony wanted more commitment. I’ve been married three times, divorced three times; I told him what we had was good, two good friends taking care of each others needs. You know what I told him that we were just two men getting our rocks off with each other.”
At Chris’s groan of surprise Jethro took a healthy swallow of his drink.
“Yeah, a real nice comment to make wasn’t it. We tried to keep it going but Tony wanted what I couldn’t give and we haven’t been together for several weeks. I’m afraid it won’t be long before Tony tells me where to shove the job and he takes off. The FBI has wanted him for a long time and will grab him up quickly. What about you and Vin?”
Chris sighed, rubbing his forehead wondering where to start.
“You made it further than I did; I guess you have more guts. Vin’s been working for us about the same length of time that Tony has worked for you. All it took was a glance from those blue eyes of his and he slipped right into my heart, but it was like a brother at first. We could read each other like a book, but now that I look back I was lying to myself. I didn’t want to want to care about him any deeper, he scared me, Vin affected more than anyone had since my wife.”
Chris went on to explain how his wife and son had died so that Gibbs would understand his reasoning. After that explanation it was time for another drink to be ordered then the talk continued.
“I thought after they died I would just isolate myself, safer that way, but the Vin slammed right through my walls like they weren’t even there. A couple of months ago he was hurt and I was taking him home and that is where my world was smashed all to hell. Vin stumbled I caught him and before I knew it I was kissing him. My God he melted against me and fit into my body like we were made for each other. Then I brushed against his injured arm and he cried out that shocked me back into my senses and I apologized and ran out of there like the devil was after me. We talked that weekend and I told him that we could never be together like that. I used the team as an excuse and how we could lose our jobs, but it was all bullshit, I was just to fucking scared and like you I am afraid that Vin is tired of it and going to leave. I’m not sure I can handle losing him.”
“You know for a pair of supposedly intelligent men we have sure screwed our lives up,” Jethro commented.
Chris nodded his agreement and they ordered another drink.
Several hours later Tony and Vin arrived back at the hotel, the hotel clerk flagged them down.
Talking to the clerk they wandered into the bar to find their boss’s sitting in the back booth or at least attempting to sit up.
Thankfully the bar was pretty much deserted as they helped the two men to the elevator and up to their rooms.
Vin tumbled Chris into bed removing the man's shoes and socks and making him comfortable. Vin pulled the blankets up over the blond and turned to leave. Chris reached out and grabbed Vin’s hand pulling him close.
Vin was shocked when he felt Chris’s lips cover his then an aggressive tongue slipped into his mouth to duel with his. Vin sighed into the kiss; Chris buried his hand into Vin’s long hair holding him in place as he plundered the sweet mouth.
Chris mumbled, “God Vin you taste so good. Stay here, we can be so good together, no one needs to know.”
Vin stiffened at the words. What the hell ‘no one needs to know’. Was Chris so embarrassed by his feelings that he wanted Vin but wanted to keep him a dirty little secret?
Vin pushed away from the man and the bed totally ignoring Chris reaching out for him.
“I refuse to be in a relationship that is kept hidden because I’m not good enough for you and you’re embarrassed by me. Fuck that Chris. I sure as hell am not a one night stand. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Vin turned on his heel and stormed out of the room going upstairs to the suite.
If he would have hesitated he would have seen a tear roll down Chris’s cheek as the man whispered, “Not what I meant...you could never embarrass me...you are too good for me, Vin.”
Then Chris went to sleep, the drinks and the emotional turmoil taking their toll, he would in fact wake up later in the night after a nightmare in which Vin died and the last words the sharpshooter spoke was ‘we could have had so much together Chris, now its to late’.
Meanwhile Tony had stripped Gibbs down to his boxer briefs; it wasn’t like he had never seen what the man had after all they had been lovers. When Tony straightened up he saw that Jethro was staring right at him.
Even half drunk Gibbs moved fast and Tony found himself jerked down to sit on the edge of the bed his wrist held in a tight grip.
“You know that you miss what we had, Tony. Why not join me and we’ll see what we can work out. See what you do to me,” Gibbs whispered as he placed Tony’s hand over his hard cock and held it there.
Tony licked his lips watching as Gibbs followed every move he made.
Leaning down just an inch from Jethro’s mouth Tony hissed, “What we can work out. Fuck that. I want the whole package or nothing at all. Think about it Jethro.”
Tony jerked his wrist out of Jethro’s grasp and left the room. Jethro stared at the shut door wondered if didn’t have something in common with his heart lately. Shut and locked safe from anyone getting to close, Jethro just hoped that he could unlock the door before Tony was gone.
That was his last thought as he went to sleep his dreams filled with Tony but Tony wasn’t with him he was with Vin Tanner. Dream after dream was filled with the two men making love but the ones that hurt the most were the ones where Tony screamed Vin’s name as the ATF agent slid his cock inside Tony’s ass and the men came together. Jethro had been proud and touched when Tony had confided to him that he had never allowed another man to take him until Jethro. Jethro could only think, as he lay in bed wide-awake between dreams that it looked like that was about to change.
Tony went into the suite; he barely got into the door before a half naked Vin Tanner slammed into him sending them both to the floor.
Tony found his mouth taken in a hard kiss as Vin barely let him breathe. Vin was frantic and Tony could feel Vin’s hard cock pressing into his body. Tony groaned as his own body responded to the sensual assault.
It didn’t take much before he was as hard as his partner. Tony slid his hands into Vin’s long hair and held the smaller man still.
“As much as this turns me on, we both smell like smoke from that bar and we can have much more fun in the shower,” Tony whispered looking into dilated blue eyes.
Vin smiled, swooped in for another quick kiss then was pulling Tony to his feet.
In less than five minutes they were in the shower wrapped in each other’s arms hands, mouths and fingers exploring smooth slick skin.
As the hot water cascaded down on the tanned muscled bodies the only sounds were gasps as hot spots were touched and remembered and the moans of two men enjoying the pleasure of being with someone who cared about them and knew how to please them.
Vin wrenched his mouth from Tony’s frantically saying; “I want you in me Tony.”
Tony hesitated, something had upset Vin, it was apparent from the frantic way Vin was clutching him.
“Shhhh...I’ll take care of you, I promise.”
Tony turned Vin to face the wall of the shower; he grabbed the lube that Vin must have tossed into the shower before he got to the suite. Vin had planned this well, but he didn’t expect any different from the man.
Tony reached around and tweaked Vin’s nipples, when Vin gasped at the sharp little pain that quickly spiked into pleasure, Tony slipped one finger inside the tight passage, immediately the muscles tightened up around his finger.
Damn but Vin was tight, he’d be lucky to be able to sit tomorrow all day for that stupid meeting. Tony moved his hand down from the hard little nubs and grasped Vin’s shaft, a shaft that wasn’t near as hard as it had been.
In that instant he knew that while Vin was upset deep down the man didn’t want to be penetrated. Vin was in love with Chris Larabee and no matter what happened between them or what was said, if Tony took the man Vin was going to feel tremendous guilt, he was going to feel like he cheated on the man he loved.
Tony knew all this not just because he knew Vin but also because he would feel the same way. Tony sighed and could only think they were sure a couple of idiots to fall in love with two men who had corn cobs stuck up their ass’s but that was the way life was at times.
Tony carefully pulled his finger out and turned Vin around pulling in for a hug and a deep kiss.
“Neither one of us is ready for this, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy each other,” he whispered to Vin.
Tony smiled as he saw relief flood the expressive blue eyes. Vin looked rueful and a little embarrassed as he softly said, “You’re right. I thought I wanted this. Chris upset me and I thought I’d just show him that I didn’t need him, but I...I can’t. You know me to well.”
Tony chuckled, “I do, but I also know myself and I would feel the same way. They don’t deserve us, but we can’t help who we love.”
Vin smiled wickedly sliding his hand between their bodies grasping their cocks together.
“We can pleasure each other though.”
Tony groaned as the talented hand stroked their cocks the friction rapidly filling the shafts to hardness.
Tony soaped up his hand and put it over Vin’s. Whimpers, whispers and moans were the only sound for several minutes until they cried out as both men climaxed sending their seed over their bodies.
Leaning against each other, they were quiet until their breathing came back under control.
Vin raised his head from where it rested on Tony’s shoulder to meet Tony’s mouth in a long wet sweet kiss, a kiss that held the promise of a lifetime of a loving close friendship.
It didn’t take long to shower and get ready for bed. Without saying a word, they climbed into bed together and snuggled down taking comfort in having someone who understood what they were feeling and going through close by.
Vin lay with his head on Tony’s shoulder thinking back on Chris’s comments. Now that he had a clearer head and wasn’t running on emotion he had to wonder if he hadn’t jumped the gun. After all Chris had always been worried about the higher ups finding out if they got into a relationship. Maybe that was what Chris meant, after Chris had never showed any evidence before of not being proud of Vin and in fact bragged about his prowess with a rifle. Vin also knew that Chris was awed and proud to be the one that Vin showed his poems to. Vin decided to give Chris the benefit of the doubt one last time and that was the last thought on his mind as he drifted to sleep.
Tony lie awake long after Vin taking comfort in stroking Vin’s long hair, knowing that his friend was close by. Tony was doing his own thinking. Perhaps he should have demanded to know exactly what Jethro had meant about working it out. Tony figured Jethro just wanted to get him into bed, taking his pleasure and then it was back to the way it was, but maybe that wasn’t what Gibbs meant. Tony sighed sometimes his temper was as bad as Jethro’s, well he would see what tomorrow would bring and then Tony fell asleep.
Unfortunately tomorrow it wouldn’t be any better and then it would just get worse.
End
Part 2