Chapter Eleven: Progress

It only took a matter of hours at Jethro's house for normalcy to return. Fornell had had a team of agents sweep the house and surrounding area before they'd arrived and he'd made no secret of stationing two agents in a big, black suburban out front. In turn Jethro had made no secret of the fact that they'd be coming and going and carrying on with their lives as normal and they wouldn't be consulting any protection detail for permission.

The afternoon was spent cleaning and organizing the downstairs after Jonah's unwelcomed visit then they grilled their dinner and sat around the fire pit out back, enjoying the chilly evening with a cup of hot coffee and smiles on their faces.

"It's weird being outside after not being allowed to leave the room for over a week," Tony said. "Of course, you cheated and disappeared to the drugstore."

"If I hadn't gone to the drugstore, we mighta killed each other," Jethro pointed out.

"Yeah, you're probably right," Tony agreed. "I'm just jealous I didn't get to go with you. Although, surprisingly, I still feel kinda awkward when I buy condoms so maybe it's for the best."

"I'm not sure if I believe that," Jethro goaded a bit.

"Believe it or not, it's true."

Jethro gave his partner a playful wink before reaching out for Tony's hand. Tony meshed their fingers together, holding on tight.

"Jethro?"

"Hmm?"

"What are we doing?" Tony asked quietly. "Is this more than just exploring a curiosity while we move from safe house to safe house or some sort of all in therapy session or something?"

Jethro looked over at Tony, his expression relaxed and honest, and started rubbing his thumb over the man's hand. "It is for me. We shoulda talked about it sooner but you're too important to me to risk everything for some meaningless fun."

Tony's smile brightened even more as the tension left his body. "Good," he breathed, "'cause I went from being secretly miserable to never being happier. You make me happy, Jethro, and I don't want that to end when we catch Jonah."

Jethro grinned at the school boyish giddiness of Tony's excitement. It was a far cry from the beat to hell senior field agent that had showed up to work weeks prior and even the confident, sure agent he'd been before that. "You make me happy too, Tony. You always have."

A comfortable silence returned as Jethro stoked the fire and added another log before resettling next to Tony.

"I was thinking about having the team over for dinner," he said. "I think Abby's left about eight hundred messages on my phone."

"Sounds about right," Tony said with a chuckle. "I think that's a good idea. I miss everybody."

"Maybe this weekend, if everyone can make it?"

"Sounds good to me," Tony said, attempting to scoot closer to his lover despite the confining patio chair keeping them separated. "Might be a good excuse for us to get some new lawn furniture. Something both of us can sit in together, maybe."

"Come on over," Jethro said, patting his lap.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I'm starting to get cold anyways. C'mon, warm me up."

Tony stood and resettled in Jethro's lap, soaking up the feelings of love and warmth as the man wrapped his arms around him and held him tightly.

"This is nice," Jethro hummed. He nipped at Tony's neck, smiling when the cool air against the wet spot on the man's neck caused a shiver but taking full advantage of the excuse to hold him even tighter.

"Kinda hard to warm you up if I'm cold," Tony pointed out playfully.

"You don't want me to kiss you?"

"No! No!" Tony said quickly. "You can definitely keep doing that."

Jethro suckled against a particularly sensitive spot on Tony's neck, tempted to leave a mark but stopping before he did, even though Tony hummed happily and leaned into the kiss.

"What would you say if I told you I wanted to come out to the others?" Tony asked. He nuzzled his nose against the man's cheek while Jethro continued kissing and nipping at his neck. "Not about us, I mean, just me."

"Well, I would ask you if you're sure you're ready to do that. There's no rush, Tony."

"I know," Tony said, "and I know it wasn't that long ago that I was freaking out about anyone finding out but the whole reason this thing got out of hand was because I was trying to keep my secret. It made me realize that my whole life has been a series of secrets and I really don't wanna live like that anymore."

"I think that sounds like a good reason to tell. Giving voice to your secrets takes the shame away and listen to me, Tony. You have nothing to be ashamed of."

"I know that now," Tony said with a confident nod. "I think I'm gonna tell them at dinner."

"Sounds like that might be a good idea," Jethro agreed. "I don't know if I'm ready to come out yet but I fully support you."

Tony turned for a kiss and rubbed noses with Jethro. "Thank you." He relaxed even more, curling back into the man's embrace. "I could sit out here with you all night."

"Mmm, me too," Jethro agreed. "This is more relaxing than boat building."

"Whoa! Did the world just shift off its axis?" Tony joked.

Jethro playfully smacked the back of Tony's head but Tony just nestled in closer and the two simply sat in a peaceful, comfortable silence, staring up at the stars splattered across the clear night sky and soaking up the warmth from each other and the slowly fading fire.

"Do you think he'll show up here?" Tony asked. It was still dark in the predawn hours of the morning but both men were awake.

"Who?" Jethro asked.

"Jonah."

Jethro reached through the sea of blankets and found Tony's hand. "I dunno," he answered. "I kinda doubt it but he might. Has this been bugging you? Are you worried?"

Tony shrugged. "No more than usual."

"That's not an answer, Tony. Talk to me, please."

Tony rolled onto his side facing Jethro, reached out and rested a hand lightly on the man's bare, furry chest. He toyed with a few of the coarse strands before flattening his hand out over the hard planes and firm muscles. "I think we'd both be fools if we didn't at least consider the possibility. Jonah's been here before and we both know he'd take great pleasure in killing me. He's still out there somewhere and we don't have a clue where."

Jethro moved his hand on top of Tony's as he listened to what the man had to say. "Yeah," he agreed, "we would. Do you feel like we're prepared if he shows up?"

"I feel like we're as safe here as we would be anywhere else," Tony answered. "We could take him, easy."

Jethro didn't like the hesitation in Tony's voice or the way he answered the question in a roundabout way. "We are prepared, Tony, but we can go to another safe house or hotel if you want or I can get Fornell to put more of a protection detail on us."

"No, it's not that," Tony said. "I don't know. It's just, I feel like we have something good going here and I don't want anything to take it away. I don't wanna be like the newlywed couple that leaves from their wedding and gets in a horrible car crash and dies before their lives even had a chance to begin. I just... I want this whole thing to be over already."

Jethro tucked his arm around Tony and urged the man over to his side of the bed, resting against his body. "I do too," he replied sympathetically, "and it will be. We just have to be patient for a little while longer."

Tony smiled and nestled in closer to the man who meant so much to him. It wasn't long before his tongue found Jethro's nipple and his fingers started to explore and moments after that, Jethro's fingers were doing the same as his body reacted freely.

Excitement grew as exploring fingers and mouths raised the stakes and soon they were moving together, urging each other on and then writhing in the throes of passion, their troubles long forgotten.

"Feel better?" Jethro asked quietly before pressing a lingering kiss to Tony's lips.

"Uh-huh," Tony murmured before quickly kissing the man back.

"Me too," Jethro agreed. The two laid together for a while longer before Jethro spoke again. "We should probably get up and start getting ready for this afternoon."

"Probably," Tony agreed. "It'll be nice to see everyone again."

"You nervous?" Jethro asked gently after picking up on the slight hesitation in Tony's voice.

"A little but I need to do this. I want to do this."

"You know I'm here for you."

"I couldn't do this without you," Tony admitted freely.

Jethro reached around the man lying on top of him and playfully smacked his naked ass, letting the lightheartedness and fun atmosphere return. Tony squealed in surprise and nipped at the man's jaw in retaliation and soon Jethro was rolling them over so that he was on top again and had the upper hand.

"I could spend all day in bed with you," Jethro growled.

"We'll have to do that," Tony agreed, rocking his hips and rubbing himself against his lover.

"If you keep doing that, we're gonna have to cancel the get together."

Tony responded by rocking his hips even more and reaching around and grabbing Jethro's ass. His sexual appetite hadn't been that active since his teenage years. He was experiencing things he'd never imagined possible as he put aside what society said was acceptable and opened himself up to what felt true and honest.

"Let's continue this in the shower," Jethro growled as he nipped at Tony's ear.

With wrinkly fingers and toes but fully sated, both men stepped out of the shower almost an hour later. They headed to Jethro's favorite diner for breakfast then, after a quick trip to the grocery store, they returned home and got the house ready for the afternoon gathering.

Several hours later, the doorbell was ringing and their friends were gathering around the kitchen. It was just like old times, the joking and laughter starting immediately as they picked at the food appearing with each new guest before everyone arrived and they filled their plates and gathered around the living room to eat.

Funny stories were told, both about Jethro and Tony's time in protective custody and about the rest of the group making due at headquarters as the team enjoyed spending time together after so much time spent apart. Food was piled high on plates and laughter filled the room. Conversation came easy and no one gave Jonah a second thought.

Tony waited until they'd almost finished their meal before clearing his throat to get the group's attention. He ignored his nerves and after a reassuring nod from Jethro he started. "So, Jethro and I really have missed you guys," he said, "but there is another reason we asked you over. I have a confession to make."

"What is it, Tony?" Abby asked, moving over to couch next to the man in a show of support.

"It's kinda my fault we're in this big mess," Tony admitted. "I've been hiding a secret from you guys and I don't wanna hide anymore."

"What's going on, Tony?" Jimmy asked.

Abby reached out and latched onto Tony's hand, sensing what was coming next. She'd seen the video and had a good guess about what was coming next.

"I," Tony hesitated once again and looked around the room at his friends. He closed his eyes when he sensed the building panic and opened them when he felt a presence on the arm of the couch next to him to find Jethro there.

Jethro rested his hand on Tony's shoulder and studied the man closely. "You okay?" he asked quietly.

Tony nodded, gathering his strength from the man who'd helped him so much over the past few weeks. "I'm bisexual, you guys," he said, putting it out there and breathing a sigh of relief when he did. "I've been interested in men for as long as I can remember but a bad experience in college kind of suppressed that. One of my old frat brothers surfaced again and tried to use my secret to blackmail me which is the reason for all the chaos."

"I have a confession to make too," Abby said when Tony started rambling nervously. "I like guys too. I've been attracted to them for as long as I can remember, just like Tony has."

Tony gave Abby a questioning look. He realized she wasn't poking fun at him or making light of his situation but he didn't understand what she was doing.

Abby looked around at the group and then back at Tony with a smile on her face. "It's not a big deal, Tony," she explained. "Love is love and we love you and that's all that matters."

"A lot of people don't feel that way," Tony pointed out. "Especially in this line of work."

"Well, that's their problem," Abby stated bluntly. "We love you, Tony, no matter what. Right, guys?"

The group erupted all at once, with no hesitation, all of them adamantly agreeing with Abby in support of Tony.

"Thanks, guys," Tony said, finally relaxing.

"I have a confession to make as well," Jethro spoke up, squeezing Tony's shoulder affectionately. "Tony and I… we've grown really close over the past several weeks." He reached down and took Tony's hand, interlacing their fingers, making the message he was trying to get across clear. "We'll have some stuff to figure out at work to make sure things are still fair and everyone's okay with what's going on but we'll get there."

"Congrats, guys," Tim said sincerely.

The others joined in offering their congratulations, handshakes and hugs and alcohol was added to the party. Toasts were made and the party continued on like many of their other gatherings, amidst joy and laughter and celebration of happy times. After an afternoon and evening of fun and games, Jethro and Tony walked the group to their cars then stood on the porch with one arm around the other one and watched as their friends dispersed.

The group's words of encouragement, especially Abby's nonchalance, as well as Jethro's possessive declaration continued to repeat in Tony's head, empowering him more and more as he realized that maybe for the first time in his life, he was loved and accepted unconditionally. He didn't have to try so hard to be the funny man or even hide certain parts of himself. He could just be him and that was all anybody expected.

"Whatcha thinkin' about?" Jethro asked.

"I was just thinking about that declaration you made," Tony answered. "You surprised me."

"I should've asked you but it felt right and I didn't think there was any reason to hide it."

"I'm cool with it," Tony assured the man. "I've certainly learned my lesson about telling lies and keeping secrets."

Jethro turned Tony around and massaged his shoulders as he got them moving into the house. Once they were inside with the door closed, he swatted the man's butt and Tony hummed appreciatively.

"Feeling frisky?" Tony asked.

Jethro answered by turning Tony around and groping the man's ass while he kissed him passionately.

"Yes," Tony hummed against Jethro's lips when the kiss ended.

After a pleasant afternoon filled with laughter and unwavering support from their friends, the stress O'Dell had brought on was fading and prompted Tony to grab Jethro's hand and lead the way upstairs to their bedroom to continue the fun.

By the time Monday morning rolled around, after tripping over each other in the bathroom and taking turns in the walk-in closet, Jethro and Tony returned to NCIS with every intention of getting back to work but a visit to the director's office quickly put an end to that. Much to his dismay, Tony was put on desk duty after Vance decided it was too risky to send him out in the field. His agents needed to focus their full attention on their cases and they couldn't do that with O'Dell still posing a threat.

Even though desk duty felt a little like a punishment, Tony was happy to be back at work. Not only was it a relief to be easing back into his normal routine, it helped relieve any underlying anxiety about returning to work after everything that had happened during the last few days he'd been there.

What would've been a boring eight hours was spiced up with jokes and pranks and rounded out with a reassuring head slap before he climbed into the car with Jethro and set off towards home, stopping to pick up some dinner on the way.

Each passing day brought more and more normalcy and made Jonah O'Dell nothing more than a distant memory, despite Fornell updating them regularly. By the time the following weekend rolled around, Tony was determined to end the mess once and for all so he could return to the field and get his life back for good. He had no idea he'd have an opportunity to do just that before Monday morning rolled around again.

The brightness of the full moon against the dark night sky offered little light as Tony made his way through the hall and down the stairs in the middle of the night. He'd awakened after an intense dream and was hoping a drink would clear his mind and allow him to go back to sleep without waking Jethro up.

He rubbed one eye as he stepped into the dark kitchen and headed for the cabinet Jethro kept his drinking glasses in.

"I'm surprised to see you here, Tony," a voice behind him said.

Tony paused for only a moment before selecting a glass and closing the cupboard door. "You know," he said as he filled his glass half full of water, "I used to think you were untouchable, Jonah, but I've come to realize that you're a real dumbass."

"Yeah? How do you figure?" The drug lord was eerily calm despite his life being turned upside down but so was Tony.

"How many times have I told you no and warned you to stay away," Tony pointed out. "Yet here you are, in a house with not one but two federal agents."

"I'm not afraid of you, Tony."

"You should be," Tony replied confidently. He didn't know if it was the fact that it was the middle of the night and he hadn't had time to be afraid or if it was because he'd faced his demons and come clean to his friends but he wasn't the least bit intimidated by the man standing in the dark kitchen with him.

"Why's that?" Jonah asked.

Tony took a careful sip from the glass in his hand before swinging it with all his strength, hitting Jonah in the side of the face with such force that the glass shattered. He ignored the stinging in his own hand and while Jonah was still off guard from the throbbing in his head, Tony whipped the man around, got him pinned on the floor with a heavy knee in his back and wrangled his hands together, holding them high up by his shoulders so Jonah couldn't even almost struggle free.

He paused for a moment to let his breathing return to normal and let what had just happened sink in.

"You gonna give me a hand or just hide in the shadows?" Tony asked.

"I'm not hiding," Jethro said, "and you look like you have everything under control."

"Yeah, well, I think I'm bleeding," Tony admitted.

Jethro slapped some handcuffs on Jonah's wrists and not very gently yanked the man to his feet.

"Fornell on the way?" Tony asked, flipping the light on and inspecting his wound.

"Uh-huh," Jethro grunted. He cringed when he saw how bad Tony's wound was and realized a trip to Emergency Room was imminent. "Lemme see," he said, gently taking the man's hand so he could get a closer look.

"Aww," Jonah snarled, "isn't this just the sweetest thing you've ever seen."

"Have you still not learned your lesson?" Jethro asked threateningly.

Jonah simply laughed, not wanting to let it go but also not wanting to push it. The side of his face was still throbbing and he wasn't interested in nursing any more injuries.

"This is gonna need stitches, Tony," Jethro said.

"Nonsense," Tony replied. "A little super glue and I'll be good as new."

"Mm-mm," Jethro muttered, shaking his head. "It's too jagged and we need to make sure there's no glass in there."

Fornell's arrival put an end to any further protests from Tony but the look on the man's face told Jethro he wouldn't be going without a fight. The two agents who had been on protection detail followed Fornell into the kitchen, still trying to figure out how Jonah got in without them knowing.

Outside, the darkness of night was illuminated with flashing red and blue lights of police and FBI vehicles. Sacks appeared and took custody of O'Dell then followed the two on protection detail back out front, leaving Fornell alone with Jethro and Tony.

"Eventually you're gonna have to start doing your own dirty work," Jethro teased.

"Or maybe it's just the fact that trouble and bad guys are attracted to you," Fornell replied.

"As long as it gets done," Jethro said.

Fornell nodded his agreement before turning his attention to Tony. "You alright, Tony?" he asked, motioning towards the man's wrapped but bloody hand.

"This is nothing," Tony replied nonchalantly.

"We're on our way to the ER now to get it looked at," Jethro said. "Go put your shoes on, Tony."

Tony rolled his eyes but didn't protest.

"We'll be outta here by the time you two get back," Fornell called after them.

"This is silly," Tony grumbled with a roll of his eyes as they sat in the waiting room at Washington General Hospital.

"It's silly till I kill ya and bury you under the floorboards for bleeding all over the house," Jethro teased lightheartedly.

"You would never!" Tony scoffed disbelievingly. "And nice Poe reference."

Jethro raised his eyebrows in response but the faux seriousness faded almost immediately into a smile. "It won't be so bad. We'll be in and out in no time at all."

"I hope so," Tony said. "I really just wanna go back to bed."

Jethro smiled proudly at the progress Tony had made just as the nurse was calling Tony back to an exam room.

Jethro sat by patiently while the medical personnel inspected, cleaned and stitched the jagged cut on Tony's hand, a battle wound the man seemed to wear proudly. After receiving all the basic care instructions, the two were sent on their way and soon found themselves back at Jethro's home in Alexandria.

"Well," Jethro said, dropping his keys onto the table by his front door.

"Well?" Tony mimicked.

"What now?" Jethro asked.

"Bad guy's in custody. It's still the middle of the night. I'm going back to bed!"

Jethro watched as Tony climbed the stairs like nothing out of the ordinary had happened that evening. He couldn't help the feeling of extreme pride. The future still held endless questions and obstacles to overcome but they would figure that out as the time came. The worries and anxieties Tony had had at the beginning of the case were gone. Jonah was off the streets and Tony was stronger than ever.

Most importantly, Jethro had his Tony back and better than ever and that was all that mattered.

The End