Chapter 1

Tony hesitated outside the basement door. Gibbs had been ... Tony didn't even have the words. The look in his eyes had shaken Tony to the core, the disappointment. He didn't know why he was here. For absolution? He'd never forgive himself.

"Gibbs?" The door was closed, so he pushed it open slowly. "Boss?"

"What do you want, DiNozzo? Haven't you done enough?"

Tony knew he had screwed up. Wasn't the first time. But he'd never heard this tone in Gibbs' voice before.

"I..." He started down the stairs and reached for the bottle of bourbon, but Gibbs yanked it away. It toppled then shattered.

"Yeah, DiNozzo. Haven't you done enough? What the hell are you doing here? Get lost!"

Tony shook his head, really stung now. "I can't. I need to ... Before..."

"It isn't about what you need, dammit! She's dead. You're gone, Tony. Go pack."

"But I don't want to go."

Jethro grabbed Tony by the lapels, slamming him against the wall. "If you had done your job, none of us would be in this position and Jenny would be here. So stop your whining. At least ya have a life and a job to go to. Our boss doesn't."

Toy couldn't help it, his lip started trembling and one tear streaked down his face.

"B-Boss. I ... We had orders and I..."

"You let her die, DiNozzo. That's what you did."

"I know. I know! Don't you understand, Gibbs. I know! I'm going to live with this for the rest of my life. And as for that job, here's a copy of my resignation papers. I quit. I'm not working under that slimy asshole." The papers fluttered to the ground as he fought to pull away but Gibbs had the leverage and the advantage.

"Why you gonna do a stupid thing like that, DiNozzo? You think Jenny would want that? You think she died for that?"

As if a switch had been turned, Gibbs' voice had softened and Tony could only gape.

"She always wanted us to stand up for what we believe in, Gibbs. At all costs."

"You believe in me, DiNozzo?"

Tony nodded.

"You trust me, DiNozzo?"

Tony nodded again.

"You willing to let me take you places you aren't sure you want to go, if I can heal you?"

"Y-yeah."

"You gotta get it out somehow, DiNozzo. The guilt. I think you need someone to take your will from you. Safe word ... black cat. Get on your knees right now."

"B-boss?"

Gibbs released him, only to force him onto his knees. "When I say an order, I expect you to execute it, understand me, DiNozzo?"

Tony didn't dare get up, he just looked up at the other man. "Yes."

"Come on, Tony. I know you're not new to this game. Yes, what?"

Shit. He was serious! Tony's cock raged suddenly. He'd never been a submissive before but that look in Gibbs' eyes ... He knew domination and Gibbs was Dom of the top caliber. In and out of the scene. And that excited him almost as much as it relieved him. The burden lifting, Tony put himself in Gibbs' hands. "Yes, Boss?"