Tony woke surrounded by strong arms and a warm body; chest hair scratched against his back when he sighed deeply and the smell of an unfamiliar man filled his lungs. He couldn’t believe just how much he’d given up earlier. He’d never let it get that personal and wasn’t sure what would happen now. He’d never called another man Master before, not and meant it. It had always only been play before now, but that wasn’t true anymore.

He smiled and thought, Definitely not true anymore.

Warm lips kissed the side of his throat and Tony shivered in response, turning his head to expose his throat further. The silent hint was taken and teeth bit into his flesh, gnawing on him, marking him, and he groaned, then gasped, “Please!”

He was shoved forward, face into the pillows, and his Master’s voice said roughly into his ear, “I’ll give you what I want to give you. Beg me all you want, pretty, but it won’t help you unless I’m in the mood to indulge. Since you’re new to me, you don’t know, but that won’t happen very often.”

Tony shuddered violently, biting the pillow to keep from begging.

Those teeth bit sharply into his shoulder and kept biting all the way down his back to his ass, which was still really sore. The flat of his Master’s tongue licked straight across to the center where he was again eaten out with skill and enthusiasm. Tony arched into it and away from it, heat and embarrassment running through him in equal measure. A finger pushed in roughly, twisting around inside until he saw stars and his head slammed back as he cried out in pleasure.

The finger was fast replaced by a thick, blunt cock that shoved into him without warning, just like everything else about this man. Mouth open in a silent cry of agonized need, Tony’s fingers gripped tight into the blankets as he was fucked. He was brought up onto his knees by a tight hand in his hair and an arm around his waist. His body was owned by this man inside and around him, split apart by the cock ramming in and out of him. It was more than he’d ever felt before in his life and Tony couldn’t stop himself from the begging that had always seemed so humiliating in other players he’d witnessed over the years. His voice cracked as he cried out without rhyme or reason whenever his prostate was hit, which was more often than not.

Tony needed to come, needed to come so badly, holding on to the ragged edge of control through sheer will. He didn’t know what would happen if he came without permission, but it wouldn’t be good. It seemed an interminable time later that he was pushed face down into the mattress and the other man lunged one last time into his battered body, filling him to overflowing. Mouthing the pillow, aching with need, Tony moaned and begged wordlessly into it.

“That’s what I want, you’re so perfect like this,” that warm voice murmured breathlessly into his ear. “Feel so good around me, so tight and hot. But you’re no virgin, are you? You’re a slut, if not a whore, and I’m going to use you until you don’t even know who you are anymore. You’re going to belong to me body and soul, and I’m going to keep you so well. You’re never going to want for anything, Anthony, I’m going to make sure of that. All you have to do is be just like this for me. Willing. Obedient. Needy.”

“Please!” Tony gasped. “Please, yes!”

He was ridden again, the half-hard cock moving slowly but surely. The hot puffs of air on the back of his neck signaled the exertion the other man used to stimulate himself with Tony’s body, as did the sweat that dripped down on him. Whimpering, about ready to come without permission, Tony writhed on the cock impaling him, legs spread as far as they could get in his need for more.

And then it just stopped. His Master’s cock was withdrawn from his body, as was his Master from the bed altogether. Panting and struggling not to come, whimpering with need, Tony rolled onto his side to see what was going on. He was startled to discover the other man striding for the door. Then he heard the knock, which was quiet and polite, but somehow insistent, and knew that Lady Heather stood on the other side.

Tony struggled to get off the bed, barely managing to make his body respond to his commands, and literally fell to his knees beside it. He had to show them both that he was worthy of this man, had to make the proper obeisance even if his body felt like it had gone through the wringer. Face down on the soft carpet, Tony forced his arms up in front of him in a long line. They talked quietly so that he didn’t hear, at least until his Master’s voice rose just enough in anger to make out.

“I’m not letting him go, Heather. He doesn’t want to.”

“I can see that,” she soothed. “But his supervisor has gotten worried without hearing from him.”

“Even I let my people have days off. What is this man’s problem? He doesn’t own Anthony, I do.”

Tony warmed inside at the firm declaration, even as his stomach sank at the news that Gibbs was looking for him. It had actually been three full days since he’d talked to anyone from home. It was probably McGee who’d blown the whistle, since Abby knew full well where he was and what he was doing.

“I’m sorry, Gil, I truly did not wish to disturb, but there’s no help for it. Believe me.”

There was an irritated sigh before the voices lowered again so that Tony couldn’t hear what was going on. Not that it mattered. He would be told what to do and would do it. A few minutes later, the conversation ended and Lady Heather left, the door closed softly behind her.

“I suppose you heard that.”

Directly addressed, Tony nodded without raising himself and replied, “Enough to know what’s going on, Master. I’m sorry to be such a problem.”

Gentle hands caressed through his hair and his Master replied, “You’re not a problem, Anthony. This is just an unforeseen matter to be dealt with, is all. Come, kneel up for me.”

Tony pushed into a kneeling position and was steadied by hands on his shoulders and the warmth shining back from pale blue eyes. He gazed back just as steadily and asked, “Yes, Master?”

Lightly gripping the back of Tony’s neck, the other man said, “I need you to come up for me, Anthony.”

His stomach clenched and Tony closed his eyes, whispering, “Don’t make me, please don’t make me, Master. I’m not ready. I, I can’t face him, not yet.”

“Oh Anthony, it’s going to be okay, I promise,” his Master murmured, gathering him in close. “He’s not here. All you have to do is talk to him on the phone, but you have to be clear-headed and yourself when you do, or he’ll think something’s happened to you.”

Pulling back enough to meet the other’s eyes, Tony answered simply, “It has.”

A warm smile curved his Master’s lips.

*  *  *  *

Watching Anthony struggle to come up from his subspace was both gratifying and dismaying. It wasn’t fair that someone should make him interrupt what was so very obviously needed. The fact that it took a good hour of question and answer on current events and movies to get the young man back into his ‘normal’ headspace told Gil just how far down he’d gone. He’d also found out that calling him Anthony didn’t help and had been told to call him Tony, instead; it was the name he’d used since he was a kid, what everyone used.

He let Tony shower on his own, accepting that the time alone was needed to get back into his own skin, so to speak. Though he would have loved to see the young man wet and writhing in that environment, too. He still hadn’t gotten a real taste of him yet.

Well, aside from his ass, Gil amended silently with a smile.

And that had been so damn good that he wanted the rest as well. He wanted to swallow Tony’s seed down and so much more. He hadn’t really made Tony come yet, the night before notwithstanding; that had been about emotional release more than physical. He wanted to make the other lose it completely. He wanted Tony to come without permission and do it screaming while Gil pounded into him. And then he wanted to punish him for it, decorate that perfect ass with his bare hand.

Groaning, Gil gripped his cock and twisted it ruthlessly, gasping at the pain. Taking a few deep breaths, wishing he wasn’t quite so good at visualization in moments like that, Gil pulled on a robe and waited for his turn in the shower. He wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but he knew that he needed to be present when Tony called his boss.

And really, what nerve does this man have to be calling an employee on his vacation? Gil thought indignantly.

But then he thought about his team and what he would do if he thought something had happened to any of them, and sighed in understanding. He’d almost lost Nick three times, Greg once, and he had lost Holly. It was like family and this unknown man had lost one of his team recently so of course he’d be extra vigilant with the remainder.

Tony came out of the shower clean with a towel around his waist and an uncertain expression. “Should I, can I get dressed?”

If he had to ask, then he wasn’t completely out of headspace. Gil restrained a sigh and said, “It’s up to you, Tony, remember?”

There was a brief flash of disappointment over Tony’s face, but he nodded and moved to the dresser against the wall.

Gil hesitated, then ordered, “Don’t go anywhere until I’m out of the shower and with you.”

It was the fastest shower he’d taken in a long time, just enough soap and water to clean himself off and drying was even quicker. He pulled on the spare boxers and t-shirt that were in the metal shelving unit, so thoughtfully arranged in his size before his arrival. Heather must have set them there the moment that he’d called and Gil shook his head in amusement. He’d never met a more romantic soul in his life, except maybe Nick, and couldn’t help but remember the other times she’d played matchmaker to him in the recent past.

Tony was fully dressed and sitting on the edge of the chair of the desk along the side wall, waiting patiently, except for a bouncing leg. Gil ignored him to gather his clothes from where he’d left them the night before and got dressed. Feeling presentable once more, Gil walked over to Tony and said, “Ready?”

Sighing, Tony shook his head but answered, “As I’ll ever be.”

Gil motioned for Tony to precede him and they left the room for Lady Heather’s office. She took the cell phones of the men and women who visited her establishment upon arrival. Not to keep them incommunicado through some nefarious motive, but to give them as little chance of being interrupted as possible.

Heather looked up at their arrival and she rose gracefully to take Tony’s hands in hers as she apologized, “I’m sorry, Tony, but I knew that you would want to head Gibbs off at the pass.”

Tony managed a smile. “Thank you, Lady Heather, I do appreciate it.”

She nodded towards her desk and said, “Cell phone is there. I’ll give you some privacy.”

Noting the way Tony’s steps dragged a bit as he walked over to the desk and picked up the phone, Gil asked, “This isn’t a man you’ve trusted with this part of you, is it?”

Tony grimaced, answering, “That’s the problem. I did and he didn’t want any part of it. Or me.”

Baffled at the response, Gil could only shake his head and say honestly, “I don’t understand how he could pass you up, but I can only be glad that he did.”

The gratitude that shone from Tony’s hazel eyes was enough to make Gil feel about ten feet tall. As did the renewed courage it took for Tony to dial one of his speed dial buttons and put the phone to his ear.

*  *  *  *

The other end was picked up immediately with a terse, “Where the hell are you?”

“Las Vegas,” Tony answered. “I’m on vacation, remember?”

There was a pause before Gibbs asked, “Are you okay?”

Tony sighed, pressing the heel of his palm to an eye to forestall the coming migraine. The concern in Gibbs’ voice wouldn’t be evident to anyone who hadn’t worked with him for a long time. Tony heard it and it hurt. “I’m fine. I was in the middle of something when you called.”

“You shouldn’t turn off your cell, Tony.”

Tony didn’t let him in on the fact that he hadn’t even had it within reaching distance. That would’ve resulted in Gibbs being on the next plane out. “Did something come up? Do I need to come back?”

“No. No, it’s fine,” Gibbs answered. “Have a good vacation, DiNozzo. Just check in once in a while, okay?”

“Boss, look, I might not...” Tony paused, pressing his palm in harder. “Don’t expect to hear from me until I come back to work next week.”

The silence was heavier this time.

“Are you...is what you’re doing safe?”

“Yeah, Gibbs. I’m safe.”

“Okay. I’ll see you when you get back.”

And like that, the conversation was over. Tony didn’t even realize that he was just staring at the phone until it was taken from him. Raising startled eyes to Gil, he said, “It’s not that bad.”

“Come on. You need to eat something,” Gil replied, putting the phone down. “We’ll get something to eat, you’re going to talk, and then we’ll see what’s next.”

Tony wanted to protest, he didn’t want to leave the sanctuary that Lady Heather’s place had become, but the stern tone brooked no argument and so nodded instead. A kiss was his reward, slow and soft, and Tony hugged Gil tight after, pressing his face to the other man’s throat.

“Ssh. It’s going to be okay, my Anthony,” Gil murmured, stroking a hand down his back. “I’ve got you, remember? I’m not Gibbs. I’m not going to abandon or reject you.”

“It’s not like that,” Tony defended. “He’s just, he’s not built like this.”

Cupping his face, Gil soothed, “I’m not attacking him, Anthony, I promise. I just know that he hurt you, unintentionally I’m sure, but I’m not going to do that.”

Tony bit his lip as he stared into the open, honest eyes that were so like, and so not like, Gibbs’ eyes. The face was rounder and more careworn, there weren’t nearly the hard angles and edges found in Gibbs’ face, but the command was unmistakable. Tony sighed deeply and nodded, closing his eyes to lean into the hand against his cheek.

“Good my boy. Come on. Let’s get you fed.”

It was an order, not a suggestion, and Tony accepted the hand on the small of his back, guiding him towards the door.

The cell phone was left behind.

*  *  *  *

Being with Tony in ‘the real world’ was like watching a completely different man come to the fore with only a few glimpses of the wanton, needy creature who’d been under him earlier. He interacted with others easily, connecting and forming instant, if temporary, bonds to valets, waitresses, hotel staff, other patrons waiting in line. It was an incredible thing to watch as the young man deftly put those around him at ease with a funny joke, kind word, or a simple touch to the shoulder.

Sitting at the table about an hour after leaving Lady Heather’s, Gil could barely see even a sign that Tony was still his and it irked him. Lips pursed, he said softy, “Anthony.”

Tony froze, then looked down at the table, gooseflesh visibly breaking out over his throat and that small bit of chest exposed by the V-neck.

Reaching across the table, Gil took one of Tony’s hands and informed him, “Just because we’re in public doesn’t mean that I don’t still own you, Anthony.”

Tony shivered and nodded, answering, “Yes, Sir.”

“Good my boy,” Gil praised, releasing the hand. “So. Tell me about Gibbs.”

For a moment, it looked like Tony was going to balk, but then he sighed deeply, eyes closing for a moment. When he met Gil’s gaze, that simple, warm look was back in the hazel eyes and he marveled that that was all it took to get Tony to fall for him. Soft, stern words and an order. Tony had to be a natural submissive, there was no other explanation.

“I’ve been working for Gibbs at NCIS for a little over three years now,” Tony began. “The work’s challenging for me and I enjoy bringing in the bad guys. Steve McQueen’s been a role model for me since I was a kid.”

That explains a lot, Gil thought with warm amusement.

“A few months before, before Kate was killed, we got this case where a young marine went looking for a Dom in all the really, really wrong places. I knew more than I should have about the scene, which tipped Gibbs off right away. Kate too, really, but she wasn’t focusing on much except the case. Didn’t start messing with me about it until after, which was always her MO.”

Gil shared the smile and observed, “It sounds like the two of you had a good relationship.”

Wistful, Tony nodded. “Good and bad. She was like the evil sister I’d always and never wanted, you know? Anyhow. When it was all said and done and the bastard who’d killed the marine was locked up, Gibbs pulled me aside to talk. I should’ve known then and there things wouldn’t turn out the way I was hoping. He just, he didn’t get it. Couldn’t understand how, why I would want to give up control to someone else, why I would want to be hurt and given pain. Why I needed both. He was totally down with the gay thing, he’d always been up front about that, and we’d even had a couple of one-nighters when the going got really tough, but he just couldn’t…”

Gil took Tony’s hand again, lacing their fingers together and squeezing gently.

Giving him a grateful smile, Tony continued, “Then we were too busy with work and he seemed fine with knowing about me, so it didn’t really matter. Nothing had changed, except that no matter how bad it got, we were never together again. Like he thought I would want him to do something to me that he couldn’t. I think, in a weird way, he didn’t want to disappoint me, you know? Gibbs has always been there for me, he’s always caught me when I did something stupid or got hurt on the job. And then Kate…and now nothing. We’re coworkers only. I know it’s a defense mechanism, I know that he’s scared of losing one of the rest of us, but…I’m the only one he doesn’t touch any more.”

Not wanting to make light of it, Gil couldn’t help but admit, “It’s selfish of me, but I’m glad that he drove you away. I can’t imagine never having met you.”

The waitress arrived with their order just then, so Gil released Tony’s hand again. The shining happiness in the other man’s eyes was enough to tell him that he’d said the right thing. Offering a brief smile of his own once the waitress left, Gil ordered, “Eat your food, Anthony. You’re going to need your strength.”

Tony shivered again and started eating with gusto.

*  *  *  *

They were almost done with breakfast when Gil saw Catherine enter the restaurant on the arm of a handsome, middle-aged man that, thankfully, wasn’t Sam Braun. She noticed him and arched an eyebrow his way on taking in Tony sitting across from him. Gil half-smiled and waved her over, saying to Tony, “One of my friends is coming over.”

“How should I act?” Tony asked right away, uncertain.

Gil smiled and answered, “You’re fine the way you are, Anthony. Catherine understands, even if it’s not her thing.”

There was distinctive relief to Tony’s smile. Gil stood at Catherine’s approach, Tony a heartbeat ahead of him.

“Gil, I’m surprised to see you here,” Catherine greeted, leaning in to kiss his cheek.

Gil returned the kiss to one of her cheeks and answered, “I could say the same. Catherine Willows, this is Tony DiNozzo. He’s here in Vegas on vacation, possibly more if he finds what he’s looking for.”

Tony flushed a little, but smiled and accepted her hand. “It’s very nice to meet you, Ms. Willows.”

“Oh please, don’t call me that, it makes me feel old,” she countered, chuckling. “And this is Henry Faldren, an old friend of mine in town on a convention.”

The men all shook hands and Gil offered, “Would you care to join us?”

“No, that’s okay. It looks like you’re finishing up,” Catherine replied.

Henry nodded and agreed, “It looks like our table has just come up. It was good to meet you, Tony, Gil.”

Seeing that Tony looked a little confused as the couple walked away, Gil asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, Sir, but…you introduced me as Tony.”

Gil smiled and said, “I’m the only one who gets to call you Anthony. Well, and possibly Lady Heather, but certainly no one else.”

“Oh,” was all Tony said, though he looked pleased as he started in on his last piece of toast.

Sitting back in his chair, Gil looked around the restaurant, observing the families and couples and single diners. It was what came naturally for him and he enjoyed people watching.

“Sir?”

“What is it, Anthony?”

“Did you mean what you said to them?”

Since he hadn’t said all that much, Gil knew exactly what Tony was asking. Taking the other man’s hand, he brought it up to kiss the knuckles and replied, “I want you to stay, Anthony, but the decision is yours. I know that we’ve only just met and you have a career to consider, so of course it’s up to you as to whether or not you stay here.”

Frowning, Tony asked, “What would I be to you, if I stayed?”

“Mine,” Gil answered firmly. “I’m sure that you would be able to find work wherever you wanted down here, and I wouldn’t stand in the way of something that stimulates and challenges you intellectually, but off duty, you would belong to me. You would live with me and exist, just for me.”

“You’re talking slave,” Tony whispered.

Gil was a little surprised to discover that yes, that was exactly what he meant. He’d never truly considered that route with anyone before, but this was something that he knew he wanted and wouldn’t give in on. If Tony stayed, those would be the terms. Nodding, he confirmed, “That’s correct. You would set up your own accounts, but I would administer them. I’ll take care of you, Anthony, you never have to worry about that.”

Lowering his gaze, Tony poked at his last pancake, clearly deep in thought.

Gil let him think.

*  *  *  *

Jethro never paced. He stood, or sat, calmly. He lounged against a wall, carelessly. Occasionally, he might tap his fingers on a table for a distraction; his or the suspect’s. One thing he never did, was pace. It served no purpose save the revelation of anxiety, worry, anger, agitation, or worse, and those were emotions that he never wanted to reveal to anyone; not even to himself.

Despite that, Jethro paced his living room floor like he could wear a hole in it.

After the conversation he’d just had with Tony, even as short as it had been, Jethro knew exactly what the young man was doing in Las Vegas. There had been a...tone...to his voice that hadn’t sat well with Jethro. Almost...dreamy...like he wasn’t entirely himself, maybe under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or both.

Or like maybe he’d been having really incredible sex that you refused to even consider giving him, and was more sated and relaxed than anyone has a right to be.

Jethro snarled wordlessly at the unwanted thought and continued pacing. This wasn’t something that he could interfere in. Tony was a grown adult and could do whatever, or in this case whomever, he pleased. There was nothing that Jethro could do to put a stop to what was going on. He didn’t even have any right to even think about going down there to drag Tony back to DC by his hair. They weren’t involved, weren’t even fucking, he couldn’t lay any claim on Tony.

“You better fucking believe I can lay a claim on him!” Jethro snarled to the empty room.

He stalked to his bedroom to pack a bag and get to Vegas before Tony did something really stupid like decide to stay there.