FIC: What the Hell is Lake Effect Snow? (NCIS)
Title: What the Hell is Lake Effect Snow?
Author: hawk_soaring
Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Gibbs/ DiNozzo
Rating: FRM (more for language than anything else)
Written for sinfulslasher who wanted: Lake Effect Snow Incident (Gibbs/Tony snowed in without prior warning)
A/N: Thank you sinfulslasher for the awesome beta. Anal is exactly what I was going for. ;P
“… With lake effect snow coming in after midnight. Accumulations of up to … ”
Jethro stalked out of the convenience store, leaving Tony to scramble to catch up with him. The wind cut through his thin autumn jacket and Tony shivered as he slid into the front passenger seat.
“Snow? Really, Jethro? Just where the hell did you bring me? The Arctic?” Tony grumbled as he slammed the car door shut. Snow. In October. Only in upstate New York.
Jethro snorted as he got behind the wheel of the Charger. “Relax, Tony. It’s only October. Chances are, the forecast is wrong. It’s a bit early for lake effect snow to be much of an issue.”
Tony knew that lake effect snow could spell trouble if it was later in the season, but it was only October - a week ‘till Halloween. Jethro didn’t seem worried. He had predicted flurries at best and Tony hoped he was right.
Lake Ontario was huge and lake effect snow happened when the lake hadn’t yet frozen for the season. The cold air picked up moisture from the lake as it passed over it and then dumped snow on the eastern bank. Winters with warmer than average temperatures were at greater risk for huge storms since the lake wouldn’t have a chance to freeze solid. The deep biting cold temperatures made people cranky but kept the snowfall from reaching into the 300 to 400 inch range for the season. They didn’t call this area the Snow Belt for nothing.
“And where are we going now?” Tony asked, tucking his hands into his armpits to warm them up. He really should have brought gloves but it was October, not January, and he hadn’t thought he would need them. Jethro, as usual, didn’t seem fazed by the cold and Tony thought he shouldn’t be as upset by Jethro’s unflappability as he was. But it was difficult to reason when he was freezing.
The two men had taken advantage of a weekend off and headed north. Their relationship had recently turned personal and as soon as they were given the chance to get away, they had taken it. Four day weekends didn’t happen often in their line of work so this was a treat on multiple levels. And it had come at a great time. Tony had worked with Jethro for years by this time. He had spent some time outside of work with the man as well; the occasional dinner with cowboy style steak coming to mind, followed quickly by those rare occasions when he just needed to talk to someone and had spent the better part of an afternoon in Jethro’s basement, unburdening his soul as Jethro patiently worked on his latest project. But those superficial moments hadn’t prepared either of them for falling in love and Tony felt out of his depth as he realized that he really didn’t know Jethro as well as he wanted to.
So here they were, on a whirlwind driving tour of the northeast and snow was starting to fall. Hopefully Jethro would be right and this storm would only be flurries and wouldn’t last long. Tony sipped his coffee (the reason they had stopped) as he watched the snow fall around them. Jethro was driving carefully but Tony could see the snow begin to accumulate on the roads and knew the pavement would be getting slippery.
“Was gonna drive through to Pennsylvania and get a hotel room,” Jethro said after a minute. He sounded a bit stressed and Tony figured the driving wasn’t nearly as easy as Jethro made it look. “But this snow is startin’ to come down pretty good. Roads are getting slippery too.” Jethro glanced Tony’s way briefly before turning his attention back to the road.
Tony bit his lip and looked out the window. “Adams exit is next,” he said. “Think they’ll have a motel?”
Jethro shrugged. “All we can do is look,” he said. “It’s that or go back to Watertown - but I really don’t wanna have to drive that far on these roads.”
Tony watched nervously as Jethro eased his foot off the accelerator and put his blinker on. It had only been snowing for about thirty minutes, but the strength of the storm had increased dramatically. Tony had to admit he was worried. As they pulled the car off the highway the wheels slipped a little, and Tony hung on tight as Jethro fought the wheel, righting them with only a brief fishtail.
Tony released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding and let go of the oh-shit handle slowly, the cramp in his fingers telling him just how tightly he’d been holding on. When he caught his breath he glanced Jethro’s way. His lover looked grim and determined, and Tony knew immediately that the roads were worse than either of them could have anticipated.
A lone sign at the end of the exit pointed the way into the village - and the Hotel Adams Steak and Brew. Tony breathed a sigh of relief. He’d had visions of finding a small motel off an exit with no other amenities nearby. Driving much further in this weather was pretty much out of the question since they didn’t have snow tires, chains, or four wheel drive.
They took a left and prayed to make it. The hotel wasn’t far off the highway - and wasn’t much to look at from the outside. Tony bit his lip as he looked at the old weathered wooden sign hanging over a small front porch. The hotel itself was three stories high and Tony hoped they had rooms. Anything to get out of the car and inside where it was warm and out of the storm.
Jethro looked over at Tony and smiled. He ran his knuckles up the side of Tony’s face and Tony leaned into his hand, closing his eyes as he sighed out a soft breath. “Let me run in and see if they actually have rooms here, okay?”
Tony nodded. “You sure you don’t want company?”
Jethro smiled. “No sense in both of us getting cold. Sit. Be right back.”
Tony watched as Jethro strode purposefully toward the building and then up onto the porch and into the interior. He drummed his fingers on his thigh as he waited. The snow was falling wet and heavy now. Jethro had left the car running but Tony shivered in spite of the heat pumping out of the vents.
Jethro was only gone a couple of minutes and Tony jumped when the car door opened. “That was quick,” he said. “They have actual rooms here?”
Jethro nodded. “Not much to look at inside either. But it’s warm and the restaurant has patrons so it’s probably good. Although I’m not going to vouch for anyone’s state of mind since they’re eating pizza instead of getting their collective asses home where it’s safe.”
Tony chuckled.
“Let’s get inside and thawed,” Jethro said.
Tony sighed and opened the car door. He stepped out into five inches of snow, cursing as the icy flakes rubbed against his ankles and soaked through his socks. He wished he’d put on his hiking boots this morning but he’d been sure his sneakers would be more comfortable to travel in so he’d worn them instead. Now his feet were wet and freezing cold. He slammed the car door with more force than was probably necessary and shrugged when Jethro raised an eyebrow at him. Jethro had pulled both duffels from the trunk and Tony took his, shouldering the strap as he followed Jethro to the hotel.
Stepping up onto the porch was a relief and Tony stomped the snow from his pants and feet before heading inside on Jethro’s heels. The heat hit him hard and Tony groaned in pleasure. “Fuck, that’s nice,” he murmured as he briefly closed his eyes.
A sharp slap on the back of his head made Tony open his eyes and he frowned at his smiling lover. “No zoning out now, Tony. Let’s get our bags stowed and then we can grab some chow.”
Tony followed Jethro up the stairs. Their room was on the third floor and from the looks of the rest of the place, Tony didn’t have any grand expectations for luxury. Truth be told, though, all he wanted was warmth - and a bed big enough for two. And maybe pizza. It had smelled like heaven as they walked through the front door.
Jethro opened the door to their room and Tony bit back a sigh. Warmth and a bed. Nothing else mattered. And then Jethro shoved the door open and walked into the room. Tony adjusted the strap of his bag and followed, stopping in the doorway to gape in shocked surprise.
“Shut the door, Tony,” Jethro said, putting Tony in gear again.
Tony shoved the door closed with his hip and swung his bag off his shoulder and onto the bed. “This is pretty nice,” he said as he looked around. The room was distinctly Victorian with a high queen sized four poster bed and a small sitting area with a working fireplace. It wasn’t large, but it was comfortably appointed and much nicer than Tony had thought it would be. The drapes were heavy, and Jethro looked outside once more before pulling them closed.
“What’s it doing out there?” Tony asked as he sat on the edge of the bed.
“Snowing,” Jethro said curtly. “Hard.”
Tony glanced at Jethro, taking note of the tense set of his shoulders. “At least we don’t have anywhere to be for a few days,” he said brightly.
Jethro turned to face him just as Tony shivered again. He was so cold! Jethro frowned. “You should get out of those wet clothes,” he muttered as he stepped closer.
Tony put up his hands. “I can strip by myself,” he snapped, unsure of why he was denying Jethro access. He felt foolish - and underdressed. Tony sighed as he ran his hand through his hair. “I - I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I just need a hot shower and then maybe dinner?”
Jethro nodded warily and Tony knew he had to do something to reassure his lover. He stepped closer and placed a light kiss on Jethro’s lips.
“I’ll be back in a couple of minutes,” he said, his lips dragging over Jethro’s.
Jethro nodded and cleared his throat.
“I love you,” Tony said, kissing Jethro again, quickly this time. “And you were wrong about this just being flurries,” he tossed over his shoulder as he scurried toward the bathroom.
Jethro growled at Tony’s retreating back.
*!*
The hot water had felt wonderful and it had taken everything he had to rush the shower - but he’d been glad he had when he and Jethro had arrived in the dining room. They were getting ready to close up for the night because of the storm and the few people left were finishing up their meals and heading out. Tony and Jethro had ordered quickly, deciding to share a pizza since it was their specialty.
Appetizers came quickly and then Jethro asked for the pizza to go after Tony started yawning. The waitress smiled and Tony just shook his head. It was no use talking to Jethro about his over-protectiveness. It was simply who Jethro was.
They finished the pizza in bed. The lights were turned down low and the curtains were open so they could watch the fat, fluffy flakes fall in the cone of light from the streetlight across the street from the hotel.
Tony curled up against Jethro, resting his head on his lover’s shoulder. “You were wrong, you know.”
“Yeah.”
Tony yawned. “This isn’t just flurries,” he said softly. “We might even get snowed in.”
Jethro nodded as he looked out the window. “Yeah, looks like we might be spendin’ the last few days of our trip right here.” He looked down to see that Tony had fallen asleep.
Author: hawk_soaring
Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Gibbs/ DiNozzo
Rating: FRM (more for language than anything else)
Written for sinfulslasher who wanted: Lake Effect Snow Incident (Gibbs/Tony snowed in without prior warning)
A/N: Thank you sinfulslasher for the awesome beta. Anal is exactly what I was going for. ;P
“… With lake effect snow coming in after midnight. Accumulations of up to … ”
Jethro stalked out of the convenience store, leaving Tony to scramble to catch up with him. The wind cut through his thin autumn jacket and Tony shivered as he slid into the front passenger seat.
“Snow? Really, Jethro? Just where the hell did you bring me? The Arctic?” Tony grumbled as he slammed the car door shut. Snow. In October. Only in upstate New York.
Jethro snorted as he got behind the wheel of the Charger. “Relax, Tony. It’s only October. Chances are, the forecast is wrong. It’s a bit early for lake effect snow to be much of an issue.”
Tony knew that lake effect snow could spell trouble if it was later in the season, but it was only October - a week ‘till Halloween. Jethro didn’t seem worried. He had predicted flurries at best and Tony hoped he was right.
Lake Ontario was huge and lake effect snow happened when the lake hadn’t yet frozen for the season. The cold air picked up moisture from the lake as it passed over it and then dumped snow on the eastern bank. Winters with warmer than average temperatures were at greater risk for huge storms since the lake wouldn’t have a chance to freeze solid. The deep biting cold temperatures made people cranky but kept the snowfall from reaching into the 300 to 400 inch range for the season. They didn’t call this area the Snow Belt for nothing.
“And where are we going now?” Tony asked, tucking his hands into his armpits to warm them up. He really should have brought gloves but it was October, not January, and he hadn’t thought he would need them. Jethro, as usual, didn’t seem fazed by the cold and Tony thought he shouldn’t be as upset by Jethro’s unflappability as he was. But it was difficult to reason when he was freezing.
The two men had taken advantage of a weekend off and headed north. Their relationship had recently turned personal and as soon as they were given the chance to get away, they had taken it. Four day weekends didn’t happen often in their line of work so this was a treat on multiple levels. And it had come at a great time. Tony had worked with Jethro for years by this time. He had spent some time outside of work with the man as well; the occasional dinner with cowboy style steak coming to mind, followed quickly by those rare occasions when he just needed to talk to someone and had spent the better part of an afternoon in Jethro’s basement, unburdening his soul as Jethro patiently worked on his latest project. But those superficial moments hadn’t prepared either of them for falling in love and Tony felt out of his depth as he realized that he really didn’t know Jethro as well as he wanted to.
So here they were, on a whirlwind driving tour of the northeast and snow was starting to fall. Hopefully Jethro would be right and this storm would only be flurries and wouldn’t last long. Tony sipped his coffee (the reason they had stopped) as he watched the snow fall around them. Jethro was driving carefully but Tony could see the snow begin to accumulate on the roads and knew the pavement would be getting slippery.
“Was gonna drive through to Pennsylvania and get a hotel room,” Jethro said after a minute. He sounded a bit stressed and Tony figured the driving wasn’t nearly as easy as Jethro made it look. “But this snow is startin’ to come down pretty good. Roads are getting slippery too.” Jethro glanced Tony’s way briefly before turning his attention back to the road.
Tony bit his lip and looked out the window. “Adams exit is next,” he said. “Think they’ll have a motel?”
Jethro shrugged. “All we can do is look,” he said. “It’s that or go back to Watertown - but I really don’t wanna have to drive that far on these roads.”
Tony watched nervously as Jethro eased his foot off the accelerator and put his blinker on. It had only been snowing for about thirty minutes, but the strength of the storm had increased dramatically. Tony had to admit he was worried. As they pulled the car off the highway the wheels slipped a little, and Tony hung on tight as Jethro fought the wheel, righting them with only a brief fishtail.
Tony released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding and let go of the oh-shit handle slowly, the cramp in his fingers telling him just how tightly he’d been holding on. When he caught his breath he glanced Jethro’s way. His lover looked grim and determined, and Tony knew immediately that the roads were worse than either of them could have anticipated.
A lone sign at the end of the exit pointed the way into the village - and the Hotel Adams Steak and Brew. Tony breathed a sigh of relief. He’d had visions of finding a small motel off an exit with no other amenities nearby. Driving much further in this weather was pretty much out of the question since they didn’t have snow tires, chains, or four wheel drive.
They took a left and prayed to make it. The hotel wasn’t far off the highway - and wasn’t much to look at from the outside. Tony bit his lip as he looked at the old weathered wooden sign hanging over a small front porch. The hotel itself was three stories high and Tony hoped they had rooms. Anything to get out of the car and inside where it was warm and out of the storm.
Jethro looked over at Tony and smiled. He ran his knuckles up the side of Tony’s face and Tony leaned into his hand, closing his eyes as he sighed out a soft breath. “Let me run in and see if they actually have rooms here, okay?”
Tony nodded. “You sure you don’t want company?”
Jethro smiled. “No sense in both of us getting cold. Sit. Be right back.”
Tony watched as Jethro strode purposefully toward the building and then up onto the porch and into the interior. He drummed his fingers on his thigh as he waited. The snow was falling wet and heavy now. Jethro had left the car running but Tony shivered in spite of the heat pumping out of the vents.
Jethro was only gone a couple of minutes and Tony jumped when the car door opened. “That was quick,” he said. “They have actual rooms here?”
Jethro nodded. “Not much to look at inside either. But it’s warm and the restaurant has patrons so it’s probably good. Although I’m not going to vouch for anyone’s state of mind since they’re eating pizza instead of getting their collective asses home where it’s safe.”
Tony chuckled.
“Let’s get inside and thawed,” Jethro said.
Tony sighed and opened the car door. He stepped out into five inches of snow, cursing as the icy flakes rubbed against his ankles and soaked through his socks. He wished he’d put on his hiking boots this morning but he’d been sure his sneakers would be more comfortable to travel in so he’d worn them instead. Now his feet were wet and freezing cold. He slammed the car door with more force than was probably necessary and shrugged when Jethro raised an eyebrow at him. Jethro had pulled both duffels from the trunk and Tony took his, shouldering the strap as he followed Jethro to the hotel.
Stepping up onto the porch was a relief and Tony stomped the snow from his pants and feet before heading inside on Jethro’s heels. The heat hit him hard and Tony groaned in pleasure. “Fuck, that’s nice,” he murmured as he briefly closed his eyes.
A sharp slap on the back of his head made Tony open his eyes and he frowned at his smiling lover. “No zoning out now, Tony. Let’s get our bags stowed and then we can grab some chow.”
Tony followed Jethro up the stairs. Their room was on the third floor and from the looks of the rest of the place, Tony didn’t have any grand expectations for luxury. Truth be told, though, all he wanted was warmth - and a bed big enough for two. And maybe pizza. It had smelled like heaven as they walked through the front door.
Jethro opened the door to their room and Tony bit back a sigh. Warmth and a bed. Nothing else mattered. And then Jethro shoved the door open and walked into the room. Tony adjusted the strap of his bag and followed, stopping in the doorway to gape in shocked surprise.
“Shut the door, Tony,” Jethro said, putting Tony in gear again.
Tony shoved the door closed with his hip and swung his bag off his shoulder and onto the bed. “This is pretty nice,” he said as he looked around. The room was distinctly Victorian with a high queen sized four poster bed and a small sitting area with a working fireplace. It wasn’t large, but it was comfortably appointed and much nicer than Tony had thought it would be. The drapes were heavy, and Jethro looked outside once more before pulling them closed.
“What’s it doing out there?” Tony asked as he sat on the edge of the bed.
“Snowing,” Jethro said curtly. “Hard.”
Tony glanced at Jethro, taking note of the tense set of his shoulders. “At least we don’t have anywhere to be for a few days,” he said brightly.
Jethro turned to face him just as Tony shivered again. He was so cold! Jethro frowned. “You should get out of those wet clothes,” he muttered as he stepped closer.
Tony put up his hands. “I can strip by myself,” he snapped, unsure of why he was denying Jethro access. He felt foolish - and underdressed. Tony sighed as he ran his hand through his hair. “I - I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I just need a hot shower and then maybe dinner?”
Jethro nodded warily and Tony knew he had to do something to reassure his lover. He stepped closer and placed a light kiss on Jethro’s lips.
“I’ll be back in a couple of minutes,” he said, his lips dragging over Jethro’s.
Jethro nodded and cleared his throat.
“I love you,” Tony said, kissing Jethro again, quickly this time. “And you were wrong about this just being flurries,” he tossed over his shoulder as he scurried toward the bathroom.
Jethro growled at Tony’s retreating back.
*!*
The hot water had felt wonderful and it had taken everything he had to rush the shower - but he’d been glad he had when he and Jethro had arrived in the dining room. They were getting ready to close up for the night because of the storm and the few people left were finishing up their meals and heading out. Tony and Jethro had ordered quickly, deciding to share a pizza since it was their specialty.
Appetizers came quickly and then Jethro asked for the pizza to go after Tony started yawning. The waitress smiled and Tony just shook his head. It was no use talking to Jethro about his over-protectiveness. It was simply who Jethro was.
They finished the pizza in bed. The lights were turned down low and the curtains were open so they could watch the fat, fluffy flakes fall in the cone of light from the streetlight across the street from the hotel.
Tony curled up against Jethro, resting his head on his lover’s shoulder. “You were wrong, you know.”
“Yeah.”
Tony yawned. “This isn’t just flurries,” he said softly. “We might even get snowed in.”
Jethro nodded as he looked out the window. “Yeah, looks like we might be spendin’ the last few days of our trip right here.” He looked down to see that Tony had fallen asleep.