Happy Birthday Jethro!
Author: A'serene
Category: Fluff; Episode tag (3x08 Under Covers)
Rating: PG
Contents: Tag to "Under Covers": Anyone missed the Happy Birthday from Jen, too?
Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS, nor any of the characters.
He starred at the flask in his hands, a bittersweet smile gracing his face. The strong bourbon ran down his throat warming him from the inside out. He leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes, a woman with red hair appeared before the darkened eyelids, just not the one he expected. This one glimpse showed her in a long black gown, hair tumbling down her back, and as the clothing and environment changed, the same woman still remained.
Jennifer Shepard had just stepped off the elevator, with the good Doctor Mallard, when she knew she should go back. She'd only asked Ducky because she knew her other choice would say no, or so she'd convinced herself. Even Ducky had thought it somewhat odd that she'd asked him as opposed to her old partner. Ducky knew they would not make it to the car. He could feel the Director tensing up and knew her well enough to know that she wanted another, more specifically a Leroy Jethro Gibbs beside her, and he could tell the moment she made up her mind.
"Ah...Ducky, I... would you mind waiting, I left something and I..." The usually eloquent Director had a small stutter. Ducky patted her hand lightly.
"Go drag him there, he doesn't go out enough my dear," Ducky suggested knowing full well where she would go. "I'll see you both later."
Jenny smiled and nodded her head turning to walk as quickly as the gown and heels allowed back toward the elevator. She barley noticed Abby getting off and caught the closing doors, punching in the floor all in one motion. Her hand began to fidget as the floors passed by with every ding. She smoothed the black dress down, trying to make it look nice, knowing full well she'd bought it to impress him. She'd be lying to herself if she didn't acknowledge the extra time she put into getting ready these days. She always found colors she knew he liked and had finally started to wear the few clothes she saved from Paris.
The elevator doors opening caused her to stand up a little straighter. She tucked a stay hair behind her ear and took a deep breath, moving towards Gibbs' desk. He was still there, a flask sitting beside him and she knew it had bourbon inside. He seemed to be asleep and she stopped a good ten feet away just to observe. In Paris, he'd always been an early riser and there were few times she got to watch him sleep peacefully. It never lasted very long, part of his marine training, she'd always assumed. Yet now he didn't seem to notice or sense her presence. She certainly would wake him, perhaps just this once she could use her past knowledge. She moved closer and leaned in pressing the faintest kiss to his temple.
"Happy birthday, Jethro," she whispered. She stood up and turned to leave again, but her hand was caught and the brief touch sent electricity through her.
"Lost your date, Jen?" He asked, his eyes still closed.
"Ducky is going to see his old friends, and I don't really need a date," she replied. "Some of your old unit is going to be there as well."
"Still want an escort?"
"You offering?"
"Why not, I certainly didn't bring the uniform for work," he answered pulling the dress bag off the side of the cabinet. He gave her a brief smile before standing and going to change. She sat at his desk and waited the ten minutes it took from him to come back. He came right up to her and offered her his arm. She laughed and let him lead her to the elevator. Seeing his still serious face she knew she would have to tease.
"You might have fun, you know."
"Sure, Ducky will lecture me on dancing. I still can't believe you asked him," he told her with half a grin.
"How do you know we didn't plan this?"
"A plan? You? Never would have guessed."
"Not all of us follow our gut, Jethro. Besides, when would I have asked you? Your team's been busy."
"How do you know I wasn't going to ask you?" He countered as they stepped from the elevator and moved towards his car. Jen rolled her eyes as he opened the door for her.
"You're supposed to ask before the day of."
"I always thought we did spontaneous rather well, like that time..." the rest of his sentence was muffled by her hand, as she had done once before, her look being quite the same of exasperation and affection.
"Jethro," she warned giving an attempt at seriousness. He did what he hadn't dared to do before and kissed her palm. He saw surprise flash across her face before gripping her hand and kissing the back of it. She intertwined her fingers with his and stood on her tiptoes to meet him as he leaned down for a kiss that could not have been stopped. It was loving, and yet simmered of passion that was not going to be repressed. She broke it softly for air and his free hand caressed her cheek. She smiled radiantly. "Happy birthday, Jethro," she whispered again before kissing him, this time wrapping her arms around his neck as his encased her waist.
In a darkened corner, unseen by the reunited couple a Morgan was parked and the two occupants were smiling.
"Well Abigail, I believe our work here is done. Hopefully they'll make it to the ball." Abby simply laughed.
"Tony and Ziva are going to be sorry the missed this, bet they won't make it to the ball?"
"Oh I'm afraid I would have to agree, though I hope they at least make to one of their houses."
--The End--