History Lessons: NCIS Style
- (4) A Day In June -
Rating PG/P12
Summary: A brief vacation for Jenny and Gibbs.
Discl.: I do not own NCIS. The Ice Dragon, by George R.R. Martin belongs to him and only him. No Copyright intended.
"How did you manage this?" Gibbs demanded of his companion as he helped her board the plane. She gave an enigmatic smile and shrugged her shoulders.
"People owe me favors," she responded.
"What kind of favors?" He questioned, gripping her hand possessively.
"Not those kinds," she assured brushing her hand gently against his thigh as she stepped up the steps. "Besides, I have to go to this conference, I need a security detail. You can't be left in charge of my agency so it all works out."
"Except for the part where I now have to go to said conference," Gibbs protested. "And you know what I think about those Jen."
"Jethro stop being a whiner. Really, it's just a little international politics. They don't bite."
"Hm...they wish they could," he muttered trying to figure out how he was supposed to survive four days of other men fawning over what was his and his alone.
"Jethro," she said her tone warning him to drop it. He huffed before carefully placing her bag in the overhead compartment and grabbing the blanket. The only upside of this was they got a private plane. SecNav couldn't come but had insisted that Jenny still take his ride there. This appealed to Gibbs on multiple levels, a) he got a very long uninterrupted time with her, b) no other people meant no witnesses to any displays of affection, and c) well he hadn't quite come up with c yet. "Jethro whatever idea you're getting I suggest you forget it." Jenny's voice interrupted his thoughts and he looked over innocently.
"What ideas? I was just considering all the possible exits, after all your protection is the most important thing Madame Director," he replied.
"You know Jethro, the good thing about having a private plane..." she began leaning in closer. He smirked; they weren't even off the ground.
"What's that?"
"I can smack you and not have to worry about it," she whispered sultrily wrapping her arms around his neck and tapping the back of his head.
"Hey only I'm allowed to do that!" She giggled and pulled him towards her, the shift in the plane caused him to lose his balance and they both went to the floor, Jenny ending up on the bottom.
"Hm...what am I going to do with you for..." she paused to do the calculations. "Twelve hours."
"Let me up for one," he suggested trying to move off her, worried he might have hurt her. She had other plans as her legs wrapped around his waist, her ankles locking.
"Jenny..." it was him issuing the warning now. She ignored him temporarily and tilted her head up kissing him softly. Sometime during the kiss she rolled them so she was on top. He didn't seem to mind till she pulled away and stood up moving towards the chair with the seatbelts. He lay stunned momentarily before getting up and joining her. "That wasn't very nice."
"I'll make it up to you, promise," she replied fastening her seatbelt as the plane gained speed and the pilot announced take off. The stewardess had been given strict orders not to bother the Director and had moved to a separate area of the plane. He watched as Jenny tightened her grip on the hand rests and took her hands into his.
"Still don't like flying," he commented. She smiled and nodded fractionally.
"Don't mind the flying so much as the taking off and landing." He held her hands tightly, gently rubbing his thumb over her palm. It was the first time they'd been on a plane together, or rather seated next to each other on plane. There had been that brief plane trip to Quebec when Ducky had gone to meet the frog. He ignored that though and just thought about the last time they'd been on a plane just the two of them. It held rather fond memories, their flight to Paris, where they'd decided to see if they could put the bathroom to good use. They had.
"Hey remember that plane flight to Paris?" She turned and looked at him with an eyebrow raised.
"Jethro don't even think it. Once was plenty thank you very much."
"Come on Jen, its not like its just a tiny bathroom, there's a whole couch back there, with blankets," he pointed out.
"And turbulence," she tacked on. The main part was she had enjoyed their exploits until the plane had hit the turbulence and then well it was still good, she just had quite a few more bruises. "Besides I have some work to do."
He said nothing simply moving back toward the couch after the pilot said they could get up. If she wasn't going to join him, he may as well catch up on some sleep during the flight. Not like there was anything else to do. They were heading for Normandy on what was going to be their first vacation as a reunited couple. Except it wasn't technically a vacation. The first two days they were there would be a conference that Jenny was expected to attend. The last two days was all theirs. One of the other team leaders had been put in charge and Gibbs cover was that a bunch of his marine buddies would be there; hence he could protect the director and hang out with some friends. If his team didn't buy that reason they didn't mention it. Tony had been left in charge, Ziva with strict instructions to smack him if he got out of hand. Gibbs hoped it would be a quiet long weekend, because he really wanted to enjoy the time he had with her.
He closed his eyes and listened to the hum of the plane as his lack of sleep finally caught up with him. He knew pulling three all nighters in a row was a bad idea, but between the case and the very short amount of time he spent with Jenny, he didn't get sleep. Jenny always told him to sleep but he never wanted to just sleep. Especially since he rarely saw her during the day, at least it seemed that way. He was just drifting into a deeper sleep when he felt someone move his arm and warmth settle beside him. He popped one eye open to find Jenny had wormed her way into his embrace and was lying against him on the couch trying to make sure she didn't fall off in the process. He rolled so that she was lying against the inside of the couch and he was basically shielding her.
"Thought you were asleep," she whispered.
"Almost."
"Didn't mean to wake you."
"It was a pleasant interruption. Go to sleep Jenny," he said kissing her head.
"We're somewhere over the Atlantic."
"Well it'll be a while then, sleep." He said again and felt her settle against him, her head against his heart. He wrapped his arms around her and drifted back to sleep.
---
It turned out that they did not renew their membership to the mile high club on the way over, though Gibbs swore they would try on the way back. As he got of the plane followed by Jenny, tugging her sunglasses over her eyes, he noticed the limo waiting for them and moved towards it, carrying Jenny's small suitcase along with his bag. She had her briefcase and purse still in grasp. The driver was waiting at the trunk of the car and Gibbs looked around before handing over the bags and leading Jenny, who was oblivious over to the car door.
"Jen, you're going to have to duck," he said quietly trying to get her attention.
"Oh," came the response as she moved into the car still lost in some thought. He sat beside her watching the sites as they went by noticing how silent she was. He figured he'd leave her to her thoughts and pry once they were behind closed doors. The hotel they got out at was a beautiful old manor with elegant décor that Jenny seemed to eat up, her eyes widening at it. They'd stayed in some very nice places when they were undercover, but he wasn't sure anything had ever been this nice. They were given two rooms next to each other, but Jenny corrected them and said it should have been a suite with two rooms. They replied that that was indeed the new arrangements with the SecNav not coming.
They were shown to their room, a large suite with a living area, a bedroom off to the side and a giant patio with a private garden area. Jenny went straight out to look at the flowers as Gibbs played the Security detail and ‘scanned' the room. In reality, although he did have to look for bugs, he was also checking out the bedroom and putting their bags in the room. The way SecNav had explained it there would be his suite, with his detail, and her suite with her detail. The fact that she might actually be sleeping in the same as her detail hadn't crossed his mind, which Gibbs was entirely grateful for. After Gibbs placed their suitcases down and checked the room again, he went out to the patio to find Jenny bending over to smell a flower. He checked over the area and finding it protected from the prying eye went over and wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her back to his chest. She came willingly and crossed her arms over his, relishing in the embrace and this one quiet moment that she treasured.
"You know, if Mexico gets flooded, I would quite happily live here," she commented after a minute.
"And I can still drink on the beach, works for me," he agreed teasingly as he kissed her shoulder.
"Jethro..." she laughed lightly knowing he was still set on going to Mexico in the way distant future. She turned in his embrace to meet and wrapped her arms around his neck meeting his eyes. "I know this isn't going to be much fun for you, but I promise to make it up to you after the conference."
"I already know what we're doing," he responded. She raised an eyebrow at him smirking, fairly certain she knew as well.
"Hm...what we're so very good at?" She guessed.
"That too, we're going sight seeing."
"Sight seeing?" She echoed. This was the man who fought her tooth and claw when she dragged him to the top of the Eiffel Tower. He hated sight seeing.
"Yep, but don't worry I've got it all planned, even rented a car."
"A car?" She gulped. Driving with him was always an experience, driving wit him on the wrong side of the road she was very concerned about.
"We're going to have to go to some of the shops, Abby expects presents."
"Alright, although we could just walk."
"And where's the fun in that?" She sighed conceding his point and hoping to God it was a very short car trip or that he would at least obey the speed limits.
"We have to get ready for the welcoming dinner."
"Buffet?"
"Sit down, I'm to entertain the Ambassador from France and be very specific as to the NCIS satellite office cooperating with the French police."
"I wouldn't hold your breath, I'm pretty sure there's still a warrant out for our arrest."
"Well let's hope not, I'd hate to have to steal another boat," she responded kissing his jaw before breaking away and heading to her suitcase to get her dress and makeup. Gibbs followed at it was considerably longer before she managed to even get in the shower, let alone the dress.
---
After two days of ass kissing, and playing nice with politicians, Jenny was ready to snap. It hadn't helped that Gibbs had lost his patience during the first evening event, which had resulted in an irreparable tear in her dress. Thankfully she had bought a different dress for every evening event and then some causal ones for after the conference. Every four hours or so during the breaks in between the meetings Gibbs would ask if he could kidnap her, or if she was ready to call it quits yet. She wasn't, but by the time everyone had retired she was wound up and the two got very little sleep. She wasn't quite sure if she had ever found men fawning over her amusing but now it was just plain irritating. She had had at least five subtle request of sexual favor and more than a few dance partners with wandering hands. She had had to physically restrain Gibbs from doing damage to the man after the fact.
The one that had pissed her off the most, an English diplomat, had very craftily led her onto the balcony alone. He had figured out she only had one security person and was unaware that a few of the US Ambassador details and the marines there were also watching out for her security. Apparently a marine had spotted the Brit and had discretely told Gibbs he was wanted outside. Gibbs had seen red, especially as Jenny placed down a wine glass and the man handed her another glass just as full. He had interrupted by saying she was needed for a phone call from the office, but it had been a ruse and after taking her out of the situation, he had dragged her for a long walk around the property so he could calm down. That had resulted in the mud that had gotten on her another dress and Gibbs swore he'd fix it later, later being after he had gotten his temper back under control. She had found it rather amusing, his jealousy being no real surprise to her, and she was thankful for it on this occasion, because where she would normally be able to convince him to let her go back to the party, he would have none of it and so their vacation part of the trip started early.
When she awoke the following morning spotting her dress still tossed over the chair, she found sunlight peaking in behind the heavy curtains and a strong arm clamped over her, holding her to a warm body. She shifted slightly so she was lying partially under him as he had apparently kicked off the sheets and she was cold. It would have been just as easier to grab the sheets and pull them back, but this was more comforting to her. He didn't respond but to tighten his hold on her and mumble her name. She closed her eyes and tried to go back to sleep, but his hands tracing from her hip to her chest distracted her.
"Jenny," came the whisper, quiet enough so that if she were asleep she would think it part of a dream, but loud enough so that if she were awake she would know he was as well.
"Hm?"
"You are awake?"
"Hm, hm."
"I'm squishing you."
"You fine, for a blanket," she mumbled tucking her head into the crook of his neck. Her cold nose touched his skin and startled him. She felt him pull the sheets back around them, shifting off her and pulling her close to warm her back up.
"So what shall we do today?" he inquired.
"You said you had a plan."
"Well we overslept, so the plan has been moved tomorrow and then we can accomplish all I had planned on the same day. So today you get to pick."
"I'm quite comfortable where I am," she replied, pulling his arm tighter around her.
"Me too." He heard her stomach growl and rubbed lightly against it. "But you're hungry and we should probably eat something since you didn't get much at dinner last night."
"Hm...whatever you want," she responded. It wasn't every day they got to sleep in, she'd enjoy it while it lasts.
"How about, I call room service, we can have breakfast in our little garden, and then we'll go for a walk around the area. Have lunch in a café, and then dinner in bed?"
"Or you could take me dancing."
"I could do that," he agreed, knowing there had been mention of that before they even left the states. "But not for long, early night, okay?"
"What's early?"
"Bed by ten."
"Ha!"
"Don't ha, me. In bed by ten it's going to be."
"Okay," she sighed. He moved away going to the phone and ordering food, which quickly got her in gear. They had a nice quite breakfast and went for a leisurely walk around the small town they were in. They found a bookshop that Jenny wandered through, stopping in the children's aisle. Gibbs found her a few minutes later and it took him another minute to get her attention.
"Jen?"
"Oh, we going?"
"We can, what are you looking at?"
"Just the books."
"I think you're a little past they're level," he said gesturing to the children's sign.
"Hm...didn't you have a favorite children's book?"
"I think I was a Winnie The Pooh kid, but Kelly's favorite book was The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss."
"I am the Lorax, I speak for the tress," Jenny quoted.
"That's the one."
"Good book, I wanted to be a Lorax when I grew up," she reminisced. She saw him look away for a split second and immediately wrapped her arms around him, kissing his temple. "We can go if you want..."
"No, I'm good," he assured holding her close for a minute. "Kelly wanted to be a Lorax too." Jenny hugged him tightly for a moment before turning back to the books.
It was rare that he mentioned his daughter and wife, but every now and then it would just slip out. She took it as a good thing, and sat and listened never pressed for details, something he had seemed surprised about after the first time. She had simply pondered what he had said and leaned over and kissed him gently, thanking him for sharing the story. She had then returned the gesture by talking about her childhood. To Gibbs that had been more than he could have asked for, and it made him love her that much more. He watched her pick through books for a little while before noticing her eyes fall on one in particular. He watched her eyes light up in surprise before pulling the book out and opening it. He saw beautiful illustrations and large font.
"Jen?"
"Hm?"
"Find something you like?"
"Oh no, its just that...I used to be told this story, it was a myth really but my father knew George Martin, not well but they traveled in the same circles. I was volunteering with children and I heard him read this book. I thought it was probably one of the most beautiful children's stories I'd heard. I got it for my friends' children, and donated a couple copies to the school libraries too," she explained. He had caught the unmentioned part about her own theoretical children, had she any. She quickly put the book back on the shelf and turned to him looping her arm through his. "Shall we?"
"Sure," he answered letting her lead as they left the shop and went down the street. They found lunch at a small café and enjoyed the intimacies that they had to resist when they were at work. Enjoyed not having to deal with crises, or the team's mischief. They came back early to change for dinner and Gibbs checked in with his team while Jenny checked in with Cynthia before they went out for dinner. They found a out of the way restaurant with a small dance floor and had a light dinner followed by dancing or more accurately just swaying around the floor in time to the music. As nine thirty approached Jenny knew Gibbs would be suggesting they go back soon and so they did. True to his word he had them both in bed by ten, although they didn't go to sleep till closer to one. What woke her the next morning was Jethro's hand trailing up and down her arm and his other hand toying with her hair. When she opened her eyes and saw the darkness she decided that this time she would be in control, but it surprised her when Gibbs leaned in close kissed her and the pulled away.
"Good your up, come on," he said getting up from bed.
"Up? Come where?" She said.
"Throw on some jeans and a sweater, we're going out for a bit."
"Jethro...its not even dawn," she mumbled sleepily. "We didn't go to bed till one."
"Come on, you can sleep in the car," he pleaded. He looked so excited like a child on Christmas and so she got up and pulled on some clothes not really caring if they matched or not. He had grabbed a backpack and their car keys before taking her hand in his free one and leading her down to the car. She dozed in the car not really paying attention to where they were heading but an hour later he was nudging her awake again. He helped her out of the car and she found they were at an area overlooking the water and a beach.
"Jethro?" She questioned. He took her hand tightly and led her down the steep path making sure she stayed safe before pulling her towards what looked like a bunker. She saw the crosses and the flags in the distance and it suddenly became very clear where she was, especially as he walked with her down to the shore after placing the bag down and placing a bouquet of flowers into the tide.
"Your grandfather," she guessed. He nodded. "Mine too, was on the front lines during the storming of the beach." He led her back up to their spot spreading out a blanket and sitting down with her.
"They said that morning that the water bled and no one had expected such a victory. They were expecting to go to their deaths, but then everything cooperated and it was like a sign," he explained.
"My grandfather wrote something similar. He said that no one could ever believe what had happened; he explained that it wasn't like the movies but that someday it would be one of the greatest battle scenes ever done. I've never been here before, always wanted to go but my dad wouldn't take me. My grandfather went blind here, something exploding I think. He wrote that it was the last sunrise he had ever seen and it was the most beautiful one."
"Guess everyone is of a similar mind," he said as the orange ball began to make its way into the sky.
"That's why it was too late yesterday."
"Hm hm..." She curled up against him and they watched as the sun rose into the sky over the beach that made heroes. She couldn't help the smile that split her face, he so very rarely did anything romantic but when he did, it took her breath away.
She leaned over and kissed him soundly enticing his passion in ways she would usual only do behind closed doors, but this didn't stop her. She had observed and found that they were alone, completely secluded, and they would hear anyone before they were spotted. He had seemed surprised when she launched her own assault on him but quickly fought back and found serenity in surrendering. As the sun reached into the sky signaling a more normal hour, they redressed themselves but stayed cuddling together.
"I got you something," he said reaching into the back sitting beside them.
"You don't have to buy me things you know," she sighed. She loved presents but really she had everything she wanted in him.
"Well it was partly for my own curiosity too, but I think you'll like it a lot." He handed her a rectangular object wrapped in brown paper with a green bow, she removed the bow and he took it, threading it into her hair for his amusement as she ripped of the paper. As the paper came away she was faced with a blue book cover, with a girl on a dragon soaring across it. In golden letters it read The Ice Dragon, George RR Martin. She felt her breath catch again, it was a wonderful warm feeling that filled her when she realized that he understood what it meant to her and that she would enjoy it so much.
"Jethro..." she sighed. "Thank you." She leaned over kissing him again.
"I noticed that we didn't break a book with us, so I thought I should get one." She opened the copy only to find it signed by the author addressed to her.
"How..."
"Oh, he's staying at the hotel next to ours, I met him the other day, didn't know who he was of course, but yea found him afterwards and asked him to sign it for you."
"Very sweet."
"I was aiming for romantic."
"That too," she assured kissing him lovingly. "But there's one more thing."
"Jen..." he drawled.
"You read this time," she suggested.
"I'm not very good at reading...aloud..."
"Why don't you let me judge that?" She tried handing him the book and curling up with her head on his chest. He heaved a sigh before opening the book and beginning.
"Adara liked the winter best of all, for when the world grew cold the ice dragon came..."
THE END
June's History Lesson:
On June 6th, 1944, World War Two was spreading all across the globe. Both France and Belgium had become territories of the Third Reich and the allies were striving for a victory. The morning of June 6th dawned and General Dwight D. Eisenhower led one of the most amazing and successful amphibious attacks onto the Normandy coast. Within a week sixty miles of beach were occupied by the allied forces and this number continued to grow as the Allies began to make their way inland, liberating France and Belgium in the process. It is possibly one of the greatest maneuvers of all naval warfare history, and was at turning point for World War Two.