The Jenny & Jethro Fanfiction Archive


The Manual
- Chapter 1:
If I don't call you...
...it's because I'm waiting for you to call me -

    Gibbs sat down to study the journal in detail. He couldn't decide how to go about it. The most logical obvious was to read it cover to cover in order, but he thought there might be something said for spontaneity and considered just picking a random page. He was worried though that he might pick something to close to recent events and if he showed insight on them, she might wonder. So safest bet, start at the beginning.

    He quickly determined that this was not written in any particular order, it was like she just picked a random page and began. The first ten pages were lists.

    The first list he came across was sort of a table of contents, a list of titles of the entries and while a great many of them caught his interest he was determined to read straight through. The second list had the very large, bold title of How To Murder Leroy Jethro Gibbs and Get Away With It. Listed particularly close to the top was to enlist the help of Abby. He wasn't quite sure he should appreciate the fact that she had thought out in detail his demise, although given the crap he occasionally put her through it wasn't a total surprise. The few suggestions of using a stapler, a letter opener, and her nice pen, all had him considering breaking into her desk and get rid of the objects. Although now he always knew why she kept her letter opener close at hand. She's spent way too much time with Ziva, and considering that he didn't doubt Ziva's abilities, he knew he shouldn't doubt Jen's.

    The next list he found more humor in, as the bold letters of The Reasons Lt. Colonel Hollis Mann is a BAD idea, caught his undivided attention. He read this one closely being sure to pay attention to the starred numbers. Reason 1, she's not a redhead. Reason 12, who the hell names their kid Hollis? Reason 35, she's in the army, not the Marines or Navy. Reason 103, she doesn't like bourbon. He was surprised she'd made it to a 112 reasons, most of which he was surprised at how legitimate they were. Then again it proved to him what he had long suspected, Jennifer Shepard was jealous and that was gratifying. He moved through the rest of the lists, mostly just birthday ideas and wants for herself and a few suggestions for other people. He knew he'd find a way to copy those so he would know what to get her this year. He also found another list of places she would like to visit. It looked like it had been started when she was younger and he quickly found the stars meant places she would like to revisit. To his very great surprise, Marsalis, Positano, and Serbia were all places to revisit; Paris had a giant x through it.

    The first actually diary like entry he came across was dated sometime in may that first year she was Director. As the date became more obvious he was hesitant to read the entry. He didn't want details of her kidnapping. Ducky had assured him she hadn't been harmed in anyway, at least physically. He didn't want that to be contradicted. Those had been some of the most trying hours and probably his first major clue that he was in no way over Jennifer Shepard and he wanted another chance with her. He had asked her, once she was safe and sound why she hadn't called him when it first happened. She had pointed out that she was trying to keep that information away from her kidnappers. As he began the entry he realized that this was in fact what it was about.

    Why didn't you call me Jen? He asked, rather stupid question. Oh yes of course Jethro I'll just call you and let my kidnappers know I have a phone. Yep fantastic idea. I was waiting for you to call me! Sheesh. It wasn't like he'd actually pick up the phone if I called and if he had been in interrogation he would have yelled at me, hung up, and then been sorry about it later. Well maybe not sorry about it, but he certainly wouldn't have realized that I needed his help. Better for him to call me, and then he can control the conversation, at least that was the idea. It didn't quite work out that way, but I suppose alls well that ends well. The fact that I could have been dead just hours ago is certainly not a refreshing one. What a wonderful way to find out someone is dead, call them. Certainly not the way I'd want to find out, but then again phone calls can always hold such bad news.

    Maybe that's why I'd rather someone called me. If it's good news than I'm the one they want to share it with, if its bad news then they've either called to inform me or they're looking for comfort. Moral of the day, if I don't call, I'm waiting for them to call me.

    Gibbs closed the book marking his place with a wire tie. It was an interesting thought, her idea of being called. He certainly agreed that he wouldn't have wanted to call her only to find her dead. That wouldn't have been a pleasant scenario in the least, especially if he was so far away. He hadn't enjoyed it when they called him, he was terrified about what they might say or do to her if they couldn't find a way to rescue her.

    He starred at his cell phone and house phone for a minute before picking the house line up. He toyed with it, listened it to the dial tone a minute before making his decision and dialing a number he knew by heart. He waited three rings before a voice picked up.

    "Shepard."

    "Jen."

    "Jethro...something the matter?"

    "Hm...can't a guy call his old partner?"

    "Sure but usually it would be better if they call at a normal hour." He glanced at his cell phone and noticed the time.

    "Oh...I uh didn't mean to call so late," he said. "I was just thinking about...something and I needed your opinion." She was silent but he could still hear her breathing.

    "My opinion on what?"

    "Well more like I could use some advice."

    "You're asking me for advice."

    "Yes, its not uncommon."

    "No, it's just a surprise. Okay what couldn't wait till tomorrow?" She inquired.

    "McGee."

    "McGee?"

    "Well he's seeing this girl and I think he's pretty serious about her, but I'm not really sure I'm the best person to be taking advice from. I think he might actually want to marry her." He heard Jenny stifle laughter.

    "Oh and god forbid he actually gets married."

    "Hey!"

    "So who's the girl?"

    "I don't know...well I mean it better not be Abby."

    "You know DiNozzo came and asked me for advice, maybe McGee should talk to him."

    "Right. Wait DiNozzo asked you for advice on relationships?"

    "Don't sound so surprised Jethro, it was you or me and lets face it your track record isn't that great."

    "So what did you tell him?"

    "I told him if he cared about her there shouldn't be a problem, McGee should listen to what his own instincts are telling him. I'm sure the young lady, whoever she is, if she cares the same way would be receptive."

    "Do you know who it is?"

    "McGee and I don't talk much."

    "But you and Abby do," he pointed out.

    "And I gave her my word I would never repeat any of it." He was silent for a moment as he considered that there might be things Abby was telling her that he wouldn't know about. Somehow he was happy that at least she trusted Jenny where she wouldn't trust him. "Anything else?"

    "What?"

    "Any other questions I should have answers for?"

    "Um...none that immediately comes to mind. I just thought I should call you."

    "Call me?"

    "Well you don't usually call me unless I'm in trouble, and we haven't really spoken all week."

    "We spoke this morning, remember?"

    "Oh..." he paused he didn't apologize, it just wasn't done but he knew forging her signature hadn't been his brightest move. "About that, it was just a rough copy," he tried.

    "Uh huh."

    "Really it was," he protested, glad they were over the phone so she couldn't tell he was trying not to smirk.

    "Wipe the smirk off your face," she responded. His eyes went up as he started at the phone and wonder if she had some super power or something. He glanced at the journal in front of him. I hope not.

    "Okay, so I figured it would save you the trouble."

    "Better," she replied. "Not grovel material but better."

    "I do not grovel."

    "You've been known to," she shot back and he could swear it was she was who smirking this time. He tried to come up with a response, but all of them were laced with innuendo that he would pay to see her expression to and so therefore passed up the opportunity to use them now. He'd get her later. "Anything else?"

    "Uh no."

    "Good in that case I'm going back to sleep."

    "Back to sleep?"

    "Well to sleep I guess, I had been dozing, phone rang I decided I might as well get ready for bed. I'd rather not sleep in a business suit."

    "So then what would you prefer to sleep in?" He taunted.

    "Good night Jethro," she said exasperated.

    "Night Jen." He heard the click and tried to erase the image of her changing. It was a really good thing he hadn't known that during the phone conversation.

    ---

    "Did you just..." Abby trailed off from her spot at the edge of Jenny's bed.

    "I can't believe...and Gibbs..." Ziva gaped shifting the pillow she was lying on. The three had decided for a slumber party and we're thus camping out on Jenny's California King size bed. Jenny was just pulling the oversized sweatshirt over her head at that point and smiled innocently.

    "What?"

    "You just basically told Gibbs that you..."

    "Poor Gibbs."

    "Poor Gibbs?" Jenny echoed Abby. "It was poor Gibbs who started this."

    "But Jenny that was just..." Ziva stopped. "Actually it was brilliant."

    "That aside," Abby whined. "I still can't believe. That's so not an image I need."

    "Image? What image is that?"

    "Did you and Gibbs, you know back in the day, ever...err use the phone?" Abby tried, looking as innocent as possible.

    "You know you two are awfully sure of your selves that there was a Gibbs and me back in the day."

    "Well you were partners."

    "Hm...yep strictly professional, like Tony and Ziva."

    "If your partnership was remotely like ours, I wouldn't call it strictly professional," Ziva teased.

    "Well I never had to go under covers with my partner. Just under cover."

    "NOTHING HAPPENED!" Ziva protested.

    "Uh huh," Jenny replied. "And that wasn't just his knee."

    "Jenny you..." Abby was giggling at Ziva's attempt at a defense, before pausing.

    "Wait Director...err Jenny, you watched them at night...so anything happen?"

    "Ziva and Tony both snore," Jenny informed the younger girl. Ziva grumbled something about she does not. "You do Ziva, you both snore louder than Gibbs." Ziva started to protest again when Abby whacked her.

    "Louder than Gibbs?" Abby clarified.

    "And how would you know that Jenny, if there was no you and Gibbs?" Jenny grinned leaning into the two girls.

    "You've both heard how I stole a boat," they nodded. "Well the boat wasn't that big. I almost had Ducky drown him."

    "Funny Gibbs said the same about you," Ziva bit back. "But now we know how he knew of course."

    "You two are awful," Jenny remarked.

    "No...we're just orphans who happen to enjoy it when Mommy and Daddy get along," Abby replied.

    "That and Tony always has some excellent insight and swears that there's no other explanation for the UST surrounding you. I'm guessing its some kind of fog."

    "Yea...that's it," Jenny replied making a note to kill DiNozzo and put an end to all of his bets.

    "This is going to be fun, so after the phone call what's next?" Abby inquired.

    "Protection detail." The two girls laughed loudly commenting on who need protection, Gibbs or Jenny.

    Chapter 2