The Manual
- Chapter 5: When I walk away from you mad...
... Follow Me -

Gibbs woke up late that Sunday morning, at least late for him. His phone said it was close to ten in the morning and even though he'd slept almost all the way through the night, he didn't feel refreshed. Stretching his weary bones, he pushed himself off the concrete floor and wondered if that had anything to do with his lack of good sleep. Jenny would probably think so, he though almost unconsciously and froze. Thinking about her first thing when he woke up could not be a good a thing. It certainly wasn't the thinking of a man over a woman. He wondered if calling her and asking her to breakfast this morning would seem too suspicious. Two invites in two days, yea she'd ask questions, and it wasn't the questions he really minded, it was the fact he wasn't sure he had the right answers. Time to get deeper in her head. He moved upstairs grabbing a fresh cup of coffee and returned moments later sitting at his workbench opening the journal he had there. He flipped to the new entry and smiled at the first sentence.

Let's be very honest, Jethro and the media, not a very good combination. Like oil and fire, very, very bad, but I digress. Jethro has this...phobia, shall we say, about award ceremonies and accepting awards. I believe his exact words were they were pompous, useless wastes of people's time and precious metal (not that he's exactly Mr. reusable). He has never shown up to a single award ceremony in the entire time I've known him, I don't know why I thought that me being the one handing out the award would make a difference. He's trained Tony well though, maybe next time I'll just give the award to DiNozzo, it would at least get put on display instead of going in a locked box. (And if Tony really thinks he's the first person to come up with that idea he's got another thing coming).

Usually Jethro has creative excuses for missing the award ceremonies, this was no exception. After calling him and asking him where he was, he turned up in my office coming up with something about a case that had just come in. When I pointed out that the award ceremony had started a half hour earlier he gave me some line about anticipating and getting a head start. So it shouldn't have been a surprised that I was not in a good mood and him fighting with the media did not improve it. I suppose the fact that he felt he'd turned up after the award ceremony was supposed to be redeeming and when I walked away from his desk after working to get the reporter to apologize I was even more irritated. I walked away pissed after some line about how he trusts me. When I glanced back he looked torn between wanting to follow and wanting to know what was on that disk. Should've followed.

After all I've been known to come up with some crazy stunts if I walk away angry. You would think Gibbs of all people would've learned that lesson quickly. I only got him arrested the last time it happened.

Gibbs starred at the entry for a moment. He couldn't figure out what she meant. The whole conversation he remember, the award ceremony he also remembered, it was the Boot Camp Babes case where he'd scuffled with the media and she'd fixed it. He could also count on his hands the number of times he was sure she would kill him if he ever followed her when she walked away pissed. Or was pissed different from mad and therefore following her when she was mad was different from following her when she was pissed off to no end. Semantics, he sighed. Although this little revelation at the end, about him getting arrested was food for thought. The only time I remember being arrested with her was...Paris. His mind traveled back to the Parisian street they had been on after they'd found out Ducky was in jail for murdering a French police officer. Jenny had come up with a plan that he'd vetoed and instead decided they would do it his way.

---

"We'll just wait for dark and break him out," he said.

"How are we going to break him out if there's no one on the inside to tell him what's happening?"

"Ducky'll figure it out."

"I don't know why we can't do it my way," she muttered.

"Because it wouldn't work."

"You don't know that!" She snapped angry. "If one of us gets arrested for the murder they'd have to figure out who really did it and in the confusion they'd have to release you both and then we can just sneak out of Paris."

"Oh really? And just how do we get out of Paris?"

"The English Channel."

"We're not swimming it."

"Idiot there's a ferry!" She reminded. "It's less dangerous."

"There's nothing dangerous about breaking into the prison. It's not even a prison, it's like NCIS head quarters."

"Where there are armed men!"

"So what we get two of us listed as fugitives? Until one of us gets the charges dropped."

"It obviously wouldn't be you, you'll have to be the one arrested."

"See that's why it's a bad plan," he replied. "It would never work. We already told the police and I have an alibi."

"You're alibi is me!"

"It would never work Jen, you're not that good at ass-kissing."

"And you're idea of politics is shooting people!"

"At least my way gets results!"

"Oh we'll see about that!" She shouted turning on her heel.

"Fine walk away, I'll get Ducky out myself!" He shouted after her. He had plotted his moves wondering where she'd disappeared to when he'd come out of a coffee shop only to find himself pushed against the car and cuffed by the French police, he noticed a familiar figure across the street, Jenny. She kept walking and he wasn't sure if he was proud of her or not. He wasn't sure why he was being arrested, maybe the cops hadn't believed the alibi in which case they'd be looking for her and if she ran now, she could get them out later. After being reunited with Ducky inside the jail Ducky had figured it was all part of the grand plan. Gibbs explained it was an accident and hopefully they wouldn't catch Jenny either. When the cops came back and told them they were free to go for now, but they had to report for court in two days time Gibbs was relieved. He and Ducky went outside and turned to head back to the hotel they were all staying out.

"Going somewhere boys?" a figure from the shadows inquired. Ducky turned happy to see the redhead and Gibbs was surprised she had suitcases.

"Maybe we should ask you that Jen," he replied.

"Thank you Jethro for offering to carry this," she responded handing him their duffels before looping her arm with Ducky's. "Come on we don't have much time."

"Time for what?" Gibbs asked. She didn't answer till they reached a small marina, off on its own was a little boat. "What's that?"

"Our escape route."

"Very clever my dear," Ducky praised.

"You stole a boat?" Gibbs demanded.

"Commandeered," she corrected. "Hopefully the French will follow my clues and drop the charges but just in case we'll be out of France into England where they have a no extradition policy."

---

He had never considered that she had planned the entire thing. He just figured she was mad and he'd give her some time to cool off and she would be more than willing to go along with his plan afterwards. Lesson learned there, he swore silently. He was never going to give her an opportunity to do that again. Lest she really get him arrested and not bail him out. So how to make her angry enough to walk away but not piss her off so that castration is the first thing on her mind? The thought would fill his mind for the rest of the weekend.

By Monday morning he hadn't come up with a solution but he wouldn't let himself progress in the diary until he had. It was part of his craftsman side, he assumed, that wouldn't let him move one from one step before accomplishing the other. As he entered NCIS headquarters he found to his great surprise the object of his thoughts waiting at the elevator.

"Director," he greeted hesitantly, noticing how guarded her eyes were and how tense her body was, like a tiger about to pounce. He did not want to be the victim.

"Agent Gibbs." Oh Agent Gibbs...what did I do now?

"Waiting for someone?"

"Yes, but I'm told he's just arrived," she replied stepping on the elevator as he made to step off. He paused in place and stepped back joining her on the elevator. "Something you need to discuss with me Agent Gibbs?"

"Left something in the car," he lied effortlessly and knew she didn't believe it. They both stepped off in the entryway and to Gibbs' great surprise he found the FBI agent he loved to hate, Tobias Fornell. "Tobias, I think you're in the wrong building," Gibbs remarked in greeting.

"Jethro, I see your Director is going to feed me to the wolf after all," Fornell sighed loudly glancing at the redhead by his friend. Gibbs looked at Jenny who was doing a remarkable impersonation of a Gibbs' glare at the FBI agent.

"No I just forgot something in the car, why what did you do?"

"He took over an NCIS crime scene and now refuses to hand over valuable evidence so he can protect one his agents," Jenny informed angrily. Ouch, Gibbs winced at her tone. He almost felt bad for Tobias, almost.

"Director there is a perfectly good explanation for this."

"I don't want an explanation Agent Fornell, I want that evidence and for you to turn over your agent for questioning. I don't give a damn that he says it was consensual, she made a complaint and we will investigate."

"She's sixteen, a teenager with drama issues," Fornell sighed.

"And he's thirty two," Jenny snapped back, she leaned closer and for a second Gibbs' wondered if he should hold her back. "I want the evidence on my desk by end of business today or your Director is going to be hearing from higher up the food chain than SecNav."

"It'll take..."

"No excuses." She turned on her heel and headed for the stairwell walking faster in the high heels than he'd seen her do in a while.

"Nicely done Fornell," Gibbs complimented sarcastically before genius struck. After all I've been known to come up with some crazy stunts if I walk away angry, Gibbs repeated to himself. YES! Don't even have to get her angry! "Nicely done indeed." And he turned heel and walked off quickly in the same direction Jenny had.

"Thanks for the support Jethro," Tobias called out. Gibbs waved and ducked into the stairwell hearing the rhythmic click of high heels rapidly ascending the stairs. She sure was walking fast and not aiming for her office. Gibbs followed as fast as he could, his knees protesting. When he reached the top of the stairs he noticed the door to the roof cracked open and he slipped out to find her standing in the center of the roof surveying the Navy Yard. A Queen on her throne, he thought amused for a minute, till he heard her deep sigh.

"Jen?" She looked over surprised to find him hesitantly standing near the doorway, keeping his distance, but still keeping an eye on her.

"I know, I shouldn't be out here in plain view of a sniper," she remarked turning away again. "I'll be in, in five minutes." She expected him to leave at that but instead he sat down against the wall and watched her. "You can't give me five minutes?"

"You can have all the time you want, pretend I'm not here." She sighed deeply inhaling the cool air. "You also don't have your coat."

"I'm not cold," came the automatic response. Sometimes he was sure she disagreed with him for the sake of disagreeing with him.

"Wanna talk about it or do you just want me to arrest him for interfering?"

"You can't arrest Fornell, legally he did nothing wrong, he's just making things difficult."

"Well it's one of his agents isn't it?"

"Apparently one he knew when the guy first started. They don't work together."

"And..."

"And a Naval Commander's sixteen year old daughter reported a rape by this guy. He claims it was consensual."

"And you believe the girl?"

"She's sixteen, he's thirty two."

"You mentioned that."

"If it was consensual I'd like to bring the parents up on charges of stupidity."

"But you don't think it was?"

"No, I don't."

"Well Fornell's trying to protect an agent."

"I understand that, but there are just some things...would you protect anyone on your team if they were charged with this?"

"No."

"See...how can Fornell defend this guy?"

"So what drastic measures are you taking?"

"Oh I've called the Director of the FBI and the SecNav and let them duke it out, told SecNav the FBI director hung up on me. If they can't resolve it, I'll call some friends."

" A very diplomatic solution," he agreed.

"I suppose," she answered. "So my security detail looking for me?"

"Not that I know of why?"

"Oh I thought they sent you up here to find me."

"I followed you after you walked away mad. Wouldn't want you to do anything to drastic, like have him arrested or something." She smirked.

"You're not likely to forgive me that are you?"

"Forgive you what? I was talking about arresting Fornell without me there to watch."

"Oh...well then never mind," she said walking back towards him and the door. He smirked slightly, fell right into it.

"Course if you want to explain to me why the French police thought my alibi was false and arrested me for murder I'm all ears." She met his eyes suspiciously before smiling sweetly.

"Guess they didn't believe me," she responded reentering the stair well.

"Uh huh, likely story," he muttered. She walked down the stairs carefully, he keeping pace beside her and stopped at the landing for her floor. She opened the door and she nodded a quiet goodbye. "Hey Jen?"

"Yes Jethro," she answered pausing in the door glancing over her shoulder at him.

"If they didn't believe you, how come you got the charges dropped?"

"Must be luck," she replied laughing quietly as she walked out on to the catwalk.

"Lucky my ass," he snorted continuing down to the bullpen. He stayed there only a few minutes surprised to see Fornell standing in front of his desk in that time. "Tobias."

"Jethro."

"Something I can do for you?"

"Deliver this to your director, the FBI agent is in custody."

"You sure you don't want to deliver it yourself?"

"With my luck, she'll have me arrested for interference and you'll help." He turned and left Tony, Ziva and McGee watching him go.

"Hey Boss can the Director really arrest him?"

"You wanna find out DiNozzo?" He inquired slapping the backside of his head.

"No Boss, not at all."

"Didn't think so, Ziva watch them."

"Yes Gibbs." Gibbs headed for the stairs stopping on the landing.

"Oh and Ziva?"

"Yes Gibbs?"

"The Director was inquiring if you had seen something of hers lately..." he trailed off leaving it suggestive.

"I wouldn't know what she's looking for Gibbs," Ziva assured. "Perhaps Abby could help you."

"That's what I thought," Gibbs remarked. So Abby was the one who dropped it back off, hopefully Ziva will go ask her about it and then they'll both panic and look for it without letting Jenny realize they don't have it. Gibbs walked past Cynthia's desk and entered Jenny's office finding her reading through files.

"Didn't I just see you?"

"Fornell stopped by, dropped this off for you." He placed the box on Jenny's desk.

"Good, nice to know someone takes me seriously." He wrinkled his brow in temporary confusion.

"I take you seriously."

"Did I say otherwise?" She inquired.

"You just implied..." he trailed off studying her for a moment. Back yourself up, a little voice that sounded suspiciously like hers whispered in his mind. "I take you very seriously, I know what you're capable of." He wanted to slap himself as soon as the words left his mouth. That could so be taken the wrong way! Apparently she thought so as well because her head snapped up her eyes widening for a second as if trying to figure out if he'd really said that or not.

"And what exactly am I capable of Jethro?" She questioned her eyes narrowing daring him to answer that with personal details. He was not stupid enough to take the bait.

"Well uh..." If he used the details from the Paris arrest he would have to defend that he'd figured it out on his own, otherwise she would know he read her journal and he wouldn't want to face the repercussions of that. "You were a good field agent," he commented. "Stands to reason you would just use those skills as Director right?"

She studied him and watched as he swallowed. He knew he'd walked himself into trouble and while the reasons he gave weren't terrible she was almost positive that wasn't what he was thinking about. He looked rather nervous to her, and she hid her smile only to have it leave as a knock sounded on the door. Tony's head peaked around the door hesitantly.

"Uh Director, we got the go signal, was wondering if we could have Gibbs back."

"Grab your gear, have McGee gas the truck," Gibbs ordered never happier to see Tony. Jenny watched as DiNozzo quite loyal stood and waited for Gibbs at the doorway, ready to jump at Gibbs' next order. Quite the loyal St. Bernard, she mused. She glanced at her computer update of cases and smirked. It was some tiny infraction that Gibbs would usually let his team handle without him. She sat back in her chair sending an email to the team handling the rape case and glancing over her office. There sitting on the corner of her desk was Gibbs' coffee. Ha! He was so eager to leave he left behind his coffee, well wonders never cease. She quickly grabbed it and took a long sip; she glanced down at the day and noticed that Gibbs must have been following the journal entry by entry. She could only imagine what he was going to do next.

Chapter 5