Only With You
- Chapter 11 - Things Fall Into Place -
"Mine," she wasn't sure she was supposed to hear the faint whisper, but she knew just what word to respond with. She disentangled her hand and wrapped both her arms around his neck, bringing her body in even closer contact with his. She lingered near his lips, her breath passing through his.
"Yours."
He felt her press her lips to his, to seal the words she had spoken on them. His arms tightened slightly around her slender form, the water still falling around them cooling. He kissed her back softly, slowly just enjoying the feeling. He was loathed to let her go from his arms but the quiet whimpering from the other room reminded him that they still had responsibilities. He couldn't lock her away from the world just yet. He felt her shiver as the water became steadily colder and knew it was time to get out. He shut of the water and pulled a towel around her, she broke away from his hold to wrap herself tighter in the towel. He grabbed one for himself drying off, trying to not watch her. They were silent, not needing words but only subtle glances to communicate. They dressed warmly in jogging gear and Jenny dried her hair quickly so it wouldn't turn into icicles. Jethro grabbed the leash for Duke and Jenny followed the two down to the main room. Thankfully no one was around except for McGee who nodded as they went out.
"A mile and back?" Jethro inquired.
"Half mile and back," Jenny negotiated wincing slightly as she stretched. "It's cold," she protested at his half-raised eyebrow.
"C'mon! You love it," he reminded knowing her favorite time of the year was the first snowfall.
"Honestly, I'd rather be in bed," she responded as she took off down the snow-dusted trail. He caught her with little effort and Duke ran along side them.
"Asleep?" he clarified mocking words she had used many years ago. She turned to him slightly still running, saying nothing but giving him a look that made his heart stop for a second and unfortunately for him his eyes to miss the root sticking up from the ground. He tried to regain his balance but ended up in the snow bank just to the side of the trail. Jenny slowed down and stopped when she noticed what happened. She was a little worried but couldn't help the small burst of laughter that escaped her.
"Are you okay?" she asked in between laughs.
"Just peachy," he remarked. She held out her hand as Duke came over to inspect. He took her hand and got to his feet.
"Didn't break anything?"
"You gonna play nurse?"
"Oh no, you'd be sleeping on the couch," she answered.
"No, nothing broken." She brushed the snow off his arm.
"I think we've had enough of the outdoors. Let's go back and talk to the others, and then..." she paused turning to go off in the director of the lodge and brushed against his arm. "I'll kiss it better."
"Promise?" he called after her. Tinkling laughter was his only response and they returned to the lodge at much more leisurely pace.
---
"McGee!" Abby snapped into the microphone and watched as McGee jumped from his spot at the front desk.
"Abby, I'm trying to work here," he mumbled.
"Where's Gibbs?"
"He went for a run with the Director."
"He hasn't called us, Tony is getting concerned."
"I am not!" McGee heard his older teammate protest. "Ziva is." McGee heard Ziva's laughter in the background.
"Ah Timothy, have you spoken with Gibbs?" Ducky's voice cut in.
"No Ducky, they went for a run."
"A run? Well they were always exercise orientated," Ducky remarked his voice alluding to beginning of a story. "Although running was not usually their method of choice."
"Do tell Ducky?" Tony egged on.
"Dr. Mallard I would remind you who you work for," Jenny's voice came in over the line and the MTAC based team glanced at the monitor to find Jenny and Gibbs had returned to their room and were in front of their computer, Gibbs with a classic glare firmly in place.
"Director, Jethro, how is the operation going?"
"It's going," Gibbs responded. "What news?"
"Gibbs did you see the video we sent you?" Abby piped up.
"No."
"Well watch, streaming it through to you, now." Jenny and Gibbs watched as the side part of their screen lit up with security footage.
"Abby," Gibbs growled noticing it was the bar footage from the night before.
"As hot as the make out session is, my silver fox, direct your attention to the side of the room." Jenny pointed out on the screen what Abby was referring to. There was another besides McGee watching them.
"Can you get a better facial Abby?"
"Unfortunately it's the best we got, but based on the time and the movement of other people in the room, I think its that Russ guy," Abby informed. Jenny glanced at Gibbs knowing this would have to be further investigated.
"There is something else, Gibbs, Director," Ziva said.
"Waiting for an invitation?" Gibbs commented.
"We reviewed the footage from the cameras in the room while you were gone. Abby send this to them." The security footage was replaced with the feed from their camera. Gibbs watched as the door opened and a dark figure walked in. Duke tried to attack and got a piece but was struck and then forced into the bathroom. Jenny immediately began to gently stroke the dog sitting at her feet.
"You're a good boy," she whispered. Gibbs continued to watch and listen. He picked up on Jenny's faint voice and saw the dark figure move closer to the door. Jenny never entered the room though and he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Good work," he praised his team, relief coming through loud and clear. "Ziva focus in on Russ and Lynna, Tony keep checking the other people just to make sure, we don't want to get hit from left field. Abby, you and McGee see if you can't work out a way to get a camera in their room with a bug as well."
"On it Boss!" Tony sounded off and waved as the team left MTAC.
"Ducky, give me good news."
"Afraid there is nothing to give, after reviewing the bodies again; I've come to no real conclusion as to why they were targeted. My guess is who ever was killing them was picking them because they wanted them. There's no other logical explanation."
"How's Cynthia doing?" Jenny asked.
"She's doing well, awaiting your return, Director." Ducky watched Jenny nodded, and watched as Gibbs placed a hand comfortingly over hers. It wasn't anything in the move itself that put the good doctor on notice but rather Jenny's reaction to it. She smiled softly toward him, allowing the comfort. "Jennifer," he called and watched as Jenny turned her head back to the computer in surprise.
"Yes?"
"Would you give Jethro and me a minute, I believe Cynthia would like to speak with you as well, she's in your office." Jenny took the message confused but left and went into the bedroom closing the door and calling her assistant. Gibbs turned back to the computer after the door closed.
"Duck?"
"How is she doing?"
"She's fine."
"It's a big transition from office to undercover."
"She's fine, Ducky," Gibbs assured not quite sure what his friend was getting at.
"And you?"
"Fine as well, not fond of the marriage counseling but it's alright."
"I understand this may be difficult for both of you." He watched Gibbs' shoulders shrug. "When I was at the house the other day, you two were at each others throats."
"What exactly do you want to know Ducky?" The good doctor said nothing merely gave an enigmatic smile. The question Gibbs asked was evidence enough.
"Keep in mind Jethro, you two are supposed to be a couple in need of marriage counseling." Ducky then cut the transmission and turned to the figure standing near the door.
"Your professional opinion Doctor?"
"Ziva, my dear, I would say you and Abby did very well, very well indeed."
---
Gibbs watched the screen go dark and shook his head. Ducky was Ducky, as cryptic and obtuse as ever. He heard the door open again and glanced behind him to find Jenny peering out. He gestured for her to come out and watched the door open more as Duke came out followed by Jenny.
"What did Ducky want?"
"Just to talk."
"Uh huh," she responded. "Think he knows?"
"Nah," Gibbs assured. "It took him months to figure it out last time." He grabbed her waist pulling her on the couch beside him.
"So what time is it?" He glanced at the computer.
"Quarter to ten."
"Well then, I call room service and get breakfast, and you can find us something to watch."
"How about we have breakfast in bed?"
"Cause you know very well we won't eat anything."
"Spoil sport!" He called after her flipping the TV. He found
---
The main dining room was naturally done with little flowers at every table to bring a little spring into the room that was otherwise surrounded by the snow-covered grounds that lay outside the windows. McGee had really hated the waiter gig, but he was coming to terms with it, his solace being that he wouldn't get in trouble when Gibbs found out about the bets. He was also a bit proud of the fact that Gibbs had chosen him to act as the go between the team and him and the Director. He had heard from another bus boy that the Tibbs had ordered breakfast to be delivered to their room rather than join the other couples in the dinning room. He decided not to think about why that would be, feeling the head slap he would more than likely get. Instead he decided to work the main dining room to observe the other couples. No one would notice the waiter and so he just did his job and listened. Jethro and Jenny Tibbs were a topic of conversation and he couldn't help but over hear what was said.
"Arielle," Maria asked coming up to the other woman. "Have you seen Jenny this morning?"
"No, they've been in their room far as I know since last night," Arielle answered.
"I saw them out this morning with their dog," Derek tacked on.
"Wonder if they went back to sleep," Steve commented.
"Or something," Arielle added.
"Or something?" Maria echoed.
"Jenny told us a bit about her husband yesterday while we were out skiing." Maria looked at her slightly confused not quite catching the meaning.
"Arielle, you'll have to be more specific with her," Serena remarked.
"She means personal description," Lynna cut in overhearing. "And honestly I do know what she's going on about."
"Like hell you don't," Arielle commented. "You couldn't tear your eyes of his belt."
"Maybe he's does it for her, but I doubt she satisfies him," Lynna bit back. "She's too frigid."
"Don't get your panties in a twist Lynna," Serena calmed. "She's obviously satisfying enough. The man is not a stranger to divorce."
"Ladies, what are we all gossiping about?" Christine inquired.
"Our missing couple," Lynna answered. Christine glanced around to find Jenny and Jethro not there.
"Well you can hardly blame them, this is their first time, perhaps they just wanted some time to themselves," she responded. "I'm sure you all remember what it was like the first time around."
"Tell me Christine, are they headed for divorce?"
"You know I don't discuss patients," Christine reminded.
"We're not asking for their inner secrets, just if they're actually going to try."
"I think they just need a neutral space to talk through things. They are both in highly stressful jobs and I think their relationship gets lost in their work."
"I'm glad," Maria said. "Jenny seems very much in love with her husband, she smiles when she talks about him." Lynna rolled her eyes, at the other woman.
"Honestly Maria that is not what the smile is about."
"And you would know this how?" Maria questioned losing her patience. Lynna kept her mouth shut, spying Russ entering the room. "That's what I thought. Steven?"
"Yes dear?"
"Why don't we get breakfast to go?" She suggested to her husband, clearly done with the company. Christine smiled slightly watching the couple disappear before glancing back at the women in front of her. She was getting a little irritated with Lynna's constant remarks about Jenny, but if anything she had noticed that Gibbs didn't let it sway him from his wife, which she supposed was a good thing. She'd check in this afternoon.
---
Jenny smiled faintly as she felt herself being pulled closer to the source of warmth behind her. She didn't resist the movement more than happy to be wrapped in his arms, as he dozed. Breakfast had been brief, the movie lasting even less time, and they were doing what they had discovered they were still very good at. She felt happier than she had in years and wondered if this change would stay when they went back to the real world, when Jennifer Shepard and Leroy Jethro Gibbs took control again. She hoped they would, she knew it wouldn't be easy, but nothing worth having had ever been simple. He murmured her name as he dozed, and she felt a brief flash of pride. She closed her eyes again having every intention of dozing for a bit more before waking Jethro up again when a buzzing reached her ears. She opened her eyes to spot the alarm clock going off.
"Stupid thing," she muttered hitting snooze and snuggling back into Jethro's warm body.
"Jen," his voice was gravelly.
"Hm?"
"What time is it?"
"Noon," she sighed. She felt him sigh beside her.
"We should get up, have to go meet with the counselor," he suggested. She sighed again and reluctantly made to move out of the bed grabbing a sheet to wrap around her. "Jenny?"
"I'm cold." He withheld his laugh and got up walking toward the bathroom as she followed.
"Wanna share a shower?"
"That hardly saves time, but maybe water?"
"Yea as a scientist you should probably be on top of that right?" He teased.
"Hm...probably." He turned the water on and they both got in. He got a washcloth and began to wash her body with gentle caresses. Surprisingly the shower did not take that long and they quickly got ready, throwing on jeans and sweaters.
"I'll call Tim, have him take Duke out."
"Okay," she agreed putting on the smallest amount of lip-gloss before following him out the door. They went down to the closed sitting room and sat on the couch waiting patiently and it was rewarded minutes later as Christine came in.
"Jenny, Jethro, we missed you at breakfast this morning," she greeted.
"We did a little work, some stuff came up," Jenny covered.
"Well I do suppose things can build up." Christine watched as the two paid attention to her. She caught the faint blush that crossed Jenny's face and was momentarily curious. Nothing about the couple in front of her seemed force. For all her observation she had suspected them to be very intimate in private, uncomfortable with public displays of affection, but always with an air of closeness. They stood closer to each other than the other couples did, they seemed able to communicate silently, or with subtle touches and they were always watching the other, but this, this was different. She wasn't sure how it was different, they acted exactly the same, her senses just tingled at it though, whatever was going on between them was an undercurrent she had no definition for. It was a curious anomaly and she wondered if perhaps they had maybe worked through some of their issues. "Well let's begin, how are you two enjoying the retreat?"
"It's an experience," Jethro answered.
"The other couples are interesting, but kind," Jenny added.
"Have you two gained anything by this?" She watched the brief glances closely but could not detect the message.
"We should go on vacation more often," Jenny replied. "We need to step away from our jobs every now and then."
"Good, excellent," Christine praised, truly happy with this couple before her. "Jethro, have you anything to add?"
"We need to communicate more, not just leave things as they are."
"Well I'm glad to hear this, its very clear to me that you two are very committed to making your marriage work, which means you're committed to each other, something that often gets lost in the process," she explained. "Now for tonight's group activity I've ask the couples to pick music off a CD I have given them, they need to pick a song for themselves, and a song for the other couples present. I have a CD for you two as well, listen to it, and think about it, I'll look forward to your answers."
"Okay," Jenny agreed taking the CD in her hand and scanning the tracks. She recognized only half the songs but hoped they were more to her taste in music and not Abby's. She felt Jethro glance over her shoulder.
"So what if we don't think any of these songs suit us," he asked.
"Well try hard but if you can't find any, you can always pick another, perhaps the first song you danced to?" He nodded. "Now Jethro if you don't mind, I'd like to speak with Jenny."
"Sure." He glanced at Jenny who nodded and he left closing the door behind him.
"Well I am very happy to see you two making such progress." Jenny nodded. "Are you happy with this progress Jenny?"
"Yes, of course," she answered trying to stay in the character of Jenny Tibbs knowing that Jenny Shepard wanted to do a happy dance.
"Good, good." She watched the woman in front of her for a minute; she looked different, just as she seemed different. "Jenny?"
"Yes?"
"You love Jethro very much, yes?"
"Yes," Jenny answered curious as to the change in the questions.
"Are you in love with him?" Jenny looked up from her hands surprised; no one had ever asked her that, at least not about Jethro. So few people she knew realized the difference, but she knew that while she had loved many men, with her body and some with her heart, she had never given herself to anyone the way she did him.
"I am." Christine nodded, knowing there wasn't much more she could add to that.
"Well send in your husband." Jenny stood leaving the room and getting Jethro, who closed the door after exchanging a silent communication with her. Christine watched him sit in almost the exact place Jenny had been in, his hands folding in front of him in exactly the same manner. There was something different about him as well, she had noticed his hardened exterior from years as a Marine and suspected he had seen horrors few could only imagine, but there was softness there today, one she had noticed only around Jenny. "Jethro, you are a Marine."
"Yes."
"You've seen people killed people you cared about." For a brief second he saw Kelly and Shannon along with Kate.
"Yes."
"Do you ever talk about this with your wife?"
"Sometimes."
"You should try talking with her more, she is part of your life, your partner, I've seen the way she watches you, I think she would be willing to listen," Christine tried.
"She has her own demons."
"Encourage her to talk to you about them," Christine suggested. "You have made quite a bit of progress these last few days." He nodded. "Would you not agree with that?"
"We have, made progress," he replied, resisting the urge to jump up and down like Abby on a sugar high.
"Good, well I think you should try talking with her some more, see how it goes."
"Okay," he agreed glancing at the door and she wondered if perhaps he had x-ray vision and was watching his wife.
"Jethro, you love Jenny, yes?"
"Yes, I already answered that."
"Are you in love with her?" He looked surprised by the question, an expression very similar to Jenny's, Christine noted with faint amusement. Jethro on the other hand had swallowed, so his voice would sound steady. He had never thought he would ever be in love with another woman after
"I am," he answered soundly. Christine nodded happy to hear him give the same answer Jenny had.
"Well go see your wife," She said shooing him out of the room. He moved toward the door and found Jenny pacing the hall on the other side. "Don't forget about the CD!" Christine called after their retreating forms.
---
They heard Christine's reminder as they continued to walk down the hall knowing any conversation they might have needed to be had behind closed doors. However the voices ahead seemed to be a slight obstacle as they came around the corner of found Lynna and Russ in the hallway.
"Jenny, Jethro," Lynna greeted politely.
"Hello," Jenny returned looping her arm through Jethro's.
"Where are you two off to?" Russ inquired.
"Oh back to the room, listen to these songs," Jethro answered.
"Oh you don't really have to do that," Lynna commented. "Why don't you come have a drink with us?"
"Uh well," Jenny paused feeling her phone vibrate. She glanced at it, McGee, and breathed a sigh of relief. "Excuse me." She stepped away. "Yes?"
"Director I thought you might want an escape route."
"Oh I'm sorry to hear that dear," Jenny answered.
"And Abby is on standby."
"Well of course, I'll let him know. You take good care."
"Ma'am." She hung up hearing the click.
"Jethro," she called cutting into the conversation. He turned to look at her. "Abby's taken a bit of a fall, she's not hurt she just wants to speak with you, I told her we'd call her in a bit."
"Right, well, we'll take a rain check on that drink, kids you know, better to make sure nothing to terrible is going on," he remarked. Lynna and Russ nodded and Jenny could feel their eyes as Jethro led her toward their room. He leaned closer to her ear so he could ensure only she would hear. "Abby?"
"On standby, it was McGee."
"What's wrong?"
"He was giving us an escape route."
"Smart kid." She said nothing as they entered the room, Jenny locking it behind them as Jethro tapped the computer.
"Hello my silver fox."
"Abby."
"Right so the point, we've got good news and bad news."
"Bad news first," Jenny said.
"Well Ziva's been talking to contacts who say they pretty sure the French Rivera Killer is in
"And?"
"Well then they torture and kill," Abby finished.
"And the good news?" Jenny asked.
"Uh...Tony stopped betting?" the Goth tried hoping that was good enough for good news.
"Good work Abbs," Jethro said signing out. He sat back on the couch watching as Jenny paced the room. As she came within reach he caught her wrist and pulled her onto the couch. She gave little resistance and curled into his side. "What's going on in there Jen?"
"I'm worried."
"About?"
"Jethro if that's him, then we're only fooling ourselves into thinking they don't know who we are, we've already been compromised."
"Jen, he never knew who exactly found him, only that it was NCIS, and he probably doesn't even know what NCIS is."
"Do we want to take that chance? We are without backup, without any form of defense..."
"Jen, McGee is here, the team is a helicopter flight away, and we don't know he knows, our names were never listed on that report, because we were undercover. He'd never be able to trace it even if he did have access to it."
"So fine, we go with those facts. If it is him, he's not going to go willingly. He's killed three couples already, all with military training, who's to say we're not next?"
"Jen only one half of those couples had military training, we both have. I know Ziva taught you tricks, so I'm not worried."
"I am!" She protested. He could see she was, and he was concerned but not worried.
"I know, I know you are," he soothed. "Do you want out?"
"No," she said sternly. "I'm going to make sure he ends up behind bars this time." Her voice was bitter and he knew that their failure years ago had never left her just as it hadn't left him.
"We both will."
"Good," she nodded. He watched her relax a little, knowing that there was really nothing she could in the meantime. "So we should probably listen to this CD."
"Yea, okay." He put the CD in and hit play. The soft jazz strand began and the two listened curled up on the couch together. "Who sings this?"
It's been so long
Since I've known right from wrong
Got no job, sometimes I just sit down and sob
Wondering if anything will go right
Or will you dance with me tonight
"Says Hugh Grant, I've never heard it, you?"
"Nope. Next." Jenny hit the forward button and they both smiled as a familiar strand came through the speakers. A classic song that brought them both back to another city, another place entirely.
"I don't know how we're supposed to pick songs for each couple, we don't know them well enough."
"We could pick randomly and go do something...more productive," he suggested trailing his hand up her arm. She glared at him, and swatted his hand away.
"We can't go empty handed." He grabbed the CD case from her, and glanced down at the titles.
"Let's see I'll Stand By You, Steve and Maria."
"Jethro we can't just..."
"Hm...The World is not Enough, Russ and Lynna...sounds like a Bond song."
"It is, Jethro I can't believe this is exactly what Christine had in mind when..."
"Hm...and us, let's see..." She placed her hand over his mouth and stole the CD back. He looked over her, loving the mix of exasperation and affection.
"You get to explain to Christine why we don't have a list," she warned, getting up. He watched her move toward the bedroom. She glanced back over her shoulder. "Coming Jethro?"
Duke watched curiously as the master moved toward the bedroom closing the door behind him. The next he heard was the soft giggling of the mistress. He glanced at the now unoccupied couch and hopped up, settling down for a mid afternoon nap.