The Riddle
Author: A'serene
Category: General, Romance
Rating: PG/P12
Spoilers: Through "Designated Target"
Contents: He wasn't sure how he'd never noticed it before. There really were just to many similarities. The resemblance between Jen and Shannon was remarkable.
Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS or any of the characters, minus Johanna, who is my interpretation of the Mysterious Red-Head.
Prologue
Jasper Shepard knew he was doing the right thing. He couldn't tell his only child he was working undercover nor could he allow his boss to use his precious girl against him. Johanna Hunter would take care of his girl, she wasn't with the company but she was a friend and had connections with the Federal Witness Protection Program. Now would she would have a younger sister, a Shannon Jennifer Hunter.
As his daughter got in the car with her new sister he waved goodbye. Her red hair was down around her shoulders and caught the sunlight as she to turned to say goodbye. Hopefully Rene will never find you.
"Goodbye Father," she said quietly.
"Goodbye Jenny."
---
8 Months Later
"
"I'm sorry, but he makes me happy!" The young woman remarked.
"You gonna give me a name?"
"Leroy Jethro Gibbs, he's a marine,"
"You've got it bad."
"I'm in love with him!"
---
4 Months Later
"Do you Leroy Jethro Gibbs take Shannon Jennifer Hunter to be your lawfully wedded wife..." The Priest words were tuned out as Jethro turned to his almost wife.
"I do."
"And do you Shannon Jennifer Hunter take Leroy Jethro Gibbs to be you lawfully wedded husband..."
"I do."
---
One Year Later
"Thank you
"Alright lovebirds, we got a name for this angel yet?" Johanna asked smiling at her sister.
"Kelley Abigail,"
"Yes?"
"I...I want to tell him about..."
"No
"It's just that keeping secrets from him, it hurts."
"Do you think he could ever love Jenny?"
"I don't know."
"Than stay
---
Nine Years Later
Shannon and Kelley Gibbs waved as the truck pulled out of the driveway. Inside was their husband/father off to protect the world again. As much as Jethro had assured
---
Ten Months Later
Her daughter's nightmares continued, all the tears always flowing. All she wanted was her husband, but she was no longer his wife. Johanna came in after the crying stopped and glanced at her.
"What have you decided?"
"No more running, Jennifer Shepard is back.
"Jennifer Shepard does not have a child," Johanna pointed out.
"No she doesn't. That deaf couple you know, the Scuitos, Kell...Abby will be loved there. He'll be able to see her," Jenny said.
"He comes home today, finally woke up from the coma. He may...he may not be able to..."
"DON'T! Don't say it Johanna! You promise me you'll look after him. Make sure he stays strong. If even considers doing something like...well fatal show him Abby! Please I can't...I can't lose him anymore than I have," Jenny begged.
"All right," Johanna conceded. "Stay safe Jenny."
"I will." The redhead left, checking in on her daughter, who was no longer hers before getting in her car and driving to the cemetery. She stood behind a tree and watched the broken man cry over the marble engraved with the names of his loved ones. She resisted the urge to run to him and tell him everything and in that moment she felt her heart irreversibly shatter. I love you Jethro, you and only you. Goodbye.
---
5 ½ Years Later
"Jennifer Shepard," Director Morrow called.
"Yes?" The young redhead answered.
"I'd like you to meet your new partner, Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Jethro this is Special Agent Jennifer Shepard." Jennifer held out her hand and held her breath. He accepted the offer and shook it and she felt the telltale shock run through her.
"Gibbs," he said. She smiled and knew she was safe.
"Jenny," she replied.
"All right then Jen, let's get you to your first autopsy," Gibbs suggested.
"It's Jenny."
"Jen." She sighed, may as well get used to this. After humiliating herself in autopsy and being introduced to Dr. "Ducky' Mallard, she returned to find a desk across from Gibbs. She could help but notice as he removed a photo of a young woman.
"Wife?" Jen inquired casually.
"Ex, the second one," Gibbs answered. Jenny bit her lip, Johanna had never mentioned ex-wives.
"You've got two ex-wives?" Jen clarified.
"Yep, Laura and Diane. Never get married," he warned. "Well let's get started shall we."
Jenny paid attention but that night she took a detour from her usual route. She found herself outside her ‘older sister's' house. Johanna did not seem surprised to see her.
"Jenny," she greeted,
"You could have told me!" Jenny snapped.
"Told you what?"
"He's been married twice! He doesn't even count me...uh
"Jenny calm down," Johanna coaxed knowing the problem now. "No one at NCIS knows, no one. To everyone there he's the bastard who plays by his own rules and is probably the best agent they have."
"I...I don't think I can be his partner," Jenny admitted.
"I don't think you should be, but that's not going to stop you is it?" Johanna pointed out knowing the younger woman too well. Jenny shrugged.
"I should be going."
"For what it's worth Jenny, he doesn't have any kids." Jenny smiled briefly.
"I...thank you Johanna." Jenny turned again but Johanna caught her arm.
"One more thing, try not to get involved." Jenny nodded and left. Three weeks later Johanna received a postcard from
J-
Look after my angel. We're in Paris, UC; don't know when I'll be back.
-JS
Johanna knew it was a lost cause. Jenny had gotten involved with her partner.
---
Three Years Later
Jenny Shepard placed her coat in the window seat of the plane and moved to get off. She couldn't bear to see his face when he discovered she was gone, but she couldn't bear to see him hurt.
Her own father's past had finally caught up to her. Jasper Shepard had gotten involved with the wrong arms dealer and while Jenny knew they might not be fully aware of her past, there were no use tempting fate. Jethro Gibbs already felt she'd betrayed him, perhaps this time he would recover.
---
Six Years Later
Jennifer Shepard sat in the darkened MTAC room that she would soon become familiar with. She knew he was back there, Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. He was about to have a taste of his past.
"He's your problem now, Director." She nodded to Morrow as he left and stood turning to face her old lover.
"Hello Jethro."
"Jen." And so it begins again, she thought. Later that night she cursed herself as she remembered saying there would be no off the job. She couldn't have the man she loved, she had to protect them.
She couldn't have been more surprised to find a young Abby Scuito as his favored lab tech. She smiled as she remembered their banter and she knew he loved Abby as much as he'd ever loved Kelley. She frowned slightly at the thought though. After the rest of the team had left, Jenny had stayed behind.
"Abby you..."
"Don't worry, Mother, I haven't told him your secret."
"Abby."
"Don't Mother."
"Abby, it's for his own good!"
"You never said a word about
"
"Please Mother, Tony's betting you're an ex-wife. He has a magnet for these kinds of things."
"Look Abby, ignore Tony, he's..."
"I'm not five Mother!"
"You listen to me, young lady..."
"I think you should go Director."
Jenny sighed, clearly she and Abby were going through a mother-daughter war and she just hoped Jethro wouldn't notice her and his favorite not getting along. She knew the next few days would be hell.
Gibbs was convinced Ari had killed his Agent Kate Todd, and she knew he would make sure Ari didn't get away. Her only fear was that he too might get killed, which was the reason she was brining in her friend, Mossad Officer Ziva David.
---
Ari had been shot and killed. Jenny was relieved and yet she knew Gibbs had falsified the report. Ziva had shot Ari, but Jenny really didn't care so long as it had kept them both alive. Now they stood at the funeral for Kate and Jenny was brought back to another grave, another time. She watched Abby place the rose and step away. She followed the motion, knowing Gibbs was right behind her. She slowed her steps and felt him step in beside her, his hand on her lower back to guide her. As the Director she gave her condolences to the family just as she'd given the Medal of Honor. As the team left Gibbs continued to guide her. They fell in line with Abby and Gibbs put his arm around the younger woman as well. The three of them walked together neither knowing what the other thought. Tony, McGee and Ducky followed completely the broken family.
---
It had only been a few weeks and yet he'd adjusted rather well to her being there. Jenny knew she'd worn the dress just for him, but had not asked him to accompany her to this ball. There was a tradition, one she'd begun as another woman. This was a birthday celebrated just like any other and she knew he still kept the last present she'd given him as this other woman. Abby had joined her in the shadows near the elevator and they watched as he starred at the silver flask in his hand.
"I miss you guys." Jenny felt her heart break just a little more and Abby squeezed her hand.
"Happy Birthday, Dad," she whispered. Jenny pulled her close so she could not see her tears and in her mind repeated the same thing she always wanted to say to him, I love you Jethro, I'm sorry.
---
She knew the quiet would never last. Already she had Gibbs had been in multiple fights over multiple issues. He threw the past in her face and she pushed all the right buttons. His team had been sabotaged, and now Leroy Jethro Gibbs had managed to make himself a hostage to a teenage boy and she Jennifer Shepard was not going to sit idly by. She pulled her weapon out of its drawer and made to leave when Ducky showed up.
"What happened?" the elder man inquired.
"Gibbs happened!"
"You going down there will not help," Ducky mentioned.
"I'm not going anywhere," Jenny defended; she didn't need anyone telling her what to do.
"You're carrying your weapon." Jenny froze.
"He was my partner for a long time." Ducky held his ground and finally managed to talk sense into her. She tried not to think about the bomb. She checked in on Abby who was all right but not in want of a maternal hand. When the day finally came to end Gibbs had gotten back and immediately kept telling her he had to locate the kid's mother. He wouldn't listen to her reasoning until she opened the door to her office and he could see for himself the happy reunited family. I owe you Johanna; she thought and smiled at his somewhat stunned face.
"Good to know I can still surprise you Jethro." He returned her smile and she suppressed the fluttering in her heart. The act may have earned her some piece and quiet but it was shattered just weeks later.
Abby and McGee were almost killed by cyanided gas and Jenny knew Gibbs had gone into over protective mode. She heard Tony joking with Ziva and knew that Gibbs might need to be restrained at some point.
"Man I feel bad for anyone who looks at Abby the wrong way."
"Why?"
"Boss told the punk that the only reason he was still alive was because he hadn't heard about him till today," Tony related.
"And where's Gibbs now?"
"Elevator with Abby, I think he said something about moving her lab in there." Jenny took advantage of that. She'd seen Abby only to give her a piece of defense, now it might be time for some mother's love. The elevator stopped on the floor for MTAC and opened to revel Abby and her stuff.
"May I come in?" Jenny asked.
"If you want," Abby replied in a tone Jenny had not heard since the girl was twelve. Jenny came in and waited for the doors to close before flipping the emergency switch. "Dad...uh Gibbs does that."
"I know."
"You gonna say anything? Like how I always pick the wrong guys or something?"
"Abby," Jenny comforted. "I would not say that, and we've been over this, I will support you in whatever you chose. I just wish you had come to me, I don't have a security detail for fun you know."
"You couldn't have done anything."
"You don't know that Abby. I could have put Gibbs on his scent."
"He overreacted."
"Abby if he did, it's only to protect you."
"Mom..."
"No Abby, I know I haven't done such a good of it and that's why we're in this situation. He won't let anything happen to his baby girl," Jenny assured. "He always panicked when you had the tiniest cold."
"Do you think he remembers?" It was the first time since the three had been reunited that Abby had ever asked something that would require Jenny's other knowledge.
"I know he does, and I'm sure he thinks about you everyday." Abby nodded and Jenny patted her hand. "He moved this in here for you?"
"Got Tony and McGee to do it."
"Sounds like Gibbs. Well you just remember what I told you earlier. Anyone comes near you, swing first, I'll deal with it later or Gibbs will."
"Bye Mom." Jenny smiled and let the elevator return to MTAC and Jenny left no one the wiser.
When the call came in and Jenny had figured out what happened she knew Gibbs would get to her. That did not stop her from pacing the floor near their desks until they brought her baby girl home. Well aware that pulling Abby to her and hugging the life out of her would be out of character for them both she simply nodded and the younger woman and Abby winked. Gibbs noticed nothing.
---
She'd been out of the field for to long. That was the only explanation she had. Now she was being held at gunpoint and had done little to nothing to save her ass. Jethro is never going to let me live this one down. Her phone buzzed and she knew it was him.
"Jethro I have a problem."
"I've got one too, you'll want to hear it."
"No I think you want to hear mine first..." the phone was taken by the Dempsey brother who told Jethro what she'd expected, surrender his brother or she dies. She hoped to God, Abby hadn't heard. After she'd been tied up she tried to bait her kidnapper, probably not the wisest idea, but if she could escape than all would be well.
"NCIS won't deal."
"Gibbs will want the Director back."
"He thinks of me like a wife," she responded.
"Well there you go."
"He's had three." She believed what she said too, but she also knew that he would not loose another agent and he still thought of her as his partner. She didn't even want to consider that he still cared for her. When Gibbs called a few hours later she could hear the worry in his voice. Perhaps no one else did but she'd known him longer and better than anyone else.
"How are you?" he asked when she was finally handed the phone and she knew it was now or never to put her plan into motion.
"I'm fine Jethro, I just wish I had my coat." Jenny knew it wasn't the best clue ever, but she hoped he would remember where she left her coat. She had no illusion that if did not figure out the clue, she would be killed. Please God; just give me a chance to tell him.
---
The bullet whizzed past her shoulder and suddenly she was free, the Dempsey brother dead behind her. Ziva quickly got up and moved to ask if she was all right but Jenny barley heard. All she could see was Jethro in the trunk of the car, gun drawn. She knew he'd been a marine sniper but she was never more thankful than that moment.
It was Gibbs who led her into headquarters where the rest of the team had waited. He sat her down in his chair and she felt Abby move to her side.
"See Gibbs, told you it would be alright," Abby bragged as she winked at Jenny. Jenny tried to repress a laugh and followed Gibbs to autopsy. After berating herself and noticing he hadn't said a word she looked up at him.
"You gonna say anything?"
"Want a drink?" He held out a cup of coffee and she rolled her eyes.
"I should get going."
"Let me take you home," he suggested. She knew she should deny him, but she didn't. When they reached her house he'd walked her to the door and opened it before she could. He glanced around before letting her in.
"Jethro, what are you doing?"
"Just checking."
"Jethro I have a security detail. I'll be fine."
"You're sure?"
"Jethro," she warned.
"I made Abby stay with McGee for a stalker don't think I wouldn't do the same now." She resisted the urge to laugh and gave in.
"If you're staying there's coffee above the stove, don't drink all my bourbon." She headed up stairs positive he made some comment she didn't quite catch. Having him around felt right somehow. She entered her room hiding everything that might be suspicious and changed her clothes. She placed her gun on the nightstand and could hear Gibbs on the phone. Probably someone on his team, she thought. Another phone rang and Jenny grabbed it, it was her personal cell phone and knew it was Abby calling.
"Hello."
"So he said you're okay, are you?" Abby questioned.
"You know you got your interrogation skills from your father."
"Uh...Mom?"
"He's downstairs."
"Oh...so you're sure your okay?"
"Abby, I'm fine."
"How'd he figure out that airfield? All McGee said was that you wanted your coat and Gibbs said you left it on a plane."
"Uh...Abby now is not the time for that story," Jenny sighed really not wanting to get into that.
"Mom he was really worried. I've never seen him that way," Abby informed. "The whole team was kinda surprised. I thought maybe you two had...well, but Aunt Johanna said you'd learned your lesson."
"Your Aunt is going to be hearing from me later, but not to worry Abby, I'll be fine. Gibbs is being a hound dog."
"He looked after me for a week."
"You're his..." She paused hearing someone on the stairs. "I'm okay, we'll talk later."
"Bye Mom."
"Bye." Jenny shut off the phone and opened the door seeing Jethro ready to knock. "You leaving?"
"Uh...no. Jen you can't be left along, someone else could try or..."
"Jethro, I'm fine! You heard Ducky, okay?" He didn't answer. "Fine you want to stay, stay, but I'm going to sleep and if any of my bourbon is going you'll be doing desk work for a month!"
"Yes Madame Director," he replied smirking.
"Goodnight Jethro," she answered feigning annoyance.
"Goodnight Jen." She closed the door and listened to his retreating footsteps before crawling into bed.
A few hours later she woke up to a cry. She was almost out of bed when she realized it was hers. She settled herself again hearing the running footsteps and knowing she would just have to fake it. She closed her eyes and clutched the blankets around. She heard the door open and he came in only to stop suddenly. She could feel him getting closer before she heard a heavy sigh.
"You would sleep through a nightmare," he commented quietly. She felt him brush some wisps of hair from her face and forced herself not to react. "You'll be alright. I won't let anything happen to you, Jen." She felt him retreat and heard the door close but not the retreating footsteps. Instead it sounded like he'd sat against the wall, guarding. She felt the tears fall down her face and repeated to herself what she knew she should speak. I love you Jethro, I'm sorry.
---
She shouldn't be here. She should be in MTAC watching Gibbs' back, not sitting at dinner in the White House! There was this feeling in her chest and she knew that feeling, she felt it the first time they'd be separated and again the second time. It was like her heart was being pulled out of her chest. Her phone's vibration broke the pain and she excused herself recognizing the number.
"Shepard."
"Director, Agent DiNozzo." Tony sound scared.
"Tony, what's going on?"
"Ah, Ma'am there's really no way..."
"Tony, where's Gibbs?" She heard the heavy sigh.
"On his way to
"What?"
"The ship exploded, I'm sorry Director." She bit her tongue knowing she had to restrain herself.
"What about the others?"
"Fine, we're all fine. Boss wouldn't let us get on this ship."
"Fine well, stay and...just catch the bastard Tony. I'll go see Gibbs." She snapped her phone shut and collected herself to give her apologies and bolted. When she rushed through the doors of the ER she knew she was attracting attention, the dress was meant to. She went straight to the nurse and tried to get in to see him.
"No one gets in there," the nurse said haughtily. Jenny gritted her teeth and opened her clutch. "Going to shoot your way in?"
"Don't be silly, I don't have my weapon." She punched in a number on her phone.
"Calling the President?"
"Now that would be overkill," Jenny remarked.
"Hello?"
"Condi, hi..." Jenny watched with feral satisfaction as she turned the phone over to the nurse and than smiled sweetly when it was handed back. "Thanks Condi." She turned and ran through the doors. She found him quickly enough and felt her breath stop; this was not the Gibbs she knew, not ever. She felt Abby alongside her and assumed the whole team must know by now.
"Is he okay?" Abby continued to fire off questions at the doctor quickly getting herself worked up.
"Abby!" But even this did not detour the young Goth. "Enough Abby!" Everyone stopped at that; Abby had turned when her mother's voice had cracked into a sob. She took her mother's hand and held it. When the doctors finally left Abby broke down and Jenny held her close.
"He's in a coma."
"It's going to be okay Abby, he came back to us before," Jenny assured not sure who she was convincing.
"You have to tell him!"
"Abby..."
"Mom he could die, and he'll never know!"
"Abby he may not remember things, we'll have to see and than..."
"You've been putting this off for years."
"Abby I'm still being hunted! I can't bring him into that, or you," Jenny explained.
"Okay, okay but still..."
"I know Abby, I think about it everyday." Jenny hugged her again before she felt the girl collect herself.
"I'll go back to the lab I guess and..."
"Okay I'll call you."
"You're..."
"I wasn't there last time, now I'm not going anywhere." Abby nodded and left. Jenny called her house and got fresh clothes and began the long wait. It was hard and she knew everyone was wondering about her relationship with him. Finally after all her begging and praying his eyes opened and he focused on her.
"