The Deal
- Chapter 1: Three Years Later... -
Jenny leaned over her desk turning on her computer as she placed her briefcase down in her usual morning routine. She synced her blackberry with the computer and sat down reading her messages and glancing at her little post its she left her self as the computer booted up. Jethro was standing in front of her going on about his latest case and how she'd done something that she shouldn't have; she was half listening to it when a ding on her computer jolted her out of her morning routine. In blue blood letters the date popped up and the event read Deal, in the color blue she'd associated everything related to Gibbs. Deal? What deal? She starred at him for a moment and he seemed oblivious to her discomfort as she tried to recreate the deal in her head.
"You know just because you've been here three years doesn't mean you don't make mistakes anymore!" He snapped. Three years? Why is that...shit. A memory of a late night dinner and a surprising twist of events jolted her and she shoved the thoughts away knowing she had to get Gibbs out fast. He's stopped talking and is looking at her rather curiously and she thinks it through. Deal is good. Hollis went to Hawaii and unless he's met another redhead...then again it's been three years and we haven't had a single conversation about it since. Matter off fact...it was before the coma...maybe he doesn't remember? That must be it. It would seem like something he would ask about otherwise. She cut off her thoughts as she felt Gibbs' eyes studying her.
"Well if you don't like the way I handled it, than handle it yourself and clean up your own messes. Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do. And you have to earn your paycheck."
He got the message and turned to leave glancing over his shoulder as she slumped in her chair looking rather upset over something. He was unsure what had happened. She'd been irritated but not upset so perhaps there was something he missed. He went through all the obvious, birthdays, anniversaries (not that they celebrated any), deaths, but nothing came immediately to mind. He went downstairs to the bullpen to find Ziva and McGee teasing Tony and knew he wasn't going to get any work done.
"Yes Tony, can't even beat a nine year old child..." Ziva taunted.
"Didn't see you doing much better!"
"C'mon Tony, you're the best at movies, or at least were, till the kid." Kid...what is it with kids. He thought back to Carson and the emotions swirling around that night. Showing up on her doorstep was planned, going breathless at the very sight of her, not planned. What she said that night, he was glad it had been said. It had triggered something in him and when he got home and went down stairs to work on the boat he was assaulted by the memory of another child. Zach, a child he had taken into his home and looked after. Her words had rung in his ears, even has she had repeated them in the sotto soft voice.
"I'd forgotten."
"What?"
"How good you are with kids."
Her words had been gentle and he knew she was saying it with an entirely different perspective than the last time. The pain that seeped through his eyes this time didn't surprise her and instead she just went along with the conversation. He knew better than to make some sarcastic remark. She wouldn't have bought it anyway. But those words, that whole evening had been the catalyst. At first it had started with a dream, he was walking through his house looking for someone and when he found Jenny in the guest bedroom sitting in a rocker he seemed surprised, but as she stood up, heavily pregnant he was shocked. Then her doorway had come into view and words echoed through it.
"You and me? Have a baby together?"
"Yea, with your looks and my brains, he'll be perfect."
"And what if SHE has YOUR looks and MY brains?"
"That could work too."
He wasn't sure at first if it had been a memory or a fantasy, but as he thought back to that moment and his rummaging through his basement to find his old day planner he found the date, it was real. So why didn't she say anything?
He had considered that thought and as he moved to the elevator to head for autopsy he figured out the reason. He hadn't remember after the coma, so if he hadn't remembered, odds were she had figured that part out and had let him off the hook after finding out about Kelly. It sort of added up. She wouldn't want to bring up a touchy subject, apologized the one time she had, and yet at the same time, she might be worried that he wouldn't want a child with that pain so fresh again. Everything between them was always so complicated. He entered autopsy to find Ducky talking to a corpse.
"Hey Duck."
"Jethro, what a surprise!" The elder man greeted. "A new case?"
"Uh no..." he paused.
"Something the matter?"
"I'm not sure."
"You're not sure?"
"Is there anything...relevant about today that I should be aware of?" Gibbs inquired.
"Not that I remember why, someone saying something different?"
"Well Jen..." He paused as the doors opened. "Speak of the devil," he muttered.
"Director, I must be quite popular indeed, everything alright?" Jenny looked from Gibbs to the good doctor before nodding.
"Yes, I just had a question about...something, I'll come back later."
"No, don't," Gibbs protested. "I was just leaving." He did leave then hearing Ducky inquire what this had to do with her former partner. Jenny watched and waited for the doors to close as Ducky turned to her sighing loudly.
"Ducky?"
"What does this have to do with your former partner?"
"Nothing!" She assured. "It's about me."
"Everything alright?"
"Ducky do you think...I mean...that is..."
"You're not usually this inarticulate Jennifer."
"No, no I'm not," she agreed taking a deep breath. "Am I too old to have a child?" Whatever Ducky had been expecting, it wasn't that and the loud exhale told Jenny as much.
"It's an individual basis, your age brings increase risk but you should really be talking to your gynecologist about this," he paused gauging her reaction before continuing. "It would also depend on what exactly enduring excessive force in Cairo means." Jenny cringed.
"Probably severely decreases the chances." Ducky nodded.
"You seeing someone Jennifer?" He inquired wondering if perhaps he'd missed some piece of gossip.
"No. No, I was asking...hypothetically. Probably wouldn't be a very good idea and all."
"Jennifer, you shouldn't take my word for it, but I imagine that certain people would be okay with it." She knew who certain people referred to.
"I asked him once a few years ago if he ever thought of having children, he didn't really answer, but then again he couldn't," she said. "God I felt like such an idiot afterwards." Ducky patted her shoulder paternally. Personally, he felt that Gibbs was the idiot in that situation. He should have told her.
"He's got no one to blame but himself for that. He didn't tell you, how could you know the comment would hurt?"
"Thank you Ducky," she smiled sweetly.
"Anytime," he assured. She nodded heading for the door. She was just there when Ducky called to her again. "My dear, you'll need to make a decision soon. Your time isn't over yet, but it is running out." She nodded understandingly and left brushing the tear that had formed at the corner of her eyes. As she came into the hallway she spotted Gibbs punching the button to the elevator.
"Did you break the elevator?" She inquired trying to sound teasing. He was too distracted to notice the tears.
"No, but somebody is using my conference room!" He snapped. She was about to make a remark when the elevator dinged and Abby and Tony came tumbling out. "DiNozzo!"
"Boss!"
"Abby are you alright?" Jenny inquired cutting off the immediate scolding.
"Director! Uh I'm fine!" Jenny nodded spotting the messed up collar on her shirt, the missed buttons, and the receding mark on the Goth's pale neck. She looked over at Gibbs who was glaring at Tony oblivious to the younger man's mussed look.
"DiNozzo, you got something?"
"Oh Uh I was coming to find you Boss, Ziva and McProbie found a link and we're chasing it and a suspect is waiting."
"Abbs?"
"Oh I was bringing Abby with me..."
"I was..."
"Abby was looking for me, I asked her to check something on my computer," Jenny replied. Gibbs watched her for a moment not noticing her eye movement. Abby on the other hand was looking slightly confused at the Director. She'd checked Jenny's computer the other day, she can tell Jenny's trying to withhold laughter but can't figure out why.
"Well, why don't you two go up then, DiNozzo and I have something to discuss." Jenny nodded and she and Abby both got off on the floor for the lab, Jenny waited for the doors to close before following the Goth to her lab.
"So exactly why were you in the elevator with Tony?" She inquired.
"Looking for you," Abby answered.
"Next time you might want to put a collar on to cover up the marks," Jenny suggested touching the young woman's neck lightly. Abby pulled away and ran to the mirror in her office. She cursed and slinked back into the lab, Jenny sitting on the chair. "It's not me you have to worry about," Jenny reminded.
"But rule 12!"
"Abby, Rule 12 is always be prepared, at least that's what it was when I learned the rules." Abby says nothing more fingering the mark a bit. "And you're not technically on the team or anyone's partner, you work for all of NCIS. Theoretically the only person you answer to is me and I think you remember the saying I taught you."
"What Gibbs doesn't know..."
"Can't hurt us. Exactly. Just try not to use the elevator so much. That would be a giveaway."
"Is that because he's had experience?" Abby inquired baiting.
"Abby you may be his favorite, but I guarantee he will discipline you both." The Goth nodded and watched her leave before she stopped in the doorway. "I'm happy for you both." Abby froze in place surprised with the tenderness in the Director's voice.
"Director?" The redhead turned back. "Is there anything I could help you with?"
"No Abby, thank you." She went to leave again and Abby decided to try one more time.
"Um Director?"
"Yes Abby?"
"When I was fixing the computer, I accidentally opened your day planner...you have today marked, is there a reason it's for Gibbs?" Jenny went rigid.
"No Abby. There is no reason." At that moment Ziva entered the lab.
"Oh Shalom Jen."
"Ziva." The Director then high tailed it out of there. Ziva followed her friend's progress.
"Something wrong?" Ziva asked the Goth.
"She's upset about something."
"Anything in particular?"
"No, well she didn't say."
"Gibbs?"
"Probably," Abby sighed. "I hate it when Mommy and Daddy fight."
"What do you hate Abbs?" Gibbs inquired entering the lab.
"Oh hi Gibbs," she greeted quietly.
"Something wrong Abbs?
"No and I don't have anything new."
"Ziva?"
"I was just checking, guess Tony got here first."
"Aren't you supposed to meet the Director?" Abby chided. Gibbs looked like a deer in the headlight as he stared at the two. He turned on his heel and left. "Take that as a no," she said to Ziva who shrugged her shoulders.
---
Jenny was trying to work in her office, but she knew she was too distracted by thoughts. She turned her chair around to face the window and closed her eyes for a moment before looking out again. She heard her door open and the scent of coffee and sawdust filled the room.
"Didn't I just see you?"
"Abby said you wanted to see me," he replied. She didn't move.
"You're lying."
"She didn't use those exact words." She turned at that hiding her emotions. "Working hard?"
"Yes it never ends."
"Going home tonight?" He asked.
"Eventually," she answered. He nodded and left. She starred at the door confused.