The Deal
- Chapter 3: The Deal... -
It had been two weeks since Jenny had found herself waking up in Jethro's arms on his couch the screen for a DVD they had put in twelve hours before still playing. She had been startled at first and her first instinct had been to fight at the hold he had on her, but once she realized where she was and whose arms were around her she calmed and decided to prolong the event. After all in a few hours they'd have to go back to being Director and Agent and she didn't want that right then and there. Jethro had woken up a little after she did and had not commented on their situation but to ask her if she'd like coffee before they went to work. She agreed and so it had begun.
They had both scheduled doctor's appointments and had each talked to Ducky quietly while being vague although they were sure the older man suspected something. Jenny's doctor appointment had been enlightening, Gibbs had wanted to ask her about it but he hadn't gotten the chance. She too had meant to speak to him but he'd been working the case he'd caught that night and it had become quite complicated and the list of suspects was getting bigger and bigger. As a result neither really had much time for the other. They saw each other at work but even that seemed to be rare as he was always moving looking for clues and she was two steps behind making sure the press stayed away.
She had thought about asking him to go get coffee as she came down the stairs into the squad-room only to find his area deserted. His team and their gear were missing and so she assumed they were out chasing leads. Not wanting to return to her work she decided to pay Abby a visit. The young Goth and she had an unexpected bond, and it was always nice to have someone who talked to her not as the Director, but as a friend. Though as she stepped through into the lab she found the young woman curled up clutching Bert to her chest. Jenny felt her maternal instinct kick in and swore that if DiNozzo was responsible for these tears she would let Jethro at him.
"Abby!" She exclaimed sitting down beside her. "What's wrong?"
"What's wrong?" the girl sniffled. "How can you..." She met the redhead's eyes and looked surprised at the genuine confusion.
"What? Did Tony do something? If he did I can have Gibbs deal with it and..."
"You don't know," Abby finally said.
"Don't know what?" Abby was saved from answering as Cynthia came rushing in.
"Director, here you are!"
"Cynthia something the matter?"
"Bethesda just called...I'm...Agent Gibbs has..." Jenny was to her feet before Cynthia had the chance to finish.
"I'll be right there," Jenny said sternly holding out her hand for the young Goth. "Abby."
"But..."
"Let's go," Jenny ordered and helped the girl to her feet. "Cynthia cancel everything!"
"Done Director, and I told Matt to bring you car around," she informed. Jenny stopped in the doorway she'd been about to storm straight through and glanced over to her ever loyal assistant. "Thank you Cynthia." The younger woman nodded and went off to do as instructed watching as the redhead all but dragged the Goth up the stairs. How does a woman move so fast in heels?
"Director..."
"I'm sure he'll be alright Abby, its Gibbs."
"But...what about..."
"Shh...let's just wait and see." The two flew through the squad-room to the elevator both forgetting coats and rushed down to the garage. Matt was standing at the town car with the door open waiting for them both.
"Ma'am," he said holding out the two ladies' coats.
"Thank you Matt." Abby curled up in her seat, next to Jenny and tried to burrow into it. Jenny wrapped her arms around the younger woman holding her close. "Now Abby, tell me what you know?"
"McGee called, told me Gibbs was hurt and Tony..." she bit back a sob.
"Is Tony alright?"
"He shot the guy that got Gibbs," She informed. Jenny sighed in relief. It was too bad though, she was going to let Ziva interrogate the bastard. The ride to the hospital seemed like hours when in reality Matt had done everything possible to get their quickly including using flashing lights. He stopped at the entrance to the hospital near the emergency room and Jenny didn't even wait for him to get out. She was out and across the sidewalk with Abby in her wake before he could blink. Jenny marched straight into the hospital and over to the desk to find Ziva arguing with the lady in charge. If Jenny's memory served correctly it was the same evil witch that hadn't let her into see Gibbs after the explosion.
"Officer David!"
"Director!" Ziva greeted happily.
"There a problem?" The nurse apparently had a good memory as well because she paled just a little bit and reached down for the button for entry to the Restricted Area.
"No Ma'am, no problem." The three entered the room, Ziva sighing in relief.
"Thank You Jenny, I was about to strangle her."
"Where's the team?" Abby asked before Jenny could.
"Outside the room, Tony is...I'm sorry Abby..." the Goth's eyes teared up.
"Ziva," Jenny scolded lightly. "What's happened?"
"Tony is blaming himself, he was to slow to pull the trigger and the guy got off a shot. He shot Gibbs in the back from behind a wall." Jenny put her hand on the woman's shoulder, comfortingly.
"It happens. I'll talk to him and I'm sure you being here Abby will make it better."
"I don't know..." Ziva sighed. The two turned to stare at her. "He thinks Abby's going to kill him if you don't, Jenny."
"Well I'm not going to kill anyone, except maybe a doctor."
"Oh...uh Jenny, speaking of doctors..." Abby raised an eyebrow at Ziva and turned to stare at Jenny. The older woman cringed.
"Fantastic," she muttered. "Well one problem at a time." She followed Ziva over to the area where McGee and Tony were, the two men pacing outside the entrance to a room where the door was closed and the curtains were drawn close. McGee spotted them first and stopped his pacing.
"Director! Abby!" At McGee's greeting, Tony also stopped and turned slowly, head bent slightly as if to face a very pissed off mother.
"Director," he greeted quietly.
"Tony, it's no one's fault. You did what Jethro trained you to do."
"Yea...somehow getting him shot was probably not what he had in mind. He always said to anticipate..." Jenny sighed already seeing what guilt could do to a person.
"Tim would you contact Ducky I want him following Gibbs' care. DiNozzo, walk with me." Tony followed the redhead slowly. "You too Abby, Ziva interrogate a nurse will you?"
"With pleasure," Ziva answered as she watched Abby continue walking alongside Jenny with Tony trailing a few steps behind. They walked around the corner and Jenny stopped before turning back to Tony.
"Director I..."
"Tony you did what Gibbs trained you to do. You assessed the situation, saw no threat at the time and reacted when a threat became real. This man was a coward, he shot Jethro in the back of all things."
"Well its more like the side but..." Tony interrupted.
"Tony, it happens. You responded once a threat became clear. No one could expect more."
"With all due respect Director I think I was trained better than that and I acted like a probie."
"You can think what ever you want. The reality is that no one holds this against you, least of all Gibbs." He nodded slightly glancing at Abby who also nodded backing up the Director. "Now I think Abby wants to have a few words with you and I'm going to see if Ziva's interrogation worked." She turned on her heel walked a few steps before turning back and walking straight up to Tony her hand reaching behind his head to whack him.
"Hey!"
"That was to save Gibbs' the arm movement." Jenny than continued on her way back to Gibbs' room. She could hear Abby and Tony talking and knew they would be back in a bit. She rejoined McGee who looked around her to see if Abby was there and she sighed. McGee really was like a loyal puppy, and she wondered just how the team dynamics would shift once Tony and Abby got busted for breaking rule 12. She pushed the thought away as Ziva returned followed by Ducky and Todd Gelfand.
"Director," Ducky greeted and Gelfand nodded.
"Doctors, can we see him?"
"Against my reasoning I've been convinced to let you in to see him. He's in rough shape and the wound will take time to heal."
"Is he coherent?" Jenny asked.
"It comes and goes, he was lucid for a bit kept asking for a woman." Jenny froze at that comment.
"Shannon?" Ducky questioned obviously not having heard this.
"No...he just kept saying when is she coming, it's troublesome."
"Right..." Jenny sighed relaxing a fraction. "There's no memory loss though is there?"
"Not from what we can tell."
"Good," Ziva piped up from behind the Director.
"Can we see him?" Abby asked having returned with Tony.
"Two or three at a time," Gelfand responded.
"Thank you Doctor," Jenny returned nodding toward Ziva. Gelfand nodded and walked off down the hall.
"McGee shall we?" Ziva suggested pushing the doctor gently. McGee followed her.
"I'll go check him as well, and you three can come in afterward."
"Thank you Ducky," Tony said quietly, Ducky simply nodded his head and went into the room. About ten minutes later the three reappeared and Ducky said it was alright to go in. Abby was clutching fiercely to Tony's hand as the two entered followed by Jenny. Gibbs was lying propped up on the bed his chest and side bandaged and Jenny fought the urge to cringe at the pain he must be in. His eyes were closed peacefully but they blinked opening finding the three figures in his room. His kids, and Jenny. He could see how distressed they were and tried to sit up more. It was Tony who stepped forward and helped moved the bed up.
"Boss I don't think the Doctor said to move around," Tony commented trying to tease.
"Jen..." his voice was raspy but it was enough for her to understand what he wanted and she whacked the back of DiNozzo's head.
"Thank you Boss," Tony replied.
"Gibbs..." Abby began trying to find a way to give him a huge. She finally moved to the side where there weren't bandages and tried to gently hug him.
"Abbs...can't breathe."
"Oh Sorry!" The Goth jumped back. "But Gibbs you're not allowed to get hurt!"
"Well thankfully the bad guys have bad aim. Tony stopped him."
"Yea Boss..."
"DiNozzo that was a good shot. We didn't know he had a gun," Gibbs reminded.
"But Boss..."
"DiNozzo!"
"Shutting up now Boss."
"You handle the rest of the investigation, I want hourly updates," Gibbs ordered DiNozzo who nodded happily glad to be of use.
"Gibbs you're in the hospital!" Abby protested. "You can't just send the team back to work and come join them in a few hours."
"I'm not, I'll join you tomorrow. I'm going to get discharged soon though."
"You're not going anywhere until the doctor says its okay," Jenny overruled.
"Director..."
"Don't Director me. You were shot Jethro," she snapped her fear turning into anger. Abby seemed to sense the shift.
"You should listen to the Director, we'll be back at work if you need us," she said dragging Tony out of the room. Tony whined quietly wanting to stay and watch the fight.
After the door was closed, Gibbs closed his eyes before squinting them open to watch Jenny drop her purse and jacket in the chair beside the bed.
"Jenny," he called and she looked over. He beckoned her closer with his hand, holding it out for her. She took it grasping it tightly within her own. "Hey...the doctor said everything would be alright."
"You need to get some rest Jethro," she cautioned. "We'll talk later."
"Jen..."
"Shh..." she soothed settling back in the chair. "Go to sleep." He finally did as she instructed and when Ducky came in twenty minutes later he was out cold, Jenny sitting beside him watching him.
"How is he?"
"Stubborn, wants to be back at work tomorrow."
"That sounds like Jethro. Well I spoke with Dr. Gelfand and there's no reason why he can't go home tomorrow afternoon providing he can keep down some food and there's no complication with the medication."
"Is he even taking the medication?"
"In the IV drip line, but someone will need to stay with him."
"Okay," Jenny agreed.
"Good."
"It's almost the same spot you know," She said after a minute of silence.
"Same spot as what?"
"When he got shot in Positano, it's almost the same spot. He had a lot of problems doing simple things."
"Hm..." There was a pause as Ducky watched the two he thought of as children. "Well I'm sure he'll figure it out."
"You know there were times I gave him the drugs just to force him to get rest."
"Now you can make it an order."
"Like he'd listen," Jenny laughed lightly the tension finally leaving.
"True, well I'm going to go home, check on Mother and such. Call if you need anything."
"Thank you Ducky." The good doctor simply smiled and waved as he left closing the door behind him leaving Jenny to her thoughts and observations.
---
Jethro woke up nearly six hours later to find Jenny sleeping in the chair her head resting near his shoulder, his hand tightly grasped in hers. She looked uncomfortable to him and so he nudged her arm a little hoping to wake her gently. She startled and sat back in the chair with impressive speed. She blinked her eyes tiredly and focused on the disturbance her eyes going wide as they met his blue ones.
"Jethro, what's wrong?" She asked, moving to stand and get a nurse.
"Nothing, I didn't think you'd want to wake up with a kink in your neck," he informed.
"Oh..." She rolled her neck wincing slightly. She could only imagine how long she'd been asleep in the awkward position. "Thank you."
"You could have gone home," he pointed out. She shrugged her shoulders.
"You shouldn't be left alone."
"I'm fine Jen, it's barely a scratch," he said and to prove his point tried to sit up. Jenny could see the act coming a mile away and was there to push him gently back down as he winced in pain.
"Barely a scratch, just like Positano," she sighed.
"Hey!"
"Jethro, if you want to go to work at all, I think you should just agree to the conditions."
"And what are these conditions Director?" He inquired.
"Well for starters, desk work and light field work, by light I mean going to cases when they get called in, everything else your team handles."
"Jen..." he trailed off warningly. She raised her hand to hush him.
"You're going to either stay with someone, or someone is going to stay with you."
"Let me guess you got DiNozzo to volunteer," he grumbled.
"Right. I wouldn't even subject DiNozzo to you when injured like this. I told Ducky I would handle it, so you're either going to be my house guest or I'm going to be yours."
"Looks like you're packing a bag," he answered. Might as well work on the boat, he thought.
"And there will be no working on that boat until the doctor says otherwise," She commanded. He muttered some not so nice words. "The doctors said not to exert yourself, and you do not want to pull out your stitches or hinder your recovery."
"Fine," he agreed reluctantly. "What about the case?"
"Tony is quite capable," she reminded.
"Team went back to work?"
"Yes, they'll call with updates so don't worry, think of this as a mini vacation."
"Yea cause paperwork is just so relaxing," he replied sarcastically. She sighed exasperated.
"And so it begins."
"What?"
"Nothing Jethro, let's see about breaking you out of here shall we?"
"Why don't you go flirt with the doctor?" He suggested not quite thrilled with the way the doctor had looked at her. She glared at him.
"I'm going to blame that on the medication, for now," she commented. He gulped. He didn't quite like the glint that came into her eyes and as she leaned closer he swallowed hard. "Besides I'd much rather flirt with you." She pulled back and sashayed out the room to go convince the doctors Jethro could leave. Minutes later she returned with two nurses and Dr. Gelfand following close behind.
"Well Agent Gibbs it seems you'd like to leave again," Gelfand began.
"Yea well hospitals really aren't my favorite place," Gibbs replied.
"I see. Well let's just check the vitals and you'll need to take home this medication."
"Fine." The nurses checked his vitals and removed the IV line as Jenny watched on from the corner.
"You also should avoid alcohol and any stressful activities. No over-exerting."
"Okay," Gibbs agreed glaring at Jenny who was smirking.
"And I would recommended that you stay with someone or someone stays with you," Gelfand suggested.
"Apparently my partner has volunteered herself," Gibbs informed pointing at Jenny. "Not that she had much of a choice considering she lives there too," he added as if it were an afterthought but really it was a way for him to make sure the doctor got the message. Jenny was not a free woman. The doctor did look slightly surprised but hid it well.
"Well then, Director Shepard, obviously if there are any changes just bring him back."
"Of course Doctor."
"And if you would sign these papers," a nurse added. Jenny took the pen and signed her name at the appointed spots before handing them back. The doctor and nurses left and Gibbs again tried to get up having some success but needing Jenny's help.
"You look incredibly proud of yourself," she mentioned.
"Can't imagine what you're talking about," he feigned ignorance.
"You know Jethro I'm beginning to think you don't mind doctors so much, the exception of course being when I'm around. Then you never seem to like them."
"Only if they're good looking," he muttered. He really had nothing against doctors in general.
"Hm...and you think Todd was my type?"
"Todd is it?" He countered. She tapped a finger to her chin.
"I really just don't see it. Todd's a doctor, its not a very exciting job...and you know me I like danger."
"Oh really?" He taunted.
"Definitely." She shrugged her shoulders. "Why should I have a puppy when I could have a wolf?" He chuckled and as she moved to his side to help him walk he kissed her temple lightly.
"Woof."
"Well...we'll have to work on that," she teased wrapping an arm around him and grabbing her purse and coat with the other. As they went outside he looked for her car or the town car but found neither.
"How are we getting home?"
"I'm driving."
"What?" She held up a pair of keys and guided him toward the beat up truck he recognized.
"Your truck."
"Who drove it here?"
"Abby...or McGee...I'm not actually sure. Tony was afraid I couldn't drive it though."
"You can't!"
"I can drive it just fine!" she protested. "I've been practicing."
"Oh goody," he sighed as he pulled himself in the car. She ran around the other side after closing the passenger door and pulled herself into the driver's seat. To him she looked dwarfed behind it and tried not to make fun of her driving on the way home. When they got home she jumped out of the car and came around to his side where he was already getting out. She glared at him reaching back in the truck to grab his meds he would have left. They went through the always unlocked front door and Jenny locked it behind her.
"What do you want for dinner?" She asked as she moved into the kitchen looking for some food. He followed slowly and found her rifling through cabinets.
"Uh...whatever is there."
"You have no food in the house Jethro!" She scolded.
"I haven't been grocery shopping in a bit."
"More like years."
"And the Director of NCIS goes grocery shopping?" He challenged.
"Directors have to eat to, however rarely we get the chance to."
"Well see...wait...you should be eating three meals a day!" It was his turn to scold.
"Alright, I'll order take out, Chinese okay?"
"Sounds fine, that old place we used to use is still around...I think." She nodded locating the menu shoved in the very back of the drawer complete with her writing still on it. She held it up and he said nothing but found a fascinating place on the floor to stare at. She went over to the house phone and called the number ordering what she remembered as their usual.
"Twenty minutes," she called over her shoulder as she hung up.
"I'll get the bourbon," he said moving towards the basement.
"No you will not," she said. "The doctor said no alcohol. That means no. Be thankful I'll let you sneak coffee."
"Do you want something to drink?" He inquired.
"I'm fine Jethro, just sit."
"Did you get clothes?" He asked realizing they hadn't stopped by her place.
"Noemi dropped a bag off." He nodded moving to sit at the kitchen table. Silence descended upon them before Jenny jumped to her feet startling both of them. "I'll go make sure there are sheets on the bed and get some towels and stuff." She took off for the stairs.
"Jen!" he called after her. He heard her muffled voice saying she'd be down in a minute. He was never good at waiting and so he pushed himself to his feet and moved up the stairs finding her turning down his bed and fluffing pillows. "Maybe I should start calling you Martha Stewart," he teased. She jumped and the pillow landed on the bed in front of her.
"Jethro! You should be downstairs!"
"Jenny sit," he said grabbing her waist and pulling her onto the bed beside him.
"Jethro...dinner will be here soon and I haven't finished."
"Jen, dinner can wait and since when did you care if the bed was turned down or not?"
"I thought you might appreciate it!"
"Jenny...your hedging." She sighed. "You know if you think about it, this is kind of a blessing in disguise."
"Jethro! How could you say that? You've been shot!"
"Well yea, but at least it means I get your undivided attention for more than two minutes."
"I'm..." she wouldn't apologize. "I've been busy. It's not like you were free either!"
"I know, but now I have nothing better to do than paperwork and you've decided to be my doctor, so I was thinking you could tell me about your trip to the doctor's and I could tell you mine and we could exchange plots to kill them all off." She cracked a smile at that, but nodded relaxing into the hold he had on her.
"You've got this all figured out?"
"Well yea, I mean I've been trying to corner you for two weeks I've had a lot of time to figure it out."
"Well then ask away."
"So Jenny how was your doctor's appointment?"
"Enlightening," she replied. He quirked an eyebrow. "The odds aren't...they told me about seventy-five percent," she told him gently.
"Well its not zero," he reminded.
"It's not a hundred either."
"No, but I don't think anyone ever has a hundred percent chance unless their teens in which case they're just asking for trouble."
"And you?"
"About seventy, seventy-five too, guess two explosions kinda does a number on things."
"I doubt it," she mumbled."
"What was that?"
"Nothing..."
"Hm...no you said something, who did you hear what from?"
"I happened to overhear Stephanie and Hollis."
"Oh really?" He inquired teasingly. "And just what did my lovely exes have to say?"
"Nothing I didn't already know," she teased back. "Although Hollis didn't seem very well versed."
"Jen..." he warned.
"Fine, fine, won't mention it again."
"I slept with her once, and it wasn't something I'd been planning to do."
"I see," she replied not really wanting to hear the details.
"She was an accident Jen, a useful one, but an accident none the less."
"Useful in what way?"
"Well its nice to know I can make you jealous," he whispered in her ear. She pulled back quickly.
"I was not jealous!" She assured turning away from him. She crossed her arms in front of her chest irritated.
"Sure...well as I was saying it was nice to know I wasn't the only one susceptible to being jealous. I don't think I'd ever been jealous of Ducky till he got to take you to that ball."
"You hate balls."
"Yea...but still, I never figured out why you hadn't asked me."
"You were busy and I'd seen that other redhead not to long before that."
"Other redhead?"
"The one who came by the office."
"Oh, Katrina?"
"I wouldn't know."
"Kat is Fornell's sister."
"You were dating Fornell's sister?"
"NO!" He protested. "God no! She is not my type, or rather I'm not her type."
"She like the young baby faced type?"
"No...actually she was rather fond of you."
"Oh," Jenny said catching on. "I'll take that as a compliment." He breathed in relief. He knew his entire team would pay big money to find out who the mysterious redhead was, but he would never out her so to speak and he didn't think Jenny would either, now that she realized Kat wasn't competition.
"You know, combined, we have a hundred and forty-five percent chance," he mentioned changing the subject back to their original topic.
"I'm not sure it works that way."
"Well I'm going to go with that, besides all this percent stuff is just estimation. They have no idea..." he trailed off trying to find a tactful way of bringing up the fact they never could seem to keep their hands off each other. The doorbell rang and Jenny stood up moving toward the door.
"We'll continue this after dinner."
"I think its dinner talk!" He called after her.
"Later Jethro!" She shouted back. He could hear her thanking the deliver boy and paying for it, he'd have to remember to take her out to dinner again. It was just one of those things he felt he should do, she called him old fashioned but found it ‘sweet.' He got up slowly and made his way back downstairs only to find Jenny coming back up them. "I was just coming to get you."
"Clearly you don't believe in dinner in bed," he sighed dramatically.
"Not Chinese food!" She snapped remembering the last time they'd tried that. They'd slept on the couch because the soup had spilled.
"I do have a guest bedroom," he reminded.
"And there's two of us," she pointed out. He hid his smirk, that there was a solution to.
"But Jen...I hate sleeping in that bed."
"That's because you never sleep there, I'm not falling for it Jethro, I know all your tricks and quite honestly the doctor said you couldn't over exert yourself. We can have this conversation again when you're better." He grumbled knowing it was pointless to try and change her mind when she was like this. He'd wait till after dinner, but after dinner she suggested he take a bath and she went up to run some water after she did got rid of the plates from dinner. He used the opportunity to sneak to the basement. He found the bottle of bourbon right where he left it and took a brief sip of it before getting the feeling he was watched. Turning he found Jenny walking down the stairs.
"Bath ready?"
"Dammit Jethro!" She snapped snatching the bottle from his hand. "The doctors said no alcohol! Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
"Jen, calm down, it was one sip."
"Don't tell me to calm down! I'm not the one trying to get myself killed!"
"No that was last year," he muttered his irritation getting the better of him.
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
"You know, I didn't see you bothering to help," she bit back.
"Because you didn't see fit to keep me in the loop!"
"It was need to know!"
"Yea well I needed to know."
"You had no right to know what I was thinking or feeling or any missions I might be running that didn't concern you!"
"I had no right? Jenny I had every right! I was your partner for crying out loud!"
"WAS!"
"And who's fault is that?"
"Don't! You have no idea why I left!"
"I would if you would tell me, instead of some round about letter!"
"Like you tell me things?"
"I told you everything you needed to know."
"Right and I told you everything you needed to know and more! So forgive me if the second time around I was a little more cautious!"
"You nearly drank yourself into your grave!"
"Oh please like I ever drank more than you on your damn margarita safari! No you just left not bothering to keep in touch like you didn't even care that your family was ready to support you!"
He cringed at that. She was completely right of course and he'd really just picked a fight because he was irritable and he hated people telling him what to do or seeing him weak and that included Jenny, but that comment more than the others stung because it was the truth. He'd walked away from them, from his kids, his friends and her. The one thing that had been nagging him the entire time he'd been in Mexico hadn't been Abby's tearful eyes or Tony's stunned look, or Ziva and McGee's shock, it had been the image of her standing on the stairs watching over his team her hands clasped in front of her and the lifeless look in her eyes. He swore if that look ever entered her eyes again he would make it go away forever. It had been there if he thought about it, the day before right after he'd gotten out of surgery. He hadn't been able to do anything cause the whole team was there but now they were here alone and she had the look in her eyes.
"Jen..."
"What?" She snapped angrily. He leaned forward and covered her mouth with his stopping any further argument. She froze underneath him for a second but respond after the surprise wore off, her hands wrapping around his neck pulling him closer to her. He'd forgotten how good it felt to kiss her. Good seems like a understatement, he thought momentarily. It was almost like bursts of color and scents swirling around them. He could feel his chest tightening as his lungs demanded oxygen, but he would not pull away and it was she who finally did, breathing heavily against his lips as his breath touched hers. She pulled back completely and made for the stairs. "You better be upstairs for your bath in five minutes," she called over her shoulder.
He followed simply because he was amazed that she'd recovered from that kiss. He could still feel her lips against his, taste the strawberries and the sweetness from her lipgloss, and his heart was still beating overtime. He couldn't believe that she was so unaffected and hoped to God that she wasn't feeling regret. Jethro slowly made his way up the stairs and entered the bathroom to find her topping off the tub with water. She had aromatherapy candles burning and the curtains were opened to let in the moonlight. His robe he found resting on the counter, a towel on the rack beside the tub.
"You going to join me?" She said nothing but slipped past him. He sighed wondering if perhaps the kiss had been moving to fast. She wouldn't have responded if she didn't want it. Or so he hoped. He shed his clothing slipping into the hot water letting it sooth the pain from the wound. Minutes later he heard the knock on the door and watched as it opened and she stepped in dressed in his robe that she must have taken out of the room. She stepped closer to the tub and he let his eyes trace her figure. He was not going to be bashful even though he knew she could see the scars. They had never bothered him before but there were more now than when she had last kissed them. He tried not to feel self conscious but he looked away from her.
"You better have meant that kiss," she warned as she turned away from him and he looked up as the robe fell from her shoulders revealing her creamy white backside. His eyes traced her and he tried to look away as she turned but his head wouldn't cooperate. He had always thought she was gorgeous, a Goddess in disguise, for no mortal should ever look that way, but perhaps it was his age because his memories were nothing in comparison to the stunning beauty she was. He knew she had mentioned something to him, knew he should respond, but his mouth was dry and he was trying very hard to remember how to breath. She came closer and he held his breath as her hand gently pushed against his shoulder. "You going to let me in?"
He nodded and slid slightly forward letting her slip in behind him. He didn't want to lean back, didn't want to crush her against the side and he wasn't sure if he could keep his hands still. Her legs stretched out along his and brushed against them, the silky smooth skin against his coarser skin. He felt her arms slip around him gently pulling him back against her. He felt her fingers gently caressing his temples, trying to ease all his worries.
"Jenny," he whispered afraid to break the spell she had weaved around them.
"You don't always have to take care of me, let me take care of you," she whispered in his ear. He finally relaxed into her embrace and let her do as she pleased. He felt her gently run the cloth over his skin taking care to clean the wounds, knowing she would re-bandage them just as tenderly. He let his head fall back to her shoulder, turning to nuzzle her neck which brought out an affectionate giggle that he smiled at. "Behave Jethro," she warned teasingly her hands skimming slightly below his waist.
"You're making it difficult." He laughed wincing slightly as his side acted up. She gently caressed the area easing away the pain. He felt her lips gently against his forehead. The relaxed in the water till it began to cool and she got out first giving him a glimpse of one of his long time fantasies, her in his towel, her hair curling over her shoulders. She held out her hand helping him to his feet and wrapping a towel around him. He could hear her breath hitch slightly as he had stepped out of the bath and it filled him with confidence that only came to a man who had a beautiful woman by his side. She helped him dry and turned her back as he slipped on a pair of sweatpants. She had slipped out of his robe and put on one of his dress shirts leaving the top three buttons undone. The wound was re-bandaged and she turned back the covers on the bed gesturing for him to lie down. He did but not before making sure she would follow. She lay on her side watching him sleep and he could feel her eyes. "Jenny."
"Hm?"
"Go to sleep," he told her.
"You should be the one sleeping, don't make me knock you out."
"That an offer?" He inquired teasingly. He could tell she was rolling her eyes even without looking.
"Good night Jethro," she said tiredly. It was to the sound of her soft breathing that he did finally fall asleep. Jenny watched him, tracing his face lightly with her fingertips. Warning bells continued to go off in her head but she shut them all up. Nothing that felt this good should ever be a mistake. She wanted this, she wanted to fulfill their deal and she didn't want it to be just for the sake of a deal. She placed her hand on his bare chest just underneath his heart and snuggled slightly closer so her head was next to his. She could feel his gentle breathing on her face and closed her eyes falling asleep.
---
The sky was still dark, the stars long having left but the sun was not quite ready to get up when she felt her pillow moving. At first she just tried to hold into place but she knew that was going to happen. Consciousness began to dawn on her and her eyes snapped open as the memory of the previous night filtered in. She moved away slightly from Jethro to find him restless in his sleep. The second she moved, he became worse. She reached her hand out to touch his face, gently trailing her hand along his cheek whispering softly into his ear. As he whispered her name a few times she realized he was dreaming about her.
"Jenny."
"I'm right here Jethro, it's alright," she comforted trying to snuggle closer.
"Don't leave Jenny, please don't leave me," the desperate tone that came with the plea was so unfamiliar to her that she froze in place. Never had she heard that, at least not in reference to her.
"I'm not leaving you Jethro, I promise," she whispered kissing his forehead, as she lay there still confused. He calmed down and returned to a peaceful sleep and she exhaled in relief. She needed a minute to collect her thoughts and knew that she needed to do it without him next to her and so she tried to slip out of the bed to get some water. He seemed to sense her movement as his arm reached out to wrap around her, holding her in place at his side. She sighed knowing she wouldn't be getting up until he did at this point especially as she heard him snore lightly. And he swears he never snores. She tried to wriggle free and feels his arm tense and relax but still stay firm around her. Eventually her wriggling brought him out of his sleep.
"Jen?"
"Go back to sleep Jethro," she said.
"Stop moving."
"Then let me up." He opened his eyes to find he had been holding her tightly and he tried to search his memory as to what had prompted that or how she had even gotten so close. He loosened his arm about her so she could move if she wanted to but she didn't. Instead she faced him. "Feel okay?"
"Yes," he lied trying to hide the wince of pain. She sighed in exasperation.
"Don't lie to me Jethro." She turned reaching out her arm to grab the painkillers off the nightstand. "Take them." He glares at her for a minute only to find a glare coming back. He knew they were both stubborn but he was almost certain she would make good on her desk work threat if he didn't listen. He gulped them down. After watching him swallow she slid off the bed going into the bathroom to get a glass of water. He swallowed the water to help get the taste of the pills out and watched as she slid back into bed alongside him. He was disappointed to find she wasn't as close as before, giving him space. I can fix this, he thought as he pulled her closer to him surprised that she didn't resist but for a glare.
"Cold," he whined in his best childish voice.
"I could get you a blanket," she reminded. He just grinned.
"Nope you'll do." She turned onto her side knowing she would be far more comfortable in his arms that way. "G'night Jen." He felt her breathing even out and he did rest for a bit but as she started to twitch in her sleep he knew he wouldn't be able to go back into a deep sleep. He ran his hand through her hair knowing that it would sooth and push away the worries that consumed her even as she slept. He tugged endearing on one of the locks and felt her eyes slid open. "Jenny?"
"Hm?" she answered sleepily.
"Let's go away this weekend," he suggested.
"Hm, hm," she agreed still not completely with it. He trailed his finger down her neck and back before moving back up and trailing his finger across her face. He knew she was awake by then, but she kept her eyes closed. She was beginning to wonder if she was dreaming all of this. He leaned over her kissing her forehead, her temple, her nose, her cheek before finally pulling back and leaning in again to kiss her lips. He felt her arms move around his neck as she kissed him back with equal tenderness. Once he had gotten her response he had moved away trailing his lips down her neck and over her breast bone, before migrating south. Her breath hitched as his hands trailed up and down her curves brushing against her breasts. "You're not supposed to be overdoing it," she reminded breathlessly as he worked steadily on the buttons to the shirt.
"This is hardly overdoing it," he assured. She let him take control, but was hardly passive. Her hands trailed over his back pulling him closer to her. His hands slid up her calfs to her inner thighs before one moved higher. She smirked as she watched the shock cross his face. He leaned down to nip at her neck and ear. "Please don't tell me you always go commando."
"Hardly, only when I sleep with you," she returned teasingly wondering if he might actually test his luck at work one day.
"Good," he replied before his hands retraced their steps and her witty retort got stuck in her throat. He slid his finger into her core as she struggled to breathe.
"Jethro," she whispered as his fingers began to move. He met her eyes. "No more teasing." She had already managed to push away the sweatpants only to find he had no boxers on. "Guess I'm not the only one who goes commando," she teased as her hand trailed down running along him.
"Jenny," he warned. She reached her hands up pulling him down to her mindful of his wound. She kissed him gently before deepening the kiss.
"Don't you dare stop."
"We don't..." his thought process was stopped as she nibbled on his ear, her giggling vibrating through both their bodies.
"Sometimes Jethro, you think of the most ridiculously things." The first time they had ever been together they hadn't remembered protection. By the first month they decided they didn't like it and would rely on her birth control. Gibbs hadn't been so happy about it, worried that it wasn't just her responsibility but he liked the feeling of skin on skin way to much to challenge her.
"But..."
"Jethro if we want to have a child, its counter productive," she reasoned. He was going to come back with something smart but as her hand gripped him, his thought process became restricted. He slid into her gently, feeling how tight she still was and yet how much she really wanted this. When they were joined completely he rested a minute giving her time to adjust. He could see the tears clouding her vision and for one painful moment he was terrified he'd hurt her.
"Jenny, baby," the endearment slipped out before he could catch it as he cradled her head with his arm.
"I'm fine Jethro," she whispered.
"We can stop."
"If you stop, I'll kill you," she threatened.
"Baby you're in pain," he pointed out wiping away one of her tears. He watched as her own hand covered his appearing just as surprised at the tears as he was.
"Happy tears," she assured. "I promise only happy tears." To make her point she arched against him. "Make me yours," she whispered against his ear as her legs wrapped around his waist, even in their passion being careful not to move them against the wound. He brought them to the edge and over as she cried out his name. She cradled him as he collapsed on top of her, not letting him move right away.
"Jenny," he sighed as if her name was the sound of his breath. He moved off her pulling her close, not minding the twinge of pain he felt. He glanced over at her and noticed the natural smile that graced her lips and the way the passion was fading from her eyes being replaced with sleep.
"For the record," she whispered after they caught their breath. "I would love to go away this weekend."