Postmortem
Author: Lindainsweden
Category: Angst, Romance
Rating: PG/P12
Contents: An unexpected meeting with even more unexpected persons...
A/N: Written for the "Long Live the Queen" challenge on NFA. Spoilers for season 5, including Judgement Day.
A HUGE thanks to Verity for beta reading!
Gibbs was alone in his basement, contemplating the recent events that had so rapidly changed everything that really mattered to him. Not only was his most precious ex partner deceased, but she had left him feeling thoroughly empty inside before giving him a chance to tell her his true feelings. As if that wasn't enough, toothpick man, and now Director of NCIS, Leon Vance had split up the only family he had left; his team.
As the thoughts of Jenny crept over him he couldn't stop a tear from falling down his stubbled cheek, his façade crumbling for a moment before he took a swig from the bottle in front of him to help him slam up the walls protecting the feelings buried deep inside from escaping their close quarters inside his body.
The shrill sound of his cell phone ringing cut through his thoughts like a knife.
‘Who the hell is disturbing me at 2.30 in the morning?' he thought before looking at the caller ID.
‘Of course it's Mike, who else...'
"Yeah Gibbs," he answered, sounding just as defeated as he felt.
"Probie. How are you holding up?" Gibbs sighed at the question and willed the tears burning behind his eyelids back.
"Fine."
"Come on Probie. The love of your life just died and you feel fine? Do you honestly think I'll buy that?"
Gibbs was quiet and surprised at Mike for addressing Jenny as "the love of his life". Was she really?
"What do you want Mike?"
"Can't a guy just have a chat with his old friend?"
"Mike..." Gibbs growled warningly, making Mike snort.
"I think you should come see me. Take a vacation from everything for a while. What do you think Probie?"
"Don't think I'll be a pleasant enough guest for you at the moment."
"Nonsense. Book a flight and get your sorry ass down here ASAP Probie, that's an order."
The line went dead before Gibbs had a chance to retort and he felt the anger well up inside him. After slowly counting to ten he gave the suggestion some thought and decided to go for it. It wasn't like he had anything holding him in DC anyway.
After packing a bag and ordering a ticket, he called the new Agency Director, requesting some time off.
"And when exactly have you planned to return to us Special Agent Gibbs?" Vance asked nonchalantly and Gibbs felt his hands tighten at Vance's tone but decided it wasn't worth the energy to pick a fight with him at the moment.
"Start with a month and then I'll let you know."
Gibbs hung up before he got an answer and immediately called a cab to take him to the airport, before he could change his mind.