The weather was perfect. The white sand felt cool under her feet as she walked along the shore breathing in the fresh air. In the distance she could see a house and what looked like a vehicle. She kept walking picking up a couple of shells as she did. Soon the house was upon her. It was far enough away for privacy but close enough to see two men sitting on the deck; one facing her.
He had seen her casual walk along the beach. He had seen her bend down and picked things up. As she walked closer he could see her curves as the sun shown through her skirt and blouse.
"Whatcha lookin' at Probie?" Mike Franks questioned.
"We got company Mike," Jethro stated. He was about to get up when he saw the woman turn and walk away, "Then again maybe not."
"Too bad," Mike grinned, "We could've enjoyed the company."
"Yeah," Jethro leaned back and watched her walk back down the beach. He had only been in Mexico two days and was still a good investigator. "The way she held herself," Jethro stated, "There's something weighing on her."
"You're retired Jethro," Mike sipped his beer, "Stop analyzing and relax."
"I will Mike," Jethro sighed, "I just need time."
"What you need can be fixed in a matter of minutes," Mike noted. "I'm gonna hit the head, shower and then we can leave for the cantina."
"Sure," Jethro stated as he remained in the chair.
"See," Mike smiled as they walked into the smoke filled cantina, "All the beautiful ladies are out tonight."
"Oh boy," the woman stated, "Looks like we have some fresh meat."
The other woman looked up a saw Mike and Jethro. "Pam," she looked at the woman next to her, "Please that's not why I am here."
"You need to loosen up," Pam smiled. She motioned for Mike to join them and they obliged.
"You two beautiful ladies are new here," Mike smiled.
"Yes," Pam stood up. She had the body of a port star; large breasts, tiny waist and clothes that spoke sex. "This is my friend Naomi."
"I am Mike and this is Jethro," Mike practically pushed Jethro into the chair then took a seat next to Pam. "So where are you two ladies from?"
"I am from New York," Pam smiled brightly.
"I am from Washington DC," Naomi interjected not wanting to be there.
"DC huh?" Mike grinned, "Jethro here is from DC. Myself I am originally from Texas but I don't call anyplace except Mexico home."
Naomi could see the way the Mike was sexing up Pam. She could also see something in Jethro's eyes. Sadness? Pain? She was wondering what it was when she was interrupted by Pam. "Do you want some tequila?"
"No," Naomi looked up at the waitress, "Agua por favor."
"Si senora," The waitress looked at Mike. "Senior Frank more beer for you?"
"No," He looked at Pam, "Make it tequila all around." He shot Naomi a look. It was as though he was saying, 'we are getting you drunk.'
After three shots of tequila Mike and Pam were hammered. Jethro sipped a small amount of his first shot while Naomi didn't even touch hers.
Jethro watched his friend and Pam interact. He wondered just how long Mike had been at this drinking game and why he had such a way with the ladies.
Pam whispered something into Mike's ears that made a huge smile slide across his face. There was a glint in his eye then he looked at the extra tequila shots on the table, "If you two aren't drinkin' then we will," Mike reached for the shots. "Hell man," he looked at Jethro, "Aren't you gonna make the moves on her or not?" Mike looked his friend over then looked at Naomi seeing her tense, "Just how long has it been since you been laid anyway?"
Naomi grabbed her things and threw some money on the table, "It was an interesting evening. That's for my portion." She stood up and walked out of the cantina. She stepped down when she felt a hand touch her arm. "What?" She looked into Jethro's deep blue eyes. His touch made her insides quiver.
"Can I walk you back to your hotel," Jethro asked.
"No," Naomi replied, "I am not here for anything other then,"
"I wasn't expecting anything from you," Jethro noted. "I just want to make sure that you get back safe." He couldn't deny the protective nature in him; it was a part of him.
"Thanks," She looked up at him, "I think I will be okay."
"Hey Probie," Mike called with Pam in his arms, "Don't wait up." He laughed then looked them over, "Hell you will have the whole house to yourself tonight I'll be in her hotel room." Mike and Pam stumbled down the street to the small hotel.
"Probie?" Naomi looked at him.
"Long story and it's a bit complicated," Jethro tried to hide his past. He looked at her as he looked at many in the past wondering what made them tick. "You don't look like the type to have Pam as a friend."
"We're not friends," Naomi noted, "I met her on the flight down here."
"I figured as much," Jethro grinned. He still had his instincts.
"Are you okay?" Naomi questioned.
"Fine," he sighed. "Can I walk you to your hotel?"
Naomi looked at him then ran her hand along his still clean shaved head, "You were a Marine weren't you?"
Jethro got uncomfortable thinking he would have to bring up the past one that was all too much on the forefront. "Yes," he answered. But her touch was gentle and there was something to her touch that Jethro wanted more of.
"I thought so," Instead of walking towards the small hotel Naomi walked towards the entrance of the beach. She didn't care if he followed her or not. Naomi removed her shoes and let the sand flow between her toes.
"Hey," Jethro caught up to her, "I don't think its wise to walk alone on the beach this late at night."
"I'm not alone," Naomi smiled. She looped her arms in his, "I have a Marine with me how much safer can I get?"
"You hardly know me?" Jethro replied but kept walking.
"I know you," she stopped and faced him. She began rattling things off about him; that he was always protective of women, that he had a keen sense of right and wrong, that he was able to kill someone with out a weapon and just as she started to say something else Jethro playfully covered her mouth. She held up her hands in defeat. "I will stop." She turned and continued walking in the sand.
"Naomi," Jethro caught up to her again, "Where are you going?"
"To your place of course," she replied, "We will be alone after all."
Jethro started to feel something just wasn't right, "My place. You don't strike me as the love them and leave them type."
She let out a huge laugh, "You think I want sex." Naomi stopped and sat down. "I was hoping we could talk."
"About what?" He asked as he sat next to her.
"Whatever you want," Naomi avoided the real reason. She sat quiet for a moment as they listened to the waved lap against the shore. "It's so peaceful here."
"That it is," Jethro replied wondering what she needed. He remembered that sometimes all he had to do was sit quiet and wait.
"Have you ever lost someone Jethro?" she asked almost in a murmur.
"Yes," he swallowed hard.
She turned and faced him. The moon shone on a portion of her face that showed the tears streaming down. "Me too," Naomi picked up a small rock and threw it into the water. "Five days ago," she sighed.
Five days ago he was still in Washington yelling at the Commander for not stopping the men from boarding the (ship) and saying goodbye to his team. He closed his eyes and sighed. "I'm sorry," he stated.
"Thanks," she did her best to remain steady, "Both my son and my brother."
"On the same day?" He looked at her, "How?"
"My son," She looked at him, "He was a Marine. He was killed in Iraq." Naomi turned away for a brief second. She let out a sigh, "My brother was on a mission, some sealift going to inspect a ship." She wiped the tears from her face. "The navy couldn't or wouldn't give me any answers." Jethro could hear the anger in her voice, "An accident at sea was all they could tell me," she stated sarcastically.
Jethro's heart ached for her. He warned them then watched it happen and he felt helpless. "Naomi," he tried to reach for her as she stood up. He caught up to her as she let the water cover her feet.
"He was my only child," she yelled. "Why did he have to leave me?"
"I don't know," Jethro held her shoulders with his hands.
She patted his hands but kept her back to him, "Who did you lose?"
"My wife and daughter," he said solemnly.
"When?" She asked. She still kept her back to him.
"Fifteen years ago," he sighed. "But it feels like yesterday."
She fought to move as her feet were buried in the sand. "Do you want to talk about them?"
"No," Jethro replied coldly. He did but something seemed to hold him back and Naomi sensed it.
"When you are ready," She touched his face, "I am here."
"Yeah," he stated as he started to turn away.
"Since you don't want to talk," Naomi stopped him, "And you have the house all to yourself." She placed a hand on his chest, "We might as well occupy our time doing something productive."
"Sex," he looked her over. She had the same body type as Jen but her hair was a deep auburn and her eyes a deep rich hazel. "You want me?"
"Sure," She moved in real close, "Maybe the sex will help us forget or at least ease some pain." Naomi took one of his hands and placed it on her abdomen. "Go ahead," she was challenging him, "Take me."
Jethro stood for a moment with his hand on her abdomen. He could smell the light scent of her perfume in the air. It had been a while since he had been with a woman and part of him needed it. To feel a woman's soft skin against him was a feeling he never wanted to forget. To have a woman's body wrapped around him was also a feeling he pushed hard to the forefront of his mind. Jethro stared into her eyes. There was something there that he couldn't quite read. His hesitation caused Naomi to get angry.
"So you don't want me," Naomi stated. "Damn," she started to walk away. "Why is it that men only want me when they are drunk?" She threw a rock into the water then collapsed onto the sand.
Jethro approached her carefully, "I have been through hell and back the last week." He sat next to her. "It's not that I don't want you its just complicated." How he hated that word complicated.
"Don't worry Jethro," She spoke sarcastically, "I won't bother you again." She tried to get up but Jethro pulled her back down.
"You're not bothering me," he pulled her close, needing that soft skin feeling against his own skin. She leaned her head against his chest. "I was a Federal Agent and while investigating a case I was blown up." He heard her gasp, "I was in a coma and when I regained consciousness I lost fifteen years."
Naomi touched his face, "Oh Jethro I am so sorry." She faced him, "You had to relive their deaths twice. She pulled him close and hugged him. "I will never tell anyone if you want to cry."
"I don't cry," He barked trying to pull away.
"Just because you are a Marine doesn't mean you aren't human," Naomi touched his face. "It's okay to let go." She leaned in and gave him a kiss. It was a gentle non threatening kiss. "It's okay." Her hand stroked his cheek and her fingers through his hair.
Jethro grabbed her other hand and kissed it, "Thanks but."
Naomi looked into his eyes, "You decide what you want Jethro." Her gentle voice seemed to touch him, "You can talk about it or we can have some incredible sex and forget about it." She kissed his chin, "But if we do the latter I guarantee that the memories won't go away." Naomi turned her head slightly still keeping her gaze on him. She felt his hand rest on her lower back then she felt it make its way under her blouse. "I guess you want sex." She grabbed his other hand, which propped him up initially, and placed it under her blouse. "I'm not wearing any thing under this skirt," she whispered, "I guess I too want to forget."
Jethro let his hands wander under her blouse. He felt her lace bra and traced the lace with his fingers. The sensation caused Naomi to moan. She hoisted up her skirt then straddled him. She started to unzip his pants when he stopped her, "This isn't right." His voice was throaty. He stood up and brushed the sand off of him. He started walking towards the house and didn't care if Naomi followed him. She did and grabbed his hand, "What the hell do you want from me?" He yelled angrily.
"Nothing," She stepped back slightly frightened, "I guess I thought that you would," Naomi waived her thoughts away. "I'm sorry. I hoped that either sex or talking would help ease the pain but since there was neither I guess I have to deal with this." She walked in the opposite direction unsure exactly what she was feeling; anger, hurt or grief. All she knew was that her pain was all to real.
"Naomi," Jethro called, "Stop."
"What?" She replied in anger, "I just want to forget."
"So did I," Jethro noted, "But you're right talking helps. Come back to the house with me and we can talk." He placed a gentle hand on her arm and pulled her to him. They walked back to the house and sat on the porch. Before they spoke about themselves they listened to the silence.
"So," Naomi, barefoot, let her foot play with his, "What is Probie all about?"
"Mike was my boss when I was an Agent with NIS," He looked at her, "Its now,"
"NCIS," Naomi smiled, "I have heard of it." She smiled. "He calls you Probie must mean he cares."
"He took me in after the accident," Jethro let the sadness cross his face; "I decided to retire."
"At your age?" Naomi questioned, "What lead to that?"
Jethro studied her before answering, "I tried to stop something but was over ruled and," he narrowed his gaze, "People died."
"It wasn't your fault," Naomi stated, "You were just trying to," she stopped. It was as though her mind began calculating the time. "You knew about," she hesitated, "You tried to stop it," she stood up and walked to the lowest part of the deck and hopped off. "They let them die!" She walked towards the water. Just as she hit the edge she fell to her knees and began pounding the sand.
Jethro knelt down beside her and held her as she wept. He felt his own tears flow. He didn't know if it was from the pain he felt that day or just from the pain that built up in his body. "It'll be okay," he ran his hand through her hair. She looked up at him and he could see the vulnerability in her eyes. Jethro gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead. He then gave her a gentle kiss on the lips.
Naomi wiped the tears from her face then his, "I think we'd better," Jethro buried his face in her neck. He laid her back as he continued to kiss her neck. His hands grabbed a piece of her skirt and began pulling it up. Jethro wanted her. He let a hand wander under her skirt as he held her with the other. Naomi kissed his lips. He moved his hand to her inner thigh and heard her moan. She unzipped his pants realizing that he wasn't wearing anything else, "I guess I wasn't the only one that hoped they would have sex." As she helped him lower his jeans she felt his hardness brush up against her. "Please," There was a longing in her eyes.
Jethro lifted her hips as he prepared to enter her when he felt something stop him. He quickly zipped up his pants and lowered her skirt, "This isn't right." He brushed his hand along her cheek. "I need some time to heal."
Naomi laid still. She was numb, "We both do," she rolled on her side and let her fingers trace designs in the sand. "At least your friend Mike is getting some." She rested her hands on her fists and closed her eyes. "Mitch loved it here."
"Mitch was he your brother?" Jethro asked as he lay next to her.
"Yes," She looked over at him. "Thank you for not," she sighed. "Believe it or not I am really old fashioned." Naomi let a small smile cross her lips, "I haven't been with a man in a really long time."
Naomi and Jethro laid on the sand close enough to hold hands but not too close to invade each others space.
"It's been a while for me too," Jethro sighed. They lay quiet for what seemed like an eternity. "My wife Shannon," He looked at her," And daughter Kelly were killed while I was serving in Desert Storm."
"I am so sorry," Naomi turned on her back and looked up at the clear sky. "I lost my husband in Desert Storm. He was," she looked over at him, "You don't want to hear about this."
"Sure I do," he stated. Knowing he wasn't alone with losing a child, a spouse gave him a small amount of comfort.
"Matthew was," she closed her eyes and sighed, "Killed. But not by enemy fire."
"How do you know that?" Jethro hoisted himself up and rested on one arm.
"It's the same way I know about NIS," Naomi noted, "Excuse me NCIS. Matt was killed by a man in his own unit. Apparently Matt witnessed this soldier doing something he wasn't supposed to and the guy killed him during enemy fire no less."
"NIS was called in to investigate," Jethro noted.
"Only after I insisted," Naomi noted, "A sniper doesn't get killed by the enemy if he's well hidden."
"Your husband was a sniper?" Jethro seemed to perk up, "Do you know which unit?"
"The one - one;" Naomi closed her eyes trying to remember, "I think."
"What's your last name?" Jethro questioned.
"Maguire," She looked at him, "Why you knew him?"
"Matthew Mad Dog Maguire," Jethro chuckled, "He was one hell of a sniper." He looked at her, "I left before he died. I am sorry he was a good man."
"No," Naomi replied, "Not a good man a good Marine." There was the sound of bitterness in her voice. "His dedication to the Corps was incredible; his dedication to me, not so good."
"He cheated on you?" Jethro asked.
"Cheated, abused," She closed her eyes and sighed, "He loved Patrick and did everything for him but didn't do anything for me." Naomi sat up and pulled her legs to her chest. "He wanted another son," She wrapped her arms around her knees and rested her head on them; "I couldn't give him anymore." She wiped the tears from her eyes. "We didn't know it for a while. Every night he would come home and expect his dinner then expect me to be ready." She felt Jethro sit next to her. "The last time," Naomi tried to hide the shaking in her voice, "He hurt me really bad. That's when I found out that I was unable to have any more children. It was also when I found out that I had cancer."
Jethro brushed a small bit of hair from her face. She looked beautiful in the moon light, "Obviously you survived."
"Yes," Naomi stated, "But it cost me so much. Matt couldn't deal with a wife who not only couldn't give him a son but who couldn't have sex with him. Instead of being there for me he went elsewhere," she seemed to turn away from him. "I was barely able to take care of Patrick, the house and my wonderful husband," her anger and sarcasm ever present, "Said it wasn't his responsibility to take care of the housework or take care of his sons basic needs. Although training him to act and think like a Marine, Matt stepped up to that responsibility big time on that one."
"Sounds like a real ass to me," Jethro stated.
"Matt got his wish," Naomi shook her head, "He had a child with another woman. He was in the process of divorcing his cancer ridden wife when he got called up." She let a sly grin cross her face, "When I heard he was killed I knew it was a fellow Marine. The enemy would have no reason to kill him but a fellow Marine would, or at least the ones that really knew him."
"You don't seem sad that he's dead," Jethro noted.
Naomi lifted her blouse. She took Jethro's hand and ran it along a scar, "That was when I refused to do things to him during sex," She moved his hand to another scar, "That was because dinner wasn't ready when he got home." She moved her hand to the back of her neck close to the back of her ear, "That was because I didn't have the laundry folded. He threw me against the washer. My head hit the corner of a shelf instead; ten stitches."
Jethro pulled her close and held her. Jethro seemed to be deep in thought when he was startled back to the present by the feel of a Naomi's hand on his arm. "Sorry," he muttered as he looked into Naomi's eyes.
"Why are you sorry," She smiled. "It happened a long time ago."
Jethro sat down pulling Naomi to her. They both felt at ease with each other that their deepest and darkest secrets were revealed. They talked clear into the night. Jethro covered Naomi with a blanket as she slept on his bed. He meanwhile slept on the couch.
"Somethin' smells good," Mike noted as he walked through the door.
"Shh," Naomi pointed to the couch, "Your probie is still asleep."
"So you thought you'd help yourself to our food," Mike replied rudely.
"I asked her to make breakfast," Jethro noted as he sat up, "Is that anyway to treat a house guest Mike?" Jethro walked to the kitchen where Naomi stood. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes," She replied feeling Mike's gaze on her. "Do you want me to make you some breakfast too Senior Franks," she asked sarcastically.
"Don't get smart with me," Mike grumbled.
Naomi looked Mike over, "Didn't go so well huh?"
"Ah hell what do you know," Mike winced seeing the light starting to come through the window, "This damn sun."
Naomi pulled Mike to the counter, "Trust me," she said as she mixed a couple of things in a glass, "Drink this it'll get rid of that hangover."
"Better drink it Mike," Jethro sat at the counter, "Otherwise you'll have to deal with me."
"Lord help me," Mike grumbled then drank the concoction. "Ugh. What the hell was in that?"
"My secret," Naomi seemed to soften a bit, "Grab a shower Mike and I will have some breakfast for you when you are done."
Naomi made an extra plate for Mike and left it on the counter for him while she and Jethro ate outside. "You're a great cook," Jethro sipped the extra strong coffee while their feet dangled off the side of the deck.
Mike debated eating with them," Hey Probie," Mike called, "We have chairs you know."
"I know," Jethro looked up at him, "We saved it for you."
"Thanks," Mike grabbed his plate, a cup of coffee and headed outside, "Smells good Naomi."
"Tastes good Mike," Jethro replied as though he was a young kid again. "I hope you didn't have any plans today. Naomi and I are going to,"
Mike raised an eyebrow, "Do the horizontal hula?"
Naomi coughed, "No we are going to hang out at the beach today."
"Why?" Mike questioned, "You can hang out here."
"We didn't want to get in your way," Jethro noted.
"I'll sleep most of the day," Mike noted. "It's going to be hot. Unless you either plan on skinny dipping or sweating to death," he looked at Naomi, "You may want to go into town and grab your swim suit or shorts 'cause I do not have air conditioning."
"We planned on going into town anyway," Naomi noted, "You need more groceries."
Mike was about to say something when his stomach growled. He decided it was more beneficial to him to eat rather then argue. Naomi insisted on doing the dishes leaving Mike and Jethro on the patio. "So Jethro did you two ever," Mike grinned.
"No," Jethro stated. "She and I talked all night."
"You mean to tell me," Mike lowered his voice, "That you had a woman look like her and you didn't."
"No," Jethro looked at his friend, "Mike she just lost her son and her brother."
"She's lying Jethro," Mike hissed. "She's an only child who has never been married." Mike looked intently at his friend. "Pamela told me last night."
"Naomi met Pam on the plane," Jethro knew that his gut feeling for her was right, "She and Pam aren't friends."
"If she just lost her son and brother," Mike leaned forward, "Then tell me why she doesn't seem upset."
"Because," Naomi leaned against the door and looked at Jethro. She had cried in his arms the night before, "I grieve in my own way." She looked the older man over. "Agent Franks," Naomi sat across from him. "Mike," She saw the look in his eyes, "Tell me something."
"What's that? He looked as her as he lit a cigarette.
"Was Sergeant Matthew Maguire killed by friendly fire?" Naomi leaned forward and looked directly into his eyes.
Mike was visibly uncomfortable, "Now why in the hell would I answer that about a case that is fifteen years old and one that you have no business knowing about."
She touched his face as she walked into the house, "Thank you Mike." Naomi had her things in her arms. "I knew it."
"Now I never said," Mike noted jumping up.
"Your not saying anything," Naomi looked at Jethro, "Speaks volumes." She patted his shoulder, "Don't worry I won't ask that it be re-investigated. The bastard got what he deserved." She leaned down and gave Jethro a gentle kiss. "Thanks for everything Jethro. If you ever make it back to DC look me up. I own a business in Georgetown."
"You're leaving?" Jethro hopped to his feet.
"Yes," Naomi touched his face, "I promise." She wiped away a tear and walked away from the beach house.