Author's Note: It is approximately three, four months after Suzanne Gibbs gave birth to three children. They were in NICU and she's been at home with the children. She is reminiscing how she fell in love with Gibbs and got in her current predicament-wondering if she should return back to the White House. Please read and let me know what you think. This is inspired by a song by Heather Headley called "He Is." I do make reference in the writing to illustrate where I got the thoughts from-without plagiarizing. Thanks!

He Is

(An Ode to Jethro Gibbs)

It first began with simple inquiry and flirtation, curiosity for one another.

Years ago, Retired Special Agent Michael Franks asked Gibbs about the new "Cute Chippie" in the cafeteria. Known for his rather abrupt, sometimes incorrect humor, even he couldn't rattle her cheery disposition with a raspy tone.

"Let me guess…" Suzanne began. "That's two cups of black coffee, one attitude check, followed by a please and thank you with your order? $2.30, please?" She smiled. Mike chuckled, followed with a cough.

"You need to lay off those cigarettes, brother." Suzanne said. She waited, patted Mike's back gently as he continued and finally caught his breath.

"It was your little smart-assed comment that caught me off-guard."

"I'm brewing a fresh pot…takes about 7 minutes, Gentlemen." Suzanne chuckled. "Be back shortly."

"That's Suz, the new hire." Gibbs said. "She took Carolyn's place about three months ago."

"She looks a hell of a lot better than Carolyn, Probie." Mike tilted his head, followed Suzanne's movement in the kitchen. "Mary too."

"They changed up the kitchen." Gibbs said. "It's open Breakfast and Lunch—keeps productivity at the workplace."

The two enjoyed the first cup of coffee from the basement break room in years.

"Nice girl." Mike replied. Jethro nodded, smiled. "That's your next wife."

Jethro's eyes rolled, he chuckled in disgust.

"She's young."

"Please! Little Miss Attitude—reddish brown hair, smart-assed mouth, makes a good cup of coffee…believe me, that's your next wife."

Next, it was the man who asked the deceivingly gregarious craft services/student for a date. Dated they did—in secrecy, with protectiveness, agreeing that no one needed to know the extent of their courtship. Along the way, emotional walls were demolished. Gibbs, a man of little words, soon spoke of love. Suzanne's habit of speaking out of turn curbed, focusing more on listening than speaking. The unlikely pairing accepted, adored, and admitted an admiration for each other's strengths and weaknesses. It was evident in their glances, their smiles at one another.

Over a year ago, Jethro Gibbs wanted a life that included Suzanne. They married almost five years of meeting, over a year of dating exclusively. The two lovingly, respectfully exchanged vows as husband and wife without hesitation. For him, it was the fifth and last time. It was right, according to Gibbs; she was the right woman. In January, he admitted to himself he was in love with Suzanne McNamara, the same feeling he had for his first wife, Shannon. Suzanne's incredible focus on work, on law school and not love or marriage angered yet challenged Gibbs. Eventually she realized Jethro was her best friend, the man God brought as her equally yolked spouse.

Of course, there were some learning curves at the beginning. The first six months of marriage, the Gibbs' spent devoted to their careers. She worked at the White House, traveled with the President everywhere as his "right-hand." The fresh-faced novice to Washington politics gained popularity, not to mention demand for additional high-profiled job-related travels. Jethro soon accepted a career-minded wife, a woman who commanded respect through intellect. Suzanne was unafraid, willing to take chances. Her choices sometimes placed her in immediate danger, something that Jethro definitely did not like at all and intervened through his NCIS credentials. It took some restraint on Suzanne's part to learn Jethro's protective interference was well-intentioned. She had to remember Shannon's demise and to respect Jethro enough to not cause further pain to the man she loved very much by living recklessly. A very good reason caused Suzanne to reevaluate her fast-pace: pregnancy. After they learned of her pregnancy, Suzanne promised to stay from harm's way.

Parenthood was a blessing—something she never imagined for herself. She and Jethro never discussed a family—just Amira, Jethro's Goddaughter and their 6 nephews. Suzanne was 30; Jethro was older. It was unplanned and unexpected. Six months later, late July, Suzanne delivered two daughters and a son six weeks earlier than expected. With time and prayer, the Gibbs preemies developed, grew into healthy, happy children. Suzanne happily left the White House on maternity leave.

At home, Suzanne played the Neo Soul radio station in the nursery. A familiar song played on the radio as the children slept, she folded clothing and reminisced as to why she loved Jethro Gibbs. The song touched on certain key phrases, perfectly, succinctly describing Jethro Gibbs—the man she married.

"What is he to you?"

"The heart protector, the soul defender of anything I fear…"

First, the hero. Jethro defended Suzanne both physically and emotionally, she remembered with a sigh. She thought of many instances of his so masculine, gentle embraces against her body. The inner demons from her past; Jethro was the conqueror and comforter. His smooth voice whispered in her ear always relayed reassuring messages. It was a mixture of friendship—'You'll get through the class, Susie and do well…' and of affection 'You'll never walk alone.'

Suzanne was safe with Jethro.

"You're so beautiful…" Suzanne's mind also jogged back to their first night together as a couple, how Jethro spent the entire night making love to her gently, passionately, focusing only on her own passion as she surrendered her virginity, finally admitted to him that she loved him.

"The baby conceiver, the make-me believer, the joy bringer, the love giver…"

"Obviously..." Suzanne grinned, glanced at the three angelic faces, fast asleep in the cribs. That January night, that wonderful passion-filled night their miracles were conceived. Suzanne was away for almost a week. It was from both love and undeniable hunger for each other. Their short phone conversations were coded with special vocal inflection. The only giveaway was an awkward chuckle, stumble. Their colleagues teased lovingly. Hell, it didn't matter: they loved one another.

Still newlyweds, their welcome home celebration was a 12 hour marathon of lovemaking into the early morning, Suzanne finally willing to enjoy every single moment, finally releasing her well-guarded sexual inhibitions. Her pleas caught Jethro off-guard.

"I want you, baby…" Suzanne purred, sucking gently on his ear.

"Oh yeah?" Jethro chuckled, holding her face. He rolled to face Suzanne, kissing her.

"I'm going to give it to you." Jethro whispered.

"Come on…"

Jethro glided inside with ease. Suzanne's eyes rolled in delight. She sighed in contentedness. Making love with Jethro was adventurous, unpredictable. Suzanne knew her needs would be met; the question was how. Jethro controlled the position, dominated the pace. Because she was quiet in many intimate moments, he spoke passionately, freely, encouraging his wife to do the same behind closed doors.

The words
Are only
Frosting on my cake

Suzanne's smile grew larger, she thought how much joy Jethro brought into her life. Never imagined it after Michael. It was a different time. She was different. The song continued playing in the background; she glanced at the growing number of pictures on the shelves. Jethro as a child; Suzanne's kindergarten picture. Their family portrait—the first unofficial Gibbs family portrait—Suzanne and Jethro, each cradling a daughter in one arm and holding their son in the middle.

Feelings
Explained
Don't do justice to how I feel...so alive so in love for the first time
No way can I hide who...what...he is.

It was not at all easy to completely give her heart to Jethro Gibbs, but she did. That night at the party it hit her: Gibbs represented: a good man, the flawed but faithful, honest and simple man. The gift of three children, marriage, Suzanne knew that as a wife, as mother to his children that she had the same responsibility: defender, protector, comforter and lover. No longer, it was not about Suzanne. It was about loving Jethro Gibbs but the three extensions from their love: Jennifer, Jacqueline, and Jackson. The children, sleeping peacefully in the cribs, with a sturdy roof, calloused, calming hands defined Jethro Gibbs.