Author's Note:

I'll start with the fact that this is one of the lost stories – and celebrate the fact that it was found. Then I'll add that although it is an AU, it was written in early 2008 - when Jenny was still alive and on the show.

So, as you read, you will have to think in terms of characterization for that time period.

Now, moving on to the story itself, I had taken the liberty of combining fact and fiction for this story. Using something that really happened as a backdrop – and dropping Jen and the rest of the NCIS characters into the mix.

The real part:

On June 1st 2007, Pacific Partnership 2007 was officially launched when the USS Peleliu left Pearl Harbour. It was a four month mission that brought together military and non-military medical personnel, and a number of non-governmental organizations. Its purpose was to bring humanitarian assistance programs to various countries on the Pacific Rim. On August 22rd, SecNav was in the Solomon Islands for a Project Handclasp awards ceremony.

The fiction:

Jen has just been visiting the Far East Field Office in Yokosuka (Japan) and, at SecNav's request, has come to the Solomon Islands to participate in the ceremony.

A morale-booster if you like. And a compliment. McGee has been travelling with her. Not as protection detail. More as a perk really. He never seemed to go anywhere in the show in those days.

When the story opens the ceremony is over and they are getting ready to go home On SecNav's private jet.