A/N: I just re-watched this episode and I was intrigued, because I love thinking about the 'what could have been' universe. It's a slight AU, and it takes place the day following the episode 'Bête Noire'. You'll understand as you read, I do believe :) Please leave me a review and tell me what you think, I love all your feedback, positive and negative!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to NCIS, the characters and original belong to DPB; the only thing I can lay claim to is the plot line I came up with.

Her husband could not stay out of trouble for long, it seemed.

She'd left him alone for two months. Two. Months. And he'd managed to get himself shot. And not just shot, but shot by a terrorist, at NCIS headquarters.

Sighing, Jenny Gibbs stepped off the plane that had brought her from London, walking quickly through the terminal. She'd caught the first flight possible, which still hadn't gotten her home until the day after Jethro's injury. He, of course, thought that it was nothing. "Just a flesh wound," he'd said over the phone. He honestly tried to get her to stay in London, saying he'd be fine. Like she'd be able to work knowing her husband was hurt.

She spotted Ducky's Morgan immediately, relief filling her. She walked over to the car, finding the elderly ME sipping a cup of tea as he waited. He looked up when she knocked on the window, his face breaking out into a wide smile. He unlocked the door and she climbed inside swiftly, leaning over and kissing his cheek.

"Thanks so much for picking me up Ducky."

"Oh it was no trouble my dear. You look wonderful, how has London been?" Ducky asked, his soft accent bringing a smile to her face.

"It's been nice, but I miss being in the states. I miss seeing my husband everyday," Jenny replied, letting out a sigh. It was difficult, their arrangement. She'd been transferred to London to work counter-terrorism there, while Jethro remained in the states. Only the SecNav and Tom Morrow knew about their marriage; Jethro's team knew he was married, just not to whom.

They'd been happily married for six months when the offer to work in London had appeared. She hadn't wanted to go, at first. They'd been talking about trying to have a baby, and going to London would ruin that. Jethro had seen that this was something she wanted though, deep down. And he didn't want her to resent him or herself later on if she refused this and then couldn't get where she wanted because of it.

So, she had accepted. She spent months abroad, coming home very infrequently. Soon, though, this was going to change. At least, she hoped.

"I know Jethro has missed you as well dear. He's been a bit gruffer lately," Ducky observed, starting the car. Jennifer seemed anxious, and he could assume it was because she was desperate to see her husband. Jethro being shot yesterday had triggered him to call her; she was, after all, on another continent, and Jethro would not want his wife worrying about him. She'd come to near hysterics on the phone when he'd delivered the news. He was just glad she was here now.

"Yes, I'm sure he has. I wasn't able to fly home for our anniversary, Ducky. One of the most important days of the year, and I missed it because of work," Jenny replied, pain filling her pretty green eyes. "He, of course, tried to blow it off, but I know he's hurting. It's been two whole months since I've last seen him in person."

Ducky knew that this was hard on the two of them; they were very much in love, and being apart was difficult for them. That, and they never seemed to be able to get enough of each other when they did see each other. But there was real pain in Jennifer's voice and in her eyes, that much Ducky knew. Hopefully, Jethro would be able to comfort his wife when she arrived home. They both needed it, clearly.

"Jennifer, I'm sure he understands. Besides, you're here now. That's all that matters," Ducky told her, patting her hand lightly. He pulled up to their house, knowing Jethro needed Jennifer. "Go to him. I'm sure we'll have time to catch up later."

"Thanks again Ducky," Jenny said, squeezing his hand before stepping out and walking to the front door. Rolling her eyes when she discovered it unlocked, she pushed it open, looking around.

The house looked much the same as when she had left; then again, her husband spent most of his time in the basement when she was away. She didn't find him in the basement, which was odd, but considering he was injured, she considered it a blessing. Climbing the stairs, she reached their bedroom, where she found him sprawled out on the bed, his head buried in a pillow, his left arm bandaged. She winced, seeing his shoulder.

She hated that she hadn't been here, to be there for him. It was so difficult, being on another continent from her husband for such long periods of time. She missed him terribly, and she knew that although he wouldn't admit it, he missed her as well.

She closed the door behind her, stepping out of her heels and changing from her clothes into pajama pants and a tank top before slipping into bed next to him. She softly stroked his hair, just content to watch him sleep. Eventually, the external stimuli brought him to consciousness, and he blinked his eyes open, looking at her in confusion.

"Jen? What are you doing home? I thought you were in London until next month," he said, the sleep slowly disappearing from his blue eyes as he woke up, confusion shadowing his face.

"Well hello to you too, dear, I'm so glad you're happy to see me," Jenny quipped, knowing he was just tired. Jethro rolled his eyes at her, scrubbing a hand down his face.

"I'm glad you're here, Jen," Jethro corrected, his eyes gleaming. "But why are you here right now?"

"My husband got shot. I got on the first flight possible home. How are you feeling?" Jenny asked, her eyes filling with concern as she touched his cheek gently.

"You didn't have to come just because I got shot, Jen, as thrilled as I am to see you sooner than expected. It was nothing, really," Jethro said, tugging her closer to his level, kissing her and stealing her breath. She kissed him back happily, letting herself get lost in her husband-it had, after all, been a long two months. The need for air became too much eventually, and they broke apart but kept their faces close, sharing the same air space.

"Of course I had to come Jethro. My husband got shot. Did you honestly think I'd be able to work knowing that?" Jenny asked, shaking her head slightly. "And it gave me an excuse to see and touch you before next month."

"Now that is something I am very thankful for," Jethro said, kissing her again. He deepened the kiss easily, invading her mouth and cutting all coherent thought from her mind. But when he went to roll himself over her, she broke away, shaking her head.

"No, Jethro. You got shot yesterday."

"Jen, it was a graze. Just a flesh wound. I'm fine," Jethro said, attempting to convince her, all the while running his hands over her still-clothed body, distracting her with his touch-the touch she'd missed for the past two months.

"Ducky said you lost consciousness after the shot and they sent you home in a sling!" Jenny said, her fear leaking into her voice as she gently pushed off his hands, shaking her head. Jethro could tell how much this had scared her, and he stroked her hair, kissing her forehead softly, holding her close.

"Jenny, I'm fine, really. I'm going back to work in a few days and the sling was just for yesterday. You're overreacting," Jethro said, shaking his head as he tried to assure her. He didn't want their limited time together to be overshadowed with her worry about how he was feeling. "Can we just enjoy the few days we have together before you go back, please?"

"Well…that's something else I wanted to talk to you about.," Jenny said, biting her lip as she kept her gaze trained on his chest, her fingers twisting into the hair there.

"How long this time?" Jethro asked, sighing quietly. Another transfer-he wondered how far this time.

"Well…they want to transfer me…" Jenny started, her voice trailing off slightly.

"Jen, just tell me how long." Jethro interrupted, just wanting the information so that he could use it to sulk in the basement after she left again.

"Back to the states," Jenny finished, waiting for her words to sink in. Jethro remained silent, shock radiating off of him. Clearly, this had not been what he'd been expecting.

"Really? Jenny…are you serious?" Jethro asked, his eyes wide. His brain was still processing-she was coming home? For good?

"Yes. Morrow called me a few days ago. There's an opening for a Team Leader in the building, and he offered me the job," Jenny said, biting her lip as she waited for him to speak. It was so hard to keep the grin off of her face.

"What did you say?" Jethro asked, curiosity seeping from his pores.

"Well…I said yes," Jenny said, a grin breaking out on her face. Jethro pulled her closer, kissing her until they both couldn't breathe, happiness radiating from both of them. "I take it you're happy?"

"Happy? Jenny, I'm ecstatic! I get to come home to you everyday, see you, touch you, hold you. I don't have to work out a time difference to know if I'm going to wake you up, or worry that something's going to happen to you. Jen, this means no more phone sex!" Jethro said, his eyes alight with happiness. Jenny laughed, her arms looping around his neck, carefully avoiding his shoulder.

"Well, I'm glad you're as happy as I am. I was a little worried," Jenny said, biting her lip again as she dropped her gaze, avoiding his eyes.

"Why? Why were you worried, babe?" Jethro asked, his hand coming underneath her chin to tilt her head upwards so he could see her eyes.

"Well…we'll be working in the same building, and it'll be harder to keep our marriage a secret," Jenny said, shrugging her shoulders. Jethro let out a laugh, brushing her hair out of her face, kissing her nose.

"That's what you're worried about? Jen, I could care less! The whole world can find out we're married. I just want to be able to see you everyday," Jethro said, resting his forehead on hers. Jenny sighed quietly, closing her eyes.

"Well when you put it that way I feel stupid for worrying."

"Well, you could always make up for it…" Jethro said, letting his statement trail off suggestively. Jenny laughed, relenting.

"Fine, but if you hurt yourself you tell me, alright?"

"Yeah, yeah," Jethro said before kissing her, pulling her underneath him. They had two months to make up for, and he wasn't going to waste a second.

Hours later, Jethro watched his wife sleep in his arms. It felt so good to touch her again, to hold her after two months. He couldn't be happier that she was being transferred back to the states; he'd missed her, when she was away. Being back in the states meant that they could try for the baby they'd wanted before she'd moved, and he knew she wanted that.

Jenny became restless, shifting in his arms. He attempted to quiet her, but she continued to move, incoherent words falling from her lips.

"No…no Jethro, please, not him, no stop," Jenny whimpered, her eyes tightly shut. Jethro stroked her hair, shushing her gently, attempting to bring her out of the nightmare. Little did he know, it would take much more than a gentle hand to bring her from the horror she was watching.

The dream started out enjoyable.

She was with Jethro, watching two small redheaded girls play on a playground. She turned to tell him something when she discovered he was no longer there. She turned, and the scene changed. She was no longer at a park, watching her daughters play; she was in Autopsy, a masked man pointing a gun at Jethro.

She tried to scream, but no sound escaped her lips. She listened to her husband trying to talk his way out of the situation, but the terrorist heard nothing of it. It was like slow motion as she heard the loud crack of the gun and watched the bullet speed in Jethro's direction. It hit his shoulder, a through and through wound. He fell, blood pouring from his shoulder.

But something was wrong. There was too much blood, the red stain gathering around his body. She couldn't move, her feet frozen in place. She couldn't go to him, her eyes stayed wide, unblinking, the scene in front of her burning into her retinas.

"Jenny. Jen. JEN!" her eyes flew open, taking in the darkened bedroom. Jethro lay next to her, concern and fear reflected in his eyes. "Jen are you-"

She threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around him, not caring about his shoulder, just glad to see he was alive. He wrapped his arms around her, rubbing her back as he hugged her tightly. She sobbed into his neck, broken breathing puncturing the sobs.

"Shhh, it's fine, it was just your bête noire," Jethro whispered, kissing her temple gently. Jenny's sobs were suddenly mixed in with quiet giggles, and Jethro pulled back slightly, looking at her curiously. "What? Why are you laughing?"

"Just…that's the extent of your French, isn't it?" Jenny said, her voice slightly hoarse as she raised a hand to wipe at her eyes, brushing away the drops. Jethro frowned slightly, having been caught.

"It sounds better than nightmare. And I know some French just…not a lot," Jethro said, brushing a curl out of his wife's face before cupping her cheek in his palm, his thumb running along her cheekbone.

"Because you never bothered to learn the language," Jenny commented, tilting her face even more into his palm, closing her eyes again.

"I don't need to learn it. I have you," Jethro pointed out, earning himself a smile and a gentle laugh. "Do you wanna talk about it?"

Jenny pulled her knees in closer, wrapping her arms around them and pulling them closer to her chest, resting her chin on her right knee, keeping her eyes closed, her head facing him.

"It started out okay. We were at a playground watching-" at this her voice broke slightly and she had to swallow and take a deep breath before continuing at a whisper. "We were watching our daughters on the playground. Then, suddenly you weren't there and I was in Autopsy, watching the shooter point a gun at you and I couldn't move and there was so much blood…I couldn't help you, I couldn't save you…Jethro I…I can't…"

"Shh, Jenny I understand. I had the same dream after the former Czech Republic Op. After you got shot, I had that nightmare for days," Jethro said, stroking her hair, his fingers brushing her temples. Jenny's face softened slightly, a tiny smile on her face, her eyes still closed.

"That was the first time you told me you loved me."

"After you got shot, I realized that I couldn't live without you. I wanted you to know how much you meant to me," Jethro said, holding her gaze. Jenny leaned forward, kissing him gently.

"Do you know how much I love you?" she asked, resting her forehead on his.

"I know how much I love you," Jethro replied.

"I don't think that's an even comparison," Jenny said in return, shaking her head slightly.

"You wanna bet?" Jethro retorted, snorting quietly as he pulled her closer, raising an eyebrow.

"I guess it depends on what the prize is," Jenny said, straddling his hips and leaning forward, giving him quite a view.

"You have to ask?" Jethro asked, his hands going to her hips as his eyebrow rose higher, his thumbs pressing into her hipbones. He knew she wouldn't sleep for a few more hours; the nightmare was too fresh in her mind. He was more than glad to take her mind off of it. He'd let her think of nothing but him for the rest of the night.

Because soon enough, this would be how they spent their evenings and their nights, together, both bringing and giving comfort. And he couldn't wait, because he'd never get enough of his wife.

Now, he just had to break it to his team.