The quiet atmosphere in the basement of Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs's house was shattered by a series of loud pops. Being a federal agent, the silver-haired man knew immediately that those were gun shots. Grabbing his Sig, he hurtled himself up his basements stairs and to his front door. After peeking out the window he noticed a figure lying prone in the street and noticed the shooters in the sleek black car. Quickly, he darted from his home and shot at the car that was roaring in the opposite direction, tires squealing fiercely. The car's wind shield was shattered but he hadn't a plate since it had been removed. Now that the threat had passed, he turned his attention to the figure lying no more than five feet from his driveway.

It was with a sinking feeling he recognized it. His heart leapt in his throat. No, goddamn it, no!

"JENNY!" His voice was dry and raspy. There was no answer to his frantic shout. He was standing near the edge of his driveway one moment and the next he was kneeling next to Jenny. This woman was special to him..not only was she his former partner and current Director of N.C.I.S. but she'd been his lover in a past life too.

Shaking hands reached out in the semi-dark glow cast by the streetlight to take a pulse. There seemed to be absolutely nothing until all at once, a faint pressure rebounded against his finger tips. "Je—Director?" Gibbs asked softly leaning closer to examine her wounds. This time he received an answering groan. After stripping off his coat, Gibbs used it as a compress to staunch the bleeding from Jenny's abdomen. One hand still pressing down, he dug in his pocket for his cell phone.

"N.C.I.S., federal agent! Director Sheppard has been shot! Ambulance now!" Gibbs barked roughly into the phone. He proceeded to feed the location before snapping it shut.

"Jethro." Jenny said a little breathily. Her hand slid out to grasp the one that had been holding his cell phone. "Take it." Was her soft elaboration as she held out an envelope to him. Gibbs took it and slipped it onto the ground next to him. "I'm sorry, Jethro. I love you." Her voice began to fade and Gibbs gritted his teeth. "Goddamn it Jenny! I do not give you permission to die on me!" Sharply, he spoke and lowered his lips to her forehead to press a kiss there. "I don't need your permission, Jethro." Jenny bristled immediately. "I wasn't planning on it either." She added slightly territorial now though her voice was still breathy. There was a sigh of relief that escaped Gibbs's lips…she would be OK if she had enough strength to berate him for treating her 'childishly'.

"I love you too." He grinned at her. They waited maybe three minutes longer before the ambulance appeared. Forced by the EMT's to release Jenny's hand, Gibbs waited for them to strap Jenny onto a gurney and deposit her in the ambulance before taking up his position at her side again.

It was touch and go on the way to the hospital. She stopped breathing twice. Mentally Gibbs laughed; it was like she was taunting him, trying to give him a heart attack. It was ironically funny how it had happened that Jenny was shot on the anniversary of that crisp autumn night in Paris 1999.

They rushed her from the ambulance upon arrival. He didn't even get a chance to press a kiss to her forehead. A nurse stepped aside to speak with him.

"Mr. Gibbs, you're wife will be fine. We have to get her into surgery but—"

"Promise me she'll make it." Gibbs said hoarsely, grabbing the woman's arm. He didn't even dispute the statement that she was his wife…if he did they wouldn't allow him access to her.

"I promise." The nurse said gently. Quietly, Gibbs released her arm and went to the waiting room near the ER.

I swear to God that I will forgive her; I will beg her for a second chance, I will make any relationship she wants work. That was about all Gibbs thought process was for half an hour. Suddenly he remembered the letter and pulled it from the pocket he'd placed it in. Running his fingers lightly over the indentations her pen had made as she wrote his name, he began to slit open the envelope. Slipping out the paper, he read it's contents…and memorized it.

Dear Jethro,

Hopefully by now I've slipped away from your house. I started this letter over a million times. Finally, I hope, I gathered the courage to finish it, to say the words I was too much of a coward to tell you. I'm sorry (forget the damn rules!) I never should have left you in Paris with a goddamned letter.

There was a time when I was happy about the decision...or had at least put it out of my mind. That time has longed past. I regret every day that stupid decision. I miss you Jethro! I miss being around you! I miss your kisses! I miss the smell of sawdust! I miss seeing your smile! I REALLY miss you. You're probably raising your eyes now over how sappy I'm being so; SHUT UP! I mean really, I can be sentimental every once in awhile believe it or not...I'm not always that hardcore of an ass hole as I am at work. You know that I only do that because I'm afraid of falling for you again, of falling in love with you again. The only problem is….I never fell out of love.

I don't expect you to take me back. In fact I'll be pretty pissed if you do….you deserve better than me…just don't go racking up another ex-wife. Your last two have not been very good choices what with one coming after you with a nine-iron and the other a baseball bat. Just know that if you take me back right away or even try…..my weapon of choice is a Sig Sauer

All My Love,

Jenny.

P.S. If the Sig doesn't threaten you enough….I'll burn the damn boat!

Gibbs chuckled over the last comment. She wouldn't dare. Besides he'd have to keep it under lock and key because he sure as hell wasn't going to let her Sig stop him. Sighing, he caught sight of the nurse approaching him with a surgeon in tow. Slowly he put away the letter and stood.

"Mr. Gibbs?"The Doctor asked hesitantly.

Gibbs only nodded. He really wasn't sure words wouldn't fail him so he remained silent.

"She's fine." He assured after seeing a sudden worry in the silver-haired Marine's eyes.

"Thank God." Jethro replied finally trusting his voice. "Can I-?"

"Yes, this way." The Doctor cut in before Gibbs could finish and began leading the way to her room.

Ziva popped up out of now-where. "Sorry Miss, family only. Err…you too Miss." The Doctor said as Abby appeared beside Ziva. "You're not going to let us see Mommy?" Abby pouted, glaring. "Oh, if she's your mother then I suppose—but you aren't her daughter too?" The doctor questioned turning to Ziva. "Stepsister." Ziva informed him without hesitation. The man shrugged. There was no point in trying to deny her access.

They were led to a rather large private room. The bed was close to the window with only a chair separating it. "Go on in." Gibbs said nodding to Abby and Ziva who need not be told twice.

"A word?" Gibbs asked the Doctor who nodded.

"Have you by chance noticed her-."

"Illness?" The Doctor offered. "We have."

"Is there anything that can be done?" There was no missing the hope in Agent Gibbs's voice.

"Not in the States but in Paris….they have the treatment for her stage but it's only experimental and extremely costly…." The Doctor began.

"I'll handle the price." Gibbs cut him off. He had a bit of money hidden away from his time in doing special ops. He had it saved away for a rainy day and if there was ever a rainy day it was now.

"I'll bring you the information but for now, she'll wake up any minute." He gestured to the room and Gibbs nodded taking the initiative and entering the room swiftly.

"Jethro…" Jenny mumbled her words slurred slightly by the anesthesia.

"Right here Jen." Gibbs said as Ziva shifted to accommodate him. He took her delicate hand in one of his larger, rougher ones.

"Ziva, Abby can I have a minute?" She asked softly as she came to. "With Jeth—Gibbs?" There was no need for her to even finish the question because they'd already begun to leave. Ziva paused to draw the shades before disappearing through the door and shut it softly.

"We need to talk." Jenny muttered softly.

Gibbs nodded and squeezed her hand softly. "Jethro, I—did you read the letter?" She asked almost grimly. No matter how hard she tried…she just couldn't meet his eyes. He nodded and she caught the motion out of the corner of her eyes. "Jethro I—" This time he pressed his fingers to her lips to silence her. "I understand Jenny. I love you." His normally gruff voice was uncharacteristically soft and gentle all at the same time. Whatever her reaction was to be, he was not prepared for it to be tears. She was crying softly now. "I-I thought you hated me." She explained in between short sobs. "Why?" Was all he asked. "I left you on a godforsaken plane with a goddamned letter Jethro, I hate myself for that." She said slowly as she fought to be angry and stop the tears. A hand went out to rub her cheek softly. "I did, for awhile." He admitted. That really didn't help. "You suck at this." She informed him sniffing a little as she wiped at her eyes. "I was a sniper." He added unconcerned with the criticism. "I love you Jethro." Jenny said softly yawning. Her last vision before drifting off to sleep was of him pressing a kiss to her forehead and going to take something from the doctor.

As much as Gibbs wanted to believe everything she'd said, he couldn't bring himself to do it. She didn't understand she'd been shot, hurt, and was under heavy medication…she hadn't meant it. That was what he convinced himself of as she finally succumbed to the pain medication.