A/N: Not really sure where this came from- my plot bunnies are everywhere and I just write what they tell me.
Disclaimer: NOT MINE
Their cover had been blown.
And now they were running for their lives.
During the firefight, Jenny had finished off her rounds. She had even grown frustrated enough to chuck the now-useless gun at the advancing gang members before Gibbs had grabbed her roughly by the upper arm and drug her down another alley as they desperately searches for somewhere to hide from their attackers.
They ran down two more alleys before Gibbs suddenly grabbed her and practically threw her against the wall behind a stack of crates that blocked them from view of anyone passing by. She nearly lashed out at him for his rough treatment, but was effectively silenced when Gibbs pressed his hard body against hers, pinning her tightly against the brick wall.
She immediately grabbed onto the front of his jacket for support, fighting the adrenaline that coursed through her veins, and breathing hard from their run.
He leaned in close to her until his lips barely brushed her ear and quietly shushed her ragged breathing.
She just nodded her head wordlessly and buried her face into the crook of his neck, muffling her breath into his hoodie.
They heard voices coming toward them and she stiffened when they heard the leader say to search every ally. Leave no nook or cranny unturned.
They had to get out of here!
But before she could think up a plan, she felt Gibbs shift and he pressed his lips close to her ear once again, "Listen Jen, I'm gonna run down that alley over there, run past them and when I do, I need you start climbing up that escape ladder."
She looked up and noticed the ladder for the first time. It was a little high, but if she jumped, she would be able to reach the bottom bar.
"What about you?", she whispered.
He shook his head, refusing to meet her eyes, "Don't worry about me".
And then it dawned on her what he was saying.
He was telling her her to escape while he sacrificed himself.
"We can both make it up there-", she started, but couldn't finish because he clamped his hand over her mouth and he he got nose to nose with her.
"Yeah, and the moment they spot us, we're both dead. But my way... My way gives you a distraction so you can make a clean get away.", he whispered almost harshly as his eyes bored into hers, "No point in both of us dying".
She let out a shuddered breath as tears came to her eyes.
He removed his hand.
"You're the Director now Jen... It's my job."
She knew he was right, but God, she wished he wasn't.
She had so much she wanted to say to him...
So much she needed to apologize for.
But her throat tightened and she could barely keep the sobs at bay.
He brought both hands up to cup her face, forcing her to look up at him, and he used a thumb to wipe away a tear that she hadn't even realize escaped.
"It's okay Jen, I know. I know.", he whispered and wiped away another tear. She brought her hands up to cover his and nodded, her lips pressed tightly together.
God, she couldn't do this.
But she couldn't think of any other way to get out of here.
She was so frustrated.
"When I run, I want you to climb. Climb as fast as you can and get on the roof. Stay there until help comes or it's clear... Stay Jenny, no matter what happens. No matter what you hear... Just... Stay", and she could tell he was struggling as well.
She tightened her grasp of his hands and nodded again, choking down a sob.
"Promise me.", he said.
When she didn't, he held her tighter, "Promise me you'll stay", he demanded.
"I promise", she barely got out.
He stared at her for a moment and then, without warning, his lips were on hers.
There was nothing gentle about it.
She immediately opened her mouth to him and met his tongue with her own, desperate to convey the words she couldn't say- desperate to make this moment last.
But all too soon, he pulled away and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, "It'll be alright Jen, it'll be okay.", he murmured, though she knew he was just saying it for her benefit.
And then he let go of her.
She exhaled slowly, willing the tears away, wishing she were stronger.
He ran one last hand through her hair and then gave her a smile, which she did her best to return. He winked and then... He took off.
She immediately turned to face the wall and jumped, barely catching the bottom bar, and then hoisted herself up, willing her shaking legs to move faster as she climbed.
She tried to block out the voices as they shouted that they found him. Or the gunshots that shortly followed.
Her heart was racing a million miles an hour as she neared the top and flung herself over the edge, rolling onto her back and trying desperately to control her breathing.
She listened carefully as the shots ended and silence filled the air.
Until she heard the leader shout, "Where is the woman!", and when he received no answer, she heard the unmistakable sound of a fist hitting flesh once, twice, three times... And still she didn't hear him answer.
Oh God! They had him and she knew they would torture him until he answered before they killed him.
She covered her mouth with her hand, willing herself not to scream.
She was so weak.
The leader shouted again and then there were more fists on flesh.
Silence and then she nearly cried out when a shot went off. Shortly followed what was obviously a muffled cry from Gibbs.
"Tell me!", the leader shouted and she knew that this was it.
Either he told them or they would kill him.
She bit her thumb, terror seizing her heart at what she knew was going to happen.
And then a shot seemed to echo forever...
And silence.
A/N: Not sure if I'm gonna let this hang and let you guys decide how it ends or if I'll make it a 3 chapter thing. Either way, let me know what you think.
3 Lenea