July 16
The alarm pinged and he was not ready to start the day.
It was an uncharacteristic trait for him to remain motionless in bed for 30 minutes, his eyes closed and trying to remember the dream. The case of his bedroom guest had a solid lead. Three distinguishing characteristics finally helped with solving the identity. The woman had dark, joyful brown eyes, a comforting smile, and braided hair.
Vividly, Jethro Gibbs remembered kisses—very lengthy, passionate and telling ones—and rainfall. His hands gently cupped her rain-stained face. It was the third dream in a six-week period. He wasn't complaining either, awakened sweetly to begin yet another challenging day as Special Agent for the Criminal Investigative Service. It was maddening not to identify the mystery lover.
He glanced at the fortune cookie message on his dresser: Your dearest dreams will come true; God looks after you especially. It was very unusual to receive a message with a religious overtone. After a moment's thought, he continued the morning ritual—shower, shave, and dress.
Gibbs did not play music during work hours. Recently, he embraced the wonders of technology, particularly with music. On his mind was deciphering his own passionate dreams of recent during and after work hours. When he heard the following classic song, he missed the elevator ping, an indicator someone arrived on the floor. She was assigned to the building's food services division and brought the food carts throughout the building, feeding the hungry masses weekdays. It was 6:30 am. She normally arrived at 5 am to prepare coffee and pastry trays for people arriving between 6 and 8. Agent Gibbs, sometimes Abby and Dr. Mallard were the only employees so early in the morning. The MTAC floor was part of the early morning route and only a 5 minute visit during the mornings.
Menu orders and slips were left for those interested in the meals each weekday morning. In the afternoons, she spent at least an hour on the floor dispensing lunch orders. It was the most populated of all 11 floors.
He sang softly, typing at a normal speed and focused on the computer screen.
The sound of your footsteps
Telling me that you're near
Your soft gentle motion, baby, brings out the need in me that no one can hear, except…"
Suzanne joined in the chorus.
In my midnight confessions
When I tell all the world that I love you
In my midnight confessions
When I say all the things that I want to
I love you
"Good Morning, Agent Gibbs! Would you like some more coffee?" Suzanne was cheerful. She always smiled and spoke gently to everyone she met. He knew very little about Suz, his personal nickname for the young employee. The music played softly in the background.
"Thanks, Suz."
"You're welcome."
Gibbs' focus diverted to the young woman who poured his coffee from the brown carafe. In passing, he never paid attention to her. It was not to say she was plain. Suzanne normally blended into the building's landscape and said little, just polite pleasantries. That day, everything changed as their eyes met for the first time.
All three components of his desirable dreams were there in his sights. Her hair was neatly braided and shoulder length. Her eyes, covered with square-framed spectacles, did not hide her deep brown colors when in the light were clear. Suzanne's uniform was dull—standard blue polyester pants and denim shirt. She was often out of uniform compliance as she wore her own faded denim jeans to work. They fit just close enough to her 6 feet frame—not too tight or baggy. Gibbs could not help but to notice a small gold Cross around her neck, stopping at the breastplate and how she smelled like lavender.
"That's a…nice fragrance, Suz." Suzanne noticed how Gibbs' small wrinkles from his full smile highlighted his blue eyes. She continued smiling but looked down in embarrassment. It was the most he said in the five years she worked in the basement.
"Thank you, Agent Gibbs." Suzanne whispered. There was a moment in awkward silence. When nervous, she twirled her necklace around her fingers.
"I…should get back to the basement." Suzanne pointed towards the elevator and began to walk.
"Oh, okay…"
"It was nice talking with you, Agent Gibbs." The elevator arrived. Suzanne walked in. "Have a good day, Sir."
"You too…" The elevator closed.
"Sweetie…" Gibbs whispered. He stood on the other side of the closed elevator door.