Disclaimer: I do not own nor did I create any of these characters.

A Friend in Need

Chapter 1

As the Director of NCIS, Jennifer Shepard had plenty of things to keep her busy. A building full of agents, support staff, budget meetings, and a worldwide network of investigators to name a few. She certainly did not need her Senior Special Agent adding to her list of things to worry about. And yet, that is exactly what he had been doing for the past five days. He worked longer hours than anyone else in the building as it was but lately he was surpassing even his own ridiculous schedule. She knew he wasn't always on NCIS business either which was what was causing her concerns. Well, that and the fact that he hadn't been in her bed at a decent hour in a week. Overtime she could accept; not having Jethro in her bed she could not.

At 6:00 she buzzed her secretary and asked, "Cynthia, will you please ask Agent Gibbs to come up here? And you can go home, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yes, ma'ma. Goodnight director."

Five minutes later, Jethro Gibbs strode into the office without knocking.

"You wanted to see me Jen?"

"Are you about ready to leave? I thought we might have dinner together, I haven't seen much of you lately." Jen had come from behind her desk and was standing right at the edge of his personal space. Something he normally did not mind.

"Actually, I have about an hour's work to do yet. Maybe we can do dinner tomorrow night."

Jen looked at him and knew in her heart he was hiding something. She debated with herself about pushing the issue and decided against it for now. After all, they were still working out their relationship and maybe he needed some space. Things had seemed to be going very well lately but perhaps he wanted to slow down. That was not what Jen wanted but she could let it go for now.

"Okay, maybe tomorrow. I'm going home now. I hope I see you later."

"You will. I'll be there later, I promise." Jethro reached out and pulled her closer and kissed her until she couldn't breathe. "Night Jen." Then he was out the door and gone.

Jen gathered her belongings and left for the night.

Gibbs was still at his desk when his phone rang. "Yeah, Gibbs." He listened for a few minutes and then said, "I'll be right down."

While Director Shepard was arriving home, Special Agent Gibbs was getting in a car with Navy Commander Faith Coleman. Director Shepard fixed herself a drink, went through her personal mail and then had a light supper that had been left by her housekeeper. Later, she did some paperwork, had a relaxing soak in the whirlpool tub and went to bed early with a book. She hoped Jethro would be 'home' before she fell asleep but something told her that would not be the case. Jennifer Shepard did not take her relationship with Jethro lightly or for granted. They had been in love at one time then apart for many years before she came back to DC as the Director. They had rekindled their romance several months ago and she had been very happy with that so far. It was a lot of work considering their past but they both agreed it was worth the effort. She had freely admitted to Jethro that she had been wrong to end their relationship so many years ago and he had forgiven her. He had acknowledged to her that he had always loved her and still loved her now. Whatever he was doing the past few days, Jen hoped it wasn't going to undo all the hard work they had done in the past months.

While Jen was home alone, Gibbs and Commander Coleman were having dinner at a small restaurant in Georgetown. They looked like any other couple out for a meal on a pleasant summer evening. They laughed and talked with each other and to anyone watching them they appeared to be very happy together. When they finished their dinner, Jethro slipped his arm around Faith's waist as they walked to his car. They drove away from the restaurant and spent the next hour driving around DC; doubling back over their route and changing direction endlessly. When Gibbs was satisfied that no one could be following them they drove to a downtown hotel and entered the lobby. They went directly to the elevators and up to the fifth floor where Gibbs opened the door to room 545, entered and made sure the room was secure. About forty-five minutes later he gave Faith a light kiss on the cheek and left the room.

TBC