Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize. Except for the mistakes those are mine.
A/N: I've done the grown up thing and I got myself a job. It will be limiting the amount of time I have to write – but do not fear my JIBBS muse shall live on as soon as I get home. Basically what this means is the chapters will be shorter than usual – which I think would be better it's a bitch having to read 20k words at a time – but there will be more chapters that is for sure.
Warning: This feels a little fast paced, but I really want to get to the exciting stuff ;)
Enjoy*
The study was dimly lit by the desk lamp, the soft jazz music filling the silent void in the room. On any other day it would have calmed her, make her forget about her agency for a few moments and simply enjoy the simple things in life. Twirling her bourbon around in the Baccarat crystal tumbler, she lifted the fine cut crystal to her dark painted lips and sipped the amber alcohol thoughtfully. The song ended and there was a moment of silence. She could hear them move around outside, their voices rough as the smooth jazz started again.
The moment she'd stepped off of the private jet, she'd immediately noticed a certain edge to her security detail. Fornell had been waiting for her inside her Lincoln town car, looking as if he hadn't slept in days. Melvin had accompanied her to Geneva, the only one in her security she could trust to keep his mouth shut. They weren't necessarily on bad terms, but she knew he wasn't a fan of her dropping off the grid for a few hours just so she could get a moment to herself.
The recent death threats were nothing new to her, ever since she'd been promoted to – first Deputy Director and then finally – Director she'd been receiving what she'd call 'hate mail' instead of death threats. They were usually from misogynistic pigs who had nothing better to do with their time. However, given the sudden swarm of agents surrounding her, she knew the latest threat was more personal.
That's what pissed her off.
Fornell had hardly said two words about what was going on. He'd droned on about protocol and that she was for time being confined to her house, until he got back to her. At one point during his heated one-sided discussion, she had wanted to let him know that she'd been an agent too and that she called the shots now not him. Before she could do it though, Melvin had stopped and whisked her into a black SUV and they were off towards her Georgetown mansion.
Taking a deep breath she stilled for a moment, taking another whiff her eyes narrowed dangerously. Placing the expensive tumbler on the desk, she rolled her comfortable leather chair out from behind her desk. Padding across the thick carpet, she wrenched her study door open, causing half of her detail to jump.
Looking at the three men currently staring back at her, she pointed towards the youngest and most inexperienced agent. The others had been with her long enough to know her house rules. "If you ever smoke in this house again, I'll make you eat an entire packet of cigarettes. Did I make myself clear, Agent Maverick?"
"Yes, Ma'am." The young man scurried towards the door and slipped outside to finish his cigarette.
Melvin and Stanley shared a laugh. Jenny spun around, her hands on her hips as she looked between the two older men. Raising a prefect eyebrow at them, her enchanting emerald eyes narrowed, "You two should know better."
Their laughter stopped and they stood a little straighter. Jenny ran a hand through her loose red hair, she was tired and in desperate need of coffee. She scrunched her nose as she smelled the remnants of cigarette smoke, she was once again reminded why she hated it when her security smoked inside.
"Either of you hear anything from Agent Fornell?" Her hands were on her hips again as she eyed her agents warily.
"He's on his way, Ma'am." Stanley smiled at her as she gave him a curt nod. They were more forgiving than most Details about her snippy attitude, since such an occurrence only happened once in a while.
Leaving the two men in the foyer she moseyed to the kitchen, hoping to find some coffee. There was still some coffee grounds left in the neatly folded packet next to the percolator. The sleek silver machine whirred as it started her coffee, managing to draw a smile from her. Once Noemi got in she'd have to ask her to stock up on everything since she didn't know how long she'd be confined to her house.
Her boss hadn't even bothered to call her to tell her what was going on. When she tried to contact him his secretary told her that he was busy – in that sickly sweet voice that irritated her beyond belief. Pulling the stack of envelopes towards her she scowled at them. The only thing that really came in the mail these days were just bills. Sorting through them she found the one she was looking for.
The letter was all the way from Montana, a genuine smile graced her lips. Apart from bills, she occasionally got a letter from her father – who couldn't be bothered about something like email. The Colonel had retired not long after she'd been promoted to Deputy Director. Her parents had moved up to Montana, taking over a ranch and leaving the Georgetown mansion for her.
Smiling at her father's nature to ramble on about nothing, she folded the letter neatly after reading it. Slipping it back in the envelope, she grabbed a mug and eyed the percolator appreciatively as it started beeping once it was done.
Returning to the study she motioned towards the kitchen for the two men, offering them some of the coffee. She knew what it was like to work twenty to thirty hours straight and still try to stay alert and conscious while doing it. The front door opened and Maverick – everyone had ended up calling him just that – stepped back in the house. Jenny glared at him and smirked when he shifted around nervously. She pointed towards the kitchen as well, pitying him just this once.
The loud and confident footsteps marched up her front porch. Sighing, she tilted her head up and waited for Fornell to burst through her door. The old door swung open and no doubt there he was, looking more harassed and stressed than he did a few hours ago. However, there was something – or more someone else who drew her attention.
The grin that curled her lips couldn't be helped. The lights caught his hair just right as he stepped into the foyer, making the soft silver strand glint. He was a little greyer than she remembered, but it only added to his charm – that and his eyes – those were exactly the way she remembered them. Allowing her eyes to wander over his handsomely chiselled features, she met his blue eyes and felt the heat rise in her cheeks. She briefly wondered if he still remembered how they met.
Jethro returned the redhead's grin. Time had been kind to her, if anything he found her even more attractive. He could see in the way her emerald eyes darkened to that smouldering forest green, that she knew exactly who he was and that she was thinking about their first encounter as well.
"Leroy Jethro Gibbs." Jenny drawled as she walked towards him, holding out an elegant hand.
"Madam Director." Jethro returned, taking her small hand in his larger one. "You did good."
Jenny pulled her hand away slowly, watching as his azure eyes flicked to her cup of coffee and then to her face again. Giving him a lingering look she turned to her senior agent, raising an eyebrow she tilted her head towards Jethro, "You going to tell me why he's in my foyer at four in the morning?"
"Where's your Detail?" Fornell looked around the room, "Why isn't Maverick outside?"
Jenny rolled her eyes, "Tobias, I swear if you don't tell me what the hell is going on, I'll shoot you." Jenny snapped irately. "I don't appreciate you and the Attorney General doing things behind my back! There's a chain of command and I expect you to respect that."
Tobias rolled his eyes, "There's been several threats, its not something I take lightly, Director. As per the Attorney Generals orders, you are to be accompanied by a personal Detail at all time. Since Leroy over here has been suspended, I though this would be a better use of his time until everything has been cleared up.
Jenny's eyes snapped to Jethro, the friendliness towards him slowly seeping away, "No, no! I'll not have him following me everywhere, Melvin and Stanley are all the Protection Detail I need."
Jenny turned on her heel, marching back into her study. She heard the irritated huff coming from Jethro as he lingered in her foyer. She felt Fornell follow her into her only sanctuary where no-one ever really bothered her, or even watched her. Splashing some bourbon in her coffee she waited for him to speak.
"Jenny," Tobias looked over his shoulder where Jethro was waiting impatiently, "right now I'm not sure who I can trust, but Gibbs..." he met the woman's green eyes, "I trust him with my life."
Jenny licked her lips, giving him a tight nod, she wasn't in the slightest thrilled about this, "I trust him too."
Fornell gave her a tired smile, "How do you know him in anyway?"
Jenny allowed a small smile to dance across her features. She didn't answer him, instead she drank from her mug. Turning back to him she gave him a solemn look, "I'm not going to hide, Tobias. I have a job to do, and I expect you to do the same, you'll keep me posted?"
"As soon as Homeland has something I'll let you know, Director." Fornell inclined his head toward Jenny and left the room.
Eyeing Jethro warily he walked to the front door, turning to his friend he gave him a guarded look, "She's sneaky, Gibbs."
Jethro laughed and shook his head, "You see Emily, you tell her, uncle Gibbs says hi."
Fornell nodded and mumbled a goodbye as he slipped into the early morning air. Jethro closed the heavy door, running his hand over the wood reverently. He could hear her move around in her study despite the music currently playing.
Jethro leaned against the door frame leading into her study, watching her as she fiddled with the stereo before another song came on. When she looked at him he could see the annoyance flash in her eyes, clearly unimpressed with the changes that had been brought.
"I take it you know what's going on?" Jenny asked as she sipped her coffee, relishing the bourbon spike added to it.
"Yes." Jethro drawled, enjoying the way her eyes darkened, "Not goin' to tell ya." he grinned when she huffed and tucked a loose tendril of hair behind her ear.
"Gibbs, I can take care of myself." Jenny snapped at him. The fact that he was the one assigned as her personal bodyguard made it that much worse, because the last time they were together he had done something very few men would have – he'd helped her start her career.
Blinking a few times, he was right in front of her looking at her with those startling blue eyes and crooked grin.
"Jethro." Jenny smiled at him.
"Jenny."
Paris 1997
The rhythmic thumping echoed down the quiet street, he scuffed his boots on the pavement and threw the over chewed piece of gum in the nearby trash can. Turning the collar up on his coat and tightening his scarf, he stepped out of the dark corner he'd been watching from. He blew his hot breath on his hands to warm them up, rubbing them together he crossed the street, watching the doorman letting a handful of people in. He cleared his throat and skipped the line of people.
The guard pressed a hand against his shoulder, stopping him from cutting the line. Jethro glared up at him, reaching inside his coat he pulled out the card his Russian target had given him on their last meet. He gave an almost arrogant smirk when the guard mumbled an apology in broken English. Slipping the card back in his pocket he stepped into the strip club.
The music was twice as loud inside and it did nothing but give him one hell of a headache. He scanned the dark room, trying to find the booth he was looking for. He saw the two bodyguards first, he set his shoulders and moved through the maze of horny young men. A hand came out of nowhere and tugged on his scarf, turning his attention to its blonde owner. He watched the woman bat her lashes at him and turn her back to him. He yanked his scarf free of her grip and headed for the booth.
Running a hand through his hair, he nodded at the two guards as they stepped aside and pulled the dark velvet curtain aside. It was surprisingly quieter in the small round room than it was outside. He watched as yet another blonde woman twirled herself around. He shrugged off his coat, throwing it over the back of the plush red couch. His target was already seated, his tie and shirt askew as the young woman danced on his lap.
Jethro dropped down onto the couch, stretching his legs out in front of him and resting his arms on the back of the couch. He gave the other man a grin as his target gesticulated towards the woman currently on his lap. He wasn't really the type of man to indulge in things like this – maybe it was his respect towards women that influenced it.
"I trust that you were successful in your buy?" Jethro asked as he lounged on the couch, he wondered if Boris knew the weapons he'd bought were being tracked as they spoke.
"I must congratulate you, mister Spears. I doubt I ever had a better shipment." Boris didn't look at him, he was too caught up in the woman twisting around on his lap. "Your next shipment, when is it coming in?"
Jethro shrugged his shoulders laughing when the other man looked at him over the young woman's shoulder, "Payment first, you know the rules."
Boris laughed, reaching for his glass on the table next to him, he knocked back the entire glass of vodka. He pulled a few bills out of his pocket and slipped them into the thin piece of elastic on the almost non-existent panties. Slapping the young woman on the ass, she giggled and moved around even more.
The curtains slid back, revealing another woman.
Jethro sat up a little straighter. He watched as she sauntered into the small room, her hips swinging right in front of his face.
Those long red tresses cascaded all the way down her back, stopping just above the small of her back. He swallowed as she turned towards him. The black lingerie contrasted greatly with her porcelain skin. He might have respect for women, but he was still a warm blooded male who appreciated a good looking woman. He wondered if Decker or Burley were behind this. It didn't feel as if she belonged here, he could see the slightly spooked look in her eyes as she looked from him to Boris.
Jethro shifted slightly as she swung her leg over his and looked at him with – what he could only describe as – bedroom eyes. He felt her knees make small dips in the couch cushion as she straddled his thighs, his hands gripped the back of the couch tightly. She smelled like vanilla and honey all rolled into one as she rocked her hips almost right in front of his face.
"You tell your boss, he'll get his money." Boris said tensely.
Jethro nodded almost blindly, too enthralled by the woman on his lap. She gyrated her hips dangerously close to his. He grit his teeth against the flare of arousal, hoping she wouldn't do that again, he could usually control himself better in situations like these. She leaned into him more, pressing her chest almost against his. He grinned at her as she licked her lips, her small elegant hands were at the nape of his neck toying with the short hair she found.
"When do you want the next shipment?" Jethro asked as he watched the redhead move her body to the rhythm of the music currently playing. He felt bad for blatantly staring at her since none of the other women actually caught his fancy – and they were all very attractive. Except she seemed so out of place and he was determined to corner her when all this was done and ask her how she'd ended up in a place like this.
"There is a ship coming in end of the week, I want thirty crates there." Boris grunted at the woman on his lap and she started moving around more vigorously, "After that they will be sent to the Congo to help the rebels, I'll need more after that."
Jethro felt the woman on his lap stiffen and gasp quietly, clearly outraged with what Boris had said, his eyes immediately snapped to her as she looked over her shoulder at the Russian Arms Dealer. He could just make out the little black piece of plastic in her ear. He could see Boris look up to see why she had made a sound.
Thinking on his feet he slipped a hand in her hair, making her look at him, lifting his hips slightly he pressed them closely to hers, a crooked grin curling his lips. She pressed her hands against his chest as his other hand dropped to her hip and coaxed her into moving again.
"There's more where that came from." He told her in the little bit of French he knew. She didn't smile at him instead she looked at him suspiciously, and he knew she wasn't aware that he'd seen her earwig a few moments ago.
Boris laughed, "You are not as uptight as most Americans I meet with."
Jethro laughed, ignoring the jab. He watched as the woman on his lap rolled her eyes and continued moving around. He waited for Boris to be preoccupied with the blonde before he turned his attention back to the redhead.
'I know.' He mouthed as she looked at him. He felt her stiffen again, but his hands on her hips had her moving again.
One of the guards stepped into the room, holding out a mobile phone at the Russian. He pushed the young woman off his lap roughly causing her to drop to the floor, leaving her right there and disappearing behind another curtain.
Jethro reached out a hand helping the young woman to her feet while keeping the one on his lap in place with a hand on her back. The woman mumbled in French and he could just make out that it was a thank you.
Boris came back into the room, pulling his thick coat on. "I have business to attend to. I will have someone contact you." The Russian mumbled a goodbye and stormed into the over crowded club.
Jethro waited until he and his cronies were gone before lifting the redhead off his lap and depositing her gently on the couch. Standing to his feet he ran a hand through his hair, he motioned for her to keep her mouth shut, he didn't know if their conversation had been recorded. Holding out his hand he helped her to her feet and grabbed his coat, throwing it over her shoulders, he couldn't let her walk around in her underwear with all the men drooling over her.
He waited for her to button the thick wool coat before steering her out of the room and towards the nearest exit. They burst out into the cold night air stumbling onto an old alleyway.
Jethro looked around making sure there was no-one there. He plucked the earwig out of her ear and dropped it on the cement, and crunched the piece of plastic under the heel of his boot.
"Why the hell did you do that for?" The redhead snapped at him.
"Do you have any idea what would have happened if he realised you were undercover, spying on him none the less." Jethro snapped at her, he was surprised to find out that she was an American. "Who do you work for, Homeland? CIA?"
"FBI." She snapped back at him. "And who might you be?"
"NCIS, Special Agent Jethro Gibbs, and you almost blew my cover."
"Agent Jenny Shepard. And I have things under control. Unlike you." Jenny's eyes flicked down his body to just below his belt, an almost satisfied smirk on her lips.
Jethro ignored her. He couldn't take a chance in someone seeing them together. "Where's your team?"
"A few blocks away, why?" Jenny pulled the coat tighter around her, shivering as a strong gust of wind swept through the alley.
Ignoring her again he grabbed her arm and started steering her away from the front of the building, hissing at her to keep her mouth shut when she wanted to talk yet again. He made sure no-one was following them as they stepped onto the quiet street. He could feel her try and get away from him, but he simply tightened his grip on her. Spotting his midnight blue BMW across the street he quickened his pace.
If someone were watching it was better to have them think he was taking a stripper home than have them know they were two agents who had bumped into each other. He unlocked the car and let her get in. Moving quickly he was in the car and speeding down the street, the large eight cylinder engine running smoothly as they raced through traffic.
"You haven't been here long, have you?" Jethro asked once they were in traffic, slowly making their way to the other side of the city.
"And how exactly would you know that?" Jenny asked uncomfortably. Sitting in a complete stranger's car in nothing but a pair of black underwear was seriously not how she thought the night would end. Although she had to admit that the man wasn't as appalling as half the men who had grabbed her ass. He was down right gorgeous with his grey hair and azure eyes.
"I've been here a year, never heard of you, neither are you one of the active agents in the city." Jethro looked in the rear view mirror. Turning down the first street he heard the woman squeak next to him as she grabbed onto the door handle, clinging for dear life. He allowed himself to smile.
"FBI sent me last week. This was my first mission." Jenny reached for her safety belt.
"Was your mission to jeopardise an NCIS operation?" Jethro looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Listen, Jethro, I didn't know you were going to be there. I was simply doing my job and giving you a show just so I could gather intel on that bastard's latest shipping." Jenny snapped at him, glaring as he smirked.
"You're new to this, aren't you?" Jethro smiled at her. It made sense now, that's why she had seemed so out of place, it was her first time in a situation like that.
Easing the BMW to a stop he killed the engine and turned to look at her. The cold air had caused her cheeks to flush bright pink. The fact that she hadn't answered his question meant he had hit the nail right on the head. Licking his lips, he watched her closely. If it hadn't been for her soft gasp and her earwig, he would never have known she was an agent.
"I suggest you wait for the last shipment. By then NCIS would know exactly what they want and you'll have your first bust." He kept his eyes on the people walking on the side walk.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Let's just say it's a favour, next time I want something I'll be able to collect from you." Jethro turned to look at her, "And I might want another lap dance." he laughed as she looked at him slightly outraged. "The fact is you're good, Jenny, and you don't waste good."
She smiled at him and he couldn't help but smile back at her.
"How am I going to let my team know where I am?"
Jethro pointed towards the building he had stopped in front of. He grinned when Jenny glared at him again, he'd dropped her off right in front of the FBI's attaché office. He reached across her and opened her door for her, "Keep the coat."
Jenny rolled her eyes and got out of the car, looking back at the man inside she smiled at him again, "I'll see you around, Agent Gibbs."
Present Day
After their first meeting they'd met again, a couple of times for drinks and once on a joint operation. It had only been a few months, after that he'd been sent to Russia and she'd never heard from or seen him again. They had been good friends, and the pieces of information he'd slipped her had helped her pave her road of success, and now here she was, the Director of the FBI.
"I never did say thank you." Jenny broke through the silence that had descended over them. The music had long since stopped playing. She watched him walk around her study, his eyes scanning over the few photos that were on display.
Jethro turned to look over his shoulder, "Nothing I wouldn't have done for one of my own."
"And here I was thinking you actually saw potential in me – or was it the black lingerie that did the trick?" Jenny teased as she finished the last of her coffee. Jethro laughed, shaking his head.
Their moment was ruined when Maverick popped his head around the corner. He stared at the Director a little wide eyed as she glared at him. He'd been curious about the Special Agent assigned to her as her bodyguard. Melvin and Stanley had told him all about Agent Gibbs, and that he was considered quite the legend amongst everyone who ever worked with him. Maverick swallowed as the man in question turned to look at him.
He wasn't sure whether he should leave or ask the man for his autograph. The panic in him rose when the man glared at him. It dawned on him that it might have been a set up, that the other men knew what Agent Gibbs' reaction would be.
"Did you lose something, Maverick?" Jenny snapped at the kid as he gaped at them.
"Uh… no, why?" He looked at the Director confused.
Jenny rolled her eyes, as much as she liked Maverick and his inability to know when she was being sarcastic, he could be real dense sometimes. Turning back to Jethro she turned serious, "I trust that you'll coordinate with my Detail." she didn't wait for an answer, she nodded at him and slipped passed a still awestruck Maverick.
Jethro watched Jenny saunter out of the study towards the stairs, she met his eyes just before she climbed up the stairs and he could see she was fighting down a grin. Turning back to the kid who had interrupted them he glared at him again.
There were a handful of things that had the ability to drive her insane – the absence of coffee, slow traffic and someone staring at her for the last week. She pursed her lips and tried to ignore him, wondering if he knew just how irritating he was being. Letting out a soft huff, she paged through the file she was reading, her eyes were burning from the lack of sleep and his staring was making her even more uncomfortable.
Looking up she met his blue gaze. He gave her a half hearted attempt at a smile, frowning she looked back down at her file. It dawned on her that she didn't even know much about him, only that he was a damn good agent and good company if he wasn't just staring at her, he'd kept her company over the last five days, waiting patiently for her to finish her paperwork so he could drive her home. Turning to her computer she quickly emailed her secretary, asking her to find her Gibbs' personal file.
"If you stare at me one more time, I'll shoot you." Jenny snapped at him when he didn't get the hint that he should look away or better yet leave her alone. She didn't mind looking at him, he was attractive and she might even occasionally have indulged in undressing him, but it felt as if he was simply waiting for her to slip up on something.
"Just doing my job, Director." Jethro replied neutrally. He wasn't going to tell her that he could actually see down the front of her blouse and that after all these years black still looked good on her.
He was as frustrated as she was. The lack of activity meant he was laying awake at night, he couldn't work on his boat because the lacquer had to dry. He was used to either pulling an all-nighter or chasing some scum bag across a parking lot or even the city. He hadn't heard from Tobias either, which only pissed him off since he was almost right down the hall from where he was cooped up. If he had his team handle this, then he'd be back home using his suspension productively to finish his boat and taking her out on the water. Yet, here he was.
"Sometimes, I think you just like pissing me off." Jenny muttered as she scribbled her signature on the bottom of the page. She heard him snort derisively before taking a seat on her couch. "You have a tuxedo, right?"
Jethro glared at her. She was just asking him that because he had to accompany her to the stupid charity ball tomorrow and she knew he wasn't looking forward to it. Since he was also her escort, he had to wear a penguin suit and that didn't bode well with him. He heard her laugh and his glare darkened.
'Special Agent Gibbs, Agent Fornell would like to speak with you.' Jethro listened as Maverick voice came through his earwig.
Pushing off the couch he stepped closer to Jenny's desk, catching a better glimpse down her shirt. He smirked when she looked up. "Maverick will take over, I have something I have to do."
He didn't stick around long enough to hear what insult she hurled at him this time. He'd barely stepped out of her office when he heard the lock click shut behind him. Jethro rolled his eyes and motioned for Maverick to stand right in front of the door. "You don't move at all, do I make myself clear."
"Yes, sir." Maverick cringed slightly, "I mean, Agent… I mean Gibbs."
Jethro shook his head, Maverick reminded him of McGee. They had all shuffled their shifts so that the most inexperienced had landed with him. The young man had beaten him to work each morning over the last week, something he wished DiNozzo had learned since he had started working with him.
Making his way down the hall, he found Tobias behind his desk. He didn't bother with knocking, he simply burst through the door, already glaring at his friend. "Tell me I don't have to do this any more." Jethro growled as he pushed the stack of files off of the chair.
Fornell stood and closed the door, leaning against it he met Gibbs' scowl with one of his own. "Something isn't right, Jethro."
"Tobias, I've been with her for the last week, there's been no attempt. Assign someone else to her and let me and my team work this."
Tobias shook his head as he leaned back in his chair. "I can't trust someone else, Gibbs."
"Is it possible that there's someone in house trying to get her out of the office?"
Fornell ran a hand over his face, nodding his head. He cleared his throat, "She's like you, Gibbs. She does the right thing even when it means she's putting her life on the line. I've been monitoring her since the day she found her way into this building. She's as loyal as they come, and she's pissed off a whole lot of people on the Hill?"
"I know, I've worked with her before." The handful of times he'd worked with her she had earned his respect in the decisions she made when it concerned the people she worked with. "Tobias, why are they after her?"
"Seamus Shepard, her grandfather – he was the agent who prevented those files from getting in the wrong hands. He was my mentor, Gibbs, I've got a lot of respect for that old man."
Jethro raised an eyebrow, "That's why you've been looking out for her." he stated quietly, smirking when Fornell nodded. "What happened to those files, Tobias?"
"No-one knows, the files just disappeared. Seamus was by the book, Gibbs, he'd never let those files get into the wrong hands." Fornell moved a few papers around on his desk, finding something he could toy with to calm down his nerves.
"What happened to the other agents who worked with him?" Jethro moved forward in his chair, tossing a piece of gum on the desk. He took the white wrapper of his own and chewed it thoughtfully.
"They were both accused of treason, Seamus had suspected them from the beginning. Do you think he might have hid the files?"
"It's what we would have done, Tobias. If the Bravta knows that those files are still missing, they'd stop it nothing to make sure they get them, and we can only assume that there's more to this than forty year old military faults. Jenny could be in more danger than we thought. Is Seamus still alive?"
Tobias shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know, no-ones heard from him since the day he retired. His retirement is paid into a trust fund with Jenny as the sole beneficiary."
"Tobias, you're gonna have to tell her what the hell is going on sooner or later. She's drivin' me crazy with her questions, and she might even be able to help us." Jethro stood to his feet. "Let my team help, Homeland won't be bothered with her safety."
Fornell got up as well, accompanying Jethro to the door, "Give me a day or two, Gibbs, then I'll tell her."
Jethro nodded and made his way back to the Director's office.
Jenny twisted her chair from side to side. There was no excuse for her to get out of the office, budget meetings and conferences were all postponed until the following week. Everyone was using their Friday to get ready for the charity ball, except for her. Jethro had banned her from going shopping, which meant she had to ask Cynthia to coordinate with her stylist about what she'd be wearing to the ball.
If Tobias hadn't been so adamant about having Jethro to babysit her, she would have easily managed to lose Maverick somewhere in the building and go shopping. The whole ordeal to her was overkill, she hadn't narrowly missed a bullet and no-one had threatened any kind of bodily harm. Which only meant one thing, some suit had written another letter about a woman running the Federal Bureau.
The friendly chirp of her computer had her sitting up. Clicking on the email from her secretary, she saw that it was Jethro's personal file. Her hand stilled for a moment, contemplating whether or not she should read through it. The click of her mouse had her staring at a photo of him when he had just joined NIS.
Thirty minutes later she was regretting ever going through his file. She looked at the picture of his daughter again, smiling sadly. It was heartbreaking knowing he'd lost his child, she could only imagine the pain he had suffered or was still suffering. It explained the occasional far away look in his eyes when he wasn't aware that she was watching him.
Closing the file, she deleted it.
Pushing away from her desk she got up and unlocked her door. Opening it slowly she saw Jethro standing right in front of her door. Easing her door open she met Jethro's gaze, the look in his eyes shifted and she knew he could read it on her face. She moved out of his way, allowing him to step inside her office. Closing the door behind him she watched as he took his usual spot on the black leather couch right in front of her desk.
Taking a heavy breath, she moved to sit next to him. They were silent for a while, Jenny chewed her lip for a moment. She knew she had over stepped her boundaries, despite the fact that it was customary for her to go through his file since he was her Detail. He was her friend and prying into his life might not have been the brightest of ideas.
"Jeth-"
"I don't want your pity. Their dead and that's the end of it." Jethro cut her off.
"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry." It came out a lot gentler than she had intended. She wanted to snap at him for being rude, but something made her change her mind. He had suffered a loss, but that didn't change the way she saw him.
Jethro only grunted at her and she ignored his sudden change in mood. Abandoning her spot she made her way back to her desk. Picking up her pen she gave Jethro a smile, which he didn't return.
The sun had finally set, but the tension between them had remained. He had become even more insufferable than before, refusing to give her privacy when she had a call and glaring at her whenever she moved. It would have been fine if it had been someone else, but the fact remained that she liked him – from the moment she had quite literally thrown herself in his lap.
He didn't back down whenever she shouted at him, instead he growled back, those pools of blue darkening. Unlike most men, he didn't hurl sexist insults at her, he respected her as a woman and as a superior – but he was her equal in every way.
Jethro watched her as she typed away on her computer. He'd already put it behind him that she had looked in his file, it sure as hell made it easier than having to tell her, not that he had planned on doing it. The only reason he had made it his mission to rile her up was to see the way her eyes darkened, it reminded him of the second time they had found themselves in an alley.
Paris 1997
He had her pinned again the wall, his mouth pressed against her cheek, he felt her shiver and he rested most of his weight against her, trying to keep her warm. He kept an eye on the two men at the end of the alley, watching them as they smoked. He growled in frustration.
"What is it?" Her alto voice purred in his ear and he had to resist the urge groan.
"I don't know what their saying." He growled.
"You've been here a year and you still can't speak French." Jenny tutted in his ear. Using most of her weight she pushed him away and steered him further up the alleyway. He spun her around and pressed her against the wall again, this time tightening his grip.
He knew she spoke French fluently, that was the main reason he had requested to work with her on this Op. It didn't hurt that she was attractive, or even a redhead. He dropped his mouth against her shoulder, making it easier for her to see and hear what they were saying. He grit his teeth as he watched her pulse jump in her neck. He pressed his lips against her neck, running his tongue over her skittering pulse, hearing the soft intake of breath – he smiled.
Soft lips pressed against his cheek, "Their coming back."
Jethro hoisted her up around his waist, holding her against the brick wall with his weight. Sliding a hand in her hair, he pulled her so their mouths were pressed against each other. He didn't dare kiss, he doubted he'd be able to stop himself if he did.
They both knew they were attracted to each other. They had gotten to know each other over the last few months, meeting once in a while for a drink when neither of them had an active operation. They didn't dare cross the line, it would complicate things too much. They flirted, they teased but they refused to see the deeper meaning behind it.
The door leading into the bar slammed shut and they pulled away. His hands were still in her hair, he felt her hot breath as it danced across his lips – her eyes were dark green and he could feel himself rise to the occasion. Knowing he had to pull away, he pressed his lips against her forehead before easing her down.
Present Day
Something had shifted between them that night, but before they could explore their new found attraction, he'd been ordered to Russia. Jethro watched her as she typed on her keyboard. He'd developed a sense of protectiveness towards her that night he'd dragged her out of that strip club. It had returned again when he had found himself in her study – she was his friend and he'd do anything to keep her safe.
"What were you just thinking of?" Jenny's voice broke through his thoughts, looking up he saw the soft smile on her face.
"Paris."
Jenny pushed away from her desk. She'd been watching him for the last five minutes, smirking whenever his mouth twitched in a smile or his eyes darkened. Moseying to where he was seated on her couch, she folded her arms neatly across her chest. "What exactly about Paris do you remember?"
Jethro relaxed fractionally as he looked up at her, running his eyes over her body. The grey designer slacks and crisp black Oxford shirt she had on did nothing but accentuate her curves. Giving her a crooked grin he met her emerald eyes.
"That black really suited you." He licked his lips, "It still does."
Jenny laughed, shaking her head, "If only you knew what I had on underneath."
Jethro smirked at her, "I do."
Jenny gasped softly when he stood to his feet and pulled her against him, she could smell the menthol on his breath and the strong intoxicating smell she'd always associated with him. Those strong hands were on her hips, his thumbs digging into her hips. She slid her hands in his hair, feeling the soft silver strands slip through her fingers.
"We shouldn't be doing this." Jenny said hoarsely.
Everything inside her told her this was a bad idea. In total she only knew him for a couple of months and about five days. Yet, he made her feel like a woman, he wasn't intimidated by her status – he absolutely obliterated it.
Jethro leaned down further, watching her eyes darken to that deep forest green that had haunted him for years. He'd had his fair share of lovers, but none of them had left an impression quiet like she had. They were millimetres apart, breathing the same air. He watched her eyes flutter shut in anticipation, and he allowed himself to do the same.
"The car is ready..." Maverick burst through the door.
Maverick stared at the two people in the room with large brown eyes, he opened and closed his mouth a few times. There was a small betting pool between him and the other agents, and by the looks of things he just won a great deal of money. He'd heard how the two of them snapped at each other all week as he stood outside the office, looking at poor Cynthia awkwardly as they listened.
Everyone – except Melvin and Stanley – had told him that the Director was an uptight bitch. By the looks of things she was far from it. He grinned despite himself, he shrunk back when they glared at him.
"Uh… car's ready, Director." Maverick said again, wincing when the Director rolled her eyes.
"Yes, thank you, Agent Maverick." She bit at him sarcastically, annoyed that they had been interrupted.
Jethro stepped away from her, he marched towards the kid standing in the door. He pointed for him to start walking. He walked passed him and gave him a slap on the back of the head, smiling to himself when he heard him mumble that he really did slap people on the back of the head.
Jethro watched as Maverick disappeared behind the house as he checked around the large Georgetown mansion yet again. Opening the car door, he held out a hand to help Jenny out of the car. He smirked when she ignored him like she had done for the last five days. He slipped his fingers in her hand and took the briefcase from her, smirking when she glared at him.
Walking with her up the front steps, he nodded at Melvin as he opened the old wooden door. Jenny mumbled a thanks and headed straight for her study. Jethro followed behind her, enjoying the enticing swing of her hips as she walked. Jethro placed the briefcase on her desk. He watched her as she filled two tumblers with bourbon, he ran his eyes over her wondering if the black lingerie bra she had on was part of a matching set.
Jenny spun around, holding out a tumbler towards Jethro, "You're officially off the job."
Jethro pulled the earwig out of his ear and took the crystal tumbler. He took a large swig from the full glass, he moved towards the mantel, scanning over the photos on display. Pointing towards a picture with a very young Jenny in it he turned to look at her, "Take it he's your grandfather."
Jenny smiled and nodded her head, "He retired the day I started."
"Where's he now?" Jethro looked at her as she shrugged her shoulders. There was a pensive look on her face before she turned away from the picture.
Jenny sipped her bourbon slowly, "You know," she turned to face Jethro again. Taking a step towards him, she placed a hand on his chest, smoothing down the black tie he wore. "I still have your coat." Jenny murmured thickly.
Jethro finished the last of his bourbon. Placing the tumbler on the mantel he cupped her cheek, lifting her face so she could look at him. Running his thumb over her bottom lip, he watched her eyes darken once again, leaning down he placed a soft kiss against her cheek. He breathed her in, she still smelled like honey and vanilla – he slipped a hand in her hair and turned her head slightly.
"I think you should keep it for a while." He growled in her ear before letting her go.
Tony DiNozzo licked his lips as yet another tray passed by him filled with delicious treats. He whined softly as the waiter sidestepped him when he tried to steel one of the cocktail sausages. He glared at the woman who snickered next to him. Gritting his teeth, he scanned the large group of people until he found his Director, but it was the red headed beauty that caught his attention. It was his turn to snicker as he watched them move around he room.
"Gibbs looks about ready to shoot everyone." Tony whispered at Ziva as they watched their boss brood next to Director Shepard.
"You'll be first, I'm sure." Ziva grinned at the outraged gasp her partner gave her.
"You're cold hearted, David." Tony accused as he watched Gibbs glare at yet another young Aide trying to get the Director's attention. "How much are you willing to bet that Gibbs and the redhead have already… you know."
Ziva rolled her eyes and scanned the crowd again, finding their Director and making sure he was still well within eyesight. She wasn't going to take the bait nor was she going to admit that there was definitely sparks between Gibbs and the Director.
"I'll give you fifty." A voice spoke next to them and they both turned to look at the baby faced kid.
"Who are you?" Tony snarled at him.
"Agent Brandon Maverick."
Tony grinned from ear to ear, "As in the 1994 movie Maverick, starring Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster." at the young man's blank look he continued, "It used to be a series back in the 50's, but the movie is really funny. So, Mel plays this really smart con artist who wants to take part in this big poker game-" The sharp slap to the back of his head had him gritting his teeth. He turned to glare at Ziva as she looked at him innocently, ever since Gibbs had left him in charge, she'd been slapping him like she had the right to.
'You had that one coming.' McGee echoed in Tony's earwig. The Italian simply glared – he'd get them for this.
Sin – that's the only way he could describe the dark forest green dress she had on. He wondered if she knew about his strange infatuation with her in green. He sipped his bourbon as he followed her around the room, occasionally tugging on the annoying bow-tie. Out of the corner of his eye he watched another Aide head towards them.
Placing a possessive hand on the overly exposed skin of her back, he watched with mild fascination as she turned to glare at him. He pressed the tips of his fingers into the soft skin of her back, enjoying the blush that crept over her chest and up to her throat. Tilting his head up he glared at the Aide as he talked to Jenny, it wasn't long before he excused himself.
"You're a real pain in the ass." Jenny hissed as she took one of the glasses of champaign that passed by them on one of the trays.
She'd been avoiding to look at him ever since he had knocked on her front door. The tux had made her want to ditch this whole affair and drag him into one of the fancy rooms the hotel had to offer. Despite the fact that he annoyed her by acting as if no-one was allowed to come near her, she had to admit that she did the same – she was just a little more subtle.
Her 'bodyguard' – as everyone seemed to refer to him – had attracted the attention of almost every woman in the room. Each senator she seemed to speak with had a wife who batted her eyelashes at him and tried to get his attention. Whenever it happened she'd reach for his arm, looping hers with his and sending a cold look the other woman's way.
"To make up for it, you have to take me out on the dance floor." Jenny smirked against her glass, knowing he'd most probably growl at her and act like a petulant child.
Jethro drained his bourbon and took the champaign flute out of Jenny's hand and placed them on a nearby table. Lacing his fingers around her upper arm he steered her towards the dance floor, he could see the surprised smile on her lips.
Spinning her around he pulled her against his chest, his hand resting softly on her lower back. They fell instep with the music, making their way across the dance floor. Jethro smiled when he twirled her around and she laughed. Pulling her back into his arms he slowed his pace and let her rest her head against his chest.
"Jethro?" Jenny murmured quietly as the danced.
"Yeah, Jen?" Jethro spoke in her ear, feeling her pale skin break out in goosebumps as his thumb stroked the exposed skin of her back.
"What is it you're not telling me?" Jenny asked with a sigh. The entire week she had let the whole situation slide. Taking the flood of security as Fornell being the over protective big brother he'd been to her ever since she had started at the FBI.
Jethro didn't answer her, he simply swept them across the dance floor, out of the way of the younger couples moving around aimlessly. He scanned the edges of the room quickly, making sure all three members of Jenny's Detail were present, he felt a little more at ease with his team being there as well. His gut had been bothering him the entire week, but he had put it down to the uncertainty of the situation.
"How much involvement did you have with the Russians back in the 90's?" Jethro asked quietly.
Jenny frowned, "Just that once. Why? What are you and Tobias not telling me?"
"You make any enemies at the FBI?" Jethro ignored her question, still scanning their surroundings.
"I'm the Director of the FBI, there isn't a day that's gone by without someone being unhappy. You've spent the entire week with me, you know this."
Jethro nodded, turning his attention back to her he ran the tips of his fingers over her cheek, "We can't talk here."
Jenny nodded and met his gaze, "I wanted to leave anyway." she took his hand and led him off of the dance floor, "Mind if I powder my nose first?"
Jethro nodded his head and led her up the stairs into the empty hallway. He watched to make sure no-one followed her into the bathroom before he motioned for the rest of her Detail to get ready to leave. He met his teams curious gaze and he simply nodded at them.
It wasn't long before he saw Tobias walking towards him. "Took you long enough." Jethro muttered as his friend sidled up next to him.
"That the same tux you wore to your wedding with Diane?" Tobias asked sarcastically.
Jethro held up three fingers, laughing when Fornell shook his head. Turning more serious he looked him over, noting the tension on his face, "Another threat?"
"No, they usually write them in Russian, this one was just a simple 'I hate you', she gets them all the time."
Jethro raised an eyebrow, the redhead did have a way to get on someone's nerves.
"You hear anything from Homeland?" Jethro looked over his shoulder, seeing Melvin nod at him that the Director's limo was ready and waiting.
Tobias simply gave his friend a knowing look. The CIA, Homeland – neither of them would give information voluntarily to anyone else. Fornell eyed his friend carefully, "You haven't slept with her yet, have you?"
"Tobias!" Jethro snapped at him, he glared at the innocent look that graced his friend's features.
"Just asking, Gibbs, you know DiNozzo's got a pretty big inter-agency pool going. Thought I might throw in a couple of bucks."
Jethro laughed sarcastically, "Yeah?" he couldn't help the smug grin gracing his features, "What does Diane think about you working under a woman?"
"You just had to ruin the moment." Fornell grumbled darkly. The ladies room door opened and both men nodded a goodbye.
Jenny smiled at Fornell as he stormed past her, clearly preoccupied with something else. Taking the arm Jethro offered her, she let him lead her outside into the warm night air. She watched as Maverick darted towards the driver's side of the limo, almost tripping over his own feet in his haste. She muffled her laughter when he glared at the two older agents who had seen the whole thing. Ever since he had joined her security she doubted she had ever smiled so much.
"Director Shepard?!" A young reporter shouted from the sideline, motioning for her to step closer. Prying her arm out of Jethro's grip she moved closer to the young woman, patiently answering the few remaining news crews questions.
Jethro motioned for Stanley to keep an eye on her. He didn't need photos of himself plastered against everything the following morning. Walking down the steps, he dug around in his inside jacket pocket for a piece of gum. Coffee had been a little harder to come by since he couldn't just leave to get himself a steaming cup of Jamaican blend. He did, however, help himself to Jenny's coffee supply whenever she wasn't looking.
He stopped next to the limo, waiting for Jenny to finish. Unwrapping the piece of menthol gum, he popped it in his mouth, luxuriating the cold effect the gum had on his tongue. Rolling the piece of foil paper into a small ball, he put it back in his jacket pocket, only to have it drop to the ground.
Jethro rolled his eyes and bent down to pick it up. He frowned when he saw something reflecting against the tip of his shiny black shoe. Getting down on his knees, he looked underneath the limo. Jethro felt his heart stop.
Time was up.
Struggling to his feet, he spotted Jenny making her way down the steps.
"Melvin, get out!" Ignoring the pain in his body, he sprinted towards the redhead.
"Jen! Get down!"
Jethro wrapped his arms around her small frame the moment they made contact with each other. He heard her shocked gasp as he swept her off her feet and stumbled with her into the shrubbery. He heard the loud explosion and then the sudden rush of heat as it washed over them.
He felt Jenny shake underneath him, whether it was with fear or adrenalin he wasn't sure. Lifting his head he looked around, unable to hear anything other than the intense ringing in his ears. He watched as people struggled to their feet, each more in shock than the other. Pushing himself off of Jenny he rolled to the side, sitting up. He saw DiNozzo run towards him, watching his lips move he could just make out the Italian's question.
Jethro nodded, confirming that they were okay.
The ringing in his ears slowly subsided and he could hear the chaos going on around him. He immediately turned towards Jenny, wanting to make sure that she was okay. He could see the rip in her dress from where it had torn in their plummet to the ground. There were a few scrapes on her palms from when she had tried to break her fall.
"Jenny! You okay?!" He shouted above the noise going on around them.
"You could just have said bomb! You didn't have to tackle me!" Jenny snapped at him and he shook his head, relieved that she was taking it like the strong independent woman she was.
Jethro struggled to his feet and helped Jenny up as well. He let go off her but she lost her balance and he grabbed her once again, feeling the pain shoot through his knees and up into his thighs. "You hurt?"
"I think you sprained my ankle." Jenny winced as she tried to stand on her own.
Jethro spotted Ziva and quickly waved her towards them. The Israeli was quick to take over, assuring him that she'd make sure no more harm came to the Director. He scanned the crowd that had flooded onto the steps from inside. There were already lights flashing as the media started taking pictures. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he made his way down the stairs, watching as Stanley and Melvin talked to Tobias.
Jethro kicked a piece of metal debris out of his way, listing to it clang as it hit the pavement. He dreaded what he might find when he got to the other side of the car. He hoped against everything that he'd been able to warn the kid. The flames were scorching as the wreck burned. Jethro felt his heart drop to his stomach when he saw that he had lost one of his men.
He hung his head.
The look on the others faces were equally grim as he looked at them. It was never easy losing someone that had been so young and full of life. Jethro made his way back to where two EMT's were checking Jenny. He knew she'd liked Maverick simply because he had a strange sense of humour.
Struggling up the stairs, he took a seat on one of the steps looking over at Jenny as she picked a few leaves out of her hair. He waited for the EMT's to finish and move on to some of the people who had been knocked over and hit with some of the metal shrapnel.
"Do you know if there's any casualties?" Jenny asked as she looked around the carnage the evening had turned into.
"Maverick was inside the car." Jethro wrapped an arm around her shoulders as he watched her let out a choked gasp and her eyes fill with tears.
"Jenny," He coaxed after a moment. "Someone's trying to kill you, and I need to know why."
Jenny wiped at her eyes, smearing her make-up, meeting Jethro's blue eyes she swallowed.
"I think, I know."
TBC
Your thoughts are welcome ;)
Hope you enjoyed it.
