Thank you to Ellie for all her help with this chapter :)

I still own nothing.

Present Day

Kicking off of his running shoes Decker made his way into the kitchen, he stood a moment in the doorway watching his girlfriend Sasha singing along to the radio, wiggling her hips in time to the music. It was times like these that he knew he was a lucky guy, he had enough money that he didn't have to work and he had a hot young girlfriend.

Clearing his throat she jumped and swung round grinning when she saw him, "How was your run?"

"It was good, managed two miles", He patted his stomach, "Need to get in shape, I don't want to look like one of those pervy old men when we go out"

She grimaced, "Oh too late", Before bursting into peels of laughter and wrapping her arms around his neck kissing him deeply.

He pulled back slightly, keeping his arms around her waist, "So what are you doing today?"

"Thought I'd get my hair done, I have an audition this afternoon and I want to look good"

"You already look good"

Sasha sighed as she pulled away from him, "It's not enough, if I want to get ahead I have to be more"

He frowned slightly, "Well I think you're more than enough"

"You need to stop the cheesy lines old man"

"Isn't that one of the reasons you love me"

Sasha didn't reply just quirked her eyebrow at him before downing the rest of her fruit smoothie, she glanced at her watch, "Oh damn I'm running late", she picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder, "Have a good day and no more running, you look exhausted you're doing too much too fast"

"I'm fine"

"Uh huh so you say, well I'll see you when I get back", she kissed him on his cheek, "In fact maybe when I get back we can have our own workout session"

Decker grinned at her, "That sounds like a plan" and then blatantly checked her out as she left the room.

About an hour later, showered and changed, Decker walked into his kitchen - only to find a man helping himself to a beer from his fridge. The tall dark haired man gave him a polite smile as he lowered the bottle from his lips.

"Your taste in beer is a disgrace" he said distastefully. "I expected more from a man with your means."

Decker felt beads of perspiration pop up on his forehead at the sight of Nikolai Tarasov standing a few feet a way from him. He forced himself to smile as he forced out, "Didn't know you'd be dropping in, Nikolai."

"Actually it's Viggo Dratnyev now. After all, you and I both know that Nikolai Tarasov died almost ten years ago.'

He flashed him a dangerous smile that showed off his pearly white teeth, and Decker's smile faltered.

Nikolai looked around him as he walked into the living area and sat down. "No need to look so nervous William. Nice place you have here by the way. It's good to see you put my investment to good use."

"Why are you here?"

Leaning back in his seat Nicolai replied, "We need to catch up."

Feeling terrified now, Decker headed over to his drink's cabinet and poured himself a glass of Scotch. When he had his nerves under control he asked "Would you like something stronger?"

"No thank you. I won't be staying long."

'Right", Decker sat down across from him and took a sip of his drink, and Nikolai eyed him before speaking again.

"Although I would like some water to remove the taste of this ... bilge water."

"Fine."

Feeling overly flustered he got up from his seat and headed into the kitchen. Using this opportunity, Nikolai reached into his coat pocket and brought out the small amount of water that contained the large amount of Ribavirin he had crushed into it and poured it into the scotch before sitting back and relaxing again. Walking back into the room Decker handed the glass of water, picked up his scotch, and began to pace the floor. He glanced over at the man on his sofa. He looked completely at ease and not remotely uncomfortable, Decker downed his Scotch, grimacing slightly at the overly bitter taste. Wiping at his mouth he placed the glass back down again, and feeling slightly braver he asked, "So you wanted to catch up?"

"I was just wondering how you've been the past nine years."

"Fine."

"Just fine? You disappoint me, William."

"Why are you really here?"

"I'm here to tell you that your time is up."

Decker stopped pacing and turned to face him, his voice hoarse when he asked, "What?"

Nikolai's smile faded and his eyes went cold, 'I gave you nine years. One for each of the years I enjoyed with Svetlana. I could have killed you right after obtaining the information I wanted, but I didn't. Under the circumstances I would say I was more than generous. Now the time has ... "

Decker tried to focus on what Nikolai was saying, but it was becoming more and more difficult. His vision was swimming and he had shooting pains traveling up and down his arm. His chest felt like someone had wrapped a vise around it, and his mouth was dry as he forced out "You kill me and they'll come after you."

Nikolai laughed. "You are about to suffer a heart attack, William', he said as got up from his seat. "You should be grateful. Unlike theirs, your death will be quick. Now all I have to do is wait."

Decker fell to his knees as the pain in his chest magnified. Everything began to merge together and the last thing he saw before his world went black, was Nikolai standing over him grinning cruelly.

Walking into her office Jenny shrugged off her coat and hung it up before placing her bag in its usual spot. She stepped back and surveyed her office. During the weeks she had been away nothing had changed; something she was infinitely grateful for. Her work grounded her and gave her something solid in her life, and that was something she needed right now. Especially when the rest of her life was all over the place..

Sighing slightly Jenny moved over to her desk and took a moment to flick through the case reports that were awaiting her signature. Thankfully there weren't too many. That was one thing she hated about taking time off, having to play catch up when she got back. It was why she never usually bothered with holidays, but this time she'd felt she'd needed it. With all that had happened in the last few months, with La Grenouille and her health scare, she had needed some time to gather her thoughts. But now she was back in control. Just the way she liked it.

Sitting down at her desk she picked up the report that was sitting on the top of the pile and began methodically working through it. Just over an hour later she was done. Jenny sat back in her chair and rubbed at her eyes. She hated paperwork, and although she was aware that it was a necessary evil of her job that didn't make it any more enjoyable. Bracing her hands on the edge of her desk she pushed her chair back slightly and stood up stretching her arms out slightly and rolling her neck, wincing at all the cracks it emitted. She was just about to leave her office and head to MTAC to check on the different missions they had running when the buzz of her intercom broke through the stifling silence of her office and her assistant's voice floated into the room.

"Director Shepard, there's someone for you on line one"

Leaning over Jenny hit the reply button, "Thank you Cynthia just put the call through.." She waited for it to ring once before picking it up, and looking out the window she listened to what the solemn voice on the other end was telling her.

A few minutes later Jenny was still sitting in her chair.. Only now she wasn't really taking in the view, she was too busy reliving the memories of her past. The door to her office flew open, something that she was so used to now that she didn't even react. She just spun her chair around so she faced the man standing in front of her desk. He sighed impatiently at her.

"Want to tell me why you called me up here Jen?"

She eyed him over the rim of her glasses for a second before finally speaking, "I just got news that William Decker died of a heart attack yesterday. The funeral's on Thursday in L.A. I thought you should know."

For a brief second Jenny saw the shock and sadness that briefly flittered across Gibbs's eyes. That flash disappeared as quickly as it had appeared and he was back in control. He nodded briefly his eyes suddenly fixed on the window behind her as he spoke.

"When are we flying out?"

"I will be flying out Wednesday afternoon, I've decided that Tony and Ziva will accompany me as my detail."

"Excuse me?"

"This isn't a discussion Jethro. Someone needs to keep an eye on agency, and that someone will be you."

"I'm going with you, Jenny."

Jenny let out a brief sigh and resisted the urge to rub at her forehead in frustration before pulling herself up out of her chair and up to her full height..

"No Agent Gibbs you won't be. I've given you my orders and I expect you to follow them. Preferably without complaint.."

Gibbs sent one of his famous glares in her direction but it didn't work. It never had with her, so instead he shot out "Pulling rank on me Director? And taking my team?"

"You can look at it anyway you want Agent Gibbs, it won't change the outcome."

"I knew Will a lot longer than you did, if any one of us should be going it's me."

Folding her arms across her chest Jenny narrowed her eyes at him,"The decision has already been made. Now you can stand here and argue with me or you can go and brief Tony and Ziva. I suggest, for the sake of your health, that you choose the latter."

When Gibbs continued to stare she added, "Your team is currently the only one without an active case and since you will be Acting Director it is likely to stay that way. So it makes sense to give them something to do. As for your remark about them being your team you seem to forget your place Agent Gibbs, I am Director of this Agency and as a result I can redirect Agents in anyway I see fit. I certainly don't need your permission to do so."

For a moment they stood in silence, both glaring at each other; neither one willing to back down. Finally Gibbs realised this was a fight he wasn't going to win and shot her one last glare before storming out of her office. Jenny stood a few seconds longer waiting for him to slam the outer door as well. Wincing slightly when he did so. She reached into her drawer and pulled out some paracetamol, gulping them down without the aid of any water. The damn man had given her migraine.

xxxx