Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

A/N: I have no idea where this piece came from, and I don't think it makes much sense either. I was encouraged by NerdyJibbsOreo to write a tag to 16x10. Let's be honest, did you guys really think I could pass on such a cute episode, even though I'm a little late. If you are disappointed in how this turns out, that would make two of us.

Warning: This was written by someone who has been sleep deprived for a few days.

*Enjoy

The coffee machine had been the culprit, that was the story he was sticking to if either of them were to wake up. He'd been avoiding the new born as much as possible. He knew that when the time came for Nick and Ellie to give the child away, they were going to have a tough time doing so. Why he'd allowed himself to do what he just did, he'd never know.

The baby had kept all three of them up for most of the night, even when he refused to take shifts. He took pity on them. A few decades ago he'd been in their shoes, operating on little to no sleep. He'd never tell them that he felt sorry for them. They had created this mess on their own.

The cup sitting on the breakfast table was long since cold, a perfect cup of Jamaican blend had gone to waste. The swift kick to his stomach drew his attention to the blue bundle on his lap. The gummy smile directed his way was enough to stop the glare from forming on his brow.

The baby pushed away his bottle in favor of his thumb, his blue eyes searching the familiar face. Jethro placed the bottle next to his cup. Wrestling the baby's hand away from his mouth, he gave him his pacifier, smiling as the baby's eyes started to droop.

Cradling the baby close to his chest, he stroked a callused finger over his cheek. He didn't blame his agents one bit for falling in love with the little boy. He just hoped he'd get him to sleep and back in the cradle before either of them woke up, that way his hard-ass Marine persona would still be intact.

The baby blinked at him, any trace of sleep gone. Jethro rolled his eyes. Even though he missed being a father, struggling to get a baby to sleep was one thing he didn't miss all that much. Abandoning his seat, he cradled the baby against his chest more securely, gently rocking him from side to side.

He was too caught up with the baby to realize that someone was standing right behind them. The gentle hand on his shoulder had him frozen in place. He could just see the all knowing smirk on Ellie's face, he'd rather have Ellie catch him being a teddy bear instead of Nick. Taking a deep breath he turned around, hoping the fake look of displeasure would be convincing enough.

Jack raised an eyebrow at him, amused as the dark look on Gibbs' face melted into one of pure terror. Those icy blues flicked down to the baby in his arms before meeting hers. She smiled up at him, the image of him holding the tiny blue bundle causing her to melt on the inside. It was taking all her self-control not to let a soft 'Aw' slip.

He'd seen the gleam in her eye the moment she saw the baby in his arms. Shifting the suddenly fussing baby, he placed him carefully in her waiting arms. He watched as her brown eyes melted into warm pools of comfort, drawing both him and the baby into their depths.

The baby stared up at her, offering her a gummy smile as he sucked his pacifier. Jethro placed an arm around her shoulders as she adjusted the little guy. She looked up at him, and he couldn't resist the urge that over took him. Bumping his nose against hers affectionately, he placed a gentle hand on her neck.

Allowing his eyes to flutter shut, he kissed her.

Maybe it was the festive season, or the fact that they had two very observant agents asleep behind them who could catch them in a very intimate moment. It might even have been the caring comfort they both shared for the baby. Whatever it was, it was electrifying.

He hadn't realized how much he had missed her in the short amount of time that she had been gone until he was kissing her again. They had spent a number of nights together. A stolen weekend here, or a hush-hush midnight meeting at which ever of their houses were closest at that moment.

She had extended the invite of going up to Vermont a few days before she left. The promise of being cooped up with her in a luxurious room with some damn fine whiskey had been tempting to say the least. Although his mind hadn't strayed far from the king sized bed she had spoken of, he had still declined her invite.

He was still unsure of where exactly it was they were headed. No relationship he'd had in the last few years had ended well for him. He usually ended up with either a bleeding skull, or a Dear John letter stained with sorrow filled tears.

Instead, he'd told her to enjoy the Lodge and the quiet while it lasted, indirectly asking her to give him sometime to battle with his emotions. With Jack going skiing and most of his team going to their families for the holidays, he had volunteered to be on call and work with the team who had ended up being on duty. Silently hoping they'd catch a case that would prevent him from confronting his tumultuous feelings.

What he hadn't bargained on was having Nick and Ellie crashing on his couch, while he desperately tried to avoid any form of connection with the beautiful little boy they were caring for. Luck, however, wasn't on his side – it never really was.

Jack pulled away from their kiss, she could almost taste the conflict on his lips. He looked at her with darkened eyes, lust dilating his pupils. If it weren't for the two agents and the tiny baby in the house, she'd most likely be dragging him upstairs by his shirt collar.

He quietly asked her if she wanted some coffee, hoping not to wake the dozing baby. She nodded and watched as he adjusted the blanket around the baby. Leon had told her over the phone that Gibbs wasn't all that happy about the baby being in their custody, but she knew it ran deeper than that. The gentleness in his touch was evident that his reaction was a way to protect himself.

Watching as he set about making a new brew of coffee, she picked up the song she had been listening to on her way over.

Little Logan was finally safe and sound. At least that was the name she had been calling him whenever she had been alone with the little guy. The silence between her and her companion was starting to make her nervous. A weekend away, snowed in and trying to steal his warmth had sounded irresistible in her mind. His reaction to her invite had been nothing short of lustful.

Yet, he had declined. She had been disappointed, she had been looking forward to having him all to herself. He needed space right now; it was all so new to the both of them. A few days away from each other might have been good for the both of them, but now her plans were in ruins and going back to a cold apartment wasn't first on her list.

Nudging Gibbs with her shoulder she smiled. "Merry Christmas, Gibbs." Her eyes never leaving the new family.

Jethro turned towards her. He watched the snow drift softly in the light breeze, the delicate ice coming to rest in her golden locks. "Merry Christmas to you, Jack." If the various cards on her desk in her office were any indication, he was confident in his assumption that she liked Christmas.

"Still goin' skiing?"

"It's a little late now."

He didn't miss the disappointment in her voice. She tore her eyes away from the happy scene, looking up at him. Golden brown eyes stared up at him and for a moment he was content with just being lost in the warmth they filled him with.

"Why? You got a better plan?" She watched as he tried to avoid her curious gaze.

"I was just thinking about that gift bottle you gave out."

"Kentucky's finest." She informed him quickly.

"Oh."

"Small batch." She smiled up at him. She had spent days trying to find the best bottle of whiskey, knowing that if there was one person who would appreciate it, it would be him.

"I wanna crack that." The sparkle in his blue eyes was enough to convince her to spend Christmas with him. "You in?"

Jack felt the butterflies flutter as he looked at her and she nodded her head. There was no pretense. He wanted to share his beloved bottle of whiskey with her. Despite the fact that they were in – in a what? A relationship. He had no expectations of her. He simply didn't want to be alone this Christmas.

She couldn't fight the smile as she looked up at him as he towered over her. The colorful bulbs around them reflected in those soft blue eyes. More than anything she wanted to kiss him.

He was leaning towards her, his warm breath washing over her cold skin. In a moment of panic, she placed her hands against his chest, dropping her head, so he couldn't kiss her. He pressed his lips to her forehead. She nuzzled her nose against his chest, allowing both his warmth and scent to envelope her.

Jethro wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into his side as they watched the scene in front of them.

\/

The fire was crackling in the hearth, the lights on the Christmas tree twinkling brightly in the otherwise dark house. Neither of them felt like turning on a light, Ellie and Nick had left half an hour ago, leaving the two of them alone. Jack hadn't missed the look they shared when they realized she was staying.

Jack stared at the crib, unconsciously rocking it from side to side. Heartbreaking memories had been unearthed today. No one knew, not even Leon. Gibbs, on the other hand, had put the pieces together, perhaps he'd picked up on the pain she had desperately tried to keep out of her voice. Then again, he of all people would, he'd lost a child. Giving up her little Faith had been the only option at the time.

A warm hand on her shoulder pulled her out of her memories. A fine cut crystal glass filled with three healthy fingers of Booker's Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey was handed to her almost reverently. She raised her eyebrows at the fairly expensive glass.

Jethro took his spot next to her, settling into the corner of the couch. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders as she settled against his side, the smell of her perfume washing over him – mixing deliciously with the strong sent of bourbon.

She twisted the glass around in her hand, looking at him for an explanation.

Jethro sipped his bourbon thoughtfully, studying his own crystal glass. "They were a gift." The giver had been a green eyed redhead who had insisted that expensive whiskey was meant for expensive crystal.

He plucked himself out of his thoughts. He looked at Jack, her eyes soft and full of understanding. He felt his heart swell, if only she knew what those smoldering brown eyes did to him. He watched as she sipped the ridiculously expensive bourbon. The twinkling lights reflected off her now wet lips, inviting him to kiss her senseless.

He took the glass from her, placing it safely on the coffee table with his. Before she could get a word in, he was pulling her closer. He cupped her cheek, the skin soft against his palm. He felt her smile against his lips as he pressed his forehead against hers. Pulling away for a second, he simply looked at her.

Soft blonde locks curled around her face, brown eyes hazy and sparkling from both the whiskey and the lingering promise that he was about to kiss her. He admired her tanned skin, images of her in a scantily clad bikini flashing through his mind.

Jack shifted, turning more towards him. Placing her small hands on his handsome face, she smoothed the last few lines of stress from the case away. Fingertips glided over his face, finding their way into his hair. He slid an arm around her, feeling her soft body against his as she found her way onto his lap, straddling his hips.

Tangling his fingers in her hair, he traced her bottom lip with his other thumb. For the first time since they started this, her eyes were unguarded, pain filled irises stared down at him. He knew there was nothing he could do for her that would take the pain and regret away.

He doubted that he would have had the strength to give up his own child, but he knew she had done what was best. It explained so much about how she could calm young Elena. He suspected that her taking care of the baby while Nick and Ellie ran down leads hadn't helped her wounded heart all that much. He'd caught her a few times calling the little boy Logan.

Jack felt the tears well in her eyes. Why did he have to be so damn perceptive about everything? She should have kept her feelings in check, or maybe she should have gone up to Vermont and drowned herself in alcohol until she could deal with everything again.

Cupping her cheeks, he wiped away the silent tears that rolled over her soft skin. She sniffed, giving him a watery smile as she tried to wipe away her tears. He pulled her closer, pressing his cheek against hers, feeling her hot tears against his own cheek. Hugging her closer, he held her tight. "It's okay to cry."

He'd seen her cry before, but that had been out of anger. He'd never seen her this emotional, a part of him wanted to coddle her until everything was back to normal. Jack dropped her head against his shoulder.

Seeing him earlier that morning holding the baby had brought a whole set of new questions and unresolved emotions. Where would she have been if she had made different choices in her life? The gentleness of his touch as he wiped away the tears had her holding her breath. She was terrified that he would push her away if he knew about all the darkness she harbored inside her.

He pulled her closer, his lips brushing hers lightly. This was the line they had been toeing for the last few weeks. The line between friends with benefits and a serious relationship. He brushed her hair out of her face, watching as her eyes flickered with so much emotion. He tried to prepare himself to be let down. He'd respect whatever she decided was best for them.

"Jethro..." He swallowed hard, she'd never used his first name before.

She shook her head, words suddenly failing her. Sharing her emotions with someone wasn't really her best quality. Pulling him into a hug, his face nuzzled against her breasts, she could feel his soft panicked breaths. He was even more terrified than she was. Pressing her lips against his ear, she felt him take a deep breath, "I like you." she whispered quietly.

Jethro stared up at her. The true meaning of her words written on her face, he nodded his head. Being emotionally available to someone else has been so far out of his ballpark he was having a tough time formulating a response. "I really like you too." His voice was hoarse as he finally spoke.

The taste of rich oak infused bourbon flooded his senses as she kissed him. Any doubt he had about what was between them was driven out of his mind as her tongue touched his. All he could think about was the feel of her body against his and the warmth in his soul.

There were clothes scattered all around them on the floor. The twinkling lights illuminating their skin in colorful patterns. The snaps and crackles of the firewood mingled with their heavy breathing, the heat from the fire warming their rapidly cooling bodies.

He could still feel his skin tingle where her naked body pressed against his. She shivered from the sudden drop in temperature. Feeling along the back of the couch, he found a blanket. Throwing it over them, he tucked it around her shoulders securely.

This wasn't the first time their night ended with them sprawled out on his couch. Some nights they were naked other nights they were just too tired to move. Usually after he'd fallen asleep, she'd slip out of bed or off the couch. He'd listen as she quietly got dressed, pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth and then disappear as if nothing had happened. He had never confronted her about it or asked her why she wouldn't spend the night with him.

Jack trailed light kisses across his chest, moving up his throat and finally planting a kiss on his swollen lips. Her breathing was still heavy, her body a quivering mess. Resting her head on his chest, she watched the snowfall outside.

She was suddenly thankful to whoever had a hand in ruining her plans to go skiing. Fear had always clouded every relationship she'd ever had. It was the main reason she left in the dead of night, she couldn't subject anyone to the hell that was her nightmares. The few nights Gibbs had stayed at her place, she had been awake the whole night hoping to ward off any unwelcome dreams.

Things between them had shifted. She was no longer scared about what he would think of her when the nightmares did come. He'd been there himself, knew that it was something one could never escape from.

Jethro shifted, looking down at the woman sprawled across his chest. He pulled her closer, fingers lacing in her golden hair. He stared at her for a long moment, wishing he could force his feelings into words that would actually make sense.

Sensing his struggle, she kissed him, snuggling closer as he tried to express himself. Jethro cupped her face in his palms, "Stay?"

Jack chewed the inside of her lip. The brief flicker of her lover's eyes told her that he was apprehensive of her answer. Resting her forehead against his, she kissed him long and slow, before making up her mind.

"Always."

If any of you can find the plot to this, please let me know. ;) Yes, I added that scene with Gibbs and the baby, because not even Leroy Jethro 'No' Gibbs could withstand that baby's cuteness.

Thanks for reading.