Learning to be Happy

Learning to be Happy

Disclaimer: I don't own the NCIS characters. Lauren is my only creation aside from the story.

AN: A Sequel to "You Deserve to be Happy" There is no real plot here; just a continuation of the love story of Jethro and Lauren.

Jethro raised his head and looked out at his house. "It has never felt better to come home. Come on let's go in."

Chapter Two

They went in the house and Lauren put Jethro's things away while he went through the mail. When she came downstairs, she found Jethro sitting on the back deck. The evening was cool and the fresh air was such a relief after almost two weeks in the hospital. Jethro was so lost in his thoughts he didn't hear Lauren come out so she decided to leave him alone. She went back in the house and returned thirty minutes later with lasagna, salad and wine.

"Wow, I was jut thinking I was getting hungry. This smells great," Jethro said standing up to help with the food. "Sure beats the hospital. It's so good to have fresh air and be outdoors. Here's to the cook," Jethro added as they clinked their wine glasses together.

"Actually thank Tony. He brought this over from that little Italian place you guys like. I told him you were coming home today and he brought this just as I was leaving for the hospital. He said it would be good for you. He even brought dessert."

"Well, for once Tony is right. It's great."

Jethro and Lauren finished their meal then shared a piece of the cheesecake Tony had brought. Lauren cleared away the dishes and returned to find Jethro had moved to the glider chair so she sat down next to him and snuggled under his arm.

"I'm so happy to have you home Jethro."

Jethro tightened his hold around Lauren's shoulders and kissed her on the temple but didn't say anything. Lauren sensed there was something he wanted to tell her but she just waited, enjoying being held closely by the man she loved.

Finally Jethro began, "When I was shot this time I was sure I was going to die. I could tell it was bad and when I saw DiNozzo's face and heard him shouting at me I was pretty sure I wasn't going to make it. I could feel myself fading fast and for a few seconds I was okay with that. I realized I would be with Shannon and Kelly and I thought, okay, let's go. But then DiNozzo was in my face yelling at me to wake up. Somehow with all his yelling I must have realized what was happening and I thought about you and all of a sudden I didn't want to die. I still thought I was going to because I couldn't move and it was so hard to breathe. I could just barely hear Tony begging me to hold on and there was so much blood; I figured I was a goner. When I saw you in the ER I wanted to tell you I loved you but I couldn't. Once I had seen you I knew I had to try and come back. Thank you for coming that day. I know in my heart that if I hadn't seen you there I wouldn't have survived the surgery. The doctor told me what happened in the operating room. I don't know how it worked exactly but I know I didn't want to leave you and that's why I'm still here. I want you to know that no matter what happens to us in the future I know that loving you and having you love me saved my life that day. I'm going to try my best to always be worthy of that love." When he finished, Jethro turned to Lauren and kissed her long and slow giving her all his love and stealing her breath away.

When they pulled back from the kiss Lauren reached for Jethro's hand and intertwined her fingers with his. "When Ducky came here and said you had been shot I just froze. I thought it had to be some kind of sick joke until I saw the look on his face. Then I knew it was real. I had never been so scared in all my life as I was when I saw you in the ER. The doctors didn't seem very hopeful and I was so afraid I was going to lose you. Ducky told me you were a fighter so just kept hoping that you felt you had something to fight for. That's why I kept telling you all that first night that I loved you and for you to keep fighting. I'm so glad you did Jethro. Thank you for coming back to me. I know we might have rough times ahead of us but I don't think it can get much worse than these past two weeks. We both had the chance to give up or walk away and we both chose to stay and fight. I admit when I saw you lying in that bed in the ICU my first instinct was to run. I didn't know if I could take the pain of watching you suffer and struggle and then the pain of it maybe happening again someday. But then I remembered how good it feels to be in your arms, how you can make me laugh so easily and how much I like waking up with you and I knew I could never leave you. I feel all that and so much more for you Jethro. We are going to be just fine, you and I as long as we have each other."

Now it was Lauren's turn to pull Jethro into a kiss that told him just how much she loved and wanted him. After a few minutes they both realized how late it was and that they were cold so they went into the house. Jethro sat at the table while Lauren loaded the dishwasher and tidied up the kitchen. Then they slowly made their way up the stairs, stopping only once for Jethro to rest a moment.

"I forgot how hard stairs can be" he said with a grimace.

"Just take your time. There's no hurry you know."

"Well, actually I am in a bit of a hurry to get you into bed," Jethro replied with a smirk.

With that thought for motivation Jethro made it the rest of the way up the stairs and into the bedroom. While he sat on the bed catching his breath Lauren went into the bathroom to get ready for bed. When she returned Jethro had stripped to his boxers and was stretched out sound asleep. Lauren slipped into bed and snuggled up to Jethro careful not to hurt him. Before she fell asleep Jethro had wriggled over closer to her pulling her back against his chest. His arm was draped over her holding her securely to him. When they woke up late the next morning they were still in the same position.

Lauren awoke to Jethro gently running his fingers up and down her stomach and kissing her ever so lightly on her shoulder. Turning onto her back so she could look at him Lauren said, "Good morning. I think this is my favorite way to wake up."

"Good morning beautiful." Jethro slid over on top of Lauren and holding himself just above her kissed her on the mouth before he helped her out of her tee shirt. Supporting his weight on his elbows and forearms, Jethro leaned down and resumed kissing Lauren. Her hands were skimming up and down his sides and back so lightly he shivered at her touch. When he left her mouth Jethro kissed his way down her throat and across her shoulders and back to nibble at the hollow spot at the base of her throat.

"You feel so good to me baby. I've missed you so much." After that brief interruption Jethro began kissing and licking and nibbling his way down to Lauren's breasts and stomach. The little noises she was making in response to him were having a serious affect on his self control. Her fingernails were scraping up and down his back and she was arching her back letting him know what she wanted with out speaking. Jethro returned to her mouth as his hand slid into her panties causing Lauren to moan into his kiss and pull him closer.

"Jethro are you sure you're ready for this?"

"I'm way past ready babe." With that he divested her of her panties and himself of his boxers.

"I want you inside me Jethro."

"My pleasure." Jethro entered her and they soon found their rhythm together. Release didn't take long as they were both so in need of each other. Afterward Jethro lay on his back and Lauren kissed him tenderly as her fingers trailed all over his chest and abdomen lightly caressing his newly healed wounds. Before long they were both sound asleep tangled in one another and happy to be there.

Before too long their daily routine was set. Jethro and Lauren made love most mornings then had breakfast and got busy with Jethro's rehab. Lauren worked in the room Jethro had set up as an office for her while Jethro took long walks and did some light weight work. They had lunch together and Jethro usually had a short nap while Lauren ran errands or was out on business. Ducky came by every evening to check Jethro's progress sometimes staying for supper. Jethro's team was there most days talking about cases or just visiting.

After two weeks Jethro was cleared to return to work half days. He went to the office about 9:00 and was usually home by 3:00. He was relieved to be back at work even for the hated desk duty but he found he missed being around Lauren all day. The third week Jethro returned to work full time. Lauren was gone to New York City for a couple of day on business; the first time they had been apart in over a month. As usual, Jethro's team was handling some complicated and demanding cases. He was away from home more than he would have liked but Lauren seemed to understand and accept the reality of his job. She was traveling more often and Jethro was fine with that. It seemed these two very independent and self-sufficient people were well matched and making a good success of their relationship.