Author's Notes: I was uncertain whether to call the latest installment 'Grasshopper' or 'Fire in the Belly.' Nevertheless, both seem appropriate the next body of 'Letting Go.' We left Jethro and Suzanne in bed after a passionate, glorious union during their Hawaiian honeymoon. The following installment continues with the following morning, where he wants more from his new wife. Jethro learns distinctive reasons as why Suzanne is the perfect balance. The lyrics for Van Morrison song, Fire in the Belly is noted in the chapter as a point of reference.

She slept quietly in the bed as the moonlight beams shined on her face, highlighted her thick eyelashes and caressed her cherub cheeks. Suzanne's irresistible habit was moistening her plump lips in her sleep with the slightest tip of her tongue. On his side, Jethro's one hand rested against her back. Suzanne was not all submissive; she was just herself, allowing Jethro to be dominant and yet show his romantic, tender side.

5:30 AM and sunrise. The best way to begin a day, Jethro thought, was to make love with his wife—his beautiful new wife. Again, he merely watched Suzanne and fondly recalled the overnight. Jethro's smile build, knowing he allowed her most intense, passionate and liberating experience. The moans, the gasps, and the release replayed in his mind. Grasshopper, he chuckled.

"Suzanne?" He called softly.

Jethro's soft kisses began with the forehead. His unoccupied hand played in her hair. His pecks showered the curve of her face, accompanied by a lone finger tracing the neck and shoulders.

"You're killing me, Susie…" Jethro whispered between kisses. Their bodies complimented one another. Forehead to feet, except a mere half-inch, Suzanne was frame equivalent, philosophically matched. The curves and softness of her body were distracting. Add the flowing mane across the pillow, her soft voice and especially her shyness, Suzanne accelerated his immediate want.

"Was I snoring?" Suzanne softly grumbled, rolled onto her side. Immediately, she mumbled an apology, an excuse me. Dreamily, sleepily, she explained the habit in a softer voice.

"Medication…causes me to snore. Just…wake me up and let me roll over."

Suzanne's eyes fluttered in response and slowly opened. Jethro rolled closer, fully kissing her lips.

"I wanted to finish what we started earlier…" His hands slowly caressed her body.

Lovemaking was not routine with Jethro, nor did he plan the standard, rote movements with Suzanne. His new wife was different than the others, much more special than the exes. There were a combination of physical attributes, personality traits that stood out where Gibbs became the relentless hunter. Fun. Fearless. Female.

"I want you to explain…why you're unevenly tanned…" Jethro suggested, kissing each breast with care as he continued the soft touching.

"They're…oh…always covered up." Suzanne's response softly turned into a seductive moan. It was the tone—very feminine, high pitched. Her speaking voice was considerably lower and controlled. It did not bobble or weave in distractions. When it came to Gibbs' romantic overtures, however, Suzanne slowly lost focus, got swept away in emotion. Every Van Morrison song about a woman he pictured her in his mind. At the moment, Fire in the Belly came to mind.

Stoke up my engine, bring me my driving wheel
Once I get started you'll see just how I feel
And I'm crazy about you
And I'm crazy about you
And I'm crazy about you
You, you on your high flying cloud
You, you when you're laughing out loud
You, you with your hidden surprise
You

Jethro Gibbs was a romantic. Suzanne exceeded the wishes he had with Shannon: the opportunity to grow with a kind-hearted, confident but confidential woman. He could be the man once ago—without jadedness about love. He loved Shannon; Jethro loved the new wife with the same intensity. Suzanne set her own rules but kept a hold the learned values from her family and faith. It wasn't just the sensual naiveté; the initial introduction was wonderful. She just allowed…control. Suzanne embraced all of his personality—faults and all.

"Why?" Jethro's mouth opened wider to suck on a thick, erect nipple. She struggled to continue an explanation; instead, she moaned his name. That, in turn, raced Jethro's desire to fulfill her every want. Instinctively he knew what to do: continue talking to Suzanne. "Makes you even sexier…" The tip of his tongue swirled to and fro each globe. Jethro's lips pecked along her cleavage, then upward and towards her lips.

"I'm very top-heavy."

"I've been awake all night, thinking about you, your beautiful body…" He admitted, kissing into Suzanne's hair. Jethro gazed into her dark eyes and smiled, while his hands freely roamed across her body and stopped along her legs.

Her inner muscles held onto him tighter, denying further inward movement with a second digit. Though frustrated, the natural response turned him on. Suzanne's response was vocal, groaning softly at the first stroke. Learning what triggered her reaction to lovemaking was a very luscious challenge.

"God, Susie…you're wrapping around me so tight…" he whispered hotly in her ear. Jethro's finger wiggled, vigorously, sensually touching the sensitive parts. Suzanne stifled her vocal excitement. Instead, she buried her head into his chest, kissing it with soft pecks.

"Baby…don't…" Jethro tilted her head. Her eyes locked on his as they both moaned, nodded and sighed in agreement. "You are beautiful when you're turned on…"

Jethro's attempt to fill Suzanne with a second finger was thwarted by another strong inward grasp. His eyes rolled in appreciation, with erotic disbelief. Her back arched, neck dipped and mouth opened wider. Jethro covered his mouth over hers, delving his tongue inside, moaning as he felt her overall passion. Suzanne was more than excited, Jethro rubbing the tip teasingly on the edge and feeling the dampness. She was ready for Jethro.

"You've got me so hard right now…I'm about to come." Jethro panted, attempted to regain control as he continued to explain his level of both excitement and frustration. He gently guided one leg around his waist with a caress.

"I can't…not without you." She whispered. With the other hand, his fingertip traced the outline of her face.

"Just relax…" Calmly, he inhaled a deep breath and met with a slow, deep thrust. Suzanne moaned in delight, dipping her head back, fluttering her eyes in pleasure. "I'll hold on until…I make you come the way you want to…"

"Jethro…"

"Mmm…you feel that." he whispered, softly kissing her lips and caressing her hair.

"Yes…" She swallowed hard at his size.

"Good…" Jethro chuckled softly as he joined the other leg around his waist. "I just want you to come for me…"

He moved slowly inside Suzanne, caressing the outside of her thigh. One hand soon turned into two, guiding her hips to establish a faster rhythm. Softly, she moaned in contentedness.

Jethro became hypnotized by the look of ecstasy in Suzanne's eyes.

"Oh…" She whispered. "Don't stop, Baby…"

He smiled. The pace quickened, and Suzanne moaned even harder. Her nails gripped into his back, a response never done.

"There's my girl…" Jethro sensually nipped on her earlobe, moaning softly. Suzanne's caresses reached to his backside, pulling him closer. "Say you want me, Susie."

"Oh..!" Her back flexed.

"You about to come for me?"

"Yes…" Suzanne's voice trembled.

"Tell me." Jethro reached a third gear, pumping furiously.

"Ah…Jethro?" She trembled, only for Jethro to hold her closer. "I'm coming…"

"Come for me, Susie."

Jethro and Suzanne climaxed together. 'Beautiful…' Jethro quietly commented. The way Suzanne's voice croaked, missed an octave. Her head drooped downward and eyes close. She curled around Jethro, shaking uncontrollably, eventually stopped while in his arms. Moments passed before he explained the new nickname to Suzanne.

"You're a novice at all this stuff…marriage, lovemaking…" he chuckled.

"Don't take pity on me."

"It's just the opposite." Jethro smiled, playing in Suzanne's hair. "I love exploring it with you, Grasshopper…" He kissed her on the lips slowly, tenderly.