Ch 3
Gibbs and Bingley decide to wait in the car and let Nikolić enter the building All the exits are covered by Bingley's colleagues, so if he leaves they'll soon know about it. Fortunately, it is not long before several vehicles arrive. Bingley recognizes the occupants as law enforcement officers and approaches them while Gibbs stays in the car. The undertaker's premises is swiftly surrounded before Bingley enters the building with several local agents, a short time later Bingley comes out of the building leading Nikolić.
Gibbs has not left the car but sees clearly the look of triumph on Bingley's face as he pushes Nikolić into a car. Bingley quickly runs over to Gibbs.
'Thanks Darcy, you can take the car back to Belgrade, leave it at the airport and I'll arrange to pick it up, thanks again for your help.' Bingley walks quickly back to his car and waves at Gibbs as he drives away.
Gibbs smiles to himself, it's Thursday morning he should be back in Washington by Friday, Jenny's last day in the office.
With no news from Jethro since she spoke to him on Monday Jenny has not had a good week. Telling herself that 'no news is good news', she has attended all her leaving parties trying to look as though she did not have a care in the world. Jethro's team had been very supportive and with Ziva staying with her she had not been alone.
Today, Thursday was her big send off from NCIS, all of HQ had been invited to the party organised for her. As she got herself ready to leave for the office, she thought of the day ahead, no doubt it would be emotional and she would probably shed a few tears. She had hoped Jethro would have been there, as her rock to lean on. The party was to start at noon and no doubt she would be receiving leaving gifts from the staff.
'Jenny, are you ready to leave.' Ziva shouts from the bottom of the stairs.
'Just coming,' Jenny replies walking slowly down, she hadn't realised how much her centre of gravity would change as the pregnancy progressed, negotiating stairs was something she always did carefully.
Ziva smiles at her, 'Big day today but tomorrow should be fairly quiet.'
Jenny nods, 'I just wish Jethro could have been here.'
The morning goes quickly Jenny spends most of the time helping to pack her personal belongings in her office and then wanders round the building making sure she gets to say goodbye to everyone.
By noon she is in one of the large conference rooms ready for her leaving presentation doing the rounds and talking to as many people as she can. She can see Tony and the rest of Gibbs team enjoying themselves, especially Tony who has not left the food table since he arrived. Jenny smiled to herself, Jethro also loved to eat at this type of function, that is when he could be persuaded to attend.
Soon the new Director, Leon Vance, has called everyone to attention and he says a few words in Jenny's honour. He then presents to her the leaving gifts which consist of a huge bunch of flowers and gift vouchers from a department store where she and Jethro can buy all the baby paraphernalia they will now need.
Before Jenny can respond to the new Director, Tony has stepped up to stand beside her holding another gift.
'Jenny, we, that is boss and the team, would like to give you this, to remind you of who you left behind. Of course, you'll still see a lot of us when you leave, cos' we'll babysit for you, you know if you and boss want to go out or anything.'
Jenny thanks him quickly before he can continue and takes the present, she unwraps it immediately – it is a large portrait photograph of Gibbs, Tony, McGee, Ziva, Abby and Ducky. She looks at the picture of the group but her eyes are pulled to the one face, her husband, the photographer has done a good job and she can see the look of contentment in the blue eyes. He is giving that lopsided smile that is so Jethro.
'This is perfect, thank you so much, it will take pride of place in our study.'
Jenny continues, 'I'd just like to say thank you to every one, the time I've spent as Director has been the happiest of my life so far and I'm leaving behind a great bunch of people. I'm sure I'll be seeing you all again and I promise to bring the twins around to see you all soon.'
As everyone started clapping she moves into talk to and thank her friends individually. She reaches Ducky who insists that she sits down and he sits beside her.
'How are you Jenny,' he asks
'Tired, a little worried that I haven't heard from Jethro since Monday,' Jenny replies.
'Have you spoken to the CIA?'
'Yes but they won't tell me anything, I'm not sure they know exactly what Jethro is doing.'
While Jenny is talking to Ducky her phone rings, she notes the caller – it is the CIA Director-
'Yes' she answers her cell.
'Ah, Director, we've just heard that Agent Gibbs mission has been successful and he is on his way home, he should be with you by tomorrow.'
'Thank you,' Jenny replies she has a huge grin on her face as she looks at Ducky
'Jethro'll be home tomorrow. That was the CIA, his mission is over,' she suddenly starts crying the emotion of the day and the relief she is now feeling, knowing that Jethro is safe and well, has become too much for her. Ducky hands her a handkerchief and quietly guides her out of the room and downstairs to autopsy. There is no body there at the moment so he'll be able to offer her a cup of tea and a little time to herself away from the good wishes of her staff.
Jenny is sitting down sipping her tea, she's now calmed down and is feeling more like her old self. Ducky has just finished telling her about the latest escapade of one of his mother's corgis.
'Well Jenny what are you planning to do before the babies come.' Ducky asks
'Mmm, over the last few weeks I've been going to cookery lessons and now I can practice on Jethro, I'll give him some proper home cooked meals. Cooking has not been one of my strengths but I think I'm getting there.'
'Good idea, but you must be careful not to tire yourself out and remember you will probably not be allowed to carry the twins until full term you be may be induced a couple of weeks early.'
'I know Ducky – I'm having frequent check ups with my consultant and I think I'll be booked in for the birth in a few weeks time.' Jenny replies.
Ducky changes the subject, 'Will you be in tomorrow?'
'I think so, just for a couple of hours in the morning but it may depend on when Jethro gets back.' Jenny replies.
At that moment the atmosphere is shattered by the entrance of Jethro's team,
'There you are,' Tony asks, 'Is everything OK?'
'Everything is fine Tony,' Jenny smiles, 'Your boss will be returning tomorrow.'
Tony grins in relief and Abby gives a huge shout and runs to hug Jenny,
'I knew he'd be alright, nothing can destroy the boss.' Abby says.
Jenny gets up from her chair indicating to Ziva that she is ready to go home,
'You'll be able to return to your own house tomorrow, thanks for staying with me for these few days.'
'My pleasure, Director.' Ziva replies.
Jethro has now returned to Belgrade and has made his way straight to the airport to book on the next flight to Paris. He has had very little sleep during the last few days but knows he must keep his wits about him for a few more hours. He does not think he'll be in danger from any Nikolić supporters but he doesn't want to take any chances. He doesn't sleep on the plane and arrives in Paris safely, he's met by an embassy official who advises him that a private CIA jet will take him back to Washington.
Jethro had hoped to get some sleep on the plane to Washington but no such luck – he is made to give a detailed debrief to the CIA officials on the plane.
A doctor is also on the plane to see to Gibbs injuries, he looks at the slashed arm.
'I'll stitch this up now, it looks like it's got a little infected so I'll also give you some anti-biotics.' The doctor cleans and stitches the wound and puts his arm in a sling. 'You'll need to see your own doctor when you get back to Washington, here are the anti-biotics, take two now and follow the instructions until you finish the course.'
Gibbs nods puts two of the pills in his hand and swills them down with a mug of coffee he's been given.
Gibbs completes his debrief by which time the plane is approaching Washington. As soon as the plane lands and he is whisked through the formalities, he makes a call to Jenny – it is early in the morning and she has not yet left for the office.
Jenny answers the phone immediately
'Hello'
'Jen, it's me I'm back.'
'Jethro, where are you? The CIA told me you'd be back today. Are you OK? I've missed you.' Jenny is so happy she doesn't quite know what to do.
'I'm fine Jen, on my way home. I missed you to. Is every thing OK, are you OK?'
'I'm feeling great Jethro, I'll be waiting for you.'
'See you in an hour.'
Husband and wife spend the next hour smiling to themselves, Jethro is sitting in the back of a CIA car being driven through Washington. Jenny is sitting in the kitchen drinking tea, she has the newspaper in front of her but is too excited to read it. She is just listening for a sound at the front door.
Ziva has packed her bags, she'll leave as soon as Gibbs arrives knowing that they will want their privacy.
Jenny suddenly gets up and walks to the front door just as she pulls it open Jethro arrives in the porch. No words are said at first, Jethro just steps inside and leans in to kiss her.
'Hell Jen if you get any bigger, I'm not going to be able to get close enough to kiss you.'
'Remember, it was you who put me in this position,' Jenny replies flinging her arms round his neck and with no intention of letting go anytime soon.
Ziva has watched the couple from the hall, realising that she would not be needed anymore she edged her way past them saying she was going to work, closing the door behind her she very much doubted that either of them had registered the fact that she had now left.
Jenny finally let go of Jethro,
'Can you tell me where you've been?' She asks
'No, but the mission is now completed.'
'You look tired,' Jenny has noticed the dark rings under his eyes and his drawn face.
'Haven't had much sleep during the last few days, Jen, want to join me in bed?', he smiles at Jenny while he's running his hands through her hair.
'Sure, I guess I can be late today, they won't sack me.'
The pair walk upstairs to their room, Jethro strips down to his underwear and lays down on the bed. Jenny notices the dressing on his arm.
'What happened to you.'
'Nothing much, doctor's given me a couple of stitches, I'll get Ducky to look at it in a few days.' Jethro replies.
'OK', Jenny replies making a mental note to phone Ducky to make sure Jethro gets the wound taken care of. She slips out of her clothes and lays down beside Jethro by the time her head has hit the pillow Jethro is asleep. She smiles to herself and moves towards him a little awkwardly as she is now so huge – the smile turns to a frown as she can feel heat radiating from his body. She raises her hand to brush the hair from his forehead, he definitely has a temperature.
Jenny dozes next to her husband for an hour before deciding to get up – wondering whether the doctor who saw Jethro has left him any medication she checks his jacket pockets and finds the antibiotics. Worried that he hasn't taken any she decides to wake him up – getting a glass of water she returns to his bedside.
'Jethro, Jethro, darling, wake up,' she calls gently to him shaking his shoulder.
Jethro slowly opens his eyes, 'Uuuh'
'Should you have taken these antibiotics?' Jenny asks. 'When was the last time you took some?'
'Uumm, on the plane just as we took off' Jethro replies still half a sleep
Jenny sighs, 'OK, take two now and then you can settle back down.' Jenny gives Jethro the pills and holds the glass to his lips so he can wash them down. He then leans back and is soon asleep again.
Jenny is still a little worried about her husband so she decides to ring Ducky,
'Ducky, I wonder if you could come round and have a look at Jethro, he's running a temperature.'
'Certainly Jenny, it's not like Jethro to be ill.'
'He's hurt his arm, it might be infected.'
'I'll come round now.' Ducky says, hoping he can put her mind at rest.
When Ducky arrives Jethro is still asleep, so Jenny offers the doctor a cup of tea before they go upstairs.
'How are you my dear,' Ducky asks
'I'm fine, I feel huge. I am huge. I can't wait until the birth. I haven't seen my feet for weeks!'
Once their tea is finished they go upstairs to see Jethro. They open the door just as Jethro is waking up, Ducky settles himself next to Jethro on the bed and Jenny sits on a chair.
'What have you been doing with yourself, Jethro.' Ducky asks.
Before he can reply the phone rings Jenny gets up to answer it and leaves the bedroom letting Ducky examine Jethro in peace.
She re-enters the room a few minutes later and watches Ducky put a clean dressing on the wound on Jethro's arm.
'He'll be fine, providing he takes the full course of the antibiotics.' Ducky reassures Jenny.
'Thank you', Jenny replies, then turns her eyes on Jethro, 'Well, you won't tell us what you've been up to but that was the President's office, he wants to see you at 2.30pm, they're going to send a car.'
