"Special Agent Gibbs?" Cynthia's voice said into the phone. "The Director would like to see you in her office right now."
"Fine," he grumbled, hanging up. It wouldn't do to look too pleased to be summoned to see Jenny. So far no one on the team had picked up on the change in their relationship, and if Gibbs had it his way, they never would.
Pick up his coffee, he answered his agents' unasked question. "Gotta give the Director a SitRep," he said shortly, noting a sympathetic wince from Tony. They thought he was still in hot water with the Director because of pretending to be in charge and making decisions for her while she'd been away. Whatever they assumed worked for him as long as it kept their curiosity in check.
Upstairs he shot past Cynthia before she could even pick up the phone and attempt to announce him. Gibbs turned the lock and faced Jenny, who stood straight and silent in front of her window, gazing down at the harbour. He wasn't sure if it was personal this time or business, but he wanted to be prepared.
"Jen?" he asked cautiously when she didn't immediately turn around.
Slowly Jenny moved away from the window, her face drawn, eyes conveying how tired she was. "Thank you for coming Jethro."
Gibbs tilted his head slightly, not sure what to make of her reserved facade. "Business or personal?" he asked after a moment.
Jenny's cheeks coloured slightly and she looked at him nervously. "A hug?" Her voice was barely audible and Gibbs realized she was afraid of his answer.
It took a lot for Jenny to be vulnerable, to need something or someone. And after three weeks Gibbs finally saw that she was ready to trust him, and allow herself to need him again. The revelation was enough to make him grin if she hadn't looked so unsure.
Setting down his coffee on her desk, Gibbs walked to Jenny, his eyes reassuring her before he actually touched her. He pulled Jenny firmly against his body, tucking her head into his shoulder and wrapping his arms around her. Jenny gave an inaudible sigh of relief as she let Gibbs take some of her weight, leaning into the strength he was offering, her arms locked around his waist.
Gibbs wasn't sure how long he stood holding her before Jenny began to pull herself back into Director mode, but it sure felt good to have her in his arms, his cheek resting against her hair while it gently tickled his skin, the subtle scent of her Parisian perfume drifting up to him. It was nice to be needed.
Finally Jenny stepped back and smiled, a real one this time. "Thank you Jethro," she whispered, appreciation in her gaze.
He threw her a grin. "Anytime Jen." Looking at her for several seconds, he leaned against her desk and crossed his arms. "Something happen?" he asked.
Jenny shrugged one shoulder. "MTAC conference with SecNav, phone call with Leon, conference call with Hettie while we tried to sort out the situation there." She sighed. "It's just been a really long morning. What did you tell the team?"
"SitRep on the case."
She tried to stand up straighter, knowing she needed to be the Director again, not Jenny. "And?"
Gibbs shook his head. "Not important. But I'm thinking you and me...take out...your place...2100?"
A small smile graced Jenny's face. "Leaving early tonight Jethro? That's not like you."
"Just need the right motivation Jen," he replied easily. He quirked an eyebrow at her. "Well?"
She nodded. "Yes. That sounds lovely."
Gibbs invaded Jenny's space again and tilted her chin up. She cast a quick glance towards the still locked door before her eyes met his again and closed, anticipating his kiss. Gibbs smiled and ran his thumb over her bottom lip, finally covering her mouth with his. The kiss was warm, soft, and comforting, conveying to Jenny that he was willing to put what he wanted aside to be what she needed. Jenny returned the kiss, saying thank you in a different way. When it ended, she smiled at him.
"You better get out of here. I can't work with temptation like you around."
Gibbs' eyebrows went up and a grin crawled lazily across his face. "Oh, a temptation am I?"
Jenny shook her head. "Get that look off your face Jethro. I really have to get back to work. I'll see you tonight."
"2100?" Gibbs confirmed.
"Even if I have to be dragged away."
"I could do that you know."
"Good bye Jethro."
"Director," he nodded, and then was gone.
Jenny sank back into her chair, grateful that he was nearby. It almost made everything better, almost. She sighed. And now back to work. But it was hard to concentrate while a vision of a certain silver-haired man danced in her head, making productivity a fleeting hope. She was looking forward to tonight.
NCIS
The next day they met in the narrow hallway as Gibbs stalked to Interrogation, followed by his team. Jenny kept her expression guarded and Gibbs' mask never cracked.
"Director," he greeted her.
Jenny nodded at his team. "Did you get our guy?"
"Caught him red handed Director," Tony grinned. "Now the Boss gets to break him."
"I wish," Ziva muttered and Jenny raised one eyebrow.
"It's a good thing you're observing then Ziva," Jenny said, looking back at Gibbs. "Get us what we need. I want your report on my desk by the end of the day.
She left before he could do more than open his mouth. Tony, McGee, and Ziva shared concerned looks as Gibbs walked into Interrogation 1 and slammed the door behind him.
NCIS
"Director," Gibbs called, taking the stairs two at a time to catch up with her the following morning.
Jenny slowed her pace and looked back at him, aware that there were eyes on them. "Special Agent Gibbs, what can I do for you?"
"FBI's trying to butt into my investigation," he stated bluntly.
She sighed and stood by the railing on the catwalk. "What's their argument?"
"That the guy involved is one of their snitches, Sacks thinks it gives the Bureau jurisdiction. Afraid they might lose one of their precious informants is more like it," Gibbs scoffed.
Jenny considered the information and nodded. "I'll give Mike a call. A Navy guy makes it our case, even the Director of the FBI can't argue too long about that one." For a second her posture relaxed and Jenny allowed her expression to become more personal. "Jethro..." she started, but his jaw muscles tightened and he barely shook his head.
Gibbs turned his gaze to the bullpen, where suddenly Abby found a reason to be looking over McGee's shoulder at his computer, hoping her movement had been quick enough to hide the fact that she'd been caught lipreading. Tony and Ziva's eyes as well shifted to their computers and Gibbs sighed.
Jenny understood that they couldn't talk now and they turned in opposite directions - her to her office and him back down to the squadroom to tell his team a thing or two about minding their own business.
NCIS
The team had just gotten back from their newest crime scene later that week, when the Director suddenly appeared in the middle of the bullpen, arms crossed and expression serious.
"What do we have?"
"Uh..." Tony flickered his gaze to Gibbs, who weighed the question for a moment before nodding. "Not much yet Director. Victim's name is Art Warshaw. He was found dead on his boat this morning by a marina security guard." He glanced at Tim. "McGee's doing a background check now."
Jenny pressed her lips together tightly. "This case is top priority. SecNav's taken a personal interest in this one. As soon as you know anything, it comes straight to me."
Gibbs stood up and eyed her. "Now wait a minute J-, Director, chain of command on my team-" he began, but Jenny cut him off.
"Does not start with you Agent Gibbs," she glared at him fiercely. "For this case, chain of command for your team is Director first, Team Leader second. Is that clear?"
"Crystal Ma'am," Tony answered coldly for all of them.
Jenny turned on her heel and strode back upstairs. All eyes in the squadroom turned to Gibbs.
"What are you looking at me for?" he growled. "Get to work."
Tony, Ziva, and McGee quickly began doing what they did best, leaving Gibbs to drop back into his chair and contemplate how much of that scene was the Director talking and how much was Jenny.
NCIS
Several hours later, Jenny was finally able to leave the building to go home. She stood at the back of the elevator, her body sagging as the metal wall held her up. The doors opened at the fifth floor and Jenny wanted to cover her face when Gibbs got on. She expected it when he flipped the emergency stop switch, but not the stony silence between them as she kept her eyes on the opposite wall.
Finally she took a deep breath. "Look, about earlier..."
"Trying to put me in my place Jen?"
Jenny chanced a glance at him and saw the frustration in his eyes. She shook her head. "No," she replied softly, "honestly." She sighed. "SecNav had been nagging at me since before the team got back and I was stressed and annoyed." Jenny crossed her arms.
"I'm not a five year old that needs to be told how to do my job and supervised the whole time. I'm good at what I do," she insisted, even though he wasn't arguing with her. "I know what top priority means." Her eyes met his, expression apologetic. "But I guess I should've counted to ten, or twenty, or a hundred before I took it out on your team, huh?" She heaved a sigh. "I'm s-"
Gibbs put his finger over her lips. "Rule 6," he warned softly.
Jenny smiled. "Right. Still hate me?"
He ran his thumb down her cheek. "I've never hated you Jen. Been annoyed, yes. Hated you, no."
She relaxed back against the wall and he set the elevator back in motion. "Good. So, know a place a girl can get dinner at 2300?"
Gibbs smiled. "I think I could find us some food."
Jenny was moving to kiss him when the elevator dinged and they stepped back just before four more people from the third floor crowded in. Gibbs was just glad they were at the back. He inched closer to Jenny, staring straight ahead as he hooked his baby finger with hers.
No one saw them holding hands and Jenny smiled faintly. She loved this, having Gibbs back in her life as more than a friend. It was so great to finally have someone to lean on at the end of the day, especially one like today. She squeezed his hand and silently, Gibbs agreed.
