A/N - thanks for the reviews.
Part 3
There were no emergencies, no cases that only he could handle. His team was pleasantly surprised to be off for the weekend and knew better than to ask questions. Only Ducky and Abby were aware what was happening – and Jen of course.
He relaxed a notch the moment he saw the familiar figure – the hair that he remembered as being dark and long was gray now and cut short, but she was still a blur of energy. He lingered on the edge of the private room where they were having dinner, just to enjoy watching her send the hotel staff about their business; making sure everything was organised to her high standards. She was a force to be reckoned with and one of the kindest souls he'd ever met. So kind in fact that you almost didn't notice how perceptive she was – until she told you something you'd rather not know, or weren't ready to admit.
"Anything I can do to help?" he said, stepping further into the room, suddenly very glad he'd arrived early.
"You can come over here and give me a hug." She didn't even come up to his shoulder, but he wouldn't even have considered disobeying her.
"Hello Kathleen."
"Leroy Jethro Gibbs. It's been far too long." Ageless features looked back at him and he found he couldn't possibly disagree. It had been too long. "Pete will be so glad to see you."
"How's he doing?"
"Good days and bad days. Our third grandchild is due in a couple of months – he's holding on for that. He's been looking forward to this as well." She patted his arm gently, "it's going to be all right – just a few hours with old friends. Nothing you can't handle." He nodded, letting himself believe her because it seemed easier – because he wasn't the one with a terminal illness. She frowned, "I thought you were bringing someone with you?"
"She can't have left him already," a familair voice said from behind him.
"Skipper," Gibbs turned, coming face to face with the man who'd taken him under his wing a lifetime ago, looked after him, even saved his life once. He was glad he'd talked to Ducky, glad he'd been prepared for what a battle with cancer could do to someone. Though Pete Miller might have shrunk into his six foot four frame – his strength and determination shone through like a beacon.
But Gibbs felt the guilt slam into him just the same – knowing he should have made more of an effort to stay in touch, that this shouldn't be the first time he was seeing Pete since the diagnosis. He'd been taught better than that – this man had taught him better.
"She's been delayed," he said as he clapped Pete on the back and spared a quick thought for Jen - who'd still been in MTAC when he'd left. "She's hoping to get here soon."
"How about a drink," Pete said, glancing at his wife – his expression suddenly mischievous, "before she has you moving tables." Gibbs glanced over at Kathleen – who sighed, looked from one of them to the other and then made a shooing gesture with her hands.
"I don't want the two of you under my feet while I'm finalising the arrangements for dinner."
"You see," Pete looped his arm over Gibbs' shoulders, "nothing changes, Kathleen still wears the pants. Come on Jethro – buy me a drink and tell me what you've been doing with yourself."
By the time he was on his second beer more people had arrived. He'd been recognised, patted on the back, teased. He felt a lot like the prodigal son, though he wasn't really comfortable with the attention. But he wasn't here to be comfortable; he was here because he owed Pete far more than a few hours of his time. The ribbing was good-natured, and though it would have earned DiNozzo a slap to the head, he knew different rules applied here.
"So, about this woman," Pete began, returning to a subject Gibbs thought they'd safely parked some time ago. "Who did you say she is?"
"Used to be my partner." It was strange to describe Jen that way, but he wasn't prepared to explain further and it seemed far easier not to mention that she was the Director of NCIS.
"And she hasn't stood you up?" Someone else asked,
"She's on her way." Others joined in – trying to draw more information out of him,which of course he was reluctant to provide. They'd see for themselves at some point.
"Something tells me she's a red head." Pete said, the amusement and certainty in his tone enough to make Gibbs turn and look towards the entrance. Sure enough, Jen was standing in the doorway.
"That's her," he confirmed. Waiting for her gaze to find him, making no move to get up and greet her.
"Wow," someone breathed, "is she single Gunny?" Gibbs rolled his eyes – Jen Shepard and a room full of Marines – not all of them married; none of them blind – he should have expected this.
"As far as I know,"
"Way out of your league." Pete commented, his gaze travelling between Gibbs and the woman now making her way over to them, his expression still amused. Somehow it wouldn't have been a surprise if he'd added, 'yours too Gunny'.
TBC
