A/n: I take back what I said earlier, maybe being concussed is useful? I managed to write this an part of a one-shot I've been thinking of for a while today because I'm not allowed in class for a few days, until the doc is sure my concussion hasn't affected too much.

Anyways. Um, again, this one isn't connected to the previous chapter. It's actually the Chapter 3 I originally promised, the one detailing the start of Jethro and Jenny's relationship and the effects on A.J. and Jenny's relationship.

Things you need to know...

A.J. recently graduated.

Jenny, Jethro, and Ducky are on assignment in Paris, tracking arms dealers.

Jethro thinks that A.J. is Jenny's best friend, not her sister. (Believe me, this will be relevant later.)

that's it, I think.

Chapter 4! Woo!

-meg.

4. Letters from Europe

June 12, 1998- Paris, France (Pre-series)

A heavily callused hand slid up the smooth expanse of her back to curl around her shoulder, stroking the bare skin there with a thumb. "Whatcha writing?" His low voice broke through her concentration on the paper in front of her.

"Letter to a friend of mine." Jenny let out a moan of approval as his rough hands began massaging her shoulders, working out a knot in her neck muscles. "Mmm…don't stop."

He pressed a few light kisses to the freckles at the top of her shoulders, murmuring softly with his lips against her skin. "Who's your friend?"

She set the pen and paper to the side, letting her head fall back against his shoulder. "Mmm…friend from college, promised I'd write every once in a while to guarantee I'm not dead."

He pushed the paper further away, wrapping strong arms around her waist to pull her back against him. "Feel pretty not dead to me."

Jenny laughed softly, turning in his grip to push him flat on his back, her lips scattering light kisses and nips across his torso. "Maybe you should make sure. Y'know, that I'm not dead."

Gibbs grinned, both hands wrapping around her upper arms to pull her face up to his. "Gotta make sure…"

Jenny gasped as he began nuzzling her neck, sprawling her body across his. "Definitely."

A.J. Shepard stared at the letter in her hands, smirking as she threw her head back and laughed. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed a number from memory.

"Dr. Mallard."

"Hey, Ducky. It's A.J."

"A.J., my dear, how lovely to hear from you! To what do I owe this phone call?"

"Are the rumors true?"

There was a long pause on the other end of the line, then a short intake of breath. "I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to say anything."

"Pffft. Not commenting only serves to confirm it, Ducky."

"Well, they are playing married tourists."

"Mmmhmm. Tell Jenny she owes me 50 dollars. She'll know why." A.J. snapped the phone shut, returning her gaze to the letter in front of her.

Hey A,

How are things back in the states? France is everything I thought it would be and more. Beautiful cities, nice people, wonderful atmosphere.

This op Jethro and I are on is ridiculous, though. We're basically people watching. It's dreadfully boring. I can't believe the cover the London office gave us. And Jethro is being absolutely insufferable. Chauvinistic pig.

Sorry about missing your graduation. Jethro said it would jeopardize the op. I tried to tell him he was full of crap, but he overruled me. (And took my passport, the nerve of him!)

You know that thing we talked about in the last letter? I think I've found it, A.J. I really think I've found the one thing I've been looking for all these years. It's funny; I almost miss having you here, if only for the sarcastic comments.

Miss you, have fun with your newly minted "College Graduate" status.

-J

The blonde shook her head, laughing quietly. "Told ya you'd end up sleeping with him, J."

She took a seat at her kitchen table, pulling a notepad and a pen across to begin her reply.

J,

HA, I was right, and there's nothing you can do about it! (Well, there is, but I know you well enough to know you won't give that up.)

Glad to here Paris is living up to its cliché. Can't believe you actually think France is nice, though. French people sound like they've got something stuck up their nose. And who likes croissants, honestly? You must be off your rocker. All that people watching is making you say crazy things.

Things are pretty boring back here in the states. I'm wandering aimlessly until I find a job I like; right now I'm working at the library to pay the rent on my apartment. It's alright about the grad ceremony, it was a load of crap anyways.

Have fun in the City of Love, Red. Don't do anything I wouldn't do.

-A

"Another letter from your friend?" Warm arms wrapped themselves around Jenny's waist, pulling her back into a hard body.

She smiled faintly, setting the letter on the counter. "Mmmhmm."

"You'll have to write her back, we've been reassigned." Gibbs spoke matter-of-factly, squinting to read the scrawling script in the letter. "Give her your new address."

"Where are we going?"

"Czech Republic, then Siberia. Morrow wants us to focus specifically on Zukov's part of the ring."

Jenny frowned, tilting her head back to look at him. "I don't speak Russian, I haven't the faintest idea why he wants us to go there."

"Enough people there speak Russian for us to get by with it."

"Huh. Is Ducky coming?"

"No, he's been reassigned back to the States. His particular network of friends and contacts doesn't extend into the former Soviet Bloc."

"Oh, goody. Winter all alone in the former USSR. Thrilling. What's next, searching for a long lost Soviet nuke?"

Gibbs laughed deep in his chest, kissing the back of her neck gently. "Nah. Strictly intel gathering. New covers will be here by the end of today."

Hey A,

Point A: Shut up. Just…shut up.

We're leaving France. Reassignment to Prague, and eventually somewhere in Siberia tracking a Russian lead.

You're a librarian? Weird. That's like, the last job I would ever expect you to take.

Sure as hell wish I knew Russian. This is going to be fun.

I'll send the new address as soon as I can.

Miss you. Be safe.

-J

J,

Ah, you're just mad 'cause you know I'm right.

Prague? Yeesh. Be careful there, J. Prague's not what it used to be. And have fun in Siberia freezing your ass off, hah.

Hey, it's a job. Beggars can't be choosers.

I know Russian! I'd tag along as a translator, but somehow I get the feeling your precious Jethro would take issue with that, chauvinist that he is.

You be safe too. You made a promise, and I'm holding you to it.

-A

Jenny sucked in another pained breath as she shifted in the bed, jarring her thigh. "Ouch, dammit." She moved the tray in her lap, glancing over the latest letter from A.J. with a sigh before setting her pen against a fresh sheet of paper.

A,

Kinda wish your words of warning about Prague would've arrived a few days earlier. I took a round to the thigh Tuesday.

Before you freak out and jump on a trans-Atlantic flight, remember that my cover ID doesn't know anyone from the States, so it'd look weird as hell if you show up here.

God, A, don't ever get shot. It hurts like hell. Of course, I'm hoping you'll enter some job field that doesn't even mention guns in the description, but I know you well enough to know you'd jump right into a military or law enforcement field just to piss me off.

I miss home, A. This sucks.

-J

P.S.—Siberia is not as cold as I thought it'd be. Still miss home, though.

J,

You got SHOT?

Where the hell was your precious Jethro? He's a Marine, dammit, Marines are supposed to have their partner's six! I'm ramming my foot up his ass the next time I see him, for not having your back.

Thanks for the warning, but you're a wee bit late on the job front. Got a job as a field agent in the bureau. (Yes, I did it to piss you off. No, I'm not changing jobs. Suck it up.)

Miss you too, J. Come home soon, and please be safe.

-A

Jenny braced her hand against the counter, sucking in a pained breath as she slowly shifted her weight to her injured leg.

"Jen, what the hell are you doing?" Jethro walked in the bathroom, lunging forward to catch her as her leg gave out. "Dammit Jen, you can't push these things!" He settled back against the tub on the bathroom floor of their Serbian farmhouse, hugging her to his chest until the waves of pain passed.

"I hate this! I'm not a fucking invalid, Jethro!"

He stroked a hand up and down her arm slowly as he spoke, his voice low and soothing."Never said you were. These things take time. We've got another week and a half here, Jen. It'll heal, just let it pass on its own."

Jenny sighed unhappily, curling her body into his chest. "I miss home, Jethro." Her voice was reedy and weak with pain. "I just want to go home."

"Shh…" Gibbs continued running a soothing hand up and down her arm, gently lulling her back to sleep. "It's okay, Jenny, you're home. Everything's gonna be okay."

His gaze caught the scrap of paper laying on the floor near his knee. He shifted slightly, hooking the edge with his finger and dragging it within viewing range.

"He's a Marine, dammit, Marines are supposed to have their partner's six!" Sad blue eyes read over the letter.

A,

Er...I don't know your real name; I'm just using the address on Jenny's last letter.

You probably don't know me, other than mentions in Jenny's letters. My name is Jethro Gibbs.

I know you're angry Jenny got hurt. I sure as hell am. I…you were right, what you wrote to her last. I should have had her six.

I'm not usually a fan of apologies, but I feel that I owe you one. As far as I can tell, you're the closest thing Jenny has to a best friend. Hell, you probably are her best friend.

I'm sorry. I should've had her back, and now she's hurting because of me.

I know I should be the last person to be asking you for help, after I got your best friend shot, but I figure you've gotta know her even better than I do, and I'm the one sleeping with her.

I don't know what she's told you about me, but in case she has, the divorces were the wrong choice in the first place.

Um, anyways. I, uh…I was wondering what you'd think if I asked Jenny to marry me. I love her, more than anything I've loved before, and I…I don't want to lose her. I…I feel like she's the one, you know?

I'm probably an idiot for even thinking of asking, but…I dunno, I figured you might give me some insight.

Sorry I bothered you.

-Jethro Gibbs

A/n: Uh oh, cliffhanger?

Don't kill me, please, I thought it best to end this chapter here. It builds nice suspense, for one thing.

A.J. will not stay at the Bureau for long, I assure you. It's a temporary job in order to get her where I want her.

So, that's Chapter 4!

Reviews are lovely, and help in curing writer's block and stuck-in-my-dorm-room-with-a-concussion boredom issues.

-meg