Chapter 3
Jenny was happy about taking some time off. Her mother had moved to England after her father had died. RJ had been born in England too. And that's where they both lived. She had flown to England to visit RJ and her mother. Ever since she had taken on the position of director, she hadn't had the opportunity to sit back and relax. She was in the company of two people she loved dearly, no murder, no vice, no pressure, no Jethro. She wasn't sure if she liked the last thought.
She was lost in her blissful thoughts when RJ walked up to her and put his arms around her neck. That startled her. This was just so Gibbs! She hadn't even heard him walk towards her.
"Rafael Jordan Shepard!" she admonished him. "How many times have I told you to not sneak up on me like that?" she asked exasperatedly.
"Sorry, mom" he beamed, knowing full well that Jenny wasn't going to be mad at him.
Earlier on, when Jenny had thought she would have a Jethro-free couple of weeks, she was wrong. RJ was Jethro all over again. From the way he looked to the way he did things. Of course, he was not as cynical or jaded as Jethro. But then again, time and circumstances did that to a person.
"MOM!" RJ said loudly.
That brought Jenny out of her thoughts.
"I was just –" She trailed off and didn't complete whatever she was going to say.
"I was asking how long you have before you have to go back to work" he asked.
"Six more days, kiddo", she replied wistfully. "But I promise, we'll make the most of it".
And they did. They went to the beach for a picnic, played laser tag and even went to Alton Towers.
She missed this so much. They didn't get to do any of the usual activities that families usually did. But then again, their circumstances hadn't been 'usual'. Jethro had been a lying, cheating bastard and she was an agent for an armed federal agency. Not a good match for raising a child. But now she was the director. Wheels were turning in her brain. Perhaps now, the situation was conducive and she could move RJ and her mother to D.C with her. She would set the wheels in motion when she got back to D.C. And Jethro. She'd have to tell him soon if their son was moving in with her.
She pushed all thoughts away and focused on now. RJ was so understanding. Sometimes she wished he would be more demanding. Never once in his life had he complained that he didn't get to see his mother a lot. He had inquired about his father when he was 5. Jenny didn't want to cast Jethro as the villain, she had just told him that he was away and they couldn't be a family. He had never asked again. She was happy about it, until now. Now that Jethro was very much 'in the picture' she'd have to reconsider everything.
On her last night in England, Jenny went to check on RJ. It was late and he was asleep. A smile flickered on her lips when she saw him sprawled on his bed. She had been blessed with the best child. Jenny was haunted by the thought that she had once sought out an abortion. And she was eternally grateful that she hadn't followed it through. RJ was a perpetual reminder of Jethro, and she held him dear for it. The only part of Jethro she could claim.
Morning came and with it, time for Jenny's departure. There were teary goodbyes and promises to see RJ soon. The seed had been planted into Jenny's mind and it had taken root. Jenny would mover her family to America soon.
It felt like she had left her heart back in England. Every time she had visited, she had hardened herself on her return. But this time it would be different. The thought of being a family consumed her. Happiness bubbled inside her. But so did fear. Fear that Gibbs would find out her secret before she had a chance to explain to him. She debated whether to tell him or not. She altered between the two. One part of her wanted to shout it off roof-tops, but the other wanted to keep it locked up. That and the fact that she was unsure of how Gibbs would react to the presence of a child.
The last issue resolved itself when Zach came along. His father had been kidnapped, but Jenny wasn't convinced that that was the truth. Jethro on the other hand was equally adamant that Zach's father wasn't the criminal behind his own kidnapping. They were both at logger-heads.
Jenny went down to the squad-room to check on the progress. But the sight before her stopped her in her tracks on the stairs. Zach had recently gone through the ordeal of attempted kidnapping and Gibbs was trying to cheer him up. He had blown up a rubber glove for the boy. Jenny could see Gibbs loved children and went to any lengths to help them and keep them safe. The look of satisfaction when he was with Zach made her ache. Was she being unfair to Jethro by keeping their son a secret? She already knew the answer – she had done it to punish him. She could see it in her mind's eye, Jethro with RJ, oh how they would both love it and each other. She had to choose either way, and at the moment she seemed inclined towards letting Jethro in on her secret.
That case was soon over. And with it Jenny's temporary determination to tell Gibbs. She just couldn't bring herself to do it. On the other hand, she was making arrangements to relocate RJ to D.C. Jenny had talked to her mother about moving back to America, but she had refused and told Jenny to relocate RJ because he missed his mom a lot and it would be the best course for him. Jenny had happily agreed. Jenny could barely contain her excitement as she began making arrangements.
After her meeting with a senator, she had gotten in her car. Daydreaming again. But the damage had already been done. Apparently, she'd been kidnapped. If only she had just made sure things were okay before getting in her car. Her first thought had been her driver and security detail.
"Where's Stanley?" she asked her kidnapper.
"He's okay, it's not him you should worry about" he answered.
Something told her that Stanley was not okay.
"What is this about?" she asked.
"Your people have my brother and my drugs", he said pointing his gun at her. They were moving away from the city. Jenny didn't have any chance of getting away or doing something about her situation. There was only one thing to do, comply. She prayed that Gibbs and his team would find her without having to give up their perp or evidence.
They drove in silence. There was a gun pointed at her and her kidnapper had made it crystal clear that he wasn't going to negotiate with her.
At the squad room, the atmosphere was explosive. Ziva was being treated as a suspect. She didn't like it one bit. Neither did Gibbs. He went up to see Jenny about the matter. She wasn't there. And Cynthia, her assistant, wasn't helping matters either. She wasn't telling Gibbs anything. She just kept harping on about the director's itinerary being confidential and that he, Gibbs wasn't cleared to know about it! The issue was of critical nature and couldn't wait so he called Jenny. He was annoyed and it was evident from his impatient tone.
The phone rang twice before Dempsey allowed her to answer Gibbs' call. Jenny was unsure if he'd let her take the call or not as he had disconnected Cynthia's calls.
"I've got a major problem" he informed her.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Jethro, but, I've got a serious problem myself" she replied.
"Jen" he was getting impatient.
"You should listen to her, Jethro". That voice was certainly not Jenny's, Gibbs said to himself.
Gibbs received quite a shock to hear she'd been kidnapped and who the kidnapper was. In that instant he knew he'd move heaven and earth to get her back. But how to achieve that goal was an elusive thought because James Dempsey's younger brother, who he had demanded be released, was lying dead. Gibbs wouldn't let fear dictate him. He started asking Cynthia questions but she was still not answering, so he motioned her inside Jenny's office. He briefed her about Jenny's situation and that gained her cooperation.
As the two-hour deadline drew nearer, Gibbs became more desperate. At one hand he was eager to recover Jenny safe and sound and on the other hand, Ziva was still under suspicion. James Dempsey had demanded his brother be released. How on earth were they going to do that! Then Tony proposed an insane idea and braced himself for a headslap. But Gibbs was going to clutch at any straw, he could have kissed DiNozzo.
Once everyone was in position, things happened fast. James Dempsey had already killed his partner, and Gibbs had taken down Dempsey. The bullet had whizzed by Jenny. Gibbs was too good a marksman to have missed the intended target or hit Jenny by mistake. They were able to recover Jenny safe and sound. She was unharmed, but shaken. They also had a casualty – Jenny's driver, Stanley. Jenny asked to see him in autopsy. But Gibbs didn't think it was a good idea. Jenny insisted and had been led down by Ziva – who had yet to be cleared of all charges.
Once down in autopsy, Jenny asked to be left alone. Duck, Ziva and Jimmy shuffled out. Because of her probie mistake, Stanley had lost his life. She would have to inform his family. That was the hardest thing to do. Telling someone that they had lost a loved one. The doors to autopsy slid open and Gibbs stalked in followed by Ducky and Ziva. One part of the problem had been solved, but the puzzle still remained. How did Dempsey's younger brother die? He wanted answers. Ducky concluded that their suspect had died of natural causes and Jenny added her agreement to it. Ziva was in the clear. Gibbs didn't seem convinced, but he was pleased that Ziva was put in the clear.
Jenny excused herself telling them that she was tired and wanted to go home. Gibbs followed her into the elevator. When it started ascending, Gibbs flicked the emergency switch. He stood beside her, not saying a word. He just looked at her.
"I'm fine, Jethro. You can stop giving me that look", she said when she couldn't stand it anymore.
"You sure, Jen, because you don't look fine to me" he said.
"Then you need your glasses". She knew it was futile arguing with him, but she did it anyway.
"I'll take you home".
Jenny was extremely glad he'd said it. She didn't want to be alone.
They drove in silence.
Jenny was grateful that Jethro wasn't pushing it.
When they arrived at their destination, Gibbs led Jenny into the house. He was going to make sure she was okay before he left. She looked far from okay at the moment. There was a lost look in her eye. A good night's sleep would do her a world of good. With that thought he led Jenny to her bedroom and sat her down on the bed.
"Just put your legs up and try to sleep" he told her like she was a child. "You'll feel much better in the morning. You should call in and take a few days off" he instructed.
Jenny didn't say a word. But he could see that she had heard him. Gibbs patted her forearm once and walked towards the door.
"Wait! Where are you going?" Jenny almost yelled, horrified at the prospect of being alone.
"Home?" Gibbs suggested with a quizzical look on his face.
Jenny looked like a lost puppy. It broke his heart to see her like this.
"Stay", Jenny implored.
I'm really sorry for the delay. The last week was pretty eventful for me (in a very amazing way).
Suggestions for the next chapter would be welcome.
And thanks a billion for the reviews.