5. Conspiracy

A criminal conspiracy exists when two or more people agree to commit almost any unlawful act, then take some action toward its completion. The action taken need not itself be a crime, but it must indicate that those involved in the conspiracy knew of the plan and intended to break the law. One person may be charged with and convicted of both conspiracy and the underlying crime based on the same circumstances.

"Did you see them today?"

"Who?"

"You know Gibbs, and the woman."

"You mean the redhead he left with earlier?"

"Yes, the really hot redhead."

"I don't know, I wouldn't say she's that beautiful."

"Are you kidding me Ziva? I wonder if the Director knows."

Jenny decided it was time to come out of her hiding spot. Even if there was this feeling gnawing inside her. Did he really meet another woman today? A redhead? Would he do that to her?

"Do I know what Agent Dinozzo?"

Tony quickly took his feet off his desk and tried to look like he was working. She repeated her question.

"Do I know what Agent Dinozzo?"

"Eh.. Gibbs' birthday. I can't remember the exact date."

"Mhm.. Gibbs' birthday is not for months, why did you suddenly want to know right now?"

"Just common interest" He gave her his charm smile, she saw Ziva roll her eyes from the corner of her eye. She made a mental note to herself to ask her friend more about the so-called hot redhead later.

"I'm really glad you called me to help you."

"To be honest, it has been a while since I threw a big party and I wasn't sure what she would want. And then I remembered you."

Gibbs and the redheaded woman were in a Starbucks. Not Gibbs' usual choice for coffee but at this point he would take any coffee he could get. Even the crappy instant kind they had in the cafeteria of NCIS headquarters.

"So I'll guess I'll see you tonight. I'll swing by the grocery store and pick up some last minute things for dinner and then we'll finish the preparations together. Are you sure she won't be home early?"

"I doubt it, I think she tries to ignore the fact she's officially a year older for as long as she can."

The woman laughed, "that sure sounds like Jenny."

"Goodbye Jethro."

"See you tonight Karen."

After her conversation with Ziva, Jenny was getting more and more worried. Even with Ziva's photographic memory she hadn't been able to find out what the other woman looked like. Ziva had never seen her face.

Some kind of birthday this turned out to be. Jethro cheating on her, no one who remembered her birthday and no presents. Not one.

Sure she was not really happy about being one year older, what woman over thirty-five was, but it was still nice to be congratulated. She decided to treat herself to a night off and quickly headed home. She slipped of her coat and pulled her heels off, trying to remember where she put her favourite fuzzy socks.

Before turning the place upside down, she headed to her study and took one of the glasses on the bar, ready to fill it with bourbon.

But when she wanted to grab the bottle, she noticed the post-it someone put on it.

"Turn around" was all it said.

She followed the instruction and there on the big comfortable chair in the corner was a dress. Not just a dress, a beautiful, golden brown dress. That from the looks of it shimmered a little. On the dress was another note, Be ready by 7.30 Again there is no name signed underneath the message, but she recognized that handwriting anywhere. Jethro.

So he didn't forget her birthday after all. But there still was that other woman.

At seven the doorbell rang. Jenny quickly looked at the clock, she still had half an hour, Jethro knew he shouldn't be that early, she still had to put on her make up and find the perfect necklace to wear with the dress. She descended the stairs in a hurry, ready to open the door and run upstairs again. But the person who was behind that door was definitely not the one she was expecting.

"Karen!" Jenny hugged the other woman close. "What are you doing here?" They pulled back.

"What do you mean, what am I doing here did you really think I would miss my cousin and best friend's birthday?" Karen replied in mock surprise.

"Happy birthday by the way," she handed her a present "here, open it."

Jenny quickly shred the wrapping paper off her gift and opened the small box inside. Inside the box was a beautiful necklace, perfect for her new dress.

"I love it, it's gorgeous."

"Now hurry up or we won't make our reservation."

"Well, I kind of already have plans."

"Are you going to blow off your best friend on your birthday?"

"Maybe you can come along?" But then Jenny saw the smirk on Karen's face. "You knew!"

"Of course I knew, now get your pretty ass upstairs." Before she could protest Karen had pushed her friend up the stairs and waved at her.

"I'll be waiting right here."

Exactly at 7.30 the doorbell rang again. Jenny took one last glance in the mirror before going down the stairs. But Karen beat her to the door. Jenny was still halfway the stairs when Jethro entered. One single white camellia in her hand, her favourite flower.

"Happy birthday Jen, you ready to go?"

"Yes, she is, we both are. Come on I'm hungry."

Jenny grinned at her friends antics, and watched her as she walked out the door, she finished descending the stairs and took the arm Jethro was offering her. She smiled at him.

"I'm surprised you still knew my size."

"Karen helped me out a bit. We should probably follow her the others are already at the restaurant."

"Thank you Jethro, it's a perfect gift." She kissed his cheek and let her lips linger, just a moment longer than one usually would.

He retuned her smile and together they walked out the door, ready for a dinner with their family.