AN: Disclaimer and copyright.
I am terribly sorry about the wait...again. Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback!! Please, Keep it coming! So after I re-read this entire story through, I realized I didn't particularly like how I wrote Jenny asking Gibbs to sleep with her or how she admitted her fear, it seemed a little too OOC for me, anyone else agree or disagree? Anyways, let me know what you think!
Enjoy!
XOXO-Cassandra
"Scrabble Jenny, really?" Gibbs asked incredulously, watching as Jenny downed the last of her bourbon.
"Well, what do you suggest Jethro?" She said, rolling her eyes.
"Ah I don't know Jen, how about the quiet-go to sleep game?"
Jenny shook her head stubbornly and slowly slid down from the counter, ignoring his attempts to help her.
"No Jethro…I want to play a game and I think I just thought of the perfect one."
Gibbs continued to stare at her, waiting for an elaboration.
"Hide and Seek."
Jenny smirked and placed her empty glass to his chest, leaving him to dispose of it. She scoffed when he simply placed it back onto the counter and followed her movements with his piercing eyes.
"Hide and Seek?" He asked incredulously with the tiniest amount of curiosity evident in his tone.
"Yeah Gibbs, it's simple really, all you have to do is go hide and the other person counts to-"
Gibbs put his hand over her mouth and rolled his eyes.
"I know what Hide and Seek is Jen, I just don't know if you know what you're up against."
Jenny opened her mouth in an amused and playful manner.
"Oh really old man? I'm not the one with the descending vision, sure you WERE a marine sniper, were being the operative word here, but I have an advantage."
Gibbs stepped closer to her, invading her personal bubble.
"Oh yeah Jen, what advantage is that?"
Jenny smirked and poked his chest softly with her index finger.
"That's for me to know and you to possibly find out, now turn around , face the fridge and count to 30."
Gibbs complied and snuck a quick glace back at her form retreating down his hallway that led towards the hardly used living room and front area.
He counted out loud, skipping numbers and saying them in Spanish every once in a while for the kick of it and finally yelled "30!"
Gibbs walked slowly and quietly down the hall that Jen had disappeared through only moments ago and his eyes swept over his surroundings searching for open doors, moved boxes or furniture, anything that would give him a clue as to where his past lover and partner was hiding.
His eyes landed on the hall closet ajar slightly, Gibbs smiled in triumph and placed his hand on the brass knob.
"Jen." He said, as he pushed open the door and looked around in confusion. The realization dawned on him that she had purposefully led him to believe that she was in there and he fell for it. Gibbs angrily stomped out of the empty closet and continued down the hall to the living room.
The moment he reached his destination, memories of Shannon and Kelly played in his mind like an old black and white film. He was quickly brought out of his reverie when the hard floor behind him creaked.
In less than 5 seconds, Gibbs had the intruder up against the wall, their back facing him as he gripped onto one of their wrists and shoulder as if he was about to cuff and arrest them. He leaned in, pausing to inhale the sweet aroma of her red hair, and stopped only mere centimeters from her ear whispering huskily, "I win."
Jenny rolled her head back slightly as she chuckled, giving him a perfect opportunity to admire her long, pale, inviting neck. It took Gibbs everything he had not to give into temptation, desperately wishing he could brush his lips against the column, testing and eager to find out if she still possessed the weak spot just under her ear.
Jenny on the other hand, was fighting a rather similar internal battle, she had almost forgotten how well they fit together, and almost forgotten how much comfort his body gave her, almost.
"Jethro, let me go, you're hurting my arms and if I recall correctly, I was shot twice earlier." Jenny whispered, giving a throaty chuckle as an attempt to disguise her extreme discomfort and sudden lust.
Gibbs immediately released her and turned her around to face him, his hands carefully roaming over her sides to make sure she wasn't in pain.
"I just said that so you would let me go Jethro, stop fussing, I'm fine."
Gibbs' hands stopped and returned to their rightful place at his sides. Jenny smirked and sauntered back into the kitchen, Gibbs followed curious as to what she had up her sleeve next. Jenny stood facing the fridge and Gibbs stared at her curiously.
"What are you doing Jethro? I'm already at number 10, you better go hide. 12, 13…"
Gibbs simply rolled his eyes and silently walked towards his basement, instead of going down the stairs he made a sharp U-Turn and hid behind the wall beside the basement door. He distantly heard Jenny finish with a loud "30!" and he stilled and became completely silent. Gibbs knew she was close because he could smell that distinct smell that only belonged to her, and the moment his cell phone rang he knew that his hiding spot was blown.
The caller ID read 'Abs'. He ran a hand over his face roughly before answering.
"Yeah, Gibbs." He said harshly, jumping slightly when he came from behind the wall, only to clash with Jenny.
His serious expression told her that their little game was put on hold for the moment and she immediately followed his lead, which took her to the bedroom. She stood with her arms crossed and a single brow raised in amusement as he threw her suitcase onto the bed and mumbling something to Abby.
He threw a pair of jeans and a button up navy blue shirt at her.
"Jethro, what in the world-"
He walked up close to her, invading her space and staring intently into her eyes. Gibbs' sudden closeness interrupted her objections.
"We have to meet up with the team."
Jen watched as he walked out of the room and down the hallway.
"Why?" She inquired.
"Someone broke into your office and our current crime scene, Jen."
Gibbs turned around and walked to the kitchen, leaving her to get prepared. He couldn't bring himself to tell her what had happened to Cynthia.
Tony, Ziva, McGee and Abby all stood around the bullpen, waiting for the arrival of their bosses.
Abby bit at the end of her pen as she sat on the edge of McGee's desk, looking anxious and worried. The moment the elevator dung, signaling Gibbs and Jenny's arrival, Abby jumped from her spot on the desk and ran to Jenny, engulfing her in a bone crushing hug.
"Abby-" Jenny choked out, struggling to breath and slightly wincing at the pressure that was put on her wounds. Abby immediately jumped back and instead grabbed for one of Jenny's hands.
"Oh Director, I'm sorry, I've just been so scared for you and especially now after what happened to your office, this whole situation is reminding me of when I had a stalker but I'm not that worried because I know Gibbs would never let anything happen to you and-"
Jenny put her hand on the younger woman's shoulder.
"You know what Abby? Call me Jenny, I'm in no mood for formalities at the moment."
Abby smiled widely and glanced at Gibbs.
"Okay, but you know, you said that I should either call you Ma'am or Director a few years ago and that kind of stuck with me so it will be hard, but I'll try, Jenny."
Jenny and Gibbs shared a look before turning to the rest of the team.
Tony, the loyal St. Bernard immediately began telling Gibbs and Jenny on how they came about the destruction of her office, as Jenny led everyone up the stairs.
They came to the top and Jenny stood in front of Cynthia's desk, which was covered in blood.
"Anyone care to tell me what this is?" Jenny asked, her voice hard and questioning, her eyes contrasting, soft and scared.
McGee looked confused and replied awkwardly, "Uhm, it's blood Ma'am."
Jenny sent him a death glare and Gibbs smacked him on the back of his head, making a soft thud.
"I know very well what it is Special Agent McGee, let me make it clearer for everyone, whose blood is it?!" Jenny said, her voice getting louder until she was practically screaming and almost cracking at the word blood.
No one said anything and Tony, sensing the red heads anger stepped forward.
"Cynthia is okay Jenny, she's down in autopsy getting looked over by Ducky and from what we know so far she put up one hell of a fight, he stabbed her in her leg and knocked her unconscious, hid her behind her desk."
Jenny nodded, following Tony as he led the group into Jenny's office. Gibbs' eyes stayed on Jenny as they entered, he watched as she wordlessly walked around the destroyed room. Her desk was thrown over and broken, the walls and floor were splattered in what seemed to be blood and there were pictures of her randomly nailed to the wall, either with big X's through her face or her face simply scratched out. There in the center of her wall a message was written in the blood.
I'm done playing games, if I can't have her then no one can.
Gibbs walked around the room silently with Jenny, surveying the pictures and broken items. He placed a hand on her shoulder, offering a source of comfort, which she not so subtly shrugged off.
"How the hell did this happen, I seem to have incompetent security that cannot fulfill their duty and-"
Jimmy Palmer entered the office timidly, gaining everyone's attention.
"Uh, Agent Gibbs, Director…Ma'am, Dr. Mallard requested your company downstairs, he says it's important."
Gibbs and Jenny began to walk out of the office when Ziva stopped them.
"What do you want us to do?" She asked, her eyes glancing in-between Gibbs and Jenny.
Gibbs stared at them for a moment.
"I want for you to go downstairs and find this creep, trace his phone or computer or whatever the hell you can, and just find him."
With that Gibbs placed his hand on the small of Jenny's back and led her to the elevator. Abby watched with interest and smiled happily, despite the current intense circumstances.
"They are so cute. Don't you think so Timmy?"
McGee looked at her and shook his head.
"My initial thought when I think of Gibbs isn't exactly cute, Abs."
Tony and Ziva shared a look and Abby rolled her eyes.
"I meant Gibbs and Jenny, as a couple McGee."
McGee was about to respond when Ziva suddenly had Tony in a headlock and one of his hands twisted behind his back.
"ZEE-VAH!" He hissed loudly, wincing when his back popped.
"If your hand comes to accidentally brush against my ass again Tony, I will cut off your arm and beat you to death with it."
Tony nodded, beginning to choke, and Ziva reluctantly let him go.
"Are we clear Tony?" She said, glaring at him as she pulled a knife from her boot and began to playing with it.
"Crystal." He mumbled, rubbing his neck.
McGee and Abby stood, watching Tony and Ziva interacted. Abby leaned close enough to McGee so neither of the partners would hear her.
"How much do you wanna bet that Tony and Ziva are going to be doing the 'horizontal mambo' by the end of next weekend?"
McGee pulled out his wallet and flipped through his bills.
"216 dollars and uh, 16 cents." He said, clumsily dropping the wallet.
"I'm so excited Timmy, everyone is finding love! Maybe next, we can start working on finding people for us!" Abby half squealed, half whispered excitedly.
McGee just nodded, staring at the goth with soft eyes and pursed lips, thinking,
Maybe I already found her.
Jenny stood in the bathroom stall and counted to ten; she drew in a deep breath and calmly stalked out of the stall. She walked to the mirror and studied herself in it. Her eyes were red and puffy, most likely the result of the angry tears she unwillingly let fall only seconds after entering the safety of the restroom.
Jenny flipped the cold water faucet on and splashed her face with it, relishing in the coolness it brought to her heated skin. While cooling down, she heard the bathroom door open slowly. Glancing in the mirror and relaxing at the sight of silver hair, she finished composing herself and glared at Gibbs in the mirror.
"You okay, Jen?" Gibbs asked, leaning against one of the stall frames and watching her intently.
"Fine, Jethro. Overwhelmed, but otherwise…fine, let's go see what Ducky has to say." Jenny said as she tried to walk out of the bathroom, glaring and rolling her eyes as he blocked the exit with his strong arm.
"You feel guilty for what happened to Cynthia. You blame yourself." He stated, holding her shoulders back as she tried to move past him.
"It is my fault Jethro. Come on, I just want to see what Ducky wants and to get this over with….please."
Gibbs nodded once and let his arm fall to his side, he purposely let her stray ahead of him, giving her the space she needed, and admiring the view while doing so.
Before strolling through the Autopsy doors, Gibbs noticed Jenny slightly hesitate before inhaling and going through, a hard and unreadable expression upon her delicate features.
"Ah, Gibbs, Jenny, I was beginning to wonder when you would show up. I think I may have some valuable information that may pertain to you."
Hollis sighed as she sat in her hotel room, desperately wishing to call up Jethro and invite him over, but she knew better.
"Like he would even consider leaving her side for a damn second." Hollis mumbled to herself as she took one last glance in the mirror before leaving her room and heading towards the bar.
After she locked her door, Hollis turned around to collide with a tall, built, attractive man.
"Oh I'm sorry." Hollis said, looking into his eyes and almost flinching at the anger that glowed in them. Suddenly the anger disappeared, and any emotion was shielded by this automatic wall he put up upon seeing her reaction to him.
"It's alright; I didn't mean to seem angry, just having a rough night. I'm Drew, by the way." He said, placing his hand out and shaking hers firmly. Hollis returned his shake, and smiled.
"Hollis."
He looked her up and down, and gestured with his head towards the elevator.
"Well Hollis, would you care to go down to the bar and possibly share a drink with me?"
Hollis considered her options and nodded warily, following him as he led her to the elevator. If there was one good thing Gibbs had taught her from their previous relationship it was to follow her gut and instinct, right now her gut was telling her to get the hell away from this man.
