A/N - thank you for the reviews. Even I think this chapter has an 'ah' factor!

Part 7

The awkwardness was different in the morning. It was still there, but tempered now by an awareness of each other and the mutual knowledge that the awareness could so easily become something more. It was echoed in the diminished physical space between them as they stood waiting for Gibbs' preferred table for breakfast – out of the way of the windows and with the entrance in his line of sight. He caught it again when she teased him gently about whether he was planning to taste her food as well and in the way she blushed when the owner, who turned out to be the same woman who'd checked them in the night before, stopped by their table to ask if they'd passed an enjoyable night.

He recognised the situation for what it was and decided let things evolve naturally. But as he watched she was gradually becoming less self-conscious and it suited her, he liked the way she was becoming comfortable wearing a shirt and jeans and completely unaware of how she looked in them.

She knew something was different - something in the air and the space between them. It was subtle and indefinable and she wasn't sure she could follow all of its nuances. All she knew was that she felt different – as though something that had been coiled tightly inside her for years had relaxed slightly.

Breakfast downstairs had been a pleasant surprise since she'd imagined that they would be stuck in their room, eating off trays and getting on each other's nerves. It was true there had also been a lecture about not wandering off and following him without question if he told her to do something. She'd listened carefully, recognising that he wasn't telling her all of this because he liked hearing the sound of his own voice but still expecting to be bundled back upstairs at the first opportunity.

Apparently she was doing him a disservice, because while she was finishing her coffee and trying to pretend that she hadn't caught the innuendo in the question about how their night had been, he was busy asking about the grounds and particularly whether there was a secluded spot they might retire to with the papers.

She wasn't complaining and, of course, it was a request the hotel was able to accommodate. There was a walled garden with a patio that guests were welcome to use and all the newspapers that could be obtained were at their disposal.

Looking around her at her fellow guests she realised that they were all lovers - whether new or established, young or more mature. Jenny suspected that she and Jethro might be the only ones actually interested in the news. But she wasn't a woman who was used to sitting around doing nothing and at least this way she'd be able to keep track of what was happening in the world she had temporarily stepped out of.

"Oh God, don't stop!" The demand was followed by a breathy moan and the unmistakable sounds of clothing rustling and mouths moving lushly together. Jenny almost stumbled with surprise – they'd literally just stepped through the doors to the garden. Obviously they weren't the only ones here.

Her surroundings were pleasant; the garden was small and elegant with a fountain and the comfortable seating they had been promised. But there was one corner shielded from view and another couple seemed to be making good use of the privacy.

"Oh yeah," a male voice this time and accompanied by more quiet moans.

Jenny knew they couldn't stay here and listen to how much further the unknown couple were going to go. She wasn't sure why they were still standing here, why they hadn't retreated; but Jethro seemed just as rooted to the spot as she was. She looked up at him and the expression in his eyes made her whole body tremble.

The murmurs and whispered endearments around them faded away and all she was aware of was the way he was looking at her. He lifted his hand, fingertips ghosting across her cheek in the lightest of touches. She turned her head towards his hand, her lips brushing against his palm.

Her breath caught as the simmering intensity all but engulfed them. He moved closer and her eyes drifted shut as she felt his breath on her cheek. For a split second everything stopped as they hovered on the brink of a gentle kiss… that never quite happened.

A door banged loudly somewhere indoors and the moment was shattered. They blinked in confusion as awareness of where they were returned. But they weren't the only ones who had been disturbed.

A couple emerged from the unseen corner, sharing smiles and touches as they straightened clothing that had obviously been re-fastened in a hurry. Jenny realised it was the same couple that had been in front of them when they'd checked in the night before. Hands clasped together they hurried past, with a brief greeting thrown in her and Jethro's direction. Clearly they didn't realise that they had been overheard, or they didn't care.

Left alone she risked a glance at her companion, feeling a little bereft by the moment that had caught them up, but which had not ended as she'd expected it to. His expression was blank, unreadable and she bit her lip in confusion since she knew she hadn't imagined the desire she'd seen in his eyes. Perhaps he regretted being carried away.

Hours later Gibbs was no more certain what had happened between them than he had been at the time. But the desire to kiss her was as strong as it had been in that single moment, he just wasn't sure if either of them were ready for where that might lead.

Despite being a man who preferred action he'd spent an enjoyably lazy day; picking through a few papers, enjoying the quiet garden, the warmth of the sun and the company. The papers had been set aside after a while, for a comfortable silence that was punctuated by conversation. When she had found out how much of his career had been spent overseas Jenny had been curious; she was well travelled herself and she had drawn opinions and stories from him about the places he had been stationed that, in other circumstances, he would be loath to offer. He'd found himself talking to her about Russia and though he hadn't mentioned that he'd been married when he lived there he suspected he had said enough to allow her to read between the lines and draw her own conclusions.

Neither of them had been inclined to move from the garden, every now and again a waitress would appear so they could order coffee and some fruit for lunch. It was mid afternoon when Gibbs turned to ask his companion a question – and found that she had fallen asleep.

It was a quiet, peaceful sleep; she was curled up, cat like, long legs folded under her, one hand curled up under her chin. He couldn't bring himself to wake her and because he was sure she must be exhausted, he was determined that no one else would either.

But the situation gave him a perfect opportunity to examine what he felt and what he was going to do about it. One thing was clear; he wasn't sure that he'd met anyone like her. And while he didn't believe in fate, he did believe in timing - for want of a better word. He could sense that she was emerging from a protective shell that had perhaps surrounded her for years and he was drawn to the way her barriers were lowering at the very moment that she needed protection the most. The power of his need to be the one protect her took him by surprise, until he realised that her bravery juxtaposed with her reserve had lulled his defences; drawing long dormant emotions from him. But he didn't know if he could embrace that change – his protective shell was his way of remembering what he had lost.

She didn't stir when the patio doors opened and the hotel's owner stepped out. She smiled at the sight of Jenny asleep and the man she knew as her husband so obviously watching over her.

"I was wondering if everything was all right?" Her gaze travelled between the two of them as she asked the question and Gibbs knew that she wasn't entirely asking him about their afternoon on the patio. He was considering how to phrase his response when Jenny's eyes fluttered and then opened.

"Hi – good sleep?" He smiled at her as she stretched out – looking even more like the cat he'd been imagining her as.

"Mmmm – I must have needed it."

"Its good to see you relaxed," her head shot up and he realised that she hadn't even noticed that the other woman was there.

"Thank you,"

"I actually came to ask if you needed anything else and if you'd thought about what you wanted to do for dinner? Whether you're planning to go out – or should I reserve a table in the restaurant for you?"

Gibbs raised his eyebrow, deferring to Jenny on this decision, certain that she knew they weren't going to go out. "That would be nice, but I'm not sure about my clothes. We packed in a hurry," she added, because she felt at explanation was required.

"It's not black tie."

"Of course not; I have a dress – but no shoes." The sales assistant at the store had pressed her to buy two dresses, she'd agreed only to one; realising after they'd passed the check out that she hadn't picked up any shoes to go with it.

"I am sure we can find a pair of shoes for you to borrow Mrs Mallard." Jenny flicked her gaze over to Jethro, who inclined his head.

"That would be wonderful – thank you."

Jethro listened to them discuss size and colour and hid a smile at Jenny's quiet request to borrow a few cosmetics as well. He wondered how they appeared to this woman; a newly married couple, neither of them young, who had arrived without a reservation and without some vacation essentials. Obviously they'd stood out enough to prompt a question about whether everything was all right – but he didn't sense that she was suspicious; it was more sympathy and concern. As though she had concluded they were caught up in some marital strife and that their time at her hotel was a way for them to reconnect. All things considered, it wasn't a bad interpretation.

As she conversed quietly about shoes and cosmetics, neither subject something she normally gave much thought to, Jenny was conscious of Jethro's gaze resting on her. She'd spent enough time with him now to realise that he was – complicated and that working out what he as thinking and feeling was difficult. She wished she had more experience with men to draw on. But college boyfriends and an ex-husband hadn't prepared her for someone so guarded and yet so compelling.

But, even if he was complicated he was still looking at her and she knew that she'd never have fallen asleep if she hadn't felt safe with him.

Jenny fiddled with her dress – adjusting the tie, the neckline, worrying that it was too low, too tight. The fabric was a thin jersey – which was fine since it hadn't exactly been an expensive outfit. But the teal colour seemed to suit her and though in the store she had feared that the wrap dress would be unflattering in actual fact it fitted her like a glove.

She didn't quite recognise herself – the woman she saw in the mirror was familiar – but different. She thought she could come to like her, this woman she seemed on the verge of becoming, even as she stood here wearing borrowed shoes and make up.

She had butterflies – looking at herself, thinking about the man waiting in the next room. The bad memories that haunted her were still there, but they'd been haunting her for so long now. Surely it was time to let them go?

Gibbs took a sip of the bourbon he'd ordered from room service and waited for Jenny to emerge from the bathroom; she'd been in there for a while but he knew better than to knock on the door and ask if she was likely to be ready any time soon – three ex-wives had taught him that much.

He turned his head at the sound of the door opening and though he was getting used to being rendered speechless at the sight of her this time was different. She'd left her hair down; it curled over her shoulders, the red gold glinting in the light. He knew that she'd done it for him – her shy smile confirmed as much.

He took a long sip of the bourbon and then set the glass aside, before offering his arm. She looked surprised for a moment and then pleased. As she wound her arm through his, he leant over, pressed a kiss to her cheek and told her quietly, "you look beautiful."

TBC