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They all meet in the terminal, trying to figure out what to do while they wait for the plane to refuel. Gibbs, deciding he was hungry, and knowing the others hadn't had a real meal in hours, suggests they find a restaurant to eat. They look at the directory, and find their way to Shapiros.
They find their seats, Martin putting herself between McGee and DiNozzo. She sees Johnson watching her out of the corner of her eye. 'What was that look?' she wonders. 'Is he really upset that I didn't sit by him?' Pushing the thought aside she turns to stare at her menu. Anything to distract her from his prying eyes. After the waitress takes their orders and leaves, McGee turns to look at Martin. "You good?" he asks. She smiles. "I'll be good once I get some food in me."
After a good meal among friends, they head to the gift shop closest to their terminal. Gibbs grabs a newspaper and a bottle of water, and then heads off to verify everything is ready for the flight home. Bishop and Jake simply pick up something to drink, and head back to the terminal. Bishop is so focused on getting home. All she wants, is to feel safe again, and being home will give her a sense of security. The others continue to walk around the shop a while longer.
DiNozzo sees a variety of t-shirts, ones with sayings like 'I love London' or pictures of Big Ben on them. "Hey Martin!" he says, as he holds up a shirt. "Too soon?" McGee at least has the decency to act appalled. "Jeez Tony." He turns to Martin and says, "Just remember I can put a virus on his computer at any time." He then heads to the cashier to purchase his magazines and a bear wearing a London shirt for Abby. Martin looks at DiNozzo and says, "You really are an ass, you know that?"
She's only half serious though. Under any other circumstance, she would love to visit London. Stopping over, after being rescued from crazed terrorist isn't exactly her idea of a great visit. While memories of the past week will haunt her for a while, she knows he is just trying to make a joke to make her feel better.
She steps up to the cashier, to buy her bottle of water and the newest Alex Cross book. Before she can pay, Johnson steps up to pay for both of their purchases. She turns to thank him as DiNozzo walks up. "Awww. You're not going to pay for mine?" Martin smirks, while Johnson shakes his head and goes to walk away. She grabs her items, and leaves for the terminal.
DiNozzo pays for his magazine and candy. He laughs to himself as he grabs some breath mints. He plans to tease Martin and Johnson about the importance of having fresh breath. You never know when that will come in handy. He heads to the terminal, where everyone is getting ready to board the plane.
Like before, Bishop and Jake sit together. Gibbs sits alone, where he plans to get some much needed sleep. He'll have to talk to Martin and Bishop later about having their psych evaluations and being on desk duty for a while. He's not looking forward to that conversation, so he will relax while he can. Martin walks down the isle towards McGee. "This seat taken?" He smiles up at her, and moves his laptop so she can sit next to him. DiNozzo grabs a seat in the middle of the plane, hoping to sit alone. When he sees Johnson sitting alone, he decides now would be the perfect time to talk to him and maybe tease him about his unyielding love for his partner. "Hey Johnson. Over here." He motions him over and Johnson hesitantly moves to sit next to him. 'Only eight more hours until I'm home,' he thinks.
It's about a hour and a half into the flight, and things are surprisingly quiet. Bishop is laying back in her seat sleeping, while Jake is reading a book. Gibbs is settling back to go to sleep. He hasn't spoken to anyone since boarding the flight. McGee and Martin had been reading for a while, but were now talking quietly. DiNozzo turns to Johnson, who has been reading his own book. Now was his chance.
"So ugh Jeremy. Can I call you Jeremy?" 'Here we go thinks Jeremy.' He sighs and puts his book down. "Why don't you tell me a little about yourself. Family, work, How did you get into the CIA?" Jeremy looks at Tony. "What's with the twenty questions?" "What? I just thought I should get to know you if you're going to be sticking around." Jeremy rolls his eyes. "Say what you want to say DiNozzo." Tony smiles and gets comfortable in his seat. "What's the plan when we get home?" Jeremy is pretty sure he knows what Tony is asking, but decides to skirt around the subject. "Well…I will take a taxi home. I might even take a shower and watch tv before I go to bed. What about you?" "Ha!" Says Tony. "You know what I'm talking about. What's going to happen with you and our special agent?"
Jeremy sighs. He's not even sure himself. How is he supposed to explain this to some one else? "I don't know Tony. We will probably go back to our normal lives. She'll be on desk duty until she's healed, and I'll have to talk to Stevens and the CIA to see where I stand." "That's it? You aren't going to try and make something happen with her? I thought you cared about her." Jeremy rubs the side of his face. "I do Tony. Everyone knows that. I blew my chance though. I had an opportunity to make something of it four years ago, and decided to save my career instead." Tony shakes his head. "You're wrong Johnson. I know my partner. I know there is something there. You two are just too blind to see it."
Jeremy doesn't say anything. Just looks straight ahead. "You know, she's had a couple boyfriends over the past few years. One, we even thought might be a keeper. He surprised her with a dog for them to have at their new place. She freaked, and he was gone pretty soon after that. I'm sure you have your own stories like that. Relationships that made you happy, but for some reason they just never worked out." Jeremy just looks at him like a deer in headlights. His head was really starting to hurt. "You let her walk away once. Don't be dumb enough to do it again."
He hears Martin laugh at something McGee says. He can't help but look at her. Even with everything she's been through, she's still so tough and beautiful. He had no doubt in his mind, that she would be a great cop. From what he can tell, she's still the same amazing person as before too. Could he really let her walk away again, and spend the rest of his life wondering what if? "Just think about it Johnson."