A Choice 12

Dinner was a smooth meal. Everyone had a good time, all of them talking and laughing as they passed stories around the table. Jethro and Jenny both didn't speak much, content to just listen to everyone share their stories. After everyone had finished their food, they both decided it was time to tell everyone why they did this.

"Guys, before we get dessert, Jethro and I have some news to share." She waited until she had everyone's attention before continuing.

"Before I start I want to thank you all for your show of support while I was in the hospital. It made me feel like I had a family." She started to get slightly chocked up do Tony stepped in to give her a moment.

"I think I speak for everyone here, when I say that we all consider you a part of the family. And as part of the family we have enacted a policy of no man left behind." Everyone at the table nodded their agreement with Tony's statement. Jenny smiled before continuing to speak.

"Thank you Tony, everyone. Next I would like to formally announce that Jethro and are in a relationship, but most of you already know that." She paused to allow everyone to voice that they all knew this little fact. "And we have decided to not try and hide our relationship, and we are moving into a new place together as soon as we find a place we can both agree on."

"So that's why we packed up most of your house, boss!" Tony exclaimed, earning the look form everyone at the table. He shrank back in his seat and let Jenny continue to speak.

"However, there is some bad news. SecNav does not feel comfortable with my relationship, given our positions inside the Agency; so it has been decided that I am stepping down as Director and allowing Leon Vance to take over as Director."

"What are you going to do?" was asked over and over again, as it swept around the table.

"I am taking over a relatively new position. Lately I have been able to secure funding to create another MCRT here in the DC office. This team will switch off cases with you guys, and will be led by me. So just because I am no longer Director, doesn't mean you guys are rid of me." The last little bit is said in a teasing tone. And that alone breaks the atmosphere.

"So my dear, I am guessing that you chose your love of Jethro over the love you have for your job?" Ducky asked her as she sat down in her seat, just as the milkshakes and malts and floats everybody ordered for dessert arrived.

After the waitress left Jenny answered Ducky's question.

"Yes I choose Jethro this time, and every time from here on out will be Jethro, 100% I have found who I need in my life and how I need him in my life. I need Jethro in my life and I need us to show that we still love each other in order to survive. So even though I do love the job of Director, I know where my priorities need to be." Ducky nodded his agreement before turning to Cynthia, as Ziva had moved to sit closer to Tony, he engaged the young women in conversation. And that was the cue for everyone to return to their conversations form the rest of the meal.

Jethro leaned over and whispered in her ear "Where are your priorities, my lady?" His tone was teasing, but Jenny decided to answer him seriously.

"They are with you and with our relationship." She told him.

So he caught her chin in his hand and pulled her face closer to him. "And I agree and I'm forever grateful about that fact." He told her before kissing her, the world narrowed to just them as soon as she started kissing him back. As they kept on kissing, the rest of the table noticed and started laughing, but the laughing didn't stop the two from kissing each other senseless. They only broke when they each needed air. They rested their foreheads against each other's, both panting heavily and feeling lightheaded.

The group quickly finished their desserts and everyone placed some cash on the table to help cover the bill. Jethro paid quickly and everyone got back into the cars and started dropping everyone off. Till Jethro and Jenny stood in Jenny's driveway, waving Ducky as he drove away in the car. Jethro picked up the bags and carried them into the house and before Jenny could blink he was back. He swept her up into his arms and carried her into the house and up the stairs into her room. They each got ready for bed and Jethro helped change her bandages, before climbing into bed. They met in the middle and Jen laid her left arm across his waist, as he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer to him.

They each drifted into a peaceful sleep. Their dreams filled of them with their family outside of a beautiful home (Jenny's dream) or of passion filled nights between the two of them, the only sounds are moans of ecstasy and the exchange of the phrase "I love you" (for Jethro). They both enjoyed the dreams they each had and both smiled as they slumbered on.