A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews- we're over 100 know, which is awesome. Sorry for the delay between chapters- I finished BPP, so I chose to update that all in a row instead of updating in order as I usually do. I'm hoping to get a number of chapters up this coming week, to get closer to the end of this story.
Disclaimer: I own my OCs and the plot.
"The hardest question to answer is why- why. Someone save me if you will," –'Save Me', Shinedown
The day after she went to Ashley's Jenny sat in her study, going through a stack of case files with a mug of coffee next to her as she squinted to read her agents' scrawled handwriting. She'd made it through two files when her cell went off, and she held it to her ear, rubbing at her temple.
"Shepard."
"Hello Jenny," an amused voice came, and Jenny swallowed, eyes widening slightly at the sound of Alexis' voice.
"Alexis. Sorry, I was expecting a disaster at work," she replied, sitting up a little in her chair
"Are you waiting on a call?" Alexis asked, and Jenny shook her head before remembering that Alexis couldn't see her.
"No, no. Just when I get a call this time of day on a Sunday, it's someone telling me the world is ending," she answered, and Alexis chuckled quietly. "I have time to talk, Alexis."
"Well, I was calling to see how you were doing," Alexis said, and Jenny pinched the bridge of her nose, puffing out a soft breath. "That doesn't sound encouraging."
"Well, it wasn't a great week," Jenny replied, and she could practically hear Alexis frown. "Bobby was our suspect and perpetrator to the robbery and murder of a Naval Officer. He was at the agency."
Alexis was silent, and Jenny could hear her gathering her thoughts. She played with her pen, tapping it lightly against the file in front of her, the words swimming together in her tiredness- she hadn't slept well the previous night.
"I take it you interacted with him," Alexis stated, and Jenny sighed, making a confirmative noise. "How did that go?"
"Another agent took over- his lawyer suggested I'd tamper with the case since I had personal reason to," Jenny replied, her jaw tightening slightly. She ran a hand through her hair, her anger deflating. "I had a panic attack and lost unconsciousness. Jethro had to carry me upstairs to my office."
"Jethro?" Alexis asked, and Jenny softened slightly, biting her lip. "I think your silence is all the answer I needed. Is he aware of your past, Jenny?"
"Yes, he is," Jenny replied, brushing her hair back from her eyes. "'He's very aware."
"Good," Alexis said, and Jenny could hear the approval. "I'm glad you're open about everything, Jenny. You need that."
"I know. This is our third try- we've had some bumps along the road," Jenny said, sighing softly. "But third time is a charm, I can feel it. We both want it."
"I'm glad to hear that," Alexis said, and Jenny could hear her smile. "Have you looked at any of the therapists I've given you, Jenny?"
"Not yet. I've had a rather busy week," Jenny replied, rubbing at her forehead with the heel of her hand. "I will get to it though, I promise."
"Well, I have someone I'd prefer you try first," Alexis said, and Jenny perked up, grabbing a pen and an index card. "Her name is Annelise Haven. She's on the young side- she's only 38."
"You realize that she's younger than I am, right Alexis?" Jenny asked, one eyebrow higher than the other as she waited for the older woman to respond.
"She has personal experience with teen trauma, Jenny," Alexis replied, and Jenny fell silent, chewing her lip. "I think she could help you, if you'd let her. Of course it is your decision."
"What's her number?" Jenny asked, jotting it down when Alexis gave it to her. "I'll see when I can get an appointment."
"There are others if you don't like her or don't think she'll work, Jenny," Alexis said, and Jenny made a noise of confirmation. "Just remember that you didn't like me at first either."
"I didn't not like you," Jenny replied, shaking her head. "I just didn't want to be in therapy. I barely wanted to be alive- why the heck would I have wanted to be in therapy, getting help? I wanted everything to end. Without you, I probably would have."
"That was my job," Alexis replied, but there was a warmth in her voice that let Jenny know it was a lot more than a job to the older woman. "How's your father?"
"He died a few years ago," Jenny replied, her voice dropping slightly. "It looked like he committed suicide, but- he never would have done that to me, not after Lizzie."
"Jenny…"
"He didn't kill himself. I know how did, and the problem is over," she interrupted, swallowing down the anger she felt when she though of La Grenouille. "It's in the past."
"Your past is a messy place," Alexis replied and Jenny snorted, nodding.
"Messy doesn't even begin to cover it," she said, looking up when she heard her front door shut, her face breaking out into a soft smile when she caught sight of Jethro. "Alexis, I've got to go. I'll let you know if Annelise works out."
"Alright Jenny. I'll be looking forward to what you have to say," Alexis said, and Jenny said her goodbye, about to hang up when Alexis spoke again. "Have a good time with Jethro."
Jenny rolled her eyes as she disconnected the call, setting her phone on the desk and rounding the wooden piece of furniture, meeting Jethro in the main hall.
"I wasn't expecting to see you today," she said, her hand finding the center of his chest and settling there, feeling the beating of his heart against her fingertips.
"I brought stuff to make dinner," he replied, and Jenny's eyes lit up.
"What did you bring?" she asked as they walked into the kitchen, her leading the way.
"Stuff for pizza," he replied, and she grinned.
"Perfect."
After the couple had finished their homemade sausage and pepperoni pizza, Jethro brought out the movie he'd rented while at the grocery store, and suggested that they move to the living room to relax.
Jenny was caught off guard by how kind Jethro was being- she wasn't used to it. After brewing a cup of green tea she settled down with Jethro, handing him a beer.
"Thank you," she said, looking up at him, her green eyes soft and content- no shadows were in them tonight, for which Jethro was grateful. He tilted his head, questioning, and she continued. "For doing this. For everything. You didn't have to."
"But I did Jen," he said softly, cupping her cheek and running his thumb over her cheekbone, making her blush. "I know this week has been difficult on you. I just wanted an evening to relax with you."
"I like lazy Sundays," she replied, pressing closer to him and kissing his cheek. "I like you."
"I like you too," he said, but the emotion was thick in his voice- they both caught it.
The words stuck in Jenny's throat, and she tried to push them out, but something held her back. She swallowed, deciding she'd speak at a later date, and she settled against him, her head on his chest.
His arm slid around her shoulders, and she was comfortable.
She was comfortable.
"Our love was, comfortable and so broken in; she's perfect, so flawless," –'Comfortable', John Mayer [I love this man like no other.]
"I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose, fire away, fire away. Ricochet, you take your aim, fire away, fire away. You shoot me down but I won't fall; I am titanium," –'Titanium', David Guetto featuring Sia [This song is so good. Just so good. Please go listen to it.]