A/N: I realize I often mention how I write the chapter the night before or that day, but I don't want you all to think that I don't know the long-term of this story or have a plan because I totally do. It's just the day to day of getting there that is open. And for those worrying about a happy ending - I don't know if this will make you happy or bum you out, but this story is sooooo far from ending. It could go a year or more. So I wouldn't think of this in those terms quite yet. ;)

***JIBBS***JIBBS***JIBBS***

Jenny arrived home from work that night to an empty house. She looked through her mail, tossing it on the coffee table, along with her purse.

"Jethro?"

Strange. He didn't say he was going anywhere. She decided to check out back. Sure enough, she found him on the swing, carving a piece of wood.

"Hey stranger," she said playfully, sitting down beside him. He barely looked up, managing only a hint of a smile. Jenny's good mood quickly darkened. "You okay?"

"Yeah, sure. Just working, thinking," he managed.

Jenny didn't want to push but she could tell something was troubling him. "Dare I ask how things went with Mary?" She noticed the slightest falter in his rhythm - and she noted his trying to recover quickly.

"The usual fun and good times. She's a laugh riot," he said with clear annoyance in his voice.

"Yeah, Mary's a barrel of fun. That's how everyone describes her," she said, rolling her eyes. Obviously he was not going to share more. She decided she might have better luck grilling Mary.

"I'm going inside to change. I'll be back in a bit." She waited a second for him to stop and kiss her but he didn't. He was obviously sulking, and she had no idea why. But she was going to find out.

Jenny went inside and quickly headed up the stairs. She changed into a pair of yoga pants and a tank top before reaching for her cell phone. She found Mary's number and dialed.

After a few rings, Mary answered. "What's up?"

"I was hoping you could tell me. What happened at your meeting with Gibbs?" Jenny did her best to straddle between inquisitive yet firm. She wanted someone to tell her what was going on.

"Didn't you ask him?"

"He's not exactly being chatty, Mary. Something's obviously upset him. I was hoping you could give me some answers."

"I don't know what you want from me, Catherine. We had a very frank discussion. I may have shared a few truths he wasn't exactly wanting to face."

Jenny closed her eyes and looked pained. "What truths?"

"He's a big boy. He should be able to hear that his indecision and desire to have it all is a serious risk to your life."

Jenny furrowed her brow. "He has heard that. From me in fact. What else?"

Mary was fidgeting. She had a feeling she knew what it was but she wasn't in the mood to piss off Catherine. Then again, she also didn't want to make things worse for her. "I said that you were adjusting to the program, moving on with your life just fine until he messed everything up."

Shit. Jenny was incredulous. She started pacing around the room as she talked. "What the hell made you say that?"

Mary didn't hold back. "Because it's true. He was trying to say that I wasn't really listening to you, that he could see that this life is slowly killing you and it pissed me off."

Jenny slumped to the floor, at the foot of their bed. She took a deep breath before finding the courage to admit the truth. "I'm sorry, Mary. But he's right."

The two sat there on the phone for several minutes, saying nothing to each other. Finally Mary managed, "Please tell me you'll at least stay with the program until the trial is over?"

"Of course I will. Thanks." Jenny hung up the phone and sighed. Now what? It was a good bet that this was what was bothering him but she didn't know for sure. She was suddenly very tired. If talking to Mary made her feel like this, she could only imagine how Jethro felt. She headed downstairs, grabbed a beer from the fridge and headed outside.

Gibbs was in the same place, doing the same thing. She sat down next to him and offered him the beer. He nodded, taking a sip before setting it down by his feet. Jenny was content to wait it out, just enjoying sitting outside with Jethro, watching him work.

She turned her attention to his hands, their strength as they worked the wood into what he wanted. His muscles were pronounced as he carved, his T-shirt fitting him just right. She appreciated the opportunity to be able to simply look at him. She could watch him all day and feel it was a day well spent.

Then it dawned on her exactly what he was making and her breath caught in her throat. The love he was pouring into it, the gentle touch he used. It made her love him even more, something she didn't even think was possible.

Maybe that was what had him in this mood. Everyone handles grief differently. The group had certainly taught her that. Maybe the grief was making him push her away because he had to deal with it himself. She decided she would let him handle it however he needed to, but she would stick close, in case he wanted her with him.

He stopped working and reached down for his beer, taking another sip before setting it down again. He then looked over at Jenny. She was watching him, her eyes soft with love. He leaned back into the seat, against the pillows, and put his arm around her. She quickly grabbed his chin to face her, planting a soft kiss on his lips.

"Welcome home, Jenny," she said softly, smiling.

"Fine," he said, rolling his eyes. "Welcome home, Jenny. How was your day, dear?"

"There, that wasn't so hard, was it?" she teased. "I think the question is more, how was your day?"

He showed her the progress he made on the plaque. "Is there anything you wanted to make sure was on here?"

She looked in his beautiful blue eyes, grateful he was talking with her. She snuggled in close to him, leaning her head on his shoulder as she held the wood in her hand. "What were you thinking of putting on it?"

He ran his hand through his hair, obviously frustrated. "I've been trying to figure something out all day. Keeping it simple but yet…"

"Meaningful?"

He nodded. "I know what I see for its shape and maybe some ideas for the edges. But the words…"

She smoothed out his hair, running her nails through it, gently caressing his face. She was overwhelmed with emotion, but managed to say, "How about… 'You were loved.' "

Gibbs locked eyes with Jenny and nodded. "Perfect."

They sat together on the swing, with his arm around her and Jenny's head against his shoulder. Both were thinking about the baby they lost, the little life who could have bonded them together and changed their lives.

There was a lot they need to talk about but for now, in this moment, they were content to just hold each other.