Chapter Thirty-Seven: Paris
The train pulled into Paris like a rocket to the moon
The station's like a circus, every face is a cartoon
Everyone's stoned on pride and drunk on cheap champagne
Tonight this joie de vivre sure don't live up to its name
Jenny sighed as she got off of the train at Paris. She hated having to go away from the headquarters for meetings. And what she hated even more was that she couldn't ride in a car; she had to ride in a train.
The station was packed with people from all sorts of different countries; there were American, German, Hungarian, Russian, and, of course, French people. They all seemed like cartoon figures to Jenny, though. Many of them looked as though they weren't even there, like they were off somewhere else mentally, but in the Paris station physically.
She used to love Paris. Even before she had come here with him. It was always the most beautiful city ever. Now the joyfulness that had always lit up her face seemed to have disappeared. She didn't see the joie de vivre that she saw in the earlier years. What had happened that made this city less of a sight for her?
It might not have helped that she was feeling like complete crap right now. She wasn't in the mood to deal with anyone. Thankfully, her meeting was tomorrow. She could just go to her hotel and not be bothered by anyone.
That was until something caught her eye. She saw a familiar face amongst the crowd. What was he doing here? He spotted her and walked over to her.
"Hey, Jen," he said.
"Jethro, what are you doing here?"
"I've been talking to DiNozzo lately about… certain things… and he gave me a great idea—"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Stop right there," Jenny interrupted. "DiNozzo gave you a good idea? As in Tony DiNozzo gave you a good idea?"
"Yeah, I know, it's weird. Anyway, listen, I came here to ask you a question."
"Okay, shoot," Jenny replied, wondering why he hadn't just called her.
He looked at her nervously. "I figured coming here to ask it would be best. I know you're wondering why I didn't call, but you'll understand." He cleared his throat. "Jen, there's something I really want from you."
"What is it, Jethro?"
"I want Paris. I want it the way it used to be between us, the days when everything was carefree. The days when we were deep in love. Can you give me that?"
And now all I can say
Is I'd give this world to you
Every rock and every stone
Every masterpiece in Rome
And if you asked me to
I'd steel the Mona Lisa, tear it up in little pieces
And lay them down at your feet
For all the world to see
But tonight I can't give you Paris
"Jethro…" Jenny breathed out. "I… you know I'd do anything for you."
"So is that a yes?" he asked hopefully.
Jenny felt tears coming to her eyes. "I'd do anything for you," she repeated. "If I could, I'd give you every single masterpiece hidden in Rome. I'd steel the Mona Lisa for you and tear it up into pieces."
Jethro looked confused. "What does this have to do with my question?"
"What I'm saying is, I do love you, Jethro, but just… I can't relive Paris right now. Not tonight, at least."
"Oh… okay."
Aristocrats are everywhere
And the air's as thick as thieves
She'd like nothing better than to steal the breath from me
The tower's lights ain't shining as it hangs its head in shame
At the sight of American blood on the streets of St. Germain
Washing up into the Seine
Jenny watched as Jethro said goodbye and walked off. She really wanted to say yes to him. She loved him still, with all her heart. But today was just not the day to ask her. She was in a pissy mood, and she'd have to deal with stupid politics tomorrow. If only he'd asked sooner, or maybe even waited until she got back.
Then again, he said he wanted to ask her here in Paris. The place where they really had started. Paris was their city. It had lost its touch after they had left, though.
The air was filled with pollution, making it difficult to see 50 feet in front of you, much less breathe. People walking the streets were a lot less kind. They all acted as though they were better than everyone else. As Jethro would say, they were all "…a rich bunch of bastards." Jenny smiled to herself, thinking about it. She saw Jethro sitting on a bench, waiting for the public bus to come.
She walked over and sat beside him. "Jethro," she said. "I want to better explain myself."
Is I'd give this world to you
Every rock and every stone
Every masterpiece in Rome
And if you asked me to
I'd steel the Mona Lisa, tear it up in pieces
And lay them at your feet
For all the world to see
But tonight, I can't give you Paris
"You heard my words before," Jenny said. "I'd do all that stuff for you. I'd really like to be with you again, Jethro, but just… not tonight."
"Why not tonight?"
"I'm not in a good mood. I don't really want to deal with people right now. When I get back to D.C., though…" she trailed off, knowing he could fill in the blanks.
He smiled. "Anything else?" he asked as he saw the bus driving up through the thick traffic.
And I'd give this world to you
I'd steal the crown and kingdom from the queen of England
And if you asked me to
I'd take this city in my hands, break it down in grains of sand
And lay them at your feet
For all the world to see
"I'd give this whole entire world to you, Jethro. I'd steal the crown and kingdom from the queen of England. I'd take this city and break it down into pieces. I'd do this all for you, Jethro. I love you."
"I love you, too, Jen." He gave her a quick kiss as the bus pulled up and people started to get on. "See you in D.C."
"Bye," she said, smiling. She watched as the bus drove away.
For once in her life, she couldn't wait to get away from Paris and back to D.C.
But tonight I can't give you Paris
A/N: Cheesy angst-ish stuff! With a bit of OOC, but not too much. If only something like this had happened. *sigh* We can only wish. Thanks for the reviews and suggestions! I'll be sure to do those in the next few chapters. Please review now!
I will be putting up another chapter this afternoon and that will be it until next monday. :( That's why you get two chapters today. But I will be sure to write more in my notebook!
Song - Paris by Faith Hill