A/N: The way the characters have left (Tony and Ziva) stays the same as the shows story line. Just Jenny is still Director instead of Vance.
"McGee has twins on the way, and I am more senior than Ellie, so I am going" Kate stared at the Director. She had volunteered to go to Paraguay with Gibbs and Torres. Gibbs wanted to object, but he also knew better. He wanted to take the men, leave the women behind even if that did sound sexist.
"Agent Todd" Jenny started, but Kate ignored her, going to her desk and grabbing her bag.
"Meet you at the airport in an hour" she told Gibbs and Torres, before walking past the red head and making her wat to the elevator. She could tell they were all looking at her, but she didn't care. And she also knew her wife was furious with her. But she had no children and she had more experience then Ellie so it was only logical that she go with the other two.
Once the doors opened, she stepped inside and took a deep breath. Finally able to be alone. Just as the doors were to close shut, Gibbs squeezed himself inside them and stood next to her. He didn't look at her.
"You shouldn't have done that" he said softly.
"She is your boss, not mine" she said calmly "Plus I have a point. If anything was to happen, McGee would never meet his twins and he would be leaving his wife who is in a wheelchair to raise them by herself. Now tell me how that is fair? I may be her wife but I also don't have any children to come home to and my wife is not handicapped" she was now getting annoyed at him.
"Didn't say I didn't agree with you. Just meant you shouldn't have done that in front of everyone" he stated, which only earned him a shrug.
"I will deal with the consequences when we get home" she sighed as she watched the numbers count down. When the doors dinged open, she stepped out "See you in an hour" she called out, heading towards her car.
Gibbs sighed as he watched her walk away, waiting for the doors to close. He really didn't want to go back up there and deal with the wrath of his boss. No doubt she would also yell at him to force Kate not to go with him. What could he do, she was after all his most senior field Agent.
Jenny was standing in MTAC with Ellie and McGee as they watched on the screen the helicopter that was to pick up the children, Nick, Gibbs and Kate moved into position.
They all held their breaths as they waited for confirmation of pick up. It seemed to be the longest 3 minutes of their lives, especially Jenny's.
"Turn around" they heard Torres yell over the roar of the helicopter.
"That's a negative" the Pilot replied crystal clear.
"Damn it, turn around"
"We don't have the fuel"
"I'm giving you an order, fly back" he yelled.
"Sir, I don't take my orders from you" was all the pilot said. The atmosphere in MTAC was so thick no one moved. No one even said a word.
So many things were gong through Jenny's head right now. Why was Torres telling the pilot to turn around? Why didn't she hear Gibbs or Kate's voices?
"McGee? Bishop? You guys there?" Torres asked, now he too was crystal clear. He must have taken the pilots headset.
"Yeah Nick. What's going on?" Talk to us" McGee was the only one to speak.
"Kate and Gibbs. They didn't make it onto the chopper. Once we land, I will get another crew and head back to find them" he explained. McGee and Bishop both turned to look at the Director, who was just standing there staring at the screen.
"Nick, what do you mean didn't make it?" Ellie now asked.
"There was too many of them. I helped the kids onto the chopper. Kate then joined me. Gibbs" he paused "He stayed behind to try and fend them off. Kate got off to help him" he sighed.
Jenny finally moved. She took a few staggering steps back and fell back into a chair. The last thing she said to her wife wasn't 'I love you' or 'Be safe', they had an argument in front of everyone. Now her wife is most probably dead, and she would never get to tell her how much she loved her.
She leaned forward, her arms resting on her knee's as she tried to calm her emotions. She couldn't be Kate's wife right now, she had an Agency still to run. She sat back up and cleared her throat.
"We will make sure another crew is ready to go when you land Torres" she finally said. There was silence while they waited for Torres to reply.
"Copy that Director".
It was almost like déjà vu. Ellie, Torres, McGee and Jenny all stood in MTAC staring at the big screen. They watched as the helicopter moved across it, making its way to the pick-up point. She prayed that they would be there.
Again, Jenny stands there still. No one is even sure she is breathing. This will now be the longest 3 minutes of her life. She has done nothing but try and fight to get them back. Fight to get people to look for them. Fight to stay sane so she can get her wife and ex-love home.
"Target acquired. Returning home" came the confirmation over the speaker. Everyone let out a sigh of relief and cheered. Torres and Ellie hugged; McGee patted then on the back. Then they all turned to look at Jenny, who was still frozen. Her eyes never leaving the screen.
McGee walked over to her and gave her a small smile.
"Director, they have them. They are coming home" he repeated for her. This got her attention, her eyes finally finding his. She nodded not sure if she could even form words.
"She's alive and coming home to you" he reached out and touched her arm. It was the contact that did it. She hadn't broken down since they went missing. She had stayed strong the entire two months, while comforting Abby who would come to her house and cry until she fell asleep. But now it was her turn. A sob escaped her and McGee pulled her into a hug.
The sight caused even Ellie to finally let go. Ellie and Torres decided it was best to let them have this moment and left to tell Abby, Ducky and Palmer the good news.
Almost everyone had gone home. It had been a whirlwind 2 months, but their friends were finally coming home. McGee had gone home to Delilah, Torres to get some sleep after blaming himself for what happened, Abby had to get a head start on her home-made welcome home presents for the two of them. Ellie on the other hand wanted to stay and make sure the Director was okay, as she had gone and locked herself in her office.
She was making her way down the stairs, heading back to the bullpen when she saw two figures exiting the elevator. She smiled when she noticed who they were straight away.
"Oh my god, I'm so glad you guys are back" she said as she hugged Kate first then Gibbs. They both looked pretty beat up, but at least they had been able to get clean. Kate's hair had certainly grown out, the same with Gibbs' facial hair.
"I think I speak for both of us when I saw thank you for what you did to get us home" Kate said with a tired smile Ellie just shrugged.
"It's what you do for family" Kate and Gibbs both shared a smile.
"Kate?" all three heads turned towards the stairs and saw Jenny running down them. Without even thinking, Kate ran straight for her. They both wrapped their arms around each other at the bottom of the stairs, neither one wanting to let go.
"I'm so sorry" Jenny cried as she pulled back to look at her wife. She cupped her face and wanted to kiss her bit noticed the split and cracked lip.
"I've missed you so much" Kate's tears now fell. She counted the days until she could see her again. All she did was talk about Jenny, pretty sure she drove Gibbs crazy.
"I love you" Jenny said with a smile. Kate pulled her close and kissed her, not caring about her lip and the pain in her body just front hugging her wife.
"I love you so much" Kate finally said as she pulled back and rested her forehead against the red heads "Now please, can we go home?" she asked, causing Jenny to chuckle for the first time in weeks.
"Yes. Let's go home" Jenny kissed her head and lead her upstairs to her office so she could grab her things.
"I like your hair long. Suits you" she couldn't help but comment.
"Maybe I will keep it long. Just for you" Kate teased. After everything they had been through, it was like their argument never happened. Even though Jenny had been right about not wanting her to go, she would never point that out. Having Kate and Gibbs home safe and sound was way more important.
When they arrived home, they both headed upstairs, wanting only to fall into bed together and sleep. Sleep away the last 2 months and act like it was all just a bad dream. If only it was that simple. There were just too many reminders, most of those still being all over Kate's body. Jenny couldn't help but look over at her as they got changed ready to hope into bed. She didn't mean to stare, but she just couldn't help it. There was just so many bruises and scars that were still healing.
"It looks worse than what it actually is" Kate's voice finally broke her trance and she looked up to meet her wife's face.
"Somehow I find that hard to believe" she had watched Kate's face screw up when she tried to pull her shirt on, though she knew better then to offer help.
"Let's just get into bed. I have done nothing but dream about this moment for the last two months" she pulled back the blanket and careful got in between the covers. Jenny smiled and nodded as she did the same thing.
"Cuddle me" Kate said, as she rolled onto her side carefully. Jenny moved in behind her and wrapped and arm around her carefully. Kate's small body moved back into the warmth of her wife and wrapped her arm around her tighter.
"I've missed you so much" Jenny whispered as she placed a kiss to her shoulder. Kate smiled and nodded.
"Missed you too. Gibbs doesn't cuddle like you do" she teased. She could feel the smile of her wife against her neck.
"I'm going to let that one slide" she kissed the brunette's neck "Now get some sleep" with another kiss to her neck, Jenny felt the body in her arms relax and in minutes she was asleep.
Relaxing into the bed and knowing it was her wife that she was holding and that it was not a dream, she finally was able to fall asleep.
Kate woke realising she was alone. For a moment she thought had all been a dream but sitting up in the bed she recognised the inside of her bedroom, and then smell hit her. Eggs and coffee. It wasn't dream at all; it was all real.
Getting up carefully as she still had aches in pains, she made her way slowly downstairs and into the kitchen where she took a moment to admire the redhead who was at the stove cooking. With a smile she quietly crept over to her and snaked her arms around her wife's middle.
Jenny, clearly not prepared for company, jumped a little and laughed when she realised who it was.
"That's a good way to give me a heart attack" she said with a smile, her coming to land on Kate's that was pressed on her stomach.
"You just looked so beautiful I didn't want to disturb you" Kate replied with a kiss to the back of her neck. She peered over her shoulder so she could see what was cooking.
"Just a vegetable omelet. I know you haven't eaten much so I didn't want to make anything too extravagant that would upset your stomach" Kate held her tighter, loving how thoughtful her wife was.
"I love you" she said placing another kiss to her neck.
"Now I did make some coffee, but I wasn't too sure if you would" she started but Kate was already at the coffee machine pouring herself a cup.
"Two months without coffee, now that was torture" Kate teased as she took a loving sip, her eyes still on her wife. Jenny just laughed and shook her head.
They were interrupted by the doorbell. Kate put her coffee down and looked in the direction of the noise.
"Are you expecting anyone?" she asked. Jenny just shook her head.
"I'll see who it is" Kate pushed herself away from the bench, not sure who would be here at 9am on a weekday. When she pulled open the door, she was shocked at who she saw.
"Rachel?" she wasn't believing what she was seeing.
"Baby girl" came Rachel's excited reply, stepping forward and wrapping her baby sister into a tight hug. Kate hugged her back just as tight.
"I'm so glad you're okay. You are okay right?" Rachel asked as she pulled back to look at the younger woman. Kate smiled and nodded.
"Battered and bruised, but okay. Come in. We didn't know you were coming" Kate said as she helped her with her luggage.
"That's the point of a surprise. When Jenny called me last night and told me you were alive and coming home, well I booked the first available flight here" Rachel explained. Kate smiled and hugged her again. She hadn't seen her sister in a very long time, well before she went missing in the jungle.
"Come on through, Jen is just making some breakfast" Kate led her into the kitchen.
"Wow, this is your house?" her sister asked as she looked at it. Kate nodded with a smile.
"Our house, yes. I will take you for a tour once we eat. Babe, look who came for a visit" Kate said as they entered the kitchen. Jenny had just plated the omelets and refilled her coffee.
"Rachel. Good to see you" Jenny said in greeting, clearly not as glad to see her sister-in law. Rachel smiled and nodded.
"You too. Thank you for the call last night. We are all so relieved that she's okay" Rachel turned to look at her sister.
"Can I make you something to eat? Coffee?" Jenny asked trying to be a good host. Rachel shook her head as she took seat.
"No food for me, but coffee would be great. Thank you" Kate couldn't quiet pick it, but there was something going on between them. They were acting weird. Granted they hadn't really met each other, but it was clear they had been in contact while she was gone.
Jenny came and sat down once getting Rachel some coffee.
"So, Mom and Dad are waiting to hear from you. And the boys. You have no idea how worried we all were. Mom was making the church do a pray for you every Sunday before the end of the service" Rachel rambled on. Jenny couldn't help but smile as she realised where she got it from. They must both get it from their Mother.
"I will call them, maybe later today" Kate said with a soft smile as she started eating.
"I'm just so happy to be here looking at you. Touching you" she reached over and rubbed her sister's arm.
Jenny watched the two, staying quiet and focusing on her breakfast. Kate of course noticed this change in her wife and knew something was wrong.
"You okay?" she asked softly. Jenny realised she had been asked a question and nodded with a small smile.
"I'm fine" was all she said.
"I really a thankful for the updates throughout this whole ordeal. I mean, if I'm being honest, you're the reason she was there. I don't think we could have ever forgiven you if you hadn't been able to get her back" Rachel said seriously. Kate stared at her sister in shock.
"Rachel" she scolded, but Jenny shook her head and put her knife and fork down.
"No Kate, she is right. I could have stopped you from going and sent McGee, but I didn't. I'm Gibbs' boss and I could have ordered him to take someone else, but I let you go. And you went missing for two months" she said softly. Kate couldn't believe what she was hearing. She reached over and took her wife's hand.
"This is not your fault. Far from it. I only have myself to blame. And Gibbs" she tried to joke, but neither her wife or sister were in a joking mood "I chose to go and I gave no one a chance to tell me other ways. And I stick by my decision. McGee got to stay home with his wife who is pregnant with twins. Yes, I hurt you and my family, but we don't have children or any other responsibilities" Kate explained to both of them.
Silence fell over the women as they let what Kate had said sink in. Now Rachel felt guilty for how she had been treating Jenny.
"Sorry for what I said. I clearly didn't have the full story" Rachel finally said. Jenny gave her a sad smile.
"It's fine. Was a very stressful time" she said, then got up to clear her plate.
"I'm going to head up and get dressed" Jenny said softly, kissed Kate's head and left the kitchen to head up to their bedroom.
"Rachel, what the hell was that? You can't honestly think this whole thing was her fault?" Kate still could understand this side of her sister.
"What am I supposed to think? Your wife who is your boss rings and tells me you have been captured in the Paraguay jungle by extremists, what am I to think? She is the one that is supposed to keep you safe. And she didn't do that" she trailed off and wouldn't look at Kate.
"What did you do?" Kate knew her sister, and she could tell she was hiding something. Rachel sighed and ran a hand through her.
"I may have gotten a little drunk one night and called her. Now I am not proud of what I did, but I had just had Mom call me crying" Kate was getting inpatient now.
"What did you do?" Rachel sighed again. It was clear she was ashamed by whatever it was.
"I called her and accused her of murdering my baby sister. Told her if she loved you at all she wouldn't have let you go" she swallowed, bracing herself for her sister's reaction "I then called her murderous, psychopathic dyke" Kate sat back in her chair, totally surprised by her sister's actions.
"And when was this?" Kate finally asked.
"Two weeks ago" she said softly. Kate nodded, now understanding the strange tension between the two older women.
"And last night was the first time you have spoken since?" at Rachel's nod Kate continued "Did you ever stop to think about what she was going through? Don't you think she already felt bad enough? She didn't stop and frankly no one in this world could have stopped me. You all had each other to help you through, who did she have? She has no parent's, no siblings and we don't have any children. So who do you think she had to help and support her while her wife was lost and presumed dead? Did you even once think to ask if she was okay? I can't believe my family, the people I have loved the most in my life, couldn't treat my wife with the same respect she showed you. She didn't have to tell you that I was missing. She could have just kept it to herself until she really had to notify you" Kate shrugged, she had so much anger towards her family right now.
"Instead of having someone to comfort her and tell her everything is going to be okay, she had to continue to run the Agency, she had to go to court and fight for more resources to try and find me and Gibbs. You owe her more then an apology. You all do" Kate got up and cleared her own plate. She was trying to calm herself, leaning against the sink.
"Katie, I'm sorry. I don't want to make excuses for our actions, but we were just acting on our feelings and not thinking. I mean we haven't even met this woman. You haven't brought her home for us to meet her, you didn't give us a wedding, and you are clearly not giving Mom anymore grandkids" at this Kate finally laughed. She turned around and looked at her sister, tears in her eyes.
"You're right. I should have brought her home to meet everyone. Then maybe you all would know what an amazing woman she is and see just how much she loves me. She would risk her own life to save mine and I would do the same for her" Kate said wiping away a tear.
"I'm sorry sweetie, I didn't mean to upset you" Rachel reached out and took her hand.
Jenny came back, and it was clear she was interrupting something.
"Should I give you two some space?" she asked softly. Kate looked at her and gave her a small teary smile and shook her head.
"No, it's okay. We were talking about you anyway" she laughed softly. Without warning, Kate walked over to her wife and wrapped her arms around her tightly.
"I'm so sorry I left you" she whispered. Jenny held onto her, burying her head in the long brown hair.
Rachel watched them with a small smile. Seeing them together she finally understood what Kate was talking about.
"I am so very sorry for everything that was said and done. I even apologize for my family. But, I do think it wouldn't of been as bad as it was if you hadn't denied us all a big Catholic wedding" Rachel smiled as she looked the two. Kate let go of her wife and turned to face her sister, not really believing what she had just heard.
"Uh Rach, you do realise the Catholic church doesn't exactly approve of our marriage" she said with a nervous laugh. Her sister just shrugged.
"Who said it had to be in a church?" she grinned daring Kate to challenge her. Both women stood there unsure of what to say or do. Did they just get tricked into having a big wedding just to please the Todd family?