step by step
An NCIS fic collection
by mew-tsubaki
- ^-^3
imagine: miscellany 10—s20e4 (this post on the sideblog: 699584824050073600/ parknight-imagines-miscellany-10-s20e4)
tags: s20e4
- ^-^3
Well, Parker has to admit, having a case that makes the team cross paths with the National Park Service sticks in his craw, because he's going to be salty about being blacklisted for that one birding incident for a long while…
…but that's not the only thing that buzzes around his brain when this case lands in their lap. No, because with this case comes a bit of Knight's history, some of which he knows (her rough relationship with her mother—he commiserates on that front) and some of which is brand-new. The latter mostly arrives in the form of Special Agent Gage Winchester, Knight's ex.
Winchester's presence is fodder for the rest of the team's curiosity, but Director Vance is the one who has qualms about forcing Knight to work a case with him, something about personal issues interrupting the investigation.
Parker doesn't worry about that so much, especially given the way Knight's patience wears thin whenever Winchester enters the room. And, once it becomes evident Winchester's a potential target, Parker signs up to alleviate some of her stress, volunteering to babysit Winchester back at headquarters while the rest of the team works out in the field.
Knight throws him a fleeting, thankful smile before she, McGee, and Torres chase down the latest lead.
But…the more time Parker spends with Winchester, the more his own curiosity stirs. Even when Winchester wants to leave NCIS against orders and work the case himself (and, of course, eventually vanishes under their noses…but still comes away with evidence to help them bust this drug case), Parker sees quite a few comparisons.
After catching Vance up on how the case closed, Parker and Knight see Winchester out, and it's the first time Knight's looked relieved in the last two days. She turns to Parker with that thankful smile again. "Thank you so much for looking after that knucklehead," she says.
He snickers and heads for the break room. "'Knucklehead,' huh?"
Knight follows at his heels. "Definitely! Once he's got his mind set on something, Gage is all full steam ahead." She sighs. "He's matured a little, but not nearly enough. Not in the ways that matter. He's the same as ever."
They find the break room empty, and Parker busies himself with making a mug of tea (green—maybe being outside in the wilderness for this case motivates his taste buds even now). "Hmm," he mumbles when he sticks the mug of water in the microwave to zap it. "Does that mean I'm mature?"
She furrows her brow at the question.
Parker half turns to her, a smirk toying with his lips. "C'mon, Jess. A guy comfortable in the outdoors. Ruggedly handsome," he quips with a stroke of his beard, which earns him a smile. "And someone foolhardy, perhaps a little too dogged on cases at times." He shrugs. "I dunno. Winchester seemed nice. It felt as though I've been looking into a mirror at my younger self while working this case."
Knight reddens. "Alden…!"
He does that scoff-chuckle of his just as the microwave dings and she hides her face by his nearer shoulder. "…or maybe you just have a type?"
- ^-^3
Aside from all the extra interest Parker seemed to pay attention to Knight and her Winchester past this episode…my thoughts were p much this: She has a type.
-mew! XD