It was still dark outside when he woke, his internal clock prodding him from sleep. He stretched, stiff and sore from the awkward position under his boat. Easing himself out, he rolled his neck and shoulders a few times then checked his watch. A smile graced his face as he took his carving and headed upstairs, scrawling a brief note to go with the gift before setting it aside.

As he entered the bathroom for a quick shower he was overwhelmed by her scent once again. The edge of an unfamiliar purple bottle peeking from behind the shower curtain told him why. He stepped into the tub and adjusted the water, allowing it to rush over him in a needle fine spray, then he picked up the bottle and eyed it carefully. Lavender and vanilla,' he thought. No wonder I couldn't sort it out.' He popped open the cap and inhaled the scent that was comfortingly Leah before closing it and setting it back on the edge of the tub.

Short minutes later he was dressed and ready to go, gathering his gift and note for Leah along with the rest of his belongings for the day. As he headed to the hospital to drop off the carving for her, he had high hopes of seeing her that evening for dinner.

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Leah woke slowly, grateful for the fact that she'd had no nightmares. At least none that disturbed her sleep. There was a vague feeling of unease, but that might have more to do with what she was about to do today than anything she may have dreamed. She stretched and checked the time, glad to see that breakfast would be here soon. The food might be horrible but the coffee wasn't too bad. And the morning shift nurses understood cops, even ex-cops; coffee was critical.

She had just finished in the bathroom, washing up as best she could and making herself look and feel human again when breakfast arrived. The nurse looked up and smiled. You have a gift this morning, too, she told Leah.

A gift? From who? Leah settled back in the bed and puzzled over the box she held in both hands. It was unlabeled and about six inches square in size.

You'll have to open it to find out. The nurse leaned down and whispered conspiratorially. But Maggie at reception said all the women at the front desk were eying the guy who dropped it off. Said he was pretty good lookin'!

Leah laughed. Gotta be DiNozzo! I wonder what he and Kate got me, she mused as she opened the little package.

She gasped when she saw the small hand-carved lattice bowl. The workmanship on it was exquisite and she turned it over in her hands several times. The nurse, curious herself about both the gift and its giver, pointed out the slip of paper with it.

Leah picked up the note and set the bowl down carefully. Unfolding the paper, she felt tears well up as she read.

Leah,

I'm not very good at this sort of thing, but I wanted to give you something of me. I carved this last night, thinking you might use it to put your jewelry in, or something.

I hope it's something you like

Jeth

She reached out and fingered the edges of the wood, suddenly wondering if she was making the right decision after all. Realizing the nurse was still standing there, she glanced up and smiled. It's from a very good friend of mine. He made it himself. Then she turned to her food and pointedly ignored the woman until she left. Leah dropped the fork and grabbed her coffee cup, sipping at the dark, fragrant liquid, thinking about her plans and tried to decide what to do.