The sleep did both Jethro and McGee some good, although neither federal agent would have minded ten more minutes.
Their stuff was all packed already so it didn't take long to get ready. Jethro rummaged through his USMC pack and threw on a clean pair of cammie trousers, the tan webbed rigger's belt, a clean olive drab skivvy shirt, and one of his white long-sleeve collared shirts for overtop of the t-shirt. He then dawned his desert scarf as well as his weapon holsters and lightweight helmet.
He and McGee then hurriedly made their way to the chow hall for some breakfast, the pair both quickly shovelling the omelettes and sausages down, Jethro eagerly helping himself to some much-needed caffeine while he was at it.
They then grabbed a couple of MREs and water bottles for the road before running and hopping into one of the Humvees with Dex, contentedly heading to the airfield to catch their flight back stateside. Neither man wanted to miss that.
Shortly after 0500, the two NCIS agents were safely settled into the red canvas seats, the body of Chet Tyber secured in the middle of it, and the C-130 was finally taking off and making its way out of Kabul.
Neither he nor McGee took long to doze off, and Jethro got a solid hour more of sleep in before a nasty bout of turbulence woke them both up.
A couple of hours later, Jethro was quite hungry again, unbuckled himself and started to rummage through his bag for his Beef Ravioli pack. "I want some chow."
McGee gave him a small smile. "You're not the only one." The younger man started to go through his own bag to take out the Chilli Mac pack he'd grabbed earlier.
Opening the Beef Ravioli pack, Jethro opened a packet of hot sauce and dumped it all into the first pack, mixing it together with the plastic spoon that had come with it. The hot sauce was a lifesaver considering some of the MREs could be a little bland.
The younger man shot him a look. "How can you eat hot sauce?"
Jethro gave a small shrug of the shoulders. "Eh, this one's not all that hot. It just gives the food a bit of a kick." Jethro didn't like the stronger hot sauces as they were simply too hot, but there was a pretty wide range to pick from. As far as the MRE packet was concerned, it was on the milder end of the spectrum.
McGee hummed in acknowledgment before happily taking a bite of his Chilli Mac.
After they'd eaten their entrées, Jethro downed about a quarter of his water bottle (he had avoided the fruit punch powder at all costs (it didn't taste the best and frequently didn't mix properly in his experience) and took out his Cherry Blueberry Cobbler pack, McGee doing likewise with a grin.
The pair continued chatting for a bit but eventually fell back into a comfortable silence, hoping the rest of the flight would go smoothly.
Eventually, they arrived at their brief pitstop in Germany and were able to stretch their legs for a few minutes while the cargo plane was refuelled. A couple of Marines who'd been stationed at Panzer Kaserne for the last several months joined them as well for the rest of the flight back to the U.S.
The rest of their flight to Virginia went smoothly, thankfully, and just before 1330, they finally touched down at MCAF Quantico.
Chet Tyber's body was being escorted to the man's hometown for burial, so getting off of the plane, they didn't really have anything to do but grab their things. Dex had to stay on base while some paperwork was finalized, but with any luck that would all be resolved sooner rather than later.
Saying bye to his subordinate, he watched as McGee hopped into his car and started to pull away. He then crossed the tarmac, heading over to where his wife was waiting, smiling widely at him as she locked eyes with him.
As he stepped in front of her, she shot him a relieved smile and threw both of her arms around him for a bear hug. Her Strawberry and Sweet Mint shampoo instantly flooded his nostrils. "Welcome back, Tiger. I knew you couldn't resist my good looks."
He chuckled softly. "I missed you too, Care Bear." He hadn't been gone that long, but that didn't stop him from missing her and feeling relieved to be back on American soil.
She gave him a peck on the cheek. "I missed you more."
"Impossible," he quipped. Jethro gently tucked some of her long, red locks behind her left ear before leaning in to kiss his wife. As Jethro's lips met hers, a feeling of warmth flooded through him. It was really good to be back home.
Once they broke away from the kiss, he grinned and gestured towards his wife's car.
Shannon smiled affectionally up at him. "Wayne joined me for the drive here and then drove your truck back to Arlington."
He nodded, not really surprised by that piece of information. He made a quick mental note to thank his long-time neighbour for the assist the next time that he saw Wayne and then tossed his USMC pack into the trunk of Shannon's silver Toyota Camry.
"Shall we get going?" she asked.
He opened the passenger side door with a small smile. "Let's." He then tilted his head slightly towards a grocery bag. "What's in the bag?"
Still smiling, Shannon got into the driver's seat, put her seatbelt on and turned to face him. "Apple pie and chocolate syrup."
His grin grew. That was something that his mom had always done growing up and he'd done more than a few times with Kelly when she was a little girl. He hadn't eaten it in quite a while, though. "That's great."
She titled her head a smidge. "I figured you'd like that." Leaning over, Shannon turned the stereo on, one of her favourite songs by Duran Duran starting to play. "Consider it payment for making you go to Kelly's before a shower."
He rolled his eyes, feigning slight exasperation, and leaned back in the seat somewhat as Shannon pulled out of the parking spot and they started the drive to Alexandria.
Pulling up to their daughter's house, they both got out of the car, Jethro heading to the back seat to grab the dessert that Shannon had brought.
Shannon knocked before opening the door, the couple finding themselves attacked by an energetic fifteen-month-old pulling on their pant legs.
Jethro chuckled softly, bending down to pick his granddaughter up. "Hey, P. You being good for mommy?"
Paisley shot him a questioning look. "Cookie."
Kelly rolled her eyes as she walked up. "Yes, 'cause you need more sugar, Pais."
The little girl grinned wider, clearly missing the sarcasm. "Cookie."
Jethro smirked, leaning into Paisley's ear slightly for a stage whisper. "I'll let you in on a secret, Kid. Grammy brought some pie. Just don't tell Mommy."
He grinned as he caught his daughter's expression.
Paisley giggled and pointed to her mother. "No."
Kelly rolled her eyes, feigning exasperation. "Thanks for corrupting my child, Dad."
He raised an eyebrow. "Start 'em young."
Shannon gave a little snort. "I seem to recall a certain little girl ganging up on me with her father more than once."
Kelly shook her head, grinning. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Mom."
"Naturally," Shannon replied with an eye roll.
Jethro put Paisley back down on the ground, the little girl immediately making her way over to a teddy bear that she was particularly fond of. Smiling, he stepped towards his daughter, pulling Kelly in for a hug.
His daughter's lips curled upwards. "You smell like a cargo plane."
He rolled his eyes. "I'm well aware, Kellz."
As they separated, Kelly gestured to the kitchen. "Coffee, Mom? I'm not even going to ask Dad. I know he'll take it by the gallon."
"Hey." Jethro pointed at his daughter with a serious expression. "Never underestimate the importance of being properly caffeinated. Rule #23." Never mess with a Marine's coffee if you want to live.
Shannon rolled her eyes in amusement. "Yes, Kel, I'd love a cup."
Paisley was back, tugging on Jethro's trousers. Without missing a beat, he followed the little girl into the living room to play with her. How did I get so lucky?
