Thank you all for the kind reviews. I'm tentative to post this next chapter but think it is absolutely necessary to understand more of the story in the future. There are many layers to Henrietta Lange...and this is one layer we don't often see. I hope you enjoy!
He wouldn't press her normally, but it had gone too long. And ever since Gibbs had arrived in Los Angeles three days ago, she'd been quiet. Too quiet. A frank discussion was in order.
The light was still on when the Admiral walked into their bedroom; however, the book she'd said she wanted to read was lying across her lap while her head was leaned back against the headboard, her eyes closed.
Suspicious, he closed the door quietly and moved over to her side of the bed, sitting down next to her. Reaching over, he made to touch her cheek, but her small hand quickly caught his arm mid-air.
"Thought you were asleep," he said, grinning as she opened her eyes.
"No…just thinking," she explained, allowing him to lower his arm.
"Book not to your liking?" he asked, picking it up to look at the cover. Seeing its title, he chuckled. "Really Henrietta, why don't you try a book written in English? It might be lighter reading before bed."
"Keeps me up on the language…especially since I don't use it as often as I used to," she answered.
Sighing, he set the book on her nightstand. "Well, it wouldn't hurt to just enjoy a book for what it is every now and then….in English," he responded with a grin.
Reaching down, he gently squeezed her fingers, causing her hardened look to soften slightly. She gave a small huff, knowing he was right.
"Perhaps…" she admonished.
Leaning over, he kissed her cheek and stood. "Good. I'm beat. You turning in?"
She nodded as he walked over to his dresser. After quickly changing clothes and putting his gun back in the small safe they kept in his nightstand, he climbed in beside her.
"What time do you have to be in tomorrow?" he asked.
"Six…briefing with Vance," she explained.
He fixed his pillows and laid down as she reached over to turn off her lamp. The small movement sent a sharp pain from her neck down her spine, stealing her breath with it.
Unfortunately, for her, the Admiral did not miss much. Turning towards her, he pushed himself up on one arm.
"Henrietta…"
"Yes?" she asked innocently, taking a few extra seconds to straighten the comforter before gently lying down.
"What was that?"
"What was what?"
"That wince. You all right?" he asked, the concern now evident in his voice.
"Of course I'm all right," she answered.
"Not by the looks of it," he said bluntly. "Another headache?"
"Albert…"
"Don't Albert me, Henrietta, or I'll call you out sick tomorrow," he countered.
Sighing heavily, she turned to face him and forced a smile.
"I suppose even I have to admit to certain muscular pain as I get older, dear," she admonished, hoping to ease his concerns.
He eyed her for a moment before relenting. "And you're sure that's all it is?"
As she nodded, he leaned forward, placing a kiss on her forehead.
"All right," he whispered. "But you'll tell me if it gets worse?"
"You'll interrogate me about it if I don't" she answered dryly.
He chuckled, leaning in to steal a small kiss. "You better believe I will."
A small grunt was all he received in response as Hetty pulled the covers up over her shoulders.
"Henrietta?"
"Hmm?"
"Gibbs done with his investigation?"
She nodded, though offered no other information. He lay down beside her, gently placing one hand over hers.
"And…?"
"And…he left this afternoon. That's all I know about it. Eric and Nell said nothing…and neither did Leroy," she replied.
He could see she was frustrated, upset that she was not read in on the case. And he also knew she would never sleep…she hadn't the past three nights….and she wouldn't until she figured out why Gibbs had come to LA.
Slowly, he reached over and turned her face towards his.
"Hey…I'm sure it has nothing to do with your team."
Her troubled expression softened slightly. "I suppose. Though I think after the past three days, Eric may be on Leroy's personal hit list."
The Admiral's laughter filled the quiet bedroom. When he looked down, he was pleased to see Hetty's face had broken out into a large grin, her own chuckles joining with his.
It had been too many days since he'd seen her truly smile. Cautiously, he put his hands under the back of her head, leaning down and placing a sound, deep kiss on her lips. At first, he felt her stiffen against his hold. But after a moment, her hands tentatively came to rest on his upper arms, allowing him to wrap her in a tight embrace.
It was Hetty who had to break first, her breath coming in short and quick as the Admiral held her against his chest.
"Shh…shh…I've got you," he whispered. Placing a soft kiss to her temple, he tightened his hold around her small frame. "You need to rest, Henrietta."
"I'm fine, AJ," she insisted.
He looked down at her quizzically, taking her chin in his hands and forcing her eyes to meet his.
"Henrietta, tell me what's wrong. You haven't been yourself."
To be completely honest, she didn't really know what was wrong. Was it the stress from the past two years- the horrendous search for the mole; losing Granger and Michelle Hanna; almost losing her entire team in Mexico? She wasn't sure if it was one or all things combined. But one thing she knew for sure: she was failing at keeping her emotions behind years of well-built barriers…and as barriers fell, memories continued to surface.
The Admiral saw her struggling with her thoughts, wishing only to take away her pain. Reaching up, he gently ran his fingers down her cheek…
"What can I do?"
It took another moment before she finally got up the courage to look up at him.
"Henrietta…" he pleaded, "…talk to me."
Her eyes dropped to focus on his chest, hating to see him worry. "Just don't leave."
Perplexed, he shifted so he was in her direct line of vision. "I never would. What's brought this on?"
He looked at her pointedly and saw her shrug, knowing he would never get answers out of her…not now anyway.
"Henrietta…"
He was wracking his brain for what he could do to make her feel better… feel safe….
"Let me help."
Cocking her head to the side, she took a moment to study his features. She trusted him, more so than she'd trusted anyone her entire life. But it wasn't fair to make him deal with the continuous worries running through her mind.
"AJ…I don't…"
"Let me help you forget…" he said softly.
Leaning down, he kissed her gently, not wanting to push her too fast. And luckily, a moment later, she relaxed in his embrace. His soothing touch and calm reassurances quickly quieted the anxieties plaguing her exhausted mind.
Small, cautious kisses developed into long, deep embraces as the Admiral attempted to bring his wife's focus back to the present.
As he laid her back, she put her fingers on his lips, halting his advance.
He loosened his grip slightly; afraid he was hurting her. "Too fast?"
"No…just know that I do trust you, AJ," she admitted, cupping his cheek with her small hand. "And I do love you."
A large smile crossed his face as he leaned in, capturing her lips with his own, intent on taking away all of Henrietta's worries tonight.
