January 15, 2008

Ducky was beginning to wonder if his team took him for a fool.

About a month and a half ago, Gibbs had come to Ducky for advice. Could he even call it that though? Gibbs was in autopsy for all of 2 minutes before storming back out again. Ducky had only said that Gibbs should tell the Director how he felt. There was no use in having an argument if all it was about was Gibbs being overprotective and worried. And although Gibbs had said he wasn't sure he'd be able to tell the Director right away, Ducky knew he had probably done it soon after that, if not that very night.

Gibbs was normally extremely good at keeping things hidden when he needed too. His subordinates certainly hadn't noticed a change. Ducky, however, was different. He had been on this Earth for a long time – he was turning 65 this year, after all – and he prided himself on being perceptive. Perceptive enough to notice the small differences in Gibbs and the Director when they returned to work the following Monday after Gibbs had stormed into autopsy. His face hadn't been quite as steely, first of all. There had been a softness to it that Ducky hadn't seen in a long time. Gibbs's posture was impeccable most of the team, his time in the Marine Corps most likely instilling that in him, but his posture had been even better than that, if that was possible. Ducky also noticed an extra coffee cup in his trash can. Low on energy? Ducky knew exactly why. This behavior lasted for weeks afterward and Ducky wondered if Gibbs was going to tell him any time soon.

He didn't get to see the Director as much, but he noticed changes in her too. She too had a softness to her expression that he hadn't ever seen in the time he'd known her. She was also putting more effort into how she styled her hair. Instead of just throwing it up in a ponytail or leaving it to hang naturally, she had been curling her hair quite often and putting it up into more intricate hairstyles. She also seemed to be spending more time observing the team directly, as she had been in autopsy more times in the past month and a half than she had in the last 6 months.

This was all stuff that the rest of team hadn't seemed to notice. Ducky knew he would know if they suspected anything, as Jimmy or Abby probably would have said something to him about Gibbs or the Director's change in behavior. Abby did comment on the change in Gibbs's mood about a week after she had come in to speak with him, but other than that there was nothing else out of his younger counterparts.

Speaking of his assistant though, he wondered if Jimmy was ever going to tell him about the relationship he had with Michelle. He knew there was something going on there and was a little offended that Jimmy hadn't told him. He just prayed to whatever God may be out there that he would never catch them in autopsy, because he knew they had been doing their business in the office somewhere.

He was just on his way out for the day when Gibbs joined him in the elevator. Shortly after the doors closed, Gibbs flicked the emergency switch and the elevator halted.

"Is there something you'd like to talk about, Jethro?" Ducky asked, already knowing the answer.

"Yeah, Duck, I do," he responded. "I'm assuming you know about Jen and I?"

"Of course, Jethro. I'm not blind…yet," he laughed.

"I know, Duck," Gibbs laughed along with him. "The team hasn't picked up on anything, have they?"

"Oh, no, I don't think so. I'm assuming Abby would have come to me if her and the others felt like anything was off," Ducky assured him.

Gibbs nodded his head slightly in agreement and smiled before switching the elevator back on. Ducky chuckled again and when the elevator opened on the ground floor, they both exited and headed to the parking lot.

"Good night, Duck," Gibbs called out as he broke off to head to his car.

"Good night, Jethro," Ducky called back.

Ducky wondered how long it would be before Gibbs would tell his team. He had no idea that it would be almost 2 years from now and that there would be 3 more relationships that would form among the team members before that point even came.

"He already knows," Gibbs said as he entered his house. Jenny was already there, curled up on his couch reading a book.

"Does he now?" she asked, closing the book and looking up at Gibbs. "Well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised, the man is very perceptive."

"That he is," Gibbs agreed, leaning down to give her a peck on the lips.

"Does your team suspect?" she asked, getting up and following him to the kitchen.

"Ducky says he doesn't think so. Thinks one of them would've said something to him if they did," he said. He went to get something out of the fridge, but Jenny pushed it closed again before he could get anything out. "What, I can't eat?" He turned around to face her.

The playful smile she had on her face said it all. "I have something else in mind," she said softly, getting right up in his face.

Gibbs smiled as he hoisted her up on his waist and started kissing her as they made their way to his bedroom upstairs. Food could wait. This absolutely couldn't.

Jenny trusted Ducky and knew he wouldn't tell the rest of the team, but still, she felt she needed to talk to him about her and Gibbs's relationship. The last month and a half had been wonderful, and she really enjoyed coming home to Gibbs most days. And the sex was just as incredible as she remembered. She just wanted to make sure that nothing was going to compromise that. It was still much too early to tell Gibbs's team, since technically he was breaking one of his own rules. She knew Mr. Palmer and Agent Lee were as well, but it seemed like Jethro was letting that slide for now. He better by this point, as saying something now would be a bit hypocritical.

It was still early when she made her way down to autopsy. She had left before Gibbs did that morning, giving him a quick kiss as she headed out the door. She still couldn't believe that they had found each other again, and figured that Ducky picking up on that happiness was what lead him to the conclusion that they were together.

Ducky looked up as soon as the doors to autopsy swooshed open. "Good morning, Madame Director! What brings you down here this early in the morning?"

"Mr. Palmer isn't here yet, is he?" she asked instead of answering his question.

"No, my dear, he isn't. Is something wrong?" he asked.

"Oh, no, just wanted to make sure this conversation didn't have an audience," she assured him. "Jethro told me last night you know about us."

"I sure do. In fact, I've known for quite a while now," he admitted, chuckling softly.

Jenny smiled. "Oh really, and how long is that?"

"Since the first week of December. Right after your big fight with Jethro," he said.

"So, you've known pretty much the whole time then," she laughed. "I went to his house that weekend and he told me why he had overreacted and well, I think can you figure out where things went after that." She blushed slightly.

"Yes, my dear, I figured as much," he affirmed as he moved to his desk and started to prep for the day.

"I'm hoping you will keep this between us," Jenny said, stepping closer to Ducky.

Ducky turned his head to address her. "Of course, Director. Quite frankly, it isn't anybody else's business."

"I'm glad you see it that way, Dr. Mallard," she said.

"If you ever need any advice, I think I can be of some service, considering I've known Jethro for so long," Ducky offered.

"You know, I might just take you up on that one day," Jenny said. "Thank you, Ducky," she continued as she turned around to leave.

"You're welcome, Director!" she heard him say as walked out the doors.

Oh, yes, everything will be just fine, she thought to herself as she got in the elevator. Her and Gibbs would continue their relationship and she would have someone to come to if Gibbs was being his usual stubborn self. She couldn't wait to get back home to Gibbs tonight and let him know how much she liked being back in his arms.