Struggling between giving space, and his own need to be close to her, he hesitated upon reaching the lobby of the hotel. Seeing FBI Agent Bobby in the hall in a heated discussion with two of his agents, he debated on how to proceed.

Deciding Jack was most likely calling Leon and could use some time, he headed towards the men. He'd like some information of his own cleared up before going upstairs.

"We good here?" his clipped voice interrupted the three men, bringing their discussion to a halt as nervous eyes darted between the glares Gibbs and Bobby were giving each other.

"Gibbs," Bobby said, giving him a curt nod.

"What seems to be the problem?" he asked the other men, ignoring Bobby.

Interrupting his agents' answer, Bobby cut in, "No, no problem," he cleared his voice. "Uh, did you happen to see who the woman was in the surf bag?" he asked, failing to make full eye contact with Gibbs's death glare.

"Yes, we did," was his telling reply.

Throwing his hands in the air, Bobby tried defending himself. "We trailed those surfers, Gibbs. All of them! I don't know how the bastard managed to get past my agents and reach her. I'm checking with them now," he finished, glaring at his men.

"A team's only as good as their leader, Agent Bobby," he gritted, receiving one glare and two sets of wide eyes. "Lucky for you, the woman survived," he finished, seeing the look of relief pass through the group.

"Jack, I mean, the rest of the agents—are they all okay?

"She's fine," he said, watching Bobby's shoulders drop, before adding, voice cold, "-and so is everyone else. Jack gave lead to Jamal; he's down at the beach, working."

"She's not at the beach?" a confused Bobby asked.

"Jamal could use you down there," he said, ignoring the question.

"But…"

"Jack will see you in her office in the morning, not before," his steel voice challenged him to continue arguing.

Satisfied with Bobby's stiff nod, he gave one final glare and the group and headed for the elevators.

Gibbs was done for the night. He was done with giving orders and thinking about death. Focusing his thoughts on more pleasant possibilities allowed him to walk away from the FBI agent without a backward glance.

Pushing the button to their floor, he hoped he had given her enough time to make her call, and that she would be okay with his company.

Changed into red cloth shorts and an army tee, Jack paced back and forth in front of the fireplace, absentmindedly twirling her hair as she listened.

"Thanks, Leon…Yeah, I'm pretty tired…No, I'm not sure where he is…Leon, No, I haven't told him…I know, I will. Just give me till the end of the week to wrap up the reports on the case. Things have been a little busy here…Yes, Jamal would be great, I agree…Leon, I'm not talking to you about that…"

Hearing the door close, she interrupted him, "I'll call you tomorrow when I get in, that's everything you need to know on the case for now…I told you, I'm not talking about it, I gotta go …" she trailed off, seeing the stunned look of the man she had just been talking about.

"I doubt that, Leon," she tightly laughed. "Good night," she finished, disconnecting the call, tossing the phone on the side table. Looking back at him still frozen in the doorway, she offered a small smile of greeting.

"Hey," was all that came out of his dry mouth.

He'd seen her in her swimsuit the past three days, why was the sight of her in night shorts and an Army tee leaving him tongue-tied, and his stomach in knots?

Urging his feet to move, he walked into the room, resting his hands on the back of the couch. Feeling the need to put distance between them, he stayed behind the sofa. He was sure if he got any closer, he would be unable to stop himself from pulling her into his arms and kissing her until his aching heart eased.

"Don't let me stop you from making your calls," he said. His words were sounding professional; yet, his roaming eyes and hard swallows were betraying him.

"Leon," she shrugged towards the phone, her stomach flipping at the intensity of his look. My god, he looks like he wants to devour me.

Leaning against the wall, she trapped her fidgety hands behind her back. "Leon's going to want to talk to both of us tomorrow, told me to take advantage of the comfy hotel bed tonight…" "I mean sleep, Leon said we should make sure we both sleep," she tried to correct, realizing how it had sounded. She was unable to stop the glance she gave towards the bed and then to him, his eyebrows raised in surprise, quickly turning to a boyish grin.

Biting her lip, she looked away from his irresistible smugness. Attempting to stop her blush, and silently cursing Leon for putting such thoughts in her head, she moved from the wall to the chair that was next to the minibar. Who are you kidding Jack, she scolded, you didn't need Leon, to put those thoughts there.

"Tomorrow works for me," he said, seeing her blush, but choosing to ignore the elephant in the room, for now.

"Jamal seems to have everything under control," he said, staying on safe ground with his words, but tempting fate by taking a seat next to her.

"Yes, he'll be running his team soon," she said, proud of how calm she sounded as she begged her racing heart to slow down, unaware of the nervous way her fingers drummed on the table.

"Speaking of agents doing their jobs, I ran into Agent Bobby on my way up," he said, gauging her reaction to the mention of his name.

Her hands froze as her eyes flashed, "Oh? And did he explain what the hell he was doing while we were out catching a murderer?"

Not sure which he was enjoying more; her anger or the emphasis she put on the word we, he stayed straight-faced as he answered.

"Let's just say he was relieved everyone was safe and learned a hard lesson on leadership," he said, placing a hand on top of hers, offering what comfort he could.

Frustrated, she shook her head, "It was too close, Gibbs. He had better have a good explanation for how the hell that was able to happen."

"Told him to check in with Jamal, and that we'dsee him tomorrow. He can explain it all then," he said, hoping that would be enough for her for now, and that she'd be able to let it go.

Her hand had been gripping his tightly, so he was surprised when she let out a laugh, and her grip eased.

"Jamal is going to tear him to shreds, kind of wish I could see it," she grinned, squeezing his hand in thanks. "He's certainly ready for what's to come, I'm sure going to miss him," she lamented.

A small chuckle escaped his lips, "Guess you shouldn't have trained him so well, Jack. Agents are only as good as their boss' taught em' to be, after all."

"Well, knock me over with a feather," she smiled, "Did I just receive a compliment from very Special Agent Leroy Gibbs?"

"Ah, Jack, I think I can give you a better compliment than that," he drawled, eyes running up the length of her, enjoying the flush spreading across her cheeks.

Reaching behind him, he grabbed the bottle, holding it up, "Have a drink with me?"

Powerless to his charm, she gave a simple nod, swallowing hard as she stared into his eyes. Eyes, she was sure were reading her every thought. You need to tell him, Jack. Tell him before this goes any further, she scolded herself.

Feeling the need to cool her cheeks and regain her composure, she stood and headed for the balcony. The screech of the seagulls and feel of the sea breeze on her cheeks were not enough to stop her racing mind.

What the hell am I doing? Am I trying to mess this up? My god, he's only been here for a week. I can't feel like this after a week, can I? It's all this pent up tension between us, that's all it is. Leaning into the railing, she breathed deeply, willing her mind to slow down.

Walking out to join her, he stopped, thrown back to that first night on the pier. Like that night, she seemed in deep thought, battling between two extreme emotions. Although her beauty was what had first caught his eye, it was her laughter and smile that kept him intrigued. Has it only been a week since I met her? Damn, Gibbs, you fell fast, he thought, feeling a magnetic need to be closer as he closed the distance between them.

Stepping behind her, he wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her glass up. Her jump and small gasp had him pausing. "You okay?"

His warm breath hit her ear, sending a shiver through her. "Better now," she sighed, taking the offered glass and leaning into his solid frame, rubbing her hand down his arm. My god, he smells so damn good?

Pulling her closer, he pressed a chaste kiss to her cheek, "To closing the case," he said, clinking his glass to hers.

"The case," she murmured, taking a sip and resting her head against his chest. She wanted to savor this time, having no idea how he would react when he learned about D.C.

Her relaxed hum jolted through his body, her gentle fingers rubbing his arm, causing his mind to race. Being sensible was proving more and more difficult as he tried to stay clear-minded. She fit perfectly in his arms and seemed to be enjoying his closeness as much as he was hers. Why am I fighting this?

"How's Leon?" he asked, trying desperately to distract his mind from the reaction his body was having to her pressing into him.

"Not good?" he questioned, feeling her tense.

Here we go, she thought, before saying, "He was pleased with our work. Doubly so, since we stopped the guy before he killed again."

"But?" he asked, sensing there was something she was not saying. When she didn't respond, he gently turned her around to face him. His eyes bore into hers as he waited for a response.

With a sigh, she answered. "But, nothing, at least not with the case," she shrugged, biting her lower lip, not wanting to reveal the rest of the complicated conversation, not wanting this thing with them to end so soon.

Setting his glass down, he closed what little space there was between them. Reminiscent of their first night undercover on the pier, he trapped her between his arms, looking down.

"What aren't you telling me, Jack?" he said, voice low, eyes drawn to her mouth as she continued to worry her lower lip.

"Not, now, Gibbs, please," she begged, grasping his shirt into her fist. "Later," she finished, her lips slightly parting as she looked up into his heated eyes.

She needed to know. Know if there was anything between them. The way her heart raced when all he did was look at her, told her yes—the kiss under the pier that first night, called her every kind of fool for doubting him.

But that had been undercover, an act. She needed to know if the real Gibbs and Jack had a chance. His eyes had turned dark and smoldering as he watched her, further confirming her suspicions. But she needed hard facts, tangible results.

Jack was correct. He could get answers later. In fact, at the moment, he couldn't remember what the hell he had been seeking answers to. His hands were resting on the rail on either side of her, still not letting himself to touch her. Lowering his head, he stopped moments before his lips touched hers. His breath was hot and heavy as his eyes softened, looking into hers for permission.

"Well?" she whispered breathless, waiting. Her need for him superseding any question she was trying to answer, give, or make sense of. The desire in his eyes mirrored hers as his lips finally lowered to hers.

Slowly he brushed her lips in an intimate, tender kiss. Her sweet sigh had him immediately pressing his lips to hers again, savoring the way they seemed to mold to his. He discovered the softness of her lips was, in fact, very real, and he delighted that he was being allowed to feel them.

Tender and sweet as the kiss was, it was not going to satisfy his hunger. Pulling back, he waited a beat, her adorable pout at his early departure, causing him to quickly close the space between them again, deepening the next kiss. Pressing firmer, he captured her delicious lips to his, a hand caressing her cheek, captivated by the involuntary sounds coming from her. My god, will I ever have enough of her, he thought, wrapping his other arm around her, pulling her flush to his body, every nerve on high alert.

She demanded more contact of her own, pressing into him and running her hands up his chest. Reaching behind his neck and into his hair, she pulled slightly as she gently bit his lower lip. This time it was his groan they heard as she ran her tongue over his mouth, soothing were she had nipped. He tasted like bourbon and coffee, and she never wanted it to end.

The sigh that escaped her as they broke apart had him grinning down at her heavily-lidded eyes. Pressing one more fluttering kiss to her soft lips, he trailed kisses down her jaw towards her ear. Kissing behind it before whispering, "Told you, I could give a better compliment."

Shaking her head and trying not to laugh at his arrogant smirk, she gave him a shove. Only to have him chuckle, wrapping her in his arms again, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

He had forgotten what little clothing she was in until his hands came in contact with her skin. "Jack, you're freezing," he said, rubbing her arms. "Come on, let's go inside."

"Why Jethro, are you propositioning me?" she teased, following him inside, her wide smile disappearing as Gibbs froze mid-stride in front of her.

"Gibbs," she questioned cautiously, walking behind him, resting a hand on his shoulder.

He spun so fast she was surprised he didn't collide with any of the nearby furniture. "Say that again," he ordered, stepping into her space.

"Are you propositioning me? Bad joke, I know," she said, stepping back from him, only to have him match her, step-for-step, her eyes widening at his intensity.

"No, not, that," he said, continuing to stalk her movements. "Say it, say it again, Jaqueline," he finished with a whisper.

Her eyebrows shot up as understanding dawned. She placed a palm to his chest, stopping him. Taking one final step back, her leg hit the frame of the bed.

Reaching for his shirt, she pulled him close, her hot breath hitting his ear as she whispered, "Jethro."

His eyes burned, and she reveled in his response. Adding a kiss, she continued to seduce him with a simple word.

It rolled off her tongue like a sweet melody. "Jethro," she said again, enjoying the taste of his skin as she peppered him with kisses, punctuating each one with his name. His groan was very real as his stomach dropped.

"My god, Jack, do you have any idea what you are doing to me?" he said, cradling her face between his hands, and placing a chaste kiss to her lips.

"I have an idea," she smiled tenderly. Running her hand down his cheek, she took a steadying breath and sat down on the edge of the bed, tugging his hand to join her.

The reality was setting in for both. The attraction was real; Jack knew that without a doubt. She also knew he would soon be flying back to D.C, and then what? She had to tell him. What if he was only interested in this because he would soon be flying back home?

He saw the flicker of doubt and something else in her crinkled brow, as she sat down on the bed, pulling him next to her. He understood, at least partly, what she must be feeling. He hated that he would be leaving so soon after she came into his life. As much as he wanted this, he couldn't let things go any farther than they already had, it wasn't fair to her. He wouldn't use her like that; he cared too much.

Resting his hand on her leg, he asked, "So, what do we do now?" Trying to lighten the tension, he added, "You still willing to share the bed?" - "Jack?" he said, worried when she didn't respond at his attempt at humor.

"There's something I need to tell you, Gibbs. Something you should know."

"Okay-" This can't be good.

"Leon, you see, is a good friend of mine," she started. "Actually, he's my closest friend. He's been after me for years to move to D.C, work for him there. Keeps telling me there is nothing here to keep me, why not live where there is family close by, in D.C?" she looked over at his keen eyes, listening, waiting. "So," she continued, "I told him I couldn't leave until I closed this case, and well," she shrugged, "now that the case is closed—

Is she saying what I think she is saying? Move to D.C? Jack is going to be moving to D.C!?

He needed her to say the words. He willed himself to breathe as he asked her, hands open, "What are you sayin', Jack?"

"I'm saying I told Leon yes. I'm saying, I'll be working and living in D.C." Gibbs's face remained unchanged, damn him for being so unreadable.

She continued, "I made my decision to move before we met Gibbs. I hope you believe me. I don't have any expectations for us; I need you to know that. I hope you will be good with this," she finished, her voice growing stronger by the end of her speech, relieved to have the truth out.

"Well? Aren't you going to say anything?"

"Rule 5."

"Seriously, Leroy?" she said, exasperated. "You're going to go and quote another one of your damn rules!" she said, standing and glaring down at him. "You know, I'm beginning to doubt these are even real rules. What the hell is rule 5, can you at least-"

His smile, tender, started as soon as she said his name, and continued to grow as she laid into him. Jack in D.C, what did I do to deserve this? This is going to be so much fun.

"Jack," he almost yelled, reaching for her hand, bringing her tirade to an abrupt halt.

"What," she huffed, pulling her hand away from him, crossing her arms to her chest.

"Rule 5, you don't waste good," he said, reaching his hands around her waist. "And you, Jack, you are most definitely good," he grinned, pulling her down into his lap, kissing her deeply.

"Well how about that, it appears we will be sharing the bed after all," he grinned, when they broke apart.

"Such an ass," she laughed, giving him a playful shove, knowing he was right.

"Always," he said, stopping her laughter with another kiss, not knowing what exactly it would lead to, but thankful they were headed down the same path together.

~End