A/N: Happy Saturday! Hope you enjoy the latest chapter! In which Jenny finds out a secret Gibbs has been keeping from her.

Ducky smiled as Jenny walked into the autopsy room and she returned it warmly. In her hand, she carried a notepad and pen, and when she was near enough, she set it down on one of the metal tables.

Where's Jethro?

He smiled.

"Got a case. Is there something I can help you with, my dear?"

She frowned, thinking for a moment, and began writing.

I'm not sure. I was going to ask him if he still had those sleeping pills he took from me awhile back.

"Nightmares?"

She nodded, and he looked at her sadly.

"I'm so sorry, Jennifer. I wish there was a way that I could take them away for you. I'm sure Jethro does as well. If he doesn't still have them, let me know and I can give you another bottle."

Couldn't you do that just in case?

He shook his head, giving her a stern look.

"I could, but I don't want you to become dependent on them. Those pills can be very dangerous."

She sighed, knowing he was telling her the truth, but not liking the answer. He reached out to hug her gently, and gave her a smile.

"Try not to worry, my dear. Both of the Harrison men are dead, so they can't hurt you anymore. Your nightmares should decrease in time."

Jenny frowned at his words, raising her eyebrow in question. Too late, Ducky realised his mistake and quickly tried to backtrack. She ignored his stammered words, her pen flying across the paper and she slid it slowly across the table.

Harrison is dead?

He nodded, sighing.

"Yes. I wasn't supposed to tell you."

When?

"A few days after your attack," he answered quietly.

She didn't ask him who had killed Harrison. They both knew that she didn't need to. She looked at him coldly, nodding once as she turned on her heel to leave the room. Ducky's attempt to stop her were pointedly ignored, and as she stepped onto the elevator, he felt a sense of dread building within his chest. All hell was about to break loose.

When he walked down the steps of his basement, he frowned at the dim light shining in the room. He hadn't realised Jenny was there, but when she set her glass of bourbon down, her eyes met his slowly. Anger burned in the emerald irises, and he was extremely tempted to turn around and pretend like he hadn't seen her.

"Jenny? What's wrong?"

Glaring at him, she shook her head slowly.

-When were you going to tell me?

He frowned, having no idea what she was talking about.

"Tell you what?"

-Harrison's dead.

Fuck. He'd thought perhaps he could get away with her never knowing, but it seemed he was sadly mistaken. Taking a step closer to her, he frowned again when she shook her head, stopping his movements.

-Why?

"I didn't want you to have another thing to worry about."

-Bullshit. You weren't thinking about me. This was all about you.

His own anger was building and he struggled to keep it in check.

"I wasn't thinking about you? Jen, that's all I ever think about. How to help you get through all of this, how to make you happy, how to keep you from self-destructing! Every single thought I have is about you."

Again, her head shook and her eyes flashed dangerously.

-You wanted revenge. That's why you killed him...isn't it?

"God damn it, Jen! Of course I wanted revenge. He almost killed you! Or maybe you've forgotten the reason you can't speak. Don't try to make me feel guilty about this, because it's never going to happen. I did this to keep you safe, to make damn sure he would never touch you again."

-You don't get to decide who lives and dies. You can't take matters into your own hands whenever you want to. There's a line between wrath and mercy, and you can't blow past it any time that it suits you.

Jenny stood from the stool she had been sitting on, and as she tried to walk past him, he grabbed her arm. She looked up at him and he searched her eyes for the slightest sign of forgiveness.

"Listen to me. It's done, and it can't be changed. You're safe from both of them now, and I refuse to feel sorry about that. I told you if he touched you again that I would kill him. I would do it again. I didn't tell you because I didn't want to upset you. That part I am sorry about. I should have told you."

His eyes were still locked on hers, and finally she nodded. He still hadn't released her arm, and she glanced down at it pointedly.

"Right."

He let go, and she gave him a sad smile.

-You're wrong, you know.

Frowning, he watched her as she walked back over to the stool and sat down, crossing her legs gracefully.

-It's not your job to make me happy. Or keep me from "self destructing", for that matter. I have to be able to do those things with or without you.

"It might not be my job, but I'll never stop trying. I'm not in this relationship only when things are going good. I want to be able to help you through the dark parts of it, too."

Jenny nodded, but there was still a hint of pain in her eyes.

-That goes both ways, you know. You can't shut me out because you're worried about upsetting me. That's not how it works.

Crossing the room, he stopped just in front of her and leaned down, brushing his lips against hers.

"Duly noted."

-For the record, I'm still mad at you.

He nodded, kissing her again.

"You're always mad at me for something, Jen. Kinda used to it by now."

She smacked his arm lightly and smiled. He was somewhat surprised that she hadn't argued with him more about Harrison's death, and he wondered if perhaps something else was bothering her.

"Everything okay?"

Frowning, Jenny tilted her head to the side in question, and he continued.

"Normally, you would jump down my throat for something like this, but you let it go pretty quickly. What's wrong?"

-You're complaining because I didn't fight with you? You're a strange man.

"It isn't that. I'm worried that you didn't get angrier. It's not like you. I expected a full-blown fight out of this, and it didn't happen."

Though he had a strange way of phrasing it, Jenny knew what he meant. She'd lost her ability to care about pretty much everything, and she sighed.

-It's...Jethro, I don't care anymore. What's the point? My life could end at any moment, that much was proven by Harrison, so why worry about anything? I hate to admit this, but you really are the only reason I'm still alive. I don't want that to be the case. Not that I don't love you, or that I don't appreciate everything you've given me, but I need to find another reason to want to live. You can't be the only thing in life I cling to. That's not fair to you. It creates too much of a burden for you. That's too much to put on one person, and it's not right.

Gibbs watched her for a moment before crossing the room and pulling her into his arms. She buried her head in his chest, her fingers closing around his jacket.

"Why didn't you tell me, Jen?"

She shook her head, and he kissed her hair softly.

"I know you said that it isn't fair to cling to me, but...speaking as the clingee, I don't mind. If you need to use me as your reason until you find another one, I want you to. I can't lose you, Jen."

-I don't want you to be put under that kind of pressure. That's not your job. I told you, I have to be able to be happy on my own.

"You will. It might take time, but you'll find it. And until you do, I'll do everything I can to help."

He stepped back and kissed her softly, tasting the salt on her lips.

"I love you."

She kissed him in answer, and he pulled her closer. He lightly trailed his lips over her throat and frowned when she pulled away, her eyes downcast.

"What's wrong?"

She shook her head, kissing his cheek sadly, and stepped away from him.

-Nothing. I'm just tired. I think I'm going to go upstairs.

Not waiting for a response, she made her way to the steps, her eyes still glued to the floor, and he watched her go, confused. He didn't think he'd done anything to upset her, and as he picked up a mason jar, he tried to think of a way to help her find her way back from the darkness.

Jenny wiped away her tears as she curled up on the bed, and pulled the blanket tighter around her. She hadn't expected to feel the wave of self-consciousness wash over her as Gibbs had kissed her skin, but it had happened regardless. Before Harrison's attempt on her life, she had loved to feel his lips on her throat, but the raised scar made her feel more disgusting than she'd felt in months. She was marked, permanently, and she felt tainted, no matter how many times she tried to push the feeling away.

She didn't look up as Gibbs walked into the room and when he laid next to her, she turned her body away, unable to face him. He frowned, looking at her seriously, and placed his hand on her shoulder gently.

"Jenny, what's going on?"

She shook her head, and he sighed.

"Talk to me. Please."

Finally, she turned and met his eyes briefly. He could see the tears shining in them, and she sighed.

-I feel so disgusting. It's stupid, I know, but...

She stopped signing, unable to stop herself from crying, and he pulled her into his arms.

"Is this about the scar? It doesn't matter. You're absolutely stunning, and you always will be. The scars you have are proof that you're an incredibly strong woman, and that you can survive anything. You should be proud. It doesn't make a damn bit of difference to me, Jen. I've got plenty of scars myself, you've seen them. You've touched them without flinching. Do my scars have any effect on how you feel about me?"

She shook her head, wiping away the tears on her skin.

"Exactly. Yours don't change how I feel about you, either. You are the strongest, most beautiful person I know, and nothing will ever change that."

Raising up to look at him, she ran her fingertips lightly over his face, and he kissed her. She pulled him closer, and when his hand slid under her shirt, she gasped. His fingers found the clasp of her bra and unhooked it, giving him easier access to her breasts. Her head fell back as he rolled her nipple between his fingers, and she bit down on her lip to keep quiet. She wasn't sure how she would be able to keep from screaming if they kept going, but she couldn't deny that she wanted to find out.

She pulled his shirt from his body, running her hands over the expanse of his chest and her own shirt quickly followed. Her already undone bra fell from her shoulders and he lowered his head to her breasts. He slid her skirt down her legs, pulling her underwear with it, and she frowned.

-You seem to be vastly overdressed.

He smirked, and her fingers quickly undid the button on his jeans. He kicked them off, boxers joining them in the pile on the floor, and he brought his lips to hers in a deep kiss. Trailing his hand down her body, he let his fingers dance over her inner thigh, and she drew in a sharp breath. His tongue traced patterns on her throat, making her shake, and she had never wanted to scream so badly.

He slipped his fingers into her, kissing her as her body jerked against his and his tongue found hers in a fight for dominance. Her hips ground into his hand as he touched her, and he bit down on her bottom lip. When he removed his fingers, he knew she wanted to stop him, but as he entered her carefully, her grip on his shoulders tightened. One of her hands wound into his hair and her hips met his every thrust as he moved. He touched her as her lips found his throat and she bit down to keep the moan from escaping her. Her breath came in short gasps and though he wanted nothing more than to hear her scream his name, Gibbs was extremely proud of her restraint.

His rhythm was faltering now, and he knew he was close. He brought his lips to close to her, running his tongue over the shell of her ear, and she shivered. Her body arched into his, and he knew she wouldn't last much longer. She pulled him closer, crashing her lips against his and as her body trembled against his, he knew she had fallen over the edge. A few more thrusts and he joined her, and he smirked as an idea came to him.

He pulled out of her, quickly sliding his fingers into her again, and when she jerked in his arms, he smiled. He kept his movements fast, flicking his thumb against her as he curled his index and middle fingers and when her second orgasm ripped through her body, she gripped his free hand so tightly that he worried the bones would break. At last, her grip loosened, and he smiled as he kissed her again.

"I love you," he whispered.

-I love you, too.

She stood on slightly unsteady legs and he frowned as she walked away.

"Where are you going?"

-To take a shower.

"Need any help?"

She shook her head, smiling at him warmly, and he laughed quietly as he heard the lock slide into place.

As much as she had tried, Jenny couldn't contain her excitement as she sat in her office. Ducky had finally given her permission to try speaking again, and while it had been painful at first, she had managed it without much of an issue. Her voice had been slightly hoarse, nothing she hadn't expected, and she couldn't wait to see the look on Gibbs' face when she told him. She hadn't decided how she was going to do it yet, but when he walked into her office, she arranged her features into what she hoped was a neutral expression.

"Need your signature."

She sighed, nodding and held out her hand. He placed the folder into it and she skimmed over the piece of paper, frowning. Raising her eyebrow in question, she looked at him and he shrugged.

"Agent Lee said we needed you to approve it, so here you go."

She signed the paper, handing it back to him with a slightly annoyed look, and he smiled.

"By the way, the team wants to drop by after work. Something about re-doing our engagement party since the last one was ruined."

She nodded, and he kissed her cheek as he leaned over her desk. He gave her another smile as he walked toward the door and she smiled. This was her moment.

"Jethro?"

He turned.

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

He opened the door and Jenny smirked, waiting. He froze just as he took a step out of her office and whipped around, shutting the door again. Crossing the room in three steps, he stopped in front of her desk, his eyes wide.

"Jen..."

She smiled at him and he walked around to the other side of her desk, pulling her up from the chair. He wrapped his arms around her, and she closed her eyes as her head rested on his chest.

"Say it again," he murmured into her hair.

"I love you."

He kissed her hard, and when he broke away, he searched her eyes seriously.

"Ducky gave you clearance?"

"This morning."

"Does it hurt?"

"It did at first. I'll probably still have to take it easy for a few days."

He hugged her close again, and couldn't stop the grin that spread across his face. Her voice had never sounded so beautiful to him, and when she tapped her nail against his shoulder he glanced down.

"Jethro, I can't breathe."

He released her, and kissed her again. She lightly pushed him back and nodded her head toward the door.

"Don't you have work to do, Agent Gibbs?"

"I'll get right on it, Director."

Her laugh as he walked through the door was the best sound he'd heard in weeks.

Gibbs couldn't stop staring at Jenny as she sat in his basement sipping a glass of bourbon. She could feel his eyes on her and frowned as she set her glass on the table.

"What?"

"Nothing. Just so glad to hear your voice again."

She blushed slightly and as he walked over to kiss her, loud footsteps overhead made them look to the stairs. Knowing that they could only belong to the members of his team, Gibbs smiled and kissed her quickly. Her smile as he pulled away was brighter than the sun and he gave her one of his own as the voice of Abby Sciuto filled the room.

"Hi, Gibbs! Hi, Director Shepard!"

"Hey, Abs."

"Hi, Abby."

The Goth's eyes widened at Jenny's greeting and Tony looked to McGee and Ziva in surprise.

"Director! You can talk again!"

Abby hugged her gently and when Ducky walked down the stairs, his warning preceded him.

"Yes, but you're not to over-strain yourself, Jennifer."

"So, no yelling at Jethro?" she asked with a smile.

"Absolutely not."

Gibbs smirked and as they began opening various bottles of liquor, Jenny smiled as she took a drink of her bourbon. Her emerald eyes glanced upward as she heard another set of footsteps from upstairs and she frowned.

"Who else is coming? The team is right here."

"Surprise for you, Jen."

She frowned at him, and when her eyes landed on the figure at the bottom of the steps, they lit up instantly.

"Burley?"

"Hey, Red. Long time, no see."

He opened his arms and she ran to hug him, unable to keep the smile from her face.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was in the neighbourhood. Decided to stop by. Congrats on the promotion."

Abby hugged him next and Ducky reached out to shake his hand. His eyes landed on McGee and Ziva, both who had remained silent and he nodded.

"McGee. Good to see you again."

"Stan. Hope you've been good."

He nodded, holding out his hand to Ziva.

"Stan Burley."

"Ziva David."

Tony finished his beer, clapping the agent on his shoulder.

"What's up, Stan the man? Heard you got a promotion, too."

He nodded.

"Yep. Not as impressive as Shepard's though."

Jenny smiled and walked back to the table, picking up her drink again.

"How'd you ever manage that, Burley? You were as bad as DiNozzo when it comes to being immature."

He raised his hands in mock surrender.

"Hey, you were the one who super glued my phone to my ear, Red."

"Yeah, after you put a tarantula in my desk."

McGee frowned.

"Where'd you get a tarantula?"

"I know a guy," was Burley's vague answer.

"How'd you super glue his phone to his ear, Director?"

Jenny smiled, recalling the memory fondly.

"After he went to the restroom, I covered the receiver with glue and as soon as he came back, I had Decker call him before it could dry. Once it did, he was stuck."

Tony smirked, thinking. Ziva recognised the look in the other man's eyes and frowned.

"Leave McGee's phone alone, Tony."

"You do it, and I'll slap you so hard that you'll forget your own name," Gibbs warned.

Tony pouted.

"You let her get away with it," he protested, pointing to Jenny.

"He let Red get away with a lot of things."

"No, I didn't."

Jenny shook her head.

"I think I still have a bruise on the back of my head from that one."

Gibbs glared at her and she shrugged. Burley took a beer from Tony, cracking it open, and when Jenny spoke next, she couldn't hide her amusement.

"Least I wasn't the one who was hiding on top of a bed from a snake."

Burley frowned.

"It was a fifteen foot boa, Shepard! And if I recall correctly, you were standing on top of the chair."

"Yeah, but I didn't scream like a little bitch," she quipped.

Gibbs snorted and Tony laughed into his drink.

"No, you just screamed for Gibbs and jumped in his arms when he shot it."

Jenny nodded her head in acceptance and took another drink.

"Fair enough."

"You guys were trapped with a boa constrictor?" Abby asked, "I would have loved that."

"Of course you would have," McGee said dryly.

Abby smacked him lightly, and held up her drink.

"Guys, let's have a toast."

"To what?" Ziva asked.

"Um..."

She trailed off, and Ducky gave her a smile.

"To Jethro and Jennifer's engagement," he supplied helpfully.

Burley spit out his drink, and began coughing. Every head turned to look at him and when he had finally regained his breath, he looked between the redhead and the team leader.

"Your what?"

"You didn't know?" Ducky asked.

"You're getting married? When did you get back together?"

"Awhile ago," Jenny answered with a smile, "Don't feel bad, Burley. You always were a little slow."

He frowned, glaring at her and Ducky laughed.

"She's right, you know. You and William didn't even know they were together until the night of your little drinking game that you made me an unknowing participant of."

"Drinking game?" Tony asked.

Burley nodded.

"We all had to take a shot of alcohol every time Ducky said "I believe". It was a fun night."

"You guys must have gotten so wasted," Abby laughed.

"You have no idea," Jenny said, "Burley and Decker passed out in the living room."

"You and Gibbs had more fun than we did," Burley replied.

Ducky laughed and Jenny blushed profusely. Ziva looked at her knowingly and Tony raised his eyebrows in shock.

"What happened, Stan?"

"Decker heard them through the wall. That's how we found out."

They all looked to Gibbs, who merely shrugged and Jenny took a long deliberate drink of her bourbon.

"To be fair, it was obvious to anyone with half a brain," Ducky quipped.

Gibbs laughed, and Burley glared at him.

"It was?" Jenny asked.

"Yes. You never were very subtle, Jennifer."

Gibbs nodded.

"Got a point, Jen."

She tilted her head in defeat and reached for the bottle of bourbon. Her eyes found Burley and he winked at her.

"So, when's the wedding?"

"Haven't set a date yet," Jenny answered.

"What's it like, being Director? Bet you spend most of your time yelling at Gibbs, right?"

"You have no idea," Tony said quietly.

"Fights are legendary. People take bets."

Burley laughed, draining the last of his beer and opening another one.

"Sounds like nothing's changed. How'd you end up back together? Last I knew Gibbs, you were divorced again and Shepard was in the Middle East."

She nodded.

"I was. That's how I met Ziva. We worked together and she saved my life in Cairo. After I finished my work there, I came back to DC and was offered Morrow's position. He warned me that there was an agent who I might have difficulty with, and I knew he was talking about Jethro. No one else causes me anywhere near the trouble he does."

Gibbs shrugged, leaning over to kiss her cheek.

"You still love me."

"Sometimes."

Jenny paused, smirking at him.

"Anyway, after I came back, I told Gibbs that there would be no "off the job" and we agreed to keep things strictly professional."

Burley snickered.

"That didn't last long."

Gibbs shook his head.

"Not really. After Jenny was attacked, I knew I couldn't risk losing her again."

Burley nodded, looking at Jenny seriously.

"I heard about that. I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"Thanks," she said quietly.

"I think you two are good for each other. You're both stubborn and somehow, it works."

Gibbs smirked and Jenny drained her mason jar again. By his count, it was her fifth drink and he watched her warily. It was around this amount that she began to get even more chatty and he didn't want her to risk injuring her vocal chords.

"Jen, maybe you should slow down."

Burley smiled.

"She lets you get away with calling her that now?"

Tony frowned.

"She didn't before?"

"Nope. Always hated it when he did that."

"To be fair, you're the only one who ever calls me "Red", Burley."

He nodded in her direction and finished another beer.

"Damn, I gotta call Decker now. He owes me twenty bucks."

Jenny frowned.

"Why?"

"I bet him eight years ago that you two would end up married. I won the bet."

Jenny's eyes narrowed.

"You made a bet about my personal life?"

"Uh-oh," Ducky murmured, "Stanley, I would run if I were you."

Before Gibbs could stop her, Jenny had picked up his sander and launched it across the room at Burley. It hit him square in the head and McGee let out a low whistle.

"Nice shot, Director."

Ziva smirked and excused herself, saying that she needed to get home, and Tony stood.

"I'll give you a ride. I only had one beer."

"Be careful," Ducky called out as they walked up the steps.

"Not like Ziva's driving. We'd definitely die."

"My driving is not that terrible."

"You nearly took out an old woman with a walker on the way here."

"I was not even close to her!"

As they continued to bicker, Ducky turned to Burley.

"Remind you of someone?"

They both looked at Jenny and Gibbs, laughing when the pair frowned.

"Tony and Ziva? Really?"

Abby smiled and nodded her head.

"They're going to be the next wedding. I can tell."

"What about rule number twelve?" McGee asked.

Jenny frowned.

"What's rule number twelve?"

"Never date a co-worker," McGee and Abby said simultaneously.

Turning to Gibbs, Jenny looked at him seriously.

"Since when?"

"Made that one after you left," he said quietly.

She nodded, reaching for his hand. He took it in his and raised it to his lips. Burley reached for another beer and Jenny frowned.

"Are you afraid they're going to stop making beer?"

He shrugged.

"Haven't seen you guys in a long time. Figured I would celebrate."

Abby laughed and as Jenny watched them with a loving gaze, she felt Gibbs wrap his arm around her.

"See, Jen? You have more than me to make you happy," he whispered in her ear.

She turned to him, kissing him gently, and Burley groaned.

"Get a room, guys."

Jenny flipped him off and when she jumped down from the stool to tackle him, Gibbs couldn't stop himself from laughing. She pinned his arm behind his back and McGee stared at them open-mouthed.

"Gibbs, little help?"

"You're on your own."

He struggled for a moment, and when he finally gained the upper hand on her, he tossed her over his shoulder. She glared at him, her hair falling into her face, and she hit his back with her fist.

"Boss, should we—"

"Shush, McGee. This is getting good," Abby said, watching with an amused gleam in her eyes.

Jenny hit him again and Burley smirked.

"Don't make me drop you, woman."

"You do, and you're dead."

He finally set her back down on her feet and she gave him a smug grin.

"Knew you would give up."

"In your dreams, Red."

"You're definitely not in my dreams, Burley. You wish."

Gibbs could tell, from the way she swayed slightly, that Jenny was beginning to feel the effects of the alcohol she had consumed. He reached out to pull her to him, and when she leaned into his embrace, he smiled.

"Think we might need to call it a night."

Ducky nodded, and stood.

"Stanley, Abigail, you're with me."

"Ducky, I'll give Abby a ride home," McGee offered.

He nodded, and they slowly began walking to the steps. Jenny called out to Burley before he could get too far, and when he turned, she wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"It was good to see you again, Stan. Don't be a stranger."

He nodded, kissing her cheek.

"Take care, Red. And congratulations on everything."

She hugged him again and waved as he walked away. She carefully made her way back to Gibbs' work table and he gathered her into his arms again. Kissing the top of her head gently, he smiled down at her as she trailed her nails across his chest.

"Jethro?"

"Hm?"

She looked up at him, pulling him down to her and kissing him deeply. Her fingers threaded through his hair and when her tongue found his, he groaned.

"Jen..."

"Let's go to bed."

He swallowed thickly and nodded, allowing her to pull him up the stairs. He lifted her easily into his arms, and when he tossed her onto the bed, she blew her hair out of her face.

"In a hurry?"

He nodded, crashing his lips onto hers, and when his tongue swept into her mouth, she moaned. It had been so long since he'd heard her voice so low and it was almost enough to undo him then and there. He wanted to hear her scream his name, wanted to hear her moan in pleasure and he brought his lips to her throat. Her clothes were quickly removed, and his mouth trailed down her body. He dipped his tongue into her warm heat, and she cried out, gripping his hair tightly.

Jenny couldn't think through the haze of pleasure that his mouth was creating, and as he sped up his movements, her hips jerked upward, making him smirk.

"Jethro...please. Don't stop."

He hummed in response and the vibrations of his voice made her moan. She shattered beneath him and as she whispered his name, he kissed the inside of her thighs. He slid into her slowly and began to move as her hands gripped his shoulders tightly, her lips brushing his ear as she kissed his throat. His name fell from her lips in a ragged moan and he kissed her again, his movements becoming more desperate. It didn't take long for her to fall over the edge again, screaming his name, and he rested his head against hers as he struggled to regain his breath.

"Jen?"

"Hm?"

"You're amazing."

"You aren't so bad yourself."

He smiled, kissing her breathlessly and he tried to move off of her. She shook her head, looking at him through slightly damp hair.

"Don't move."

He frowned.

"I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't. Just for a minute."

"Why?"

"I'm committing it to my memory. The way you look right now. I don't ever want to forget it."

He ran his hand through her hair and smiled as he rolled to the side of the bed. She rested her head on his chest and as her nails traced light circles on his skin, he made his own mental picture of the way she looked in his arms.

Gibbs frowned at the coffee cup sitting on his desk as he returned from Abby's lab, and when he picked it up, he smiled. Words written in familiar handwriting gleamed up at him in deep crimson lipstick and Tony frowned at the uncharacteristic smile on his team leader's face.

Jethro,

Sorry about the mark on your neck. I'll make it up to you. I love you.

Jen

He took a drink from the cup and wondered how he hadn't noticed the mark she'd left on his skin as he'd gotten dressed for work. Fortunately, it seemed no one else had either, and he smirked as he made his way to the stairs. Cynthia attempted to stop him as he walked past and he sighed.

"She's in MTAC, Agent Gibbs."

He shook his head.

"Just leaving her a note on her desk."

The younger woman nodded and he walked in Jenny's office, searching for a pen. As he quickly scrawled his message, he laughed softly, propping it up where she would be sure to see it. He narrowly avoided being seen by the very woman he was seeking as he walked back into the bullpen and Tony's voice was loud in the room.

"Boss, is that a hickey on your neck?"

The head slap was inevitable, really.

Picking up the note on her desk, Jenny smiled at the words as she read them, and ran a hand through her hair.

Jen,

I'd be happy to return the favour tonight. I love you.

Jethro

She laughed as she poured a good measure of bourbon into a glass and sank behind her chair. She knew that he would kill her if he caught her drinking so heavily at the office, and she was immensely glad when she heard that his team got a case twenty minutes later. She would never admit that she'd gone through nearly an entire bottle of bourbon in one day, but she knew that if he asked, she wouldn't be able to lie. Her hands continued to shake as she finished her drink and when she had downed two more in less than fifteen minutes, she was thankful to feel the familiar tingling in the ends of her fingers that signaled a pleasant buzz.

God, she hoped he wouldn't be able to smell it on her when she finally went home for the night.

A/N: Jenny's heading into dangerous territory here. Should be interesting. Let me know what you think!