To commemorate the end of my national exams, I am posting this chapter a tad bit earlier than planned. Also, i've decided to keep the original layout of the story I planned beforehand, which means ya'll are gonna hate me in a few more chapters. hehe
I tried my best to keep it romantic but also sad for them, a little bittersweet taste never hurt nobody, right? Hope you enjoy!
"I really am alright, Jethro." She assured, her sincere eyes boring into his. "I can take care of myself, I promise."
She took a sip of her drink, more to have something to do while she figured out what to say, because right now, she had no clue.
"I'll drive you home." He offered, his concerned gaze sweeping over her appearance.
He didn't like that she'd been tied especially tight because the rope burns were so deep he was afraid it wasn't ever going to heal – and the look in her eyes when he got out of the car was of fear, of dread, and grief, and guilt and every negative emotion he'd ever seen in her. She didn't talk at all on the way back to NCIS, taking to staring out solemnly at the window, a pained look in her eyes. She'd been kidnapped before, he knew – she'd been tortured, shot, and everything in between.
He knew Jenny; she wasn't worried about herself.
"Jen, I'll call Stanley's family – you don't have to worry about that." He said softly.
"How – "
"You've been with me since the airport, and I haven't seen your phone out yet." He interrupted. "Jenny, just let me handle things for a while. You've had a rough day – you should get some rest."
For a moment, she looked like she was about to refuse, until he shot her a look and she shrugged, pushing herself off the Autopsy table.
He stood too, protectively placing a hand on the small of her back, leading her to the elevator. No words were spoken between them – it was always like this after a traumatising experience. No one ever got used to the challenges of being a federal agent, or the risks that came along with it. They dealt with it by sensing each other's emotions, and somehow they always managed to read each other.
The car ride home was silent, neither knowing what to talk about. There was so much left unsaid between them that neither knew how to open up that conversation and start the ball rolling. So many things could have happened today – things could've turned out so different, but she was still here, and still he stayed silent.
When the car pulled up at her driveway, she thought she should say something, but he cleared his throat and said quietly, "I'll walk you to your door,"
He opened the car door for her like a gentleman and led her out, and they walked together, in silence once more. Her arms swung a bit, she had never felt awkward with Jethro before like this – like it was right now, walking next to each other and trying to find something right to say to him – there was no other word to describe it.
She tucked her hair behind her ear and looked at him, once they reached her door, wondering if he wanted to say something instead. When he just waited patiently for her, she swallowed and opened her mouth.
"Er – I'd invite you inside, but –"
"I'd decline," he said politely.
She nodded.
"Of course…" she sighed, looking down at the pebbled pathway before casting her eyes up at his again. "You know… Paris… seems like a really long time ago."
"It was," he said softly.
"I miss it." She said truthfully, deciding she might as well go on with it. "But, I also regret it."
His eyes flashed with something – hurt? – before it became neutral again, and the blue of his eyes found the green of hers.
"You do?" he asked, and she nodded again. "Seemed to me like we were both having the time of our lives there."
"Oh no… I don't regret that it happened. At all." She said, feeling happy that they could at least carry on a proper conversation without fighting or breaking down. "I'm actually really thankful that it happened."
The corners of her lips turned upwards and she licked her lips. She could see the fond memories replaying themselves beneath Jethro's eyes.
"I just regret that it ended the way it did," she said, suddenly very quiet. She felt Jethro tense beside her, and she pursed her lips, afraid she said something wrong, but Jethro's eyes found hers, and he seemed to smile sadly, a bittersweet tone to his voice as he replied.
"Me too," he said sadly.
"And I'd do it all again even if it meant that I – "
"Me too." He said again, and the look in his eyes was so full of heartbreak and sorrow that she did a double take.
Maybe it wasn't ever over for him too?
"Goodnight, Jen." He whispered, leaning in close to her ear.
He breathed against her ear and saw the goose bumps erupt on her skin, slowly pulling away and leaning in to kiss her cheeks. His warm lips pressed against her cold cheeks in the midnight air, and she sighed, feeling like she just melted into a puddle. He pulled away slowly, smiling warmly at her. He turned and walked towards his car, away from her.
"Goodnight, Jethro."
He turned and saluted to her.
They were finally on the right track again.
Hope ya'll like it! Oh yeah, and before I forget, thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. I love reading your comments, even if its criticism, so please don't hesitate to leave a review and tell me what you think!
Have a nice day,
Natalia
