Title: Found

Author: Ilovenascar

Post-Lost and Found

--

Jenny Shepherd placed the photo of herself and Jethro face down, not wanting the memories. There were too many memories lately, of the child, the relationship that she'd never wanted, never even dreamed of their meaning, until it was too late. She knew what had happened between her and Gibbs, but was no longer so sure that it was what was best for her, regardless of what she might say. Without even looking at the picture again, she remembered the night it had been taken, one of their first cases undercover together, posing as a married couple, Gibbs a Marine officer, her his doting wife. There had been a ball that night, Gibbs in his dress blues, dancing with her, their bodies moving as one, unsure where one left off and the other began. It was perfect, a perfect night, a perfect time for both of them. What if, all along, she'd been wrong? What if the job wasn't what was best for her? What if it was Jethro. Maybe even a family of their own?

--

Jethro Gibbs got in his truck, every intention on going home before the light falling snow turned into something worse. He waited a few minutes for the heater to start working, a Brad Paisley song coming on the radio as he rubbed his hands together to fight the cold.

Well I'll never forget the first time that I heard that pretty mouth say that dirty word. And I can't even remember now what she backed my truck into, but she covered her mouth and her face got red and she just looked so darn cute that I couldn't even act like I was mad. Yeah I live for little moments like that.

He could remember Jenny's "wreck", one of the first weekends they'd spent together, back when they were 'just partners'. He'd been trying to teach her how to build, but needed more lumber. At the same time, he'd been trying to teach her how to drive like an NCIS agent, like he did. As DiNozzo would have said, it was the perfect storm. She'd backed the tailgate into the brick of the lumberyard building and the word had just come out. He hadn't been able to do anything but laugh, earning him a dirty look, which made him laugh all the harder.

Well that's just like last year on my birthday, she lost all track of time and burnt the cake. And every smoke detector in the house was goin' off and she was just about to cry until I took her in my arms and I tried not to let her see me laugh. Yeah I live for little moments like that.

He remembered the first meal she'd ever cooked for him. She wasn't a gourmet chef by any means, but she could manage normal, simple 'homestyle' meals like hamburgers or macaroni and cheese, biscuits, things like that. The problem had been that she wanted everything to be perfect, wanted to make the restaurant-quality fancy five-course dinner. Instead, she'd nearly burned her kitchen down and they'd ended up eating Chinese food on the floor in her living room. It might not have been what she planned, but he didn't think it could have come out any better if it had been.

I know she's not perfect but she tries so hard for me and I thank God that she isn't 'cause how boring would that be? It's the little imperfections; it's the sudden change in plans. When she misreads the directions and we're lost but holdin' hands. Yeah I live for little moments like that.

He knew he got angry with her a lot when she wasn't what he thought she could be, but the truth was that her unpredictability and stubborn streak were two of the things he loved most about her. The little imperfections were the reasons she was who she was, the reasons he loved her so much, even if they drove him insane at times.

When she's layin' on my shoulder on the sofa in the dark and about the time she falls asleep so does my right arm. And I want so bad to move it 'cause it's tinglin' and it's numb, but she looks so much like and angel that I don't wanna wake her up. Yeah I live for little moments. When she steals my heart again and doesn't even know it. Yeah I live for little moments like that.

He remembered a 'vacation' they'd taken, although he wasn't sure if it could be called a vacation when they were on run from the law and had Ducky with them. Ducky and Jen had been asleep when he'd climbed up to the deck, sitting against the port wall, watching the sun come up. He'd been lost in thought until he felt Jen sit next to him, then had smiled at her, wrapped his arms around her, pulled her a little closer, and kissed her. He knew he liked her before that, obviously, but it was the first time that he knew he loved her. He put his head on top of hers, curled up together, relishing the peace, the quiet.

--

"Jethro"

Jenny answered the door, drawing her robe a little tighter around her.

"Can I come in?" He asked hesitantly, not because he didn't really want to, but because he was afraid of her answer.

"Of course." She moved aside, allowing him to enter, standing in the same places as a few days before, after putting Carson to bed, during their talk about 'them'.

They could both hear the radio playing softly in the background. When she had been unable to sleep, she'd come downstairs and turned the radio on, not to jazz, or 'oldies', but his favorite country station, the music almost seeming like a comforting security blanket around them both. An old Lonestar song began to play, quiet, almost as if setting the scene to what each were thinking.

Tell me what I have to do tonight cause I'd do anything to make it right. Let's be us again.

I'm sorry for the way I lost my head. I dont why I said the things I said. Lets be us again.

Here I stand with everything to lose. All I know is I dont wanna ever see the end.

Baby please, I'm reachin out for you. Won't you open up your heart and let me come back in?

Lets be us again

Us again

Look at me…I'm way past pride. Isn't there some way that we can try to be us again?

Even if it takes a while I'll wait right here until I see that smile that says we're us again

Here I stand with everything to lose. All I know is I dont wanna ever see the end.

Baby please, I'm reachin out for you. Won't you open up your heart and let me come back in?

Lets be us.

Baby baby, what would I do? Can't imagine life without you.

Here I stand with everything to lose. All I know is I dont wanna ever see the end.

Baby please I'm reachin out for you. Won't you open up your heart and let me come back in?

Oh here I am; I'm reachin out for you.

Won't you open up your heart and let me come back in?

Lets be us again.

Oh, lets be us again.