AN: I don't own any of the NCIS Characters or any of the show's storylines that I may refer to from time to time, but the rest of the plot is mine.

8. Playing games?

Gibbs and Lucy left the bar and walked towards the clinic. "See you can still have them eat out of your hand." He grinned.

"It was kinda fun, I haven't done that in a long time though. I don't usually end up in the bar" She replied, glancing at his profile as they walked.

"I sure enjoyed watching Dinozzo squirm when you came on to him" The grin still on his face as he glanced at her. She laughed.

"Just for you honey." She answered with a passable American accent. Gibbs laughed as he opened the door for her to enter the clinic.

Gibbs was in the waiting room when Tony and Kate returned a few hours later. "We got nothing boss." Said Tony.

"Well did you ask the right questions?" He snapped, amazed that they had come back completely empty handed.

"The place is real creepy, but from what we saw everything seems above board." Kate answered. "They did confirm 3 of the guys were in apparently together a couple of nights ago."

"The bartender on duty wasn't working tonight. But he'll be there tomorrow." Tony added.

Gibbs waited for a moment to see if either would continue. "Is that it?" He finally asked tersely, glaring at them.

"That's it boss." Tony answered and yawned. "You get anything from the sailor?"

"He's pretty doped up, we won't get anything coherent from him until tomorrow, then we start playing hardball. We're gonna interview everyone again."

"Everyone? Gibbs, we've spent 2 days doing that already!" Kate moaned.

"So we'll do it again until we start getting answers. We've got at least 1 dead body and 3 more hospitalised, I don't want anymore!" He barked at them. Then took a breath. "Call it a night, conference room at 0800." He ordered and walked away.

"Hey boss! Where are you staying?" Called Tony.

"Around." He answered and left, Tony and Kate staring after him. He didn't enlighten them that he was staying with Lucy.

Later at her house she was in the kitchen prepping her meds for the following day. He stood watching her, his mind drifting to another time and place.

It was late. She bustled around the kitchen laying out the breakfast things ready for the rush to ensue the next morning. She tossed some crisps and fruit in Jessie's holdall, part of her packed lunch for a school trip. The sandwiches went into a box in the fridge. A note was left on the bag. Then she turned her attention to her medication, ensuring that she had enough of her drugs to carry with her the next day, along with the necessary monitoring machine and supplies. Once satisfied it was complete she returned it to her handbag. She looked up catching him watching her, but she quickly turned away. Things were no longer carefree, the air was thick with unspoken words, the last year or so had given them hope, ideas of a new life, but reality had struck. Each making their own decision not to pull the other away from their career. This was the end. They had promised to stay in touch, but nothing was left except this last night together, like this. They both knew that this was how it had to be. The plans had come together almost without them realising. He couldn't ask her to give it all up, not when she was doing so well. Likewise she would never dream of asking him to sacrifice his career for her. One day things might be different, but for now this was all they had. He realised she had stopped bustling about the kitchen and was watching him. He smiled at her, she knew it was faked, their natural camaraderie had gone, diminishing over the last few days, leaving them heavy hearted and ... broken.

He wondered how things would be if he hadn't left. He could have found some way of gaining an overseas assignment to the London Embassy, he would have been closer, seen them more often. Maybe he wouldn't be here now with a legacy of 3 ex-wives. He slowly realised that like then, she was standing watching him now.

"It wasn't wrong you know, ... going our own way. It was too soon, ... I'd have been one of your ex-wives if we'd carried on." She said watching him closely.

"Now?" He asked, his voice tight, almost emotional.

"I have no idea." She answered, her eyes intent on his.

"Have you thought about staying here after your tour of duty?" He questioned.

"Not really, it's been pretty busy, haven't had time to think about what I'm going to do after."

"Bethesda could always use good doctors." He prompted. "Might be able to put in a good word."

"Don't you need to be military to work there?" She questioned. He looked puzzled for a moment. "My commission ends in 2 months. I'm finished with the Navy, a free agent again."

"There's other hospitals, but Bethesda's short staffed right now, so they may take someone just out of service, after all your clearances will all be current." He rationalised, thinking about the possibilities if she really was a free agent. It would be nice for her to stay.

"Are you trying to persuade me to stay?" She asked tilting her head slightly and giving him a small smile as she put her arms beside her on the counter and leaned back against it.

"You have to do what's right for you and Jess, I just want you to consider the possibilities."

"I will and thank you for the thought. ... Can I get you some coffee or anything?" She asked pushing herself off the counter and turning towards the coffee machine.

Gibbs stepped up behind her and pulled her hair off her shoulders to caress her neck. "Anything sounds good right now." He murmured in her ear, his breath causing sparks of electricity down her spine as it teased her skin.

"Are you suggesting what I think you are?" She croaked leaning back against him her arms reaching back over her head and around his neck as he traced a line of kisses down hers.

"You know I am." He replied in a low gravely voice as he turned her around and seized her lips with his, she replied with equal fervour.

Stopping to breath a moment later, Lucy looked at him. "... Jethro, ... I was honest last night. ... There hasn't been anyone since you. ... I guess they never measured up to you .. or Dan. ... This isn't a game." She said slowly, suddenly anxious about where this would lead them. He felt her tremble and responded with a soft, almost chaste kiss on her lips, but nonetheless a kiss filled with tenderness and expectation.

AN: Sorry for the long delay since the last update. Study and work kind of took over as well as plot bunnies running riot for another Fic hampering this one.

Still trying to piece the case together, have the ending kind of sorted, but struggling with the middle. Anyone out there who wishes to offer suggestions they will be gratefully received!