When Jenny woke up, she found that at some point Jethro had got her out of her clothes and into another oversized t-shirt, she was beginning to wonder if she had any real pajamas in this life. She shifted slightly and was slightly perturbed to realise that during the night she had curled herself into Jethro's side and that her legs were entangled with his. Jenny went to move onto her own side of the bed, only to find his arm tightened it's vice like grip around her waist and pulled her back into his side, giving up she glanced over at the alarm clock, it was 3am. Sighing she tilted her head up to look at him, she smiled, he looked so peaceful, an emotion she had never been able to associate with him. She had obviously seen him asleep before, but he had never looked so carefree, feeling completely relaxed she yawned and leaning her forehead against his chest drifted back off into a peaceful sleep.
The shrill beeping of the alarm penetrated her mind and dragging her back into her new reality, she heard him mutter as he leaned over her head and hit it off. Still lying on his chest Jenny felt him trying to gently move her, he was obviously trying not to wake her, she opened her eyes and met his. He gave her a small smile, 'Sorry I didn't mean to wake you'
'You didn't, the alarm did'
Leaning forward he caught her lips in a brief kiss, 'How are you feeling?'
'Much better'
Jethro seemed satisfied with this answer and pushed himself up, 'Good, you had me worried yesterday especially with the whole cellotape thing', his back was to her so he didn't see her grimace slightly, she still had no idea how those things worked, he turned and shot her a grin, 'I'll go check on the kids before I get ready', he leaned over her and placed a kiss to her forehead, 'You can have a lie in for a change, you do so much I'm not surprised you were tired'
'Ok', she watched him leave the room and snuggled back down into the bed, only to find she had company less than ten minutes later. She blinked her eyes open and found herself staring into the exact same ones, two chubby hands reached out and touched her cheek, accompanied by a happy cry of,
'Ma ma'
Jenny smiled at Andrew, as he curled one of his tiny fists into her hair and curled into her letting out a small yawn. Hooking her arm around him, she lifted him up and pulled him under the covers, she felt the mattress dip and she looked up to see Jethro sitting smiling at her. He reached out to ruffle his son's hair, 'He kept yelling for you'
Stroking Andrew's cheek as she told him, 'It's fine'
'I better go get ready, no doubt I'll find Izzy in here when I get back'
She quickly found that Jethro had been serious, only five minutes later the little red head wandered into the room, rubbing at her eyes, a teddy bear hugged close into her. Her eyes half closed she clamored into the bed, she gave Jenny a quick look and mumbled, 'I always come in here on Saturday', she shot an indignant look at her brother, 'He's in my spot', frowning she gave the oblivious boy a quick Gibbs glare before curling into a small ball and drifting off back to sleep.
Looking at her two sleeping children Jenny felt her heart break slightly, she so wanted this to be real, despite it's difficulties she already loved this life. It surprised her, as she had obviously disregarded her five point plan, but as her mind drifted back to what her real life was like she realised that plans weren't all they were cracked up to be. Jethro's voice pulled her out of her thoughts,
'Told you she'd be in here like a shot', he smiled at the sleeping girl, 'I'm running late so I better go'
'I never thought I'd see the day you would be late'
Jethro rolled his eyes at her, 'I still don't see why I have to go to this thing, I should have just been allowed to send Dinozzo'
Laughing at the expression on his face she told him, 'Oh stop acting like a petulant child and just go to the damn thing, the quicker you go the quicker it'll be finished'
'Fine, I'll go', he smiled at her 'I'll see you at lunchtime?'
'See you then'
She smiled as she heard him head down the stairs and the and the front door opened and shut again. She snuggled back down into the covers and throwing a protective arm around the children she went back to sleep.
As it quickly approached twelve Jenny struggled to get the two children ready. It had taken her half an hour to figure out and successfully put on Andrew's nappy, then she had tried to feed him, but he refused to open his mouth. She'd even had problems with Izzy, the little girl had decided she wanted to be a ballerina today and was desperate to wear her tutu out. Jenny had eventually managed to convince her that it wasn't the best idea to wear it out to the zoo, but had had to promise she could wear it when she got back. Then just as she had been about to leave Andrew started wailing because he needed his nappy changed, Jenny wondered how pathetic it was too feel proud that it had only taken her seventeen minutes to put a new one on him. She had decided not to include the twelve minutes it had taken for her to take it off and clean him up.
At five to, Jenny rushed out of the house, Andrew clamped onto her hip and ushering Izzy in front of her. Izzy jumped into the back seat and fastened herself into her booster seat while Jenny stared in horror at the contraption that was Andrew's car seat. She gingerly placed him in it and untangled all the straps, looking at them she tried to fathom out how it all fit together, she looked over at Izzy in desperation, the little girl just shrugged. Inwardly groaning Jenny wondered if it was illegal just get some rope and sort of tie him in place, shaking her head she realised that was not only dangerous but if she got caught it would take one hell of a lot of explaining. After ten minutes and a lot of mumbled curses, Jenny figured out she had to bring two over his front and clip them into the clasp at the exact same time and then repeat the process with the bottom two clips. She couldn't help the cry of triumph that escaped her lips, out of the corner of her eye she saw Izzy slowly shaking her head, Jenny chose just to ignore it and instead slipped into the driver's seat, starting the engine she prayed the rest of the day would go more smoothly, as much as she already loved these kids the practical aspect of having children was draining.
As she walked into the entrance of NCIS headquarters Jenny was surprised to find that the security guard recognized her, she was obviously still a familiar face around here. As they headed towards the lifts she felt a tug on her sleeve, she looked down at Izzy,
'Can we go down to see Abby in her lab, please', Jenny nodded, it would be nice to see another familiar face in this place, someone who hadn't changed.
The lift doors opened out onto the basement and Izzy rushed ahead, flying through the doors into the lab, Jenny quickened her pace to keep up with her. She entered into the lab to find the girl balanced on Abby's knee while the chattering Goth swung from side to side on her chair. Abby looked up and smiled, 'Jenny it's good to see you, how's things?'
'Fine, how are you?'
'I'm good, got a new mass spec yesterday, my baby fried, it was tragic, Vance wouldn't let me give it a proper send off though, he insisted it be safely disposed off', she rolled her eyes, before jumping slightly and exclaiming, 'Oh! I almost forgot, Tony and Ziva went undercover the other day as married assassins and they were very and I mean very convincing, the CIA who were following them actually thought they were….', she gazed down at Izzy and thought about what she was about to say, 'Getting into the heat of the moment'
Jenny stifled a laugh, she remembered the case from earlier on that week and knew exactly what Abby was talking about, she wondered if maybe without the introduction of a new rule twelve they had realised their feelings and had acted on them, she decided there was no harm in asking, 'So are they involved now?'
Abby shook her head, 'No, they're still too busy niggling away at each other, although it's actually quite interesting to find out how many ways Ziva can kill a man', the Goth looked up at her, 'Although at least Gibbs has gotten use to having Ziva on his team, I have to admit we were a bit worried when she requested the transfer from Mossad, after all that happened with Kate……', Abby trailed off, sadness evident in her eyes, she stroked Izzy's hair, 'I don't know about you but I miss our lunches'
Jenny could do nothing but nod and mutter, 'Yeah me too', she didn't know what else to say, obviously in this life she had known and been friends with Kate, she was also unsure of what her relationship with Ziva was like here, after all she had met her through work and she very much doubted she had ever went to Cairo in this life, Izzy would have only been a few months old at that point and she didn't think she would have left her newborn daughter.
Abby shook herself and looked over at Jenny, 'So onto happier things, are you looking forward to your birthday?, Jenny automatically grimaced, causing the younger woman to laugh, 'Oh it won't be that bad. Do you know what Gibbs has got you?'
'No I honestly don't have a clue'
Abby sighed, 'It must be nice to have two special occasions so close to each other'
Jenny frowned, 'What my birthday and Halloween? I can honestly say I've never thought about it that way.
'Um no….', Abby gave her an odd look, 'I meant your birthday and your wedding anniversary, they're what twelve days apart?'
Thankfully Izzy intervened, 'It's on the 6th' she smiled up at Jenny and winked.
Desperately trying to cover up her massive oversight Jenny laughed, 'Oh of course, it just completely slipped my mind for a second there', she hoisted Andrew further up onto her hip and wished she had known how to open up the folded up buggy in the car boot.
At that moment the doors swooshed open and Jethro and his team walked in. As he caught sight of her Jethro grinned and walked over to her, kissing her on the cheek, 'I know I'm late but the seminar over ran'
'It's fine, we've only been here about ten minutes', she looked over at the three members of his team and feeling slightly awkward smiled.
Tony looked at her with the usual gleam in his eyes and let his gaze flicker over her figure, this wasn't anything new, he grinned at her, 'How are you Jenny?'
'I'm good Tony, Abby was just telling me about you and Ziva's latest…exploits, your nose is healing nicely by the way', she smirked at the young agent, he laughed although he gingerly felt at his nose while Ziva and McGee snickered in the corner.
Shaking his head Jethro took Andrew out of her arms, asking, 'Did you not bring the buggy in?'
'No I didn't, like I said I was running late so I didn't want to mess around with it'
'Fair enough', he turned to Izzy, 'Come on then lets go'
Izzy grinned and jumped off Abby's knee, 'If it's busy and I can't see can I sit on your shoulders?'
'Of course you can', he turned to his team, 'You can all go home, but I expect you in first thing on Monday morning'
They all nodded until Tony piped up, 'What exactly is first thing boss?'
Jenny couldn't help but grin as Jethro smacked the back of the younger Agent's head as they headed out of the lab, something's never changed.
The day passed far too quickly for Jenny's liking, she had always loved the zoo although she hadn't been in years and she quickly discovered that Izzy shared this love. The little girl had been fascinated by all the different animals, although she had informed them that the monkeys weren't her favorite anymore, she preferred giraffes now. As they walked around the zoo Jenny felt completely calm, with Izzy talking happily and Andrew babbling in delight and pointing at the different animals while Jethro's arm stayed around her waist, every so often laughing into her hair at their daughter's observations. When they had got to the penguin enclosure it had been so busy that Jethro had had to lift Izzy onto his shoulders, while Jenny had taken Andrew out of his buggy so he could see the excitement as well. In that moment Jenny forgot that this was all just temporary and just enjoyed what she had at that moment in time, two beautiful children and a devoted husband.
That night Jenny tucked Izzy into her bed, the little girl looked up at her, 'I had fun today'
'Me too'
She watched as Izzy pulled a book out from under her pillow, 'My mummy was reading me a story and I was wondering if you would keep going, it helps me sleep'
Jenny smiled and took the book off of her, 'Of course I will', she noticed the corner of one of the pages was folded down and flipping to that page she began to read. She kept going until Izzy's eyes were closed and her breathing had slowed slightly, marking the page she tightened the covers around her and kissed her forehead before heading towards the door. As her hand hovered over the light switch she smiled at her, closing the door softly behind her, she then checked on Andrew, he too was fast asleep, his hand thrown above his head and blankets around his feet. He stirred slightly as the lullaby that had been playing on the tape cassette clipped onto his crib stopped, Jenny flipped the tape over and pressed play so it started up again and then pulled the blankets back up to his waist before heading downstairs.
Standing in the kitchen she stared at the door that she knew led into the basement, she was torn, she wanted to spend time with Jethro, but she wasn't his wife, she wasn't that woman. Making up her mind she opened the door and for a moment just stood at the top of the steps, just watching him. Leaning against the doorframe she watched as he quickly and skillfully shaped a piece of the wood, he had always been good with his hands. He obviously sensed her presence as he looked up and on seeing her leaned against the bare bones of his creation, waiting for her to come down and join him. Jenny breathed out deeply before starting her descent, as she got near to him he reached out and pulled her into him, she hadn't been expecting it and had to hold onto his shoulders to steady herself.
He stroked his hand over her cheek as he asked, 'The kids asleep'
Trying to reign in some control over herself she nodded, 'Yeah both dead to the world'
At this he grinned and lowered his mouth to hers, one hand twirled into her hair, while the other slipped around her waist, his fingers stroking at the bare skin between her shirt and jeans. She wondered if this was wrong, if she was misleading him, but then he gently nibbled on her bottom lip and all thoughts of telling him to stop flew out of her head. Her fingers wound up into his hair as she angled her head to get closer. She heard herself groan in disappointment as he pulled back, only for him to shoot her a quick smirk before lowering his mouth to kiss along her collarbone as his fingers began to undo the top buttons of her shirt trying to gain more access. Jenny's hands slipped from his hair, running down his sides until she encountered the hem of his t-shirt, as she went to pull it off his hands halted her and she looked up at him in bewilderment, he just shot her a grin as he told her,
'I think we should take this upstairs, I don't think the boats strong enough to take both our weights yet', with that he grabbed her hand and they stumbled up the stairs, stealing kisses on the way.
As they battled their way through the kitchen, Jenny couldn't help but giggle as she fell backwards into the counter knocking her bag off it, Jethro grabbed her round her waist, steadying her. He breathed into her hair, 'Don't tell me I need to carry you'
She grinned wickedly back, 'You'd need to catch me first old man', and with that she darted out of his grasp. He of course caught up with her, she hadn't expected him not to and they tumbled down onto the stairs, she arched up into him, causing him to groan as she told him,
'I don't think this will be anymore comfortable than the basement'
He lowered his head to her shoulder, letting out a ragged, 'I don't think I care anymore'
'You'll thank me in the morning', and using all her strength she flipped them over before continuing to run up the stairs.
By the time they got into the bedroom Jenny knew that Jethro wouldn't want to play games anymore and that was fine with her. She was right as well, the minute he got into the room he all but threw her down onto the bed. Their lips met as they rid the other of their clothing and then teased each other into a frenzy. When he finally pushed into her, she was more than ready, all the feelings for him she had tried to block out for six years came rushing to the surface. She didn't even realise she was crying until he ran his finger down her cheek, his eyes glowing with concern, 'Jenny what's wrong'
'Nothing', she shook her head, her voice breaking slightly as she told him, 'I just love you so much'
He lowered his mouth to hers and the kiss they shared left her almost breathless, he whispered against her mouth, 'I love you too Jen'
She tilted her hips towards him and he started to move, her hand found his and their fingers entwined as he pushed them both over the edge. As they came down from their high, he rolled onto his side, taking Jenny with him, she lay her head on his chest, her fingers absentmindedly curling into the hair there as her legs wrapped around his and for once in her life she felt happy, as she pushed the fact that this wasn't real to one side and let herself drift off into a contented sleep.
For some reason I'm finding it really easy to write long chapters with this story. Plus I gave you fluffyish Jibbs, I think I deserve reviews hint hint lol
Anyway don't worry if you feel you didn't get to see a lot of the team they will be back in one of the next two chapters.
Also there will be a bit of an explanation on how Jenny got her scars.
xxxxx
