Not entirely happy with this chapter but I have spent ages trying to fix it with no luck so I have decided just to put it up as it is.


Later that same evening Jenny looked around her living room and smiled, everyone she cared about was in the same room all laughing and joking together. She walked over to where Ziva was standing awkwardly by herself holding Andrew, noticing she was currently looking at him as though she'd never seen a baby before. Taking pity on her, because she knew that feeling well Jenny took Andrew from her arms and asked, 'So how are you finding D.C.?'

Looking relieved Ziva replied almost uncertainly, 'It's good…..it's different'

Observing the younger woman Jenny realised that she was feeling slightly out of place and tried to reassure her, 'They're a very tight knit group I know'

Ziva gave her a small smile, 'I guess I just never realised how difficult it would be to take over Kate's job'

'No it's never easy to take someone else's place on a well established team, but they all care about you already, you're one of them now'

Cautiously tickling Andrew's cheek, Ziva nodded, 'I know, it's strange. I've never been part of such a lose team before, it's nice, really nice to know there are people who care about you'

Letting her gaze drift over to where Jethro was standing laughing with Ducky and Abby, Jenny breathed out, 'Yeah it is'

Shaking herself slightly Ziva laughed, 'Anyway thank you for inviting me tonight'

'Not a problem', Jenny looked over to see McGee storm away from Dinozzo, obviously fed up with being the butt of his constant jokes, a plan formulating in her head Jenny suggested, 'Why don't you go talk to Tony, he looks as though he needs some sense knocked into him.

Eyes twinkling Ziva replied, 'I might just go do that'

As she watched the pair converse Jenny thought about how good they were for each other and even if they were only together for a little while, in a world that she was pretty sure didn't exist, well surely that was better than nothing.

She heard Jethro creep up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist as he told her, 'You can't force them together Jen'

Tilting her head back on his shoulder she replied, 'They could make each other happy, they both need this, losing Kate hit Tony hard and when he's with Ziva he lights up'

Jethro narrowed his eyes, 'You been spying on my team Jen?'

'No', she laughed, 'Just stating the obvious, anyway why shouldn't they be together'

He didn't look convinced as he muttered, 'I suppose so, although I really don't want to have to watch them canoodling all day'

'Canoodling Jethro? You are aware that this isn't the nineteen fifties! And anyway we did it'

'That's different', he smirked at her, 'That was me'

'You are such a hypocrite'

Jethro turned her around and careful not to jostle Andrew, pulled her back into his arms, 'And you love me for it'

Leaning in to kiss him Jenny muttered, 'God help me I do'


After everyone had went home and she had tucked the kids in Jenny started to clear up the sitting room while Jethro tackled the kitchen. She finished pretty quickly and decided to take the opportunity to snoop around. Heading to the wooden display cabinet she opened the drawers and began flicking through the papers inside. Her hand stalled as she came across a ticket stub

Dated the 21st October 1999, it was a single journey ticket from D.C. to Paris. Jenny just stared at it, the moment she had bought this ticket still imprinted on her memory. She had only been back in D.C. for two days but she had missed Jethro so much that she had packed a bag and headed to the airport. Buying the ticket had been the easy part unfortunately there had been another two hours to wait until boarding so she had decided to go for a coffee. It was there in the airport's giant food court that she had begun to have doubts about her decision. To go back to him meant giving up everything she had planned, that of course was if he still wanted her. She had sat there for the two hours, nursing that one cup of coffee, staring out the window watching the planes, constantly changing her mind about what to do. When her flight had finally been called for boarding she had pushed herself up from her seat and made up her mind, she decided that couldn't go back only forward and left the building. She had kept the ticket though, it was in one of her desk drawers in her study and on the nights she regretted her choice, and there had been many of them, she would take the ticket out and repeat that statement over and over again, trying to force herself to believe it.

Jenny traced her finger over the faded ink, she had honestly thought that in this life she had never left Jethro, but she had, only this time she had had the courage to come back. Sighing she realised she that she was too late in figuring out it took more courage to go back and face your mistakes rather than ignoring them and pretending it was for the best. Unable to face thinking about it anymore Jenny shoved the papers including the ticket stub back into the drawers before heading to the kitchen. Jethro was currently jamming plates into the dishwasher in no particular order, silently laughing she snuck up behind him. Just as she was about to pounce he whirled around and grabbed her, moving so quickly that Jenny didn't even have time to gasp before he had her backed up against the kitchen counter opposite.

'Nice try Jen, but I thought you would have known better by now'

Smirking she wrapped her arms around his neck, 'Maybe I just like the result too much to care'

Laughing he lifted her up onto the counter top, 'So how does it feel to be over the hill?'

She playfully slapped his arm, 'That's rich old man, but since I'm past it you won't want my thank you for a wonderful birthday', Jenny moved to slide off the counter, his hands splayed around her hips and forced her back, she wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him into her. Grinning at her Jethro ran his hands through her hair before pulling her face to his, their lips meeting. As their tongues fought for dominance, Jenny ran her hands from his back to his front, her fingers fumbling slightly as she unbuttoned his shirt, pushing it to the floor. She pulled her mouth away from his and began to kiss along his jaw line and down his neck, smiling against his shoulder as he groaned. In retaliation Jethro's finger's crept under her top, tugging it over her head before sliding his hands back down and unclipping her bra, leaning forward he ran his thumbs over her nipples, smirking as she let out a gasp and moved closer to him. He replaced his fingers with his mouth, his hands moving to toy with the button of her jeans, she bit back another moan and tightened her legs around his waist, bumping her hips into his causing his actions to falter slightly. Jenny quickly undid his jean button and shoved them to his ankles so he could step out of them, his boxers quickly followed suit, laughing under his breath she shivered as Jethro whispered to her, 'You're a little overdressed for this'

'Well you were supposed to be taking care of that'

'You never could pace yourself'

Running her hand up his length, smiling as he bucked into her touch she replied teasingly, 'Well I could always put your clothes back on'

'Don't bother', he lifted her off the counter slightly, pulling off the remainder of her clothing before placing her back on the counter, 'I have a better idea', he told her as he positioned himself between her legs. She let out a sharp gasp as he thrust into her, her hips meeting his pace as she begged him to go harder, spiraling quickly to completion, she was almost there when he stopped. Letting out a small scream of frustration she looked up into his darkened blue eyes, he grinned at her before whispering into her ear, 'You know it'll be worth it', before he started to move again. This time every sensation seemed to be intensified, every breath was punctuated by a moan or a gasp, she sought out his mouth as the coil in her stomach built, a few seconds later she screamed her release into his mouth as she shuddered with it's intensity. Jethro followed her only a few seconds later, letting out a long low moan.

They stayed like that for a few seconds, wrapped around each other, one of Jethro's arms was wrapped around her waist, the other running through her hair. She smiled against his cheek, tracing her fingers over his shoulders, she had missed this closeness, her smiled widened as she heard him say, 'Ready to take this upstairs for round two?'


Hours later Jenny jumped awake, Jethro's arms still wrapped around her. She shifted, slipping out of his arms and heading downstairs to the kitchen to get a drink. As she sipped at the glass of apple juice she heard someone move around in the kitchen behind her. Swinging around Jenny was shocked to come face to face with the woman who had served her in the 24/7. Her breathing heavy Jenny stuttered out, 'What are you doing here?'

The woman smiled gently, 'I'm here to tell you it's time to go back'

'No', Jenny shook her head, 'I don't want to go back, I want to stay here'

'You can't, I'm sorry but this isn't your life and you need to go back to your own reality'

'Why? So I can be miserable again!'

'This was only ever meant to be a glimpse. Recently you have wondered about whether you made the right choices in your life, this was a chance for you to see what could have been, to reassess your priorities. You were given one week and now that week is up'

'Please don't make me go back'

The woman started to fade away again, 'This is inevitable, accept it and prepare yourself'

Once the woman was gone Jenny slumped against the counter in despair, this just didn't seem fair, she didn't want to go back and she still didn't see why they had decided to taunt her like this.

Making her way slowly up the stairs Jenny went first of all into Andrew's room. She stared down into the crib at the little boy, smiling at him. He had once again kicked his blankets off, she pulled them up and stroked his cheek, she could hardly believe how much she loved this little boy. One solitary tear ran down her cheek, she wanted to see him grow up, to see him take his first steps, go to school but she wouldn't. Placing one last kiss to his forehead she turned and left the room, heading into Izzy's room next. The little girl was curled up into a ball, facing the doorway, her cheek resting on her hand, her hair falling over her face. Jenny sat down on the bed next to her, running her fingers through Izzy's hair, pushing it back from her face. Again she placed a small kiss to the little girl's cheek, she was already so proud of her, she was so inquisitive, clever and already had a razor sharp wit. Jenny was aware that she was probably slightly biased, only very slightly though. Tucking the teddy bear tighter into the Izzy's grip she thought about how much she would miss her. Getting to her feet Jenny went back into her own room and climbed back into the bed, smiling as Jethro unconsciously pulled her into his arms. She snuggled into his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, letting it soothe her slightly. As she began to drift off she told herself she could only look to the future, whatever hers may be.


xxxxx