Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS :'(

A/N- Sorry about the delay, I hope this is worth the wait, I had fun writing this. It's a really long, so enjoy . . .

Team Gibbs still had a lack of case. This was therefore causing Gibbs once more to get ever increasingly agitated by his senior field agent. For a man who was such a talented investigator, he wasn't half childish. After Yesterdays antics Gibbs had had Vance find a cold case in a hope it would calm them down. Although little good that had done. The case was as cold as the Artic, so his plan had ailed. Someday Leroy Jethro Gibbs felt like he was a nursery school teacher, having to constantly entertain his agents who seemed to enjoy acting like complete and utter idiots.

Today though, his temper was not as short as usual. Because he knew he only had to cope for half a day before he got to drop his act. Because, not many actually knew, but Leroy Jethro Gibbs was not the hard assed marine everyone thought him to be. As a friend, he was kinder, softer. Although all of his friends had a silent secret agreement never to let this on or else they knew the end of their days would come sooner that they wished.

Sat at his desk, he attempted not to think about the antics of his agents; after all they did work harder than any other team. In fairness it was only right they actually got let a bit of slack. Although, he was wondering how much he'd been giving them. Getting up he began to walk out of the bull pen. Slapping DiNozzo in his usual manner on the way out. "Going for Coffee. Call me if we get anything." He informed his three agents as he got in the lift. If he was actually going to make it until lunch time he was going to need a hell of a lot of Coffee.

-x-x-x-

Special Agent Gibbs was one of NCIS' most dedicated and talented agents. He was not known for his sense of patience, but his bravery, though in some eyes stupidity. This ex-marine was not fazed by much. But spending a morning with his three extremely bored Agents had pushed him to almost breaking point. Now though, now it was over. Gibbs stood up.

"Where you going boss?"Questioned Tony.
"Out DiNozzo. I have the rest of the day off. You're in charge. Don't mess it up DiNozzo." Not one Agent asked where he was going. That would be them signing their own death warrant. So the team leader left. After a morning of hell he was finally going.

An hour later, Gibbs was back in his truck. Now he was dressed in Jeans, an open necked shirt and grey jacket. On the passenger seat sat a bottle of bourbon (he'd got Mark attuned to the taste whist training him up) and a bottle of white wine for his wife to be. After all only one woman actually liked bourbon, and she was like no other. Jenny had been different to his ex-wives. But Gibbs refused to think of her now. Today was for Mark and his fiancé, for reminiscing and future thoughts. Not for dwelling on the past.

Only what he didn't realise was the woman he was attempting to vanish from his mind, would soon be sat at the same table as him.

~N~C~I~S~

Jenny Shepard woke with a smile on her face. The felt younger, and happier than she had in a long time. When she had decided to take this holiday time, she expected just to catch up with her mum and sleep. But it had turned out to be much more than that. She was spending time with her best friend, and today she was going to meet the man her best friend had fallen for. Although Jenny was a bit jealous her friend had someone and she didn't, Jenny couldn't possibly be happier for her. If in the world there was a person who deserved someone more than Ally, then Jenny was yet to meet them. The girl hadn't had it easy, when she was a little girl her dad had been shot whist fighting abroad. Her mum had struggles but eventually got back up again. Ally had been a great friend, and Jenny had helped her all she could. Jasper Shepard had become a second father to the girl. But, when the pair turned eighteen, Jenny's father was killed. It hit them both hard. Ally had lost two father figures, so for Jenny; Ally finding happiness was the best thing in the world.

Downstairs Jenny went to be greeted by the smell of strong coffee, and bacon sandwiches, which Jenny assumed had been layed on because her mum had spoken to Mary, who had said she was too thin. But Jenny didn't mind, ever since she was a child Jenny had loved Bacon butties. They brought back so many memories of holidays, and days off ill which were the only time they were eaten.

The day seemed to drag on for Jenny who only wanted to see her best friend's new man. She went shopping in the morning where she bought a simple green dress which had vest sleeves, came in at the waist and fell just above her knee. It wasn't too over dressed, but knowing Ally she would be done up like a Christmas tree. The colour brought out her eyes. Jethro had always loved her in green, ever since she'd work a green silk blouse on the first day back in DC after the events of the Marseilles op. But she banished that thought to the back of her mind. That particular internal debate was for another day.

-x-x-x-

Jennifer Shepard sat in her bedroom at her mum's house. She had a strange feeling which was a mixture of deja vu and surrealism. It fealt like she'd gone back in time and was a teenager getting ready to go out on a date. That she'd go down and her father would be stood there telling her "Jennifer Shepard YOU ARE NOT GOING OUT DRESSED LIKE THAT!" How she'd love to go back to them days. If it would stop her father from dying she'd tell herself to go back up stairs and dress like a nun for all the good it'd do. She'd never have fought, answered back or argues with him. But she knew in her mind, none of that would have mattered. What happened, in life things happen which can't be reversed. Some good, some bad. That's what makes life what it is.

Standing up she admired her reflection. The green dress fit perfectly. Her red curls were swept to one side; she wore silver earrings, black stilettoes, and around her neck hung a silver locket. It was the locket Jethro had bought her in Paris all those years ago. Inside was a picture of the two of them sat in front of a fountain in the city of love. Ducky had taken it without either of them knowing. It always brought back memories, and she always took it wherever she went. Even though she didn't always wear it. But tonight, for some reason it just felt right to wear it. After all it was going to be an evening full of romantic tales. And if asked, maybe she would share a few of her own.

~N~C~I~S~

At Ally's house things were going smoothly. The food was in the oven, she was dressed and Mark was setting the table. Unlike her best friend, Ally had a talent for cooking. She'd always baked as a child and now nothing was bought. Everything she ate was home baked. You could always find a loaf of bread ready to be cooked in the freezer, or a homemade cake in the cupboard. Just as Mark had finished setting the table the doorbell rang. "I'll get it!" shouted Ally as she made her was to the front door. Straightening her blue shift dress as she went.

Jenny smiled as her best friend opened the door. She looked beautiful; her blue shift dress suited her to a t. Her brown hair was half up so she could still cook without it getting in the way, and she wore blue platform stilettoes which even battled Jenny's in height. The two girls hugged before making their way inside.

"You look lovely Ally. I see you don't need me to dress you anymore." The red head said with a smirk.
"Well from today's stories I'd say your work isn't done yet. Sounds like you saved the day today." Said Mark from the kitchen door.
"You must be Mark." Jenny said with a smile.
"I am. Jenny I presume. You look just the same as in the photos."
"With a few more wrinkles."
"Not at all."
"Ooh, Ally can I keep him? He's handsome and flattering."
"Hands off my man Jennifer Shepard. You look good Jen, greens certainly your colour." Replied Ally.
"Thanks Al."

The trio made their way into the living room. It was reasonably small yet homely. A drinks cabinet was at the back of the room, two sofas were in an L shape and a small television sat in the corner. Mark handed her a glass of white wine and as they sat down Jenny realised how much her friend had grown up over the years they'd been apart.

"You have a lovely house. Makes mine in D.C. look like a shell." Commented Jenny.
"Thanks. We wanted to make it as homely as possible. What do you mean about your house. From what I can remember it's gorgeous."
"Ally, I have not decorated sonce dad died. It only stays clean because of Naomi, and I spend about 12 hours a week there."

Before Ally could think of a comeback the doorbell rang and Mark got up to answer it. "I'll get it. It'll be Gunny, you two stay and chat." With Mark out the room the Jenny began to tell her friend her views on her husband to be.

"He seems nice A."
"He is. He loves me and I love him, what more could I ask for."
"Nothing. And it is evident he adores you. Haven't done bad for yourself young Lady. How Jealous I am." Jenny said, a smirk playing on her lips.
"Well I'm sure you'll find someone for yourself too, old Lady."
"Hang on, your only four months younger than me."
"I'm not the one who's birthday it is in two weeks." That comment received a glare from Jenny before the two women fell into fits of laughter.

Meanwhile…

Mark opened the door to see Jethro stood there. The two men greeted eachother before hearing the girls laughter. "Sounds like their having fun." The two men headed into the living room. Gibbs didn't see Jenny, he was too busy meating his best friends wife to be. But Jenny saw him.

"Gunny, meat the maid of honour. This is-" Mark was cut off.
"Jen?"
"Jethro."
"You two know each other?" Asked Mark as he looked at his fiancé confused.
"You could say that, she's my ex-probie."
"Ex-partner"
"New boss." The two said.
"Hang on, this is-" Ally was cut off by Jenny's hand being placed over her mouth.
"Finish that sentence and you will not live to see you wedding day." After a serious moment the girls burst out laughing leaving the two men confused.

For Gibbs it was like seeing the old Jenny again. She seemed younger, more free, happier. He hadn't seen her truly laugh that o so beautiful laugh in all too long.

"Hng on, this is where your spending your months holiday?" questioned Gibbs.
"Well actually at my mums, but well yeah." Replied Jenny.

The two old partners then had a silent conversation through their eyes, in which they both agreed to play nice for the evening. After all both knew tonight was not about them.

The next hour flew by, and thankfully with few awkward moments. Ally told Jenny how she and Mark had met, and then embarrassed Jenny by telling high school stories (which Jethro was told if he ever repeated he would not live to see his retirement). Jenny then told Mark about some of Ally's many boyfriends which had Ally seriously embarrassed. As the group made their way into the dining room Gibbs pulled Jenny to a side.

"We need to talk." He demanded, yet in a soft tone by which Jenny knew he'd found out about her illness.
"I know. Not tonight."

They made their way into the dining room. Ally gave Jenny a strange look and dragged her into the kitchen. Slly began serving up and Jenny attempted to leave.

"Not on your nelly old lady."
"Fine, as long as you never call me that agin."
"Deal. Now care to tell me what Gunny was saying to you?"
"Not particularly."
"Spill!"
"He said we need to talk. I think he knows about my heart attack."
"Is that bas thing?"
"Yes, cause I didn't tell him."
"Why the hell not?"
"Because when it happened, he'd just relived losing his wife and daughter. I wasn't exactly about to load this lot on him now was i."
"Jen, he's fine now though, so why such a bad thing."
"I…I don't want him to see me as weak."

Ally pulled her friend into a hug before they made their way into the dining room. Mark gave a look to Ally and she replied by mouthing later to him. Gibbs gave Jenny a concerned look and she told him to leave it. Which he would do, until they were alone.

The meal went well. They had steak for main course and Ally's famous pavlova for dessert. Jenny decided now was a good time to enlighten the group with the tale of Ally first attempt. Seeming as the drink was flowing and Jenny was in a good mood Gibbs decided to tell Ally and Mark the tale of Jenny nearly setting fire to their kitchen in London when she had attempted to cook.

The stories had kept coming, and many undercover tales where shared. By the end of the evening the whole group where pretty drunk Luckily Jenny didn.t live far away and she had walked so she could walk home. Gibbs on the other hand…

"Gunny you are way over the limit, stay over. We have a spare bedroom."
"I'm fine I have work tomorrow."
"Gibbs, I'm sure you can ring up. After all your boss is in the room."
"I'll ring Vance. Get him to give you tomorrow off."
"Thanks Jen. Only, you are drunk, I think I had better ring."
"I am not drunk, I will."

Jenny got up and rung Vane. The other three attempted not to laugh as she attempted to tell Vance she was not drunk, but it was evident he was having none of it. She ended it by pulling rank and hanging up.

"Done."
"Thanks Jen. You sure showed him you were not drunk." That was the icing on the cake. Mark and Ally couldn't control their laughter anymore and soon the whole group where laughing.

"Right, I'd better be going. I had a lovely evening Ally, thank you."
"It was nice to have you over."
"It was lovely to meet you too Mark, take care of her."
"I will, see you at the wedding Jenny."
"Night Jen."
"Goodnight Jethro."

With that Jenny left. The evening air was cool, and it bit at her skin. The effect of the alcohol wore off. In a way she was glad she'd seen Jethro. But she knew he'd want to know the truth about what happened from her soon enough and she didn't know if could face it.

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