A/N: So I was going to have both this chapter and his return in one, but I didn't want to have too long of a chapter, and I wanted to give more people time to reply to the A/N on the bottom of that last chapter (the one where I ask when he should propose to her). Reviews are always welcomed.
A Marine's Return
8
Paris, Quinn, Coats and Engagement Rings
Jethro left his commanding officer's office with a smile on his face. He was going home after a year with the Corps and he managed to complete the year without serious injury. He was cleared to leave in three days. He would take a flight to Paris then to London then to Dulles International in DC. He slowly made his way back to the barracks to get some sleep. He ran into Lieutenant Gunnery Sergeant Quinn Davies. The young woman was about 23 years old; she stood about 5' 6" weighed about 130 lbs. She had dark green eyes and chocolate brown hair worn in a braid the reached her shoulder blades. She reminded Jethro of a cross between Jen and Abby with the fighting talent of Ziva.
"You cleared to leave, Gunny?" She asked me in a quiet voice; she was as tired as he was. She guarded the same building, generally inside the building or the south corner on the roof.
"Yes. I leave in three days. Go get some sleep; you look like I feel."
"Gee thanks Gunny; you sure know how to compliment a girl."
"Call 'em like I see 'em Quinn. You released yet?"
"Yea, I leave the same as you."
"You don't sound happy about that."
"Oh no, I am ecstatic at going home, but I 'm not going home. My parents want me to join them in Paris for what is left of their vacation, and I don't like flying."
"Well there is nothing wrong with Paris. I lived there at one point almost a decade ago. And would you feel better if you had someone flying with you?"
"It's not being in Paris that bugs me it was that I thought that I would fly alone there; if I had flown home I would have a few others with me. And yes a companion would help."
"Well you like me to go with you?"
"How far out of the way is that for you Gunny?"
"Actually I was planning on sneaking there anyway; I want to see if a few stores are still there so I can get a gift or two for Jen."
"So if you go with me to keep me company and keep me sane then you won't be sneaking there?"
"Basically."
"You tell Jen and I'll let you come with me."
"Phone is in the Commons; lead the way." She turns around and starts walking in the direction of the Commons. She leads the way over to the phones gesturing for him to get on with it. Stepping up to one Jethro picks up the phone and dials the number. She picks up on the third ring.
"Shepard."
"Hey Jen."
"Jethro! Why are you calling? You're not injured are you?"
"No Jen I am in perfect health aside from mild exhaustion."
"Well then what can I do for you Jethro?"
"I wanted to let you know that I am cleared to leave in three days. I am coming home Jen."
"If I was Abby I would be squeling at a pitch that only dogs can hear. But I can't wait for you to come home. What time does your plane land?"
"Well I wanted you to know that I am making a pit-stop in Paris. One of my colleques is also released from duty and her parents want her to meet up with her in Paris. But she doesn't like to fly alone."
"Let me guess she wants to make sure I am ok with my man going with her to the City of Love." Quinn starts laughing and motions for the phone.
"Jen you said something funny; she's cracking up; which is odd because she doesn't usually laugh at things people say. But she wants to tell you something so I am handing the phone to her Jen." Jethro hands Quinn the phone and lets her talk.
"He is all your Jen. I am no competition. For one I am young enough to be his daughter and two my hair is brown, not red. Besides even if I had red hair; your all he talks about, other than the occasional mention of the rest of his team. But he is right: I hate flying alone. And the plane he would take to London would be making a fuel stop in Paris anyway. So he would just be staying overnight to get a new flight out."
"What's your name? You know mine."
"Quinn Davies, resident of Flagstaff, Arizona."
"Well then if you'll keep him in line I will be fine with it."
"Will do. I am handing the phone back to him."
Quinn gives Jethro back the phone and leaves intending to get some sleep. Jen and Jethro talk for a few minutes then they hang up so Jethro can get some sleep.
Paris, France; three days later.
Jethro and Quinn de board the plane and make their way to over to where Quinn's parents are waiting with her boyfriend. Jethro shakes everyone's hand and leaves them alone. He makes his way over to pick up his luggage and heads to security to get his weapons (see authors note at bottom). He leaves the airport and hails a taxi; giving him the address where he and Jen stayed while they were here. The cab takes him over and Jethro pays the fee before stepping out. He starts walking to where he remembers the shops being and finds that they both are still there. He enters the clothing shop. An elderly woman sits behind the counter; upon hearing the door she looks up. She sees Jethro in his uniform and smiles.
"American?" She asks in an accented voice. Jethro nods.
"What can I help you with?"
"I came in here about 10 years ago and bought a coat; I was wondering if you had anything like it?"
"Describe the coat to me." She tells him with a thoughtful look on her face. Jethro describes the coat in as much detail as he can remember. When he finishes the lady leads him to a rack and pulls out a coat that looks similar but matches the current fashion styles; or so she tells him. He smiles at her and takes the coat; checking the size. Finding that it is the right size he pulls out his credit card he got when he went overseas; it was made for use anywhere in the world and connected back to his back accounts that receive his money from serving in the corps (again see authors note at bottom). He pays for the coat and has it wrapped up. Thanking the lady he takes his purchase and leaves the shop. He heads next door to the jeweler's shop; he looks in the window and sees the ring sitting in the window, exactly as he remembers it. Smiling he enters the shop. The young man also notices his uniform.
"America?" His accent is less than the woman's.
"Yes and I noticed a ring in your window that I wanted to take a look at."
"Awww yes of course. Which one?" The young man hurries over to unlock the display. He pulls out the tray that holds the rings he has on display and brings them over to the counter. Jethro points out the ring he wants. The man takes it out and hands it to Jethro.
"Yes you wish to propose to someone, yes?"
"Yes I do. We were here ten years ago and while walking past she saw this ring and mentioned it to me that it was like us; Sapphire for my eyes and Emerald for her eyes. I'll take it."
"Very well sir. What size?" Jethro told him the size and he put the ring back in the tray before placing back in the window.
"One moment sir I think that we have that size over here. He waked around to another selection of rings and pulled one out. He looked at it to make sure that the cut was the same and to check the size before letting Jethro see it. The stones glistened like the one in the window and it looked like it would fit her tiny finger.
"I'll take it." He told the man pulling out his card again. The man runs it and hands him his receipt before grabbing a small black velvet jewelry box. He places the ring inside and wraps it in brown paper. He hands Jethro the box and sees him out the shop with a bow.
Jethro makes his way down the street letting the memories take over. After an hour or so has passed he hails another Cab and returns to the airport. Walking up to the ticket booth he gives his plane ticket for the flight tomorrow as well as his military ID and passport.
"Is there any flight heading to America or London before the plane tomorrow?"
"The lady at the desk checks and tells him that there is one that boards in an hour that still has seats in coach and that he can exchange the ticket because he is military. He does so then checks in his luggage and weapon and waits for his flight.
An hour later he boards his flight and waits for takeoff. He calls Jen.
"Shepard" She answers with a voice that said: you woke me up, now what do you want?
"Hey Jen, I didn't think that you would answer I was gonna leave you a message."
"Jethro!" The sleep vanishes from her voice and he can picture her sitting up in her bed and leaning against the headboard. "Well I am up so you might as well tell me now."
"Ok Jen I just boarded a plane for New York, I'll be home sooner than planned."
"Really! I'll drive out there and pick you up what time does your plane land in New York?"
"Well my time zones are all out of wack but it's an 8 or so hour flight."
"Ok well that would mean that I need to leave in two hours. Call me if you have delays or are ahead of schedule. Wait do you want it to be just me or can I bring the team?"
"How about you bring Abby and Ziva; I'll see the guys tomorrow when they come over after I was supposed to get back. You know Abby would kill us if she found out that I got back sooner and we didn't tell her. But don't tell them your picking me up I want to surprise them."
"Then what do I tell them Jethro?"
"Tell Ziva that she is your protection detail, and tell Abs that you want to go to New York and you wish for her to come with you and Ziva."
"That works; Ziva will be up and willing to come, SecNav won't have my hide for leaving my detail and Abby gets to spend some time with 'Mommy' and we surprise your surrogate daughters. But you know they might figure it out."
"I know but still I want to try and surprise them. Jen I have to go; we are getting ready for takeoff."
"Ok Jethro I'll see you soon." Jen hangs up as does Jethro. And the plane takes off.
A/N: I have no idea how they do things in airports regarding military personal and their weapons after 9/11. I thought that they would not let anyone other than Air marshals or the countries equivalent have their guns on board, but that they might be with the rest of the luggage and handed over to airport Security. The card idea came out of the blue; I didn't want Jethro carrying around a large amount of paper money, but didn't know if his cards from the states would work overseas, then I came up with the idea of a card designed to work overseas like a credit card attached to a bank account that the military would deposit the money the vets earned. So I hope those things made the story believable. Leave a review please pretty, pretty please.