A/N: This starts out from Jen's side after she hangs up with Jethro.
A Marine's Return
9
He Returns
Jenny places her phone back on her nightstand, a smile still on her face, and gets back out of bed. She walks around to her closet and walks in. Looking for some casual clothes; she picks out a pair of dark wash blue jeans and a royal blue t-shirt. She brings the clothes over to her bed and sets them out before going to her dresser and opening the top drawer. She pulls out a royal blue bra with a front clasp and a pair of matching panties. She sets those on her bed and picks up her phone. She dials Ziva, the woman answers on the first ring.
"David."
"Ziva! How about a trip to New York as my detail with Abby."
"What about Melvin?"
"I didn't want a detail at all but if I leave without one SecNav will have my hide. So instead of taking him I am asking you. What do you say?"
"Fine; as long as we don't spend the entire time shopping for clothes. I want to see if they have a new book I want to read."
"Thank you Ziva. Is Abby up?"
"Getting there, she's in zombie I just woke up mode. She'll perk up after a shower."
"Ask her if she wants to come. And if she says yes I'll be by in 2 hours to pick you up."
"Ok Director see you then." Ziva got off the phone and waited until Abby was out of the shower. Jen herself hopped into the shower letting the hot water wake her fully. She couldn't stop smiling; her man was coming home. After she used her strawberry vanilla shampoo and conditioner she used the tropical paradise body wash and washed her face. Before hopping out of the shower she shaved. Hopping out of the shower she wrapped a towel around herself and blow dried her hair straight; glad that is was getting longer again. She left the room and entered her room and slipped on her bra and panties. After she got her jeans on she heard the door open and Naomi enter the house. Walking out of the room as she slipped the shirt on and called out to her housekeeper.
"Naomi good morning! Could you please start the coffee machine for me?"
"Si Senora." Came the reply. Walking back into her room she walked back into the bathroom and applied a little makeup before going back to her closet to pick out shoes. She decided on a pair of black boots with a small 2 inch heel. Slipping them on she walked out of the room and down to the kitchen where she accepted the mug of coffee Naomi handed her.
"Thank you Naomi."
"No problem Senora. Should I make dinner for you?"
"I think so Naomi."
"Yes Senora. Senor Gibbs comes home tomorrow right?"
"No he got an earlier flight into New York. I leave in 45 minutes to pick him up."
"Should I put more coffee in a thermos for you?"
"No I am going with Ziva and Abby so we'll stop by a coffee shop if we need caffeine."
"Very well Senora."
"Thank you again Naomi. I'm going to leave now."
"Alright see you later."
Jenny walked to the door and grabbed a light jacket; wishing she still had the coat Jethro gave her in Paris. She grabbed her keys and purse and left. She drove to Abby's apartment in silence; the grin still on her face. She made it to the apartment complex in record time. Getting out of the car Jen still couldn't stop smiling; they were going to know that something was going on. Oh well; she didn't care if they figured it out. Jethro was coming home! She waked up to Abby's door and knocked. The door was immediately opened to revel a very hyper Goth Abby wrapped Jen up in one of her death grip hugs. Jen returned the hug until she couldn't breathe.
"Ab air." She managed to choke out.
"Sorry." Abby dropped her arms and Jen drew a very deep breath of air.
"I take it that you're coming with us to New York Abby?"
"Yes, yes I am Director. And I am very happy too." Abby was bouncing up and down, her pigtails flying.
"I'm glad you're happy about it Abby. Where is Ziva?"
"Double checking her weapons."
"Ok. Do you need any Cafe-Pows! Before we hit the road?"
"Yes I do and Ziva needs her morning pick up too." At that moment Ziva walked out of the room she was staying in. She nodded to Abby then stepped up to Jen. They did their traditional greeting then they were out the door. Getting in the Driver's side she gestured for Ziva to take shotgun and Abby climbed in the back. Jenny drove them to a coffee shop and they all got their morning drinks before heading further up the highway.
The drive was filled with quiet chatter; everyone talked about their favorite books, movies and music as well as favorite casings and weapons preference. Abby and Ziva kept referring to Jen as "Director" finally as they passed the New York State lines Jen pulled over to a gas station for a refuel as her companions used the restroom. When they came back; Abby was carrying another Cafe-Pow! and Ziva carrying two bottles of water; Jen stopped them before they got in the car.
"Ok we are now in New York and I am not on duty; so you can call me my name instead of my title. Got it?"
"Yes Jenny" came the reply from both of them. Nodding her head Jen got back into the car. Jen parked her car downtown and they walked around Central Park for a bit; each stretching their legs. They had made the journey in 4 hours so they still had a few hours to kill until Jethro's plane landed. Making their way over to a shopping center they spilt up: Abby going one way and Ziva and Jen going in another. Ziva and Jean walked through the mall; both of them were on alert and Ziva's hand rested on her knife handle. Walking past a jewelry shop Jen sees a ring like the one she saw in Paris. She wished again that she had never left him, but she needed to put the past behind her and move forward. They moved on to a small boutique; entering the store they each moved to look at the clothing. Finding a casual outfit each they paid for their purchases and made their way out of the store. Wandering around and found a Barnes & Nobles. Jen smiled at her companion. They entered the shop and made their way through looking at the books. Jen found nothing for herself but Ziva found a book about John Wayne and bought it for Tony as well as a book on American idioms for herself. As Ziva was paying for her purchases Jen's phone rang.
"Shepard." She answered
"Hey Jen." Came the reply
"Hey Stranger." Jen turned her back to Ziva and walked towards the entrance.
"Just wanted to let you know that we are landing right now."
"Ok I'll grab the others and meet you there. Meet you by baggage claim?"
"Works for me I'll be there in about an hour. Ok?"
"Ok see you then." Jen put her phone away just as Ziva walked up.
"Ziva lets find Abby and get going to our next stop. Shall we?"
"Sure." They wandered around for a few minutes before Ziva broke the silence.
"Gibbs is returning early."
"I knew you would figure it out. Yes he is and he wanted to surprise you and Abby; his surrogate daughters."
"I will not tell Abby."
"Good; thank you."
A few minutes later they saw Abby walking out of a pet store. She spots them and hurries over while shoving a small chew tow into her bag.
"Thought I'd get Jethro a new chew toy."
"Very thoughtful Abby. Come on lets go." Ziva told her roommate. They all walked out of the shopping center and back to Jen's car. Climbing in; they took off. 45 minutes later they pulled into the parking lot of the airport.
"There is someone who wants to see you guys." Jenny told them after they had got out. Jen exchanges a look with Ziva that Abby completely misses. They walked into the airport and headed to baggage claim. They got there just as the passengers of the plane did; picking a bench where they could see everyone the three women sat down.
Jethro watched them sit down before he made his way over to security to get his weapons. After receiving them he slung the large rucksack they were in onto his shoulder and made his way over to get the rest of his luggage. Keeping his girls in his line of sight he grabbed his other bag and made his way over to them.
Jen saw him first and gave him a smile then flicked her gaze to Ziva and back to him. Telling him that she figured it out. He nodded that he understood and smirked. Jen smiled back before nudging Abby then Ziva; when she had both of their attentions she pointed out Jethro.
Abby squealed and launched herself to her feet and threw her arms around Jethro. "Gibbs! You're home, you're home." Abby had him in such a tight grip that he couldn't reply so Jethro just wrapped Abby in his own hug and kissed the top of her head. After a few minutes the need to breath became overwhelming. He looked at Jen over Abby's shoulder and she understood that he couldn't talk but needed air.
"Abby let the man breathe." She told the bubbly Goth. Who loosened her hold on Jethro but did not let him go. Jethro took a deep breath of air and kissed he cheek before signing good girl on her cheek.
"Yes Abby I'm home. I'm not going anywhere. But I do need you to let me go so I can say hello to the others."
Abby nodded and gave him one last squeeze before letting him go and stepping back. Gibbs gave her a smile before turning to Ziva. Wordlessly he opens his arms and Ziva throws herself into them. Hugging him tight she buries her face in his neck. He holds her tight for a few minutes before she pulls away. Gibbs kisses cheek and she steps back next Abby. He set down both of his bags on the ground and walked up to Jen. Framing her face with his hands he kissed her and poured all of his love for her into his kiss.
Jen answered his kiss with one of her own; wrapping her arms around his neck and her fingers played in the hair on the top of his head. They broke the kiss when the need for air became too much. He had moved his hands from her face to her waist and he pulled her closer as they rested their foreheads together.
"Welcome home Jethro." She whispered before she kissed his cheek. He smiled and kissed her softly on the lips before turning her around and placing an arm around her waist resting his hand on her hip. Slinging his weapons sack across his back he found that Ziva held the other bag. Together the four of them left the airport. The sun had set and a cool wind had begun to blow. Jen started to shiver having left her light jacket in the car Jethro saw this and pulled her closer to him. They made it to the car and Ziva and Abby climbed in the back. Jen was with Jethro at the trunk of her car. He placed his weapons in the trunk and opened up his other bag pulling out the package with her jacket in it. He handed it to her and she looked at him her eyes curious. His eyes encouraged her to open it; so she did.
She saw that it was a jacket like he had gotten her in Paris. Beaming she pulled it out and put it on. She leaned up and kissed him.
"Thank you Jethro." She mumbles against his lips.
"You're welcome Jen."
"Let's go home Jethro."
They both entered the car and Jen pulled back onto the highway; destination: Home.
Abby leaned to whisper in Ziva's ear: "Daddy's home and together with Mommy."