Jen stood a few feet away talking rapidly into her cell phone while her head of security watched over the customs official rifling through her hand luggage.
"Have we met before?" he asked Gibbs as they stood waiting.
"Nope. My tastes don't run into politics" Gibbs answered pulling the bag off the conveyor belt.
Melvin relieved him of it and looked over to make sure that Jen was still out of earshot before continuing.
"I've been with Dr Shepard for two years, Agent Gibbs. I have protected her in Iraq. In Afghanistan. Places where she really needs protection. Not just at some damn fundraiser. I don't need or appreciate NCIS looking over my shoulder, telling me how to do my job."
Melvin stood straighter, emphasizing his point with his height and broad chest.
Gibbs stared at him.
"Just doin' my job" he replied, and watched with interest as Melvin gripped Jen's bag a little tighter.
"Just stay out of my way. And before you make any decisions about Dr Shepard's security you clear it with me first."
Melvin stalked off as he saw Jen start to move. Gibbs wondered how responsible the man was for the fact that Jen hated having people walk behind her. But he had no choice but to reach for his own bag and follow suit.
Tony was on deck, a massive grin plastered on his face, when they arrived.
Gibbs clapped the younger agent on the shoulder and Tony looked at him for a moment.
"Missed you too, Boss" he said. He leant slightly to Gibbs's left just as Jen came into his line of vision.
He grinned as he took in the red hair and the shapely figure.
"Who's the redhead?"
"Dr Jennifer Shepard" was all Gibbs said, his eyes scanning the deck for potential danger.
"Trouble" Tony mused. "Most of the men on this boat haven't seen a woman who looks like that in five .. missed that as well, Boss."
He rubbed the back of his head.
"The trouble better not include you, Di Nozzo" Gibbs said, the warning hanging between them.
A loud voice broke up the staring session.
"Agent Gibbs, I presume? Commander Harris" a man said, sticking out his hand. Gibbs gave it a brief shake and noted the way the Commander's eyes never met his own. They flitted across his shoulder and settled on Jen.
Gibbs made the introductions.
"Dr. Jennifer Shepard and her head of security, Melvin Craig."
Jen removed her sunglasses and smiled serenely at the Commander. Gibbs didn't fail to notice the way his eyes lit up hungrily as he checked her out in what he no doubt thought was a discreet manner.
"Dr Shepard, if you'd like to come with me?"
He gestured towards an entrance and Jen inclined her head and stepped in front of him.
"This boat secure, Di Nozzo?" Gibbs asked as she walked inside.
"Tight as a drum, Boss" Tony said, his eyes following Jennifer's form – like every man within a hundred feet.
"I have decided to turn over my quarters to you" the Commander said. "Here we are. You'll be infinitely more comfortable in here. Well ... as comfortable as you can possibly be on an aircraft carrier."
"That's very kind of you, Commander" Jen said, placing a hand briefly on his arm.
"I'll be next door" Gibbs and Melvin said simultaneously.
The Commander and Jen both turned around. Tony let out a strangled laughed and couldn't resist a comment amidst the face -off.
"You could play rock paper scissors" he suggested.
All four turned to look at him and he shrank back.
"Or ... draw straws?"
Gibbs glared at him.
"Imagine ... grown men drawing straws just to deal with little old me" Jen said in a soft voice as she brushed passed them both, shooting Gibbs a look that he couldn't read. "Melvin will take the room next to mine" she announced.
Melvin spared Gibbs a brief smug smile.
"Melvin, you will assist Agent Di Nozzo and make sure that this place is secure. I have my first session to chair in twenty minutes. Agent Gibbs, you're with me."
Gibbs suppressed the tiniest of smiles.
Ten minutes later Gibbs held the door to the deck open for Jen. She smiled slightly and stepped out, pulling the sunglasses back down over her eyes. She froze when she took in the helicopter waiting to transport them to another aircraft carrier.
She became aware of Gibbs watching her.
"You okay?" he asked.
She turned to him, her gaze unreadable due to the large sunglasses. A tight nod was her only answer as she strode purposefully towards the helicopter. He held the door open and helped her in. When he slid into the seat next to her he shot a sideways glance at her – his instincts telling him that she was out of her comfort zone. As the rotor blades kicked in and whirred to life, he saw her compress her hands together.
"Dr. Shepard. Jenny?" he called softly, touching her arm gently.
When she turned towards him he took in her clenched jaw. Instinctively he reached for her sunglasses and pulled them down. Whatever he saw in her eyes was enough to make him take her hand in his.
"It's a short ride" he said. "You'll be fine."
She jumped slightly at the gesture but relaxed when she felt the pressure on the inside of her wrist. Gibbs unconsciously stroked his fingers over her pulse point, feeling it flutter under his touch. He had no control over his thoughts. They took him back to the last time he'd done that to her. He wondered whether she was in the same place. But he didn't dare look. Not wanting to embarrass her if she wasn't. Looking straight ahead was the only option.
The helicopter landed and she made to move. Wanting to get out of the confines; away from the tension surrounding them both. But his hand stayed wrapped around her wrist. She gave her hand an experimental tug and he dropped it.
"Jethro ... are you alright?" she asked quietly.
When he didn't answer and continued to stare at her with a loopy grin on his face, a small smile tugged at her lips.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Elevator" he said, his eyes just a little glazed over.
A faint blush touched her cheeks.
"Get your mind out of the bedroom, Jethro" she said as she stepped out of the helicopter.
But she was smiling.
Gibbs watched from the sidelines as Jen chaired the meeting. He was impressed with the way she managed to hold the room's attention whenever she spoke. Impressed, but not surprised. She had a way of making whoever she was talking to feel like they were the only person in the world.
"Ready?" he asked, once they were back waiting to take their ride a few hours later. She paused briefly and swallowed, looking at the helicopter; and then nodded once.
He smiled briefly at her determination and placed a hand lightly under her elbow.
"Lets go" he said – and earned himself a smile which told him she remembered exactly where they'd ended up the last time he'd said that to her.
Her hand slipped automatically his into as the blades whirled above their heads, shooting him a small smile before staring, pointedly, out of the window. As they touched back down on the Reagan, she paused getting out, leaning over to him and quietly speaking into his ear, loud enough so he could hear above the noise but quiet enough so it was for his ears only.
"Perhaps we can talk later?"
He had just opened his mouth to answer when Tony popped his head round the helicopter.
"Hey Boss, Dr Shepard ... dinner's in thirty."
Gibbs and Tony stood at the side of the reception room. Watching. Melvin stood on the opposite side, his eyes flicking over every occupant; occasionally landing on Gibbs.
"He's watching you, Boss" Tony remarked after a while.
"I know" Gibbs said – and the younger agent almost did a double take. Because the tone sounded sufficiently amused. Not something he normally associated with his boss.
The doors opened and Jen entered alongside Commander Harris.
"Hubba hubba" said Tony under his breath.
"You say something, Di Nozzo?"
"Not a thing, boss."
They stared at Jen. She moved with an effortless grace that had everyone spellbound. The dress she was wearing could only be described as stunning. The green complemented her hair, making it look like as though it was on fire. And it no doubt set off her eyes, Gibbs found himself thinking.
"You say something, Boss?" Tony asked.
Gibbs ignored him, his eyes following Jen as she circled the room, talking easily to the assembled crowd. And they kept following her late into the night. Until the last of the dignitaries had gone and Melvin had seen her to her quarters.
He paced in his room for half an hour. Half an hour too long, but he needed to wait. Finally he stuck his head out of his room and walked pointedly down the corridor towards Jen's room.
He rounded the corner and came face to face with Melvin.
"Agent Gibbs" he said icily.
"Melvin."
Gibbs made to walk past him but Melvin stepped to the side and blocked his path. They continued their dance twice more until Gibbs took a step back.
"I need to see Dr. Shepard." Gibbs said, crossing his arms in front of him, hardening his gaze. Melvin mirrored his stance.
"Is she expecting you?"
"Maybe."
He wasn't quite sure about that one.
"Is it urgent?" Melvin asked.
Gibbs was tempted to say it was.
"No."
"Then it can wait until morning." Melvin replied. "It's been a long day."
"Problem, Boss?"
The ever-faithful St Bernard suddenly appeared behind him. When Gibbs looked at him he smiled sheepishly.
"Doing my rounds. You know ... like a good armed federal agent does in ... such situations."
Melvin seemed to contemplate Gibbs before his eyes widened. He smiled. Slowly. With a hint of menace.
"I know where I know you from."
Gibbs narrowed his eyes. He had no idea where this was going, and he could only hope it wasn't going somewhere it shouldn't.
"Rock Bottom. Bar near Bethesda. Six months ago."
Gibbs groaned on the inside. He hadn't know who Jen was then. If he had, he definitely wouldn't have fallen into bed with her because he would have been aware of the security following her every move.
"While you were playing grab assey with Dr Shepard I was doing my job."
He'd never found out whose bed she had come from the morning he had picked her up and she'd been wearing nothing but a trench coat. Now he knew.
Gibbs imagined Tony's eyes widening.
Melvin grinned.
"I'll tell Dr. Shepard you stopped by" he threw over his shoulder as he walked away.
Gibbs spun on his heel and took in Tony's gleeful expression.
"Don't say anything" he warned.
"Wasn't going to, Boss" Tony replied.
"Don't think it either."
Gibbs's glare was interrupted as a steward brushed passed them. He spoke to Melvin and Gibbs took a couple of steps forward as the man's eyes cut to his.
"Message for Dr. Shepard" he informed him, holding up an expensive-looking piece of stationery.
Gibbs turned it over in his hand as Melvin knocked on her door.
"Dr Shepard?" he called.
When there was no answer he tried again, fully aware of the subtle movement of Gibbs going for his weapon. Tony was right beside him doing the same.
"Dr Shepard?" Melvin called again, turning the handle. The door didn't budge.
Suddenly all the animosity between the two men dissipated.
Melvin nodded at him.
"Kick it in, Di Nozzo" Gibbs said, entering first and taking point as soon as he had.
"Clear" he shouted.
Melvin checked the bathroom.
"She isn't here" he said, moving back towards the front door. "Shit! She's on the deck" he said – suddenly remembering that she'd asked for a few minutes outside after the reception and he'd vetoed it.
He ran out of the room. Gibbs followed, with Tony hot on his heels. They barreled through the door and split up as they searched for her.
It was Gibbs who found her; staring over the edge of the carrier, unaware of the slight panic her absence from downstairs had caused.
"Jen" he ventured quietly, holstering his weapon when he was sure that she was unharmed.
She turned her eyes towards him and smiled gently.
"Jethro."
"You shouldn't be out here alone" he snapped.
His sudden change in demeanor had her frowning at him.
"I needed some air" she explained.
"You can't just sneak off without telling anyone. Anyone could have been out here."
She let out a small laugh, undeterred by his anger.
"Oh come on Jethro. I'm on an aircraft carrier surrounded by five thousand marines."
"You lost your detail, Jen. It's our job to protect you. We can't do that if we don't know where you are. How long have you been out here? Were you alone?"
Something flickered across her face and she tried to make light of it.
"You sound like a jealous husband."
"How would you know?" he snapped at her.
And suddenly her amused expression was gone.
"That was below the belt, Jethro" she said, her voice low and full of hurt.
She brushed past him and stopped short as Melvin stepped into her path. He looked at her for a moment and then made the sign for her to walk ahead of him. He nodded once at Gibbs and fell into step behind her.
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