This chapter doesn't come after a particular episode, although it follows on from the last chapter, after the Lost and Found case has been resolved. For those of you that didn't realize, she had given him the letter from my story, My Darling Jethro. Sorry, is has taken longer than I anticipated because I had a crisis of faith and had to completely re-write this chapter. Thank you to Ellie and Aly for their continued support! You guys are stars and I love you both!

"I'm not good with words Jen." Gibbs got straight to the point the second Jen opened her front door and found him standing in the porch. She gave him a tentative smile and leaned her head against the door frame.

"I've noticed." She said as she stood aside to let him in.

"You hungry?" He gestured to the bag of take out he was holding and she raised her eyebrows at him.

"What?" He asked sounding affronted. "A guy can't talk over dinner with his old partner?" He gave her a lopsided grin.

"I thought you weren't good with words?" She said as she too the bag and walked towards the kitchen. "What's this one going to cost me Jethro?" She called.

"Nothing." He replied as he came up behind. He reached around her to steal a spear of asparagus. The close proximity of their bodies' caused havoc with her senses and she nearly forgot that she was meant to be angry with him. She turned around and found herself pinned to the counter by his arms. He grinned down at her and his eyes flashed mischievously.

"Oh no Jethro, you are not getting out of my bad books that way." She said as she pushed him away.

"What way?" He asked innocently and was rewarded with a knowing smile. She grabbed two plates and cutlery and walked towards her study.

"Bring the food." She threw over her shoulder. He followed her into the study and found her pouring two glasses of red wine. He set the food down on the coffee table and took the glass that she held out to him. He raised it to her and took a sip. Gibbs watched her close her eyes as she swallowed a mouthful and smiled to himself. It was such a simple gesture but one that was so uniquely Jen. His fingers involuntarily itched to touch her and he clenched his hand by his side, he still hadn't completely made up for being an obtuse bastard. She walked over to the table and, slipping off her shoes, settled on the floor.

"Christ." Gibbs groaned as he joined her. "I'm getting too old to sit on the floor." She smirked at him and laughed when he glared at her.

"You're only as old as the person you feel Jethro." She said, with a wicked smile.

"How old would it make me if I'm not currently feeling anyone?" He asked helping himself to a steak as she piled asparagus on his plate. He had to smile at the ease at which they worked together. Jen laughed as she reached for her glass and he gestured to her arm which was sporting light bruising from his grip. He sobered suddenly and his stomach turned at the thought that he had marked her skin.

"I hurt you." He said.

"That's ok." She accepted his silent apology with a gentle smile. They fell into an easy silence and after a while Jen stretched her legs out towards the fire and wriggled her toes slightly, an unconscious smile gracing her face. Gibbs stole a sideways glance at her. She seemed to sense his eyes on her and turned towards him to catch his gaze.

"I thought you wanted to talk over dinner." He said, for some reason desperate to break the silence.

"Actually, you were the one who turned up on my doorstep with dinner claiming you wanted to talk." She emphasized the last word with a glint in her eyes. He nodded his head slightly in agreement and inched closer to her.

"I've been an idiot." He said.

"You've only just realized?" She asked as she unconsciously moved towards him.

"I was angry." He said, moving even closer.

"Join the club." She responded and mirrored his movement.

"They were all for me." It was more of a statement than a question. He took her hand and she smiled down at their entwined fingers.

"Every single one." She replied. He nodded, satisfied and stared at the fire.

"I really am a bastard, you know?" He said in a quiet voice.

"Jethro, I have known you long enough." She laughed slightly. "But you're my bastard."

"That I am Jen." He replied as he lent over and kissed her.

V!

xox