Author: ncisali

Title: Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam


Jethro's team walked into the bullpen after returning from a crime scene just in time to see Agent Balboa leaving envelopes on each of their desks.

'Hey Rick, what are you up to?' Tony asks picking up his envelope and looking at it before holding the envelope up to the light, trying to see it's contents.

'Tony, it's my 40th birthday next week and that's an invitation to my party, I've invited all of you', Balboa replies looking round the team.

He receives nods and smiles all round as each person opens their invitation, other than Gibbs who picks his up and puts it in his inside jacket pocket.

'A fancy dress party' Tony exclaims, 'this'll be fun. What are you going to go as Ziva.'

'I don't know yet, I will need to think about it. And you, Tony who will you dress up as?

'So many choices, it will be hard to make a decision.' Tony turns to McGee, 'I guess you'll be going as an elflord.'

'That is getting old Tony, I will make my decision and you will find out on the night.' McGee is trying to think of wearing something that will not give Tony an excuse to tease him.

The conversation is interrupted by Gibbs, 'if you three have finished can we concentrate on this case?' He glares at them before getting up and announcing he's going out for coffee. ' I want a full background on the victim together with full details as to who he's talked to, visited and slept with since the day he was born, by the time I return.'

Gibbs does not return straight to the bullpen with his coffee but makes a detour to visit his wife in her office.

'Hi, I've brought you a coffee,' he greets her with a kiss as he sets the coffee on the side of her desk.

'Thanks, I could do with a break,' Jen replies taking a sip and looking over at her husband who has settled on the couch at the back of the room. 'How's the case proceeding.'

'We've just got back from the crime scene Jen, I'll let you know when we've made some progress.'

Jenny has sensed Jethro is holding something back 'Is there something you want to tell me, Jethro?'

'We got an invite today to Balboa's 40th, it's fancy dress.'

Jen smiled, 'Great, I love fancy dress parties?'

Jethro didn't respond but just continued to sip at his coffee.

'Jethro you'll love this, and before you ask you are not dressing up as a Marine not even a marine from the 19th century. But don't worry I'm sure we can come up with something suitable.'

Jethro smiled at his wife's excitement, he loved seeing her happy and he reckoned he could put up with going to a party just to see her in such high spirits.

'I'll let Balboa know we accept his invitation.' Jethro says as he finishes his coffee and leaves the office.

The team report their progress on the case before he has even sat down at his desk, Gibbs listens to everything barks out a couple of orders and goes down to see Ducky and Abby.

Abby greets Gibbs with a hug as soon as he enters her lab, she runs through the physical evidence she has found, just as he's leaving she grabs his arm.

'Are you going to Rick's party?'

'Yep'

'Great, have you decided what you're going as?'

'Nope.'

'Mmm, well I guess I'll keep my costume as a surprise too.'

In autopsy Gibbs talks through the cause and time of death with Ducky, however Ducky is more interested in regaling Jethro with stories of past fancy dress parties he's attended.

'Of course I have been to many fancy dress parties as Robert the Bruce but perhaps that's a bit predictable, I think I'll choose something different for Richard's party.'

Gibbs says nothing as he returns upstairs.

On their way home that evening Jenny is also talking about what to wear to the party.

'I do have an idea and you'll look fantastic – I think you'll be pleased with my costume to,' she tells Jethro

'I trust you Jen, I'll go as anything you want.' Jethro glances over at his wife as he stops at traffic lights and smiles. 'I wish the team were as focussed on the case as they are on their costumes'.

'I'm sure you'll help them re-focus tomorrow', Jenny replies 'It'll be good for them to let their hair down, you've all been working hard recently.'

If Jethro can hardly believe he's married a fifth time, Jenny can hardly believe she's a fifth wife but one of the advantages of this marriage is that they both knew each other very well before taking their vows. And now they realise that the love they felt for each other before marrying has become even stronger, nothing can or will separate them.

On arriving home, they have dinner and Jethro goes down to the basement for a while. Jenny often spends the evenings with him there but tonight she makes a call to a friend to discuss her proposed costumes. When she finally joins him she has a huge grin on her face, 'everything is fixed for our costumes – we can pick them up in a couple of days.'

Jethro nods although he's concentrating on sanding down a piece of wood.

'Aren't you a bit curious as to what you'll be wearing.'

'Nope.'

Jenny sighs, and settles down to read through some files. A couple of hours later she looks up to see Jethro standing over her.

'You know I'd quite like to see you wearing nothing right now,' he says as he pulls her to her feet.

'Sometimes you're very predictable Jethro but I will admit you look great wearing that too,' Jenny smirks as she returns her files to her briefcase and they both go to bed. Needless to say they did not get a full nights sleep.

The day of the party approaches quickly and Tony is spending most of his time trying to find out what people are going to wear unfortunately for him no one will tell.

'Tony, why don't you tell us what you are going as?' Ziva says

'Well Ziva I would do that only if I told you now I don't think you could stand the anticipation – when I'm in my costume no woman will be able to keep their hands off me.'

'In your dreams Tony', is Ziva's response.

Abby and McGee have been spending a lot of time together and it seems that although they no longer go out together, they will be coming to the party together as a couple.

Tony is intrigued and is trying to guess who they could be.

'The Munsters – Adam and Lily Munster or The Addams Family - Morticia and Uncle Fester or maybe the Smurfs. Or Abby could dress up as a nun and you could be Captain von Trapp.'

McGee is getting fed up with the constant needling although he is a little worried that Tony is going to taunt him mercilessly when he sees his costume – he should never have let Abby persuade him. 'Tony you will not be able to guess my costume so give it up!'

Jenny and Jethro's costumes were delivered to their house the day before the party, Jenny wants to try them on to make sure they'll fit properly. That evening she goes upstairs as soon as dinner as finished, Jethro follows her up a short time afterwards when he walks in to the room his breath is taken away

'Hubba, hubba,' he says, his eyes are fixed on her chest.

Jenny indicates to his clothes, which are laid out on the bed, why don't you try on your costume.

'Jethro gets dressed with a little help from Jenny and they go to stand in front of the mirror to stare at their reflections, but they are not looking at themselves but at each other they are both thinking the same thing.

'How am I going to keep my hands to myself tomorrow.'

Jethro's eyes have not left Jenny's chest and when Jenny moves away from the mirror his eyes are still following that part of her body.

'Jethro, Jethro! Can you concentrate for a minute.'

'I am concentrating Jen, I'm concentrating on…' Jethro mumbles the last few words.

'I think we'd better get out of these costumes, otherwise I'll never get your attention'

'You've got my attention now.'

'Will you help me get out of this dress?'

'Sure, then you can help me out of my clothes.'

Jenny smiles to herself, thinking that there will be a day sometime when their libido reduces but right now she is enjoying being married to this man more than she ever believed possible.

The next day Jenny and Jethro are dressing for the party and discussing the rest of the team.

'Do you have any ideas as to what costumes your team will be wearing?' Jenny asks Jethro

'They haven't told anyone – they want to keep it a secret.'

'You know everything so you could tell me.'

'I could, but you like surprises.'

Jenny pouts as she puts the finishing touches to her hair. Jethro is already in his costume and is looking at himself with a half smile.

'Don't think I'd like to wear this all the time – it's not that comfortable.'

You look the part Jethro, not many men could wear those clothes and still look so masculine, you are a very handsome man.'

Jenny and Jethro arrive at the party a little late and Jenny cannot help smiling at the costumes Jethro's team have chosen.

Tony is a Stone Age man, all he has round him is a very small fake fur but he's also carrying a huge bone over his shoulder. Any attempt he makes to chat up someone is doomed to failure; one look at the rather bloody bone with scraps of meat hanging off it and the unsuspecting female makes some very quick excuses and leaves.

However, Tony's disappointment in finding a girl does not last long when he sees Abby and McGee. Abby has come as Little Bo Peep and McGee is a sheep dog. Tony has a big grin on his face as he approaches the pair 'Hi Abby, Hi McPoodle, isn't Little Bo Peep meant to have sheep', he asks Abby.

'Yes but we couldn't get a sheep costume so we settled for the next best thing so Tim is a sheep dog, I even have a dog whistle to keep him under control', Abby says pulling out a whistle attached to a chain she has round her neck.

'You won't need that Abs' Tony replies, 'Timmy here is such a good little puppy he'll come to heel no problem, won't you my lovely little doggy.' Tony is patting McGee on the head and behaving in a very annoying manner.

McGee looks like he wants to leave the party now but Abby has him in tow, Tony is shoving the rather revolting bone in his face asking if he wants to gnaw it.

'Tony, if you don't stop acting like a Neanderthal, I will take that bone and put it so far up your …. you will never sit down again,' McGee snaps

Tony's response is lost as he's noted Ziva walking towards them, he's not sure who she is dressed up as but he's not worried as she looks out of this world. Abby smiles and greets her 'Good evening Queen Boudicea, you are looking well tonight.'

'Thank you Little Bo Peep', Ziva replies her eyes rake over Tony and McGee disdainfully.

The team look up as the room as quietens a little. Jethro and Jenny are stood just inside the door being greeted by Balboa. Tony's eyes have not left Jenny and Abby is looking at Gibbs.

'Wow', they both say simultaneously.

'Who have they come as', Tony asks,

'I would say they are Lizzie Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy.' Ziva answers.

Jenny is wearing a 19th century dress that emphasises her cleavage and small waist. Jethro is wearing clothes that show off his body, fairly tight breeches with a ruffled white shirt and a jacket, which emphasises his broad shoulders.

Jenny loves dancing and with the party in full swing she has hardly left the dance floor, Jethro has spent most of his time with her, if only to keep prospective admirers at bay. When Jenny says it's time to circulate – he gets them both a drink then goes to talk with his team.

'What were you thinking of McGee, dressing up as a dog,' Jethro says to McGee

'It was Abby's idea boss.'

'You don't have to do everything she says McGee, you know DiNozzo will not let you forget this for a very long time.'

Jethro is searching the room with his eyes trying to see Jen, he notices her surrounded by several men including DiNozzo, they all appear to be staring at one part of her anatomy. Before he can go over to talk to her a good looking woman comes up to talk to him, he too is soon surrounded by several women. Jethro and Jenny are magnets for the opposite sex.

Jenny is flirting but only with those men who don't know Gibbs. Any one present who works with Gibbs knows that even looking may mean they will be in trouble when they return to work Monday morning. Tony, as always, likes to push Gibbs as far as he can but Jenny is ignoring him thereby saving him from Gibbs wrath.

Jethro makes excuses to the women who surround him and walks over to talk with his wife, as soon as he reaches her he takes her into his arms and kisses her. The kiss is long and lingering, a kiss between two lovers, a kiss that makes those present turn away, a kiss that makes it clear to everyone that these two people love each other.

Tony walks away saying to Ziva that he saw less porn in the Forrest Hump videos.

After the kiss Jethro steers Jenny to quiet corner where they sit and survey the party,

'Jethro, if I really was Lizzie Bennett I think I might be swooning now!'

'And if I was Fitzwilliam Darcy, what would I be doing'

'Oh, I think you'd take me out to the balcony for some fresh air and then give me another kiss.'

'I can give you another kiss right here.'

'Let's save them up for later when we're alone.'

Jethro doesn't say anything but reaches out to caress Jenny's cheek, she half turns her head into his hand and gently kisses his hand.

Jenny looks out at the NCIS employees enjoying themselves, 'they say self expression heals the wounded heart, if there were any wounded hearts here by the end of tonight all broken hearts will be mended.'

'Jen, you always could drag up a quote from nowhere.'

'We don't all spend our time in the basement, Jethro', Jenny smiles gently squeezing his thigh.

Jethro leans towards her and whispers in her ear,

"Within you I lose myself. Without you I find myself wanting to become lost again."