A/N: This chapter has taken a little longer to be uploaded but New Year's festivities left me with less time. But now everything has gone back to normal and here is the brand new chapter, once more dedicated to the love of my life who has to endure tasks like correcting four pages of story in a less of an hour. Love you.

The soreness in the back of her head made her come to her senses. She tried to move to another position, but instead of getting rid of the discomfort it only made it worse. Now her entire head seemed about to explode. And she felt inordinately cold...

She summoned all of her strength and, with the help of not very trusty hands, she managed to half-rise before her head banged against some hard thing. With a low moan, she rubbed her forehead and tried to look around. The darkness was complete; not a single beam of light.

And then she remembered. She was in Jethro's basement. Somehow she had ended up sleeping on his cold, dust-covered floor, and she had banged her forehead on his boat. And judging by the headache, she had probably drunk like a sponge.

So, where was Jethro? A nearby faint breathing sound answered that, as well. He too was sleeping on the floor, not very far from her.

She managed to sit on her knees, trying to put her sore body in a more comfortable position. She definitely needed to pull herself together.

She could now recall every minute of last night's conversation. They had both dropped their defences and opened up to each other. Finally, all the barriers had been brought down. She remembered his touch better than anything else. The way his hand had gone through her hair, across her cheeks, over her chin…

A thought made her gasp. She felt her clothes hurriedly and her heart sank when she realised that her suit was all wrinkled and that she had lost one shoe. After groping around, she found it tossed on the floor as well.

She felt around more closely, and then began to relax. Yes, her clothes were wrinkled, but everything was where it should be. Apparently, their inebriation hadn't made them jump into each other's arms, as she had feared. And now she didn't know whether to be relieved or disappointed.

- Can't you be less noisy? – his voice was slurred.

- I'm not making any noise at all, Jethro. That's you with a hangover.

- Ouch… so that's it…

- Can't you switch on the lights?

- Wait a moment… - Jenny heard a soft bang, heard him swearing under his breath, and imagined she wouldn't be the only person with a bump on her head.

When the lights turned on, she felt as awkward as ever. Gibbs was in front of her with his right hand on the switch. His shirt was crumpled and his short hair was dishevelled. Even from the other side of the basement she could tell how red his eyes were. A glance down told her she didn't look any better.

- Here – he approached her and helped her get to her feet.

- Oh, my head... - the basement began to spin around her, forcing her to close her eyes. Carefully, he leaned her against the boat.

- Better?

- Dizzy – she managed to open her eyes – Jethro, how did we end up sleeping in your basement again?

- You fell asleep in my arms. When I got sleepy, I just laid you on the floor.

- Couldn't you have taken me to your settee instead?

- Too drunk to go up the stairs.

Jenny pressed a hand against her aching forehead. At least the dizziness was stopping.

- But I don't know how you ended up so far away – he added – I'm sure under my arms was cosier.

- I… guess I must have rolled away. Could you get me my other shoe, please?

He bent down and grabbed the tossed shoe – Don't lower your head, you'll feel much worse – he said when she tried to put it on herself – I'll do it for you.

- Thanks.

- Feeling better?

- Getting better.

- Sit here. I'll make us some coffee. Some good, strong, black coffee.

She nodded and sat on the same bench as the night before. The way her head was throbbing was annoying and distracting. Not the way she wanted to wake up after that night.

The strong scent of caffeine came onto the stairs at the same moment Gibbs did.

- Here.

She took the cup and brought the liquid to her lips. It was indeed strong, and not at all to her taste – And you drink this even when you don't have a hangover?

- Sure. Why not?

- Glad you didn't brew it like this when we were partners. It would have ruined all our chances of a liaison.

He smiled, taking a sip from his cup – But I bet you're not as dizzy anymore…

- No. Now my stomach is plotting against me. But that's more the bourbon's fault than the coffee.

- Jenny… - he came closer – I'm getting worried. Do want me to go the drugstore and get you something?

- No, I'm fine. We just drank a lot. And you, how are you feeling?

- Still have that headache.

- What time is it? – she suddenly asked.

- Jenny, it's Saturday.

- I know, but I have things to read at home, and I have that lecture next Monday. I have to work on that lecture.

- You never rest, do you?

- You know I can't.

- One day Cynthia is going to find you unconscious on your own carpet…

- … and then you'd have to play the Director until I woke up. Your worst nightmare come true.

- I'm only concerned about your health.

- My health is better than ever.

- Fine. So what are you going to do? Call your driver and security detail and leave?

- I can't show up in front of them looking like this – Jenny pointed to her crumpled suit and messy hair – But I bet they've been looking frantically for me.

- Who's in charge of detail today?

- Hum… not sure. Probably O'Connor, he's been heading it this week.

- Dennis? Obsessed as he is, he'll turn the entire city upside down until he finds you. It's a wonder your mobile phone didn't ring yet.

- Actually, I was wondering that myself… where's my handbag?

Gibbs put down his cup on the counter and handed her the handbag that was lying near her coat.

- Ah, here's why the phone didn't ring. The battery's flat, mystery solved. Where have you got a power plug?

- Use this one here – he ducked near her and unplugged his screwdriver – Wouldn't you rather use my phone instead?

- No, I don't want them getting ideas – her sore back protested when she bent to plug the charger – I don't know how you can sleep almost every night on this floor…

The Blackberry's screen lit up and she typed in the password. As soon as the mobile phone came to life it started beeping, complaining of missed calls and text messages.

- Mind if I flush it down the toilet?

- Jethro…

- It has been such a quiet morning…

- Damn, SecNav called… - Jenny was getting bothered as she continued to read the long list of missed calls.

Gibbs took the phone from her hand – You were the one that said we should forget work, last night.

- I know. But I didn't expect to wake up on your basement floor with a mother of a hangover while SecNav and Senators were trying to contact me.

He put the phone on the table – Live a little, woman.

- Right. I'm going to build a boat in my basement too. Can you give me some tips?

- You were nicer when you were soaked in bourbon.

- Fine, get me drunk again. Apparently, it's the only way we can get along.

He grabbed her hand and forced her to sit down – Don't ruin last night, Jenny. And listen, I'm not going to let you leave until you're completely well. And since you don't want to call your driver, I'm going to drop you at your house. So go upstairs, if you want to take a shower. It will make you feel better.

Her phone rang before she could say anything. O'Connor's name was flashing on the bright screen. She sighed and took the call. – Sheppard… Yeah, I'm in one piece. No… That's no concern of yours, Agent O'Connor. Wait for me at my home address… No, I have no appointed hour to be there – she hung up.

- I told you. He's a pain in the ass.

- I've noticed. So about that shower… have you got any hot water or did you forget to pay the bill?

He laughed, more relaxed after seeing her less harsh – I'm sure I had it yesterday morning.

- Great. I really need to do something for my back – Jenny rose to her feet and went to the stairs – I won't be long.

Gibbs waited until she was out of sight, bent down and unplugged the phone's charger. The Blackberry's screen went dark almost instantly. Smiling, he went up the stairs and headed towards the kitchen. He rummaged around in his cupboards, trying to find something for her to eat. No luck. He didn't keep any food at home as a rule, unless you count coffee and bourbon.

Going back to the hall, he grabbed his coat and went outside, almost running to the nearest coffee shop. Ten minutes later he walked out carrying three bags of proper food. He made his way back home, not expecting her to be ready yet.

Jenny had dried her hair as best she could with a moist towel, and was taking a last look at herself in the bathroom mirror. She had tried to smooth the creases off her suit as best she could, and cleaned it off as much sawdust as was possible. Feeling a little better, she went downstairs to the basement. He wasn't there, which surprised her, but Gibbs had heard her footsteps as she went by and called down - Kitchen - She went up the stairs again, and stepped into Gibb's kitchen.

- Now here's a room I haven't seen in a while. Where did you get all this? – she asked, when she saw the table set for two.

- I bought it. I wouldn't take you home empty stomached.

- And they say chivalry is dead. Now let's see if the bourbon will let me keep it all inside.

- It's worse if you don't eat anything.

- You sound like a doctor, Jethro – Jenny grabbed a chair and sat. She noticed a plate of muffins – I can't remember the last time I ate a proper breakfast.

- More of a continental breakfast – he poured them two mugs of coffee.

- It's enough for me. Anyway, I'd run to the toilet if I even smelled frying bacon or eggs. How's your head?

- Throbbing a little, nothing to worry about.

She sipped the coffee cautiously. It turned out to be much tastier than the first one. Apart from the muffins, there was also fresh bread. Jenny, used to surviving on quick bread, found it a welcome addition.

- I'm feeling much better now – she said later, after drinking the coffee, eating the bread, and while she was munching on the last piece of her muffin – Thank you.

- You're welcome. You always are. Do you want to go now?

- Are you sure you can drive?

- Sure I'm sure.

- Let's go, then – he finished his coffee and followed her out into the hall – Oh, your coat and handbag are still downstairs. I'll go get them.

- Thanks.

He was back in a minute, her uncharged Blackberry safely hidden away inside the handbag – Cover your head or you'll get ill. It's too cold, and your hair's too wet.

- Thanks for the warning, Ducky – she said, touched by his concern but not showing it. She looked inside her handbag, found a scarf and covered her head with it before crossing the doorway.

- Your hair has grown out of that boyish hairdo at last – he said while she was trying to put every strand under the scarf.

- Jethro!

- Redheads should never wear their hair short.

- That's rule number…?

- Hum, I have to count. - Still laughing, Jenny got in the car. Soon they were crossing the streets of D.C.

- Saturday morning. Every family in the country decides to go out for a walk – Jenny remarked, looking out through her window. The streets were full of people gazing at shops, taking late breakfasts, and generally greeting the first morning of the weekend.

- It's called living. We should try it sometime.

- We did. In Europe. I remember.

- Ah yes. But back then we were constantly in danger of getting shot, so I'm not sure it counts.

They drove past downtown and were soon approaching the residential area of Georgetown, with its wealthy neighbourhoods and colonial mansions. It had probably snowed a bit during the night, judging by the nearly-white lawns and rooftops. Jenny was praying she wouldn't find her front door blocked by a big, white mass.

- Here we are – Gibbs stopped in front of her house – And there is your security detail – he added, recognising the car parked across the street.

- So much for privacy – Jenny sighed. So in the end she'd be seen in Jethro's company. She should have thought of that. Well, at least her security details had always been discrete, she thought, opening the door. The morning cold hit her squarely on the face, making her blink.

- Jenny?

- Yes?

- Thank you. For everything. I probably… should have done it before.

- I think I should thank you too. Sometimes… - she interrupted herself.

- What?

- Sometimes I feel like you're the only person I have left.

He smiled – You can always count on me, you know that. Even when we piss each other off, or you have to pull rank.

- Thank you, Jethro.

- You don't need to thank me. Well, go on, Jen. Go bury yourself in work.

She giggled softly – I will. Bye, Jethro.

She closed the door and went inside. The cold was almost unbearable. She heard the car driving away and went up the stairs, dropping her handbag, coat and scarf on the large bed. She took her phone from the bag and wondered why it was turned off. Not wanting to delay the call any longer, she used her house phone.

- Ducky? It's me… Yes, I know, but I'd run out of charge on my mobile. We can talk now.

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