Chapter 4 – Love is in the Air

Friday, February 5

Gibbs had invited Vance to meet him in the lab; Abby Sciuto had results for their current, politically-sensitive case, he'd said. What surprised Vance, however, when he entered Abby's lab was not the speed with which she'd produced results. Rather, it was the fact that strings of shiny black and red paper hearts that hung from wall to wall, all about the room.

"Do you like it, Director?" Abby smiled, noticing his gaze. "I'm just getting in the holiday spirit."

"Holiday?" Like a seasoned government employee, his thoughts first went to the next federal holiday; in this case, Presidents Day. What hearts had to do with Washington and Lincoln escaped him.

"Valentine's Day, of course!" Abby said with a little bounce, and even Gibbs' hand on her arm and his wry smile didn't slow her down. "Only nine days away! And I was thinking, Director, that there's still time to put together a truly memorable Valentine's Day party at NCIS! We can have great food, and maybe dancing, and—"

"No."

"No? But—"

"No discussion, Ms. Sciuto. Now, you have test results…?"

There wasn't enough time in the day to entertain the enthusiasm of Abby Sciuto, Vance knew. Sometimes, just listening to her rattle off a brilliant, reasoned, scientific finding, all full of waving arms and frenetic movements, made him tired.

Lots of things made him tired, in fact. Not just long work hours in the cold and dark of winter, but just everything he had to do. At some point in the last few years he'd realized that he hadn't simply grown older; he'd grown more tired. A lot of that had come on after the kids were born. Keeping up with running feet would wear out an Olympic athlete. Dealing with Abby Sciuto was, in part, like dealing with someone who still had the joie de vivre and energy of a seven-year-old.

How does Gibbs put up with her? he wondered. The man must have a high tolerance level. Thankfully, I don't have to interact with her often.

He did feel a trifle annoyed with himself for feeling that way about an employee, but he was enough for a realist to know that he couldn't be expected to sincerely like everyone on the agency's payroll. Some did good jobs but were just not 'people persons'. Some, like Sciuto, were just eccentric. It was better to have that kind, though, than the kind and friendly ones who were incompetent.

I can work around her, he thought, and began composing a message to his secretary to not let Ms. Sciuto barge into his office, ever.

Monday, February 8

With the approach of mid-February, the days were becoming noticeably longer, and the extra daylight toward the end of the workday cheered people's spirits, Vance noticed. Baseball spring training would begin soon—a handful of employees had requested time off to go to Viera, Florida to see the Nationals play in the grapefruit league in March. Only a few more weeks from now and Daylight Savings Time would be back. Snowdrops were peeking up in the Vances' garden—cheerfully optimistic plants which did not let the threat of possibly more snow deter them from their annual appearance.

And still, there was Valentine's Day to get through, first. Vance groaned. When a man marries, Valentine's Day is one of those days that he Must Not Forget, or so his father had always said. This year it was on a Sunday, so there would be time over the weekend to pick up something for Jackie. He remembered with a shudder the year he'd bought her a new washing machine to replace the temperamental old one. In his mind, it was a fine, practical gift, and certainly a new one was warranted. But not on Valentine's Day, apparently. Jackie had cried for three days straight. Having learned his lesson, Leon now stuck to lingerie and jewelry.

Why am I spending so much time thinking about this? he chided himself. NCIS is not going to fall into gooey, lovesick hands. We're professionals. We know this is not the time nor the place for this.

Friday, February 12

Leon Vance would deny being a superstitious person, but any Friday the 13th made him double-check all his actions and look over his shoulder. Of course, being on alert just made him more prone to knock over his coffee cup, but he chalked that up to the aggravation of the day.

"Director…"

"Yes, Leslie?" Vance said, looking up at his aide who stood in the doorway.

Leslie Baker frowned. "I think something's afoot, Director. I've had three employees ask me today what time you would be leaving."

"What time I'm leaving?"

"Yes, sir. And one of them was, er, Abby Sciuto."

Realization dawned. "Thank you, Leslie. I think I'll go give my schedule to Ms. Sciuto personally."

"Yes, sir." Leslie scurried out with a look that said he was glad he wasn't Abby Sciuto.

He approached the lab, but then ducked back, hearing voices. He'd hoped to talk to Abby alone.

"Abbs, you know this is a bad idea." That was Gibbs speaking.

"But, Gibbs—we need a little frivolity here! Everyone's so grumpy about the continuing resolution and the fact that winter seems to never end—and here's this nice holiday needing a little loving. And that's what Valentine's Day is about: a little loving."

"Stop smirking. I know that the Director said 'no' to a party, and with good reason."

"How can a party be a bad thing?"

Gibbs was heard to sigh. "We can't encourage workplace romances. Or flirtations, either. That's against regs. We especially don't want to give people in committed relationships an excuse to stray."

"That won't happen. This is just in fun. And look at all these decorations I bought! And you don't know how much food I ordered…"

"Have a party at your place. Just don't try to do it here."

"I don't have room. Hey! We could do it at your house! Oh, Gibbs!"

"No. I really will lock my door this weekend."

"I thought you were my friend…"

There was the sound of a quiet smack. Gibbs said softly, "Get back to work."

Vance ducked out of sight so that Gibbs, coming out, wouldn't see him. Vance then took the stairs up to the third floor. Gibbs had laid down the law better than he could.

"Good night, sir. Are you going to be…uh, will you need me for anything?"

"No, go on home, Leslie. I won't be here much longer." Vance smiled, and watched Leslie shrug the rest of the way into his coat and leave. It was 6 o'clock.

Jackie was happy to take the kids to a movie and out for pizza afterwards. She was one of those amazing mothers who could actually enjoy most kids' movies because she loved seeing the kids enjoy them so. Vance's own tolerance of crude kid humor and slapstick was low. Now Vance would just hang around NCIS for another hour or two to make sure that nothing was up…

Just before 7, he thought he could hear lots of voices. Switching the plasma screen to a view of the squad room, he was surprised to see many Valentine's Day decorations on the desks, with a number of employees as well as many men and women in service uniforms. What in the world…?

He kept his pace to a walk: a walk to the balcony, to see the gala below. A walk down the stairs, seeing people laughing, talking, drinking punch, eating finger foods. And there, in the center, was the culprit, wearing a black dress with a pattern of skulls and pink hearts. "Ms. Scuito!"

She was talking to a pair of Marines and a woman petty officer. "Oh, uh, hi, Director," she said, plastering on a winning smile. "Care for some punch? It's plain fruit punch; red for the holiday."

"Director Vance? It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," one of the men beamed, extending his hand. "I'm Lt. Andrew Clegg. Newly assigned to Washington. It's so nice of you to host this party for those of us who are far away from our spouses and family."

"It does make us feel appreciated," smiled the petty officer. "I was in tears earlier this week for being away from my fiancé for Valentine's Day for the first time. But this makes me feel so much better."

"It was kind of a rush job," Abby Sciuto grinned. "But our Director is a great, go-in-and-do-something-for-someone kind of guy. So a bunch of us made some phone calls, and well, here we are!"

"Thank you, sir," said Clegg, and others around chorused that.

After shooting Abby a quick don't push it look, Vance returned the thanks, shook a number of hands, and then departed.

He called for his drivers and then left NCIS, realizing how wrong he had been. There are many, many ways to say I love you that don't involve carnal acts. Abby Sciuto had come up with a brilliant, though unsanctioned plan to solve her dilemma.

She was a treasure, Vance decided. Yes.

But the real Valentine's Day was only two days off. I need to find something really nice for Jackie, who is there for me every day…He directed his driver to a high-class jewelers. Sapphires, I think. I've never given her sapphires. Sapphires for my Valentine.