AN1: heat = exhaustion, exhaustion = writing, therefore you have this to read... I'm trying something a little different again.

AN2: If I'm losing it, it's because either 1) I never had it or 2) I haven't watched any NCIS since the season finale.

199?

Kate had a tough day at work. There was nothing special, only that Kate was getting frustrated with the daily grind. Kate walked into the bar and saw a familiar figure at her seat, however, it wasn't the person she was looking for.

"Marcie? What are you doing here?" Kate did not like having her escape invaded by her work life.

"Seeing if it's true. Rumor has it you've been drinking with the enemy."

Kate was confused. "What are you talking about?"

"That NCIS agent. It's not good for your career to be hanging out with the 'cowboys.'"

"Really?" Kate said sarcastically. "Why's that?"

"I'm concerned for you Kate. I don't want all of that work you're putting in to get the presidential detail going to waste. She's going to rub off on you and then who knows what will happen when you start pulling their stuff at work. Did you hear about this time she and her boss-"

"I see the rumors are spreading quickly through the federal agency gossip mill." Jenny interrupted and stuck out her hand to Marcie. "NCIS Rogue Special Agent Jenny Shepard. It's a pleasure to meet you. And everything you've heard..." Jenny paused, leaned in closely, and said in a mock whisper, "it's all true."

Jenny laughed at Marcie's shocked look. Kate just rolled her eyes.

Marcie recovered quickly and shook Jenny's hand. "Marcie, Secret Service. I work with Kate."

Marcie pushed off the bar and turned to Kate, "Don't say I didn't warn you." Marcie spun on her heels and walked out.

Kate and Jenny both reached for the drinks supplied by the bartender. This time it was Kate who downed hers and immediately ordered another.

"Well, who's she?" Jenny asked with distaste as she slid onto the stool Marcie had just vacated.

"Just a friend from work. A colleague mostly, but the closest thing I have to a friend on the job."

"I thought you had better taste in people, Kate. Is she always that uptight? She seems like one of those agents you were with when I first met you."

"Is that why you decided to sneak up on us?"

"It just looked like she needed to loosen up a bit. Would it have been better if I had done it with my weapon out?" Jenny gave a mischievous smile and tapped her waist where Kate knew her service weapon was holstered.

"Only if you wanted to lose your job. She's very straight laced, by the book, career driven. She would have turned you in for misconduct in a heart beat. And you can see she doesn't really like you."

"Well I don't particularly like her." Jenny stuck out her tongue playfully. "And we're not career driven?" she continued. "I'm all for the women with power, but I'm definitely going to have some fun while I'm doing it."

"And blue eyes and bourbon fall in the fun category." It was Jenny's turn to roll her eyes. "What? There's no way this thing you have could possibly help your career."

"Oh believe me, we are having fun. Far more fun than you've had in a long time."

Kate looked offended. "And how do you know I haven't been up to some fun of my own while you were overseas?"

"Is that lobbyist still around?" Jenny was certain that the answer was no.

Kate hung her head sheepishly. "He couldn't handle a woman with a gun. He saw it under my pillow one night and that was the end of things."

Jenny laughed. "I guess your friend was right; I have rubbed off on you a bit. Of course, you are still way too 'by the book.' I guess I still have some corrupting to do. Where should I start?"

"You've done enough, I'm sure. Just wait and see."

2003

It didn't even take a month before Kate realized Marcie had been right about Jenny's influence. There is no way she would have thought about a way around the DNA database restrictions if she hadn't met Jenny. Kate also was surprised Marcie didn't call her out on it when they met in the park. But Marcie was wrong about it damaging her career; there's no way she would have adjusted to life on Gibbs' team as quickly if Jenny hadn't "corrupted" her.