It was rare that MTAC had a light caseload and even rarer for Gibbs to participate in after work get-togethers. All seemed quiet in the government sector for September, which allowed the team some relaxation in a relatively stressful environment.

The entire team met for drinks and light conversation at a quaint DC bar, complete with jukebox. For over two hours, Gibbs conversed and listened to the various musical selections. His mood was jovial. Gibbs ventured over to the jukebox and inserted a bill. He was stumped: a technologically based jukebox?

"McGee!"

The young agent joined his boss beside the jukebox. The first thing Tim noticed was a $10.00 credit.

"Boss, you have enough to play an album."

"Well, play the damn album!"

"Who's Van Morrison?" Gibbs gave the young man the infamous look, to which, shut up and do as directed. Gibbs returned to the booth he shared with Ducky. McGee selected the "Best of" compilation. The song Brown Eyed Girl played. Immediately, he thought of the familiar brown eyed Suzanne in mid conversation with Dr. Ducky Mallard. A smile came across his face.

"Ah, Jethro, has the mystery girl continued to occupy your thoughts?" Ducky asked. The two old friends were comfortable in a booth while the others played pool.

"Yeah." Gibbs admitted. "I'm certain that it's Suz."

"Is she that lovely girl who works inside the cafeteria?" Ducky chuckled. "Yes, she is rather beautiful."

"Duck, I cannot stop thinking about her." Gibbs grinned as he reminisced of a memory, a very vivid memory that triggered his interest in Suzanne: Halloween. He began the workday earlier than normal and wandered to the cafeteria. His first sight that morning was Suzanne wearing Redskins cheerleader uniform, complete with pompoms. While her kindness and smile captured hearts, Suzanne's curvaceous body intrigued. Gibbs' 5 am start time was memorable. It was a welcomed change from blue jeans and oversized denim short-sleeved work shirts.

"The cheerleader outfit?" Ducky asked. Gibbs nodded, rolled his eyes.

"Well, ask her out, man." Ducky slapped the back of Gibbs' head!

"I was! I am!" Gibbs explained to Ducky what occurred a week before, who chuckled when Gibbs included the security code mix-up. "I don't know if I'll have another opportunity. I don't know why all of a sudden, I'm dreaming about this girl."

Ducky chuckled, "Girl? She's almost 30!"

"Dammit! Why is it everyone else knows her, except for me?" Gibbs' tone was of disgust.

"Maybe it's God placing you two together. Ducky motioned for another drink. "As you say, Jethro: trust your gut. Suzanne may be the lovely distraction needed in your life."

"Thanks, Duck." Gibbs settled his bar tab rather quickly. "I'm going to call her." As Gibbs wished all a wonderful evening, his agenda for the evening was to find Suzanne's home number and ask for a date. Only one thing prevented him, as he remembered on his way to the exit. Ducky walked over to Gibbs where only his dream and interest remained strictly between the two.

"McNamara." Ducky whispered. "Her last name is McNamara. She lives in Foggy Bottom." On a piece of paper Ducky handed to Gibbs was her name, address and phone number.

"Not far from the University."

"She gave it to me in case something occurred at the restaurant."

"Well, Ducky…" Gibbs folded the paper, smiled. "Something did."

It was only a 10 minute drive from the bar and Georgetown. On his way, he stopped at a floral shop and purchased flowers. The last time Gibbs purchased flowers was for Shannon. He was pleasantly surprised upon arriving that her address was a condo and not a typical apartment, decorated with flowers and trees. From the outside, Gibbs heard jazz music. Judging from the silhouette, she was be bopping and dancing about.

"Symphony Sid is jumpin'! Man this old house is rockin'…Symphony Sid is jumpin'; Symphony Sid…" It was a remake. The doorbell buzzed. Suzanne answered, wearing grey sweatpants and a white Georgetown Law T-shirt. Her hair was loose and hanging slightly above her shoulders.

"Gibbs?" Her facial expression was inquisitive. With a single hand motion, he walked inside.

"I brought you a housewarming present."

Suzanne laughed, "You're about two years too late! But I thank you just the same." Suzanne turned down the music with a remote and walked towards the kitchen for a vase. She continued the conversation within earshot.

"Well, this is my home..." Her home was simple—typical of a graduate student but not so much of a strapped-cashed student, in Gibbs' focal point. In one small area was a desk, filled with textbooks, notebooks, and a desktop computer.

"It's very seldom that I am home, but when I am…I make it relaxing and peaceful..." Suzanne continued to talk. Gibbs chuckled softly, continued to inspect her home. Her furniture was chic-shabby, with a newer couch but well-worn lounging chairs with handmade afghans and quilts as back chair decoration.

"It took me about a year to restore this place, probably three years to get the down payment..." Along the bare white walls were hangings—unique hangings of pictures and one of a quilt. Gibbs admired one picture slightly longer than the others. In a simple frame, in black and white photography, was a simple portrait, complete with the closed eyes and covered face.

"Oh. Abby took that portrait at the Friends and Family day." Suzanne placed the sunflower/rose/daisy bouquet along the serving window and joined Gibbs in her living room. Her seat of choice was the couch. Gibbs joined her. It was an intimate space—just enough to have a friendly conversation.

"It's nice to see you, Gibbs, and thank you for the flowers." Suzanne paused, glanced at her book and highlighter on the coffee table. "I was in the middle of reading for my Constitutional Law course…yes, with the music on! Reading caseload after caseload gets tedious. Anyway, my test is Tuesday."

"Remember you said, 'All I had to do was ask'?" First, Gibbs dimmed her living room light. Next, he gently removed the faux tortoise-shelled glasses, sat them on top of her book. Gibbs caressed her face. His head tilt indicated that a kiss was the next step. Gibbs' dream kiss with Suzanne comprised of everything within his imagination. Her lips were soft and tasted sweet. His mouth covered, even pulled Suzanne's bottom lip.

"Gibbs?" Suzanne whispered. A look of confusion was on Suzanne's face after the initial kiss. Suzanne had boyfriends and kissed. It was her first kiss, in retrospect, with a man. She felt the passion through his kiss. Gibbs was telling the truth. To become emotionally vulnerable…it was not a Gibbs characteristic, Suzanne identified. Naturally, she was flattered—and frightened. Suzanne wondered if her flirtatious relationship with Special Agent Gibbs would come to fruition.

Their eyes met again. Those seconds were the most powerful dialogue between Suzanne and Gibbs. His possessed a mixture of boyish charm and seriousness. Hers, however, were deep brown. They were powerful, yet comforting and seductively captivating.

"You have beautiful eyes." Gibbs whispered while stroking her face. He leaned closer for a kiss. They kissed once again, only more passionate and wanting than the first. A feeling Suzanne fought instinctively kicked in, which Gibbs felt in her response. She closed her eyes and savored the moment. His calloused hands rested on Suzanne's neck and soon stroked her hair. Gibbs kissed the nape of her neck.

Suzanne moaned softly in pleasure. With that release, she immediately stopped. She was hesitant to the romantic overture, just slightly. Suzanne was curious as well, but the moan jolted her to reality. The kisses, the confessions were not a dream; it was real. As Gibbs pulled closer, Suzanne created a distance.

"I don't think we should do this. Is it not Rule 12 we are crossing?" Suzanne whispered. Gibbs stopped her lip movement with his index finger.

"You're not my coworker. You are a law student who works in my building, a person that I want to see socially."

"Speaking of law…" Suzanne tapped her textbook.

"Right." He sighed. "I'll let you get back to studying." Suzanne escorted Gibbs to her front door. He kissed Suzanne on the cheek. "You choose Constitutional Law over a gentleman caller…"

Suzanne smiled, chuckled. "See you Monday, Gibbs."