Title: Memories of Yesterday

Author: NickyK

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

A/N: I'm just started to get back into writing and here is what I came up with. Please forgive any errors as I am my own proofreader. Hope you enjoy the story!

Memorial Day - a day of honoring our fallen soldiers; a day for remembering the men and woman who've gone before us, who've sacrificed their lives for the freedom and well-being of our country and its citizens. It was a beautiful day with gorgeous weather and Leroy Jethro Gibbs was glad to be a part of it.

The "Day of Honor" celebration had ended but no one it seemed was ready to depart. Clusters of people were gathered in different areas throughout the estate; some lingering on the platform leading up to the house, others headed out toward the cemetery to share history with their children.

Gibbs stood atop the steps at the Arlington Mansion, staring out at the rows upon rows of headstones - each adorned with small American Flags – each placed with a magnitude of respect and gratitude. It humbled him, as it did every time he came to this here, to be standing in a place rich in history, knowing that Arlington National Cemetery was the final resting place of many, many fine men and women.

A warm hand slipped in to his, reminding him that he did not come alone. Not that he was likely to forget. He'd been through too much to make sure she was still with him; he would not be forgetting the gift that was Jenny Shepard anytime soon.

She squeezed his hand gently, leaning forward to whisper in his ear.

"You look a million miles away."

He gave her a small smile and looked back out across the wide expanse of lawn in front of him. "It's this place, the wonder of it all. Makes me really appreciate what I've got, ya know."

Hey green eyes softened and she smiled lovingly at him. "I know."

They shared a look and he knew she really did know. A year ago, he had almost lost her and the knowledge of that fact was still a raw wound for him. Pulling her to him Gibbs pressed his lips against her temple.

"How are you holding up?" he asked.

"I'm fine," she replied quickly.

Maybe a little too quickly, he thought, as he leaned her away from him. He looked at her intently, seeing past the reassuring smile and the makeup. This morning before they'd left the house, she seemed a little green but assured him she was fine then too. Still…

"I'd feel better if you'd at least let Ducky check you out when we get back. You still look a bit tired, Jen."

She smiled tenderly at the concern in his eyes. "Jethro, I'm fine. Really."

He held her gaze a moment longer and then nodded his acceptance. Jenny wouldn't dismiss his concerns, not after everything they'd been through. If she said she was fine, he would have to believe that. They'd worked hard to get that trust back between them and he had to believe that every little thing wasn't always something.

"Let's walk."

"Ok," she agreed.

They descended the stairs slowly, mainly because Gibbs was always conscious of the wounds she'd incurred and knew despite what Jenny believed to the contrary that she was not 100%, even after all this time.

As they reached the bottom and started walking, hand in hand, toward the rows of headstones, he heard her take a deep breath and waited.

He didn't have to wait long.

"Jethro," she began after a moment, "I've made my decision."

"About?" he asked, but they both knew what she was referring too. It was an issue between them since she'd gotten out of the hospital.

"About returning to work," she played along.

Gibbs stiffened. He really didn't want to have this argument now, especially here, but he was certainly prepared to give her one.

"Jen, you're not ready."

He could feel her bristling beside him but when she spoke her voice was calm.

"I understand that is what you think, Jethro, but I disagree."

Gibbs stopped walking and faced her. He opened his mouth to argue, when she held up her hand to stop him.

"Wait, here me out first, please."

Her green eyes pleaded with him and he reluctantly agreed.

Taking his silence as her answer, she said, "Just remember, Jethro, that what I am about to say has nothing to do with how you feel about me returning to work. I've come to this decision for entirely different reasons than the ones you're citing." She tugged his hand so that they could continue walking and Gibbs fell into step beside her.

"Firstly, "she continued, "I feel fine. I know that I have some lingering medical issues from all that's happened but I am capable of doing my job," she said firmly, sliding her gaze to him. "However, after giving this a lot more thought, I have decided that I will submit my resignation as Director of NCIS."

Gibbs stopped walking again and saw the flash of irritation in her eyes. He ignored it. "You're going to step down?" he asked, surprise.

She smirked at him. "Isn't that what I just said?"

Gibbs was floored. He could tell from the uncertain look in her eyes that this wasn't a decision she'd made lightly. He hadn't wanted her to quit completely. That wasn't an option he'd even anticipated her entertaining. He had just wanted her to take it easy and be totally healed before she stepped back in.

"Jen, I never wanted you to quit."

She finger one of the opened buttons at his collar. "I know. But I'm ready," she said softly. She took a breath and Gibbs could practically see her carefully choosing her words.

"I've sacrificed a lot for my career, Jethro and up until now, it's been a rewarding experience for me. But now that we're…well…you know." She blushed and Gibbs' eyes lit up in amusement at her discomfort. "I just wanted to focus more on us now," she finished quietly, her eyes flickering briefly up to his. "I want this to work," she said gesturing between them, "and I want to be able to enjoy making it work without worrying about out jobs interfering."

Little did she know he wanted to exact same thing. Gibbs reached for her, cupping her cheek in his hand. "You know you don't have to resign for us to work. We will work," he said firmly. "But if that's really what you want to do, you know I'll support you, Jenny.

She nodded jerkily. "It's time." She smiled at him through teary eyes and he knew there was nothing he wouldn't do for her.

"Okay," he said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close.

They continued walking, reading the names of the fallen soldiers on the headstones. Gibbs couldn't help but think that this day could have been a lot different for him. The day he'd called Jen's cell phone and heard DiNozzo's voice was a day etched in his memory forever. He still remembered traveling to LA thinking one thought and one thought only: he couldn't lose her. And on the tail of that was the realization that he'd never stopped loving her. For a man that wasn't really into religion, he'd promised God everything under the sun that day if he would just let her live. And he didn't stop making promises until he heard the doctor say Jenny would survive. But when complications arose and they had to rush her back into surgery, Gibbs pleading gave way to his need for vengeance. So while Jenny lay slipping into a coma, he'd been out handling what she'd started.

She was out for six weeks and two days. Gibbs had crossed them off on a calendar he'd kept in his basement at his home. Work had been torture, mainly for anyone who came into contact with him. He'd mellowed out after the first two weeks. He hadn't had a choice with the acting Director trying to split his team. But he hadn't been the same.

At least not until the fateful day he'd gotten the call from Ducky telling him that his Jenny was finally awake.

It took a lot of work to get her back on her feet again. Even more work to get her to open up and trust in his love for her. But once she did, it was like Marseilles all over again. They were pretty much inseparable.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked after they'd walked in silence for a while.

When he didn't answer, she looked up at him questionably. "Jethro?"

He cleared his throat. "I was thinking about what this Memorial Day would have been like for me if I had lost you," he murmured quietly.

Jenny said nothing at first. She took his hand and led him over to a nearby bench. She turned to him as they sat, staring earnestly into his eyes.

"I love you, Jethro, and I will not do anything to willingly put myself in that kind of situation again. You know that, right?"

He ran his finger down her cheek. "I know."

"Good." She said and settled back against him.

A family not far from them, reading the headstones and Gibbs watched them silently, enjoying the feel of Jenny's body against his own. He lost track of time as they sat, talking quietly, enjoying each other's company. After a while, he looked down at his watch and saw Jenny do the same. They still had it, he thought, with a smirk as they rose from the bench and headed back the way they'd come.

"Excuse me, mister," said a little voice from behind him.

Gibbs felt a tug on his pant leg. He stopped and turned around, staring into the frightened face of a boy about six years of age. He realized it was the kid from the family he'd seen earlier reading the headstone. He must have wandered off, Gibbs thought. He bent down to the little boy's level.

"What can I do for you, soldier?" Gibbs asked, noticing the plastic military pin attached to the boy's shirt.

The boy straightened up when Gibbs called him a soldier. "I don't know where my dad went. He was right there," he said. Gibbs could tell the little boy was trying to be brave but the quiver in his voice gave him away.

"What's your name, son?"

"Kyle," the boy answered softly.

"Well, Kyle, how about we do a little investigating and find your father. Are you up for it, soldier?"

"Yes sir," the boy said promptly.

For half an hour, Gibbs, Jenny and Kyle searched the premises for his family. Gibbs tried to make it into a game so that Kyle wouldn't be too frightened and in the end when they did find his family, Kyle was laughing and telling his dad how much fun he had "investigating his disappearance" as Gibbs had put it.

The family thanked Gibbs and Jenny profusely for helping Kyle. Gibbs waved away their thanks, seeing how worried they were about the boy, he was glad to help.

"You have a good kid, there. It was no problem," said Gibbs as they thanked him once again.

Jenny smiled at him as they walked away. "I've always admired your way with kids. You ever think of having any of your own?"

Gibbs had a since of déjà vu. He smirked at her. "That an offer, Jen?" he asked fully expecting her to follow script.

She paused and linked her fingers through his. "I think it is," she said chuckling softly at the look of utter surprised on his face. "In fact," she added, "we may be well past the offering stage, Jethro."

Her squeal of laughter could be heard across the entire estate.

The End