Author's Note: There is a portion of the song "You Are My Friend" originally recorded by Patti Labelle and Sylvester James in the following story for the emphasis of the story-trust and friendship. Suzanne and Gibbs are at the beginning stages of dating. The two are learning of one another and taking things slow. The following is after Suzanne's performance at the post-performance gala.
The company mingled with other guests soon after the performance. Director Lemmon received high praises for the show, the guests wanted to meet his 'star' of the last performance. Several minutes, he thanked the people, excused himself to another part of the floor but promised to find his protégé. He spotted the younger members of the Corps.
"Where's McNamara?" He whispered to Kayla and Emily, sharing happier occasions with Vance, Tobias, Gibbs, and Ducky. Gibbs patiently waited for Suzanne, heard the urgency of the dancer director's request. The doctor explained Suzanne's whereabouts—more than likely 'hiding out in the studio' in Jethro's ear.
"She had three, four costume changes tonight…probably packing her gear." Vance answered. He and Fornell formally introduced Gibbs to the Director of the Troupe as the Supervisory Agent of NCIS.
"He's an uncle to our girls." Tobias said.
"Director, I can get Suzanne for you." Gibbs suggested. "I see you have your hands full."
"You know McNamara?"
"Suzanne is an employee—craft services." Ducky clarified with a small chuckle. "It surprised us all she was a part of tonight's production."
"She's reluctant about discussing her personal life." The director said, excusing himself and nudging Gibbs to follow along.
"Mac's been with us three years. Fantastic performer! All I know is that she works and attends classes at night." Gibbs and Director Lemmon continued circulating in the crowd. "Last year, she earned a spot in the Washington Dance Theatre; she declined."
"She's in her last year of graduate school." Gibbs said. "She wants to finish that degree."
"Let her know she has 10 minutes." Lemmon explained in detail the studio and its dressing halls.
"I'm certain everyone's out, except for McNamara…tell her to get her butt out here!"
Three sharp raps, and Gibbs slowly opened the door.
"Hi, Suz."
Suzanne was alone, still nervous about entering the lobby. Her legs trembled underneath the table as she glanced in the mirror once more. The hair was pinned, the braids back into the signature bun, she slipped on her glasses. The sheer dance shirt was off; instead was a long black skirt. The striped leotard, tights remained on and covered with a red wrapped sweater. Instead of the heeled dressed dance shoes, she preferred the standard pointe shoes.
"Hi." Suzanne whispered.
"Hi. Your director said 10 minutes 5 minutes ago. Are you ready?"
Gibbs noticed her packed dance bag sitting by the doorway.
"Umm…Duck told me it is customary…to give roses to the Prima." Jethro presented a bouquet of yellow roses.
"Thank you." Suzanne smiled. "They're beautiful."
"They'll compliment that huge bouquet waiting for you." Jethro sat beside her. "It's from the company."
Suzanne's sigh grew heavier.
"Everyone's waiting for you."
"Obviously…I've been stalling." She chuckled. "I've never been so nervous in my entire life."
"Is it customary someone accompanies the lead dancer to the reception?" He smiled.
"I usually leave right after the performance!"
"You mind if I accompany you this evening, Suz?"
"Not at all…" She smiled. "Thank you."
"I promise…I'll be near you."
Gibbs offered his right hand, helping her from the seat. With one hand, he draped Suzanne's canvas duffel bag on a shoulder. The other, he gently wrapped around Suzanne's waist. The two walked toward the reception area. Special Agent Jethro Gibbs was a man of his word. Throughout the mixer, he remained nearby. Suzanne politely, shyly downplayed her performance. She attributed the success of the show to colleagues, to Director's Lemmon's choreography. For nearly an hour, she answered, posed for pictures, and spoke to patrons.
"How about dinner?" Gibbs suggested.
"Kinda of late for dinner." Suzanne smiled.
"Dessert and coffee?"
"Okay." Suzanne nodded.
"Then, I can ask you a few questions of my own, Miss McNamara…off record." Gibbs smiled.
Gibbs followed Suzanne to her Atlas area home to park 'Old Faithful,' his nickname for her 1988 jeep. She asked for a mere 10 minutes to drop off her belongings and place the bouquet of flowers in vases. Of course, she allowed Gibbs to come inside the home. He visited twice. The first time: he kissed Suzanne and asked her for a date. After five years of knowing one another-the glances, the smiles-he finally asked, with Ducky's urging. She agreed to one date at his home. It was a lovely date, their steak dinner and evening by the fire. One date turned into another. Soon, the two agreed to a once-a-week date.
"I've never had so many flowers in my life!" She laughed as she searched the cabinets for possible vases. "What I should do is give these to Emily and Kayla."
"Trust me, we bought enough flowers for them!" Gibbs chuckled. He noticed an unused gallon pitcher. He reached, nudged Suzanne on the side as a suggestion to use the alternative.
"I'll buy you a new pitcher at Bulls-eye or Yellow Star…" He prepared the flowers as Suzanne dropped her dance bag into the laundry room. She watched for a moment, how Gibbs gently cropped the ends diagonally and arranged the flowers by different colors. Suzanne returned inside the kitchen and noticed Gibbs placing four tablets inside the pitcher.
"Aspirin…keeps the flowers fresh." He replied.
"Thank you."
The two stood face to face. Suzanne glanced at the floor. Her eyes moved everywhere, avoiding Jethro's glance.
"If you want to reschedule dessert and coffee for another time…" Suzanne glanced at the clock, noticing it was after midnight. "I understand…I have coffee and bought a really good apple pie at Bulls-eye Wednesday afternoon…we can have some dessert right here…" She reached in the cabinet for the coffee and two coffee cups, when Gibbs' hand wrapped her wrist.
"Why didn't you mention the Troupe?" He looked squarely into her eyes.
Suzanne shrugged her shoulders. Again, Gibbs repeated the question.
"You didn't ask!"
"You are a professional dancer?! So good, according to Lemmon, that you turned down a position with the National Company?!" Gibbs raised his voice with anger. "You didn't trust me, Suz! You don't trust anyone!"
"Like you trust anyone, Gibbs!" Gibbs clicked his tongue, tilted his head slightly to indicate that she did, indeed, make a valid point. The strong grasp Gibbs had on her right wrist grew stronger. She grunted, struggled to free from his hold.
"That's right. You keep secrets too." She whispered, massaging her wrist with her free hand. Suzanne was shocked, but not as Gibbs at her response. Her voice, generally soft, grew aggressive.
"You have one hell of a nerve reading a riot act on secrecy, on selective mutism." A single tear fell across her cheek. "One thing you're not going to do in my house…is interrogate me." Suzanne sighed, walked into the living room and opened her front door.
"Get out."
"Suzanne-"
She nodded her head. "No. You need to leave, Gibbs."
He closed the front door, readjusted the deadbolt and stood against the door.
"Come here." Gibbs wiped the tear from her cheek. Their foreheads rested against another and a small smile crossed Suzanne's face. His hands gently caressed the nape of her neck.
"I'm sorry, Susie."
For Gibbs to say those two words, the ones indicating a sign of weakness, meant a great deal to Suzanne. She, in turn, uttered the same to Gibbs in his ear.
"I assumed you'd laugh if I told you I like to dance." Suzanne admitted. "You'd think I'm that type of girl."
"You know what I say about assumptions….never assume." Jethro reminded. She nodded in agreement.
"I'd still like to dance with you, Suzanne." Jethro asked.
"Well…" Suzanne reached for the remote for her music channel. A ballad played.
"Perfect." Jethro held Suzanne's waist. She wrapped her arms around his neck. The song described their complex relationship—friends but more than a friendship. They cared for another, and yet, their casual 'dating' seemed to indicate something more.
You're my, my friend
I never knew it 'til then
My friend
I feel your love,
When you're not near
It helps me make it knowing you care
The thought of you helps me carry on
When I feel all hope is gone
I see the world with brand new eyes
Your love has made me realize
My future looks bright to me,
Oh because you are my friend
Da, da, da, da
Suzanne and Gibbs glanced at each other. The moonlight highlighted each other's best features—her expressive brown eyes and his steel blue eyes.
"Suz…" Gibbs whispered. "You had me all the time."
Gibbs leaned in slowly, tilted his head to kiss her briefly. She blinked and smiled. Gibbs kissed Suzanne once again, wrapping her closely in his arms.
I've been looking around and you were here all the time.
Da, da, da
I've been around and around and around and around
Da, da, da
I've been looking around and you were here all the time
I've been…looking around…
Da, da da
Ooh, you know what I've been doing and I had you all the time…
"Thank you for the dance."
Suzanne smiled.
Gibbs opened the door, briefly kissed Suzanne on the lips once more. In his lapel pocket was an additional yellow and white rose, a duo in its own water. He presented it to Suzanne, placing a finger on her plump lip and smiled.
"I'll call you tomorrow afternoon."
Suzanne opened the small card, reading Gibbs' impeccably neat manuscript:
"A new beginning, a new friendship, and a new admirer. G."