Jennifer Shepard stood leaning against a counter, swirling the amber liquid in her glass around. It was a comfortable atmosphere, the French music that tinged the air wasn't blasting, and she was still able to hear herself think. Not that she really wanted to think at that moment. She cursed herself silently, wishing she hadn't picked this bar. It brought back too many memories. Too many thoughts of possibilities that could have been hers, had she acted differently. Shaking her head a little, she took another sip of her drink.

"La campagne," stated a dry voice behind her.

Jenny didn't have to look back to know it was him, she could recognize his voice anywhere. Instead, she smirked slightly behind her glass.

"Never thought I'd be here again," he continued, "not after last time."

Jen set her bourbon down with more force than necessary, but still didn't look at him. He pretended not to notice and ordered a bourbon of his own. He swallowed the drink slowly, staring at the director. Finally, she caved in to the leer.

Turning to face him with a somewhat forced smile, she said, "I take it you're interested in conversation, although that usually involves talking."

"You don't say?" He gave a false frown in return.

Jenny rolled her eyes away from him, concentrating back on her drink. Gibbs sighed.

"You know how I feel about apologies."

"I'm not asking for an apology."

Gibbs looked at her, smirking. "I didn't say I was going to express any regret."

Her eyes flashed as she met his gaze.

"So you don't regret anything?"

He held the stare evenly, taking a moment to answer. They both knew that the conversation had taken on more meaning than just about the past few days.

"Do you?"

The question caught her off guard, and she glanced away. Her answer was almost a whisper.

"Of course."

"That makes two of us."

The corners of her mouth were upturned as she glanced back up at him again. His face fell as Gibbs noted the faint sorrow in her eyes though. He cocked his head to the side, letting the question show in his own blue eyes. He knew what was coming though, and the movement was more of a prompt for her to speak again.

"We still can't change anything."

She didn't bother hiding the heartache in her words, and stared up at Gibbs, waiting for a reply.

"Yeah. But now we know."

They both smiled. Gibbs set down some bills on the bar counter. "Let's head back."

Jenny obliged, and followed him out.

"You walked?" she questioned in disbelief, noticing the lack of a car.

"Oh yeah."

They left it at that and strode down the street together, occasionally brushing shoulders. After a good several minutes Gibbs stopped, causing Jenny to halt as well and look at him curiously. He stared away from her, across the street.

"You know how I feel about apologies," he repeated.

She nodded. "Sign of weakness."

He inclined his head in affirmation. "So you know that I'm serious when I say I'm sorry."

Jenny couldn't resist a small smile.

"I know, Jethro. I'm sorry too."

Gibbs finally met her regard, and grinned back at his old partner.

"Glad we got that out of the way."

-----

They were already back in the hotel lobby when his agents walked in. Jenny and Gibbs were seated on a short couch while McGee and Abby occupied a large, plush chair. The four of them had been engaged in a pleasant talk about how they'd be returning to the States soon, McGee trying to ignore his earlier incident with Gibbs. As Abby leaned on him from her perch on the arm of the chair, however, he could feel Gibbs watching the two of them. So when he felt his boss stop staring at him, McGee felt relieved, until he noticed what had caught Gibbs's attention.

Tony and Ziva had walked in together, laughing. That's not what the other NCIS agents were focused on. It was the fact that his arm was placed casually over her shoulders, while hers was wrapped comfortably around his waist, hugging his midsection. Tim welcomed the change in their moods, but his partners didn't catch his, nor Abby's warning glance until it was too late.

Both Jenny and Gibbs were staring at them. The difference between the two was that the team leader was giving them an ice cold glare, while Jenny wore the faintest smile on her features. Tony and Ziva stopped mere feet away from where their friends were all sitting. Gibbs left his spot next to Jenny and stood up, pacing to stand in front of his agents, but keeping the small distance between them. As his gaze pierced theirs, Ziva let her arm drop from around Tony, though still leaning into him. Tony, on the other hand, kept his arm where it was. He stared back at Gibbs with determination.

"The two of you feel like ignoring my rules now?"

Tony's expression didn't change as he retorted, "No, just this one. Never really been one for rules anyway."

Gibbs took a step closer to his senior field agent. "Is that so?"

"It's how you taught me."

"I taught you to respect my rules!"

Tony kept his features schooled. "I do. Just not this one."

Then he decided to push his luck.

"I'm not the only one," he stated, giving Jenny a brief glance.

She dipped her head, trying to hide the small smirk on her face from Jethro.

Gibbs stepped forward again, and this time Tony let go of Ziva and moved forward so that he was face to face with his boss. Ziva reached for his forearm, wary of his still present sling. For once, her touch was ignored.

"Which is why I know, this won't end well," Gibbs said angrily.

Tony shook his head. "No. I'm not you, and Ziva isn't Jenny. You don't know."

"You want to prove me wrong?"

"I want you to give us the chance."

Gibbs opened his mouth to speak, but Jenny stepped in.

"I think that's enough." Jerking her head towards the elevators, Ziva got the message and led Tony away by his good arm.

Jenny kept a hand on her silver-haired friend's shoulder, guiding him back to the couch. Even when he was seated once more, she didn't move her hand from his body, as if she were afraid he'd run off and try to kill DiNozzo. While he sat staring at the floor, Jenny looked at McGee and Abby, who hadn't said a word during the entire argument. They both sat in shock, Tim's mouth hanging open slightly, and Abby was wide-eyed.

The scientist looked around at the whole group for a moment, then stated, "Well... I guess everything is out in the open now."

Jenny knew she wasn't just talking about Tony and Ziva, and couldn't stifle a chuckle at that. Her eyes drifted to the elevators and then back to Abby. The Goth jumped up immediately.

"Oh, of course, sorry, just...the shock and everything, yeah I'll just go... Come on, Timmy!" she blurted out, pulling McGee up out of the chair.

She didn't release her hold on him as they made their way to the elevators, both still clearly startled. When they left, Jenny turned to Gibbs, who wouldn't meet her eyes. She started talking anyway.

"What you said about knowing that romance between agents never ends well... I don't think we're doing so bad."

Gibbs still didn't look up. "No, we're not," he paused, "but there's always the fact that it could have been better."

"Things can still change. Eventually."

Gibbs nodded, and finally glanced up at his director.

"That doesn't mean I have to like it."

Jenny laughed a little, then said, "No, but you do have to give them a chance. Remember, I can always have them rehired."

She stood up, smiled down at Gibbs, and then began making her way for the bar. Gibbs sat still for a moment, knowing that there was no stopping them at this point, then stood to follow Jenny.

He jogged to catch up with her. "You know this is just one more reason for you to have stayed a field agent!"

-----

Ziva slipped in behind Tony, taking care to make sure the room door didn't slam shut as he had intended. Sighing, she walked over to where he had sank down on the couch and stood there, hands on her hips.

"Do you want to watch TV?"

"No."

"I never thought I would live to see the day," she muttered, sitting down beside him.

He didn't respond right away, but stared at the blank television screen a while longer. Ziva's eyes never left his face.

"He doesn't bother you?"

She had been expecting this type of question, and answered easily.

"No, he does not."

Tony shifted on the couch so that he was facing her.

"Why not?"

She sighed and moved a little closer to him before speaking.

"What happened between Gibbs and Jenny is and will be different from what happens between us, I do not doubt that."

Tony opened his mouth to agree, and Ziva cut him off, "But, I would expect nothing less from Gibbs. He's doing this based off of his relationship, not ours, and is only trying to protect us from the same thing."

Tony opened his mouth again, but then shut it, deciding to take a moment to think.

"Why do you have to be so objective, and right? You're taking the wind out of my sails here, Ziva."

His partner met the remark with a tilt of her head. "You don't have any sails."

DiNozzo laughed and shook his head. "Never mind."

As they smiled at each other, there was a loud knocking at the door. Ziva sprang up to get it, but Tony grasped her hand before she could answer it.

"Wait, even if what you said is true, that won't change anything, will it?"

Ziva's smile grew as she answered, "Never."

Tony grinned and peered through the peephole, and was met with the sight of one giant, green eye. He jumped back and yelped. Ziva snickered, at which he made a face. As soon as Ziva opened the door, she was pulled out into the hallway. Tony moved to grab her back, but their forensic scientist stood in front of him, arms crossed in determination.

"I'm taking Ziva."

"For what?"

"A girl talk."

Ignoring his protests, she walked away, taking Ziva with her. McGee was left laughing, so Tony shouted, "Fine, well I'm taking Probie for a guy talk!"

"Fine!" Abby called.

Tony frowned. "All right, McGoo, let's talk."

McGee's grin faded a little as he followed Tony back into the hotel room.

"Wait, I thought you were kidding about the guy talk," he said.

Tony ignored him as he grabbed two water bottles out of the refrigerator and sat down at the small table in one corner of the room. McGee slid into the seat across from him warily, and Tony slid the second bottle across the table for the younger agent.

McGee caught it, but didn't take the cap off.

He stared at Tony. "Are we seriously having a guy talk?"

DiNozzo grinned. "Oh yes we are, Probie."

McGee rolled his eyes and took a swig of his water. A "guy talk" with Tony was bound to be painful.

"Have you taken your own advice with Abby yet?"

The question caught Tim off guard, and he nearly choked on his water.

"Excuse me?" he coughed out.

Tony's face was completely serious as he answered, "Did you 'take the plunge' yet? Did you tell her how you feel?"

"How I feel? What? I don't--"

Tony cut the flustered probie off with a glare that said, don't-lie-to-me-I-know-you-love-her.

McGee looked down at the water bottle in his hands, not wanting to answer. Tony waited, knowing the younger man would say something when he was ready.

After a few long moments, McGee finally said, "No, I haven't. And I probably won't."

"Au contraire," Tony contradicted, a DiNozzo grin playing over his face.

With those words, he stood up, marching to the door. McGee was still sitting in his chair, staring strangely at Tony. The senior field agent simply gestured out the door, and McGee rolled his eyes, but followed DiNozzo out to the elevator anyway.

----

"Oh my gosh! Ziva that is so cute! Too cute. And way too perfect! I totally called that it was going to happen. You can ask McGee, it's true!"

Ziva smiled at her goth friend and laughed. She had finished telling Abby what had happened with Tony ten minutes ago, and since then the forensic scientist couldn't stop freaking out.

"I even made a pool on it! I so won."

Ziva was about to reply, but the two women were interrupted by a childish knock that only DiNozzo would perform. Abby smiled as she ran over to let him in, Ziva following behind her.

"Wow, I guess he just can't stay away from you," Abby told her with a wink.

Ziva blushed a little, but in truth, she loved that Abby's statement might be true. As Abby swung the door open, however, it was McGee who was standing there, and rather awkwardly. The source of the silly knock leaned out from behind him, grinning madly.

"The elf lord has something to tell you, and I figured it was about time I get Ziva back," Tony said, coming to stand next to McGee.

Abby looked at the junior field agent curiously, and Ziva went to stand by Tony.

"Tony, I'd really rather not do this," McGee complained.

DiNozzo gave him a look, and McGee backtracked.

"Well, I mean I do, but not...you get what I meant."

Tony just grinned and shoved McGee inside, next to Abby, who was still watching him.

"You kids have fun!" he said, before giving Tim a thumbs up and shutting the door.

When the door closed, he promptly stuck his ear to it, trying to hear what was being said inside. Ziva walked over and leaned down next to his head.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Probie's about to get his first date, shh."

They both were bent over listening in silence, when Ziva suddenly stood up and took a few steps back, so that she was leaning on the railing behind her. Tony kept his head, and most of his weight, leaning on the door, but turned a little to give her a quick look.

"What are you doing, they're still talk--Ow, jeez!"

McGee had opened the door halfway, causing Tony to stumble and hit his head against it. He snorted as Tony straightened up and stood over where Ziva was giggling. He rubbed the sore spot, and Ziva patted his shoulder sympathetically, still laughing.

"Figures," McGee said.

Tony glared at him. "Well, was my pain worth something?"

Abby walked out and hugged Tony. "I think it was."

As she let go, she smiled at him, and he grinned back.

"Well, you know me, always happy to help. Now if you'll excuse us, I think Ziva and I will be heading back up to our own room. I'm due for a movie night." His arm had found it's way around Ziva's waist as he spoke.

"I hate to disagree, Agent DiNozzo, but the only place any of you will be going is downstairs, with me."

All four NCIS agents turned to look at their new arrival. McGee and Abby were both confused, while Tony was surprised, but recognized the man.

Ziva was glowering at the Israeli in front of her.

"Officer Segel," she hissed.


A/N: Okay, this was the longest chapter I've written so far, but you guys definitely deserve it. I felt the need to address the Jenny and Gibbs problem, I hope I did them some justice. I don't think I'm so great at writing the McGee and Abby relationship yet, so that wasn't even attempted, and we're just all going to understand that he asked her out in his awkward but lovable McGee manner.

There are definitely only going to be two more chapters, and then the City of Light will be finished. =/ This was my first big story, but I've got some other ideas that I really want to start on.

Speaking of other ideas, I need help with my next piece. It's going to involve a lot of song lyrics, but I'd like second opinions on the song meanings so that I can figure out the order I want to put them in. If anybody is up for helping, that'd be great, just PM me or something. If not, no problem, I'll figure it out eventually.

Wow, that was a long author's note. I'm done rambling, please review!