I've decided to change my update schedule slightly. This story will now get two updates for everyone of Holding it Together, as this has been going on longer and is to be a shorter story. And I'm tired of juggling both lol.

Thank you to those who have reviewed :)

As she dropped the pen she was holding and stretched out her fingers, Jenny couldn't help but smile when she realised that there were no aches present. She wiggled the digits almost experimentally, her smile widening as nothing adverse happened.

Glancing down at the now finished pile of paperwork, she relaxed back into her seat, she couldn't remember the last time she'd been able to get through paperwork so quickly and without some sort of headache or muscle cramp. It was nice.

She was unfortunately pulled out of her reverie by her office door crashing open and Jethro strolling in - not that anyone else would ever dare to treat her door in such a manner.

She arched an elegant eyebrow at him. "Why do you seem to have taken such a great disliking to my door, what did it ever do to you?" she asked in wry amusement.

Gibbs paused at her statement, he hadn't been expecting it, in fact he couldn't remember the last time she'd even attempted a humorous comment, she certainly hadn't since this whole debacle had started. His forehead creased into a frown as he took in her overly relaxed demeanour, this wasn't right - or at least it wasn't normal, not recently anyway.

He'd obviously stared silently at her for longer than he realised, because her voice but through his mind again. "Jethro, as much as I enjoy you standing staring at me blankly I don't have all day, now what is it?"

Finally the mist that had taken over his mind cleared, and ungluing his tongue from the roof of his mouth, he asked, "Have you been to see Ducky?"

She gave a small nod as she replied, "Yes, and I'm fine. I must have gotten a chill." She eyed him curiously. "Is that all?"

He shook his head. "The necklace is missing again."

Her eyes widened, that wasn't what she had been expecting. "Do we know when it disappeared?"

"Last night."

"And it's taken us this long to realise!" Jenny stared at him, outraged at what could only be described as a monumental failure in security. Yes she knew Henri could get it out of here without being caught, but for no-one to notice it was missing for that length of time was ridiculous.

"No," came the calm reply. "Abby checked last night and found it gone. It went missing while she was in the lab, and within a half hour time space."

"Oh." Jenny felt her annoyance disappear as quickly as it had arrived. "Is Abby ok?" she asked.

"It's un-nerved her. She doesn't understand how someone could get into that locked drawer with her right there."

Feeling more than a little awkward, Jenny gave a slight nod, her reply sounding stilted even to her own ears. "It is odd."

She met his eyes for a brief second and immediately wished she hadn't, they were staring at her in blatant curiosity. She knew that he suspected something was going on behind his back, but he hadn't pieced it together yet. His head tilted to one side, and she knew he was keeping his tone deliberately light as he said, "This guy's gotten past us a few times now, despite all our security measures."

"I had noticed," she replied. "Although I think you want to know something, so you may as well just spit it out before it chokes you, Jethro."

"Fine. Has he left you any notes or gifts that you haven't told us about?"

Her mind immediately flew to the lily he'd left for her only days before, and she pushed it from her mind, telling him, "No."

Gibbs felt a muscle in his jaw twitch when he saw the flicker of her eye. She was lying, but why? When this had first happened she'd been as alarmed as everyone else, what had changed? he wanted to push the issue, but he knew that one false move and she'd clam up for good. So instead he changed tact. "Chances are he'll make another move soon, which would explain why he wants the necklace back. I've spoken to Hector and your security team has been put on high alert. It might be wise for you to have someone with you in the house-"

She cut through his sentence. "That won't be necessary."

"Surely that's a decision for your head of security to make."

"Not when it involves my privacy it isn't," she snapped back.

His tone changed, taking on a softer edge, he almost sounded concerned for her she thought, as he told her, "This guy could be dangerous, Jen. Until we've caught him your privacy should probably take a back seat."

She gave a small laugh and looked at him in amusement. "I don't think you'd be saying that if our positions were reversed. Do you?"

"That's different," he insisted.

"Of course it is," she replied, rolling her eyes. "Look as much as I appreciate your concern my decision is final, apart from the pre-arranged sweeps of the house, there shall be no security inside."

"You're making a mistake," he told her harshly.

Her head snapped up, and her eyes met his once more as she informed him coldly, "No. No I'm not."

He stared at her for another moment. This wasn't right, he couldn't help but feel as though somehow this creep was gaining more access to Jenny than any of them realised. But if that were the case then she wasn't stopping him, and that made no sense at all. For once Gibbs could feel himself hesitate, unsure of his next move. She claimed her health was fine and yet as much as he wanted too he didn't believe her, although neither did he want to hear it out loud and confirm his fears, now after this conversation he couldn't help wonder if maybe somehow it was all tied together. He just had to find the right thread to pull, the right move to make so the mess they were in would unravel. However he had no idea what that move was, so he answered her gruffly, "It's your decision, Madam Director." Before storming out of her office.

Jenny watched him go, her lips drawn tight. She knew that this wasn't the end of it, that Jethro wasn't going to stop pushing until he got answers, but in this case, answers were the one thing she couldn't give him, because it would make her sound insane.

No, she shook her head, better he think that she was just being stubborn and awkward rather than anything else.

As for the necklace, it obviously meant the world to Henri so why shouldn't he take it back. However she would have to speak to him about being more careful, too many things were already not adding up regarding her 'stalker' and although she could just about deal with Jethro's awkward questions, she didn't want anyone else asking them.

As Gibbs stormed along the catwalk, he'd already decided where he was headed to next. To talk to Ducky. And this time he wasn't leaving without a clear answer about Jenny's health, if something was wrong then he wanted to be there for her, wanted to help. He sure as Hell didn't want this psycho edging his way in during a moment of weakness.

Just the thought of the guy made him slam his fist into the call button for the elevator. His teeth clenched tightly together and the sudden ringing of his cell phone didn't improve his mood. "What?" he snapped down the line. He listened carefully for a moment and let out a muttered curse that would have made a sailor blush. They had another body, same MO as before which meant the guy they had in custody was most likely innocent. He dragged an agitated hand across his jaw, talking to Ducky would have to wait, he'd finish this case and then when he could give it his full attention, get to the bottom of what was going on with Jenny.

"We really need to start agreeing on meeting times," Jenny told Henri as she felt an almost undetectable sweep of air set the hairs on the back of her neck rise up when he appeared in the room. "Otherwise I'm left sitting, waiting on you." She turned to face him. "Drink?"

"I'll pass," he smiled at her. "And I promise to give you a time for our next meeting."

"Good."

His smile deepened at the decisive tone of her voice. He waved his hand slightly as he asked, "Should we get to the task in hand then."

"In a moment, I want to talk to you first."

"Sounds ominous."

"I know you took the necklace out of the lab last night." Jenny watched as his form stiffened and she quickly added on, "I understand how important it is to you and I don't blame you for taking it back, it's just that I feel you should have been more careful-"

"Careful?" he asked, interrupting her.

"Yes, the girl who worked in the lab, Abby, well you scared her by taking it while she was there."

"Forgive me, I wasn't aware she'd realised she was there when I took it."

"I realise that, but it's not just that. You need to be more careful, my security is at an all time high and people are starting to wonder about how you're managing all of this. I don't want any awkward questions, this is my life."

"But it won't be for much longer," he pointed out.

Jenny stalled at that, she already knew what he'd said was true but hearing it out loud was slightly alarming. She shook her head, pushing away the uncomfortable feeling that had taken root in her stomach. "It will be for at least the next few years, so you need to stop all your tricks, you've made your point now."

He gave a brief nod. "Of course, I'll stop now, let the fuss surrounding me die down."

"Thank you."

"Now shall we go?"

"Yes, just one quick question. I don't know how to leave without being noticed."

He flashed her a smile. "That's easy, you just have to not want to be seen, the same goes for walking through walls or reaching through solid objects, you just have to want it." He led her to the wall separating the study from the hall. "Try it," he encouraged her.

Licking her lips nervously, Jenny reached out her hand, her eyes widening when her hand slipped easily through the wall as though it had never been there in the first place. Taking a step forward she found herself in the hall, Henri beside her smiling. "Told you," he whispered.

"That was kind of surreal," she laughed nervously.

He shrugged easily. "You'll get used to it."

"I'm sure I will."

He nodded. "Now for getting there. We're going to Anacostia park, normally you wouldn't hunt in an area so close to civilization, with all those wardens, but I think it's better we stick close to home tonight, in an area you know. Now all you need to do is close your eyes and think about where you want to go."

Nodding, Jenny did so, only opening her eyes when she felt a rush of cold wind surround her, and blinked in surprise when she found she was indeed in a heavily wooded part of the park. Again she felt Henri behind her, she turned to look at him, the amazement clear on her face. He gave a delighted laugh as he told her, "And we've only just started."

It was past four by the time Jenny crawled into her bed. She felt invigorated, she couldn't remember the last time she'd felt this way. She'd sprinted through the woods at God only knew what speeds, she'd been able to climb or jump whatever she'd wanted. She'd felt free, she'd had no obligations, no responsibilities, nothing to worry her.

There had simply been one thing wrong, and that had been who she was with. Henri had been fun, charming and understanding and she had enjoyed herself. The problem was that she wanted someone else there, it was someone else she wanted to enjoy her newfound freedom with. But he didn't want her, and now that she was what she was it could never even be an option, and that was a sobering thought.