He changed while he waited for her and settled on the bed. Jenny came out of the bathroom with her clothes rolled into a ball, looking nervous. She joined him on the bed but sat slightly away from him. Her body was tense but she wasn't afraid, just unsure of where to begin. They'd be starting something they wouldn't be able to finish and she wasn't sure if her husband could be content with just a taste of what he wanted. She fiddled with the end of her braid, avoiding his eyes.
Gibbs could guess some of what was going through Jenny's mind and he forced himself to be patient. Even in long sleeved pyjamas with very little extra skin showing, she was still the most beautiful woman around. Gently he pulled the braid from her fingers and tugged the elastic out. While Jenny sat cross-legged on the bed, so much like the first night she was home, Gibbs slowly undid the braid and combed his fingers through her long, red hair.
Jenny's eyes drifted closed and she focused on his movement, he knew how to be gentle. When most of the tangles were gone, he pushed her hair to one side and kissed the bottom of her neck. Jenny stilled for a moment, gathering her courage, then she turned as if looking back over her shoulder, and met his lips with hers. Gibbs hand came and settled on her neck, his thumb just under her ear. He took control of the moment, deepening the kiss and holding on until they both were in serious need of air.
While they were catching their breath, Gibbs lifted the covers and slid underneath them. Jenny hesitated, knowing moving from a sitting position to a lying down position would just make it harder to say no, but she trusted him to let her say when they had to stop. She moved under the covers too, laying on her side. Gibbs leaned over and just brushed his lips over hers, but the next moment he'd rolled her onto her back and the kiss had gone from innocent to passionate, almost before she could blink.
Moving more by instinct than conscious thought, Jenny pushed her fingers through Gibbs hair and felt extra pressure as his body came to rest almost on top of hers. It was the beginning of the end, Jenny knew where this would lead. Kiss after kiss, always trying to get their bodies closer to each other. When her husband started kissing her face and moved to her neck, Jenny felt the panic start to build. Her body craved his nearness but her mind was screaming that it was too soon, too soon.
Breathing hard and wanting this, wanting to be with him even though she knew she couldn't handle intimacy yet, Jenny pulled away.
"Jethro," she whispered, trying to catch her breath. He hit the spot on her neck that always drove her crazy and she moaned softly, but managed to get her hands up and she put pressure on his chest, holding him away from her.
Gibbs body protested as he stopped his caresses. "Jen?" he asked, trying to get himself under control, which was easier said than done. It was clear from their actions that they missed each other and it was so hard to be patient when she was this close. But she needed to be able to trust that he would follow her lead, so very reluctantly, Gibbs moved off of his wife.
Jenny looked pained and closed her eyes. "Not yet Jethro, I'm sorry, but not yet."
Gibbs took a deep breath, trying to clear his head. He coughed, desire making his voice rough. "It's okay Jen," he sighed, pulling her close just to hold her. "We'll wait." He pressed a kiss to her hair. "I love you."
She could feel it at her back, how fast his heart was beating and her body quivered with the desire she was not yet free to give into. There was no way to relax when they were this close. She moved away from him.
"I-I need a glass of water," she said, needing an excuse to get out of bed.
In the bathroom she did take a drink and several deep breaths trying to calm down. She missed her husband. She wanted to be with him. Jenny felt like it had been months instead of just over a week since they'd last been together that way. But the memories didn't let her relax about the idea and she wasn't even certain that she was completely healed on the inside yet. Of course, there was really no way to know until they tried something but when would she be up for that? Just making out with him set all of her nerves on fire, how would she handle any more?
Finally she made her way back into their room. She slipped back into bed, keeping her distance from Jethro. She was too sensitive to his touch right now. She looked into his eyes, dark with desire, and found respect for the amount of restraint he was showing.
"Thank you," she whispered, as she lay down on her side, just out of reach.
"Oh Jen," her name was almost a groan, "this is a lot harder than I thought."
"I know," she felt the same way. "Maybe we shouldn't...do that again...until I'm ready for the rest."
Gibbs shook his head. "I can take it. I don't want to give up what we can do."
"Okay," Jenny was unsure. "Well, goodnight."
"Night." Gibbs rolled on his back and stared up at the ceiling. He really wished he had his boat to work on right now. Today had been perfect but tonight, not exactly what he'd hoped for. Maybe next time, he thought, disappointed that Jenny had settled on the other side of the bed but not trusting himself if she were closer. He blew out a breath, focusing on tomorrow. Lots going on, he'd better get to sleep.
NCIS
"Abby! Use your key!" McGee called when he heard the thumping on his door at midnight. He'd given her a key after the third time she'd shown up at his apartment in the middle of the night.
The thumping continued. "McGee!" her muffled voice called desperately through his door.
"Fine," he yelled, getting up from his desk. He wasn't getting any more writing done tonight.
He opened the door and Abby stumbled in, arms loaded down with a pillow, movie, a small bag and a Caf-Pow! He raised an eyebrow.
"Moving in Abby?"
"Are you offering McGee?" she teased.
They'd agreed that this time, if they decided to be together, it would be for real. No playing house or fooling around before they promised forever.
McGee shook his head at her. "Why do you always come over when most normal people are asleep?"
"Because I'm not normal people and you're hardly ever asleep when I come so I guess you aren't either. Plus, it's more fun this way." She grinned and he gave up.
McGee eyed the Caf-Pow! she was sucking on. "How many have you had today Abbs?"
"What?" she asked. "Oh, you know, five...or six maybe since after church."
"And you wonder why you don't sleep," he muttered.
Jethro padded out of the bedroom and Abby knelt down to fuss over him. "Hey Jethro! Who's a good boy? I've missed you handsome!" she scratched behind his ears and looked up at McGee. "Sorry Tim, but he'll always be my favourite."
"I hate losing out to my dog," McGee pouted, but it was all for show. "Did the boss go to church with you this morning?"
Abby stood up and punched him in the arm. "Of course he came McGee. Gibbs would never stand me up on a Sunday. Unlike somebody," she glared.
"Ow," Tim rubbed his arm. "I'm sorry Abby. But will you let me explain? It's not my fault. Jethro," he pointed at his dog, "had to go out just after I was ready to come. Well, long story short his aim was off and I had to change and clean up and by then I would've been late."
"Don't blame my poor, sweet puppy dog for that!" she gasped. "You could've still come to lunch. You should've too. You missed a lot."
"Abby," McGee said slowly, hoping she wouldn't take it the wrong way, "I'm not really that comfortable 'hanging out' with Gibbs. He's my boss. He's not my...friend."
Abby did not look happy. "How can you say that McGee? Gibbs is sweet and a good guy. Maybe a little rough around the edges, but he loves us!"
"You maybe," McGee said.
"Aww, Timmy," Abby wrapped her arms around him. "I love you."
He smiled and hugged her back. "I know Abbs. So, what did I miss at lunch?"
Abby bit her lip. "Well...the director came today." She was wrestling with her conscience about whether she could tell or not.
McGee shook his head slowly. "Don't get your hopes up Abby. Gibbs and the director...I mean, maybe they had something a long time ago, but these days...it's just work with them."
Abby stifled a smile. "But McGee, you should've seen the looks they were giving each other. I think they're in love."
He laughed. "Abby, you've got a great imagination and you're a hopeless romantic and I love you for it but I think you're reading way too much into this."
Abby finally made her decision. I didn't promise, she reasoned. "Yeah?" she said, hand on her hip. "So I suppose the wedding rings they were wearing were just figments of my imagination?"
"Definitely a hallucination," McGee joked until he saw the look in Abby's eyes. She was dead serious. "That what?" he asked. "Wedding rings? Are you serious? Abby, are you sure?"
She jumped up and down and clapped her hands like a little girl as a smile took over her features. "Yes! And I know they're going to tell tomorrow but I couldn't wait to tell you and I didn't exactly promise I would keep it a secret. But you'd better still act surprised tomorrow or Gibbs will know."
McGee was still trying to wrap his mind around her revelation. "So...Gibbs and the director are...married?"
"Seven months McGee."
"Wow. The rings?" he wondered if he'd missed something.
"Haven't worn them before. That I would've noticed even if I was blind."
McGee blinked. "I can't even picture that. I mean, Gibbs is Gibbs and the director...she's our boss. It's just too weird."
"It's not weird McGee. I think it's very romantic," she sighed. "A secret relationship. A long lost love." Abby clasped her hands. "It's perfect." She looked back at McGee. "Well, are you going to watch The Princess Bride with me or not?"
"Oh Abby," McGee groaned, "not again." He looked at the clock. "You do realize it's after midnight and we both have to be up early tomorrow for work?"
"Come on McGee," Abby wheedled. "Live a little. Please?" She batted her eyes at him and laughed.
Tim put his arm around Abby's shoulders and kissed her hair. "Alright Abby. But we'll have to make popcorn. And," he pulled the plastic red and white cup out of her hands even as she reached for it, "I'm cutting you off so you can actually sleep after the movie. I'll take the couch, there's no way I'm sending you home alone that late."
"I've been out by myself at night before McGee," Abby informed him. "Plus, I like to sleep on couches. Or, we could just share."
"The couch?" McGee asked, slightly confused.
"No silly!" Abby pushed him. 'Your bed."
"Abby," he warned.
"Not like that McGee," she grinned. "Just sleep, promise."
"We'll see," he rolled his eyes. She had no idea what she did to him. "Go," he turned her towards his living room, "I'll start the popcorn."
"You're the best McGee," Abby smiled as she gathered her pillow and headed for his couch with Jethro following on her heels. McGee was her best friend and...she was pretty sure she was awfully close to loving him more than she loved puppies. Now when would he realize the same?
A/N: I'm going to be away for the rest of this week so I'm afraid postings will probably be few and far between. But hopefully I will be able to catch up Monday afternoon. Thanks for reading and reviewing guys, it's so great to hear the feedback and I really appreciate everyone who has taken the time to do that. Have a great week!