Gibbs happened to glance up at the catwalk just in time to catch sight of his wife being dragged out of her office by none other than Rachel. Jenny cast a helpless glance down towards the bullpen and Gibbs merely waved and smiled. She shot him a mock glare and he chuckled to himself. There were some things a husband just didn't get involved in and one of those was getting between his wife and her best friend. End of story. Although, Gibbs reflected, he'd probably hear all about it later.

NCIS

"Honestly Rach," Jenny protested futilely for the twelfth time, "I've been to many functions in my time as Director and there are several beautiful dresses in my closet to choose from."

"Yes," Rachel said impatiently as she sifted through the gowns on another rack, "but he's seen all those, hasn't he?"

"Well...yes," Jenny admitted, looking uneasily at the pile of dresses Rachel had already chosen. "You don't really expect me to try all these on, do you?" The look her friend gave her said enough. "Okay, but I really can only be gone for an hour, you know that right?"

"Then I guess you'll have to hurry," Rachel replied quickly, shoving another dress into Jenny's arms and pushing her towards the changeroom. "Scoot. And I want to see every single one Jennifer."

Jenny pouted. "I thought you were my friend."

Rachel raised an eyebrow at her. "That is exactly why I'm doing this Jen. Trust me. You'll thank me later."

"But my wallet won't," Jenny grumbled as she locked the door behind her.

Forty-five minutes and nearly fifteen dresses later, Jenny stepped out of the changeroom again and faced her friend. "Well?" she asked.

Rachel's eyes practically glowed. "Wow," she said softly, looking at Jenny carefully. She twirled her finger in the air. "Spin. Let me see it all."

Jenny rolled her eyes but obligingly spun around slowly so Rachel could get the whole effect.

"That's the one," she smiled. "If that dress doesn't make Jethro's jaw drop, nothing will."

Jenny allowed herself a small smile. "It isn't really hard to make that happen Rach." She faced the mirror and scrutinized her image. She really did like the dress. The colour, the way the fabric fell, the fact that it was a size four...but that was probably not best to mention since she's been a size six forever and Rachel knew that.

"What do you think?" Rachel asked, excited.

Jenny grinned. "You're right. This is it. I can't wait to see Jethro's face." She went back into the small cubicle to change.

"I want to see Jethro's face when you tell him what you're claiming as your prize for winning the bet," Rachel said, looking through her purse while she waited for Jenny to finish.

"And that's why we won't have an audience for that moment Rachel," Jenny smiled, coming out in her office clothes again.

Rachel swatted Jenny's arm. "You're no fun. You leave me out of all the good parts."

Jenny shook her head. "Not even going there. Nice try though." She put the dress on the counter for the clerk to ring through and a few minutes later she and Rachel were headed back towards the mall entrance. The food court was to the left of the mall doors and Rachel was getting distracted by the smell of food.

"Umm...Jen?" she asked, pointing.

Jenny nodded. "Enjoy."

Rachel shook her head. "No way missy. I'll eat here, but you are at least taking a salad to go."

"Rach..." Jenny tried to protest but to no avail.

Rachel shook her finger at Jenny. "Do not make me call your husband."

Jenny crossed her arms. "Tattling now are we?"

"Only when it's necessary," Rachel sighed.

"Fine," Jenny agreed. "A small salad to go because now I'm seriously going to be late getting back." Never mind that she didn't have anything interesting on her calendar for the rest of the day. Some things friends didn't need to know because they would just use it against you.

After standing in line for a few more minutes, Rachel paid for Jenny's salad and her own pasta and vegetable dish. The two friends parted with a hug. Jenny turned just before she went through the doors.

"Hey Rach?" she called.

Her friend looked up. "Yeah?"

"Don't make any plans for tonight, 'kay?"

Rachel shrugged. "Okay Miss Mysterious. It'll just be me and my books back at my place if you decide to call."

"Thanks Rachel, see you!"

Rachel waved. "Later."

Even though she was already past her hour for lunch, Jenny still stopped at a small shop on her way back to NCIS.

"Welcome to Just Blossoms," the girl at the counter smiled. "I'm Kendall, may I help you?"

"I hope so," Jenny returned with an answering smile. "I'm looking for something for my husband."

NCIS

Jenny hadn't been back for five minutes when the phone on Gibbs' desk rang. "Yeah, Gibbs," he answered, even though he was pretty sure he knew who it was.

"Agent Gibbs?" came Cynthia's voice. "The Director would like to see you in her office at your earliest convenience."

Gibbs smiled at the way the message was worded. "Tell her I'll be right up Cynthia."

As soon as he got to his feet, Tony was already inching out of his chair, desperate for something to do. Gibbs pointed his finger towards the ground and fixed his stare on the agent. "Sit," he said sternly. "Until you are done that paperwork, make believe like your butt is superglued to that chair. And if you don't," he leaned closer, "I'll get Abby and then you will be superglued to the chair. Got it?"

"Got it Boss," Tony squeaked, sinking back into his chair unhappily.

As Gibbs headed up the stairs towards MTAC, or more likely the Director's office, Tony thought smugly, the elevator opened for the umpteenth time that morning to bring forth his teammates.

"Ziva! McGoo!" he exclaimed in delight. "How'd it go?"

Ziva and McGee exchanged puzzled glances and ignored Tony. He thought something was up.

"Get all cozy in that surveillance car?" he asked with a smirk, then ducked when Ziva's letter opener buried itself in the partition wall. He cringed. "Geez David, what were you trying to do? I could've been killed."

Ziva's focus was on her computer screen. "At least it would have shut you up," she stated firmly.

"Welcome back to you to Grouchy-Pants," he grumbled. Then his expression brightened and he looked upstairs. "What do you think they do when Gibbs gets called up to her office?"

McGee immediately started typing, pretending like he hadn't heard a thing. Ziva sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Tony, if you spent half as much time on your reports as you do speculating about things that are none of your business," she fixed her eyes on his, "then you would probably even be done before McGee."

Tony tilted his head to the side. "Was that a challenge, Zee-vah?"

She shrugged. "Call it what you will."

"I bet I beat you."

She laughed. "Flabby chance."

He snorted. "It's 'fat chance' Ziva. Nice try though. So," he leaned his chin on his hand and looked at her. "What do I get if I win?"

"Tony, to win the bet you would first have had to hear me agree to it, which I did not. Now please be quiet! I am trying to work."

"Mmm...you want me to be quiet eh? Can't concentrate with the distraction of my sexy voice right? I knew it all along," he sighed dreamily, "you want me. You just can't admit it to yourself. That's okay, it's happen to lots of women. I-"

Ziva didn't even look up, she just straightened the box of paperclips sitting in the corner of her desk. Tony gulped and suddenly became very motivated to finish the report on his computer screen.

NCIS

"You wanted to see me Jen?" Gibbs asked when he walked in, flipping the lock behind him like old times.

"Yes, thank you for coming Jethro." She was standing in the middle of the room with her hands behind her back. "I have something for you."

He looked at her with that adorable half-grin on his lips. "It wouldn't be a kiss by any chance, would it? It's been almost nine hours since my last one."

She laughed. "Counting now are you?"

Gibbs moved closer. "I start counting after two hours. It's a long time to wait." He held her gaze. "Especially when you're looking at me like that."

Jenny tilted her head to the side. "You can have a kiss after. But this is important."

"And serious?" he asked, trying to read her eyes.

"A little," she conceded, wanting him to really hear her. Slowly she brought her hands out from behind her back and handed him a green stem with a bunch of little blue blossoms crowning the top.

Gibbs looked at her in surprise. "Jen?"

She shrugged. "Well, you said you'd never gotten flowers before, and since I've been completely spoiled by them lately, I thought it was your turn." Jenny moved closer, invading her husband's personal space and closing her eyes for a second, letting his scent and warmth envelop her.

"I'm assuming it has a meaning?" he asked, his voice low.

She looked up into his eyes. "It's to remind you."

Gibbs ran his hand down her cheek. "Remind me of what?"

Jenny took a deep breath. "Of our memories together, and to hope for more." She hoped he could see in her eyes what she didn't really know how to explain. That she'd felt the distance the last couple of days and wanted to change that.

Gibbs' eyes never left Jenny's. "Oh Jen," he said softly, bringing his face closer to hers. "Thank you." Almost in slow motion, their lips met for a kiss and suddenly Gibbs' flower was in danger of being crushed as they wrapped their arms around each other, enjoying the chance to be close and to share this moment.

Jenny was smiling when they ended the kiss. She traced his lips with her finger. "I love you Jethro."

Gibbs held her close, running his hand through her hair and burying his face in her neck, kissing the spot the made her shiver with delight. "Me too Jen," he sighed. "Me too." Then he looked at the clock. "Hey, did you miss therapy today?"

Jenny leaned back and bit her lip. "I wish. No, I had Cynthia call Dr. Renway to reschedule my appointment for later when Rachel showed up. An hour is never just an hour with Rachel." She grinned.

"Did you two have a good time?" Gibbs asked.

"We did actually," Jenny smiled. "It's nice to just go out with a girlfriend sometimes."

He gave her a look. "I hope you're not implying that I'm not good company Mrs. Gibbs."

She gave him the look right back. "Never Jethro. Think of this as a good thing - now there's someone to rescue you from watching chick flicks with me."

Gibbs smiled. "Well, that's definitely a plus. I guess we should keep Rachel around then."

Jenny glanced at the window and then back at her husband. "Speaking of which...would you mind terribly if Rachel came over for supper tonight?"

He cocked his head to the side and looked at her. "You don't need to ask my permission Jen. She's your best friend, I'm not going to say no."

"I know," Jenny replied, "but...the first time she stayed was a surprise, something we hadn't planned. And the second time I was effectively using her as a human shield. I at least wanted you to have a heads-up for the third time."

Gibbs settled his hands on Jenny's hips, her arms still around his neck. "It think it would be nice to have her come."

Jenny's smile was worth his answer, even if he always wanted more alone time with his wife to just be them. "Okay. I'll call her. Thank you Jethro."

He leaned in to kiss her again, her soft lips moving against his and testing his plans to be at work for awhile longer. "Anytime Jen," he whispered against her skin. She pushed him away playfully.

"Stop looking at me like that Jethro," Jenny warned him, "I am not making out with you in my office five minutes before I have to report to Kristyn's office."

"Maybe later though?" he asked hopefully, fingering the flower she'd given him. It was the first flower he'd ever gotten and he appreciated the thought she'd put into the message it came with.

Jenny rolled her eyes and laughed. "Back to work Agent Gibbs. I think you owe me a report?"

"Fine Jen," Gibbs gave in. "See you later?"

"Come get me when you're ready to go," she replied with a smile.

"Love you Jen."

Jenny's eyes softened for him. "Always Jethro."

The door closed behind him and Jenny sighed. It was so much more fun to stay in her office and flirt with her husband than face Kristyn. The last appointment had been draining and right in the middle of the bad week she and Jethro had been having. Even if things were better, much better between them now with the exception of Gibbs' dream Saturday night, Jenny still wasn't a huge fan of therapy. She sighed, gathering her journal and her courage. May as well get it over with, the sooner the better. She left her office and pushed the down button on the elevator, looking forward to her night after the appointment.