As soon as Jenny walked back in the room, she sat down very close to her husband and reached for his hand, wanting his support for whatever came next. Gibbs squeezed her fingers reassuringly and Kristyn smiled at them both.

"First of all I want to tell you that I think this weekend away is a great idea for you. It's been a difficult month and getting away from everything that is here will be very freeing." She looked back and forth between Gibbs and Jenny. "I'm assuming the two of you have a goal for this time together, to win back the intimacy that you've been forced to put on hold these last few weeks, so I'm going to give you a few suggestions. Just hear me out and then do what you will with them."

Neither Gibbs or Jenny particularly liked discussing intimacy with her therapist. They exchanged brief glances and then turned their attention to the carpet pattern and a picture on the other side of the room. Maybe if they didn't say anything it would only be mildly awkward instead of monumentally uncomfortable.

Kristyn took a deep breath. "Sex for rape survivors will never be the same as sex for those who have never experienced that type of violence. For a long time it will be something they have to think carefully about, and something that requires a lot of focus just to get through." She shook her head. "Don't get me wrong, it can be pleasurable still, but it may take a lot of work to get back to that stage. So Jenny," the doctor waited until her patient looked up and made eye contact, "I want you to think about enjoying sex within the limits of something called CERTS. It stands for Consent, Equality, Respect, Trust, and Safety."

She let that thought hang for a moment before continuing. "When you were raped, none of those things were present. However, when you're with your husband, I'm going to venture a guess that they will all be present. Mr. Gibbs would never do anything without your consent, he does not think of you as something he can use but rather as another person whose desires and needs are equal to his own. From my talks with both him and you, I know that your husband respects you and I know that while it may be difficult Jenny, you are working on trusting him again. As for safety," Kristyn smiled, "I would imagine he does his best to make sure you always feel safe around him."

Jenny gave a little nod and agreed. Jethro had been working very hard to be all of those things for her.

"The more each of these qualities is present when you are intimate, the better sex will feel to you. That is what healthy sex should be. These things help you experience sex in the opposite direction of trauma, they set up guidelines and boundaries for safety. Only do what makes you feel safe Jenny," Kristyn cautioned her, "anything more would just be a step back."

While they didn't look at each other, husband and wife listened very carefully to Dr. Renway's words, knowing they came from the wisdom of years of experience and also that she was trying to help.

"One more thing," Kristyn said, "and then I promise you that's the last I'll say on the subject for now. Jenny, you need to have new memories to attach to sex, memories that carry another association than that of the pain, shame, and guilt that came with your rape. The more you have healthy, loving sex, the more those feelings will be replaced with love, pleasure, and safety." She turned stern eyes to Gibbs. "And I expect you, Mr. Gibbs, to pay very close attentions to the subtle cues you will be getting from your wife. Granted, the two of you have been apart for a long time, but rushing things will not help at all. Go slow, be gentle, and listen to what her body is telling you. You may also have to adapt the positions you use for making love, so that nothing reminds Jenny of the bunker. Just something to keep in mind."

That advice startled the couple, and they could truthfully say that hadn't occurred to them at all. Somehow, they just hadn't thought about it. But that could definitely be important and Gibbs especially filed the information away for later.

"And on that note," Dr. Renway smiled, "I want you guys to know that I am very pleased with your progress, both separately and together. There've been some very trying times this month but you're still together, you're still standing, and you're getting ready to move forward. I have a great respect for the love and bond the two of you share. And I'm looking forward to continuing helping the two of you through this healing process." She stood and nodded at Gibbs. "You're free to go now. I'll just quickly go over the evaluation with Jenny and then I'll wish you both a good weekend. Thank you."

In a surprising move, Gibbs held out his hand and shook Kristyn's. "Thanks," he said shortly, but it was sincere. He looked down at Jenny. "I'll be with the team when you're ready to go."

Her eyes said it all. 'Thank you', 'I love you', and even, 'I'm looking forward to this'. He grinned at her briefly and walked out the door.

Kristyn sat back down and Jenny folded her hands and took a breath. "So...how hard is this evaluation?"

The doctor laughed. "Nothing like the exams you had to take in college, I promise. It's actually very simple and almost entirely painless. It will only take a few minutes and then I'll let you get out of here."

"Okay," Jenny smiled, "I'm ready. Shoot." Then she frowned. "Actually, I'd prefer if you didn't." She shrugged. "I left my gun upstairs."

The therapist raised an eyebrow. "I'll keep that in mind for next time. But seriously, Jenny, we have to talk about your eating."

Jenny closed her eyes. The one topic she'd been hoping everyone would forget about. "Is it really necessary?"

Dr. Renway raised one eyebrow. "Do you want to get sick?"

"Sick?" Jenny asked.

Kristyn shook her head. "I'm sure your doctor told you that if you don't give your body what it needs, you're going to get tired and worn down. And when that happens your immune system won't have the resources to draw from to fight any viruses that get into your body. If you don't start eating properly, you are going to get sick and you will have that to deal with as well as everything else." She looked at her patient seriously. "You're a smart lady Jenny, this isn't news to you."

"But I can't..." Jenny began.

The doctor interrupted. "I know you think you can't eat Jenny and I know you don't want to throw up, but you can't just stop eating because of that fear." She looked at the redhead questioningly. "Did you ever fill that prescription Dr. Mariott gave you for anti-nausea medication?"

Jenny looked around as if there might be someone else hiding in the corners to save her from having this conversation. "No," she said after a pause.

"Please do," Kristyn insisted, in the kind of tone that made it more order than request. She held out a spiral bound book to Jenny. "I didn't want to have to do this, but a month is too long to be eating as little as you are." She held up her hand when Jenny opened her mouth to protest. "I know you've been doing it for weeks and avoiding food is probably habit by now. You've convinced yourself that eating is a bad thing and so you're trying to eat as little as possible. But it's not healthy in any way and so we have to do this."

Frowning, Jenny reached for the book. "What is this?"

"It's a food journal," the therapist continued. "I'm making it part of your therapy to write down what you eat. Everything Jenny," Kristyn told her. "I want you to record every bite you put into your mouth. If you had eight spoonfuls of soup, half a sandwich, or two bites of salad, it goes in here. You need to see it on paper, to see for yourself what you are doing to your body." She gave the woman a long look. "Have you lost weight?"

Immediately Jenny looked down.

"Your husband told me," Kristyn said and Jenny's eyes snapped to hers. Dr. Renway shook her head. "Before you go getting on his case about being honest, I want you to know that he's concerned for you. He came so close to losing you once already, I don't think it's fair to give him another reason to worry for you. Do you Jenny?"

Oh sure, bring my husband into this. Like you didn't already know he's a weak spot for me. She crossed her arms and looked at the psychologist wearily. "I'll do it," she replied quietly. "But I can't promise it's going to get better just because I'm writing things down."

"You don't have to make it better Jenny," Kristyn returned softly. "That's my job. At your next session we'll sit down and take a look at what your weekend has looked like food-wise. We'll talk about it and see if there's any way to improve what you're eating or what you're thinking about food. If that doesn't work, I'll refer you to a nutritional therapist. My friend Naomi, that's her line of work. But don't worry about that yet."

Jenny nodded, having no ability left to fight about it. She didn't want to get sick. The eating thing was such a big deal to everyone else, but to her it was just something she didn't think about that much. I guess I'll have to start thinking about it now, she thought, sighing.

"Okay," Kristyn smiled, "now that that's out of the way, let's talk about the positive things I've seen this month. Jenny, you came in here four weeks ago terrified of the memories and uncomfortable with therapy in general. You didn't want to be touched by your husband, you didn't have anyone to confide in, you refused to journal as a way to process your experience, and you refused almost any advice I gave."

Colour came into Jenny's cheeks as she remembered the hostility she'd felt in her early sessions with Kristyn.

"But look at you now," her therapist said, making Jenny meet her eyes. "You and your husband are getting your relationship back. I don't see the dark fear behind your eyes anymore, and you haven't tried to get out of therapy recently. In fact, you've actually started opening up and telling me things I can use to help you continue to heal. That is tremendous in itself and I'm very proud of you."

Jenny gave her a small smile and waited for the rest.

Kristyn glanced down at her notes. "You've been getting more and more comfortable with being touched again, you have a best friend that is around to support and walk through this with you, and reluctantly or not, you are journaling now and working through your memories of what happened. You've learned to verbalize your experience, and little by little, you're following the advice given in sessions to being to take hold of the new life you're building for yourself." She shook her head. "For only a month of time, that is incredible. You are doing great."

Jenny bit her lip and looked up. "I'm still waiting for the 'but'."

Dr. Renway nodded understandingly. "Yes, the 'but'. I'm very pleased with the progress you have been making Jenny, but I've decided to keep you on two sessions a week for now. We'll give it another month, see what the lingering issues are, and maybe drop it back to therapy once a week after that. I want you to continue with your journal, one entry for every day, and to begin keeping this food log so we can start to work on that. How does that sound?"

Letting out a breath, Jenny managed to sound positive. "Well, it could've been worse."

Kristyn laughed. "Yes, it could've been. But I'm serious Jenny, you are doing really well. And I hope you have a great weekend away with your husband. Just remember to focus on staying calm and relaxed. If you have a flashback or a nightmare, don't shut Jethro out, talk to him and let him help you through it. While it may make things a little awkward or uncomfortable if these reactions get in the way of intimate time the two of you are having, dealing with things one at a time will ultimately help you deal with the entire experience." She smiled. "Try to have fun. You guys deserve it."

Jenny tipped her head and looked at her therapist. "So is that it? I'm free to go?"

"For this time," Kristyn agree. "I'll see you on Tuesday."

"Yeah, Tuesday," Jenny echoed. She met the woman's eyes. "Thanks Kristyn, for everything."

"You're more than welcome Jenny," Kristyn said sincerely. "Now what are you waiting for? Get out of here! I'm sure this weekend will be worth the wait."

Jenny smiled like she had a secret. "Oh, I am sure it will be." Then she turned and walked out of the room, ready to go find her husband and leave the city behind.

NCIS

"Did Agent Gibbs give you the number Cynthia?" Jenny asked, rifling through her desk while her assistant watched in mild amusement.

"About a half hour ago Director." She smiled. "Go. Everything is under control here."

Jenny looked up guiltily, like she'd been caught. "Only call if..."

"I know," Cynthia rolled her eyes, "the world stops turning, or World War Four spontaneously breaks out, or Agent DiNozzo does something stupid like blowing himself up. Or if Officer David kills someone we needed." She laughed. "I got the whole list from Agent Gibbs."

Jenny shook her head. "I'm sorry Cynthia, I'm just feeling a bit frazzled."

"Director, you're officially on holidays for the weekend. It's not the first time you've left the agency for a couple of days. We'll be fine."

Jenny walked up to her assistant and hugged the woman warmly. "Thank you Cynthia. I really am leaving now."

"I'll hold you to that," Cynthia warned her boss.

"You'll have to. I don't think Agent Gibbs will let me near the stairs again." It was the third time she'd started to go down to the bullpen only to remember something she needed to check one more time.

Down in the squadroom, Gibbs stood staring at the three agents of his team and one forensic scientist who wasn't taking the chance to miss saying goodbye to 'Mommy and Daddy'.

"DiNozzo," he barked, "you're on call over the weekend and in charge if we actually get a case."

Tony nodded. "Affirmative." He glanced to both sides, smirking at McGee and Ziva. "Hear that? I'm in charge."

Ziva rolled her eyes. "Could you be any more juvenile?" she wondered out loud.

"Don't dare him Ziva," McGee begged, "just pray we don't get any calls and maybe we all survive the weekend."

"Ma-Gee," Gibbs focused on the junior agent.

"Boss?" Tim gulped.

Gibbs stared hard at him. "You are not to trace either of our phones, let Tony talk you into hacking Cynthia's computer to get the number of where we are staying, be in the lab every spare second you have should we get a case, or get involved in any bets Tony decides to make. Are we clear?"

Tim's eyes widened. "Crystal Boss."

"And there better not be any bets DiNozzo," Gibbs warned, leaving the threat of what would happen to Tony up to the imagination.

Ziva came next. "Try not to kill any team members while we're gone," Gibbs said, smiling at her.

The Mossad officer crossed her arms and glared at Tony out of the corner of her eye. "What about severe injury?" she asked, already imagining what it would be like for her partner to be in charge again.

Gibbs pondered this and rolled his shoulders. "Keep it to mild injury, but only if necessary. I need him in good working order for Monday."

"Fine," Ziva said, enjoying the shock on Tony's face.

Jenny chose that moment to appear beside her husband. "All set?" she asked.

"We're good," he smiled at her.

"Have a good time Jen," Ziva told her friend.

"Don't do..." Tony started, but got elbowed in the ribs by Ziva and switched to a very simple, "See you Monday Boss."

McGee just nodded at the couple, content to stay away from anything that could get him in trouble.

Abby launched herself at Gibbs. "I can't believe you're going away for the whole weekend!" she pouted when she let him go.

Gibbs looked at her. "It's only two days Abs."

"That's an eternity Gibbs! And I won't see you at church on Sunday either."

He nudged her. "Take McGee."

She tossed a glance over her shoulder at her boyfriend. "Maybe I'll do that." Turning to Jenny, Abby gave her a slightly less enthusiastic hug. "Have fun with the Bossman, Director. I'm sure you two will come up with something fun to do while you're away." She winked at Jenny.

"Abby!" Jenny scolded, but the Goth just turned away and rejoined the group.

"Ready?" Gibbs asked, reaching for her hand.

Jenny wove her fingers with his. "Ready."