When Jenny woke up, she was surprised to find her husband sitting in the chair in the corner, reading. She frowned, propping herself up on one elbow.

"Jethro," she asked suspiciously, "is that my book?"

Gibbs looked up, his expression saying he'd been caught. "Guilty." He flipped through a few pages. "It's actually not bad. And I had to do something while you were sleeping."

Jenny sat up all the way and covered a yawn. "Fair enough." She stretched, rolling her neck. "How long did I sleep?"

Gibbs glanced at the clock. "A couple hours. Feel better?"

"More awake anyhow," she nodded, then made a face. "Sorry for sleeping during our vacation."

Putting down the book, Gibbs joined her on the bed. "Don't be sorry Jen. Rule #6. And anyways, part of the point of being here was to get you away from the stress and pressure of home so you could relax." He grinned. "If you're sleeping, you're relaxed. And if you're relaxed, I'm happy. Mission accomplished."

Jenny smiled and leaned forward to kiss her husband. "When did you get so sweet?"

Gibbs tucked a stray piece of hair behind Jenny's ear, brushing the backs of his fingers down the sleep marks the pillow creases had left on her cheek.

"When I started trying to win your heart again Jenny." Gibbs let himself be very transparent with her, wanting her to know.

That remark earned him another kiss and Gibbs was thinking he could get used to this game.

"Don't you know Jethro?" Jenny smiled. "You've had my heart since Paris."

The kiss they shared then was long and slow, and they took their time exploring each other again. There was a promise in this kiss too, as there had been in others along the way, of all that they hoped for out of their time together. When they finally stopped, Jenny gave Gibbs a look.

"Now what?" her eyes twinkled, wondering if he still had a few surprises up his sleeve.

Gibbs thought for a moment. "If you want to read some of your book, I'm good for one free foot massage."

Jenny looked at her husband like she didn't believe him, especially about the 'free' part. But the offer sounded enticing.

"Okay," she grinned. Like I'm going to be able to concentrate on my book! Jenny thought wryly.

Gibbs handed her the novel and pulled her legs onto his lap. Jenny leaned back against the pillows and opened her book, but all she really did was watch her husband and enjoy what he was doing, wondering how on earth she'd gotten so lucky.

NCIS

"Did you get everything sorted out for dinner?" Jenny asked much later.

"Yup," Gibbs said, not looking up from what he was doing.

"And?" Jenny asked when he didn't say more.

"Need to leave at 6 pm," he answered, still being cagey.

Jenny looked at the clock. "Jethro, if we're leaving at 6 I need to go get ready." She moved away from him, digging through her bag to find everything she needed.

Gibbs grinned. "Need any help?"

She glared at him. "No I do not need any help." Jenny looked at him pointedly. "You should get ready too."

He chuckled. "It's not going to take me nearly as long as it takes you."

"Watch it buster," Jenny crossed her arms and raised one eyebrow. "You know I do this for you, right?"

Gibbs walked around the bed and kissed his wife on the forehead, wrapping his arms around her. "I know Jen, I was just teasing." He lifted her chin and kissed her. "I always enjoy the result."

Jenny rested her head on his shoulder. "I guarantee you're going to like it tonight," she whispered.

He pulled back and looked at her questioningly, but Jenny just grabbed a few things he had no idea why she'd need and disappeared into the bathroom. Gibbs grabbed his coat and their room key, figuring Jenny wouldn't notice if he was out for a bit. She'd be in the bathroom at least an hour and Gibbs had one more thing he wanted to say.

NCIS

Jenny spent a long time in the shower - shaving, washing herself, and getting her hair really clean. She wanted everything to be perfect tonight. Granted, the dress she and Rachel had picked out was a little fancy for Bluebird Hollow, but she was dressing up for her husband and no one else. She knew Jethro would like her dress so that was all that mattered.

Once out of the shower and towel clad, Jenny took great care in blow drying her hair, pulling the front part back and securing it with a jeweled dragonfly clip from a wealthy old friend. She took out the body lotion they'd used for massages last night and smoothed it into her freshly washed skin. Black silk panties and a matching strapless bra came next, before she rolled on clear deodorant and dabbed her favourite perfume on her neck. She took her time with her make-up, wanting it to be flawless and look natural. Earrings, a silver necklace of different sized circles all attached to each other, and a matching bracelet completed the look.

After a final check in the mirror, Jenny looked at the dress hanging from the shower curtain rod. Carefully removing it from the hanger, she undid the hidden zipper in the side and slipped into it, pulling the silky material up to her shoulders. She stepped into strappy silver heels and at last she was ready. Time to go meet her husband for dinner.

NCIS

Just over an hour after his wife had taken over the bathroom, Gibbs stood before the old-fashioned mirror set up in one corner of the room. He wore his best suit for the occasion with the shiny, deep blue tie Jenny had given him one year for Christmas. As a guy there was only so much he could do to spruce up. But his hair was carefully combed, his shoes shined, and his tie...tied.

He thought it looked straight but Jenny would probably still adjust it a bit. Gibbs chuckled. It was such a wife thing when she did that. He wasn't sure if he wasn't capable of getting it straight or if she just couldn't help touching it. But it got her so close he could smell the perfume dabbed on her neck, so he never minded.

Just as Gibbs was checking his watch and thinking about knocking to remind Jenny of the time, the bathroom door opened and his wife stood there...in her coat. Gibbs raised one eyebrow.

"Jenny?" he asked, looking her up and down. The coat was so long it covered everything except several inches of her dress at the bottom. The colour was pretty, some sort of bluey-green, but Gibbs wasn't too good with his shades.

Jenny shrugged. "I want it to be a surprise, so you have to wait and see, even if it's just until we get downstairs."

Gibbs shook his head, a smile slowly spreading over his face, wondering what awaited him under her coat. "We're not eating downstairs Jen."

"Where are we going?" Jenny's expression conveyed her confusion.

"That," Gibbs told her smugly, "is for me to know and you to find out. But first, this."

With a flourish, he handed her a wrapped package in the shape of a flower bouquet. Jenny arched one eyebrow at him but took the gift and slowly opened it. Joy lit her face and her eyes leapt up to meet his.

"I see your poem was predicting the future," she said lightly, teasing him. "Jethro, they're wonderful, thank you."

"I'll love you forever Jen, that's just one reminder."

Her eyes promised more when she kissed him on the cheek. "Just let me put these in water and I'll be ready to go."

An empty vase on the table soon became the new home for Jenny's flowers, and she leaned down to sniff the heliotrope before turning back to her husband. He liked that she liked his gift, Jenny could tell. She stood and looked at him for a moment, smoothing his already straight tie and adjusting it out of habit. Without a word she took the arm Gibbs offered and they went downstairs. Holly smiled conspiratorially at Gibbs as they walked out, so Jenny knew that wherever they were going it was probably her suggestion. If it was anywhere near as good at the last one, she knew she would love it.

Gibbs tucked Jenny into the car, being careful of her dress. He held her hand for the length of the drive across the city, glancing at her every once in awhile and just smiling. When they got to the restaurant, Gibbs pulled up in front, handed the keys to a valet, and helped Jenny out. She looked up at the sign.

"Enchante?" she asked, her French accent still impeccable even after nine years.

Gibbs shrugged, but he was grinning like a little boy. "I told Holly I wanted to take you somewhere special and she immediately picked up the phone and got us reservations here." There was a little awe in his voice as he said it. "This place is booked a month in advance. That woman has some serious connections."

Jenny tipped her head up and kissed Gibbs on the cheek. "Thank you Jethro."

He took her hand again and they walked in together. When the attendant helped Jenny out of her coat, Gibbs could only stare. His wife turned around slowly, her smile tentative, awaiting his approval. Not that he could help but give it.

The dress was beautiful, hugging her torso and falling to the floor in elegant folds. A double strap went over one shoulder, one part attached at the back of the dress, the other angling across her back, giving it a unique look. Jenny's long red hair cascaded down her back, only the front part held back by a fancy clip. Her jewellery added to the subtle grace of the dress. Gibbs took Jenny's hand and pressed his lips to the back.

"Wow," he whispered, "you look amazing."

Her smile bloomed and a soft blush coloured her cheeks. "Worth the wait?" she asked.

Gibbs ran his thumb over the heart bracelet on her wrist. "Absolutely."

The Maitre d' led them through the dimly lit dining room to a table in the back near the window. After seeing Jenny seated, Gibbs moved to his chair, scanning the room out of habit. It wasn't a huge place and the way everything was set up, as well as the lighting, lent to the intimate atmosphere. Jenny put her hand on his and Gibbs looked down.

"Abby did a good job," he commented, noticing for the first time the pinkish colour on her nails. To be honest, he was surprised that the girl hadn't insisted on some shade close to black.

"Alright," Jenny said, smiling at him, mischief shining in her eyes, "who are you and what have you done with my husband?"

Gibbs caressed the back of Jenny's hand. "I just wanted everything about tonight to be perfect."

Jenny gazed around, thinking she couldn't change a thing. "It's working."

A tuxedo clad waiter appeared at their table. "Would you like to see a drink menu sir?"

Gibbs shook his head. "Not necessary, thank you. Two Shirley Temples please."

If the man thought it a strange request, he didn't show it. "Of course. Your meals will be out shortly."

Jenny's eyebrows disappeared under her bangs. "Shirley Temples Jethro?" Normally the man wouldn't be caught dead drinking anything weaker than wine, even if he did prefer his bourbon.

He shrugged. "They're your favourite, right?"

"When I was a little girl," Jenny laughed, and Gibbs just looked at her. "Okay, fine, and maybe in college too," she conceded.

Gibbs crossed his arms. "You had one at your birthday dinner four months ago."

Jenny's eyes dropped to her lap and she couldn't hide her smile. "Oh yeah, that." She looked up. "You ordered for us?"

He shrugged. "Told Holly what I was thinking and she called ahead for us. I think she's my new best friend."

Jenny laughed and the waiter returned with their drinks, but was gone again before Jenny could say thank you.

"A toast?" Gibbs asked, before Jenny took her first sip.

She considered this. "Okay. To what?"

"What else Jenny?" Gibbs asked. "To healing. To life. To us."

They clinked glasses gently and had only just set them down when their waiter walked up to the table carrying two covered plates. He set one down in front of each of them and lifted the lids with a flourish. Steam rose from the food and Jenny was sure nothing had ever smelled so good.

"Steak au poivre," the man announced. "Enjoy."

Jenny grinned at her husband in delight, then frowned. "This looks suspiciously like bribery," she declared, remembering the last time they'd shared this meal in her office.

"Why?" Gibbs took his first bite and looked at her like supper wasn't the only thing he was hungry for. "Am I going to need it?"

Jenny's smile widened and she shook her head slowly. "No."'

They kept the conversation over dinner simple and light, sharing stories from their missions and remembering the team's always unpredictable antics. They talked about their relationship, memories of the beginning and little things from their marriage, moments neither had ever forgotten.

When Jenny finally put down her fork, she'd still only eaten about half her meal. But Gibbs decided that was enough for him. If she was eating, he wasn't going to complain when it was more than a couple bites. He looked across the room. The soft music that was playing had so far lured several couples onto the dance floor in the center. Gibbs glanced in that direction and held his hand out to his wife.

"Jenny Gibbs, may I have this dance?"

She wiped her mouth with her napkin and dropped it onto the table, placing her hand in his. "You certainly may."

Gibbs led her over to the edge of the dance floor and put one hand on her lower back. Her left hand rested on his shoulder and their joined hands came up. Following the music, Gibbs waltzed them across the floor, Jenny matching him step for step, letting him lead and trusting his movements. She spun out away from him, then gently back into his chest, her dress flowing around her like water. Jenny loved how the fabric gently swished against her legs, making her feel beautiful.

Their bodies were closer now than before, and she didn't mind in the least. After a few rounds the tempo of the music changed, and Jenny put both her arms around her husband's neck, while his hands came to rest on her back, holding her securely to him. They moved as one, taking tiny steps around and around in small circles, seeing nothing but one another.

Minutes passed, but for now time ceased to have meaning. It was just them, together, thinking things had never been better. Gibbs lowered his head slightly and kissed Jenny's cheek. She smiled and lifted her face for a proper kiss, which he willingly gave, keeping his mouth soft and undemanding on hers.

For a long moment they held still, no longer swaying to the music that floated around them. Then it was over and Jenny laid her head down on Gibbs' shoulder, feeling safe and secure in his arms. Gibbs started them moving again, but barely, and pressed a kiss to Jenny's hair. He put his mouth right beside her ear, his breath tickling her skin in a way that warmed her whole body.

"Wanna get out of here?" he whispered, not able to come up with a covert way to ask.

Jenny's body stilled, and she didn't move her head from his shoulder right away. Gibbs worried for a minute that something was wrong, but when she pulled back to look at him, he saw his own desire reflected in her dark green eyes.

"I'm ready," she said softly, much more than just one meaning behind her words.

The cheque was waiting on the table for them and Gibbs pulled out several bills, leaving a generous tip for the service. With Jenny's hand in his, they headed for the front to collect their coats. Once in the car, Gibbs found it hard to concentrate on driving with Jenny's fingers running lightly across the back of his neck, sending shivers down his spine, and her smile promising that whatever came next would be worth all that they'd been waiting for.

Back at Bluebird Hollow, Gibbs walked up the steps with his hand on Jenny's lower back, not willing to be any further away. Holly was at the front desk when they breezed by. She'd been waiting to ask the couple how their evening was, but seeing the way the were falling into each other's eyes, a conversation without words, only looks and touches, she held her tongue, deciding her inquiry could wait until tomorrow afternoon. It looked like they had plans that did not include the interruptions of others.

Holly smiled secretly to herself. Anyone could see those two had something special and she was glad to see their love for each other on full display. A voice from the doorway startled her out of her musings, and the older woman rose to comply with her granddaugther's request.

She and George still looked at each other like that and Holly hoped the Gibbs' would get to enjoy the kind of long lasting love she shared with her husband of forty years. No matter what the struggles or how much work it was, a love like that was always worth fighting for.