Disclaimer - I don't own NCIS
Authors note – I hope this is okay, once more a long chapter, love this one!
"I wanna be the one you run to when you need a shoulder, I ain't a soldier but I'm here to take a stand, because we can" – bon jovi, because we can
Tuesday, 5:30am
As his eyes slowly opened and he awaked from what he thought must have been the most peaceful night's sleep he had had since the 90's, what confused him initially was the fact he was in bed instead of on his basements' cold concrete floor. Except it wasn't his bed, and there was a warm body in his arms. Then he remembered, finally the sleepy haze cleared and he remembered last night. Opening his eyes he turned over to see her. In the dawn muted light he could see the outline of her features as she slept. Saw the way her long red hair fanned out from her face after she'd pushed the locks away. Her eyes were gently closed with a smudge of last night's makeup underneath. Her lips were pouted and she looked at peace. Her arms were draped across his abdomen and his arm was underneath her. The covers reached to just below her shoulders, leaving him to be able to see the creamy white smooth skin of her shoulders.
A small smile spread across his face as he saw her. It was the first time he had been with someone and not had Shannon on his mind the whole time. He like Jenny for being Jenny, for being the strong woman she was. And that made him happier than any of his ex-wives ever had. He smiled as he saw her eyes begin to flutter open. Watched the confusion spread across them before realisation overtook. Once it did a mile formed on her lips too. There she laid, her grip tightening on him. "What times is it?" She questioned, burying her face in the crook of his neck as she tried to block out the light.
"Half five." HE stated after passing a glance at the illuminated red lights of her clock.
"Erg!" Groaned Jenny. He just smirked and kissed her head. He started at her temple and kissed the rest of her face. Her giggles filled his ears, like a little girls as she rolled on her back. He finally kissed her lips. Once they broke from the stifling kiss she rested her head on his shoulder. "I could get used to this." She said with a smile.
"So could I." HE replied as he rested his head on the pillow. They both knew what was coming, it was a Tuesday and he had work, but neither one of them wanted either them self or the other to leave the warmth of the bed. But soon the time came and looked down, she'd nearly fallen apart, and it broke his heart to have to go. "Jen." He said, and that was all she needed. She kissed his cheek before rolling to the side as he stood up to retrieve his clothes. She grabbed a dressing gown from the chair near her bed and walked him out. When he reached the door he looked at her and softly placed his lips onto hers.
"You in the bar tonight?" She questioned.
"No, will be Friday though. When does Ali leave?"
"Saturday morning, first thing."
"We'll be in Friday night." Said Jethro with a smile. "I don't sleep much, if you want to come round my place then the front doors always open, I'll be in basement." He said before softly kissing her.
"I don't finish 'til gone two."
"I know."
"What? And you'll be awake?" Jenny questioned bemused.
"Yeah." H replied with a smirk. "Told ya, I don't sleep." Jenny just laughed and kissed him one final time before watching him leave. He walked back to last night's restaurant and then drove home to change.
When Jethro had left Jenny leant back against the old wooden door with a small smile playing on her lips. This was the first time in a long time that she had woken up with a smile on her face. Looking at the clock on the side board she decided she could return to bed for a few hours before she needed to get up. So, barefooted she made her way up the cold wooden stairs swiftly, trying not to let her feet linger on the cold steps too long.
As she entered her room she grabbed an old police t-shirt, before slipping back under the now cool sheets. Jenny buried her head in the pillow he had been sleeping on and inhaled the smell of bourbon and aftershave. Slowly Jenny felt her eyes grow heavy as she slipped back into the world of slumber. A few hours later she was woken by the sound of her phone ringing. Like a groggy teenager she buried her head back in the pillow, attempting o black out the sound – yet failing. So, groaning she rolled over and found the incriminating device. Blindly pressing the green answer button she placed it to her ear. "Yeah?" She answered.
"So . . . how was it?" Questioned an excitable voice. Jenny smirked; her niece was always more excited about Jenny's love life than she was her own.
"Well, how about I say one thing and let you make your own assumptions from that?" Said Jenny, half laughing as she spoke.
"Go on then!" Stated Ali, anxious to find out what had happened the previous night.
"Well, he only left here . . ." Jenny paused as she looked at her clock. "Three hours ago because he had work."
"Omg! Aunt Jenny! Are you serious?"
"Well I'm sure you could ask him only I doubt that he'd tell you."
"So what went on?" Hinted Ali.
"I don't kiss and tell Al."
"Hmm…we'll see. Anyway, you mind being in by eleven or are you too drained from last night." Laughed the younger woman. Jenny rolled her eyes.
"I'm sure I can manage young lady! Why?"
"Tony is taking me out for lunch. After all I want to see him as much as I can before I go to Diego."
"Aww, young love!"
"Shut up Jenny! I'll see you later."
"Oh how the tables have turned misses." Stated Jenny before hanging up. She then turned over and sighed, it was half eight, she guessed she'd have time to shower and change before walking to the bar and stopping off for coffee on her way.
-A Life Behind Bars-
Leroy Jethro Gibbs sat at his desk, coffee in hand when Tony DiNozzo walked in late. He sent the younger agent his signature glare. "Sorry boss, I was talking to Ali." Stated the younger agent as if it were some massive valid excuse. However Gibbs was not amused, and continued to glare. "Won't happen again." And with that Gibbs nodded in agreement. "We got a case?" Questioned Tony as he tried to fix his hair which had a mind of it's own as it stuck up in all directions thinkable.
"No." Commented McGee from under his desk.
"What are you doing Mc-Probie?" Tim rolled his eyes before banging his head and cursing.
"I'm trying to speed up all of our computers Tony!"
"Ooh! You want any help?" Questioned Tony as he crouched down and began to pick up some of the cables with a curious expression on his face.
"Don't touch that!" Stated McGee as if it were the Queens jewels. "If I wanted help then Abby would be up here. Now just leave me alone and do not turn on your computer or you will crash the whole system!" Ordered McGee.
"Okay Mc-Touchey!"
Gibbs got up, bored with the two agents antics and walked past - smacking Tony on the back of the head as he did so. "Leave him alone DiNozzo."
"Yes boss." And with that they watched as he stepped on the lift before Tony began to gossip. "Is it me or does he seem . . . more tame today? Or as tame as Gibbs can be."
"I'm not getting involved Tony, we both know how this usually ends up!"
"Oh come on Probie! He didn't even head slap me for being late!"
This made Tim stop as think for a moment, and whilst he was beginning to agree with Tony, his gut told him he should not be talking about it because he knew batter. "Okay, maybe you have a point but it is none of our business."
"Maybe him and Miss Jenny got to know each other a little better last night?" Said Tony, wiggling his eyebrows."
"I'm not getting involved!"
"Oh come on probie, I mean she fits his criteria: leggy red head, and a drop dead georgeous one at that."
"Tony!"
"Come on Mc-Spoil-Sport, do I have to go to Abby?"
"Go to Abby! She won't get killed and I can get on with this!" Said McGee; who was getting seriously bored with the other agent. They were like brothers in so many different ways, but brother's fight, and get annoyed with each other too, and so there was no wonder that these two too fought like cat and dog. And yet when the time came they were too fiercely loyal.
Just under an hour later Leroy Jethro Gibbs stood in the bull pen not quite knowing what to do. Tony was down in Abby's lab after having gained the sense to keep out of his friend's way as he worked. Now he had been dragged into helping her do the stock take seeming as they still had no cases. However, the chore he thought it would be had not been so bad. He'd agreed on the condition that he chose the music. So now they were more concentrating on singing and dancing around to Frank Sinatra instead of focussing on the task that was at hand. Up in the bull pen McGee had finished under his desk, dealt with Tonys whilst pushing the feeling of wanting to be sick away. It seemed Tony didn't use his bin but dump everything under his desk instead. Now he had kicked Gibbs out and was under his desk. This now left their boss stood there, not quite knowing what to do. Deciding he had gone over a few hours without a decent cup of coffee he decided to go and get some from his favourite small place that did good coffee.
-A Life Behind Bars-
Jenny Shepard walked along one of the DC backstreets. She had on a white blouse, as she always did for work, which was fitted, had a starched collar and hidden buttons. It was three quarter sleeves and had a few buttons undone. Underneath she wore a Navy Blue spaghetti strap top which showed through the blouse. On her bottom half she wore a pair of dark washed, blue boot cut jeans. They fitted her perfectly. Her feat wore a pair of Navy blue patent leather stilettos. She kept the chill out by wearing a tan brown leather Jacket. Her long red hair was naturally wavy and down lose. She had red lipstick on her lips, and light makeup on the rest of her face.
Jenny walked into the small coffee shop and saw a head of very familiar silver hair. A small smile spread across her face and she walked forward. "Hello stranger." She whispered in his ear. She saw his muscles move as he smiled and turned around.
"hey." He replied smiling. "What you doing here?"
"Grabbing coffee on my way in. How about you?"
"Escaping mayhem." He replied and she smiled.
"Coincidences, eh?"
"I don't believe in them." He replied. "Let me buy you a cup." Jenny smiled and thanked him, knowing he was a typical Chauvinistic man that he wouldn't take no for an answer. Jenny moved outside and waited for him. When he emerged he handed her the cup which she took, thankfully relishing in the warmth that sept though the cup.
"Thank you." She stated, pecking his lips softly before he leant in for a deeper kiss. When they parted both wore smiles. "You fancy walking me to the Duke?"
"Love to." He stated before they began. His hand ghosting over the base of her back. They walked in a comfortable silence, neither of them wanting to waste the moment. They walked along the streets both knew so well before he dropped her off. She kissed him softly before entering the bar and he returned to the nay yard.
Jenny walked in smiling. "What are you looking so pleased with yourself about?" Ali Questioned from where she sat applying the last of her eyeliner.
"Nothing, it's just a beautiful day!" She stated.
"Uhuh?" Commented Ali, not believing her in the slightest.
"So come on, let's see you." Stated Jenny and Ali stood up. She wore a tight black skirt which came just below mid thigh with a baggy emerald green top which fell off one shoulder and was tucked in. She also wore a pair of opaque black tights with black wedge ankle boots. Her hair was like Jenny's in its natural waves only they were all pushed over one of her shoulders. Her makeup was light apart from her signature black eye liner.
"Very nice." Said Jenny, liking her nieces outfit.
"Right, I'd best go, I'm meeting him outside of NCIS Headquarters." Said Ali before grabbing her black leather jacket and going to meet Tony. She walked to the place and saw Tony rush out. She smirked a him before walking over. "Hey." She said with a smile on her face. She looked beautiful in his eyes, unique, and for once without a cigarette in her hand.
"Hey" He said before softly kissing her lisps t which she responded. "So, were do you fancy?" He questioned. He watched as she ever so slightly titled her head as she thought. It made him smile as he thought that she looked as cute as she did it.
"How about Sub Way?" she asked.
"You sure, we can go to a restaurant you know"
"I know, but I've been dying for a sub way lately."
And with thank he placed his arm around her waist and they went on their way. He pulled him closer and said: "You're my kind of girl you know that?"
"I know." She said with a smile on her face before kissing her softly.
And so they walked the familiar streets to the subway before ordering their chosen subs, and walking down the counter and they were filled. Five minutes later both of them left with their choices in hand. Ali had an Italian BMT with lettuce on cheese and herb bread, toasted and with cheese. Tony had a Meatball Marina, toasted with lettuce. Both had cola's and they made their way to a small park. Sitting on a bench both of them ate in relative silence. Ali burst out laughing and Tony looked at her in complete confusion. "What?" He questioned. She just laughed harder before regaining her composure.
"You have tomato on your nose." She said before leaning over and licking it off. HE laughed. They spent the rest of their lunch telling stories and alighting. Tony then walked Ali back to the bar and returned to work. Jethro smiled as his senior agent walked in. Everything seemed a little bit brighter today.
-A Life Behind Bars-
It was half one in the morning. Jethro was down in his basement working on his boat. The repetitiveness of sanding easing his mind. There was always something on his mind, but this helped. No matter what, it helped. He was in a world of his own when he heard the clipping of heals on the wooden floor. Stopping he turned around to see Jenny standing there. He was surprised as he hadn't expected her to come, yet there she was. He walked over to the bourbon. "Drink?" He questioned. She just shook her head, and he noticed she looked tired. "Bed?"
"Sleep." She confirmed with a knowing smirk. With what he made his way over and took her hand before leading her to his room for the night. He passed her one of his old t-shirts for her to wear whilst he changed. Then, as the rest of the city slept, he slipped under the covers, comforted by the knowingness that he was not alone.