CHAPTER TWO

Gibbs climbed out of his car tugging at little on his dress jacket. When Gemma opened her front door after he knocked he couldn't help but gawk at her, in that tiny strapless dress that looked like it was made for her.

Reaching into her purse. "Your drooling." Handing him some tissue while passing him.

Getting into the elevator of her apartment. "Let's skip this wedding." Pinning her against the wall.

"Then you'll have no date for that gala of yours. And trust me I'll be looking freaking fine when we go to that. Besides she's a good friend of mine, I have to go." Pushing him away.

Going back to her. "I was thinking of skipping it anyways."

"You don't want to show me off to everyone? Make them all wonder who is that hottie on your arm?"

Looking her over again. "Not really."

"Too bad, we're going to my friend's wedding." Slipping out from under his arm and out of the elevator when the doors opened.

"What is your friend's name who's getting married?" Gibbs asked pulling away from the building.

"Mia. I've known her since freshman year of high school."

The two stepped into the church with the rest of the small group. Gemma heard her name being called before three girls dress as bridesmaids came running up.

They all shot Gibbs some flirtatious laughs. "Is this him?" The brunette asked.

"Yes, Jethro these are some of my friends." Pointing to the brunette. "That is Sally." Pointing to the blonde. "That is Betty." Pointing to the second blonde. "And that is Wendy. You guys this is Jethro."

"He's way cuter than you said," Sally said.

"Or that picture you sent us." Wendy checked Gibbs out.

Betty placed a hand on Sally. "We better go. Gem Mia wants to meet him later." The three walked back to the bride so Gemma and Gibbs could take their seat.

Gibbs leaned to her. "You sent them a picture of me?"

"Took a really cute picture of you sleeping." She took out her phone to show him.

He took the phone and moved it closer and then farther till he could see the picture. He was sleeping in her bed the covers came up to the middle of his stomach. One hand was under his pillow as the other rested on his stomach as he laid on his back.

Handing the phone back to her. "Don't do that again." He told her.

"Can't stop me. Be glad I don't have the other one on my phone. It's on my camera waiting to be printed."

Squinting at her. "Delete it."

"But you don't even know what it is."

"I don't have to. Just get rid of it." The music began so she stuck her tongue out at him.

Everyone congratulated the newlyweds as they walked into the reception after the ceremony. Gibbs and Gemma were the last in line.

"This is Jethro? The guy the bridesmaids told me about?" Mia moved to give him a hug.

Giggling. "Jethro, Mia, and her husband Elton. You guys this is Jethro."

"Finally nice to put a face to a name." Elton shook his hand.

"You talk about me?" Gibbs turned to Gemma.

She and Mia laughed. "All the time. I didn't tell you, Elton, Mia and I were inseparable in high school."

Mia pulled Gemma aside. "You still have that picture on your camera you took a few days ago?"

"Yes, but he wants me to delete it. Didn't like the one I have on my phone I had sent the others."

Keeping their arms linked. "Has he seen the picture on the camera?"

"No, and there is no way I am deleting it till I make a copy first." They laughed joining the other two.

The two newlyweds took their seat at the main table while Gemma and Gibbs sat at the table they were assigned.

Gemma leaned to him "This is fun isn't it?"

"It's torture." He said back.

Tilting her head with a sad face. "How?"

"You dressed like that is torture."

She made an 'awe' noise as she kissed him. "You two are too cute together." One of the other guests at the table said.

"Are you two planning to get married?" Another asked.

Gemma looked to Gibbs as she answered. "We only recently started dating."

"Oh, you two look like you've been together awhile. You give off that vibe."

She took his hand. "I'm not much for the whole shindig on marriage and you've been married how many times? Three? Doesn't matter, were not for it." Gemma told them.

"Oh." One of the couples said.

"We're happy with the way things are now and don't think we need marriage to complete it. Our friends consider us marriage challenged." Gemma smiled.

The two turned to the person at a different table. "Marriage challenged?" Gibbs whispered.

Whispering back. "You are. Me I can't see myself ever getting married. I believe it kills the passion for couples."

"I don't understand women." Gibbs shook his head at her.

Sitting straight. "Women are meant to be adored, not understood. At least I am" She smirked.

The meal was finished and everyone was going around to see the bride and groom dance. Fluffing her hair. "You ready to leave?"

Gibbs took Gemma's hand and led her out onto the dance floor. "I thought you didn't even want to be here." Confused at his action.

Pulling her close to him. "What I can't show you off?"

Gemma hit him lightly on the arm as Gibbs wrapped an arm around her waist as the other took her hand. He held her close as they slow danced to the music that was playing. They ended up dancing a few more dances than planned.

Gemma linked arms with Gibbs. "Thanks so much for coming and being so adorable to my friends." She said as they left.

"It wasn't so hard to be nice to your friends. They are big-time flirts just like you."

Smiling. "They all said if were over you should give them a call."

"They did all claim they were better in bed." His head turned to her.

"Too bad they got all their tricks from me."

Arching an eyebrow. "Tricks?"

"Yes. You were going to get another taste of it tonight. Seeing you dressed up like that is making me feel all hot and bothered."

He stopped pulling her close to him. "Maybe going to the NCIS gala would be entertaining after all."

"So you want to go make me all hot and bothered?"

Giving her a kiss. "Yes."

"Could always do it in a closet at the gala."

Taking a step back. "Seriously?"

"Wouldn't be the first time I did it in a closet somewhere. Don't worry though, I'm having to much fun with you in the bedroom." She went to the car.

Tony walked into Technicolor Turkey to Gemma dancing. She had her back to him and was humming along to the music playing as she put the records away.

"You looking for anything in particular?" She turned around.

"How did you…" Gemma pointed to the round mirror behind her in the corner of the store. "Ahh."

Walking around to another aisle. "You looking for something?"

"Yes, you." He smiled moving next to her.

Rolling her eyes. "So you found me. Now what?" Going over for more records.

"Work is having a gala next week. Come with me." He said.

Placing a record behind the letter R. "No."

"Why?"

"Because I've already got plans for next week with someone else."

"Hey Gem who's your friend?" Another female voice asked.

They both looked over to see a tall bleached blonde walking out from the office in the back. "Don't you recognize him?"

She took a better look at Tony. "Oh my God it's the gay pirate from the picture!"

"What?!" Tony's eyes got big.

"Dude Tiffany came to that conclusion herself when I posted the picture on the wall here." Pointing to the wall behind the counter with all the pictures.

Tony went to check it out and there on the wall was him. "What am I doing up here?"

"That's our wall of pictures. We put ones up that makes us laugh and what not. Yours happen to be one of the ones that make us laugh." Tiffany went over to the counter.

Tony leaned against the counter facing Gemma, who still was putting records away. Looking over at her friend. "So Tiffany what can I say to your friend here, to convince her to ditch what's she doing next weekend and come with me?"

"Nothing. If her minds set on something there is nothing you can do to change it." Tiffany went through some papers behind the desk.

"Come on Gemma you know you want too. I can guarantee a good time."

The two friends busted out in laughter. "It's a good time no matter where I am because I am a good time." Gemma calmed herself from the fit of laughter.

"This is true, other words I would have never went into business with her." Grinned Tiffany.

Gemma pointed at her. "Don't forget my excellent taste in music."

"Here, here." Holding up her hands.

Tony made his way to the door. "I don't give up that easily."

Tiffany waited until the door was closed. "Are you going to tell him you're seeing his boss?"

"I was going to wait till the gala when I showed up with Jethro."

Shaking her head. "No wonder you can't keep a man."

Later that day Gemma wasn't home long before she got a knock on her door. She called out saying that it was open.

"Gemma it's me," Jimmy called as he walked in.

Coming out of the bathroom. "Hey, what brings you here?"

"Wondering what you are doing next week?" He asked.

She wiped her hands on her pants. "Depends on the day."

"NCIS is throwing a gala. I was wondering if you like to come with?"

Gemma snorted. "You need a girlfriend but like I told that one guy you work with, Tony, No. I all ready have plans that day."

"When did Tony ask you?"

Going to her fridge. "This afternoon, he came by Technicolor Turkey."

Seeing the picture on the fridge door. "That better not be who I think it is." Jimmy pointed to the fridge.

Laughing. "It's Jethro." Grabbing something to eat.

"That is highly inappropriate. Remove it now." He demanded.

She looked at the picture of Gibbs, he was asleep in her bed. He looked so peaceful, serene laying there on his back one hand under his pillow the other on his stomach. His left leg was slightly bent as the covers only covered around his waist, hiding only the personal parts.

Grinning. "The picture stays. This is my place, not yours."

"I work with this man. I don't like coming here to see this."

Walking away from him. "Then I'll just have to show everyone at your work your baby pictures."

"You wouldn't?!" Jimmy was shocked by her threat.

Plopping on her couch. "Wouldn't I?" Jimmy growled storming from the apartment. She was happy that Gibbs stopped by that night.

"Want some company?" She nearly jumped at the question not hearing Gibbs come into the bathroom.

"I always want company in the shower if it's you." She giggled.

Gemma felt a nudge waking her from a deep sleep. "What?" She said groggily.

"What's this?" Gibbs held the picture in front of her.

Pushing his hand away. "A picture of you. I need something to keep myself busy on those lonely nights when we're not together."

"Busy?"

Rolling on her side. "Guys aren't the only ones who like to have fun with themselves when they are alone."

"I thought I told you to erase this?"

Groaning. "Jethro I did. You never said I couldn't make me a print first before deleting it. Now come back to bed."

"Who else has seen this picture?" Climbing back into bed.

"Just Mia, Tiffany my business partner and Jimmy."

"Jimmy?!"

"My brother comes by here. If it makes you feel any better I'll keep it in my bedroom. And he won't say anything since I threatened him with showing his baby pictures around his work."

Gibbs grabbed her by the waist pulling her to him. "That picture better be kept in this room."

"Like you'd do anything. I'm still waiting to be handcuffed for impersonating a Marine." Gemma yawned in his face.

"Don't be so sure about that." He said as she turned on her side with her back facing him quickly falling back asleep.

She heard Gibbs cell go off and an irritated groan as he reached for it. Gemma sat up when she felt him get out of bed.

"What no kiss goodbye?" She asked. When Gibbs walked over to give her one Gemma pulled him back on the bed with her. Rolling on top of him. "Do you think they'll mind if you are late?" She asked.

"They can survive without me for a while" Going for her neck. "But I can't stay." Climbing off the bed.

Pouting up at him. "Pretty please." She begged.

"I have a crime that needs to be solved." Giving her a kiss on the cheek, he left the apartment.