Disclaimer NCIS is not mine

Authors note Thanks for all of the support! It means a lot. The next couple of chapters JEnny acts a little weirdly, but because of the change she is confused. I'm not too happy with them but fingers crossed it will get better. So just bare with me please!

Being the Boss

'Monday morning heading back to work,
Stuck in traffic going slow, Nothing on the radio,
I don't wanna be another chore to check off on your list,
Of things you gotta do and placed that you gotta go'
-Lady Antebellum, Friday Night

It was Monday.

The first day at work without Gibbs, and her first day of being in charge of kindergarten – joy!

Jenny sighed and walked into the empty room. Outside the sun was just beginning to rise above the horizon, and the clock had only just struck 0630. Yet there she was, in the abandoned bullpen, too much like her partner and mentor in her work ethic to be good to anyone's health. The windows and skylight barely lit up the room – only allowing the dull grey early morning light to splash un-satisfyingly into the room. The timer on the lights wasn't due to switch them on for a good hour yet. So for now, she would have to cope with the small artificial light that her desk lamp provided.

The red head dumped her unattractive, black, NCIS standard issue backpack carelessly down onto the ground before leaning over and flicking on the small switch on the base of her lamp to turn it on – the little use it did. Jenny skilfully un-holstered her firearm and badge from the waist of her olive coloured skinny jeans and placed it into the draw of her desk. The red head then tucked her white wrap blouse back into her jeans and sat down. Whilst she waited for her computer to log in, she played with the end of her fishtail plain absentmindedly. Her mind still occupied by the events of Gibbs wedding. The way he had danced, and she'd felt so pushed to one side. She wanted him to be happy, and that was the truth. She hoped to God that his honeymoon would go well. She hoped that his marriage – unlike the others – would for once last. After all, Stephanie was the best of what Jenny considered to be a bad bunch.

Meanwhile, her feet - clad in heeled tan brown brogues - tapped away to the beat of a song she faintly remembered hearing on the radio on the way over. As she did so, the red head continued to wait, cursing NCIS for not updating their prehistoric computer system. But her mind wasn't on the job, not today. Not when this was the beginning of a new era for her. Even when the Federal badge background appeared on her computer, she didn't do anything. Instead the agent just stared off into another world.

Ping!

The sound of an email notification brought her out of her daze, and she softly shook her head, trying to get herself back on topic. And stop her rambling thoughts from climbing a mountain that she was nowhere near ready to climb just yet. So, she moved her curser over and clicked on the new email. But it was just the NCIS news bulletin. And as she carelessly scrolled down the page, not even paying attention to the text informing her of how many offenders they'd caught, or what opps had been a success, and who was leaving.

CONGRATULATIONS are in order to Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs on his marriage which took place this weekend. We all hope that this one works out for you. And enjoy you're honeymoon!

If she had been reading it out loud, the words would have stuck in her throat. And although it was bittersweet, and she was pretty sure she had the right to feel that way, there was a sense of guilt about it. She'd spent the whole of his wedding wishing that she was somewhere else, that he wasn't getting married. Jealousy had corrupted her, and she'd turned into a woman that day, who had been no better than Diane. So, mentally head slapping herself in a way she knew her partner would be proud of, she closed the window.

Standing up, she walked over to his desk, took a deep breath and told herself to get on with work. Once she did that she was pretty sure that she would be okay. After all, the way she got through everything was by burying herself under work – just as she had done when her father died all those years ago. Jenny found his stack of paperwork – a considerably larger stack that she had expected – and took it over to her desk.

He was meant to have caught up on it all before he left. 'Meant' being the key word. Jethro never did his paperwork unless he was faced with the ultimatum of paperwork Vs the FBI, or when he was married to Diane; paperwork would always beat going home. Which was generally why he let it rack up until he had Marrow breathing down his neck, and it seemed even that had not worked this time. So Jenny dumped it on her desk and got ready to wade through the mess.

She just hoped to God that someone would bring her coffee! Preferably Ducky as he actually knew her order, unlike Stan who kept handing her some sickly, caramel, froth that tasted like washing up liquid. But she hadn't had the heart to tell him yet. Having said that, if he brought her it today she may well just spit it out all over him.

Two hours later the read head cast the piercing green eyes over the top of the divider to see that he team mates had decided that they were actually going to turn up to work. Something she had doubted considerably when they were over an hour late. As she looked up she saw that whilst they weren't still in the clothes they had worn to the wedding – which she would not have been surprised to find them to be – they were, however, looking extremely hung-over. And the replacement team leader had to hide the smirk that appeared on her face at the sight of the black bags under their eyes.

"Morning." They both grumbled as they made their way over to their desks. William Decker placed a cup of coffee onto her desk as he did so, winking discretely as he did so. Simply because he knew what he order was, and had obviously stepped in front of Stan and got her coffee. His intuition telling him that after the wedding she would more likely than not be in a bad mood and a wrong coffee order may just push her off of the edge. It was something that she was more than a little thankful for.

"We've not got a case." She stated, after passing a grateful glance over to Decker for the coffee. "So get your paperwork done and I'll take it up to Marrows when I get Gibbs' done."

They both groaned, before turning their computers on and beginning to try and look like they were working. Although she knew for a fact that Stan was playing Tetris as for the first moment he had completely forgotten that his volume was not turned down on his computer. That had resulted in the game-like music filling the room.

As they got one with their work, her eyes fell on the vacant desk next to her. And part of her felt sentimental, but work was working, so she turned back to the paperwork and completed another case report. Because the work was officially Gibbs' she could not sign it, however after working with him so long she had learnt to forge his signature perfectly. Marrow had long since realised that the reports were not being done by Gibbs, however they were getting done which was a significant change. So he turned a blind eye to it.

Jenny placed her pen down on the desk, it was lunch time, and Stan and Will had left a good half hour ago. She didn't expect them back for another hour, Gibbs wasn't there to scare them so they were making the most of it – and no one blamed them. Out of all of the teams at NCIS, Gibbs' was the hardest working. They had the most cases, the fasted clean up rate, they had the longest days and were on rota more weekends than any other. So the fact that for the time whilst their boss was on honeymoon they were relaxing – no one really minded.

Standing up, she picked the empty coffee cup up and tossed it into the bin. Then she decided to go and see Ducky. It seemed like with the mass of cases they had had on the lead up to the wedding, she hadn't seen much of him. Then at the weekend she had basically done her best to avoid everyone. So she made her way down to autopsy.

It was ironic really, when she had first joined NCIS, it had been the place that she avoided like the plague. The thought of the coolness, the sterile smell and stainless steel tabled filling her with nothing less than dread. And yet now, she was heading to that place for solace, it had become a place of comfort and emotional warmth. Where she could leave behind all the titles she held. She wasn't viewed as an Agent, she wasn't known for being the Cornel's Daughter, or emotionally scarred red head. Instead she was just Jenny. Not Jen, the woman who was falling in love with her partner and mentor, or Jennifer, the lady corrupted by a vendetta.

The door opened with a Swish of the airlock loosening, and the cold air hit her forearms making the hairs stand up. Her captivating green eyes took in the bright room, and she smiled at the sight of empty tables meaning that Ducky had not 'visitors' that she could see. "Duck?" She said softly, as she walked further in.

"Coming my dear." A muffled voice replied as he exited the store room. His eyes lit up at the sight of her and he smiled softly. He was one of the closest things that she had to family, and since they'd started the mass undercover operation that spanned the majority of Europe, he'd been like a father to her. And even though she didn't want to exactly talk to him about what was going on in her head and heart – she wasn't even sure herself what she felt. But just being in his company would be everything that she needed. "Now what can I do for you?"

"Can we put the kettle on Ducky? I need a break from Gibbs' paperwork before I go mad." She stated, smiling lightly.

"I was just thinking that I'd enjoy some Mr Earl, take a seat my dear." And she did, her eye following as she emptied some loose tea leaves into the strainer and poring boiling water in. They were silent whilst he made the tea; then again it was almost their ritual to be so. She watched him make it expertly, the drink that she had never drank before meeting Ducky. Yet now she even had some at home, and it was her drink of choice whenever she felt down.

Soon there was a tea cup in front of her, the white china placed on a thin saucer. "Thank you." She said, wrapping her fingers around the warmth and watching as the steam rose in swirls above.

"Are you alright my dear?" He asked, concerned that she seemed a million to be away as she sat opposite him in the cold room.

"Yeah . . . yes Ducky I'm fine. I guess I'm just adapting."

"To the change between you and Jethro." It wasn't a question, but a statement. To the man who had watched them grow both in and before Europe, seeing one of them break away from the partnership in that way – he could understand just why she was upset. He'd never judge.

"I'm stupid I know . . . it's just . . . I've never loved anyone Ducky, I have no family but you guys. And even if it only was for our covers, he was my husband – we were married. And I guess . . . oh I don't know Ducky. It's just weird I suppose."

He leant over and took her hand, feeling like he was comforting the daughter that he had never had. "It's not stupid my dear – by no means. If things were the other way around, if you were getting married then he'd feel the same. Even if he didn't show it."

Jenny smiled at him, her eyes sparkling ever so slightly. "Thank you." She said, looking down, and drinking the remainder of her tea. They remained in silence until all that was left in both of their cups were small grains of tea that had snuck through the thin wire mesh of the tea strainer. She then smiled at him, and knew she had to go. "I still have a mound of Jethro's paperwork to get through." She stated.

"I'll see you again soon my dear." And with that she left.

Jenny walked out into the hall way, and sighed, it was time to get back to work. So she took the stairs and made her way up into the bullpen. But when she got to her desk she stopped dead at the second pile of paperwork, double the size of the first, which was sat on her desk. "What is that?!" She asked accusingly at the two guilty looking agents who had finally returned to their desks.

"Well if you're doing Gibbs' paperwork, then you may as well do it all." William Decker said, as though it were the simplest thing ever.

"Yeah, Gibbs' not yours!" She exclaimed as she sat down behind of her desk.

"That is Gibbs!" Stan said, completely and utterly unable to contain the laughter that was threatening to spill. Jenny looked doubtingly at the files and picked it up, and to her dismay he wasn't lying. She picked up another file, and another, and another – they were all Gibbs'. "Where on earth did you get all this from?!"

"His bottom draw." Decker said, smirking at the red head. "You didn't think that the stuff on his desk was all of it, did you?"

Jenny simply groaned and fell back into her chair. "How on earth does he get away with this?!" But no one answered, they were all simply shocked that she had just added it to the pile, and began to get on with the job. But the truth was they neither of them knew either. Somehow Gibbs just managed to get away with it. Stan and Will passed a look of raised eyebrows between one another and got on.

In the end it took Jenny until Thursday afternoon for her to finish the stack of Gibbs' paperwork. But that time, Stan and Will had already left their piles on the edge of the red heads desk so that she could take it all up in one go. So they had spent the remainder of the week supposedly working through cold cases. Although having said that, it had ended up taking them a whole day just to decide on one to focus on, and another to go collect all the evidence. So by the time Thursday came around, they had done pretty much nothing bar go over whiteness statements.

But in all honesty, she couldn't moan at them. Sure they messed about even when Gibbs was in the office, but when it came down to it their hearts were in the right places. When they got a case they cared, they'd lay down their lives for another without even giving a second thought. So although they were winding her up, unless they got a case she would turn a blind eye.

It was dark outside, the trees blowing ever so slightly in the breeze. The bright green leaves rustling against one another. The final signature had been forged and the boys had left to go home for the evening. She knew that Tom Marrow was still up in his office, the SecNav had only just left and his assistant was yet to be dismissed.

The red head leant forward and placed her chin onto her palms. She'd done true to her thoughts and buried herself in work. Not just doing her partners case reports and other paperwork, but also working with Stan and Will on the odd occasion that they actually did some work. So now, after four days it was beginning to take its toll. The agent was shattered, and more than a little fed up.

Standing up, she decided that she would take the files up the director, then go home and curl up in bed whilst waiting for sleep to capture her and let her relax in its arms. So, she picked up the large pile of brown NCIS 'Confidential' marked files, and walked up the stairs, the heels on her black t-bar shoes clip clopping on the small metal rim of steps. Her long legs were clad in black leggings, and she wore a dark teal blue blouse that was made with multiple layers of thin material, and a black leather collar. Her hair was left naturally in its curls, and Jenny wore minimal makeup – just mascara and her signature red lipstick.

And although from the outside she looked normal, she really was emotionally exhausted as well as physically. As she walked into the outer office, she saw that Marrow's secretary was on the phone to her husband whilst she packed away her things. Jenny caught her eye and smiled, showing her the files. And the woman just nodded, signalling her to go in as she continued on with her telephone conversation.

Jenny's pale hands opened the cold metal door, and she walked in, smiling as she saw Tom look up from his paperwork and over to her. He caught sight of the large pile of files in her hands, and he simply laughed. "I was wondering when I'd finally get that mound." And Jenny just laughed, making her way over to the solid wooden desk and placing the files down. When the red head was relieved of the weight she heaved a sigh. "I'd say thank you, but I think that is my weekend gone." He groaned softly.

"Well I apologise." The red head replied, a small smile on her face. "I think I'm the only one who didn't know the extent to the amount he had stashed away."

"I prefer ignorance. It's less of a pain in my butt." He said, and she smirked back at the Director. "Take a seat." He said, and she did so. Both of them lived for their work. They loved the job, but also were well aware of the toll it could take on your personal life. And so, at the chances they got, both were under no illusion that there weren't times when you should take a break.

The Director stood up, and walked over to the drinks cabinet, and poured them both a glass of whiskey from the cut crystal decanter that was at home in the office. "I know it's not that pain stripper that Gibbs has gotten you drinking, but it's not half bad." He stated as he passed her the crystal cut glass.

"Thanks." She said, taking a sip of the amber liquid. "Jack Daniels." Jenny stated, a small smirk passing over her face. "My father used to have this in his study; I'd drink it when he was away. I guess I have always had expensive taste."

"My father was a Brandy man." Tom said, making a face of disgust at the thought of it. "I nicked at bottle one night after a fight, and a few of us got smashed on it – never had a worse hang over in my life!" And they both laughed, it wasn't often you got to hear about an agent's life before they had first walked into the Agency. Most of them had friends in the office, but after they left that was it. Many of the agents had been in the forces prior to joining, so everyone knew that more often than not you avoided the mention of before. Everyone had parts of themselves they preferred to keep hidden from prying eyes.

"Brandy was as bad as swearing in my house." Jenny laughed, before taking another sip of the whiskey that was in her hand. A drink that held so many memories, in fact it was drinks which reminded her of those she had lost as oppose to places. As she looking around the room, she caught sight of the few pictures that he had up. In most of them he looked a lot younger, there were picture of him with other agents – ones she guessed he had worked in close quarters with, and pictured from parties. It was almost as though he was trying to cling on the people that he had met on his way up to the top.

"The job vacancy is still open Jenny." He said, and she looked away like the words had been fire to scald her with. Near the end of their undercover operation, Marrow had rung her with the offer of her own team, and after a week of consideration she'd said no. Deciding that she had family in Gibbs, and respected him too much to just up and leave.

"No." She said, softly before downing the last of her whiskey. Even if he had someone else now, he was still family. He was still the one who had turned her from the revenge fuelled, bitter child she had been into the woman who sat in her place.

"I don't know when the opportunity will arise again." He said, and it wasn't that he wanted Gibbs to lose her. It was the fact that Jenny was a damn good agent – one of the best – and he didn't want her to look back years from now, and resent the fact that she had chosen to stay. If she took the job then in less than a decade she would be sat in his seat. But he knew it was her choice, and by her saying no, it was a sign of strength, and something that he respected immensely.

"It's not what I want. Not anymore." And that was the truth. When she'd joined NCIS, it was the opportunity she would have loved. But back then she could never have even imagined that a job would turn into something that she cherished as much as she did. The job had given her something that was almost family now.

He looked at her, and he smiled softly. "Most people would jump at the chance Jenny."

"I guess I'm not most people." She said a small smirk on her face. Most people would have done something about the fact they were falling in love with their partner.

"You're certainly not Jenny." Tom said, noticing that she seemed a little broken. But he decided to put it down to Europe. After all, when you were so deeply undercover for such a long period of time, you didn't come back without any scars. And some would take a lot longer than a physical one to heal.

"I should go." She said standing up, and flashing him a smile. "Have fun with the paperwork."

"I'm sure it will be thrilling." They both laughed, and Jenny exited the office. It was nice to know that someone cared.

Deciding she needed sleep, the red head made her way down to her desk, grabbed her bag and keys, and looked around the dark bull pen. It was like the workings of a clock had stopped. Only a few agents were still in, and even they were beginning to pack away. Without the ever present Gibbs, it felt empty. So, sighing softly, she flicked the switch on her desk light and made her way towards the stairs. And Jenny made her way out of the building, it was time to relax – she deserved it after all.

It was just over a week later, on the Friday, that it dawned on her that Jethro was back. She hadn't realised until she was sat in her car ready to head home. They'd had a case since Monday – the double murder of two Marines who turned out to be best mates. Something they hadn't found out until half way through the case. But it turned out that one of them was dying, and the other had agreed to help him die. But after the other had gone, he couldn't bear to continue himself. The fact that both bodies were found miles apart, and that the friendship had begun in high school meant that it was hard to figure out.

But that morning Jenny had told both of the victims' parents and the case was closed. Now all the paperwork sat on Marrows desk and they were all heading out for drinks. It was a case that had touched them all, and as Jenny looked around the empty car park from the inside of her own car, she realised how much she respected both of the Marines. They obviously had a friendship stronger than most could ever imagine having.

It brought back memories from when she was younger. The redhead hadn't been popular in high school. Having a father who was a Cornel in the army meant that you didn't stay in one place long enough to make strong friendships. Generally she would spend her time in the library studying. But she'd had one friend, a friend who had been the only one to keep in touch through all of the years and every move she made.

But that friendship had become hard now. He was in the Marines and barely ever in the states, and when he was he was spending the time with his wife and their adoptive children. The last time he had been home she was undercover. She didn't know when she'd see him again – but he was the closest thing she had had to a best friend throughout most of her childhood and teenage years.

The red head sighed and put the keys in the engine before leaving the concrete car park that played host to NCIS cars. And as she did so, her thoughts went to Gibbs. She'd almost managed to stop sinking in self pity since they had a case, but now she was back where she had begun. Jenny drove, not even thinking about where. And before she even realised anything, she was pulled up opposite Gibbs' house.

Usually she'd be there most nights, and whenever she pulled up his basement light would be on – the only dull light from the otherwise dead house. But that wasn't the case that night. As she looked over towards the house in the evening darkness she saw that his basement lights were off, but instead his lounge light was on and so was his bedroom light. And up there, in his room she could see the silhouette of two people walking around.

They weren't arguing – there movements were too fluid for that. Instead they were obviously just unpacking. But when they merged into one, she looked away, and back at her own eyes in the rear view mirror. That was when she changed, mentally. Jenny head slapped her self and realised what she was becoming. He was happy, and surely that should be enough for her? She should be able to be happy for him?

In that moment Jenny stopped feeling sorry for herself, and left her heart there with him. So turning the key once more, she headed off home to dress to kill. This was the end of her feeling sorry for herself. From now on, if she couldn't have him, then she would simply let him see what he was missing out on.

An hour later Jenny Shepard walked into the bar that was just outside the Navy base. It was where they always went, often frequented by marines, and the sort of place that was comfortable for whatever you wanted. She'd gotten changed, out of the work clothes she'd been wearing, and was now dressed to pull – whilst remaining teasing.

As she walked in, she knew all eyes were on her – that was the idea after all. She wore a pair of stone was super skinny ripped jeans. The tears in the fabric went all the way up to just below her ass and left little to the imagination as they hugged her perfectly. Jenny had grabbed an old baggy white t-shirt which hung off one shoulder, giving a perfect view of her bra strap. On her feet she had bright red Anema style, platforms, with a metallic heel. Her makeup was light except for her signature red lips. The long red locks were swept messily up into a bun, showing off the diamonds in her ears. And finishing off with a handful of silver bangles around her wrists.

She spotted Stan and Will instantly, and they ordered her a drink. From the way their jaws were currently on the ground, she knew her outfit was doing what it was intended to do so. And as she walked over, she couldn't help but smirk. "Jeez!" Said Will, his collar suddenly feeling constricting.

"Fancy getting outta here Shep?" Stan asked a smirk on his face as he winked.

"Only in your dreams Burley." Jenny replied, smirking wildly. She was in the bar to pull, and her choices were good. Jenny also knew that come Monday morning one of the two agents would say something and it would not be long before Gibbs found out – and even if she didn't pull, she could make it seem like she had.

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