He's just sat down on the couch when he hears someone knocking on his door. He furrows his brow, since no one who visits ever knocks. He shifts into a standing position, and heads to the door. He pulls it open, and finds a familiar face staring at him.
"What are you doing here?"
"I just wanted to say thank you," she admits.
He studies the woman. She looks different out of uniform. She looks more like a person, and less like a robot in her street clothes. She wears a pair of jeans, and a long-sleeved shirt under her jacket. She holds a paper bag.
"Come in," he motions.
"I hope that you haven't already eaten," she flashes a toothy smile.
"I haven't."
"I brought some food."
She follows him into the kitchen. He flips on the light, and retrieves some plates. She removes the containers from the bag. She takes a seat, and places her jacket on the back of the chair.
"There was some scuttlebutt about you today."
"That I murdered my husband?"
He grins, "We already cleared that one up."
"So what did you hear about me, Gunny?" She studies his facial expression.
"That you're retiring."
"Word certainly travels fast," she admits.
"So it's true?" He takes a seat.
"I will be retiring in the spring," she reveals.
"After how many years?"
"Twenty," she answers.
He looks at the containers, "You made this?"
"I know that I am not the picture of domestication, but I can cook. I also bake."
"Looks good," he smiles.
"Thank you."
"How is Izzy?" He wonders.
"She doesn't really understand. She keeps asking where her daddy is."
"Where is Izzy, tonight?" He furrows his brow.
"With her grandmother. Harm's mother came into town for the funeral. They're at Harm's apartment."
"Have you been back to the house?" He quizzes between bites.
"I put the house up for sale. I don't want Izzy to have to spend the rest of her childhood in a house that her father was murdered in."
"How are you going to manage?"
"I have great friends here who are more than willing to help out with Izzy."
"Do you have time off saved up?"
"Yeah."
"You found out that your husband died, and went to work the next morning."
"I didn't hear a question there."
"Why?"
"Does it matter?" She retreats.
"I think that you're a marine. You hear the call of duty, and out of habit it is difficult to ignore, no matter the circumstance."
"I didn't know how else to react. I knew that if I didn't go to work Izzy would drill me with a million questions. I can't help being reminded of her father whenever I'm with her. She has his eyes, and she acts so much like him."
"You know I don't usually have dinner with lawyers."
"You have a rule about that, don't you?" She cocks an eyebrow.
He just grins at her, and nods subtly.
"I hear that you have a lot of rules," she shows her hand.
He chews, and ignores the question. She glances at the bottle of water sitting in front of her. She furrows her brow.
"And here I thought that you were a man who only consumed, beer, coffee, and bourbon."
"I drink water, too."
"I am impressed that you have bottled water."
"I keep some in case of emergency," he admits.
"Define some?"
"There are several cases in the basement," he reveals.
"Are you a prepper?"
"Just a marine."
"Gibbs, thank you for believing me."
"You can call me Jethro, General."
She grins, "You can call me Mac."
"Mac, you make a mean pork chop," he shovels another bite into his mouth.
"Thank you."
"When is the service?"
"Two days. Can I ask you something?"
He nods.
"How did you know I didn't do it?"
"There were three gunshot wounds. You are a marine. I went through your service record. I know you wouldn't have needed three shots. I also know that you would have shot him in the head."
"Yeah, I would have."
"I couldn't picture you doing something, even in the heat of the moment that would permanently separate you from your child."
"I never knew that I could love someone like that, until the day that she was born."
"Your daughter is a more reliable eyewitness than the neighbors were. The neighbors insisted that they heard four shots. We combed every inch of the house. Only three shots were fired."
"I just wish she hadn't been home. I wish that I had gotten home earlier. I wish I could have saved him."
"You can't change it."
"It doesn't stop me from wanting to."
"No it doesn't," he agrees in a hushed tone.
They finish their meal. He vacates his seat, and heads to the sink. He proceeds to wash her container. He returns them to the bag they came in. He finds her standing in his living room. She stares at a pile of books.
"It's quite a collection you have here."
He grins, stopping next to her, "Decorated myself."
She surveys the room, "I can certainly see that."
She faces him. He holds out her container. She slips the paper bag from his hands.
"Thank you for dinner."
She smiles, as she stares into his mesmerizing blue eyes, "Thanks for believing me."
"Anytime, General."
"Well, Gunny, I suppose I should get going."
He doesn't say anything. She heads for the door. He spots her jacket on the chair. He grabs the jacket, and calls out.
"Mac, wait."
She stops at the front door, pivoting in his direction. He offers her the jacket. She smiles, "Thanks," she realizes their proximity. He lets go of the jacket. She finds herself staring into his eyes. She finds herself taking a step closer. She feels her pulse quicken as she stares at the silver haired fox.
He finds himself mesmerized by her smile. Without much thought, or provocation he presses his lips to hers. She doesn't push him away. She kisses him back. She drops her jacket on the floor. He hears the paper bag hit the floor too.