She never pushes him away. She doesn't ask him to stop. With her lips on his standing in front of his door she slips out of her shoes. Articles of clothing hit the floor one at a time as he leads her out of the room. He doesn't focus on the past as he leads her up the stairs. He holds tightly to her hand as they climb the stairs. He leads her into his room. She feels his hands on her skin, and she doesn't retreat, or hesitate. She leans against the bed, and he kisses her neck. She pulls him closer towards her.
Hours later she opens her eyes, and finds herself in an unfamiliar room. She allows herself a moment to orient. She glances around the room. She looks to her right, and finds a man lying in bed next to her. She internally groans, as she slips out from under his arm. She uses her marine training to silently slip out of his bed. She proceeds to collect her clothing a piece at a time. By the time she reaches his front door she's fully clothed. She slips on her shoes, and makes a beeline for her vehicle.
She finds her car parked at the curb in front of his house. She unlocks the vehicle, and climbs into the back. She retrieves the uniform hanging up in the back. She finds her bag behind the seat, in the cargo area. She unzips the bag that she keeps in case of emergencies. She proceeds to change into clean garments. She places her dirty clothes in an empty plastic shopping bag. She pulls on her uniform, and catapults herself into the backseat, with her keys in hand. She places her shoes on the front passenger's seat, and slips over the console into the front seat. She fastens her seatbelt, and puts the key in the ignition. She pulls away from the curb, and heads towards work.
She never once glances at the clock, already aware of exactly how long it will take her to get to work. She pulls into her parking space some time later. She flips down the visor, and checks her reflection in the mirror. She applies a layer of makeup, and combs her hair. She grabs her briefcase, and her cover, and exits the vehicle. She slips into her office three minutes before it is necessary for her to be there.
DiNozzo studies his co-worker. He watches as McGee meticulously cleans his keyboard. DiNozzo vacates his seat, and moves towards McGee's desk. He closely inspects McGee's work. He glances down at the watch on his wrist.
"McGee it's not like boss to be late. Do you think he had a romantic encounter with a certain brunette marine general?"
"I don't think he would get involved with a suspect," McGee argues.
"She's no longer a suspect."
"What about rule thirteen?"
DiNozzo scratches his head, "I momentarily forgot that tidbit."
McGee's face scrunches in dissatisfaction, "You forgot the rules?"
"I forgot that she was a lawyer."
"She is the head of JAG. How could you forget that?"
"All I saw was a uniform," he responds.
"Really? That's all you saw?"
"There were some other things I noticed," DiNozzo admits as he begins to fall into a daydream.
McGee falls silent. DiNozzo feels a hand swiftly smacking the back of his head. He turns around, and finds Gibbs in his personal space. He takes a sip of coffee and then asks, "What did you notice?"
"Nothing, boss," he lies.
"No, DiNozzo, this is something I'd like to hear."
"She has shiny stars on her shoulders, and quite a few commendations. That's what I noticed."
"Really? A beautiful woman, and all you noticed were the stars on her shoulders?"
"That is all that I care to mention," DiNozzo takes a step to the right.
"Grab your gear, we've got a case," He informs his motley crew.
She's standing in the kitchen of her deceased husband's apartment wearing a pair of jeans, and a t-shirt, when someone knocks on the door. She places the lasagna in the oven, and closes the door. She turns to answer the door, and finds a toddler standing in front of her with her arms folded in front of her. Izzy's wild hair is nearly tamed in a pair of pigtails.
"Feed me!" She growls.
"I've got to get the door," Mac tries to step around her.
"Mommy!" The dramatic two year old stomps her foot.
Mac rolls her eyes, and lifts the little girl off the hardwood. She makes a beeline for the door despite Izzy's best attempts to squirm away. She unlocks the door, and pulls it open. She finds a familiar pair of blue eyes standing on the other side. He grins at her. She stands inside the apartment with squirming toddler on her hip.
"I wasn't expecting you," she admits.
Before he can explain his presence Izzy joins in the conversation, "Hi," she waves.
"Hi, Izzy."
She reaches for him. He reaches out just in time to catch her as she leaps from her mother's arms like a spider monkey.
"I am sorry I should have warned you, she's half girl, half monkey," Sarah apologizes.
"It's okay."
"What brings you by?" She questions.
He holds out a plastic container, "You forgot your container."
She takes the container from him.
"Would you like to come in? We're about to have dinner."
"I don't want to interrupt."
"Dinner should be done in five minutes. Maybe you can keep her entertained long enough for me to actually set the table."
He nods in agreement, and follows her into the apartment. He closes the door behind them. She places the plastic container on the counter, and proceeds to remove the fine china from the cabinets. He watches as she sets three places at the table in the eat-in kitchen. He places the squirmy toddler on the island.
"Do you have ants in your pants?"
She smiles, "No."
"Then why are you so squirmy?"
"Ooh ooh," she grins.
"You're a monkey?"
She nods.
"So you're going to eat bananas for dinner?"
She furrows her brow, "No."
"Monkeys eat bananas," he informs her.
She makes a face, "Yuck."
"Monkeys eat bugs too," Gibbs teases.
"Bugs?"
"Big juicy ones," he continues.
Mac returns to the kitchen, "What are the two of you talking about?"
"Bugs!" Izzy makes a face of disgust.
"Well, monkey girl, if you would like to eat lasagna for dinner I suggest you turn back into a little girl," she responds as she removes the lasagna from the oven. She places it on the stove.
"Mommy?"
"Agent Gibbs do you hear a little girl?"
"It almost sounds like Izzy."
"Me, me!" Izzy shrieks.
"It can't be Izzy," Mac explains, "she turned into a monkey."
Gibbs pretends not to see the little girl. She taps him on the arm. He turns and grins at her.
"Are you Izzy?"
"Yes. Feed me!"
He helps her off the counter. She races over to the table. Mac carefully carries the casserole dish over to the table. Gibbs takes a seat, and surveys the china.
"I apologize Harm decided to only acquire child friendly dinnerware. I hope that you don't mind eating off a plate has ears."
"Feed me!" Izzy demands.
"As you can tell, that is her favorite phrase."