Chapter 20

A/N - Jimmy and Jess have returned home and back to "normal" life and work. Thanks for reading and please let me know what you think. I don't own NCIS.

Victoria looked at the clock in the kitchen noticing the time. She needed to leave for school in twenty minutes and her parents weren't up. They still must be on honeymoon time. She finished her cereal and put her bowl in the dishwasher. Vic went to her parent's bedroom door and found it ajar. She peeked inside and didn't see them but heard voices coming from their bathroom and the shower running. The door was closed.

She knocked on the door. "Mom…..Dad….Are you ready to take me to school?"

"We'll be out in a minute." Her dad called out. The water in the shower turned off. Vic could hear her parents laughing.

"I'm ready to go when you are." Victoria responded with a grin. "I'll be in the kitchen."

Jimmy wrapped up his wife in her towel and Jess wrapped up Jimmy in his. Jess walked into their bedroom to make sure the coast was clear and that their door was closed. She walked back into the bathroom and hung up her towel on the towel bar. "The coast is clear sweetheart," Jess said to her husband who had just hung up his towel. Jimmy grinned at his naked wife and Jess grinned back at her naked husband. Jimmy wrapped his arms around Jess giving her a kiss. "Let's go out for breakfast after we drop Vic off." Jess nodded in agreement. "I need an Elvis Presso. We better do some grocery shopping too."

Knowing that they needed to hurry, Jimmy and Jess went into their bedroom and got dressed. A few minutes later they were heading down the street to Victoria's school.

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Mike and Kathy Harper were at their Dublin Interpol offices getting back into the swing of things at work. Kathy received a popup alert on her monitor asking her to come to a meeting in the conference room in fifteen minutes. Mike called her a minute later.

"Hi Kath. Did you receive an alert for a meeting?"

Kathy grinned at hearing her husband's voice. "Yes, dear. I did. How about you?"

"I did too. Do you have any idea what it's about?"

"No. I guess we'll find out soon enough. See you in a few minutes."

They disconnected the call.

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Jimmy and Jess sat at the table outside their favorite coffee house eating chocolate croissants sipping their coffees.

"I'm glad we decided to take an extra day off before going back to work."

Jimmy nodded. "So am I."

A woman walked up to them and said hello to Jess. "Jessica Knight. Long time no see."

Jess and Jimmy looked up at her. She was dressed in a blue power pant suit and black high heels. Jess finally recognized her and shook her hand. Veronica Towers. It's been a long time. How have you been?"

"Very well, thank you. How about you?"

Jess grinned and stood up. "I'm great. I'd like to introduce you to my husband. Jimmy, this is Veronica Towers one of my college camping buddies. Veronica, this is my husband, Dr. Jimmy Palmer. By the way my last name now is Palmer."

"Wow Jess. Congratulations. How long have you been married?"

"A week and a half. We just got back from our honeymoon."

Veronica chuckled. "How did you meet?"

"At work. I'm a special agent at NCIS and Jimmy is the Medical Examiner."

"What are you doing these days?"

"I got married three years ago to an FBI agent. We moved to DC a year ago and I sell real estate. I also changed my last name. It's now Roberts."

Jimmy looked at her and smiled. "Pleased to meet you. We're going to be looking for a new place to live. Perhaps that is something you can help us with."

Jess looked at Jimmy with a hint of surprise then nodded. "Our lease is coming up for renewal in a few months. We certainly would like to know what is available."

Veronica smiled and said "I'd be happy to help. What kind of place are you looking for?"

"We haven't decided yet. We're open to a house or condo depending on where it is and of course the price." Jimmy answered.

"We want to be fairly close to work at NCIS headquarters and want good schools for Victoria." Jess added.

"Victoria?" Veronica asked.

"Our daughter." Jess answered. "Jimmy's first wife died a couple of years ago so we have a daughter through her. She's a pre-teen."

"Great. I know great areas in Northern Virginia close to DC that would be worth looking at."

Veronica, Jess and Jimmy exchanged contact information before she headed off to an appointment.

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After breakfast, Jimmy and Jess drove to Costco to stock up on food and supplies since they had been gone for over two weeks. An hour and a half later they wheeled their overflowing shopping cart to Jimmy's Dad mobile. The Palmers needed to fold down the second row of seats to fit all of their purchases in the car.

It took four trips to take their purchases from the car to their apartment. "It sure would be easier to unload the car if we live in a house." Jess observed while they were putting away the groceries.

"We would probably have a longer commute to work if we did." Jimmy added.

"If it's not too much farther it might be worth it. Especially if we have a baby."

That caused Jimmy to stop in his tracks and look at his wife. "You're not…"

Jess looked at her husband with a grin. "No sweetheart, I'm not pregnant. Would you be happy if I was?"

Jimmy did a double take and grinned back. "I would be very happy if you were. What about you?"

Jess gave Jimmy a hug and a kiss. "I would be very happy too. I would prefer to wait a little longer before we do add to our family." Jimmy kissed her back. "I can see it now on the internet. A pregnant Wonder Woman saving the day."

Jess chuckled. "I've had my 15 minutes of fame. That's enough for me. I also wonder if I would have rushed to a burning car if I was pregnant."

"You would if you were able. I don't think you could stand by and not try to help. It isn't in your nature."

Jimmy and Jess finished putting away their food and supplies. It was approaching 1pm. "Are you hungry sweetheart," Jess asked.

"I am, for you."

Jess grinned. "Is the talk about having a baby making you want to practice?"

Jimmy smiled and shook his head. "Just being alone with you makes me want to make love with you."

Jess kissed him teasingly on the lips then took his hand leading them back to their bedroom. Lunch could wait and it did.

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Interpol Director Boudin of the Dublin office called the meeting to order.

"We have assembled a task force to locate and stop a cybercrime group called the Grey Boys. No, they are not a group of old men."

"Where do you think they are located?" One of the officers asked.

"Outside of Moscow. We believe they are targeting Washington DC."

"What is the plan?" Another officer asked.

We're sending the Harpers to Washington DC to coordinate with US law enforcement and work with our Moscow office from here."

Mike and Kathy Harper asked "When do we leave?"

"Friday. Be prepared to be gone for two weeks, maybe longer. I'll get you the details before the end of the day.

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Director Vance, Parker and McGee stood in Witsec looking at the screen talking to the SecNav, FBI Director and Homeland Security.

"We will be coordinating with a Cyber Security team from Dublin's Interpol office. "They requested to work with Special Agent Jessica Palmer. Is she there?"

"No, she and Dr. Palmer just got back from their honeymoon. They'll be back to work tomorrow."

"Do you know why the request to work with Agent Palmer?"

Parker spoke up. "I think they know each other but I don't know the details. It won't be a problem from our end."

"Very good. The team from Dublin will be arriving on Friday for an initial meeting. We'll coordinate from NCIS to start."

Vance signaled to end the feed and turned to Parker. "See to it that our friends from Interpol have a place to set up and work while they are here."

"How does Jess know the Interpol agents?" McGee wondered aloud.

"We'll ask her when she and Jimmy get in tomorrow."

Parker nodded.

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Victoria waited by the pickup zone for her parents. Five minutes later Jess pulled up in Dolly to pick her up.

"Hi Mom," Vic said as she got in the car.

"Hi Vic," Jess responded. "Your Dad is at home waiting for the Auto Club. His car won't start. We think he needs a new battery."

Vic nodded. "Are they going to jump him so he can go the store and buy a new battery?"

"AAA actually sells batteries. If that is the problem, I told him to just buy a new one. They sell batteries at a fair price."

When they got home Jimmy was standing by his car with someone from the Auto Club. Jess and Victoria went over to say hi. Jimmy gave Vic a hug and a kiss on the cheek and Jess a kiss on the lips with a big hug.

"Well?" Jess asked.

"Need a new battery. 150 dollars."

"Sounds reasonable."

Jimmy turned to the Auto Club worker. "Go ahead and replace the battery."

The man nodded and got to work.

"How was school?" Jimmy asked Victoria.

"Good. They announced the new school play. Can I try out for a part?"

Jimmy and Jess both nodded. "Sure. What's the play called?"

"Green Eggs and Ham."

"That sounds interesting. Are you going to be the Cat in the Hat?"

Vic laughed. "That would be fun. All my friends are going to try out. I'd like to be part of it."

"When are the tryouts?"

"Next week on Friday."

"Keep us posted on the time. I'm sure we'll need to drop you off or pick you up at a different time than usual."

While they were talking, Jimmy's car had a new battery installed. Jimmy paid for the new battery and pulled the car back into the garage. Everything seemed to be working.

"What do we want to cook for dinner?" Jess asked.

"How about spaghetti?" Vic asked.

Jess looked at Jimmy. "Sounds good to me."

They all headed into the kitchen to make dinner. Victoria was put in charge of making the salad. Jimmy made the garlic bread and Jess the spaghetti with meat sauce. A half an hour later the Palmer family sat down to enjoy a delicious family meal.

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When dinner was finished, Jess and Jimmy took care of the cleanup while Victoria did her homework. When that was finished, Jimmy and Jess went into the living room turning on the TV. Jimmy looked at his wife. "I love you Mrs. Palmer."

Jess grinned back at him. "I love being Mrs. Palmer and I love you too, Dr. Palmer."

Their lips met in a passionate kiss before they heard Victoria on her phone talking to a classmate about their homework. Jess and Jimmy looked at each other chuckling. "I guess we'll have to remember we're not alone."

Jimmy and Jess flipped through the selections on Amazon before deciding on Downton Abby. About twenty minutes later, Victoria came into the room having finished her homework. She sat down with her parents on the couch.

"Downton Abby?" Why are you watching that? It's boring."

Jimmy and Jess chuckled. "How would you know that if you've never seen the show?:

Victoria shook her head. "Everyone knows it's boring."

"True, there are no explosions, gun battles and car chases, but it is entertaining." Jess responded.

"Can watch something else?"

"After we finish this episode. You can wait twenty minutes, can't you Vic?"

"I guess."

Jess hit play and the episode resumed. Victoria started to pay attention and became absorbed in the drama.

"Things were sure different a hundred years ago."

"Yes they were. But interactions between people are still much the same."

Victoria selected a Disney show while Jimmy went into the kitchen to get some sparkling wine for him and Jess. He also brought some peanut M&M' s and a sparkling water for Victoria. Midway through the show Jess curled up on the sofa using her husband's lap as a pillow. Jimmy gently stroked her hair as she settled in. Victoria glanced at her parents and smiled loving how much they belonged together and cared for each other.

When the show was over, it was time for Victoria to go to bed. Jess was sound asleep and Vic kissed her on the cheek before heading to her room to get her PJs on. Jimmy smiled at Vic as she left the room continuing to enjoy being Jess' pillow. Jimmy turned off the TV and scooped Jess up in his arms carrying her into their bedroom, laying her on the center of their bed. Jess opened her eyes giving Jimmy a tired smile. Jimmy kissed her gently on the lips and whispered "Go back to sleep, sweetheart." Jess smiled at him and drifted back to sleep.

Jimmy went to check on Victoria who was crawling into bed. "Is mom ok?" She asked.

"She's fine. Just tired from all the travelling the last couple of days. We're back to work tomorrow so we're going to bed now too."

"Give mom a kiss for me." Victoria said.

"Will do. We love you sweetheart."

"I love you both too, Dad. Goodnight."

Jimmy and Vic exchanged hugs and kissed on the cheek before he tucked her in and left the room after turning out the light.

Jimmy returned to their bedroom finding his wife sound asleep right where he left her. He smiled at Jess and decided to get her ready for bed. She was wearing jeans, pull over blouse with buttons near the top and socks and slippers. Starting with her feet, Jimmy removed her slippers and socks then went to the waistband of her jeans. Jimmy kissed her gently half expecting her to wake up. She didn't. Jimmy unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans before grabbing the waistband and tugging her pants over her bottom and down her legs. Jess groaned a little at being disturbed. Jimmy slid her pants off and noticed that he had also caught the waistband of her panties pulling them off as well. He looked up at his gorgeous half-naked wife expecting her to make a comment. She opened her eyes and her arms for him with a sleepy grin. Jimmy crawled up the bed into Jess' arms giving her a searing kiss. Jess kissed him back. Jimmy unbuttoned her blouse and pulled her into a sitting position then pulled her blouse over her head. He then unhooked her bra leaving his wife naked in his arms.

"Jimmy, why are you undressing me?"

He grinned at her. "You told me I could undress you whenever I want."

Jess chuckled. "I sure did. I'm not complaining at all. I was wondering what my handsome husband had in mind."

Jimmy chuckled. "Well, sweetheart, you were asleep and I was trying to help you get ready for bed. Now that you are awake I think some bedtime fun would be more what is on my mind."

Jess grinned. "I love the idea of some bedtime fun. Let's finish getting ready for bed and I'll gladly show you how fun bedtime can be."

Jimmy kissed Jess and helped her stand up. Jess removed Jimmy's clothes and headed into the bathroom to use the facilities. Jimmy picked up their clothes from the floor and put them in the hamper. He then got their tooth brushes ready with cups of mouthwash. Jess came out to wash her hands and took the toothbrush Jimmy held out to her with a smile. Jess looked at him and asked "My breath isn't that bad is it?" Jimmy laughed. "No but it's probably just like mine." Jess laughed with him then both proceeded to brush and rinse their mouths leaving each with fresh breath. Jimmy wrapped Jess up in his arms and kissed her senseless.

A little while later Jimmy and Jess crawled naked into bed leaving their robes nearby in case the Victoria alarm clock disturbed them. They set their alarms for 7am to go back to work. "You know, sweetheart," Jimmy asked Jess, "Wouldn't it be a good idea to wake up a little earlier?"

Jess raised an eyebrow. "Why would we need to get up earlier tomorrow?"

Jimmy grinned at his wife. "Who said anything about getting up earlier?"

Jess catching his meaning answered "Oh, so we would have more time to do this in the morning?" She rolled Jimmy on his back and kissed every inch of his naked body before guiding him inside her. Jimmy sat up and kissed her back while rolling her over onto her back staying inside her. They moved together in harmony bringing each other to bliss. Jimmy smiled at her as they came down from their high. "Yes, my love. We need to give ourselves plenty of time to do this in the morning whenever possible."

Jess nodded and said "I love you my Jimmy. We must always be sure to make time for us."

"You are so right. I love you too, my Jess." Good night."

Jimmy and Jess snuggled up into their favorite position and drifted off into a deep and restful night's sleep.

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Jimmy and Jess drove together to NCIS after dropping Victoria off at school. They walked hand in hand to the office so they both could say hello to their friends and colleagues. After a few minutes of talking, Parker came in and after exchanging a few pleasantries asked "How do you know the Harpers? The requested to work with you Jess on this case."

"Jimmy and I met them on our honeymoon in Bermuda. They're a really nice couple who were also on their honeymoon. We had dinner together a few times and went surfing. We hoped we would be able to work together when we left. It looks like we can."

Parker nodded. "They're coming here on Friday."

"Great. You'll like them."

Just then Parker's phone buzzed. "We've got a body. Move out."

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