Camping Chapter 8

A/N - getting close to the end of this tale. Probably one or two more chapters. Thank you for reading and let me know what you think. I don't own NCIS.

The Palmers decided to join the Fireside Girls for their BBQ. Jess stopped by their campsite to ask about what to bring. She was told to bring some snacks, main course for them to cook and eat and anything else they had to share. When she returned to their campsite she was surprised to see Gage and Paul sitting at their picnic table. Jimmy and Victoria were sitting at the table with them.

Gage smiled at Jess looking at her up and down bringing a frown to Jess' countenance. Jess nodded to Gage and sat down at the table next to Jimmy. She put her arms around her husband and gave him a kiss. She looked up at Gage and said "You may be right about the drug smuggling."

Gage grinned. "Does this mean we will work together again?"

Jimmy shook his head along with Jess. "We were told to let the DEA handle it." Jimmy answered.

"I was told you found the drugs that were recovered."

"We did," responded Jess.

"And they don't want your help?"

"We offered but were told to enjoy the rest of our weekend. We don't want drugs in our parks either. We want to protect Victoria."

Paul looked over at Gage. "This could be a big operation. We can't do this on our own."

While they were talking, a roar was heard from the RV section of the campground. Everyone looked toward the sound of the noise. "We heard that sound before." Jimmy said. "It sounds like the ATVs and dirt bikes we heard by the lake."

Gage jumped up to his feet. "C'mon Paul. Let's check this out."

Paul and Gage took off running toward the noise. Jess looked at Jimmy and laughed. "Still the same old Gage. Always wanting to go his own way. I'm so glad I have you."

Jimmy grinned at his wife. "And I'm so glad I have you. Do you want to go check out the noise?"

Jess shook her head. "Let Gage and Paul take the limelight. It may turn out to be nothing. We have a BBQ to go to."

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Victoria led the way for her parents to the Fireside Girls BBQ. Jimmy carried the hamburgers, cheese and buns for their main course and Jess carried the chips and salad to share and Victoria the drinks.

There was a large bonfire in the middle of the camp and several grills were lit and ready for cooking. Vic found them a place to put the food they brought and took them to meet some of the other girls and parents.

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Gage and Paul made their way to the RV section of the campground and began to look around for ATVs and dirt bikes. Eventually, they came upon a black RV the size of a tour bus with a trailer nearby. On the trailer were two ATVs and four dirt bikes. Paul and Gage approached the RV and discovered a roaring campfire on the other side with two families roasting marshmallows and playing a game of horseshoes. Paul grabbed Gage's arm to get him to stop.

"They sure don't look like drug dealers."

Gage looked at him with annoyance. "How do you know that? Travelling with their families with kids is a great way to hide in plain sight."

Paul shook his head. "There are many other campsites to check out. Be careful. Don't go off and accuse someone without any evidence."

Gage paused for a moment. "You're right. They still might know something. We can ask if they've seen other ATVs during their stay. I wish Jess was here. It's a lot less threatening if a woman was approaching."

Paul nodded. "Be discrete."

Gage and Paul slowly approached the campfire. One of the men and women looked up. They recognized Gage and Paul.

"Hello again." The woman said. "Did you find the Palmers?"

Gage realized that they were the people that caught them trying to go into Jess' tent. "Hi again to you. Yes, we were able to talk to Jess and Jimmy."

"What brings you to our campsite, gentlemen?"

Gage decided to pull out his badge. "We're following up on an incident by the lake that involved ATVs and dirt bikes. We saw that you had them and wanted to see if you may have witnessed anything earlier."

This news brought surprise to everyone at the campsite.

Another man came forward. "We just arrived this morning with the ATVs and bikes. We haven't been out riding yet. Our plan was to go out tomorrow morning."

Paul said "Please be careful out there. If you see anything unusual or dangerous, please let the ranger station know."

"What happened at the lake?"

Gage stepped in. "There was a crash and an ATV was left behind. We're trying to locate the driver."

"Ok. We'll let you know if we see anything."

Disappointed, Gage and Paul left the camp and went back to their car to go to their campsite.

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Victoria was sitting by the fire ring with her friends roasting marshmallows. Jess and Jimmy were sitting with other parents finishing their dinner and watching their daughter with her friends. Jess turned to Jimmy and said "When we decided to go on this camping trip I never expected to meet new friends with the Fireside Girls. There are some really nice people here."

Jimmy nodded. "If Victoria wants to join we should let her. In talking to the parents here they have told us the activities they do and charitable organizations they help. It's a good group to be part of."

Jess nodded. "I agree. I'd be happy to pitch in and help."

The leader, Diane Jones, came over to Jimmy and Jess. "I glad you decided to join us."

Jess said "Thanks for inviting us. Victoria sure seems to enjoy your group."

"She's welcome to join us. We could always use parent volunteers as well."

"Victoria can sleep with us tonight if she wants. There is plenty of room in Amy's tent."

Just then Victoria and Amy came to where Jimmy and Jess were with Diane. "Can I sleep with the Fireside girls tonight?" Victoria asked.

"There's plenty of room in my tent. I'd love it if she did."

Jess and Jimmy looked at each other and nodded. "Sure. I guess you'll need your sleeping bag."

Victoria nodded and gave her parents a hug. "Thanks mom and dad." Then she went back to the fire pit with Amy.

"Give Vic an application for membership. I'm sure she'll want join." Jess said.

"Great. We're playing some games at the picnic tables if you want to join us." Diane said.

Jimmy and Jess followed her to the tables.

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A few hours later Jess and Jimmy got Victoria situated in Amy's tent and went to the restrooms to get do their nightly routines. They walked hand in hand back to their tent and went inside, zipping up the entrance. Jimmy turned on the light so they could see what they were doing and get ready for bed. Jess wrapped her arms around Jimmy's neck, pulling him into a passionate kiss that he returned. She then unbuttoned his pants and lowered the zipper, sliding them down his legs. Jess squatted down to remove his pants, boxers, shoes and socks, then had him sit down on the sleeping bag. Jimmy removed Jess' shoes and socks then reached up and grabbed the waistband of her yoga pants. He slid them and her panties off before having her sit down next to him. Before crawling into their sleeping bags, they helped each other remove the rest of their clothes and slid naked into their bags eager to take advantage of their alone time. Jimmy turned out the light and the newlyweds thoroughly enjoyed being one before falling asleep in each other's arms.

The morning sun warmed the Palmer's tent causing Jimmy and Jess to wake up. Jess reached over and grabbed her phone checking the time. It was 7am. She rolled off her favorite pillow needing to cool off a little and pushed down the top of the sleeping bag to give them some air. Jimmy squinted a little getting used to the morning light and looked over at his wife enjoying the view of her naked body that was uncovered from the waist up. Jess looked back at her husband and enjoyed her view of Jimmy's six-pack before sliding over to give him a kiss.

"What time should we get up, sweetheart?" Jimmy asked.

"If it wasn't so warm in here I'd say tomorrow." Jess responded.

Jimmy laughed. "My feelings, exactly. It was wonderful last night being alone with you." He rolled to his side to face his wife before kissing her gently on the lips. He stroked her hair and slid his hand down her cheek, neck and to her breast with his right hand, gently massaging her there. Jess grinned against Jimmy's lips and reached under the sleeping bag to his bare bottom giving him a squeeze.

"I love you my wonderful wife."

"I love you my fantastic husband." Jess rolled Jimmy onto his back and straddled him before guiding him inside her. Jimmy looked questioningly at his wife with a smile.

Jess said "It's not too hot to be one with my husband is it Jimmy?"

He grinned and pushed up into his wife bringing a groan of pleasure to each of them. "Never." Jimmy answered while sitting up and wrapping his arms around Jess while kissing her deeply. They held each other while pressing together bringing each other to bliss. Neither wanted to let go of the other in spite of their perspiration on their soaked bodies. Jimmy and Jess smiled at each other enjoying the aftermath of their oneness.

After they settled down from their high Jimmy asked "How about a dip in the pool to cool off?"

Jess kissed him and nodded. "Great idea, my love, unless you would rather go into the river."

"The pool is closer and water cleaner. We'd end up back in the pool anyway." Jimmy responded.

Reluctantly they broke apart long enough to grab their swimsuits off the clothes line and put them on. Grabbing their towels, they headed to the pool.

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Gage Winchester spent most of his morning on the phone with his superiors trying to convince them to let him take lead on this investigation into the drug drop and the cartels. He wasn't making too much headway because the DEA wanted to take lead as drugs were their territory, not the NPS. Bringing in NCIS was also not part of the program as they had no jurisdiction. Even so, he was determined to work the case and work with Jessica Knight even though she was now Jessica Palmer. She found the drugs which should give NCIS jurisdiction. He decided right then to go back and talk to her and get her involved.

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Jess and Jimmy enjoyed the refreshing water as they swam in the swimming pool. They decided to walk by the Fireside Girls campsite beforehand to let Victoria know where they were going. Victoria said the girls were going to the river after breakfast and asked her parents to meet her there in about an hour.

Jimmy and Jess walked up the steps at the end of the pool and went over to the showers to rinse the chlorine off their bodies. Jimmy massaged Jess' shoulders as the warm water ran over their bodies and Jess purred at her husband's touch. Jimmy kissed her shoulders and moved his hands to her waist holding her against him. "I love you my Jessica." Jimmy whispered into her ear.

Jess grinned and turned in Jimmy's arms putting her arms around his neck. She said "I love you too my Jimmy," and pulled him to her planting a deep kiss on his lips.

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Jimmy and Jess dried each other off and put their towels in their bag. Jess put on her swimsuit cover up over her black string bikini and Jimmy put on his Bermuda map T-shirt. They put on their flip flops and walked hand in hand down to the river to see what their daughter was up to.

Victoria, Amy and Amanda from the Fireside Girls were standing in the shallow water of the river at the beach area flinging a Frisbee about. Vic smiled when she saw her parents and spun the Frisbee to her mother as she approached. Jess caught it in stride and spun it back to Amy. Jimmy and Jess spread out with the girls and enjoyed a fun time playing with the disc.

While they were playing, Gage Winchester approached the group with Paul. The disc players looked over at them in surprise. Vic came closer to Jess and whispered "He's here again. What's with this guy?"

Jess hugged Vic and said "I guess we better find out."

"Hello Gage. What brings you here today?" Jimmy joined his wife and daughter, putting his arms around them.

"Hello Jess, Jimmy, Victoria." Jimmy and Victoria nodded back. "Can I talk to you Jess?"

Jess looked at him. "You can talk freely in front of my family. What do you want?"

"I want to bring down the drug cartel and want to do it with you."

Jess turned and kissed Victoria on the top of the head and kissed Jimmy hard on the lips. "I don't understand you Gage. You still want to go your own way. We were told to stay out of it yet here you are trying to get us involved. Go talk to the DEA. They're in charge."

Gage stared at the Palmer family for a long minute. Paul came up to him and said "Let's go and let them enjoy their weekend."

Gage turned and nodded. "Ok. Sorry to bother you Jess. We'll be on our way."

Before they completely left the area, the roar of motorcycles was heard coming down the trail to the river. Two motorcycles skidded to a halt at the river's edge. Two Hispanic men jumped off the motorcycles and looked over at the Palmers. "Alla'." There!" The men pointed at the Palmers.

Instantly alarmed, Jimmy got between the men and Victoria and Jess. Jess grabbed her bag that was a few away from them where she set it down. The other girls instinctively moved away from the potential danger. The men approached the Palmers. "Donde esta las drogas?" Jimmy walked closer to them to keep them away from his family. "No hablo espanol."

The men stopped about five feet from Jimmy. Jess used the distraction to open her bag and pull out her badge. "NCIS. Don't move! Alto!"

The men stopped assessing the situation. They heard their walkie talkies squawk. After listening to their boss, the men pulled out knives. "Las drogas!

Jess reached back into her bag and pulled out her service pistol and stood by her husband. The men raised their hands after dropping the knives.

Gage and Paul heard the commotion and raced back to the river, seeing that the Palmers had everything under control.

Jess asked "Do you have your cuffs with you Gage?"

He nodded and cuffed one of the men while Jess cuffed the other and ordered them to sit down.

Gage pulled out his phone and called the DEA. Another Park Ranger came to the scene as some campers ran to the station when they saw what was going on.

Jimmy went over to Jess and wrapped his arms around her from behind holding her close. Jess snuggled into his embrace. Gage came closer. "It looks like I got my wish. We're working on this case together."

Jess shook her head. "Our involvement ends right now. I'm not putting my family at risk. You can take care of them from here."

"But we make a great team." Gage protested.

"My team is right here and in NCIS." Jess responded. "I don't want or need anyone else."

The team from the DEA arrived that was nearby. They took over and hauled the drug runners away. After giving their statements, Jimmy and Jess picked up their stuff and headed back to their tent with Victoria. Gage went with the DEA to make sure he got his credit for the bust.