Ch03 of "Having Faith to break rules 12 & 13." "Making a commitment"
A/N: AU. This is a fictional story, in a fictional Alternative Universe, about fictional characters who entertained us in a fictional TV series between 1995 and 2005. Mike. Characters borrowed with love and appreciation for the great team who brought us "JAG"; may your following careers blossom.
A/N: AU: "they aren't mine: I'm just playing with them - apart from any fictional character created by myself". See Ch00 of this story for the whole disclaimer A/N. Feel free to PM me if you spot any typos - my goal is 100% error-free. Feedback and comments are also welcome. Your opinions, critiques (and requests as PMs) are always helpful.
A/N: Publication date: 23-AUG-2024: AU:AU: As I watched "Call of Silence" again on a UK TV channel, I was struck by a "what-if?" thought. This story, therefore, involves our very own LtCdr Faith Coleman (USN JAGC) with NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Don't shoot the messenger!
A/N: This third and final chapter takes us deeper, homing in on the NCIS episode transmitted in 2005. The "slow-burn" begins to ignite. Fast forward to "NCIS" in 2021.
A/N: Technically a JAG/NCIS crossover, but the story will be written largely from Faith Coleman's PoV – hence a JAG FFN story.
A/N: Canon episodes: "Hometown Hero" - NCIS S02Ep21, first airdate 03-MAY-2005; finishing with "Rule 91" – NCIS ES18Ep16, first airdate 25-MAY-2021.
Characters from FFNET – (JAG) Faith Coleman: (NCIS) Leroy Jethro Gibbs: (NCIS) Dr Donald "Ducky" Mallard
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Ch03 of "Having Faith" – "Making a commitment"
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Saturday 25th December 2004: 13:57hrs EDT
Home of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Alexandria VA
Something had clicked: this was going to be a lovely Christmas as they looked forward to 2005.
As they settled onto his couch and looked at the Christmas pudding, Jethro realised that he was working more-closely with Faith than he had two years before – before the Harmon Rabb SNAFU – and yet she was a perfect co-worker as well as occupying an increasingly important place in his heart. She had recently been allocated by the JAG as prime contact for NCIS in any interactions by that agency with JAG.
The "co-worker" consideration caused him to ponder his set of rules – once more when Faith Coleman was involved; this was becoming a habit!
"Ah shoot – I may have to break Rule 12" he thought, before she rolled over and kissed him with increasing passion as his evident arousal also grew to match hers.
"Let's open the presents before we eat later, shall we?"
He carefully unbuttoned the third button on her blouse, rubbing a thumb over her already-excited flesh.
"Faith, I thought that I already was unwrapping my present…"
She chuckled and he felt the vibrations as her body pressed against him.
Rule 12 was heading for the trashcan, but they had re-validated Rule 5: "You don't waste good"…
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Tuesday 3rd May 2005: 15:46hrs EDT
NCIS Interrogation Suite, NCIS HQ
With the forensic evidence from Abby (proving that the plastic sheeting had only entered production AFTER Corporal Dobbs had deployed), the father broken and the story established, the path was cleared for the Silver Star medal presentation to Cpl Dobbs with NO reservations or doubts.
*Flashback:
· Lt. Cmdr. Faith Coleman: Dobbs died as a result of enemy fire in Iraq. What bearing does that have on a girl who was killed two years ago in Richfield, Virginia?
· Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs: You can never be too thorough.
· Lt. Cmdr. Faith Coleman: You're pushing it, Gibbs. Why are you sticking your neck out for this guy?
· Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Several Marines witnessed Petty Officer Dobbs saving lives. No one witnessed him taking one.
*end flashback:
Faith had completed the paperwork and finalised her report to SECNAV. There was no doubt about the award of the Silver Star.
She dropped back to NCIS HQ and sought out Gibbs, who was preparing to leave.
"Right: end of day. Drink and food, Faith?"
"Sounds good: I have never seen a Silver Star…. Presentation."
Half an hour later, in a casual striped blouse and skirt, she was ready to accompany Jethro to the Medal presentation.
That night, she would make her commitment: she would lay her ghosts and bid farewell to her late husband Alan Coleman. Jethro would commit to her, formally abandoning the long-term, predilection for redheads!
Their life together would last for decades, including her posting to USNA Annapolis as XO to Vice Admiral Harmon Rabb when he was unexpectedly promoted and installed as Superintendent of Annapolis. A/N: for more information on Faith and Harm at USNA, see my story "Red Mittens and a Rose Garden".
Every few years they would build a boat in Jethro's basement; sanding and beer became their regular evening go-to activities.
They never felt the need to consider marriage.
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Tuesday 25th May 2021: 12:57hrs EDT
Out on the water:
When "Rule 91" was launched in the water, no-one expected that the boat would blow up on one of its first full-throttle runs over the lake.
But Faith knew that Jethro was still alive. She had faith!
The diversion (despite the cloud of splinters that was necessitated by the case) drew out the bad guys and Jethro was now ready to retire. Faith had booked two weeks of vacation and had flown out in on the floatplane which would eventually take Timothy McGee back to "civilisation". She had settled in the little guest house, but stayed out of sight whilst Gibbs gave Tim McGee "the talk", before sending the younger agent off in the floatplane.
As the sound of the radial aero-engine faded into the distance, Gibbs continued his casting and fishing.
Ten minutes later, his favourite voice echoed across the lake behind him:
"Barbecue's lit, I need two good size fish."
"Coming up, my lady."
They would watch 13 sunsets before the floatplane returned; by that time they were fully committed to each other and Faith was planning HER retirement.
They sat on the bench, looking over the tranquillity of the lake, hand in hand like an old married couple. However, with one murdered spouse apiece, they were not going to tempt fate: after 18 years together, they could read each other - and support each other - as well as the best marriage. What they had - built over the decades - worked for them.
Gibbs leaned across and kissed Faith's lengthening (and now greying) hair; this was everything that he had hoped for when he and Shannon had married all those years before (but cruelly been denied) - a calm, comfortable, companionable retirement, in each other's arms...
"You don't waste good"…
FIN.
End of Ch03 of "Having Faith" – "Making a commitment"
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*A/N: For Faith's background story in my AU universe, please read my Faith Coleman story "The Long Road to Justice".
Mike: UK, 23-AUG-2024.