Chapter 3

When Jenny woke up hours later, she was lying in bed, her clothes wrinkled and unbuttoned, showing small bruises and bites on her skin. There was a bruise on her cheek and her left arm hurt too much. Her biggest worry was with her baby, but there was no pain or bleeding there, which was a good sign and she was relieved.

"Good morning."

Jenny raised her head from the pillow, feeling it throb and she saw Rene Benoit, already dressed in his suit and smiling arrogantly, using a strong perfume. He approached her, touching her face and Jenny tried to pull away from his touch, squinting and saying in a mixture of disgust and sadness:

"How could you do this? You have a daughter too!"

"You will delete all data about the operation that you are running against me." He said, ignoring what the redhead said and Jenny denied stubbornly.

"I won't do that. And even if I wanted, all the files are in Washington."

"They aren't. One of my friends went to your house yesterday morning when you three left. Here's your computer."

Jenny saw him take her laptop from a bag and the redhead regretted having brought the case home, leaving all details of the operation in her study. Rene brought up the computer, putting over her legs and threatening her:

"Erase everything."

"What makes you think I'll delete it all?" She asked coldly and received and slapped on the face, over the hematoma.

"I'll remind you again: There are friends of mine watching your daughter, then do it."

Jenny closed her eyes for a moment, catching her breath before entering the password of her computer and start deleting everything she had against him and the man grabbed her face and kissed her lips.

"See what happens when you bring this information home?"

"We're almost in Marseille. Do you have a copy of the operation against La Grenouille?" Gibbs asked Tony, while they were in a jet.

"Uhm, I do." Tony said, looking a little guilty and looking to his boss with the corner of his green eye. "The director doesn't know, but I made a copy of the entire operation, in case something happens."

Tony thought he would get head-slapped, but Gibbs approved.

"Well done Tony." Gibbs then rubbed his forehead, looking frustrated. "The team in Marseille said no checking in with the surname Benoit or Shepard and also they didn't recognize them in the photos."

"And what about the mandate?"

"They are trying to get it."

When they arrived in Marseille, the duo met with agent Derek and Rose, waiting for them. Gibbs shook their hands and went to business, knowing he had already spent a day and that in another 24 hours, Jenny might be dead. His biggest fear was if the bastard had touched Jenny, he wouldn't be able to forgive himself for being a lousy husband and letting her travel alone, without her protection detail.

"Nobody saw them?"

"No." Rose shook her head while guiding them outside. "We showed them the photos of director Shepard, Benoit and his henchman, but no one saw them in the hotel. Are you sure that's where she is?"

"Jen is there!" Gibbs said angrily, looking coldly at Rose, who was startled and turned her attention to the file on her hands, looking for more clues. No one could understand that the message was from her. "Did you get the mandate?"

"Right now, agent Wong is getting it, we are going to search in the hotel now."

"Come on." Gibbs nodded to Tony and the two moved forward, passing by Derek Rose, toward the car.

"We'll find her, boss." Tony told him, confident and Gibbs nodded in a silent thanks.

"I know Tony."

The quartet reached the Blu hotel, which was located in a neighborhood far from the downtown and they came armed, going to the reception and Gibbs announced:

"Federal agents, we have a mandate to investigate the rooms in this hotel!"

"Mr. Benoit, I just saw the NCIS car, you need to get out." One of Rene's thugs said, in the door.

"Prepare the helicopter."

When the man left, Rene approached Jenny, leaning over and kissing her.

"Apparently, your dear agent came to save you. And you know why I won't kill you? Because I know you won't denounce me, you are too ashamed, especially being the director of NCIS and I got you to erase the entire operation. Goodbye."

He picked up his briefcase, knowing that the only traces of him were in Jenny because the room had been cleaned. He then left the room, leaving Jenny semi-conscious. Her head ached, as her whole body and her green eyes were heavy as she tried do move her body to run, when she heard footsteps outside and then a voice she knew very well announced:

"Federal Agent!"

The door opened and Gibbs appeared, holding his gun and scanning the room with his eyes. When his eyes encountered the figure in front of him, on the bed, Gibbs's mouth went dry, while his heart broke. He lowered the gun, running to Jenny and kneeling beside her on the bed, grabbing her wrist and feeling she had a pulse.

"Jethro..." Her voice was hoarse and low.

His blue eyes roamed her body, seeing the bruises on her face and body, clothes unbuttoned and her arm that looked broken. The redhead thought about her daughter, worried:

"Where's Francesca?"

"She's with your sister. Jen... What that bastard did to you." He said, more to himself and Jenny reached out, seeking his hand.

Gibbs held her hand, stroking her cheek and then he removed his coat, placing it over Jenny and embraced her, being careful not to lean against her injured arm.

Jenny felt tired and he kissed her.

"Tony!" Gibbs shouted.

They heard the voice of the agent a little far and Jenny asked, scared, struggling to keep her eyes open:

"What will you do, Jethro?"

"You'll go to Bethesda. When you are in Washington, I'll meet you there."

"Jethro!" She called him, her voice broke in fear for him, but she felt heavy and then, everything turned black.

"Boss, it seems that the receptionist was bribed to lie to us and-" Tony appeared at the door and his eyes widened at the sight, seeing the blood of Rene and Jenny on her blouse. "Is she...?"

"Call the doctor of the NCIS, I want her in a private flight to Washington now!"

"Bethesda?"

"Now! I want you to stay at her side all the way and don't disclose anything until I reach you, understand?"

Tony agreed without questioning him, knowing that the thing must be serious, because Gibbs wasn't going to accompany her to the United States and Gibbs kissed her forehead, feeling his eyes sting, as he turned and left and Tony prostrated next to Jenny, protecting her, while waiting for the NCIS doctor.

Gibbs would catch Rene Benoit because he'd hurt his family. He entered into the rental car and called McGee, discovering about a yacht the arms dealer had on a pier in Marseille.

Gibbs tightened on the steering wheel while driving quickly through the streets towards the Pier, squeezing his hand on his gun.

When Jenny woke up, she realized she was in a hospital room, in Bethesda, safe. Her body still ached, but she was in a white gown and had her left arm bandaged. She turned her head gently to the side and found the blue eyes of her daughter, who was holding her good hand and in the nightstand the girl had placed a colorful drawing of her with her parents and future little brother.

"Fran? Are you okay?"

"It's me who should ask you this, mommy." The girl replied, smiling relieved to have her back. "I missed you!"

"I missed you too, my dear." She hugged the girl with her good hand and Francesca climbed into her bed, laying her head on her chest and looking at Jenny's green eyes. "How long was I asleep?"

"More than a day. Aunt Heather came to visit you last night."

"And where is your father?"

She remembered him embarking her with Tony and then Gibbs stayed in France and the redhead was worried about her husband.

"I don't know, he said he had to sort some things out so left uncle Tony taking care of us."

Jenny looked at the glass window and saw Tony's brown hair outside and the redhead sighed, feeling her eyes fill with tears at the memory of what had happened. But she blinked so they wouldn't fall in front of her daughter, stroking the hair of the smaller, and ten minutes later the nurse came in.

"Glad you already awake Mrs. Shepard."

"Fran, why don't you take Tony to eat something?" The redhead suggested, wanting to talk privately with the nurse.

The girl kissed her cheek and left, while the nurse checked her blood pressure. The nurse smiled kindly and Jenny closed her eyes, feeling she would cry and wanting to kick herself for that. The nurse then said:

"Your vital signs are good and also I checked your baby, he's fine."

Jenny nodded, relieved because she hadn't lost her baby, but still feeling miserable for what had happened to her, wanting to take a bath.

"I'll tell your doctor that you're awake."

"Okay"

When the nurse left, Jenny felt that she would collapse, feeling her lips trembling and she raised her good hand to cover her eyes.

The door then opened and Gibbs entered, with wrinkled clothes and red eyes, as if he hadn't slept and had been crying. Gibbs walked toward her bed in stride and then he pulled away Jenny's hand that was hiding her eyes, which were burning. Gibbs knew his eyes were the same as hers and he leaned over and kissed her lips gently.

For a moment, Jenny didn't return the kiss, remembering about Rene Benoit, wanting to scratch him with her good hand, and she scratched his neck, but Gibbs didn't complain despite the burning on his neck and he clasped his hand with hers, preventing Jenny to scratch him again and then she began corresponding the kiss. The kiss became passionate and Gibbs pressed his lips a little more firm, as she parted her lips for him to explore her mouth with his tongue.

When they broke the kiss to breathe, Gibbs helped Jenny to lean her body slightly forward, giving room for Gibbs sit with her in his arms.

"Jen..."

"It was my fault Jethro. I never denounced him and I put Francesca's life in risk." She admitted, looking up and staring at his blue eyes, feeling foolish for risking their daughter.

Gibbs shook his head, horrified by Jenny's thought.

"My God Jen, you can't blame yourself!" He then ran a hand through her bruise that was on her cheek, that was starting do disappear. "That bastard hurt you."

"I know…"

"How come you never told me what he did to you 20 years ago?"

"You think it was easy for me? It's the worst memory of my life Jethro!" She said, her voice rising in anger, making mention of leaving his arms, but Gibbs held her tighter, hugging her.

"From now on, when I don't have work, I will be you protection detail." He whispered, soothing her as she relaxed in his arms.

"What happens now?"

"We're going to denounce him and if you want, we can do this anonymously, but you have to do this Jen." He said seriously, looking to her broken arm, feeling the rage back.

"I will denounce him this time. Ok?" Jenny said, taking the decision and knowing that her father would be proud of her courage and that could help others women too. She smiled, feeling stronger.

Gibbs nodded, proud of her courage and he continued to hold her with one hand while the other caressed every part of her bruised body, making her close her eyes, concentrating on his gentle touch.

Gibbs's lips then began to do the same thing, leaning down to kiss her bandaged arm, the bite marks on her cleavage, the bruise on her cheek and then he found Jenny's lips again, kissing her fondly. The redhead laughed.

"I'm ugly, right?"

"No. You can never look ugly Jen." He assured her, knowing it was true, she couldn't look ugly.

Jenny stroked his gray hair, kissing his forehead and muttering:

"Thank you for saving me Jethro, and making me laugh. You have no idea of the importance you have in my life."

"It wouldn't be in other way Jen, you are my wife, tge woman I love and admire, my all." He said, and the redhead gave him a peck before she laid her head on his chest and Gibbs covered her with a blanket, hugging her.

He knew her recover, not only phisyc but mental too would take time, because rape was something brutal, but Gibbs would stay at her side to walk her away from the darkness and show her how much she was loved, how good things could be when they were together and how strong she was and that they had defeated the frog from her nightmares.

Five minutes later, Francesca opened the door and saw her father and her face lit up and she ran to her parents.

"Daddy, you're back!"

Jenny opened one eye and saw her daughter smiling and she gave room for the smaller redhead to lay down beside her, leaving the Shepard-Gibbs family complete

"Hi dear." Gibbs said, smiling, kissing her forehead and then involving the two redheads with his arms, protectively.

"I still wish we could go on a family trip."

"When I get better, we can go the three of us to California." Jenny promised.

Francesca smiled, embracing her mother before laying her head on her chest while Gibbs kept his arms around her and Jenny winked at him.

Gibbs looked down, watching the two redheads who smiled in his arms and for a time, the three were lying, talking or just resting, happy to be together.

After the doctors talked to Jenny and Gibbs, the redhead denounced against Rene Benoit as the director of the NCIS and submitted herself to the expertise, being examined and having Rene Benoit's DNA collected from her, to be used in the tribunal. It was difficult to stay in the hospital room, being examined but Gibbs received permission to stay beside her.

Then, she found out that Tony had saved all the operation data. Thanks to Gibbs, his team and the SecNav, the press was forbidden to go near her to get the details about her kidnapping.

Jenny was in the hospital room two days later, packing her suitcase, when the news announced:

"The former arms dealer, Rene Benoit was found dead in his yacht, in Marseille, France two days ago. At first it seemed he was murdered by some rival arms dealer, but with the recent accusation of raping the director Jennifer Shepard, from the NCIS and having killed her father, Colonel Jasper Shepard, it was concluded that he had committed suicide. Back for more information soon..."

Jenny turned off the TV, her lips parted in shock and she turned to Gibbs, who was leaning in the doorway. The redhead sighed, closing the suitcase and going to him, careful not to hurt her arm.

"Jethro, you killed him?"

Gibbs just stared at her and the redhead pressed her lips against his shoulder, mumbling something.

"Chauvinist"

"Jen, he killed your father, threatened our daughter and hurt you. I wouldn't let him free to hurt more innocent people." He said, exasperated and the redhead nodded.

"You're a good man Jethro." She said, still with her lips on his shoulder, knowing that the name of her father was clean, leaving her happy.

She wanted to have killed the drug dealer with her own hands, but Gibbs had done it for her and the redhead decided not to complain, because the revenge was over and she and Gibbs could live in peace with their new family, a chance she wouldn't waste, they were all she had and loved.

"I love you Jethro, you and our family."

"I love you, Jen."

Gibbs gently pulled the tip of her ponytail, bringing Jenny's face to him and kissing her passionately. Jenny leaned her right hand on his chest, stroking him, while deepened the kiss and she moaned his name. Gibbs kept a hand on her ponytail and the other lowered to her back.

When they parted for breath, Jenny gave him a kiss, before pulling back and picking up her suitcase, and Gibbs took it from her hand, carrying it for her with one hand and using the other to guide her out, touching the small of her back, enjoying the pale pink dress she wore.

"Let's go out have dinner, Jen. Ziva and Abby will stay with Fran tonight."

"Steak au poivre?"

"Whatever you want Jen."

The redhead smirked, glad because he had helped her to get rid of her darkness like she had illuminated him in Paris, and they kissed again passionately, before she laid her head on his shoulder, careful with her arm as they walked out of the hospital and she felt his hand caress the small of her back fondly.

Don't make me sad, don't make me cry

Sometimes love is not enough

And the road gets tough, I don't know why

Keep making me laugh

Let's go get high

The road is long, we carry on

Try to have fun in the meantime

Come and take a walk on the wild side

Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain

You like your girls insane

Choose your last words

This is the last time

'Cause you and I, we were born to die

Lana Del Ray-Born to die