Hey Lovelies, fair warning, this one isn't quite like you remember it. Hello Jibbs! Sorry for the delay I had to have surgery to amputate one of my toes, so I was out of commission for awhile. This is it by the way. This is where I leave you. It is up to you to decide for yourselves what would have happened from here on out. Enjoy and Happy Reading!

Chapter 8 – Under Covers

He slid the bellboy a tip and turned around in the suite. "So what do you think?"

She came in from the balcony, passing through the curtains a little slower than necessary. "It's not bad."

He just smiled at her as she made her way over to the basket of fruit on the table. She picked up a grape and placed it in her mouth in a rather seductive manner. His gaze trailed her as she moved around the room. "I'm guessing you don't much care about the rest of this place right now?"

She hooked a finger in the lapel of his jacket and pulled him across the room towards her. "There's only one thing I'm interested in right now."

It was with skilled practice that they managed to completely undress each other completely and only pull their lips away once. They left a trail of clothing across the floor as they made their way to the bed.

When they lay spent in each other's arms she turned to him and smiled. "It's been a long time Jethro, but under cover always seemed to work well for us."

He turned his head and looked at her. "We don't even know if we are under surveillance yet Jen. I think that one was all us."

She moved so that her head was lying on his chest. "And you wanted to send Tony and Ziva."

Three Hours Earlier…

"Oh, she's very beautiful Jethro." Ducky unzipped the body bag and turned to look at the man next to him.

"Her name is Sophie Ranier and she's murdered over twenty-five people Duck."

"And her friend?"

"Her husband. Jean-Paul Ranier. Both Canadian citizens, both contract assassins."

"She's suffered extensive injuries, it may take awhile to determine actual cause of death."

"They were killed two days ago in a car accident outside of Kuwait International Airport. Here's the accident report."

"I'm assuming this is urgent. I've waited three months to see Giselle."

"Yeah apologies about the girlfriend Duck, but-"

"Giselle's a ballet." She came walking across autopsy towards them. "You really should get out of that basement more Jethro."

He smiled at her, "And whose fault is it that I don't make it out of the basement half of the nights."

She laughed, "Certainly not mine. The bed is far more comfortable than the floor Jethro." She turned to Ducky, who looked as though he'd rather not hear about it. "We need to know everything we can about these two Ducky."

"And why is NCIS investigating this."

"They found two fake passports and two first class tickets for Washington D.C. in their luggage."

"They have reservations at the Barkley through November tenth."

"The Marine Corps. Birthday." The doctor caught on.

"They're holding the ball there. Hosted by the Commandant of the Marine Corps."

"Top military leaders, congressmen, and agency directors will be there. Including me."

"We are taking their places now, and we are going to pretend to be these two. We're working blind Duck."

"We are counting on you to fill us in on some of the more personal details of our couple."

He looked perplexed, but Jethro took Jenny's hand and the two of them made their way upstairs to change and become the Rainer's.

Back in the Hotel…

Jethro was hovering above Jen, slowly rubbing the tight knots out of her back. Little did they know, that from across the street, an infrared camera that was picking up their every move was watching them?

"It's a good thing that I convinced you to let us do this. I really needed a back massage." She smiled and rolled over underneath of him, proceeding to use her momentum to flip them entirely, landing perched right above his hips.

"How am I supposed to rub your back from down here?"

"Oh, I can think of some other things you can do from down there." She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his just as there was a knock on the door. She laid her head on his chest momentarily and then proceeded to get up and tie her robe around herself while Jethro did the same.

She moved to the door. "Who is it?"

"Room service." She heard McGee's voice answer back and she opened the door. "Compliments of the hotel management." He lowered his voice to a whisper and handed Gibbs a small box. "I'm here to sweep the room for bugs and plant some of our own. DiNozzo wants to talk to you."

Gibbs took the box and discreetly put the wig in his ear. Jen smiled sweetly at McGee and pointed to the small table. "You can put it over there."

"Very good ma'am." He put the flowers with the camera that was linked into MTAC where it could see the majority of the room and then proceeded to sweep the place for bugs. He paused when he saw the state of the bed. "Would you like me to have the maid make up the bed for you sir?"

"That won't be necessary." When McGee turned around Jen shot him a look. They were supposed to be discreet!

When McGee found the bug he covertly placed a large tray over the top of it. Blocking all sound from going out of the room. "If you whisper it should be okay."

"Hey Boss, Director. Nice robes!"

"DiNozzo!" He turned to Jen. "They can see us."

"Great." She turned around before she rolled her eyes, but he could read her body language like a book.

"Incoming call. Jen?" She turned back to him. "Answer that would you?" She gave him a look but proceeded across the room. "Thanks babe."

She picked up the phone and paused just a second. "Yes?"

"There's a cell phone in the bible next to your bed."

She pulled it out and showed it to the camera behind her. "Got it."

"Keep it with you at all times. You have reservations at the hotel dining room at nine o'clock. Don't be late."

She turned around and stepped back towards Gibbs. "The concierge. We were able to get into the dining room after all my love. Looks like I'll be getting dressed up tonight after all."

He handed her a glass of champagne and she took it as McGee headed out the door.

Back at NCIS Tony was meeting her off of the elevator. "Where's Gibbs? 911's always come from Gibbs, is he okay?"

"He's fine Abby. He and the Director are under covers as we speak."

Ziva came up beside him. "Don't you mean under cover Tony?"

"No Ziva, I'm willing to bet they are under the covers too!"

"Tony!" Abby hit him on the arm, "They are not!"

They made it all the way over to where Ducky was weighing one of the livers. "No sign of Mr. Palmer I suppose?"

"Not since this afternoon."

Tony spun Abby around. "These are their personal effects. Get wired so you can get whatever you find to the Boss and the Director."

"What am I looking for?"

"Anything that will help them be them!" He pointed to the two bodies on Ducky's slabs.

They sat next to each other at dinner, every bit a couple. Not having to try and fake their banter as they scanned the room for potential targets. Ducky, Abby and Tony were watching them from the camera imbedded in Gibbs' glasses. "Gibbs, the callouses suggest he was left handed. Switch."

Jen laughed as she saw the look on Jethro's face. She couldn't help but play it up a little bit. At least until her phone rang. Instantly she picked it up and showed the number to Tony. "I'm glad you called. We were growing bored."

"Thought it might help to see your target in person tonight."

She added an airy note, "He's here?"

"You don't see him?"

"Relax, I've been flying for over twenty-hours, and the restaurant is packed. We will. You didn't mention anything by being surrounded by U.S. Marines it's too dangerous for the sum you're paying us." She had pulled out the Director voice.

"Accomplish your mission, we'll discuss more."

She gave a false laugh. "But you won't pay us more."

"I have to talk to my Boss."

Both Gibbs and McGee were moving towards the phone bank in the restaurant. "Do that-" The dial tone cut her off. "He hung up."

When Gibbs got back to the table with Jen DiNozzo spoke up. "Are you coming back to the squad room Boss?"

"Nope, we are going back to our room and maintaining our cover."

"All night?"

"Did I stutter or something DiNozzo?" Jen cracked a smile at the younger agents obvious confusion. He looked over at her and smiled. Standing he offered her his hand. "Are you finished Sophie?"

"Oui. Merci." She grinned and for a moment he was sucked back into memories of Paris years ago.

Abby joined Tony in MTAC and together they were talking to Gibbs and Jen. She was spitting out ideas that were fairly simple. "Now come on Jen, why didn't he think of that?"

She turned and sat down next to him, leaning just enough towards him that it was noticeable to the other two through the camera. "Sorry Jethro. I'm just a little tired."

"Well, you never could pace yourself Jen." He smirked at her as she glared right back.

"I have one word for you Jethro." There was mischief in her eyes and he liked where this was heading, even if Tony and Abby were watching and listening in on them. "Positano."

"Come on! That was a week after I took a bullet!"

She grinned and pressed her head into his shoulder. "Uh huh…"

They were openly flirting with each other. "Come on Jen. Let's get to bed. You need to sleep."

"I'm fine Jethro. I just need coffee."

"And when the caffeine jolt ends?"

She grinned at him, "I'll do what you do. Get a refill."

"You're not me Jen." He scooped her up in his arms and carried her bridal style to the bed.

He dropped her and she laughed when she hit the mattress. "Chauvinist."

He crawled in beside her and wrapped an arm around her waist as he pulled the blankets over them both. "Uh huh."

Morning dawned bright and early and McGee was surprised when Tony handed him a cup of coffee. "Uh Tony, this was on my front porch this morning."

"What is it?"

"A package for the Director."

"I can see that Probie, what's in it?"

"No idea."

"That's why she is using you McGee." He ripped open the package and dumped the contents into his lap. A pair of sunglasses came tumbling out. "Send them a wake up call McGee."

"Sure thing Tony." He patched through to Gibbs' earpiece. "Boss, Boss, Boss! This is great. They are sleeping in a five star hotel, Tony's running the op and I'm a waiter."

"What was that Agent McGee?"

"Director! You're awake!"

"Yes McGee. Did my package arrive on time?"

"It did."

"Good. Bring it up with breakfast."

"Yes ma'am. Tony was wondering if you could wake Gibbs up too?"

"Of course." She walked over and blew softly in Jethro's ear. When he didn't respond she started leaving a trail of kisses from his ear, along his jaw and down his throat. When she bit his collarbone he woke up.

"Je-Sophie! What the hell?"

She laughed, "You were refusing to wake up. I had to resort to drastic measures."

"Well next time." He reached up and pulled her down onto the bed with him. "Don't."

She stood in the window looking out with the glasses that McGee had brought up to her that morning. When she had switched the lenses she could easily see across the street to where the infrared scope was trailed on their room. She reported over to Tony and he and McGee headed back out into the field.

"Boss, can we get some sort of diversion?"

Jethro looked over to Jen, who nodded. "Sure DiNozzo, we've got something we can do." They made their way back over to the bed as the two younger agents headed for the building across the street from them.

"I'm so glad you talked me into this Jen." He growled in her ear as he kissed up her neck. "I don't miss the days when we were faking it."

She looked up at him, her green eyes dark and needy, "Stop talking Jethro!"

The FBI agents that McGee and DiNozzo kicked the door in on returned back to NCIS headquarters with them. "You guys are hard core."

"Eh. We got lucky. It was the laser trained on the room that gave you away."

"We were talking about your agents going undercover as married assassins. I don't think anyone in the FBI would actually go all the way just to sell a cover story."

"Guys they were acting. Trust me."

"I know when someone's acting when their having sex."

"It's true. I've met his wife."

McGee got up and took off for the screen. Gibbs and the Director looked all too comfortable sitting that close together on the couch for there to be nothing real going on.

When the elevator doors opened both Tony and McGee were surprised to see Agent Fornell step out of them. "What the hell is NCIS doing? Where is Gibbs?"

They both pointed to the screen that was showing the feed from the hotel room. Gibbs was in the corner of the couch watching TV with one arm wrapped around Jen, who sat between his legs, a novel open in her lap.

"What the hell is he doing? I thought you were the one under cover DiNozzo?"

"Nope. I'm running the fort from here. Gibbs is at the hotel,"

Fornell stepped closer to the screen just as Jen turned her face to the camera. "Is that Shepherd?"

"Yup."

"No way in hell!"

"Join up Fornell. It's easier this way. Since we don't really have a Director to go to bat against the FBI right now."

"Yeah DiNozzo, she looks a little busy." He pointed to the screen where they could see as Gibbs leaned down to plant a kiss on her bright red lips.

Tony and Fornell entered Abby's lab together just moments after she and Chip had discovered Sophie's secret. "She's pregnant."

"Who's pregnant?"

"The Director." Abby looked at their shocked faces and laughed, "Well, not the Director, Sophie Rainer, the dead hit girl. She's got a bun in the oven."

"Great…" Tony grabbed his cell and punched in Jenny's cell phone number.

Gibbs was sitting in the living room, fending off the flirty FBI agent when Jen came out of the bathroom. A small smile played on her lips. "I'm pregnant Jethro."

His eyes got wide and he looked up at her from across the room. He smiled as the FBI agent took it as a hint and quickly left them alone in the room. "Really?"

"That was Tony." She held up her cell phone. "Sophie was three month pregnant."

"Oh."

Just then the cell phone that the caller had left in their room started ringing, and she moved to answer it. "He's learning. The number's blocked."

He took it out of her hand and answered. "Talk to me."

"I've been told to negotiate a price considering the risks."

"I'm listening."

"Not on the phone. Be in the lobby in one hour. Black Lincoln will be waiting out front. Make sure you're not late."

An hour later everyone was set to go, Tony and Fornell had worked out the logistics and everyone was in position.

"Boss, Director, get ready. Your hour is almost up."

"Roger that Tony." She looked over to where Gibbs was cleaning his gun at the table. "Are you ready?"

He looked up at her. "Yeah." A goofy smile crossed his face as she walked towards him.

"What?"

"I'm just trying to picture you pregnant."

"Oh yeah."

"Yeah, you just told me I'm going to be a father. It's a big responsibility Jen. Maybe she didn't' know."

"Oh, she knew Jethro."

"Then why take this job, and put her unborn child in danger?"

"Maybe they needed the money?"

"Kids are expensive."

"And bullets are cheap. There's a big chance this meeting is a set up Jethro." She had made it across the room and she sat down in his lap, his hand falling to sit on her stomach.

"Are you scared Jen?"

"No. I have you. What's there to be scared of?"

"So many things Jen."

"I know." She leaned her forehead against his. "This reminds me of our Op in the former Czech Republic."

"You took a round in the thigh."

She nodded, "I had the same bad feeling before that Op too."

He drew back and looked at her for a long moment, and then he leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "I will protect you Jenny."

She smiled, "I know."

They headed to the elevator and boarded with a room service waiter. Once inside their earpieces went out and he pointed a gun at the back of Gibbs' head. When the elevator stopped he spoke up. "You're getting off here."

The man that had been calling them met them on the other side of the doors, and Jen froze. "We would have come to the third floor ourselves. Three armed escorts seem a little excessive."

"Very good Mrs. Rainer. Too bad your friends can't hear you."

"You're being jammed."

"Bring them to my room. If they resist, shoot the woman."

Back in MTAC Tony and Ziva were exchanging worried glances. "Boss, do you copy? Gibbs, Director, do you copy?"

He turned and looked at Fornell, "McGee! What the hell is going on there?"

"Tony they're not in the room, and they never made it to the lobby."

"Something is going on."

Ziva spoke up, "Last contact was at the elevator, that's eleven floors they could have gotten off at."

"Eleven floors Probie! How many rooms is that?"

"Over two hundred and fifty."

Fornell tried to take charge. "We go room by room, my people-"

But Ziva interrupted him. "No, we wait."

"For what?"

"For Jenny to contact us. We move now we blow their cover."

"And if their cover is already blown?"

"Where's the disc?"

They were confused, but Jen had always been good under cover, she went with it. "What disc?"

Crack! One of the men punched Jethro hard across the jaw.

"Where Mrs. Rainer?"

"What makes you think that we have it?"

Every time she spoke and it wasn't what they wanted to hear another blow landed on Gibbs. Every time Jenny flinched.

Abby figured out who had them, and she figured out that they themselves were the hit.

Jen spoke up, "If you let him go, I'll tell you where the disc is."

"You'll tell me either way Mrs. Rainer." He pulled out a rather large knife and spun it in front of her.

When they left the room Gibbs turned over his shoulder to whisper to her. "I might have a plan."

"Might?"

"The Rainer's obviously stole something they want, you're going to give it to them."

"We don't have it!"

"Tell them it's in our hotel room. The only way they'll find it is if you show them. McGee should be waiting for us in there."

"Good plan, expect for one minor drawback."

"What?"

"When I leave they'll most likely put a bullet through your head."

"I didn't say it was a perfect plan."

Her eyes grew wide, but just then the door reopened. The killer threatened Jen; he held her by the neck and pulled the blade dangerously close.

"Stop." Gibbs' voice was gravelly, but sharp. "The disc is in our hotel room."

"Where?"

"She has to show you."

"Not what I asked."

"You'll never find it without her. Even if you kill us."

"Untie her. Your only mistake was going for one last big payday. You got greedy."

"I'm pregnant."

"Really? Congratulations. Boy or girl?"

"Don't know. We want to be surprised."

"It's the best way. How many months?"

She smiled, "Two."

"Morning sickness."

"It's getting better."

"Believe me it's all worth it in the end."

Her eyebrows shot up. "So you're not going to kill us?"

"I haven't decided yet. If I'm not back in five minutes, kill him."

When they left the room the second man rounded on Gibbs. "That was merely for your wife's cooperation. We like to call them little white lies."

Upstairs he threw the key card on the ground at Jen's feet. "Open it." When she did she saw McGee on the floor and she rushed too him. "I hope you weren't counting on your back up Mrs. Rainer."

She turned and smiled. "He's not my backup." Tony came out from behind the door and knocked the guy out.

"Boss?"

"Third floor, room three, five, six."

Gibbs laughed as the man circled him, "You know what's funny? I was really looking forward to having a kid again for a minute. Having a new little Gibbs running around."

"Gibbs?"

"Yeah, that's my name. Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, NCIS." He used the chair he was tied to as leverage and did his worst until they came crashing through the door.

Jen rushed over to him and undid his restraints. "Jethro, Jethro, I think you made your point."

As soon as he was free he wrapped his arms around her and held on tight. "No more under cover for a while. One of us always ends up hurt."

"Deal."

Later that evening Jen was getting ready for the Marine Corps Ball. She was impressed that he had agreed to accompany her. She knew he hated those sorts of things. Her skirt was long and full and it trailed behind her as she glided down the stairs towards them all.

"Jethro." She met him at the bottom of the stairs and he gave her a gentle kiss. No longer caring who saw.

"Ready to go Jen?"

She nodded and slipped her arm through his. "Ready."

Agent Fornell came up beside them as they entered the ball. "You look lovely Director Shepherd."

"Thank you Agent Fornell."

"Please, tonight it is Tobias."

"Jenny."

He just smiled handed them each a glass of champagne before walking away. Jethro immediately downed his and turned to the woman on his arm. "No champagne Jen?"

She laughed, "I can't Jethro."

"You're not on duty."

"No," she smiled, "I'm not."

"Then why?" But before he could finish his question he found his answer in her eyes.

"Really?"

"Looks like Sophie Rainer wasn't the only one with a secret Jethro. Happy Birthday."

"I love you Jen."