Gibbs stood hesitantly on the doorstep, clutching the bag in his hand tightly. He stretched his hand out towards the doorbell, only to draw it back again and let it fall down to his side. He turned around, looking longingly back at his car. He was taken by surprise when the door opened behind him and bright light flooded out into the dark night, illuminating him.

"Jethro?"

He turned around slowly and handed the bag for her without a word.

She accepted it uncertainly and looked inside. When she realised what it contained, a huge smile spreading across her features - lighting her face up.

She looked up at him, tears in her eyes.

"I thought you might want one" he said with a self-conscious shrug as she pulled a wig from the recesses of the bag. The red wavy locks glistening in the light that continued to flood through the open doorway.

She took a step away from the door and he couldn't help but notice the way her robe fluttered around her ankles exposing the still raw skin. He silently took a step forward, his gaze returning to her eyes - so tired and hurt that they broke his heart. She closed the door behind him, her emerald eyes never leaving his.

"Jen..."

He reached up and brushed his fingers across her cheek. Her eyes fluttered closed briefly at the contact. "I thought I lost you today" he whispered as she took a step closer to him entering his personal space.

"You can't get rid of me that easily, Jethro" she joked in a failed attempt at humour.

But they both knew how close they had come today. This case had awakened a lot of old feelings, and the moments when he'd stood helplessly above the grave had been among the worst in his life. He had been unable to shake off the immediate grief and regret that had engulfed his person. He'd lowered himself into the grave and stroked her face, sure she'd broken her neck in the fall. But she'd opened her eyes groggily and sent him a small smile. Relief had flooded his body at the sight.

He'd been battling his own thoughts and feelings since then, not quite knowing how he'd ended up at her front door minutes before. But looking down into her dazzling eyes he knew that he was where he needed to be.

"Jethro .."

Her voice broke into his thoughts pulling him back into the present. He dipped his head downward and his lips grazed hers. She let out a small gasp of surprise before responding by stepping in closer so their bodies were flush against each other; her hands trailing up his back settling around his neck, as she deepened the kiss.

"Jethro..." she whispered again, his name slipping from her lips easily.

He tilted his head back so that his eyes were locked with hers and he tried to read her expression but she was guarding something. He brought his hand up to her face and his finger traced along her cheek down her face. His hands were rough and calloused but his touch was soft and gentle. He came to a stop underneath her chin and he tilted her face upwards as he pressed his lips against hers again. He could feel her lips turning into a smile underneath his.

"Jen" he whispered her name almost inaudibly as he traced a line of kisses down her neck.

She could feel the heat emanating from his body and it drew her closer to him. She wound her arms around his body, feeling his muscles rippling beneath her touch. His hands came to a halt in the small of her back after fluttering down her side, causing an eruption of butterflies in her stomach. Her cheek rested on his chest - rising up and down in time with his steady breathing. He planted a kiss on the top of her head, his kiss bruised lips touching down on her stubbly head as she thought about what had brought him to her. Her eyes swivelled to the wig on the mantelpiece, and she smiled. Safe and secure in his arms a sudden overwhelming wave of tiredness came over her. She closed her eyes leaning her weight into his body.

Gibbs felt the shift in her weight and couldn't help but smile. She mumbled something incoherent into his chest and with that he carefully picked her up and carried her up the stairs to her bed. He eased back the sheets and laid her down. As she fought sleep he covered her with the sheets and tucked her in. Her eyes finally gave up the battle to stay open and closed peacefully. He kissed her softly on the forehead - his lips barely touching her skin - and turned to leave.

He was surprised when she caught his forearm.

"Don't leave" she whispered without opening eyes; her voice quiet, but sweet and undeniable.

He eased himself down onto the bed next to her and intertwined his fingers with hers, content that she had already fallen asleep. Safe in the knowledge that he was there. He took in her beauty, and the overwhelming feelings caused him to bend down and plant one more kiss on her cheek brushing her ear.

"Never again" he whispered before he settled back and joined her in sleep, a rare smile still gracing his features.

A/N: Hope y'all enjoyed the final chapter, please let me know what you thought, reviews are, as always, greatly welcomed and appreciated. Thanks to everybody who has stuck with me with this fic, especially to those of you who took the time to review :) Final massive thank-you to Ellie, don't think I'd have been able to do this without you, thanks! :D