The NCIS team reported to headquarters in the Washington Navy Yard on a Saturday at 0800. No one was thrilled to be coming into work. There was no case to investigate; there was only paper work to catch up on. Director Jennifer Shepard strongly insisted that the team of Special Agent Jethro Gibbs come in and finish the work. Out of all the teams in D.C., agents Anthony DiNozzo, Ziva David, and Timothy McGee were the most behind on turning in case reports to her. With the number of cases taken by their team, there was little choice in not getting behind on paperwork. Still, DiNozzo complained in the elevator.

"Have you seen it out there? It's perfect! I was going to play football with the guys."

McGee rolled his eyes but didn't speak. He had planned on spending the whole day cooped up in his apartment and writing.

Ziva David turned and stared her partner up and down. "I do not understand why it is called football. You do not play with your feet," she said, turning back to face the elevator doors.

DiNozzo mumbled silently and made a face at her like a five year old. He didn't feel like explaining American sports to Ziva; it was too early. He rubbed his face and yawned. "Maybe boss got coffee."

"The boss always has coffee," McGee spoke.

"I meant maybe the boss got coffee for us too, Probie," Tony spoke to him annoyed.

McGee shrugged his shoulders and felt relieved when the elevator doors opened. He allowed Ziva to exit the elevator first and let Tony be the last one to exit. "Morning, boss," he said to Gibbs. Gibbs didn't speak. The older man and team leader continued to peck at his keyboard as he worked on a case report.

"Morning, Gibbs," Ziva said to him after she put her stuff on her desk.

After being greeted by all three agents, he told them good morning and didn't take his eyes from the computer screen. He didn't need the Director on his ass about case reports for a second time.

DiNozzo threw his backpack onto his chair and grumbled when it fell off. Today had the possibility of being a bad one. "Perfect. Hey boss, did you…?" he questioned, turning around to see three cups of coffee in a carry out tray. "You're the best, boss." DiNozzo quickly walked over and took a cup of coffee. "Are we the only ones here?"

"No, DiNozzo. You don't see everyone else sitting at their desks?" Gibbs asked sarcastically, turning his chair to face the agent and to stare at him.

"Stupid question, boss…won't happen again. I don't understand why we have to be here on a Saturday. I bet the Director isn't even here," he muttered but saw the look on Gibbs' face. "I'll stop talking and go over to my desk…and I won't speak again until I'm finished with my paper work, and my fingers are bleeding from typing."

No one spoke as they diligently worked on their stacks of paperwork. A half hour later, Director Shepard emerged from her office and smiled to herself when she saw the team in the squad room. She walked down the stairs and rounded the corner. "I hope we'll never have to do this again on a Saturday."

The team greeted her, not looking away from their computer screens. The redhead was an intimidating presence especially when in Director mode. She walked over to Gibbs' desk and stood in front of it, waiting for him to look up from his work. "Jethro, would you like to get coffee?" she asked him quietly.

He turned to her and smiled at her, staring into her green eyes. "Yeah," he said, getting up. "I'll be back," he told the team and left with her.

As soon as the elevator doors closed, DiNozzo broke his attention from his work. "What do you think about those two?" All of the team knew Gibbs and Director Shepard had been partners years ago.

Ziva looked over her computer screen at him. "There's a history there. To me, it still could be alive." She had previously worked with Director Shepard in Eastern Europe and had heard a few stories about Gibbs especially if the two had unwound with a bottle after a long day. DiNozzo had a gut feeling she knew more than she ever let on.

On the sidewalk, Gibbs slipped his arm around the redhead's waist, pulling her closer to him. She smiled softly at him, and the two walked in silence. The history was most definitely still alive and hadn't ever stopped. They had been partners, in and out of NCIS. Only a select few knew they were married and had been for over twenty years. To keep the marriage off the radar, Jenny used her maiden name and maintained her home in Georgetown. Gibbs kept his home but mostly to work on his boats. It was also a safe haven for when the couple had fights. The marriage had been kept a secret for protection and career reasons. With their jobs and the situations they found themselves in, it was much safer not to be married. Plus, Jenny's career intentions had always been made clear. A married woman had been viewed much differently in the workforce than an unmarried one.

"Jethro, I'm sorry for making the team come in on Saturday," she told him near the local coffee shop he favored.

"Jen, you don't have to explain. You are the Director and have to exert your power especially with my team."

She barely rolled her eyes at him. She was grateful for the stability of being Director of NCIS. All her years of being on the fast track had served her well. The job allowed her to remain in place except for the occasional trips out of the country. Furthermore, she was more proud of her accomplishment of being the first female director of an armed federal agency. Through the years, she had made numerous sacrifices especially involving her relationship with Jethro. She didn't know how he had stood by her, but he had. When he said till death do us part, he had meant the words.

"As long as you understand."

He opened the door for her and followed her inside the shop. He ordered two cups of coffee for them and waited with her. The girl behind the counter knew not to let Agent Gibbs wait long for his coffee, Jamaican blend with no frills. Unfortunately, the coffee shop was packed with a line for pick ups.

"Agent Gibbs, I'm sorry. It's going to take longer than usual," the young girl explained to him.

Jen looked at her, a sympathetic look coming over her face as she remembered her summer jobs when she was a teenager. She thought the girl couldn't be any more than sixteen years old. "It's fine. We'll wait. We don't mind. Right, Agent Gibbs?"

Jethro nodded his head. "I can wait."

Jen smirked at him, knowing he'd have no choice. She sat down at a corner table and watched him sit down in front of her. "I was thinking," she began.

His eyes wandered to the side, and he folded his arms across his chest. "Here it comes," he said under his breath.

She gently kicked him under the table. "I hate that, Jethro."

He chuckled to himself. "That's why I do it." One of his favorite pastimes was to get under her skin in any way he could.

She shook her head at him, not taking the bait for playful bickering. "I was thinking that you could sell your house. The profits would be helpful considering," she stopped as she noticed the look on his face.

"No."

"Jethro…"

"I'll think about it."

She nodded her head, understanding that's all she would get from him on the matter. In a few minutes, the coffee was ready, and the couple was walking out the door. In the elevator, they shared a kiss and parted ways once the doors opened. Unfortunately, the break was over for the team. They had taken advantage of their boss being out of the office. Gibbs noticed the obscene amount of paper balls around McGee.

"DiNozzo!" he shouted.

DiNozzo didn't have to be told. He knew well enough to know, but knowing never stopped him from goofing off. "I'll pick it up, boss."

The team worked quietly with some bickering that evolved into constant bickering. The squabbling came from Tony and Ziva. She murdered the English language, and he always had to correct her. After 1030, Gibbs had decided he needed a break before he witnessed a murder or committed a murder. Fifteen minutes after Gibbs left, the elevator doors opened. The team stopped goofing off thinking it was the boss returning. Instead, the person was a redhead that stood in front of DiNozzo's desk and waited for him to look up. He glanced up and smiled at her. To him, she appeared to be in her early twenties, had long layered hair with side swept bangs, and not to mention the prettiest blue green eyes he'd seen in years. He noticed the visitor's pass around her neck and also noticed how toned her body was as he took in the sight of her arms and thighs through the dark rinse jeans and black tank top she was wearing. To his expert eyes, he estimated she was 5'6" and 120 pounds. There was one problem in her appearance...her left arm was in a cast and sling.

"Hi. I'm Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo. How may I help you?" He introduced himself and offered assistance, lathering on the Italian charm.

"Where is Director Shepard's office?" She asked politely, looking around the squad room.

"The Director?"

"Yes, that is who I asked about. Do you have a hearing problem, Agent DiNozzo?"

Ziva stifled a snicker while McGee pushed his chair out from his desk and walked over. The tone of her voice reminded Ziva of someone that she could not place at the moment. "The Director's office is up those stairs and to the right. Go in and ask her secretary if you may see her," he told the girl with a smile on his face.

"Thanks," she said, returning the smile. All three of the agents watched the young woman walk up the stairs and out of sight as she entered the office. Not one of them had ever seen her before and was curious as to who she was exactly.