Usual disclaimers apply.

A/N: A few short pieces looking at Jen and Gibbs as a married couple. Three are written so far and hopefully more will pop into my head in the coming weeks.

Scenes from a Marriage

I. Charming

NCIS Director Jennifer Sheppard stepped out of her office and onto the catwalk above the bullpen area looking for Special Agent Jethro Gibbs' team. As she was registering that they were still not back from the field, the elevator pinged below her and Gibbs' team straggled out. Agents Tony DiNozzo and Tim McGee and Mossad Officer Ziva David each looked quite a bit worse for the wear. They looked like they had been in pretty serious scuffle; their clothes were torn and they each seemed to be nursing a different sore body part. As she watched the team make their way to their respective desks she noted with some concern that Agent Gibbs was not with them.

Jen descended the stairs and went to the bullpen. Standing in front of DiNozzo's desk she asked him, "Where is Gibbs?"

"Uh, well, Director, Gibbs said to tell you he would see you at home." Tony was mumbling and trying his best to avoid looking at his Director.

"That isn't what I asked you Tony. Where is Jethro now?" There was just the tiniest bit of worry creeping into her head and her heart but she knew if anything was seriously wrong she would have been called. Still, she worried.

Ziva took pity on her partner and answered for Tony, after all she hadn't promised Gibbs not to tell Jen he was injured. "Gibbs is most likely on his way home now Director. Ducky is with him. He sustained some minor injuries during the arrest and Ducky insisted he be checked out at the ER."

"Thank you Ziva. Don't worry Tony, I will tell Jethro you kept your promise. Now the three of you go home unless there is something urgent you need to finish here."

Tony sighed in relief and tried to reassure his bosses' boss, "Really he's fine. Just a few bumps and bruises I think. Goodnight Director."

"Goodnight to all of you and good work. I will see you on Monday."

Jen returned to her office to gather her belongings. When she came back out a few minutes later the team had dispersed. She took the elevator down to the parking garage where her driver was waiting. On the drive home, Jen wondered about Jethro's injuries. They may be minor but they obviously were not completely inconsequential or Jethro would never have agreed to go to the hospital even for a quick checkup in the ER. Sighing she leaned back into the seat telling herself she would know soon enough.

Entering the house, Jen was greeted by her housekeeper, Noemi, who took her briefcase and said softly, "Senor Gibbs is outside in the hot tub. He is hurt a little bit I think."

Despite her singular and unwavering loyalty to Jen, Noemi had a very large soft spot for Jethro and Jen could see the concern in her eyes. "I'm sure he'll be okay, Noemi. I'll go out and see what's going on. Is Dr. Mallard still here?"

" No, the doctor left a few minutes ago. I fixed Senor Gibbs' favorite, chicken enchiladas, they are in the oven. They will be ready in about one half hour, Senora. Tell Senor Gibbs I hope he feels better."

Jen hugged her friend and said, "Thank you so much Noemi. Don't worry he'll be fine and the enchiladas will definitely help. Goodnight. Have a good weekend."

"Goodnight Senora."

Jen decided to join Jethro in the hot tub so she went upstairs to change into a bathing suit. A few minutes later she took two Coronas out of the fridge on her way to the back deck. Stepping outside she took a moment to watch Jethro as he sat soaking in the tub. He was obviously in some pain and his face definitely showed the effects of being hit or kicked in the head.

Even without opening his eyes Jethro knew Jen was watching him. He tried to sound reassuring when he said, "Hey, babe. Don't worry, it looks worse than it is, I promise."

"Jethro what happened?" By now Jen had joined him in the spa and leaned into him gently kissing him on the mouth.

"Just some bad guys who didn't want to get arrested. You know how it goes. I'm okay really."

Jen sat down next to him and turned his face to get a better look at the damage. "That is a pretty nasty bruise Jethro, what the hell happened? And why are you rubbing your knee?"

"Did DiNozzo tell you I was hurt?" He was obviously avoiding her question but that wouldn't last for long.

"No, he kept his promise to you. Ziva told me. Now, stop being evasive and just tell me what happened. I'll read it in the reports anyway."

Jethro reached for her nuzzling her neck and leaving a trail of soft kisses along her jaw. "Well then why don't you just wait for the written version. We could do something else now." His hands were making their way to the tie at the back of her bathing suit top as his mouth was about descend on hers.

Jen gave up and gave in to the kiss; why not, there was plenty of time to get the truth out of him later. She didn't let him take her top off though; dinner was going to be ready in a few minutes and she didn't want to have to stop in the middle of something to get out and go in the kitchen. In order to prevent having to wrestle with him, Jen moved to the other side of the spa and settled back letting the hot water and the jets relax her.

"Just enjoy your beer Jethro. You aren't taking pain meds are you?"

"No, they gave me some for the knee but I haven't taken any yet. Why are you sitting way over there?"

"I'm less than three feet away Jethro, that hardly qualifies as 'way over there'". I'm over here because Noemi left chicken enchiladas in the oven for you and they will be ready in a few minutes. I don't want to get something started with you that we can't finish."

"I'm sure glad Noemi loves me like she does" Jethro said between swallows of his beer.

"Yes me too. She never used to make them for me. Now tell me what happened to your leg and your handsome face."

"One of the guys we were looking for hit the side of my knee with a two by four as I went in the door. Ziva jumped him and then the other bad guy came in and Tony got him and the next thing I knew it was like a dog pile and I was on the bottom. Actually I think it was Ziva's knee that got me in the eye but don't tell her that. Ducky wanted me to get the eye checked out and they said it was fine. The knee isn't really damaged, just damn sore."

Jen looked at him and didn't say anything for a long time. Every time she got a call to the hospital or saw him dragging into the office with a new cut or bruise a little bit of her heart got ripped out. She was asking herself all the time these days how much longer she could do it. But really what choice did she have? She certainly didn't want him to retire and she surely wasn't going to NOT be there so…she would just have to continue to worry and let little pieces of her heart get torn out from time to time.

"Hey, are you okay? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I'm fine. I just hate it that you're hurt. It's hard for me to see you in pain Jethro and I worry about you. That's all. Nothing new really. Comes with loving you and I don't seem to be able to do anything about that.

Jethro reached across and took her hand smoothing his thumb back and forth over her knuckles. "I'm fine, Jen. I know you worry and I'm sorry I don't always get out of the way of trouble. I guess it's just part of my charm."

"Part of your charm huh? I'd like to explore some other parts of your charm later if you're going to be up to it."

"When have I ever not been up to being charming for you?"

Jen laughed and moved back to sit beside Jethro and kiss him again. He put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her hair. They finished their beers and let the swirling waters soothe away the worries of the day. As Jen was about doze off she heard the kitchen timer so she stood up to get out of the hot tub.

"Can you get out by yourself or do you need a hand?"

"I can manage. Go ahead and I'll be there in a few minutes."

After enjoying Noemi's wonderful dinner, Jen got up to clear the table. When Jethro started to help her stopped him with a hand to his chest. "I'll take care of all this you go relax."

"I can help. I'm not hurt that much, Jen."

She reached up and gently touched his bruised face and kissed him softly. "I know you can but tonight I want to take care of you. Go on upstairs and get comfortable, I'll be there in a few minutes and give you a back rub."

Jethro pulled her into a hug and said, "Okay, thanks babe."

Jethro managed to get up the stairs and into the bedroom but it wasn't easy without help. His knee was starting to stiffen up and his head was beginning to feel like he'd been kicked by more than Ziva's knee. When Jen came in the bedroom ten minutes later he was sitting on the side of the bed rubbing his knee. Jen looked at him and sighed. Then she saw the pill bottle on the nightstand and picked it up.

"Have you taken any of these yet?" she asked after reading the label.

"No, I didn't think I'd need them but I'm ready to rethink that decision."

"Good idea. I'll get you some water." Jen returned from the bathroom with a cup of water and gave him two of the pain pills. "Do you want me to rub the knee or your back?"

"I think I'd rather have the massage. The knee is pretty sore and it doesn't really want to be touched too much."

Jethro stretched out on his stomach and Jen settled next to him. Normally she would straddle his thighs to rub his back but with his knee hurting like it was she decided she better not do that tonight. The angle wasn't the best for a good massage but she'd manage. She rubbed some oil onto her hands and started on Jethro's shoulders. She gradually worked her way down his back kneading out the tightness in his muscles. When she was finished she went into the bathroom and washed the oil off her hands and changed into some sleep shorts and a camisole. Probably a waste of time unless Jethro was already asleep she mused as she ran her fingers through her hair and turned off the light.

Jethro was most definitely not asleep when she returned to their bed. He was lying on his side with his head propped up in his hand obviously waiting for her. He pulled the sheet back and patted the bed next to him and said, "Did you want to explore some of my other charming qualities now?" He had a grin on his face that even the nasty bruise he had couldn't diminish.

Jen laid down next to him and said, "Explore? That sounds like an intriguing idea… …."

She didn't get to finish what she was going to say because as soon as she was on the bed Jethro was on top of her, his lips closing over hers in a kiss that charming didn't begin to cover. When he let her breathe his mouth moved to her jaw and then her neck and back to her mouth as soon as she had time to catch her breath. Jethro could never get enough of his wife and tonight was no exception. His hands were everywhere and sure enough the shorts and camisole were soon discarded. There was no talking, just quiet moans of satisfaction as Jethro kissed and tasted every part of his very favorite person.

Jen was no passive participant in this encounter. Her hands and lips were just as busy as Jethro's and just as effective at bringing pleasure. She loved the feel of him and she knew just where and how to touch him to give him the greatest pleasure. When he came up for air Jen took the initiative and rolled them over and took control of the situation. She kissed him firmly on the mouth then moved down to his chest and abdomen. She divested him of his boxers and ever so slowly kissed her way back up his body. The look in his eyes and the feel of him pushing against her were enough to let her know he needed his control back.

Jethro loved it when Jen was on top because he could touch her so much better but he needed to be inside her NOW so he rolled them over and holding himself above her he entered her and their familiar rhythm began. No matter how many times he made love to Jen he always felt the same thrill and overwhelming love for her as she came undone beneath him. Her fingernails scraped down his chest and over his butt as she thrust upward to meet him. Jethro leaned down to kiss her mouth, his tongue exploring and tasting her. When she called his name and he felt her tighten around him Jethro let go and they climaxed together.

Laying on his back with his wife wrapped snugly in his arms Jethro wondered how he got so lucky. "I love you Jenny", he said as he let his fingers wander up and down her back.

"I love you too Jethro. And I do find you very charming."