Chapter 18

Three months later...

Hollis looked around the office. It was strange that she was leaving it now...and yet, it was also a bit exhilarating. Most of the best decisions she'd made in her life had been complete changes from what she'd been doing before. Joining the Army, moving to Lana'i, joining NCIS...and now, getting married and moving back to DC. Giant leaps that only made her life richer. So, while she'd miss some of this part of her life, she was excited to start the next leg of this race.

With all her stuff cleared out, and the reins officially handed over to Hettie (not that she hadn't been calling the shots for months already), Hollis was ready to move on.

She walked out of her office and had to keep herself from ducking at the loud chorus of shouting and the streamers flying at her from all sides. She looked around and saw her team all arrayed around her. Sam and Callen were holding a banner that read "Sayonara!" Even Nate was there, back from one of his mysterious "training" missions.

"All right, who's responsible for this?" she asked, unable to keep a straight face.

Fingers all pointed at each other.

Hollis laughed and shook her head. She didn't really want to know.

"Speech! Speech!" Callen called out.

"No way," Hollis protested. "You don't want to listen to me talk. That's what you have to do all the time."

"One last stern talking-to from our fearless leader," Sam said with a grin.

"Oh, I don't have to do that anymore," Hollis said. "That's Hettie's job now. ...not that it wasn't her job already."

"Any last words of wisdom?" Kensi asked.

"Nope. I got nothing," Hollis said. "...but if you want me to be mushy, these last three years have been...some of the best of my life."

"You sure that's because of us?" Callen asked. "I think there's something else...or maybe someone else..."

"Don't start," Hollis said. "I'm serious. I never thought that I would want a job like this, but I'm really happy I got it, even though I'm leaving now. I'm glad that I had the experience of working with...a bunch of crazy nuts like you."

Everyone laughed and there was a short period of just saying good-bye. Someone had got a cake. While she enjoyed it, Hollis found that she was itching to get to the next phase of her life. There was so much more good to come.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x

Three days later...

Hollis was sitting alone in the bridal cottage. Her wedding dress was hanging up, waiting for her to put it on. For a few seconds, she was sitting alone. It was probably the only time she'd have to herself for the rest of the day. She'd had breakfast with Jethro and Jackson. Dinner last night with her brothers. She'd come over to the wedding venue with Jethro, of course.

So, for just a moment, she was enjoying the calm before the storm. With a smile, she pulled out the ring she'd bought for Jethro and looked it over. She still liked it. It was basically the opposite of her own. Gold with a thin band of...well, it was platinum (not white gold) running through the center. It was also fairly thin so that it wouldn't get in his way.

She was surprised to notice that she didn't feel more than a mild case of nerves. Overall, she felt ready for what was going to happen.

There was a knock on the door.

"Hollis? It's Jack."

Hollis smiled. "Come in."

"It's safe?" he asked as he stepped inside.

"Perfectly."

"Shucks."

Hollis laughed. "What is it, Jack? Did we forget something important?"

Jackson smiled and shook his head.

"What is then?"

He walked over and took her hands in his own.

"I know that you and Jethro requested no gifts, but I wanted to give you something."

"What?"

"First..." He leaned over and kissed her cheek.

Hollis blushed a little, surprised by the gesture.

"Welcome to the family," Jackson said. "Second..." He held out a flat package. "It's been a pleasure to be involved in your preparations, but I think you need one last thing."

Hollis smiled and opened the box. A simple pearl necklace with a single drop in the center, connected to the necklace by an antique silver clasp.

"It's beautiful. Where did you–?"

"I have connections. I didn't want it to overwhelm you with stuff. You're beautiful as you are." He kissed her once more on the cheek. "Leroy is lucky to have you, Hollis."

"Thank you...for all your help...and for accepting me and...all I bring with me."

"We all have our moments. You look beautiful. Leroy is chomping at the bit to see you."

"Is he?"

"Well, it's hard to tell with him sometimes, but I'm his father. I can see it. He can't wait."

"I'll take your word for it."

"In a couple of hours, you won't have to. I'll let you finish getting ready." He turned to go.

"Jack?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

Jack just smiled and left the cottage. Hollis looked at the necklace and then carefully put it on and looked at herself in the mirror. She felt as though she could just get married as she was, but then she thought of her mother. Cherie would roll over in her grave if she could hear her daughter's thoughts. Well, she would be putting on the dress. In fact, she only had a couple of minutes before the person who was to be helping with her hair and makeup (and her dress) would be showing up. That meant that she had to make sure everything was ready. It wouldn't take long, she hoped.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x

Two hours later...

Jethro walked into the chapel, heading for his designated spot. He'd done this often enough that he knew where to stand. The pictures were finished, and everything was ready for when the guests started arriving...which they would, imminently. For a moment, though, he was alone. He looked around the small chapel.

Just for a few seconds, he allowed himself to think about Shannon. Did he feel like he was, in any way, betraying her memory by doing this? It took almost no time to come to the conclusion that Shannon would be happy that he was doing this. It was the right time, the right place...and the right woman. He couldn't help regretting all the times he'd got it wrong over the years. It hadn't helped him, but more importantly, it hadn't helped any of the women he'd married. He had been looking for something they couldn't give him. It wasn't their faults. It was his own, and he should have known that was the case.

"This is right, though," he said softly. "This is right."

He smiled as he thought of Hollis, looking...more gorgeous than he would have thought, clearly a little self-conscious due to the difference in what she was wearing from her normal garb. They had managed to relax and get the pictures done quickly. Then, Brenda had ushered her back to the bridal cottage to "freshen up" before the wedding. Hollis had given him a grin but allowed herself to be herded away.

No matter what, this day was worth it to see her so happy.

Not much time to wait. Just little more...

x.x.x.x.x.x.x

One hour later...

"I, Hollis, take thee, Jethro, to be my lawful wedded husband to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, and this is my solemn vow."

Jethro smiled at her as she finished. It was silent in the chapel. Hollis smiled back. He, then, put the wedding band on her finger. With the same hushed silence, Hollis pulled out the wedding band she'd chosen. It was the first time Jethro had seen it and he gave her a grin as she slid it onto a hand that had already seen a few wedding bands.

Jethro took her hand, clicking their rings together as the minister said that Jethro could kiss her. Hollis smiled. This was the only part of the ceremony that felt a bit strange to her. She wasn't big on public displays of affection and kissing in front of her friends and family seemed a bit odd.

Jethro didn't seem to feel any such reservations. He didn't pause at all as he leaned in to kiss her. It was...appropriate for the venue, and he never let go of her hand. It was a kiss that promised more.

Before she was ready, it was over, and they were being presented as man and wife. Everyone was standing and applauding as Jethro pulled her down the aisle, out of the chapel, and to the bridal cottage where they could hide until the reception started.

As soon as the door was closed, Jethro pulled her close and hugged her tightly.

"I love you," he whispered and nuzzled her neck.

"I love you," she said and kissed him much more passionately than they had done in the chapel. "Do we have to go to the reception?"

"Your idea. Not mine. Too late to change your mind."

Hollis laughed and pulled back from him. "Well, we did pay for it. I guess I'll go. Besides, the meal should be great."

Jethro laughed and reached out. He gently turned her around and took off the veil.

"You don't need this now."

"No, I don't," Hollis agreed.

"Where did you get the necklace?"

"Your father."

Jethro hugged her from behind. "He's yours now, too, you know. Father-in-law."

"Has to be better than what I grew up with," Hollis said and turned around in Jethro's arms. "So much better. Everything is so much better...there's only one thing I wish I could change."

"What?"

Hollis' smile softened a bit. "I wish my mom could have been here to see this. ...for one thing, she'd never believe it."

Jethro kissed her again and pulled her close.

"She'd believe it."

"Any regrets?" Hollis asked.

"None."

"Good. How long until we can show our faces again?"

"Forty minutes, I guess."

"Then, let's just sit and enjoy the calm before the storm."

Jethro nodded and pulled her to the loveseat in the corner. They sat together and just basked in being together. Hollis took hold of Jethro's left hand with her own left hand, letting their rings clink together again. Jethro entwined their fingers and kissed her temple.

Silence.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x

Three hours later...

Dinner was done and people were dancing and talking. Jethro watched as Hollis chatted with her sisters-in-law. They were clearly ooh-ing and aah-ing over her dress, perhaps suppressing a bit of shock that Hollis could clean up so well. He smiled as he watched her. She wasn't quite so relaxed as she had been in Stillwater, but then, there were more people here than in Stillwater, and they had been coming in small groups, rather than all at once.

Regardless, he loved to watch her.

"Jethro."

The stern voice made him smile and look down.

"Hi, Hettie," he said.

Hettie smiled.

"Good to see you looking so happy, Jethro."

Jethro just smiled and didn't bother answering.

"You've got a good one there, you know," she said.

"I know."

"Good. ...because if you don't treat her well, and I hear of it, you'll have to face my wrath."

Jethro smiled, although, with Hettie, he knew it was no idle threat.

"I have no intention of not treating her well."

Hettie nodded. "Good to hear."

"Thanks for looking out for her in LA."

"It was my pleasure. She's been a delight to work with."

"Hey, Boss!"

Jethro turned from Hettie with a final nod and she headed over to Hollis...no doubt to tell her that she looked excellent in the dress.

"Tony," Jethro said. He actually felt a bit out of place with his team in a situation like this...a celebration of such a happy event. ...and yet, he couldn't have imagined not having them there. It was just a weird juxtaposition of parts of his life he usually kept separate.

"This is a nice place you picked out," Tony said approvingly. "The food was great."

"You certainly ate enough of it," Ziva said.

"Hey, it's paid for! It'd just go to waste if I didn't eat it!"

"Tony, don't make me head slap you at my wedding," Jethro said.

Tim chuckled and then, after a moment of dithering, stuck out his hand.

"Congratulations, Boss. It was a beautiful ceremony."

Jethro shook his hand.

"Thanks, McGee. Seen Abby?"

"She's waiting for an opportune moment, I think," Tony said.

"I think she's found it," Tim said and winced.

That gave Jethro just enough time to brace himself before Abby nearly tackled him from behind.

"Gibbs! You're married! Again!"

Jethro couldn't help it. He laughed.

"Yes, Abbs. That's what the point of today was...me getting married."

Abby rushed around and hugged him again from the front.

"It's just so wonderful! I started crying, and McGee had to give me his handkerchief and I got mascara all over it, and I'm going to have to wash it for him, and Agent Mann...er...Hollis...looked so pretty and you're all smiling and happy and stuff and it's just so great! Congratulations!"

Jethro just laughed. "Thanks, Abbs."

He looked over and saw Hollis laughing at the exuberant congratulations he was receiving. He grinned back at her.

"Where are you going on your honeymoon, Boss?" Tony asked, while helping Gibbs disentangle himself from Abby.

"Hawaii?" Tim asked.

"We'll get there."

"You are not going to spend it in your basement, are you?" Ziva asked.

"Not all of it."

"Oh, Boss," Tony said, shaking his head. "Why is it that you can get married, spending time in your basement and we can't even get dates?"

"Hey, speak for yourself," Tim said. "Some of us don't have any trouble."

"Oh, really, McStag?"

Thwack!

"Hey!"

"No bickering at my wedding, DiNozzo," Jethro said, barely suppressing a laugh.

Tony rubbed his head and then gave an irrepressible grin.

"Gotcha, Boss. I'll be the picture of perfect behavior."

"Until you speak," Ziva said with a smile.

Jethro pointed a finger at her. "That goes for you, too, Ziva."

Then, there was no more time to lecture. A group of Hollis' friends spotted him and swarmed over. Jethro was nearly carried away by the congratulations, but he saw his team enjoying themselves and that was good enough.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x

Hollis had said thank you so many times in the last few hours that the words were starting to lose meaning. She was afraid that she'd start responding that way if someone just said hello. Still, in spite of the fact that the reception had been going on a long time, she was enjoying herself. Everything had been going so well.

"Holly."

Hollis turned around with a wide smile.

"Hey, Jason."

"Well, I don't think you're regretting your choice," he said.

Hollis hugged her older brother.

"No, I'm not. I hope that still meets with your approval."

"And if it doesn't?"

Hollis laughed. "Deal with it. It's too late to change your mind now."

"I'll keep that in mind. Really, Hollis...I don't think I've ever seen you as happy as you are right now; so I don't have any problems."

"Neither do I...except that I want to kick everyone out so that Jethro and I can leave."

Jason laughed. "You don't have much longer. Your friends are too old to be staying out all night."

"Ha. Ha."

As if he'd been reading her mind, the DJ suddenly announced that it was the last dance. Hollis looked around. She and Jethro hadn't done a whole lot of dancing, but the last dance was something she wanted to participate in...if only for the symbolism of it. Jason hugged her once more and then pushed her in the appropriate direction. The crowd cleared away for a moment and she caught sight of her husband. He saw her and made his way to her. Then, he put his arms around her and drew her into a dance. He was no expert, but then, neither was she. They fit together well enough. All that mattered was the two of them. She knew that there were a lot of people dancing around her, but all she cared about was Jethro. He smiled and spun her out. She followed his lead and then twirled carefully back into his arms. The song continued and they moved around the dance floor, keeping in the rhythm but not really worrying about whether or not they were using the right steps. If anyone had a problem with their moves, they didn't say anything...and Jethro and Hollis wouldn't have cared if they did.

After the song ended, Hollis was happy to note that people began to file out...with one last set of good wishes...to which Hollis replied 'thank you'.

It was a feeling of relief accompanying their quick return to the bridal cottage to gather up their stuff. Then, they hurried to Jethro's car and left.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x

Jethro pulled Hollis into the house and then made her wait upstairs for a few minutes before grabbing her hand and taking her...down to the basement.

"Why do we always end up here?" Hollis asked.

"You've asked that before," he said.

"I know. I don't really expect an answer. I know why."

Jethro smiled and gestured.

Hollis' breath caught as she saw what he'd done. No one else would probably see this as romantic, but she did. Jethro had set up a mattress on the floor, flanked by lit candles.

...and it was set up beneath a new keel.

"New boat?"

"Thought we could work on it together."

"I'd love that."

"But not right now."

"No. We can do that later."

Jethro took her hand and led her the mattress. They lay down and spent their first night together as husband and wife.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x

The next morning...

Hollis woke up with a deep breath. Just to verify that it had all really happened, she lifted her hand and smiled as she saw the ring.

Another hand ran up her arm and then entwined his fingers with hers.

"Good morning, Holly."

"Good morning."

"How are you feeling?"

"Like everything is right."

"It is."

Hollis leaned back against her husband.

Yes, everything was right.

FINIS!