Gibbs stood in the doorway of the bathroom, watching Dallas sleep. He had just finished his shower and was drying his hair with the towel. He smiled and then, twisting the towel, he popped the side of the bed, near Hunter's head.

She jumped straight up, giving Gibbs an unobstructed view of ample bosom. He smiled as she scowled, "You know I hate it when you do that."

She grabbed the sheet and pulled it up around her neck. Gibbs laughed and then asked, "You okay to wear heels?"

She cocked her brow, "You know I am. I start back Monday just like you do."

"So how do you feel about dinner tonight?"

"You mean, take VanSlyke up on his offer?"

Gibbs shrugged, "Why not?"

"OK," she hesitated. "Are you sure?"

He sat down on the foot of the bed, "Yeah. Actually, I am. Like you said, we both start back Monday. The weekend's packed. Tonight's the best night so why not take advantage."

"Well, if you're sure," Dallas replied.

"Good. I already called the number. The car will be here at five o'clock." And with that Gibbs went back into the bathroom to finish his morning routine.

Dallas watched him go, shaking her head in disbelief.

The doorbell rang, signaling the driver's arrival. When Dallas descended the stairs, she once again stared at a Leroy Jethro Gibbs dressed in a suit - this time navy blue with an off white shirt and a blue tie, the same color as his eyes. God, he was gorgeous.

Gibbs couldn't take his eyes off Dallas. The sleeveless sheath dress was tailored to fit - black with a delicate red pinstripe that Hunter had offset with red heels and a red clutch. He had to admit the dress played to the sheer beauty of the FBI agent's physique - toned arms and legs and a lean body. From a throat that had suddenly gone dry, Gibbs asked, "Ready?"

She nodded as he opened the door.

"Special Agent Gibbs? Special Agent Hunter? I'm Dave. I'll be your driver."

"Dave, tonight it's Dallas and Gibbs," Gibbs responded.

The chauffeur smiled, "Very good, Sir." And he led the two agents to the limousine. Opening the door, he continued, "The champagne is open and on ice. Compliments of Mr. VanSlyke. It will take us about thirty minutes to reach our destination."

Dallas smiled, "Thank you, Dave." And she crawled in, followed by a smiling Gibbs.

"Well, shall we?" Hunter asked, taking a crystal flute and holding it up to the NCIS agent,

"Might as well. Shouldn't let it go to waste," Gibbs answered, grabbing his own glass and holding it out to his partner.

Thirty minutes later the vehicle stopped. When Dave opened the door to allow his passengers to exit, both Gibbs and Hunter came to an abrupt stop by the car.

"This is not the restaurant," Dallas responded.

"No, it's not," was Dave's only reply.

But before he could say anything else, they were interrupted by their host. "Agents Gibbs and Hunter, welcome!"

VanSlyke came to shake the agents' hands.

"VanSlyke," Gibbs all but growled, "you said dinner."

The businessman smiled, "Yes, but I didn't say where." He took both agents by the arm and started walking them towards the entrance, "This is my home. Unfortunately, I have a conflicting engagement and I can't stay but, tonight, you will enjoy my hospitality."

Inside the entry hall of the mansion, VanSlyke released the agents and then continued to walk forward, towards an alcove where he motioned for someone to join him. When VanSlyke returned, he was accompanied by another man.

"Holy crap! You're Marcus Samuelsson," Dallas said in awe.

The men smiled as the South African answered, "When you called me this morning, Special Agent Gibbs, I had to think fast. I called Marcus, told him what the two of you had done and, well, he agreed you deserved something special."

"So," the chef added, "I spoke to a few of your friends and acquaintances and prepared a special menu just for the two of you. So, if you'll follow me." And Chef Samuelsson pointed toward a room, deeper inside the home.

"Go ahead, Agent Hunter. I'd like a word with Special Agent Gibbs," VanSlyke smiled.

Dallas looked over her shoulder at Gibbs who nodded. She hooked an arm through the chef's and laughed, "Lead the way." And the two walked through the entryway, chatting.

Gibbs turned back to their host, "I don't think this was what the Directors agreed to, Mr. VanSlyke."

He smiled, "No, I don't imagine they would approve of this exactly."

"Actually, I'm not sure I approve," Gibbs responded.

"Why? I wanted a way to thank you. You put your lives on the line for not only me but all the others in that restaurant. You think they wouldn't do something special for you, given the chance?"

"No, I don't," Gibbs said simply, "Not for just doing our jobs."

VanSlyke shook his head, "Gibbs, any of the people in that restaurant would jump at the chance. Like the older couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Because of you, they may get to celebrate 51. Or, the young college kid who had saved all of his tips for three months just to take his girl out somewhere special for Valentine's. They now have a very special memory to share and an opportunity to go out again sometime. And, you think that family that Agent Hunter evacuated wouldn't buy your lunch?"

"You took care of each of those couples?" Gibbs asked in awe.

He shrugged, "Every now and again, I get to do something fun and worthwhile with my money."

Gibbs thought for a moment and then extended his hand to the businessman, "Thank you."

VanSlyke returned the handshake and then reached into his pocket and removed a small jewelry case. "I had my security go back to the restaurant. They found this in the area where you and Agent Hunter were sitting. We assumed it might be yours."

Gibbs took the case, "Huh…I actually figured it was in an evidence lock up somewhere."

"It probably would have been if the police had been a little quicker," VanSlyke smiled.

"Thanks again. And, could I ask one more small favor?" Gibbs ventured.

VanSlyke smiled and nodded as Gibbs made his request.

"Oh, wow, Chef, this was phenomenal," Dallas said on a sigh, looking over the last empty dish still on the table.

"Best steak and potatoes I've ever had," Gibbs added.

Dallas smiled. The steak had been kobe beef, prepared with the chef's own special rub. The potatoes had been fingerling potatoes, baked and then mashed with garlic butter. Dallas' meal had been mahi-mahi with a wonderful relish and light salad. The dessert was chocolate and decadent and sinful.

"Well, I am so glad that you both enjoyed the meal. And, whenever you are in Chicago or New York, you will be guests at my restaurants. Of course," the chef smiled, "you'll have to pay."

Hunter and Gibbs laughed and shook the chef's hand, as he continued speaking, "So, Vernon wanted me to let you know you are welcome to stay here as long as you like. Dave is waiting to take you home when you're ready." And with that the chef was gone.

Dallas stared across the table at her partner, "Thank you, Gibbs."

He smiled, "For what?"

"For convincing me to do this."

"Well," he said, putting the box on the table between them, "it was terribly difficult."

Dallas' mouth fell open, staring first at the jewelry case and then her date, "Have you lost your mind?"

He shook his head, "Open it. Because, it's not what you think."

Dallas reached out with shaking hands to open the small box to reveal a finely crafted platinum heart necklace. "It's beautiful."

Gibbs reached over and took the box, removing the necklace as he did. He then stood and dropped it down over Hunter's head and secured the clasp, kissing her neck as he did.

"Shall we call it a night?" Gibbs asked, as he pulled Hunter's chair back.

She nodded, "I think so." And stood to join the agent.

They exited the estate to the vehicle and its waiting driver. Smiling broadly, Dave opened the door and asked, "So how was it?"

"Amazing," Dallas answered, only to stop her progress and turn back to the driver. "What is this?"

Dave smiled and withdrew the bouquet, "This is Mr. VanSlyke's last surprise. A bouquet of roses, every color you can imagine. Yellow, white, pink, orange, even purple. The only color missing is red. And, only a lover or sweetheart should do that."

"Thank you, Dave," Dallas said, placing a kiss on the driver's cheek and then sliding into the car.

Dave discreetly handed the bud to Gibbs as he followed behind Hunter. And, as the door to the limousine closed, Jethro placed the single stemmed red rose onto the bouquet Dallas still held.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Dallas," Gibbs said.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Jethro," Dallas replied and sealed the evening with a kiss.