Disclaimer – I don't own NCIS

Authors Note – WOW! Another story from yours truly. I remember talking to Left my heart in paris about this months ago yet I'm only now finally writing it! I hope this is okay and that you enjoy!

So here it is!

It's strange really, you can know someone for years, and even decades yet never know even the smallest things. They'd known each other for years yet she didn't know if he had brothers, his mother's name. For him though, there was something slightly bigger that he didn't know. But why? Because we didn't ask, we don't wonder about the little things until it is too late.

-the captains heart-

Director Jenny Sheppard, a title she treasured yet one which had never truly been her dream. Being an agent, and investigator, sure it had been fun but she'd only done it, got there to avenge her father's death. She'd been in her late 20's when she had joined Jethro and his team. Falling for him had never been part of the plan; joining NCIS had never been pat of the plan. But even a decade later there is a massive part of her life he doesn't know about, a part she has removed from the files. It isn't bad, just something she didn't want broadcasting.

From an early age Jenny had been thrown into the world of the Navy. After her mother's death the summers were spend on Navy bases. But Jenny had soon gotten bored of playing with the navy brats and soon gotten her father to pull some strings. At the age of 14 she'd got herself into a Navy collide and in the summer trained with the seaman recruits. She got dirty looks but passed way above them. She had loved it – strangely enough. After finishing school she had already managed to reach the rank of a Petty Officer 3rd class which usually took years. Her father and she had known then that was what she wanted to do. Her smiled when she wore her full dress was as bright as day, when she saluted her eyes glistened. She always would remember the day that the Navy came to her school to talk to them all and she was stood there in her Seaman's uniform. Everyone had been shocked. She supposed it was a t an early age she had gotten ambition. She'd joined the navy full time after that and had somehow persuaded them to send her to college in between her tours of duty.

She remembered when she had climbed the ranks to a Lieutenant; the navy had been short on recruits that high up. Her and Captain Wayne Hoffman had been put in charge of a ship named: Destinies Peak. It had been the worst in the Navy, and where all those who were failing but had friends in high places were sent. Jenny and Wayne, over the course of 3 years turned it in to the best ship the US Navy had without firing any one. They had gotten respect, taught them rules and every one had been proud. Jenny had been congratulated by being given the rank of Commander; she had been the happiest ever. At the time she was the only female Commander in the US Navy and the youngest in history. She was proud, and Hoffman was of her. She stayed on for another year after that. Then she left for NCIS, dropping down the bottom of the food chain again without even a second thought. Her father's murder was on the books and she wanted revenge.

Yet now it was over a decade since she'd been Commander Jennifer Sheppard, and she missed hearing it. The reason she hated been called ma'am as a probie, was because it reminded her of what she had been. Other than Marrow and SecNav no one had known. Yet still in every meeting they begged her to return. 'Destinies Peak' was still the most awarded and best ship in the Navy. Every time they asked her to return her heart was screaming yes. The truth be known she had never been as happy as an agent as she was on that ship. She missed being part of a unit, the feeling that she really was serving her country not just signing paper work. Yet her head told her no.

This week though, it had been hard. The case Jethro's team had been about a Petty officer who had served on the ship was fond murdered in DC. Jenny had been shocked when Jethro had told her the name of the ship, but then she had talked with Hoffman, and they had agreed they would deal with it. Now she was stood in MTAC with him on the screen.

"Wayne, how are you?" she said with a genuine smile.

"Not bad commander." He said sarcastically.

"Director now and you know that."

"Sure I can't convince you to change that back."

"No. Now, my MCRT want access on your ship to interrogate, they aren't pleased. Neither am i."

"That there was a murder or that the ship we built is now under investigation."

"Both, what the hell happened Wayne?"

"I dunno Jen. I honestly don't. I swear though things are going back to how they were."

"I'm glad to hear it. Now the access?" she asked knowing there would be a deal. There always was, it was why they got on so well. Back in the days when they were building the ships reputation up again they had had to have a laugh otherwise they would have died from boredom. Even after Jenny left they'd kept in touch. They had become friends as well as colleagues. Since she'd gone he had stayed the same rank, not from a lack of promotion options.

"Jenny, I have one condition."

"And here I was thinking it would be straight forward…" she said in a joking tone.

"I've missed you Jenny! I want you to come with them, there is an award ceremony in 5 days, we're being awarded another award, the SecNav will be here. I want you to come, full uniform dress."

"You do realise that will give me away."

"Jenny, you built this ship up to what it is, you deserve to be here. So do that and your agents can come. Any of them from the service?"

"One, a marine."

"Tell him to bring his dress."

"You're on, but you owe me one Wayne."

"Think that's the opposite way around Jen."

"Yeah right. See you tonight."

"See ya Jen."

The screen went black and Jenny sighed, she guessed her secret was not going to be a secret much longer. A smile played on her lips; she was off back on her ship. That thought alone made her smile.

-the commanders heart-

Jenny Sheppard walked down the stairs to the bull pen, bag in hand. They all looked at her, waiting for the all clear to go on the ship. "You have permission from Captain Hoffman; you'll be there for 5/6 days flying out tonight, but on two conditions. Firstly I have to come with you, none of you question that."

"Secondly Jen?" asked Gibbs frustrated.

"Day 5, Ziva, Tony and McGee you will have to remain in your dorm room as there is a ceremony on, military personnel only. Jethro do you still have your uniform dressage?"

"Yeah."

"Right, you need to take it with you. We fly out in three hours; I want you all to meet me at the military airport, no luxury today."

With that she left. Jethro saw a hint of nerves in her eyes, he knew something was going on but didn't know whether to pry. They weren't much anymore, Jenny and Gibbs, he wasn't even sure if he could class her as a friend. She once had meant the world to him, but the job had gotten in the way, too many rubber chicken dinners had been put in front of her. She was still the same person, but he couldn't see her any more.

-the commanders heart-

Two and a half hours later Jenny was waiting for the agents. She had her duffle bag, which was near identical to Gibbs' as they'd bought them under cover years ago. She also had her unifuprm in its bag. She just hoped none of them saw it too soon. Jethro arrived, his duffle bag over his shoulder and uniform in hand. He looked at the black back she had with hers in confusion. "Later Jethro." She said, not feeling like explain that part of her life there and then. Within fifteen minutes the team was assembled and ready to go. Gibbs was surprised to see Jenny no in casual, yet kept quiet. She had changed into a pencil skirt that was knee length in a deep blue with matching blazer and a white shirt. She had her usual heals on yet the look was different, he just couldn't figure out how.

They boarded the plane, their bags put in holding before sitting down. Jenny and Gibbs ended up sitting next to each other. She glared at him not to mention anything embarrassing or else he would not survive the flight.

One and a half hours later they arrived at the boat. Jenny grabbed her stuff and led the way. They were all surprised that she knew her way as it had a different lay out to all the other ships. They entered and an older looking Chief Warrant Officer 5 looked at her in shock before whispering to his colleagues who she was. Soon they were all stood to attention. Jenny sighed; she had hoped no one would remember her. Wherever they walked they were saluting. They agent were majorly confused.

"Ma'am, I'm Petty officer Lewis, would you like me to show to the captain's cabin?"

"No Petty Officer that will not be required."

"Oh my god, Commander Sheppard, my apologies." He said standing to attention.

"Apology accepted Petty officer.2 with that she walked onwards leaving shocked agents. They stepped into the captain's cabin and she dropped her bags and smiled.

"Jenny Sheppard, ever the more beautiful each time I see you!" said Captain Hoffman.

"Wayne, every the more wrinkled each time I see you."

"Charming! Remind me not be nice next time." He said laughing. She hugged the older man with a smile.

"Captain Hoffman, meet Special agent Jethro Gibbs, Timothy McGee, Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David." The introductions were done and soon it was decided that the investigation would begin tomorrow as it was late. So Tony Ziva and McGee were set a room together whilst Gibbs and Jenny remained.

"Jenny, your own room is empty so you're in there. Gibbs I'm afraid you will have to share with a petty officer."

"Wayne, you said mine was empty."

"IT is Jenny."

"There are two beds, he can stay in with me."

"Jenny-"

"Wayne! It's final. Jethro follow me."

Both men exchanged a glance that showed they had been told. Jethro followed Jenny still not feeling like it was the right time to ask questions. Ashe opened the door on a dorm with two beds on either side. There was a cupboard and the room was impersonal but Gibbs could see it held a lot of memories for the red head. She smirked and took a bed, looking out of the porthole with a smile.

Half an hour later they had unpacked, jenny was sat reading and Jethro watched her. She placed her book down and looked at him. "Jethro, please, we can talk later. Now though I'm tired, and I'm not in the mood."

"Jenny-"

"No, tomorrow night, any other moment but now Jethro. This ship holds memories, and for the moment that is all I am saying."

He didn't push. There was something in her voice that told him not to. She was grateful for that. In her heart she knew this was going to be hard, and she could already feel the layers of her secret being unravelled. It was now only a matter of time…

I hope it was okay, please leave me a review!

-fashiongirl97