Between the Lines -- A Jethro Gibbs Fanfiction (Part 38)
Monday mornings normally come fast.
This one somehow does not.
Rain from the night before has left the streets washed clean, the air carrying that crisp smell only D.C. seemed to have after a summer storm. Emily stands in her kitchen tying her hair up loose in a clip while Jethro leans against the counter nursing a cup of coffee she had made before either of them had fully woken.
Neither one of them mention the fact he never went home.
It had simply happened.
At some point Sunday after waking up, they put a western on Emily’s bedroom television and stayed in bed. Emily made a late lunch. He fixed a loose cabinet hinge she had been meaning to get to for weeks. They fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms.
Neither of them questioned it.
Now Monday has arrived and the bullpen will be waiting for them.
Emily slides on her rain jacket, not sure if there is supposed to be more showers or not, and sighs. “I need coffee.”
“You already had coffee.”
She smiles, walking closer to him and wrapping her arms around his waist. “No, I need diner coffee. And bacon.”
That earns a grin from him. “I can’t argue with that.”
Emily lets go and grabs her wallet and keys off the counter behind him. She then looks at him and laughs to herself at the sight of Brooks jeans and t-shirt. “You also need clothes.”
He glances down at himself. “...Probably.”
She laughs. He laughs. His hand finds the small of her back as they head toward the front door. It isn’t possessive. It is simply a habit already. One that makes her smile every time.
—
The diner is comfortably busy for 6:30 am.
Mary looks up from behind the counter as the bell above the door rings. “Well now,” she says with a grin, “look what the cat dragged in… together again.”
Emily stops mid-step. Jethro sighs.
“You too?,” Emily asks.
“Girl, you’ve been making googly eyes at each other for as long as I’ve known you,” Mary replies with a sweet smile. “The usual?”
“Yes ma’am,” Jethro says, as Emily’s face turns red and she buries it into his shoulder. He leads her to a nearby booth.
Breakfast is easy.
Waffles and bacon for Emily.
Eggs and sausage for Jethro.
When coffee arrives, Jethro hands Emily one cream and one sugar as always and his stays black. Conversation flows easily between them.
When coffee arrived, Jethro handed Emily one cream and one sugar as always and he left his black. Conversation flows. He does what he can to make Emily laugh. Emily does what she is able to so she can see his smile.
—
Afterward, Emily and Jethro make a quick stop at his house, and she waits in the truck as he runs inside to change. It doesn’t take him but three minutes to come back out the door wearing his signature business casual layers.
The drive to the Navy Yard is comfortable. Windows down, coffee to-go cups. Her hand rests on the console between them, and halfway there, his fingers brush hers and stay there.
In the elevator, Emily’s nerves hit her all at once. She realizes everyone they work with watched them leave together and then they both went MIA for the rest of the weekend. They’ve decided to make a go at this relationship so things are going to change.
Jethro notices that she goes quiet. “Sweetheart, you okay?”
She sighs. “I’ve been thinking.”
“Oh? About?”
He meets her eye before reaching across her and he hits the emergency stop button. The elevator comes to a halt and the lights go out, the emergency ones turning on. Emily looks down at the floor as he turns his body towards her.
“I’ve been wondering if maybe…,” she trails off and he gently grabs her chin up so she is looking at him, “...maybe I should ask for a transfer.”
The words barely leave her mouth before a stern, “No.”
She blinks. “You didn’t even let me finish.”
“I didn’t need to,” he replies.
“LJ.”
“No, Emily.”
His voice isn’t stern. Just certain.
“What if it becomes a problem?,” she counters.
“It won’t.”
She folds her arms. “You seem awfully confident.”
“I am.”
She searches his face. “What if being together changes how we work?”
“It hasn’t changed anything so far, and I’ve felt this way for a long time,” he tells her as he takes a step closer. “I’ve trusted you with my life for twenty years. I think I can trust you with this too.”
His blue eyes never leave hers. Emily’s breath catches.
“You don’t leave my team,” he adds, brushing a loose strand of her behind her ear. “You belong there.”
The words settle over her like sunlight.
Jethro leans down and places a gentle kiss to her lips, reaching around her and clicking the emergency button again while doing so. When he pulls back, the lights kick on and they are on the move.
—
The elevator opens. Jethro motions for Emily to go first. She steps out and he follows. As they reach the bullpen, they are met with a smiling Tony, McGee, and Ziva. Tony stands, rushing around his desk to them.
“You guys have a good weekend?,” Tony asks with a knowing grin and a wink. “I heard it was sleepover time at Emily’s.”
Emily doesn’t hesitate to reach out and slap Tony’s shoulder. “Shut up, idiot.”
Tony winces and takes a step back. McGee and Ziva laugh while Jethro smiles slightly.
“Director Vance wanted to see you both in his office by the way,” McGee chips in before Tony can do anymore damage.
Emily sighs and without a word, turns toward the stairs. Jethro follows behind her.
—
Leon Vance doesn’t look up immediately. He signs one final document before sitting his pen down. “Close the door.”
Emily does.
The room settles into silence. Vance leans back.
“You two finally finished pretending this isn’t what it is?,” Vance finally says.
Emily coughs. Jethro stays completely still. Vance almost smiles.
“If you forgot, I was at Brooks' wedding. I noticed the same things as everyone else. And before either one of you starts explaining…” He waves a hand. “Don’t.”
Emily blinks. “...Sir.”
“I’ve been director long enough, and your friend long enough, to know what this is, and that’s okay,” Vance adds.
She looks toward Jethro, and he looks remarkably unconcerned. Traitor.
Vance folds his hands. “I assume you’re together? Or if not yet, you will be?”
“Yes,” Jethro answers simply.
“And I assume neither of you are going to ask for reassignment?”
“Actually, I…,” Emily starts.
Jethro cuts her off. “No.”
Emily looks at him and Vance raises a brow.
“I assume that conversation already happened,” Vance says. He leans forward. “I’m not going to separate my best team because the two of you finally admitted something everyone else figured out years ago.”
Emily stares. “Seriously?”
“As long as this remains professional at work…” He gestures between them. “I have no concerns.”
“You don’t,” Emily asks, realizing she is the only one worried.
Vance shrugs. “You’ve already spent two decades treating each other with more respect than most married couples. I think we will be fine.”
Emily laughs once, shaking her head. “I must have left my hearing aid at home because I can’t believe I’m hearing you right.”
Leon Vance laughs. “You heard me just fine, Agent Wilson.”
She looks towards Jethro, and he stands there looking smug.
“I told you,” he finally says.
Vance takes this moment to stand. “Now, get out of my office before I change my mind.”
“Yes, director,” Emily and Jethro say in unison.
They turn towards the door.
“Oh.”
They look back. Vance’s voice softens slightly. “I’m happy for both of you.”
Emily smiles.
“Thank you, director.”
Taglist: @lanadelrey10 @whenyouwannafindlove
