Before their intended mark arrived; Jaylyn insisted that she and McGee switch places or at the very least Jenny should allow her to be in the surveillance van while Tony and Ziva remained in their positions. It only seemed right for Jenny and Jaylyn to confront Anatoly together when the time came. Everyone knew that when the moment came for Jenny and Jaylyn to come face to face with the man who murdered their mother in cold blood that Jethro would make sure he was there and that Ziva was there too. There was no better protection than a former Marine Gunnery Sergeant and a former Mossad Assassin/Israeli soldier; everyone on the team knew it. Of course when the time came for the sisters, Jethro knew as well as Ziva did that it was best to be a bit away from Jenny and Jaylyn but in the sense of a protective distance. Much like Jenny had been thinking along the lines of keeping herself safe in situations like this or in any dangerous situation, Jaylyn was thinking in the same sense that Jenny was.
It had to be their maternal sides kicking in along with the fact that neither of them wanted to leave their respective daughters motherless like they had been. Jenny was eighteen when their mother died, she was young like her sister was on that horrible day. Then of course four years later when she was twenty-two and Jaylyn was seventeen they had to deal with it all again when Rene Benoit/La Grenouille murdered their father. So now with both women being in their forties; Jenny in her late forties and Jaylyn in her early forties it was time to put an end to all of this. They needed closure after all this time.
Jenny had permitted Jaylyn to leave her post so that she could be somewhat safe for the time being. Both Jenny and Jaylyn were stressed as they watched the feed on the cameras in front of them. Jethro didn’t like seeing his wife like this, so in attempt to get her relax a bit by massaging her shoulders and neck. When Jaylyn saw her brother-in-law somewhat pampering/ calming her sister down; she gave her sister a look that said everything at once.
“I know you’re a bit envious, but someone has to be home with your daughters and this all will be over soon.”
“Not soon enough. This is insane and there’s a good chance that this won’t end tonight; you know that just as well as I do.”
“Why do you have to be such a pessimist?"
“I’m being realistic here, Jen; we’ve been hunting Anatoly down forever and it can still go on forever. He’s a sneaky bastard, you know that.”
“We’ll get him.” Jenny said reassuring her sister.
“Yeah, I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Before they knew it Andrei Anatoly appeared before them
“It’s go time.” Jaylyn said.
Jenny and Jaylyn got up from their seats. Jethro was on their six as they walked by Tony and Ziva. Jethro signaled Ziva to leave her position.
“Where are you going? We have a mark to take out.”
“I’m going down there to co – protect the Director and J with Gibbs. You now are to ensure the safety of the Director from up here.” Ziva said as she left Tony behind.
Moments later Ziva was at Jethro’s side as they walked behind Jenny and Jaylyn.
“Andrei Anatoly.”
“Who’s asking?”
“So some respect.” Jethro called.
“We’re feds, NCIS.”
“What do you want?”
“We want to talk.” Jaylyn said.
“About?”
“For murdering our mother twenty-nine years ago.”
“Ah Jennifer and Jaylyn Shepard, I was wondering when I’d see you again.”
Jethro didn’t like how Anatoly was talking to Jenny and Jaylyn; Ziva could easily tell how tense he was getting. He was literally chomping at the bit to take Anatoly down but Jethro knew he had to restrain himself.
“You ladies have changed quite a bit.”
“It’s been almost three decades since you murdered our mother, we’re not the teenagers were back then.” Jaylyn said.
“Why did you kill her?”
“She brought it on herself; she shouldn’t have pried into things that weren’t her business.”
Seconds after Anatoly spoke his ride arrived.
“Sorry ladies, but you’re not arresting me tonight on a case that’s been cold for years. I’ve got business to attend to.”
Anatoly and his ride left leaving Jenny, Jaylyn and the rest of the group where they were.
“We could have taken him out.” Tony complained.
“Tony.”
“Shut it.” Jenny said.
“Yes Ma’am.”
Jenny and Jaylyn would remain on guard for the rest of the week after the encounter with Anatoly. Truth is they would be on guard until Anatoly was arrested, whenever that maybe.
Days later Jethro went up to Jenny’s office to hand in reports. When he walked into her office he found her standing at her office window staring out at the harbor just like she had eleven years prior. Jethro was going to say what he had back then when he came into Jenny’s office that night, but he figured that it wouldn’t be right to say that today in light of everything. Instead Jethro walked up behind Jenny and wrapped his arms around her waist. He knew what was going on in Jenny’s mind. After eighteen years of marriage; they both could read each other and easily pick up on each other’s tells no matter how subtle they were.
“Anatoly may still be out there, Jen; but he won’t come close at all to you or our family. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Doesn’t mean he won’t try, Jethro; he’s a sly bastard.”
“Anatoly won’t get to you, our girls, J or her girls; I’ve got you all covered.”
Jenny turned into Jethro.
“Thanks.”
“Anytime Jen, I signed up for it and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Neither would I.”
Jenny rested her head on Jethro’s chest and they stood in between her window and her desk until she was ready to let go.
“Sam was right. You do make people feel safe.” Jenny said as she was calmed by the sound of Jethro’s heartbeat.
Jethro didn’t say a word as usual. Instead he just smirked his usual, half crooked smirk.
“My functional mute strikes again.” Jenny said as the smile came back to her face as she remained in Jethro’s embrace.
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