Chapter 1
Gibbs pulled into the PX on Quantico Marine base. He had to come down here today to have lunch with an old friend from the Corps. He came once or twice a year to replace Joe Stafford in close combat skills class for a week at a time. The past 2 years he had been asked to assist in other areas as well by the training officer. They had just set the schedule over lunch.
Joe took his family on vacation at these times. Because of his success in training activities Gibbs found himself officially "unretired" by the Corps and was now a Master gunnery sergeant on "detached service" to NCIS. Although he continued to be paid through the NCIS, he had priveleges on base for active duty, thus the PX. Cheaper is cheaper he thought.

He got out and decided it was a much nicer day than earlier, and left his trench coat in the car. On the way in he held the door for a harrassed mother of 3 little ones. He headed straight for the produce section. His mood was mellow
and he had decided to get a steak and some fresh fruit while here.

Gibbs stopped to talk with another Marine he knew then went down the aisle toward the apples. A stray ray of June sunshine found it's way down the aisle and found a graceful, slender arm and hand reaching for the seasons first strawberries. Gibbs stood unnoticed slightly off to the side watching her. She was a marine in uniform, cover on the seat of her basket. She opened the strawberries with a smile of hopefulness. The sun revealed she had dark red hair, so dark it was almost chesnut in color. It was drawn up off her face and neck in a loose chignon held by a clip.
She was in such a state of enjoyment she was unaware of his gaze. She opened the container and took out a large strawberry and took a slow, deep bite. Her eyes were closed and she was so happy that Gibbs found himself smiling too, as was an older woman across the display. A small drop of juice was quickly caught by a finger and licked off.
" I hope you're planning on buying that box. I'd hate to have to arrest you on such a nice day." he said it with a grin and reached to his waist to flash his badge.
She looked startled and opened her eyes turning to meet his gaze, still holding the other section of fruit. Her eyes scanned him, saw the badge and widened. Gibbs was stunned to immobility as he saw her eyes.
They were a brilliant emerald green with sooty long lashes and brows, despite the dark red hair. Suddenly she moved in 2 quick steps up to him and pressed the fruit into his mouth.
" There, now you can arrest yourself too!" Her head fell back and her laughter was so joyous, so real and unaffected.
People were smiling at them. Jethro was instantly smitten. She had a long neck which he could picture himself kissing and nuzzling. She was already moving away from him. He couldn't let that happen. He called out
"Wait! Please!
" You can't just feed me and run away..." He was smiling with his head tilted just a little in question.
She looked up at him, her cheeks were flushed a bit and she looked quickly down.
" I'm sorry, I really am not in the habit of doing things like that..."
" I don't remember complaining. I thought it was great. I'm Jethro Gibbs. I can see your a Staff sergeant Ms?"
" Elaine Douglas-Preston. But every one calls me Lainy." She shook Jethro's outstretched hand and blushed further.
" Could I interest you in a cup of coffee Lainy?" She was still looking down and away from him. Her body language showed nervousness that he couldn't fathom. He found himself eager to reassure her. "Are you married? I don't
want to cause a problem."
"Oh no!" she looked into his eyes. " I mean I'm a widow. My husband died in Desert Storm."
" I'm sorry." Jethro said sincerely. " I served there too"
"So did I. " Lainy said, her eyes looked far away. Suddenly she smiled radiantly up at him. She had a full mouth and her smile made her face seem luminous.
" I feel it's OK. Yes definitely it's OK." she said. Jethro looked at her feeling a bit uncertain but decidely eager.
" After all", she said," Life is what you make it. Let's take a chance on each other. I take coffee black and wherever I can get it. After all I'm a Marine! . How 'bout you?"
Jethro grinned and walked with her toward the checkout, stopping only to get his steaks and some more strawberries.

It was indeed a really good day. He was really looking forward to the rest of the day and maybe even more.