The Price of being a Marine's girlfriend

Jethro had decided to let us go home early since we had gotten further in the case. Ethan had picked me up from work and we had gone to his studio apartment in Georgetown. We had decided to stay in instead of going out like we normally did. After Ethan made dinner for me, we had settled in the living room to watch The Graduate. During the previews Ethan decided to drop a bombshell on me.
“Hon; there is something I have to tell you.”
“Yeah, go ahead.” I said as I turned so that I could see Ethan’s face.
“My CO called me into his office this morning.”
“And; what did he say?”
“I have to leave for a tour in Iraq in the morning.”
“So tonight is our last night together.”
“Pretty much.”
“How long will you be gone this time?”
“Not sure, ten months at the most.”
“Well then; let’s make tonight a night that you’ll remember.” I said with a mischievous tone.
The next morning I awoke to the sound of rain hitting the ceiling of Ethan’s apartment. Ethan was gone by the time I got up. Next to me where Ethan had been was a note.
Jaylyn,
I know it isn’t easy being a Marine’s girlfriend, but I love you. You are probably worrying about me right now. Don’t worry I will be safe, I will come home. You are my world; I don’t know what I would do without you. The one thing that always gets me through these tours is the fact that I will be coming home to you.
Be careful at work. Let Agent Gibbs and Agent David protect you. I know that Agent Gibbs will protect you; partially because he is dating your sister, but also because he is a Marine. And I know you will listen to Agent David. I hope your case will be solved quickly. I will write every chance I get.
With all my love,
Ethan
A tear slid down my face and onto the note. I grabbed one of Ethan’s button down shirts and put it on. Minutes later after changing in the bathroom it was time to leave. Before I walked out of the apartment I grabbed my things and the note from Ethan. In the elevator I put the note in my purse and pulled out my phone.
I called Ziva to see if she could pick me up.
“Agent David.” Ziva said when she answered her phone.
“Ziva, it’s me. I need you to pick me up on your way in today. I am at Ethan’s.”
“Can’t Ethan bring you in? I am kind of busy at the moment.”
“No, Ethan can’t bring me in; he just left for a ten month deployment in Iraq. Pull yourself away from Tony.”
“Okay; I’ll be there in five minutes. Are you alright?”
“What do you think Ziva? My boyfriend just left me to serve his country.”
A little while later we were at the office. Ziva and Tony were interrogating Commander Andrews. McGee was with Abby. Once again Jenny and Jethro came out of MTAC. This time they had finished up with a video conference with the NCIS Agent in Bahrain.
“I need a favor, Jethro?” Jenny said as they looked down to me in the squad room.
“Sure Jen.”
“Console Jay like you consoled Abby in the elevator four years ago.”
“What happened?”
“Ethan just left on a ten month deployment to Iraq.”
Jethro did as he was asked. Moments later Jethro joined me in the squad room.
“How did Shannon deal with being a Marine’s wife? How did she deal with saying good-bye every time you were deployed?”
“I don’t know how she did, Jaylyn. She just dealt with it; she had to be strong for herself and for Kelly.”
At this point Jethro had come over to my desk and hugged me just as he had with Abby in the elevator four years earlier.
“I don’t know what I going to do, Jethro. Ethan has only been gone for a few hours and I already miss him.”
“It will get easier, I promise.”
Jethro looked up to Jenny who had been watching from the railing in front of MTAC the entire time. The look of gratitude on Jenny’s face was enough for Jethro. A few minutes later Jethro’s cell rang. While he was on the phone Tony, Ziva and McGee were back at their desks. Jethro didn’t have a good look on his face.
“What is it Boss?”
“I have to talk to the Director.” Gibbs answered Tony as he got up and to the stairs to Jenny’s office.
“What’s wrong, Jethro?” Jenny asked when she noticed Jethro standing in front of her.
“Callen was killed today while he was undercover.”
“How?”
“Gunfight and before you ask the memorial is in LA tomorrow.”
“Are bringing the team or are we going ourselves?”
“Callen was NCIS Jen, the team is coming.”
The next morning we were all on Davenport’s private jet on our way to LA for Callen’s memorial. Jenny, Abby, Ziva and I had decided to change on the plane. Our badges were in their cases with the black strap across the front of them. The guys had been in their memorial attire before we arrived at the airport.
“So how did you know Agent Callen, Gibbs?” Abby asked.
“Callen, Director Shepard and I worked on cases together ten years ago.”
“Oh, Gibbs.”
I sat back and look around the cabin. Jenny and Jethro sat together reminiscing about old times with Callen. Tony was comforting a distraught Ziva who remembered her sister and brother. Abby and McGee just talked to each other. Ducky and I both thought of our better halves.
Dr. Hampton was looking after Ducky’s corgis and his house when she wasn’t filling in for Ducky at NCIS. As I saw the three couples before me; I thought of Ethan. By now Ethan was in Green Zone. Things were going to be different over the next ten months.