"Stars Can't Shine Without Darkness."

"Stars can't shine without darkness."

-Jimmy Palmer, NCIS

Of Course

gibbs x reader

No smut, just fluff

‘One bed. Of course.’ (Y/N) thought, as she looked into the hotel room that she and Gibbs were meant to be sharing, as part of their undercover assignment. It’s not that she wasn’t secretly thrilled to share a bed with the man she’s had a crush on for the past year, but she wasn’t expecting to share a bed with the man she’s had a crush on for the past year. “I can take the floor, (Y/N).” Gibbs said, realizing the current situation. “No! It’s okay Gibbs, we’re adults. We can share a bed. Plus, the floor can’t be that comfortable.” (Y/N) responded, maybe a little too quickly. She hoped Gibbs couldn’t tell her true feelings were coming to the surface.

After they both showered, he briefed her on the plan for tomorrow. They both made their way to their own sides of the bed, and Gibbs broke the silence by saying, “Sorry you have to room with your old boss.” “It’s okay, it could be worse. I could be rooming with Tony.” They both shared a laugh. “Why are you sorry Gibbs? Draw the short straw?” (Y/N) asked, slightly laughing. “No, not all.” He responded, maybe a little too quickly. “Like ya said, could be worse. Could be Tony.” They both chuckled. “Goodnight Gibbs.” “Goodnight, (Y/N).” They both turned away from each other to try and get some sleep before the op tomorrow.

However, no matter how hard both of them tried to fall asleep, neither one was successful. She didn’t think Gibbs was still awake, until he said softly, “Can’t sleep?” “Nope. How ‘bout you?” “Nope.” He replied. (Y/N) turned to Gibbs and asked, “What do you do when you can’t sleep?” He slightly chuckled at her question. He had to think for a minute, before responding, “Usually I just work on my boat until I fall asleep.” She lightly laughed at his answer. “Well seeing as we don’t have your boat with us, what else helps?” “Trying to stay awake. It’s always so much easier to fall asleep, when you try to do the opposite.” 

The whole time she tried to stay awake, the only thing she could think was, ‘I just want to be in his arms.’ It’s like he could read her mind, because after a minute, he brought her close, so her head rested on his chest. She was a little surprised at the sudden affection, but was grateful for it. And if that wasn’t enough to make her question rule 12 (rule 12: never date a coworker), he gently placed his hand on her waist, as if he was gauging her reaction. But the only reaction it caused, was her breathing to even out, and for her to put her hand on his chest. She fell asleep only a minute later, and he fell asleep a few minutes after her. 

When she woke up the next day, he was still asleep, with his arm draped over her waist. She took the time to observe how the soft sunlight made his hair appear brighter and if she looked hard enough, his silver strands of hair appeared to softly glow in the morning sun. And she also noticed just how peaceful he looked. She had never seen him look so peaceful. He looked the type of peaceful, that you don’t want to wake up for a thousand years. You just want to let that type of peaceful be. So that’s what she did for the next 20 minutes before he woke up. Maybe today’ll be the day she tells him how comfortable she felt in his arms, or maybe today’ll be the day she tells him she never wanted to leave his embrace. Or maybe, just maybe, she’ll tell him she loves him.

Sunsets and Secret Hopes

gibbs x reader

(Y/N)’s day had been no picnic, no walk in the park. First, her power went out on her block while she was asleep, which means her alarm didn’t go off. So when she checked the time on her phone, she bolted out of bed and rushed to get ready. She needed to be at work in 25 minutes, and in DC traffic, she should’ve already left. Second, when she got into work, Gibbs didn’t even acknowledge her. For the rest of the day, he treated her like she was a probie, not a full-time NCIS agent. Lastly, DiNozzo was being extra annoying, asking personal questions all day long. 

When it was time to go home, everyone said their goodbyes and went their separate ways for the night. The only 2 people left in the bullpen were (Y/N) and Gibbs. She checked the time, it was nearly 6 pm. She made her over to Gibbs’ desk, dropped off the completed paperwork, said goodnight, and walked to the elevator. Gibbs felt slightly guilty about treating her like a probie again, especially after he saw the despairing look in her eyes as she said goodnight. He decided to catch up with her before she left the Navy Yard.

‘Wow’, she thought, ‘The sunset is absolutely beautiful.’ Instead of driving home quickly to beat the sunset, she just stood there in the parking garage. Just being. And that’s how he found her. Standing by her car, staring off into the distance at the sky. The bottom of the sky was still a comforting blue shade of baby blue. The soft blue shade was blended into a stunning shade of lilac. The clouds tied the whole thing together, with their shades of deep peach expertly fading out into shades of baby pink. The sky looked like it should be hanging in an art museum, surrounded by a solid gold frame.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it? The sky.” (Y/N) asked Gibbs. “Yeah, it’s really something…” He replied. “I love sunsets. They make me feel peaceful. Especially after a hard day. All it takes is one look, and I start to forget what’s been troubling me.” (Y/N) said, her gaze fixed onto the masterpiece of a sunset before her. Gibbs wasn’t sure what to say next. Should he apologize for how he treated her earlier in the day? Should he leave it be? Luckily he didn’t have to, as (Y/N) decided it was then or never, and asked him, “Can you stay with me, Gibbs, until the sunset fades?” “Sure.” He replied. He looked down at the agent standing next to him, and took in the sight before him. 

(Y/N) looked so peaceful. So much more peaceful than he’d ever seen her. He secretly hoped that he would get the chance to see her this peaceful again. ‘Oh,’ he thought, ‘Am I falling for her?’ Nah, there’s no way. Well… her smile does light up any room she’s in, she’s always kind to everyone she meets, and her eyes are so warm and inviting. Oh, I’m falling for her. And I kinda like it.’ If he only realized her true feelings about him, that she feels the exact same way. Why else would she ask him to stay until the sunset faded away into a deep shade of navy, now host to countless stars, dreams, and secret hopes.

Her Accent

gibbs x reader

“What?” (Y/N)’s voice rang through the mostly empty bullpen. She had been watching an interview that was sent in anonymously, and it was said that it would help the current case. Her natural Southern accent, which normally isn’t strong at all, popped out quite abruptly. She was happy Tony wasn’t there in the bullpen, because if he was, he would never let her hear the end of it. The only other person besides her in the bullpen, was Gibbs. Gibbs was a little surprised to hear her accent, because he could tell she had an accent, but it was very soft and would pop out on certain words.

At a certain point in the interview, the person being interviewed misquoted a famous song by Dolly Parton. (Y/N) had been raised on country music from a very young age, so to hear someone misquote a famous song that has been around since the early 70s, hurt a little bit. Which is why she said, “Raven hair? It’s ‘Your beauty is beyond compare, with flaming locks of auburn hair, with ivory skin and eyes of emerald green’ Did you even listen to the song?” She didn’t mean for her accent to come out, but she knows that when she’s mad, her accent likes to make an appearance.

She didn’t have to look behind her to know that Gibbs was slightly amused. If she had looked behind her in that moment, she would have seen Gibbs smiling. Not just his usual slight smirk. Like a true, bright smile that only appears once in a blue moon at the office, or anytime the two hang out outside of work. Instead, she settled for, “I know you’re smiling Gibbs. I can feel it. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.” (Y/N) replied with a smile of her own. Come to think of it, she loves seeing him smile. Because she knows when he smiles, the sun will never be able to outshine it. Maybe she’ll tell him one of these days.

Little did either of them know, Ziva had returned from following a lead, and was standing at her desk the whole time. She saw the whole thing go down. From (Y/N)’s confusion and offense to the incorrect song lyric, to Gibbs smiling with the brightness of the sun on a hot, sunny day in the South, at noontime. Ziva didn’t say anything, she just watched them for a moment before sitting down at her desk. They only realized she had returned when they heard Ziva’s desk drawer slam shut. Ziva only said one thing, “Cute accent, (Y/N). And you have a lovely smile Gibbs.” 

Gibbs’ smile started to slowly fade away, but he couldn’t get her accent out of his head. From the passion in which she had spoken with, to the downright adorable way he could just barely make out what she was saying. (Y/N) always thought her feelings for Gibbs were one-sided, but she didn’t see the way he looked at her, and the way he smiled for the next minute. Come to think of it, he loves seeing her smile. Because he knows when she smiles, all the stars in the night sky will never be able to outshine it. Maybe he’ll tell her one of these days. 

Brighter Than the Stars

gibbs x reader

“What’s your perfect way to decompress after work?” Abby asked (Y/N), the youngest member of the team. (Y/N) wasn’t sure how to answer the question. Should she say what she was really thinking? Or maybe something else, out of fear of being judged. But, when (Y/N) joined the team, she quickly realized that Abby doesn’t judge anyone, so she had nothing to fear. With that, she responded with her true answer, “It would have to be stargazing.” “Stargazing, that’s so cool!”, the forensic scientist responded. “Thanks! I know it’s not really an ‘adult’ thing to do, but for me, there’s nothing I like more after work than laying back and watching the stars shine.” “That was the most perfect answer ever, I was just going to say bowling.” Little did they both know, Gibbs was outside Abby’s lab overhearing the whole conversation.

The day went on, the team said their goodnights, and went their separate ways for the night. Right before (Y/N) could unlock her car, Gibbs stopped her and asked, “Do you wanna do somethin’ with me tonight?” “Sure. What do you have in mind?”, the young agent replied. “It’s a surprise, but don’t worry, you’ll love it.” She thought for sure she would be helping work on the boat in his basement (not that he needs help). But when he parked his truck in an old field, she started to wonder if he overheard her conversation with Abby earlier. Her suspicions were confirmed when he said, “Bring the blanket.” 

He opened the door for her, and during the short walk to the bed of his truck, he asked her, “Do you have a favorite star?” “Not really, to be honest, I love them all. Being able to admire the stars just fills me with so much peace.” “How?”, he asked the young agent whom he was starting to fall for. “There’s just something about looking up at the sky and seeing how radiantly they shine.” she replied, unknowingly smiling almost as bright as the stars hundreds of light years away. After he made his way onto the truck bed, he helped her up by gently taking her hand and holding her waist. She’d be lying if she said it didn’t give her butterflies. 

He made a motion for her to lie down, as he did the same. He threw a large blanket on top of them both, and their surroundings felt 10° warmer. They spent the first few minutes lying underneath the starlight in complete silence, just being. He was the first to break the silence, saying, “I remember as a kid staying up for hours in the summertime just to watch the stars. I’d go to bed when the sun’d come up and pretend like I’d been in bed the whole night.” They spent the next several hours talking about fond childhood memories, childhood pets, anything, and everything. He taught her which stars were which, how to navigate the stars, trying to ignore the warm feeling he felt every single time she smiled. She had also tried to ignore the warm feeling she felt every single time he smiled, or any time he had talked about his childhood so fondly. 

After the conversation had started to die down, she let out a yawn, neither of them realizing it was now the middle of the night. In a moment of bravery, she gently laid her head down on his shoulder, claiming him as her pillow for the night. When he didn’t move, she knew she was safe. She always feels safe when she’s with Gibbs. And he always feels safe when he’s with her. “Goodnight (Y/N).” “Goodnight Jethro.” In that moment, he realized not only does he really like it when she uses his name and not just “boss” or “Gibbs”, but he also realized she seemed to fit perfectly in his arms. He spent the next several moments breathing in her scent, which consisted of her perfume and the soft vanilla and lavender from her shampoo. He finally fell asleep holding her close, after kissing her forehead.

They woke up the next morning, as the sun rose over the very same field that was host to countless stars the night before. Then they spent the next several minutes observing each other’s features. She observing every freckle on his face, how his eyes seemed to be much brighter and appear much more blue than they’d ever been, how the soft sunlight made his hair appear brighter and if she looked hard enough, his silver strands of hair seemed to softly glow in the morning sun. He observing how the sun was making her hair appear brighter and softer than it’s ever looked before, how her natural freckles were illuminated by the sun’s soft rays, how plush and smooth her lips look. Being in each other’s cozy embrace made them both think, “I could stay here forever and never want to leave.”

Practice Dance

gibbs x reader

“Oh hey (Y/N)!” The loud voice of a Very Special Agent Tony DiNozzo rang through the air, and into (Y/N)’s ears. “Hey Tony, what’s up?” (Y/N) replied. “You got an invite to a wedding, and it says you can bring a plus-one.” “A wedding invitation? Who’s inviting me to a wedding? And how do you know I got an invite?” “I might have looked through the mail on your desk this morning.” Tony sheepishly responded. (Y/N) looked at the wedding invitation (after glaring at Tony), and saw that it was from her cousin. 

“Awww, they look so happy!” (Y/N) said as she read over the invitation. As much as she hated to admit it, Tony was right, she was allowed to bring a plus-one. She didn’t realize Gibbs had come up behind her, and was looking over her shoulder the whole time. She just about jumped when she turned her face an inch to the left, and he was right there behind her. “God, Gibbs! Thanks for the heart attack!” (Y/N) said, now clutching her chest, right above her heart. “Anytime, (Y/N).” 

Throughout the day, her gaze kept lingering back at the wedding invitation. At one point, Gibbs noticed her zoning out in the direction of the invitation. (Y/N) felt a crumpled piece of paper hit her shoulder. “Earth to (Y/N), are you there?” “Yes, Tony, I’m here. What do you need?” (Y/N) replied, slightly agitated at Tony’s interruption from her daydream. “Are you daydreaming about your Prince Charming over there?” She glared at him slightly, but ultimately said, “Nah, I’m just not even sure I’m going to the wedding.” “What?! Why not?” Tony impatiently asked. Gibbs was also slightly curious as to why she wouldn’t go. “Because, I don’t have anyone to go with, I don’t know how to slow dance, and I have nothing to wear to a semi-formal wedding.” (Y/N) responded. “Well (Y/N), I have to say, that sucks for you.” Tony said laughing towards the end of the sentence. 

(Y/N) spent the rest of the day, daydreaming about a familiar silver-haired, steely-blue eyed man. She couldn’t stop thinking about the two of them dancing around all of the other couples. There were just a few problems: she can’t slow dance, she hasn’t told Gibbs how she feels, and they’re not a couple. The only thing that brought her out of her daydream, was Tony saying goodnight. She didn’t even realize it was time to go home. Oops. The only two people left in the bullpen were (Y/N) and Gibbs. Right before she picked up her things to leave and say goodnight to Gibbs, she heard “Moonlight Serenade” by Glenn Miller Orchestra playing over the speakers in the office. 

She looked up from her desk, and saw Gibbs standing in front of her desk, holding out his hand for her to take. She stood up and took his hand, and he led her to the middle of the bullpen. Her eyes widened slightly when she felt Gibbs’ hand on her waist. “Put your hand on my shoulder and take my other hand in your left hand.” Gibbs instructed her. She felt small sparks when she felt his gentle touch on her waist, and his gentle touch while holding her hand. She often wondered how gentle his touch would be with his rough, veiny hands that were a sure sign of carpentry. The months of daydreaming about Gibbs, had nothing on the real thing.

He set the pace for them both, slowly extending one foot forward, and she slowly extending one foot back. The two swayed slowly and softly, and she could feel herself blushing at the very close contact. While the two danced to the soft music in the background, they observed each other’s features in the soft glow of the dim office lighting. His eyes appeared to be much more blue than they’d ever been, and if she looked hard enough, his silver strands of hair appeared to softly glow in the dim lighting. The front section of her hair appeared to be brighter than it’s ever looked before, and he noticed how plush and soft her lips look. ‘God,’ he thought, ‘I could kiss her right now.’ As the song played in the background, the two gradually closed the gap between their bodies, so they were now standing so close, there wasn’t even an inch of space between them.

“Jethro,” (Y/N) whispered, “Would you be my plus-one?” “I would love to, (Y/N).” Gibbs softly spoke. “You were right Dr. Mallard. They do have feelings for each other.” Said Director Vance, looking over the balcony from upstairs into the bullpen. “I was hoping to finally get them to act on it, but this works too.” Said Ducky, watching (Y/N) and Gibbs dance around the bullpen.