TITLE: Five times Jeanne talked of Tony
RATING: PG
TIMELINE: mostly late season 4
SPOILERS: all of season 4 + beginning of season 5
SUMMARY: five drabbles, five instances when Jeanne spoke of him until it was just too late.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: The companion piece/sequel to my earlier "five times Tony thought of Miss Benoit", but no need to actually read it (unless you'd enjoy to, obviously) as much as knowing the canon these follow. Reviews very welcome :)

Disclaimer: NCIS is property of CBS and D.P. Bellisario, I'm not making any profit.

“You’re in a good mood today, doctor. Had a good date with that gorgeous Italian of yours?”

Jeanne tried to play casual, but her grin kept growing until she practically felt it reach her ears.

“Oh. My. God. Don’t tell me you’ve slept with him. You did, didn’t you? Finally!”

She told her to keep her voice down, but even the threat of gossip and a ruined reputation couldn’t make her mad, and she kept grinning like a fool.

Karly immediately demanded hushed details.

“Ah, Karly. All I can say is that good things really come to those who wait.”

2

She discarded all the usual methods… she didn’t want to see him, and she didn’t want to talk to him on the phone.

Definitely writing, that he’d be able to read again and again until he’d finally get it; but an e-mail felt as wrong as a measly text message. She owed them something more.

So she found her expensive stationary, the creamy one with cotton fibers that felt so luxurious under her fingertips, and began to sound out the words. It had to be perfect. It had to leave no room for misunderstandings.

“Dear John, I’ve met a man…”

3

“I had hoped that if you hadn’t learned from my mistakes at least you would have learned from your own, Jeanne.”

“Mother, he’s different. He really is. And I really, really want this to work, and I know it will if we just give it a chance. The past is the past-”

“Surely you realize-”

“-I told you about it just because I wanted you to understand how important this is for him too, that he’s changed… for me.”

“People don’t change, dear. Especially not men, and especially not for a woman.”

“No, mom. Tony DiNardo is different. You’ll see.”

4

“I think it’s time I meet this fabled Professor, cherie. I could come for a quick visit next week… perhaps dinner?”

“Oh, papa! That’d be wonderful! But promise to behave: dinner with mom was awful, and I really like this one. I don’t want him gone because of my parents.”

“Tsk, cherie, you know… your mother and I… total opposites. We’ll do total opposite for this too. Was it… planned dinner?”

“Yes…”

“So, we do surprise lunch. It will be… wonderful.”

“No, wait, breakfast! We always meet for breakfast, he won’t suspect a thing… I’m sure we’ll have a blast!”

5

She noticed him watching her with that calculating self-assuredness that she could never help but find attractive. Without waiting for an invitation he picked up the coffee from the waiter’s tray and brought it himself to her table.

Unable to think of anything else to say, she thanked him.

“Anglais?” He replied, favoring her with a flirty smile. “Charming!”

She smiled back slightly, secretly happy to hear someone –anyone- speaking that language.

“So, vous-étè here all alone? Expecting someone? Aaah… boyfriend? Should I be worried?”

Jeanne held her smile, even though it turned brittle. “I wish I could say yes.”