Chapter 65: A New Home in Paradise
Jane pulled into the driveway of her new home, a beautiful oceanfront residence in Oahu, Hawaii. The sound of waves crashing in the background was a constant, soothing melody that was now part of her daily routine. She glanced at the children in the backseat. Alex had his headphones on, lost in some music, while Julie stared out the window, her eyes shining with excitement.
"So, what do you think of our new home?" Jane asked, opening the car door.
Julie was the first to get out, running toward the driveway.
"I love it here, Mom! It's so beautiful!"
Alex got out more slowly, with the air of a carefree teenager, but Jane knew he was impressed too.
"It's not bad," he said with a smirk. "In fact, it's amazing."
Jane laughed, feeling relieved to see that they were both happy with the change.
The house was spacious, with modern architecture that blended traditional Hawaiian elements. The living room had huge windows that offered a stunning view of the ocean. The backyard was large, with a well-kept lawn that ended in a small fence that separated the property from the beach.
Jane began unloading the last boxes from the car while Julie explored the bedrooms upstairs. Alex helped with some of the heavier boxes, showing that, despite his age, he was a responsible young man.
"This place is amazing, Mom," Alex said, as he placed a box in the kitchen. "You nailed it."
Jane smiled, feeling proud of having provided a good environment for her children.
"I wanted you to have the best, especially now that we are starting a new phase."
Julie ran down the stairs, her hair swinging as she gestured excitedly.
"Mom, my room has a balcony! You can see the ocean from there!"
— "And I'll want some privacy," Alex joked, teasing her sister. "No entering my room without knocking."
Julie rolled her eyes but laughed, showing that she was already adjusting well to her new surroundings.
In the same neighborhood, just a few minutes away, Michael and Jennifer were also settling into their new home. Although smaller than Jane's, it was equally charming, with a flower garden and a terrace that offered a panoramic view of the neighborhood. Michael was in the backyard, adjusting a hammock he had just installed. Jennifer came out of the kitchen with two glasses of lemonade, handing one to her husband.
"It's a wonderful place," Jennifer commented, looking out at the horizon. "Do you think Scott will like it when he gets here?"
Michael took a sip of the lemonade and nodded. "Absolutely. He'll love being around his family, and after everything he's been through, it'll be good for him to have some peace."
Over the next few days, Jane and the children began exploring the island. On a sunny morning, they went to the famous Waikiki Beach. Alex brought a surfboard he had recently purchased and, despite a few falls, managed to catch a few waves.
Julie preferred to stay close to the shore, building sandcastles. Jane, meanwhile, sat in a beach chair, watching her children with a smile.
"This place is magical," she murmured to herself, feeling the ocean breeze on her face.
Later, they went to a local market, where they sampled fresh tropical fruits and traditional Hawaiian dishes. Jane felt a connection to the place, as if Oahu had been her home for a long time.
Jane also began to adapt to her new role as NCIS SAC in the Pacific. The Pearl Harbor headquarters was impressive, with a dedicated staff and a busy schedule.
On her first day, she was warmly welcomed by the team, who seemed relieved to have someone as experienced as her in charge. During an initial meeting, Jane made her leadership style clear.
— "I'm here to make sure our work is done with excellence, but I also want my team to know that they can count on me for whatever they need. We're a family here."
The team responded with smiles and nods, clearly impressed by Jane's firm but approachable demeanor. Although Jane and Scott were separated by a few miles and commitments, they spoke daily by phone or video chat.
During one evening call, Jane showed him the view from her bedroom balcony.
"So, what do you think?" she asked, turning her phone to show the moonlit horizon.
Scott laughed on the other end of the line. "It's spectacular. I can't wait to be there with you."
"We're waiting for you," Jane said, smiling. "The kids miss you, and so do I."
"A few more weeks and I'll be there," he promised. "And then we'll start this new phase together."
Michael and Jennifer helped Jane get the house ready a for Scott's arrival. Jennifer made sure to decorate her son's room with details that recalled his military career, but without going overboard.
— "I want him to know that we're all proud of him," Jennifer said, as she arranged a shelf with some photos of Scott from his missions.
Alex and Julie were also excited, thinking about what it would be like to finally have Scott home with them.
— "He's going to love it here," Alex said, looking out at the sunset in the backyard.
Julie agreed.
— "Absolutely. And he's going to love surfing with us."
Jane watched her children interact, feeling grateful for having such a close-knit family.
On a quiet evening, Jane sat on the porch, looking out at the ocean. She thought about how her life had changed in the last few years. Ever since she met Scott, everything seemed to have fallen into place. He was more than a partner; he was a pillar of strength, someone she could completely trust.
She looked up at the stars and whispered to herself, "We're ready for this new phase, Scott. I can't wait for you to be here with us." The sea breeze seemed to whisper a promise of new beginnings, and Jane felt in her heart that everything was exactly as it should be.
Chapter 66: A New Dynamic
It was another busy morning at NCIS headquarters in Hawaii. Jane sat at the head of the conference room table, sipping coffee while she waited for her team to finish reviewing reports. She enjoyed the more relaxed pace of Hawaii, but that didn't mean the work was any less intense. Her team was made up of some of the best agents she had ever led, each bringing a distinct personality to the group dynamic.
Jesse Boone, her second-in-command, was reviewing a stack of papers, but with a smile on his face. He was the father of a teenage girl and talked about his daughter often. He was a quiet leader with a collaborative style that complemented Jane's.
Kai Holman, the newbie on the team, stood next to Jesse, absently munching on a cookie as he reviewed a report. He was young, still a bit green, but full of energy and eager to prove himself.
Lucy Tara stood in the background, typing away on her laptop and occasionally making sarcastic comments that made the others laugh.
Ernie Malick, the team's tech genius, adjusted his glasses as he worked on his tablet. He was the kind of person who seemed to be everywhere at once, always bringing back important information.
Kate Whistler, the liaison to the DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency), sat at the other end of the table, her posture impeccable, her hands folded. She was clearly a rule-follower, but Jane had already noticed that Kate was starting to relax a little in the team's more relaxed environment.
"Okay," Jesse began, setting the papers aside. "Since we're done with the reports, how about we talk about something lighter? Let's get to know our boss better."
Jane raised her eyebrows, but laughed. "Oh, no… I'm not very good at that kind of thing."
Lucy smiled, leaning back in her chair. "Come on, Jane. It's for the good of the team. Besides, you always know everything about us. It's only fair that we get to know more about you."
Jane sighed, but she was still smiling.
— "Okay. What do you want to know?"
Kai was the first to speak.
— "Are you married? Do you have children?"
Jane took a sip of her coffee before answering.
— "I'm divorced. I have two children, Alex and Julie. Alex is 17 and Julie is 13."
Jesse nodded, looking interested.
— "Teenagers. That must be a challenge."
— "Challenge is an understatement," Jane replied with a laugh. — "But they're great. We're well-adjusted here in Hawaii."
Lucy tilted her head, curious.
— "What about the boyfriend? Because I see that smile on your face. Don't tell me you're single."
Jane shook her head, laughing.
— "No, I'm not single. I'm dating."
Ernie, who had been focused on his tablet until then, looked up with a playful smile. — "Dating? Who's the lucky guy?"
Jane put her coffee down and crossed her arms, feigning mystery.
— "His name is Scott Walker. He's still in Virginia Beach, but he's coming here soon."
Kate, who had been listening intently, raised her eyebrows at the name.
— "Scott Walker?"
Everyone in the room looked at Kate, curious about her reaction. Jane frowned as well.
— "Yes, Scott Walker. Why?"
Kate leaned forward, adjusting her posture.
— "Captain Scott Walker. He commands DEVGRU, right? Or at least he did until recently."
Lucy's eyes widened.
— "Wait, DEVGRU? What do you mean, DEVGRU? Like... the elite SEALs?"
Kai let out a low whistle, impressed.
— "Wow. That's... intense."
Jane smiled, nodding.
— "Yeah, that's right. He's retiring. That's why he's still in Virginia Beach. He's finishing his career before he comes here."
Jesse scratched his chin, clearly impressed.
— "That explains why you seem so relaxed. I mean, your boyfriend is probably the most lethal guy in the room wherever he walks in."
— "Don't exaggerate," Jane replied with a laugh. — "He's lethal, yes, but he's an amazing human being. And to be honest, he's ready for a quieter life. He's done everything he wanted to do in the Navy."
Kate still looked intrigued.
— "I knew the name sounded familiar. In the DIA, he's a legend. Most of the operations he's been on are classified, but everyone knows he was one of the best."
Lucy smiled, leaning back in her chair.
— "So Jane Tennant is dating a superman. That's amazing."
Jane laughed, but her heart warmed as she heard the admiration in the team's comments.
— "He's a normal guy, believe it or not. And honestly, I can't wait for him to get here. It'll be nice to have the whole family here."
After a few more questions about Scott and Jane's family life, the conversation became more relaxed. Lucy and Kai began to tell funny stories from past missions, while Ernie occasionally interrupted with funny comments.
Jesse, as always, kept the mood light, making sure everyone felt comfortable. Kate, though more reserved, seemed to enjoy the group dynamic.
By the end of the day, Jane felt even more connected to her team. They weren't just colleagues; they were becoming a family, something Jane deeply valued, especially now that her own family was expanding and adapting to their new home.
As she drove home that evening, the ocean breeze blew gently, and Jane smiled, feeling grateful for where life had taken her. Hawaii wasn't just a beautiful place; it was a new beginning, and she knew everything was falling into place perfectly.
Chapter 67: Uncovering the Legend
The NCIS office in Hawaii was quiet that morning, except for the sound of keyboards being pressed and low conversations between agents. Jane Tennant's team was taking advantage of a break between cases to take care of some pending tasks and, apparently, satisfy a certain collective curiosity.
Lucy was the first to bring up the subject, unable to contain her curiosity about the mysterious Captain Scott Walker, her boss's boyfriend.
"So... who else is curious about Jane's boyfriend? Because I am."
Kai looked at Lucy with a smile.
"You read my mind. I was thinking the same thing. Like, the guy runs DEVGRU? I need to know more."
Jesse, who was organizing some papers, shook his head with a smile.
"You two have no limits. But, to be honest, I'm curious too."
Kate, who was sitting near the group, looked up from her laptop.
— "You know you can look up information about him in the system, right? As long as it's not access abuse."
Lucy's eyes widened in excitement.
"Really? We can do that?"
Kate adjusted her glasses and leaned toward the keyboard.
"I can do that. As a liaison to the DIA, I have access to high-ranking military records. But just to be clear, this is purely informational. We're not investigating Captain Walker."
"Sure, sure," Lucy replied, waving her hand. "This is just... academic research."
Kate smiled slightly and began typing into the system. A few minutes later, she found Scott Walker's file. Once the data appeared on the screen, she adjusted the monitor so everyone could see it.
Kate began reading Scott's career summary aloud:
"Son of retired Colonel Michael Walker and Lieutenant Commander Jennifer Walker. Entered Annapolis Naval Academy in 1998 at age 18. Graduated top of his class in 2002. Entered BUD/S training in 2003."
Kai interrupted, impressed.
"BUD/S? That's quite an accomplishment."
Kate continued:
"In 2004, graduated top of his group again. Completed two initial deployments: one to Afghanistan and one to Iraq, both with Seal Team Three. In 2007, was selected for Green Team, DEVGRU's advanced training unit. Graduated top of his group and was assigned to Red Squadron, where he began leading Echo Team."
Lucy let out a low whistle. — "So he's basically the most lethal guy in the room, no matter where he walks in. Jesse was right."
Kate continued reading, not letting herself get distracted: — "He stayed with Echo Team for years, leading countless combat missions. During that time, he rose through the ranks and reached the rank of Commander, a rare thing for operators still active in combat missions."
Jesse leaned in to take a closer look at the monitor. — "He was operating in the field while he was already a Commander? That's unusual."
Kate nodded. — "Very unusual. And then, in 2018, he was promoted to Captain and became the leader of all DEVGRU. He held that position until recently, when he announced his retirement."
As the team processed the information, Lucy looked at Kate curiously. — "Okay, but what about the rumors? You mentioned something earlier about him being on the Bin Laden mission."
Kate took a deep breath before answering. — "Yes, there are rumors about that. Officially, the details of the mission that took out bin Laden are classified. But in the intelligence community and among the military, his name is often associated with the mission."
Kai frowned. — "You're saying he was there? Was he part of the team that went into that compound in Pakistan?"
Kate paused before answering. — "Not only was he part of the team, but some say he was the leader of the operation. There are unconfirmed reports that he was the first one to enter bin Laden's room. The details are murky, but the consensus is that he played a crucial role."
Lucy looked shocked. — "Wow. That's... a lot to process. He's practically a living legend."
Jesse crossed his arms and smiled. — "It makes sense now why Jane is with him. She wouldn't settle for less than the best."
As the team absorbed the information, Kai commented, — "It's kind of weird to think of someone with that background retiring. I mean, he seems like the kind of guy who never stops."
Kate nodded.
— "That's true. But at the same time, people like him deserve a break. They carry more than anyone can imagine."
Lucy glanced at Jane, who was in her glass office, working on some reports.
— "And now he's coming here, to Hawaii. That means we'll probably see him around. I definitely want to meet him."
Jesse smiled, amused.
— "Just try not to scare him with your questions, Lucy."
Lucy rolled her eyes. "I know how to behave. Most of the time."
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of an alert on the system, indicating a new assignment for the team. But as they prepared for the next case, their admiration for Scott Walker remained in the air.
They knew they were about to meet someone whose reputation transcended the boundaries of the ordinary. To Jane, he was just Scott, her partner. But to the NCIS team, he was a legend.
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