Forever & Always

The Winner Takes It All

(A section of this story is heavily based on the song above) 

Cont.

"You're quite alright. You look fantastic Lena." Aaron says looking down at me.

"Thank you, very much. Did Beth join you tonight? I was looking forward to meeting her." Liar.

"Oh- No, her smart car was acting up. She wasn't going to make it on time." He adjusts his tie.

Penelope Garcia, if I didn't know any better...

"That's a shame. Congratulations are in order, I hear you're being awarded tonight!" I say with a high pitched voice, trying to conceal my discomfort.

"Yes, I'm being given the Medal for Meritorious Achievement. And you? I hear you are with the NCIS now." He tries to affirm his information.

"What a fitting award... I- yes, I've been with them for a little over a year. I worked with them in the past and they gladly took me back. Look Aar-"

We were interrupted by Tony, "Lena, I really need your brain or your lover man is going to be hitting the back of my head every day for a year!"

What is with the team and betting tonight, "Tony, doesn't that already happen? You'd just be giving Gibbs a schedule. Oh, where are my manners, I'm sorry. Tony this is Aaron Hotchner, Aaron this is Special Agent Tony Dinozzo."

"Very Special Agent..." Tony tries to give Aaron a strong handshake, but Tony's grip was no match for Aaron's.

"Tony go back to the table or I'll be slapping the back of your head too! I'll be right there." I shout at him.

Tony winces and scurries back to the table. I look back at Aaron, sadness, hurt, want, need, and love all pass through me. I can't be talking to him or else I'll go into a dark rabbit hole. He's my biggest weakness, all I want to do is hold him and smell his cologne again. Even so, he doesn't want me anymore, he's moved on.

"It was nice seeing you, Aaron. I look forward to hearing your speech. Have a good night." I needed to get some fresh air.

"Lena, when you have a moment, can we-?" Aaron's face tries to relax.

"You'll have to excuse me Aaron I need to get going." I point towards my team who are all waiting for me. I give him a court nod and walk away.

Rossi's POV

They were meant to be together, but there is only so much this old Jagoff can do.

"Are those two that oblivious?!" Emily asks the table.

"I did my part! I made the dress appear and I made the carriage turn into a pumpkin." Penelope says with an evil smile.

"Wait Penelope, are you the reason Beth's car..." JJ tries to ask Garcia.

"Maybe, maybe not. JJ, stop interrogating me." She scolds JJ.

Aaron comes to the table and takes his seat, "Who's Tony Dinozzo?"

"He's Lena's best friend from years ago. They were both 'Newbies' together when she joined the NCIS the first time. I'm surprised you didn't know that..." Reid says picking at his hors d'oeuvre.

"Me too and who's Gibbs?" Aaron seems agitated.

We all didn't really know about Gibbs. He could've been anyone, but he was certainly someone important to Bella Lena.

"Oh, that's her boss! It all makes sense now! He's the marine that brings her coffee every morning!" Emily made an untimely connection.