Archive of Our Own ^beta

"Lieutenant Meyer returned to flight status and even received commendation for her work on patrol," Tammy said as she put her phone away.

"Great." Hannah nodded, her hands intertwined on the table in front of her.

"Yep," Tammy agreed.

As Hannah looked around the lesbian bar for what felt like the hundredth time, she untwined her hands and laid her right hand over her left.

Tammy suddenly slapped the table beside her.

"Let's get a drink."

"Tammy?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm not a lesbian," Hannah said, shaking her head.

"I know."

She saw the beginnings of a smirk growing on Tammy's face at the statement. It quickly turned into a full grin as she replied, "Because you need to get into the New Orleans spirit already!"

Hannah couldn't resist laughing at that point, nodding as Tammy continued, "You know? Like, and this is the perfect place for opening up without investing in the outcome."

"I don't feel like that…"

"Just do me a favor," Tammy interrupted, "relax. Let me get us a drink. If someone talks to you, just act normal."

Hannah gave her a look that yelled 'seriously?' before her face relaxed and she conceded, "Okay."

"Crazy," Tammy laughed, shoving her shoulder playfully as she walked behind her.

"Hey Tammy."

Hannah turned toward the other woman, her weight briefly leaned on her right elbow as she looked at her.

"Thank you."

The sincerity in her voice and on her face confirmed for Tammy just how much the other woman needed this. She just needed a fun night out with a girlfriend. Looking her in the eye, Tammy nodded.

"Anytime."

She gave a tight lipped smile before she turned and headed for the bar. Hannah watched her for a moment before she looked around again, not noticing the dark blonde haired woman walk up to the table.

"Hi."

Hannah spared a glance the woman's direction before doing an obvious double take.

"Oh I'm not a lesbian," she said.

The woman chuckled, "Good for you," she replied.

Hannah laughed at the tone she used, briefly holding her head in her right hand before brushing imaginary hair out of her face.

"So, "not a lesbian," what brings you here tonight?"

Hannah broke eye contact to glance at the ceiling, a tight lipped smile on her face.

"A friend of mine brought me here," she replied.

"She needs help getting into the New Orleans spirit," Tammy said, handing Hannah a beer.

Talk about a magnet. I'm barely gone twenty seconds and she attracted a girl already. Tammy thought to herself.

"I'm Tammy." She held a hand out. "This is Hannah." She nodded towards her friend.

"I'm Jocelyn." She shook her hand and held it out for Hannah, who shook it as well. "Mind if I join you after I grab another drink?"

"Sure!" Tammy grinned.

Hannah hesitated long enough for Jocelyn's sharp eye to notice before she nodded, "Yeah."

As the women watched their apparent new friend walk to the bar, Tammy nudged Hannah with her shoulder and pushed her drink closer.

"Drink."

She followed her own advice, taking a couple of swigs before setting the bottle down with a clunk. She heard a similar noise beside her a second later and looked over at her friend. She was still watching Jocelyn at the bar counter.

Watching, or staring? She wondered. The woman did have a nice ass after all.

"What do you think of her?" Tammy asked.

Hannah shrugged a shoulder, "She's nice."

"She made you laugh."

"You saw that?"

"I was barely halfway to the counter when she approached you. Just happened to look over my shoulder as you laughed."

If Hannah had a response, Tammy would never know because Jocelyn rejoined them at the table, sitting across from them. She took a long swig of her beer before she set it down, swallowing slowly.

"So, what is this New Orleans spirit you mentioned?" Jocelyn asked.

"Drinking, socializing, partying," Tammy replied. "New Orleans is a very lively, cultural city. There's always some kind of event or celebration going on."

"So I've heard. I had a friend call New Orleans the "New York of the south" because people just don't seem to sleep here."

That earned a smile from the women across the table. They had never heard that phrase before but it fit the city well.

"So, first lesbian bar, I take it?" Jocelyn asked, lightly tapping Hannah's bottle with her own to signal she was talking to her.

Hannah chuckled, "That obvious?"

"Yeah," Jocelyn smiled. "But don't feel bad. I was just as nervous the first time I went to one. Thankfully the bartender talked with me for a short while and I eventually joined in on conversation that was going on at the counter. It takes a bit to settle in but I think you'll like it."

The three women took another swig of beer on that note and settled into a steady flow of conversation for the next couple of hours, swapping stories, advice, and laughs. As much as Tammy was enjoying herself, she found greater joy in seeing Hannah eventually relax and enjoy herself.

When it came time to leave, the women exchanged numbers before walking out of the bar together, the New Orleans night air a welcomed relief to the three of them. Tammy pulled out her phone and texted Sebastian to come pick them up.

"Where do you live, Jocelyn? My roommate's comin' to pick us up. He can drive you home if you'd like."

"I'm actually staying in a hotel right now. About a twenty minute walk from here."

"Hotel? You're not from around here?" Hannah asked, surprised.

"My job just transferred me down here from Chicago. Haven't looked for a place yet."

She frankly hadn't had the time and she wasn't sure what part of the city she wanted to live in or whether she wanted to rent or buy. So for now, her home was a cheap hotel room.

"You guys have given me a great welcome to New Orleans, so thank you. I had a blast tonight," Jocelyn smiled.

"You're welcome. So did we," Hannah replied.

Sebastian was surprised to see he had become the designated carpool for the new trio but he wasn't upset about it. Especially when he discovered that Jocelyn was a bit of a gamer. Not to the degree that he was, but he never turned down the opportunity to talk about his greatest passion to anyone who would listen.

——————————————

Jocelyn pulled up to the NCIS building early that next morning, securing a parking space close to the entrance. She showed her credentials to the officer posted outside before he allowed her in to the large green barn doors which were already opened for the day. She slowly looked around as she walked further in, stopping at about the center of the room. She was liking the vibe of the space already. It wasn't hardcore professional like the typical NCIS locations were. This place was more…relaxed.

Pride emerged from a room to her left with a mug of coffee in hand and a smile on his face.

"Special Agent Avery. Welcome."

Tammy, LaSalle, and Hannah looked up from LaSalle's computer at the sound of their boss's voice and followed his gaze to the agent in the room. Tammy and Hannah's faces morphed into the same looks of surprise when they saw Jocelyn shaking hands with their boss as he headed to his desk. When her gaze landed on the three agents, her face mirrored theirs before she laughed.

"No way," she said in disbelief, walking over to the desk.

Tammy shook her hand first before pulling her into a brief hug, Hannah following suit.

"You three know each other?" Pride asked.

"You could say that," Jocelyn replied, "I met them last night while exploring town."

"That certainly makes your introduction easier then. Gregorio, Khoury, LaSalle, meet the newest agent on the team, Jocelyn Avery."