NCIS Director Jennifer ('Jen' or 'Jenny') Shepard was introduced to the NCIS team in the episode Kill Ari at the beginning of Season 3. She replaced former NCIS Director Thomas Morrow, after he took a Deputy Directors position with the Department of Homeland Security. From this first appearance onwards, it is obvious both she and Gibbs have history and it is later revealed they formerly dated as well as worked together. Both Gibbs and Jen have flashbacks which reveal there is some history, and also he often addresses her as 'Jen' and is corrected to 'Director'. She is one of very few that address him as 'Jethro'. There has consistently been a hint of flirtation between the two, including one episode in early Season 3 when Gibbs says ''You always were good undercover . This is continued throughout Season 3 onwards with references to Paris. Season 5 of NCIS ended in two parts, 'Judgment Day' and 'Judgment Day II'. Four hitmen track down Jenny at an Abandoned Diner and a gun battle ensues. Jenny manages to kill three but is fatally wounded. Tony and Ziva find her dead. 'Judgment Day II' see's the aftermath of her death, and more is revealed about a link to a case in Paris some 9 years previously. A trap is set and Gibb's burns Jen's house down, to cover up her death. It is believed she died of smoke inhalation. A funeral is held in this episode for Jenny, with Tony being reassigned and Ziva sent back to Israel after losing her Liaison status. In the episodes leading up to the season finale, Ducky is shown to be ordering tests on blood samples he sends to Abby, which he says are 'John Doe'. However, Abby finds out from Palmer that there are no 'John Doe's'. Gibbs later deduces that the only person Ducky would act in that manner for is Jen. Mike Franks goes through Jenny's purse and finds medication, which leads him to deduce that Jenny is dying. The illness from which she is dying is never named. Franks and Jenny are talking during the episode 'Judgment Day' whilst at the abandoned diner, waiting for the 'bad guys'. It is then that Jenny actually indicates she is dying, but she does not explain in any detail. Former Assistant Director Leon Vance goes on to replace Jenny as NCIS Director. Show less «