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The Award

Ch 1

Jenny has just told Jethro that she is pregnant; and she is now getting ready for bed, having left Jethro in the basement with his boat. Although this is something they both want she knows it is a big step for her husband, because he still struggles to come to terms with the murder of his only child Kelly. He's going to need all her support during the next few months. As she sits at the dressing table brushing her hair she sees Jethro's reflection in the mirror, he doesn't say anything but just undresses before getting into bed.

Jenny joins him and they lay facing each other.

'I love you Jen', Jethro whispers as he embraces her and pulls her body to his, gently kissing her neck. His hands are softly caressing her back as he moves to kiss her on the lips.

Jenny is quiet but returns the kiss as she runs her hand down his side, letting it rest on his hip. She lets Jethro dominate the kiss and allows him to push her on to her back, which gives him more access to her body. He releases her lips but continues to softly kiss the rest of her face as his hands roam over her breasts, stroking them with his palm before letting his fingers tweak her nipples.

As he continues to run his hands over her body he raises himself up and straddles her hips and begins to kiss down her neck and down her chest, as his mouth reaches her breast his tongue is soon teasing her nipples. Jen arches her body and lets her hands run over his back before reaching down and lightly taking him in her hand, she squeezes gently before slowly moving her hand up and down. Jethro groans and lies down on his side, he moves his hand to her core slowly stroking her centre.

They continue to pleasure each other and soon Jethro can feel that Jenny is approaching her climax he whispers for her to stop as he again raises himself above her, once inside her it does not take long for them both to fall over the edge. As they lay in each other's arms recovering their breath, Jethro lets his hand rest gently on Jenny's abdomen, his fingers making slow circles.

'Everything will be alright Jet'. Jenny says as she cuddles closer to him feeling his arms encircle her in a protective embrace.

A week later Jethro is still trying to come to terms with Jenny's pregnancy, he's read the booklets given to his wife by the doctor and is terrified that something will go wrong. He knows that miscarriage is more likely to occur in the first trimester and the older the mother the more probable it is something could be wrong with the baby. He has promised to go with Jenny when she returns to the doctor for her next appointment when she'll be about twelve weeks.

Jenny has realised Jethro is worried about her and the baby but she has a good feeling about her pregnancy although at the moment she is feeling more tired than normal and is suffering from morning sickness. She's a little apprehensive but her doctor was quite positive and assured her that although she is an elderly first time mother things are more liable to go right than wrong.

Jethro is already watching her like a hawk, if he sees any sign of discomfort from her he questions her immediately.

'Are you OK, Jen?'

'I'm fine Jethro', Jen replies as she sits down on the couch.

'You look tired'. Jethro joins Jenny putting his arm around her and pulling her close, she rests her head on his shoulder.

'I do feel tired but I'll go to bed early tonight, don't worry'.

'I do worry, I've got you and the baby to worry about now. I just want both of you to be OK, I don't want anything to go wrong.'

'I've got a good feeling about this Jethro, in about 7 months I'm sure we'll be welcoming a new member to our family.'

Jethro looks at Jenny and gently kisses her on the lips, 'Right, you go up to bed and I'll straighten things down here. I'll be up in a while.' He hesitates before continuing, 'I know we've decided to tell no-one other than the SecNav until you enter the second trimester but I'd like Ducky to check out your doctor, make sure he's competent.'

Jenny smiles 'OK, we can trust Ducky to keep the secret but I think you're over reacting Jethro, I'm sure Dr Barts is an excellent doctor.'

'Never assume Jenny, always check and double check.'

Jenny goes up to bed and settles down with one of her favourite authors, Jane Austen, she's chosen Sense and Sensibility tonight and although she's read the book several times she's soon engrossed with the story of the Dashwood sisters.

Jethro decides to spend some time in his basement, the hull of the boat has gone to the boatyard and he's nearly finished the wheelhouse. He's thinking about his next project and reckons on some nursery furniture, the first thing will be a rocking chair for Jen. He sketches out his idea, before continuing to work on the boat.

After an hour he joins his wife upstairs, when he enters the bedroom he sees Jen asleep with the book resting on her chest, lightly grasped in her fingers. He gently removes the novel and makes her comfortable, she stirs slightly but is soon lying curled on her side. He strips quickly and cuddles up to her back spooning against her and kissing her neck before dropping off to sleep himself.

Jenny is finding the morning sickness difficult to cope with, one of the reasons being it lasts all day, although it's worse in the morning. Jethro now brings her a cup of ginger tea in bed first thing. She's told Cynthia that she's cutting out caffeine from her diet and will stick to herb tea; if Cynthia has suspected anything she hasn't mentioned it.

Today starts in the same way, as Jethro returns to the bedroom with a cup of tea, he hears Jenny in the bathroom. He places the tea on the bedside table and goes to join his wife, stroking her head and back as she leans over the toilet.

'This won't last forever Jen, it's usually gone after 3 months'

'It better be, I can't stand much more of this,' Jenny snaps she never feels at her best in the morning and this sickness is not the greatest way to start the day.

Jethro hands her a glass of water and leaves not knowing what to say. As Jen comes back into the bedroom she looks at her husband who's sat on the bed, 'I'm sorry I snapped Jet, I'm just not feeling too good at the moment'.

'I understand, if I could do anything to help you know I would'.

'You are helping, looking after me, getting me tea in bed, treating me like a porcelain doll and I would remind you I am pregnant not ill'.

Jethro smiles weakly at Jen and replies, 'You're my porcelain doll and for the time being I'm going to treat you like one', he leaves her with her cup of tea as he enters the bathroom for his shower.

Before Gibbs arrives at NCIS head quarters that morning Tony is talking as usual,

'Has anyone noticed anything different about the Director recently.'

'In what way, Tony other than she seems really happy to have Gibbs back safe and sound' Ziva replies

'No, I didn't mean that', Tony replies, 'I mean she kind of looks a bit bigger'.

'In what way bigger, she has a great figure', McGee looks up from his computer as he answers Tony, 'And I wouldn't let Gibbs hear you talking about the Director's figure if I were you'.

Tony gets up to look over McGee's shoulder but doesn't let the subject drop, 'she looks like she'll be needing a bigger bra size soon.' He stops talking as he receives a slap to the back of the head.

'You mention anything about the Director's size again Dinozzo and I will personally ensure your next posting will be in Antarctica,' Gibbs says as he walks towards his desk with a cup of coffee.

'Sorry boss.'

Gibbs sits at his desk briefly before going down to autopsy to visit Ducky.

'Can I have a word, Duck?'

'Certainly, Jethro how can I help,' Dr Mallard is preparing a body for a post mortem.

'Where's Palmer?'

'He's going to be in this afternoon, he's attending a lecture this morning. I assume it is not about Mr Palmer that you wish to speak.' Dr Mallard stops what he is doing to give Jethro his attention.

'You assume right, Duck, it's about Jen', as Jethro hesitates Ducky looks up a little alarmed.

'Nothing's wrong I hope.'

'No, No she's fine, well actually she's pregnant and I want you to check out her doctor, make sure he's up to the job.'

'Congratulations and I am sure that her doctor is more than competent, I assume she's going to Bethesda'.

'Yes, it's a Dr Barts,' Jethro replies, 'And Duck we're not telling anyone other than the SecNav until she reaches her second trimester'

'Very well Jethro, I'll let you know as soon as I've spoken to a friend who happens to be the consultant in charge of obstetrics at Bethesda, I'm sure she'll have nothing but good to say about Dr Barts.

Gibbs leaves Ducky to make his phone call and returns to the bullpen.

As he gets to his desk the phone rings, he listens briefly and as he replaces the receiver yells 'Grab your gear' to his team.

McGee gets up saying ''I'll gas the truck'

Ziva picks up the phone saying 'I'll tell Ducky – what exactly am I telling Ducky?'

'The remains of a marine have been found in the back garden of a house in the marine base at Quantico'.

Gibbs drives to the scene separately from his team in the sedan. Before getting out of the car he phones Jenny but Cynthia answers.

'Where's the Director,' Gibbs sounds impatient

'She's in a meeting with the SecNav – she won't be back for another 2 hours'.

'I'll phone her back – let her know that I've rang' Gibbs orders before hanging up.

'Yes sir', Cynthia replies thinking Special Agent Gibbs has become a lot more attentive to his wife in the last few days.

As Gibbs approaches the crime scene, the Director is talking to the SecNav about her husband.

'Sir, I've brought with me a précis of Special Agent Gibbs cases during the last few years and you'll find that I've provided you with more detailed information where he has risked his life to save others', Jen hands over a file to the SecNav.

The SecNav takes the file and the Director continues 'Amongst other things he saved the life of the President putting himself directly in the line of fire.I believe he should be awarded the Navy Civilian Valor Medal and I would like you to endorse this recommendation.'

'Well Jenny, this medal is usually awarded personally by me, Special Agent Gibbs has a reputation for not turning up to such ceremonies if I do endorse your recommendation what are the chances that he'll turn up for me to give it to him', the SecNav knows Gibbs fairly well and thinks he'll have no problem confirming Jenny's recommendation

Jenny smiled, 'You needn't worry about that sir, he'll turn up'. Although she speaks confidently she is a little worried that he won't turn up even if he gets a direct order.

'Well let me read the file and I'll get back to you', the SecNav answers while wondering how Jenny is going to persuade Gibbs to attend any award ceremony.

'Thank you, sir.'

'The rest of the meeting was taken up discussing Jenny's replacement, both Jethro and Jenny realising that it would be very difficult for her to bring up a baby and continue being Director. Jenny was looking forward to the new change in her life and had convinced Jethro that she really did not want to continue being Director as well as being a mother.'