Author's Note:

Thank you for all the great review and support and sorry for the delay in updating...

Here's the next chapter…Enjoy and Review soon… Thanks!

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Ziva listened closely to Gibbs as he showered, shaved and brushed his teeth. At the same time she dressed in casual pants and blouse and took her hair up into a ponytail. She applied her make up and turned in time to see Gibbs exiting the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his hips.

Ziva's eyes roamed up and down the broad expense of his chest before moving up to meet his eyes. Their gazes locked for a long moment before Gibbs turned away to retrieve his clothes. He went back into the bathroom to dress while Ziva worked on getting her breathing under control. Seeing Gibbs' bare chest made her giddy with desire. His chest was broad with a fine dusting of hair, his waist slim with well defined abs. She noticed his various scars and she yearned to kiss all of them and sooth his skin.

Phew, Ziva… cool it. First he has to get properly checked out by Ducky and then maybe…we'll see how far…

Just then Gibbs walked out of the bathroom dressed in a white pants and Navy golf shirt. His hair was gelled back and he looked very handsome.

"You ready?" He asked. He was dying for a cup of coffee and his body still humming from Ziva's earlier perusal.

"Ahem." Ziva chirped as she moved to the door.

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"Tony, why are they taking so long? What could they be doing?" Abby asked for the 3rd time. Tony remembered the light bruise, hickie, on Gibbs' neck, yeah Abby, just what have they been doing?

Then they noticed them walking into the breakfast hall. Gibbs looked for Tony and upon meeting his eyes raised his eyebrow in question. Tony nodded discretely indicating that all was in order. Ziva also looked towards Tony and Abby and she was surprised by the scowl that she saw on Abby's face. Gibbs also noticed it but Abby smiled sweetly back at him, before turning her attention back to her food.

The breakfast hall was packed and it appeared that Gibbs and Ziva were last to arrive. That irritated Gibbs to no end. McGee approached Gibbs and Ziva and led them to their table. They once again sat with Paul and Ashira.

"Good morning Jethro, Ziva. I trust that you enjoyed the banquet and slept well." Ashira greeted.

"Yes, thank you and you?" Ziva asked as she placed her hand over Gibbs' on the table. He looked at her and smiled. She smiled back and across the room Abby glared while DiNozzo frowned. McGee noticing their expressions followed their gazes and almost tripped when he caught the smiles on Gibbs and Ziva's faces. Ducky was also watching, but he was looking for signs of distress on Gibbs' face and when he noticed none, he was relieved.

As McGee walked past Tony he asked, "Why are they smiling like that?"

"No idea." Tony growled.

"Gibbs never smiles like that. Just what did Ziva do to him?" Abby asked.

Tony and McGee turned their eyes on Abby and both realized that she was fuming. Then McGee moved off to continue the rest of his duties and Abby stayed put and kept scowling.

A half an hour later, Paul and Ashira stood up as did Gibbs and Ziva. As they moved to the makeshift podium Tony and McGee took up strategic positions and started scanning the room. Abby stood at the back of the room and observed everyone.

"Good Morning. I trust that everyone is having a wonderful time. But now we need to get focused on the main reason for this gathering. International Illegal Arms and Ammunition trade is booming and we can no longer say that this is not our problem and leave it for someone else to resolve. This is our problem and we need to work together and make a stand. Gentleman you will find the agenda for the next 5 days on your tables. Please go through these and meet us in the conference room in 30 minutes so that we may begin. Thank you and enjoy the rest of your breakfast." Paul said and everyone applauded.

As they made their way back to the table, Ziva noticed a waiter rushing out of the room. She nodded at McGee and he followed the man. Another waiter placed a fresh pot of coffee on Paul and Gibbs' table and left. Ziva placed a hand on Gibbs' thigh as she reached across him to get the coffee pot. Tony walked past them at that moment and his eye's widened as his expression turned incredulous.

Ziva poured Gibbs a cup of coffee before pouring her own.

"Jethro, are you still expecting trouble?" Paul asked.

"Yes." Gibbs answered as he looked around and ignore the tingling on his thigh where Ziva's hand had just been.

"But haven't your people gone through the passenger and crew lists? Did they find anything suspicious?" Ashira asked as she offered Paul a cup of coffee while taking a sip of her tea. Ziva waited for her coffee to cool a bit.

"No, nothing yet, but we can't let our guard down." Gibbs replied reaching for the coffee pot to refill his cup.

"When will we get to meet the rest of your team?" Ashira asked as she looked around the room.

"You won't. I don't want to draw attention to them or to us." Gibbs replied before drinking his second cup of scalding hot coffee.

As he drank his third cup, he felt a pressure building at the back of his eyes. His stomach also seemed to be rolling.

McGee returned from the kitchen at that point and indicated to Ziva that all was okay with the waiter he had followed.

"Please excuse us ladies. We will see you again at lunch." Paul said as he stood up and kissed Ashira.

Gibbs and Ziva also stood up and Gibbs bend forward to give Ziva a quick kiss on her lips causing Abby's eyes to widen to huge circles.

"He… he …they … they justkissed!" She growled at McGee who had missed it.

"Abs calm down and get back to your room." McGee ordered as he walked past her. Abby stomped her foot in frustration before heading back to her room. Gibbs we are going to have one seriously long conversation later today!

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As soon as Gibbs had moved into the conference room, Tony approached Ziva.

"Everything okay, Tony?"

"You tell me."

Ziva thought about telling Tony about Gibbs' medical issue but then she caught the odd look on his face.

"What?" Ziva asked.

"You and Gibbs seem to be enjoying this assignment a lot more than we would have expected." Tony casually stated and Ziva was hard pressed not to blush.

"Tony, we have to act like a loving couple so that's what we're doing." Ziva defended herself.

"Yeah." Tony chirped.

"Yes. Now do you have anything that I need to pass onto Gibbs?" Ziva asked changing the topic.

"Everyone checks out although we do not have a lot on some of the crew. Grisham confirmed that there hasn't been any chatter to indicate any planned attacks." Tony stated.

"Good," Ziva sighed. She was very worried about Gibbs and she hoped that nothing would happen that would aggravate his condition.

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We will leave America water's within the next hour. It is earlier then expected that will help us to start putting things into action sooner. At least phase one is already in progress. Hahaha…

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As the conference started, Gibbs felt his stomach cramp. He bit back a groan as he feared he was about to experience another attack. But no, this wasn't the usual sharp, stabbing pain. This was just an annoying kind of throbbing and it wasn't in his side.

As he looked around the table, he noticed a few men looking a bit green. Suddenly his vision blurred as the ache behind his eyes intensified.

Shit, what the hell's wrong with me?

A second later Tony slipped into the room followed by McGee who was handing out water bottles. Paul stood up at that point to start the conference. .

"Gentlemen, as per the agenda… Argh!" Paul gasped as he doubled over. Gibbs stood up immediately and shielded Paul as Tony moved into position next to them. McGee took up a position at the opposite end of the room.

"What is it?" Gibbs asked his breathing rapid and his vision still blur.

"My stomach, aahhh I'm going to be sick!" Paul gagged, the morning's breakfast rushing out of his mouth.

At the sight and sound of Paul's gagging, Gibbs' stomach revolted and he doubled over, throwing up violently.

"Gibbs!" Tony gasped in shock not even realizing what he had said.

"Are they okay?"

"Sono malati?"

"What is happening?"

"Tony?" McGee questioned, as he stared at the grimace of pain on Gibbs' face while Gibbs continued gagging. But Tony had an arm wrapped around Gibbs' waist and was helping him to the ground.

"Sont-ils bien ?"

"Wat gaan aan nou?"

All the delegates started standing up and offering assistance.

"Let's give them some room." Tony growled as he helped Paul to the ground. He was torn between seeing to Gibbs and taking care of Paul.

A few of the delegates moved towards the door to get help as another two delegates started spewing. McGee moved forward to assist them.

"We need…a physician …quickly!"

"Get the doctor!"

"Hurry!"

Ziva and Ducky who were still in the breakfast room rushed forward as did the ship's doctor and two other officers.

Gibb! Ziva was terrified that he had had another attack.

"Dear lord!" Ducky exclaimed as he and Ziva reached the conference room.

Paul and Gibbs were on their knees, gagging and gasping as they wrapped their arms around their waistlines.

"Jethro, what's wrong?" Ziva asked as she crouched next to him.

Gibbs just gagged in response as he squeezed his eyes tightly shut. Ducky was next to him as the ships doctor kneeled next to Paul.

Tony scanned the room but found nothing to indicate an impending attack. Ziva also looked around the room quickly before turning her attention back to Gibbs.

"What's wrong with them?" Ziva growled as Gibbs rolled onto his side, his head resting on her lap. She took a serviette and wiped his mouth as he gasped for breathe. He was pale and perspiring profusely.

"It could be anything." Ducky replied as he looked from Gibbs to the other men lying prone on the floor.

"We need to get them to the medical centre." The ships doctor shouted.

"Have they been poisoned?" someone fearfully asked, causing Gibbs' team to gasp in terror.

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Author's Note:

That's it for this chapter.

Oh no, has Gibbs been poisoned?

If phase one has begun, what will phase 2 bring?

Stay tuned to find out and Reviews help me type faster….Thanks!