A/N: Sorry it took so long to update this guys, I've only been able to write Tiva stuff for the last couple days. But here it is and hopefully Chapter 8 will be up in the next couple of days. A special thanks to JibbsGal1, my friend and beta for the beginning of this chapter. If there's any issues, don't blame her, I'm difficult to work with :P Thanks for reading!

For a long time Gibbs lay in bed enjoying holding Jenny, and Jenny enjoyed being held. There was still a bit of awkward tension between them, the way there was when they were avoiding an elephant sitting in the middle of the room, but they could talk now, and for the moment, they could touch, so today was going to be better than the two yesterdays before it.

Finally Jenny had to get up and shower, grateful not to start her morning by leaning over the toilet, though she'd heard morning sickness could last all day, so perhaps she shouldn't be too optimistic yet. They went to work in separate cars, both with much on their minds to think about.

It was lunch-time when Gibbs felt a presence in front of his desk and looked up to see Ducky standing there.

"Good afternoon Jethro," his friend said brightly. "I was wondering if I might have a moment of your time."

Gibbs dropped his pen on the report he wasn't quite finished writing. "Shoot."

"Not here," the ME said a little more quietly. "Perhaps, your office?"

The suggestion brought Gibbs' eyebrows up. He and Ducky had worked together for more than ten years, and this was the first time he could ever remember that the older man had requested the use of his conference room. Unsure what to expect, Gibbs nodded and stood up, following Ducky to the elevator.

Once they'd passed the fourth floor and were halfway between the second and third, Gibbs pulled the emergency stop switch and leaned against the wall, waiting. Ducky, never one to waste time with silence when there was something to be said, tucked his hands into the pockets of his white lab coat and met his friend's gaze.

"What is going on with you and Jennifer?" he asked without preamble.

Gibbs stifled the urge to glare a hole into the wall next to Ducky's head. "Let me guess," he said dryly, "a little bird told you?"

"More like a little bat," Ducky answered, confirming Gibbs' suspicions about who the doctor's source was. He sighed. "Your team cares about you Jethro, and they are worried. I haven't been topside much this week or I likely would've noticed the change myself. I had hoped the two of you were done with the dark days for awhile."

"You and me both Ducky," was Gibbs' response.

Ducky frowned and regarded the man in front of him carefully. "How bad is it?"

The words hit him and suddenly Gibbs discovered he didn't have the strength to keep the news to himself any longer. "She's pregnant."

"Pregnant?" Ducky questioned, his face brightening. "That's cause for congrat...oh my." The reason for Gibbs' reserved demeanor sank in and the ME grasped the significance of the news. "Oh Jethro, I'm so sorry."

"Yeah," Gibbs said heavily. "Me too." He shook his head. "I would've wanted a child with her Duck."

"I know," Ducky replied, his expression commiserating with Gibbs' anguish. "What is she going to do?"

"She?" Gibbs asked harshly. "Why didn't you ask what we are going to do?"

The older man's eyes widened. "Jethro, the baby isn't yours. Jennifer was the one who was violated, it is her body this news affects. It's her choice alone, not yours."

Gibbs let out a frustrated growl and scraped his fingers through his hair, pacing back and forth in the small dark space. "We're married. Why does no one understand that? We should be making this decision together!"

"And what decision would you have her make?" Ducky asked, though he was almost certain he knew the answer. Jethro had a special place in his heart for children.

The look in Gibbs' eyes begged for understanding, for someone to get where he was coming from. "I know it's not our baby, but there's a life inside her now, that should count for something. We could...we could raise it together, I would love the baby because it's part of her."

"Oh my friend," Ducky sighed, "you have no idea what you are saying. To have a living, breathing reminder of what Jennifer suffered around for her to see every day for the rest of her life? To have that same reminder, for you? You have both seen this man's face, what if the child resembles him?"

He shook his head. "You have no idea how hard that would be, how much it would tear at your heart. You would want to love the child, but every time you looked at him or her you would see the man who so badly hurt your wife. No child should have to bear the weight of being that kind of memory. You're not thinking clearly Jethro."

Gibbs just stared at the floor, and it was hard to tell how much of anything he was hearing. A thought occurred to him and Ducky took off his glasses. "How much of this have you told Jennifer?" When Gibbs didn't answer, Ducky wanted to shake him. "Are you daft?" he said shortly, before tempering his words.

"I'm sorry, that was uncalled for." The ME sighed. "Jethro, you say you want this to be a decision you make together, correct?" Gibbs nodded and Ducky's expression became sympathetic. "Alright, but have you even considered any option other than the one you think is right?"

A groan escaped Gibbs' lips and suddenly Ducky realized he might know where the root of his friend's struggle lay. He reached out and laid a hand on the other man's shoulder. "I know this can't be easy Jethro, I know the situation affects you because Jennifer is your wife. But you cannot save Kelly by trying to save this baby."

A stricken look appeared in Gibbs' eyes and for the first time he could hear the truth his friend was speaking. He dropped his head into his hands, leaning over until he was almost parallel to the floor. "I don't know what to do Duck," Gibbs choked out and Ducky could see he desperately needed the counsel.

The older man sighed. "Jethro, I know the last two months have been anything but easy for you, and I'm very proud of the support that you've shown Jennifer. That's what she needs now." He squeezed Gibbs' shoulder. "You said that you don't know what to do." Gibbs nodded miserably and Ducky said his next words slowly and clearly, hoping his friend would really hear him. "I'll tell you. You give her that support, just as you've been doing. You love her Jethro. Love her and love her and love her. And then you give her a gift." Gibbs looked into Ducky's solemn face. "You give her the freedom to choose."

NCIS

Later that afternoon, McGee was sitting at his desk and he looked like he was working. But anyone who guessed that would've been wrong. He was daydreaming. It had been two weeks since he'd finally plugged Ziva's directions into his GPS and found his way to the small, family owned jewellery store out in Silver Spring.

Tim had liked Abram's shop immediately, much better than the large, impersonal, corporate jewellery stores he'd been to. When he walked in, the older man at the counter looked up from what he was working on and smiled.

"Welcome my friend. What may I help you with?"

McGee pulled the folded piece of paper from his pocket. He'd laboured over the sketch for hours, taking care to get it just right. "I was hoping to get an engagement ring made for my girlfriend," he said. "Are you Abram?"

The man frowned slightly. "I am. Do I know you?"

"No," Tim shook his head, "but Leah sent me. She knew I was looking for something special and suggested your shop. I hear you can custom make almost anything."

Abram smiled broadly. "You are a friend of Leah's? Then you are very lucky. My family and I owe her much." He motioned the younger man closer. "Let me see what you have."

Tim unfolded the paper and laid it on the counter. Abram put on a pair of spectacles and leaned closer to examine the sketch. He read each of the carefully written notes, following the arrows that had been drawn and forming in his mind a picture of the ring. When he saw the stones McGee had specified, he looked up curiously.

"Are you sure you want it like this?" He pursed his lips. "This is like no ring for an engagement that I have ever seen."

Tim grinned, knowing few people would understand his decision about the design but that Abby would love it and that was all that mattered. "Trust me," he smiled. "If you knew my girlfriend, you'd know this ring is perfect for her."

Abram nodded after a moment. "As long as you are sure." He jotted a few notes at the bottom of the sheet that Tim couldn't read and he was pretty sure the man wasn't writing in English. Looking up, the older man smiled. "Any friend of Leah's deserves my best. I would be honoured to make this ring for you."

McGee's face lit up. "Thank you sir."

Abram shook his head. "I am only Abram."

Tim fished a card out of his wallet and handed it to the jewller. "My numbers." He glanced around at the display cases, knowing he would probably enjoy looking around sometime, but that it would be more fun to look with Abby. They'd have to come back some day. "Do you know how long it will take?"

Drawing his finger gently over the sketch, Abram shook his head. "This is a very unique ring. I will have to order the center stone, we do not normally keep those in stock. And the details will take longer. It may be as long as two months."

McGee's heart dropped. He did not want to wait that long. He was itching to ask Abby to marry him and it was frustrating that the important things he needed to arrange first were taking so long. But the ring was definitely a non-negotiable thing, Tim knew he couldn't ask her without it. A scene from their Sunday walk at the end of October flashed into his mind, the day Abby gave him specific instructions about his proposal.

McGee wrapped his arm around his girlfriend's shoulders. "What do you think it's going to be like?"

"What?" Abby asked, enjoying the warmth of his body so close to hers.

Tim kissed her hair. "Forever. Us together. More than just best friends, more intense than dating. Married with a kid. It's the rest of our lives Abbs."

Abby squeezed his hand and then let go and skipped backwards in front of him and Jethro. "I don't know," she grinned, "why don't you ask me and we can find out?"

McGee's eyes widened and he opened his mouth only to find himself speechless. "How about tomorrow?" he croaked finally, trying to joke.

Abby shook her head, completely serious. "No way McGee. Not like that. When you decide to ask me, you better do it right. Nice shiny ring, down on one knee, something special - the whole nine yards." She counted the criteria off on her fingers and glared at him. "I'm only going to get engaged once and I want to remember every minute."

"You got it Abbs," McGee smiled weakly, trying to calm his heart.

So he would have to wait. But every day would be a struggle and Tim guaranteed that he'd be thinking about their soon-to-be forever every day until he had what Abby needed to say yes. He smiled. "Thank you Abram. This means a lot to me."

Abram's expression softened. "I can tell when a man is in love. You may have to learn patience in these next weeks, but I think it will be worth it in the end, yes?"

Tim grinned. "Oh, you have no idea how worth it she is. Thanks."

"Shalom my friend," Abram returned the smile. "I will call you when it is finished."

Gibbs walked in the room, his expression unreadable as always, and Tim quickly forced himself to concentrate. Two weeks down, six to go. He really hoped Abram was able to finish the ring early because every day it was getting harder to leave Abby and all McGee wanted to do was make her his.

NCIS

It might have been sunny outside, but the rest of the day was a dark cloud in Gibbs' mind. He didn't take kindly to being told what to do, what to feel, even if the man giving the advice was someone Gibbs trusted implicitly. It wasn't as easy as everyone made it sound, loving Jenny even if she made what Gibbs was sure would be the biggest mistake of her life. But he'd promised her he wouldn't talk about it and he'd hold his tongue until the test results came in if it killed him.

Gibbs sighed and took another swig of his sixth cup of coffee. He stared out the window beside the bullpen, wishing he could go back in time, just to Monday morning, when everything with his wife had been fine and life still made sense. But it wasn't that easy. He loved Jenny, he loved her from the depths of his soul. Still, no matter what anyone else said, Gibbs was convinced that the option she was considering was wrong and he didn't think there was a single person he knew who would be able to change his mind.

NCIS

Long after dark, Tim let himself into Abby's apartment. They hadn't planned to get together tonight, but something hadn't sounded right in her voice when they talked earlier, and McGee decided to drop by and check on her. He knew he wouldn't be able to sleep until he made sure she was okay. She'd been quiet today and that worried him.

McGee closed the door and walked into the dimly lit main room. He found Abby curled up on her couch, Bert clutched in her arms. Her hair was down loose around her shoulders, the dark make-up she loved long since washed off. Her eyes flickered to him.

"Hi Tim," she said softly, not at all surprised to see him. She was upset and he came, Tim always seemed to know when something was wrong.

McGee moved a little closer. "What are you doing Abby?"

Her eyes moved back to the spot on the wall she'd been studying for the past hour. "Worrying."

Tim sat down beside Abby. "About what?"

The expression in her eyes was anxious. "Gibbs and Jenny."

"C'mere Abby," he said softly, holding out his arms.

She moved into them easily, glad for the reassurance she felt when they were together like this. "It's been three days Timmy and something is very wrong."

McGee brushed his thumb down her arms. "I know."

When he didn't say anything more, Abby looked at him. "Doesn't that bother you?"

Tim thought back to the last couple days: Gibbs leaving early on Monday, refusing to answer their questions Tuesday, his distance yesterday and his pensiveness today. The Director hadn't spoken to any of them or come to the bullpen all week. She and Gibbs had barely done more than glance at each other. He sighed.

"Yeah it bothers me Abby. But they're not talking to each other and they're certainly not talking to us. I don't think we can help this time."

Abby fingered Bert's ear. She was quiet for a long time, unusual for her even if she was thinking. McGee just waited, keeping his arms tight around her. When Abby finally spoke, her voice was quiet, her words hesitant.

"Timmy?" she asked. "Do you think Gibbs and Jenny would ever get a divorce?"

"No," Tim shook his head and made the declaration firmly, understanding how deeply the rift between their bosses was affecting his girlfriend. She loved their team so much, it made sense that her mind would focus on the worst 'what ifs'.

"No," he repeated, knowing she needed to hear it. "I don't think they will. Gibbs and Jenny have worked way too hard to get this far in their marriage just to quit now." Tim cupped Abby's cheek. "They'll get through this Abby. And so will we." Slowly he leaned in to kiss her.

Abby took the comfort he was offering and kissed him back. Bert fell almost unnoticed to the floor as she shifted so she was sitting in Tim's lap and pressed tiny kisses all over his face.

"Abby," McGee whispered, working his fingers into her hair, and pulling her back to his lips. He kissed her again, slowly, her mouth soft and full under his, her touch still needy.

She broke the kiss. "We'll never...I mean, when we're married...no matter how bad we fight, right Tim?"

He stopped her with a finger on her lips. "Never Abbs," McGee replied hoarsely, knowing what she was thinking. "I don't care if we have the worst fight in the world, we're never going to say that word. We're not even going to think that word, okay?"

Abby smiled. "Okay." She looked into his eyes and Tim saw so much reflected there.

He didn't deserve this, for her to love him like she did. He swallowed. "I love you Abby."

She held his face in both hands, believing every word he'd said. Kissing his lips gently, Abby let her love for this man show on her face. "I love you too Timmy." She smiled at him. "Thanks for coming."

"Always Abbs, I'll always be here when you need me," Tim whispered against her hair.

Abby sighed contentedly and snuggled against her boyfriend's chest. Tim settled his arms around her again, glad to be with her and looking forward more to a night when he didn't have to leave.