Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS. I also messed with the timing of the Gulf War. Sorry to any veterans. But it was necessary for the story. And thank you to all military persons who support and defend this country.

"Hey Dad, it's becoming a blizzard outside so I am gonna stay with Ziva."

"Okay, did you tell her?"

"Yeah."

"And?"

"And she believes me."

"And?"

"Haven't gotten that far, Dad."

"Okay well, you stay safe."

"Thanks Dad. See ya."

"Bye Leroy."

"He is okay?" Ziva asked.

"He's fine, Ziva."

"Jethro, I am scared to love you. I know now that you love mebut I have a hard time trusting people. I trust you to watch my six and I trust you to be a good leader but as far as a relationship, I do not know yet." Ziva sat down on the couch next to him and curled up into his side. He put an arm around her and she flinched. "You okay, Ziver?" He asked, pushing a curl back from her face.

"Yes, I just do not particularly like being touched anymore. But I know you will not hurt me."

"Ziver, if I could kill the bastard over again, I would."

"I know you would." Gibbs lightly caressed Ziva's cheek.

"Jethro, I…" Ziva turned her head and kissed Gibbs softly on the mouth. Gibbs held still, hardly daring to breathe and knowing he couldn't move for fear of startling Ziva or stirring up memories. "Your lips are soft," Ziva said.

"Chapstick, otherwise they split."

"Cherry, yes?"

"Yeah."

"Did you not want me to kiss you?"

Gibbs gave her the 'are you crazy' look.

"You did not kiss me back when I kissed you."

"I did not want to give you any bad flashbacks, Ziva."

Ziva stood, taking his hand. "I say we make some new memories." She pulled him into her bedroom and kicked the door shut.

"Whoa, Ziver, hey, um, what are you doing?"

"Making new memories."

"Hey," Gibbs put his hands on her shoulders, "We are not going to do this. Not right now."

"Why?"

"Because I'm an old-fashioned, chauvinistic bastard and I want to take things slow."

Ziva nodded, "Could we at least cuddle? I do not think I wish to be apart from you for very long."

Gibbs lay down on the bed and Ziva snuggled into his arms, her back against his chest, he stroked her hair. "Weather man says the snow is gonna be pretty bad. Pretty sure you're stuck with me now, Ziver.

"I do not mind. I think I like being stuck with my new boyfriend." Ziva kissed his cheek.

"Sounds like high school all over again. 'Boyfriend'." Gibbs shuddered playfully.

"Would you prefer gentleman caller?"

"Yeah, now I sound like a male hooker."

"Well then, what would you like to be?"

"Just Jethro."

Ziva smiled. "My Jethro."

"Yeah, your Jethro."

Shannon was six months along now and the throwing up had almost stopped. Her belly was slightly rounded and her back hurt constantly. Almost immediately after their return from Stillwater, Gibbs' unit had shipped out to the gulf. Shannon was dealing with the pregnancy on her own. Gibbs was being as supportive as possible while being on another continent, but Shannon still missed him terribly.

'Dear Shan, How's my favorite girl in the whole world? How's our baby doing? Got any more weird cravings? Wish I could be there to massage your back and your feet. Miss you. Can't say much about poking at Sadam. That's all classified. Thousands of kisses for you. Yours Always, J.'

'Dear Jethro, Your favorite girl is up all night again with the baby dancing a rhumba in my belly. Baby is fine. I found out today that we're having a girl. And I have a feeling she's gonna be a Daddy's girl. Your daughter has weird taste, I am craving dill pickles with cream cheese and beef. Poke Sadam in the eye so you can come back home. I miss you. Millions of kisses for my sexy Marine. Much love from your wife and baby girl. Love, Shannon. P.S. What do you think about the name Kelly Anne?'

'Dear Shan, Tell Miss Kelly Anne that her Daddy's gonna teach her to waltz when he gets home so her Mommy can get some much needed sleep. Maybe they should prescribe go pills to parents of newborns. Hey, any craving is better than the lousy excuse for cooking going on here. I would rather eat something Joann made. We poked Sadam in the eye last week. He didn't take it well and hit us on the head. We're still seeing stars. Saving your kisses so I can have one every hour. Hugs and kisses for you and Kelly. Yours Always, Jethro.'

Gibbs was in combat when Shannon went into labor. When he got back to base camp and showered and headed to make his allotted weekly phone call, the guy manning the phones gave him a yellow post-it note. '17:30 – Shannon Elizabeth Gibbs calling for L. Jethro Gibbs. Went into labor. 21:30- Shannon Elizabeth Gibbs calling for L. Jethro Gibbs. Done labor. Wife and baby fine. 5 pounds 14 ounces. 21 inches long. Love you.' Gibbs had never loved post-it notes so much in his life.