1Author's Note: This chapter is mostly fluff, but sparks will fly in the next installment! Please, don't disregard the dangers of Sleep Apnea, especially in the very old and the very young!

"Who knew the kitchen table could be so....fulfilling?" Kate whispered in Jethro's ear.

"Or the workbench in the basement?" Jethro added as he stood upright and offered Kate a hand off the table.

"Or the bathroom counter?" Kate added with a smirk.

"Doesn't count." Jethro said quickly.

"What?" Kate asked with a slight confusion.

"We never finished in the bathroom...so it doesn't count." Jethro's blue eyes shined as he explained the situation.

"Well...we don't have to go and get Maggie until five." Kate teased as she stood next to Jethro.

"And it's only quarter after one...." Jethro trailed off as Kate leaned in and grabbed his backside playfully.

"What ever shall we do?" Kate asked in a sad voice.

"Last one to the bathroom buys a case of bourbon!" Jethro yelled as he broke free of Kate's grasp and tore through the house.

Kate was hot on his heels. She was no match for his longer stride and peak physical condition. Jethro was already in the bathroom waiting for her.

"Have fun buying an entire case." He teased.

"You are such a bastard." Kate teased as she moved towards Jethro to close the distance between them.

"I love it when you talk dirty." Jethro teased as Kate stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.

"This....is unbelievable. Five times in twenty-four hours...my God we're...." Kate trailed off as she and Jethro cuddled. They had managed to make their way from the bathroom back into their bedroom.

"Human?" Jethro supplied.

"I was going to say insane." Kate said with a laugh.

"We're not insane, we're human, and I think we should both take a nap." Jethro said as he rolled over and closed his eyes.

"Great idea." Kate said as she closed her eyes and drifted off.

"Thank God Abby texted me." Kate said as she threw her clothes on.

Kate and Jethro had both slept a little longer than they had liked. Abby had texted Kate about plans for a bachelorette party that Abby insisted on throwing, and thankfully the phone had woken Kate from her slumber. Now it would be the mad dash to Ducky's house.

"This is nuts...Maggie's sleep is affecting the whole family." Jethro said as he yawned and slipped into a t-shirt.

"Let's go." Jethro said the instant he and Kate were dressed.

"Hello Matthew!" Victoria Mallard answered the door a bit too cheerfully.

However, her Welsh Corgi Tyson sat at her feet and growled at the appearance of Kate and Jethro.

"Hi Tyson!" Kate said as she knelt down and waved to the dog. She was greeted with a low snarl.

"You again!?" Mrs. Mallard exclaimed at Kate's presence.

"What are you doing with Matthew?" Mrs. Mallard asked Kate.

"We are engaged." Kate said happily as she extended her ring, unsure if Mrs. Mallard would be able to comprehend the situation.

Mrs. Mallard's eyes shined at the diamond.

"You my dear...we must chat! Lady to lady!" Mrs. Mallard announced proudly as she pulled Kate into the house by her arm.

Kate looked at Gibbs pleadingly. He was laughing inwardly, Kate knew that much for certain...she could tell by the look on his face. She also knew that she was on her own.

"My dear girl!" Mrs. Mallard said as Kate was dragged into the parlor.

"Yes Mrs. Mallard?" Kate asked with a small smile.

"Men are tricky things. If you want a long and happy marriage you mustn't let him into your bed before the wedding night! And you must only wear Chanel perfume to bed! Keep that boy surprised...but I must warn you Matthew looks as if he could..." Mrs. Mallard said it all with a smile, but she was cut off by her son.

Kate was a bit disappointed. It would have been hilarious to hear Mrs. Mallard finish her sentence.

"Mother!" Ducky scolded sharply as he entered the parlor, with Maggie toddling behind him.

"Mama!" Maggie exclaimed happily when she saw Kate standing next to Mrs. Mallard.

"Young lady! I should have known when you wouldn't let me see your knickers!" Mrs. Mallard scolded, assuming that Maggie belonged to Kate...which she did, but not in the way Mrs. Mallard had assumed.

Mrs. Mallard had demanded to see Kate's underpants the first time the two women had met. Mrs. Mallard had explained that it was a formality to assess Kate's character.

"Where's Gibbs?" Kate asked as she picked up Maggie.

"Boxing with Tyson." Ducky said with a smirk just as Jethro slid by the open doors of the parlor with Tyson behind him, growling loudly.

"Tyson enough! Let Matthew alone!" Mrs. Mallard yelled.

Instantly the dog's low growls stopped, and Jethro proceeded to the Parlor without any interference from Tyson.

"Contessa!" Kate exclaimed with joy as she sat on the flowered sofa.

Contessa was happily curled up in a corner of the sofa.

"Essa!" Maggie repeated happily as she played with Kate's necklace.

"Almost ready?" Jethro asked as he appeared in the parlor.

"Yes." Kate said as she eyed the diaper bag and Pack and Play that were neatly organized in a corner of the parlor.

"Before you leave...we must discuss something." Ducky said as Mrs. Mallard sauntered out of the room, humming an old jazz tune.

"What's going on?" Kate asked suspiciously.

She tried to read Jethro's face for clues, but none appeared.

"Sit." Ducky motioned for Jethro to sit. He crowded in next to Kate and Maggie, not wanting to disturb Contessa.

"It's about Maggie." Ducky said as he heaved a sigh.

"Yes?" Kate asked as she gripped Jethro's hand for comfort.

"I can't help but notice that you two have looked a bit bedraggled lately. Jethro mumbled something about Maggie's restlessness during lunch on Friday. I can tell that she hasn't been putting on much weight, which is odd because you two feed her rather well. She has expanded her vocabulary since she's been with you two, but her motor skills are slightly lacking." Ducky said as his eyes misted over.

"Ducky...what are we doing wrong?" Kate asked with fear, scared that she had been neglectful in some way.

"It's not what you are doing wrong my dear, it's what Maggie's body is failing to do. I observed her last night and into today. I believe she is suffering from sleep apnea. She is waking herself up every time she stops breathing...thankfully. I lost count at fifty such episodes last evening. No wonder why you two are exhausted. Every time she wakes up she catches her breath and gets fussy. Her poor brain and metabolism just can't keep up when she is so tired." Ducky explained.

"Ducky...what can we do?" Jethro was gripping Kate's hand as he asked his best friend for advice.

She had never known Jethro to show fear, but he was terrified. She could see it in his eyes. It was the only emotion they hadn't experienced together.

"I have a friend who is a sleep specialist. I already phoned him. He's cancelled an appearance at a conference tomorrow morning. He wants to see Maggie immediately." Ducky explained.

"Will she be all right?" Kate could barely speak. She practically stuttered her words.

"She will be just fine...with the proper treatment. I have a feeling her swollen adenoids may have something to do with this. I also believe that she has allergies, but was never properly treated." Ducky explained.

"You checked her out when we took custody of her...you and Dr. Rhodes both said she was fine." Kate was pushing Ducky for an explanation.

"Outwardly yes, but some things aren't always noticeable on the surface. Four months ago I would have told you she was fussy because of her new environment. Now, I know better." Ducky said as he eyed Maggie.

"Thanks Duck." Jethro said as he squeezed Kate's hand again.

He was telling her to back off without saying a word. Ducky had done them a huge favor. He had possibly saved Maggie's life.

"We're going to head out." Kate said as she stood up holding Maggie tightly, as if it would keep any harm from finding the young child.

"Thanks so much for taking her, and calling your friend for us." Kate added as she kissed Ducky's cheek.

Ducky and Jethro said their good-byes and just as Kate had strapped Maggie into her car seat she was assaulted by the sound of Mrs. Mallard screaming her name.

"Kate!" The old woman yelled as she ran towards the car.

"Yes Mrs. Mallard?" Kate asked politely unsure of what the woman would have to say.

"You'll be needing this." She said with a grin as she handed Kate a small gift bag.

Mrs. Mallard hugged Kate and headed back into the house. Kate got in the car and stared at Jethro blankly.

"What is it?" He finally asked.

Kate opened the bag and looked inside. She laughed hysterically and pulled out the contents to show Jethro...it was a bottle of Chanel Perfume.