Rachel raced through her getting ready routine and jumped in her car a scant ten minutes after she hung up the phone. It was an eighteen minute drive to the mall, she should get there just on time. But Rachel didn't count on stop lights and people who couldn't read speed limit signs. Still, it was barely twenty-one minutes after leaving her apartment that she pulled into the parking lot at the mall and began looking for an open spot.

She spied one three spaces over from a black Chrysler that had just driven in. After a double-take, she recognized the redhead in the driver's seat. Quick as she could Rachel parked, grabbed her purse and jumped out, locking the doors with the remote as she sprinted towards the mall entrance.

Jenny heard footsteps and looked over her shoulder to see her best friend running behind her. Normally too professional to do anything of the sort, Jenny started to hurry. But her heels were no match for Rachel's running shoes, and the women reached the doors at almost exactly the same time.

"Tie!" Rachel shouted triumphantly as her hand made contact with the door.

Jenny rolled her eyes and smiled before greeting her friend with a hug. "You are such a child!"

Rachel held the door open. "Says the woman who made a bet with me and wagered ice cream," she retorted with a smile. "Guess we're buying our own cones this time?"

Nodding in agreement, Jenny pulled open the second door and they entered the warm building together.

Rachel unzipped her coat and pulled her rainbow striped hat off, ruffling her dark hair to disguise the hat head. "So, lingerie shopping, huh? Does this have anything to do with Jethro's Christmas present?"

Jenny's eyes widened. "Nosy much?"

Rachel shrugged innocently. "Always. And when I can make you blush that easily, I know something is up." Then, switching gears completely, she leaned down and patted Jenny's stomach gently. "Hi little bug."

Embarrassed but knowing she should not be surprised by her best friend's actions any more, Jenny started walking. "Seriously Rach, will you ever grow up?"

Trying not to take Jenny seriously, Rachel smiled. "Probably not. This way is so much more fun." She glanced at the mall directory. "Which way Jen?"

Just then the cacophony of smells emanating from the food court assailed Jenny's nostrils. Her stomach rolled and Jenny put one hand over her mouth. Another second and it was clear the nausea was not a warning. Without a word she took off running in the direction of the bathrooms and Rachel followed, a concerned look on her face.

She was waiting with a damp, folded paper towel and a piece of gum when Jenny emerged from the third stall, looking pale but otherwise okay. She rinsed her mouth with a bottle of water from her purse, and gratefully accepted Rachel's contributions.

"I'm going to have to start carrying a toothbrush and tube of toothpaste around with me," she lamented.

Rachel rubbed her friend's back sympathetically. "Does it happen like that a lot? Just out of the blue?"

"Sometimes," Jenny admitted. "This time it was the food court smells. Yesterday there was no trigger, just getting out of bed was enough. And Thursday I got sick right after supper." She shrugged. "I've given up trying to figure it out. But hopefully this phase passes soon. I'm definitely sick of this part."

"No pun intended," Rachel said, giggling when Jenny glared at her. "Sorry, couldn't help myself."

"Try," Jenny suggested firmly.

The two ladies quickly walked away from the food court and picked a hallway that looked promising. About halfway down was Jenny's favourite lingerie store. She sighed. "I guess I can't put it off any longer."

Rachel looked at her curiously. "Not pleasure shopping today Jen?"

Jenny frowned. "One of the side effects of pregnancy is, umm..." she tried to word it delicately, "...needing bigger bras," she finished lamely, seeing no way around stating the obvious.

Rachel made a great effort to stifle her laughter and school her features into an appropriate serious expression. "I see. And that's a problem?"

"Not for my husband," Jenny rolled her eyes, ignoring Rachel's look that clearly said this was too much information. "But it's uncomfortable half the time and it's annoying me."

A saleslady walked up to them. "Good afternoon ladies," she said with a smile. "What can I help you with today?"

"We need a Christmas present for her husband," Rachel answered, keeping a straight face even as Jenny glared at the side of her head. "And she's pregnant," the dark-haired woman added gleefully, "so maybe a couple new bras, but nothing boring," she declared vehemently.

"Rach," Jenny said in a low voice and the woman knew she'd be paying for that stunt later.

The saleslady, Veronica, looked back and forth between them uncertainly. "I see. Well, let's start with the bras and go from there, okay?" She'd seen the look on Jenny's face when Rachel mentioned the husband.

Eying Jenny critically, Veronica gauged her size and picked several bras in different colours, styles, and sizes before guiding both women back to the changerooms. Without asking anyone's opinion, Rachel chose the largest room and leaned against the back wall. Jenny lifted one eyebrow and Rachel shrugged.

"I'll close my eyes until you're ready for an opinion." She smirked. "It's not like I've never seen you change before."

Jenny had to admit that Rachel had a point. Being roommates meant that they'd gotten over being self-conscious around each other a long time ago. She forgot about the differences her friend would see until she'd already stripped off her shirt. Rachel's intake of breath told Jenny that she'd noticed. Her mouth opened then snapped closed again as she tried to decide what to say.

Oblivious to any issues, Veronica handed Jenny the bras and smiled. "Just call when you're ready and we'll see how everything fits."

Jenny nodded vaguely, still wondering what Rachel was going to say, if anything. She watched her friend's facial expression but Rachel was still trying to find a way to address the subject without sounding nagging or judgmental. Finally she made an observation.

"You've lost weight." It wouldn't've been as obvious if Jenny hadn't been so skinny to begin with.

Jenny sighed. "Most of it is from the first month or so after the kidnapping." She put her hand over her stomach. "But the morning sickness isn't helping and I'm pretty sure my doctor is going to kill me when she weighs me at my next appointment." She shrugged. "I don't know if Jethro has noticed and just isn't saying anything or what."

Rachel bit her lip and she absently slid two fingers into her shirt sleeve, feeling the faint scars there. "Don't make me worry about you Jen," she said softly.

With a sad look on her face Jenny reached out to give her friend a hug. "I'll try not to Rach. I've already promised the baby, I'm going to take care of myself. But I can't do anything about the morning sickness."

Rachel laid her hand on Jenny's arm. "I believe you. But that doesn't mean I won't be checking up on you."

Jenny smiled. "I wouldn't expect anything less from my best friend."

The women smiled and then Rachel squeezed her eyes closed. "Okay Red, let's get this over with. Try the teal one first."

"Rach..." Jenny whined, "reviving college nicknames, really?"

Rachel peeked one eye open. "What? That's what all the guys called you and you never seemed to mind."

"Well I didn't think it was going to come back to haunt me eighteen years later. That really is unfair."

"But it's fun," Rachel grinned.

"We'll see about that," Jenny muttered. "But I remember things from college too Pollyanna, this goes both ways."

Rachel shrugged. "Well, there are worse nicknames, I guess." She closed her eyes again. "Hurry up. I want to get to the fun part where we start looking for Jethro's present."

Jenny shook her head. This was hopeless. "What makes you think we're getting it here?"

"Because Christmas is only three days away and you're not showing yet and you look great in anything. I'm sure he'll appreciate it." She made a face. "Why? Can you think of something better?"

Truthfully, in all the chaos of the past few weeks and the past couple of months before that, Jenny had mostly forgotten about Christmas and presents and planning. But Rachel had a point. Jethro would enjoy anything she bought at this store for Christmas, especially if he got to take it off.

She sighed. It would just be nicer if she actually felt like shopping for sexy lingerie. She didn't look pregnant yet, but she felt different and not in a way that made her want to show off her body. But she had three days yet, maybe she'd feel more up to it by Christmas morning.

"No," Jenny conceded, "I guess not. Okay, teal one first, here goes."

Unhooking the clasp on her own bra, Jenny set it aside and slid on the silky smooth one Rachel liked best. It fit much better and the relief at not being stuffed into the wrong size made Jenny smile. She adjusted the straps and then called for Veronica, who was waiting just outside the changing area. The saleslady came into the changeroom and Rachel opened her eyes and both ladies gave Jenny an opinion.

"The colour looks great on you Jen," Rachel smiled.

Veronica fitted two fingers under the straps and the band that went around Jenny's torso. "This one is definitely a good size for you now." She glanced at Jenny's stomach. "May I ask how far along you are?"

Jenny smiled. "Twelve weeks." She loved being able to announce that, even if no one could tell. It was this feeling of pride within her that made her want to share the news with anyone and everyone. But she'd have to save her enthusiasm for Christmas day with the team.

"Okay," Veronica nodded. "So this should be good for a bit. But odds are you'll go up at least one more size, maybe even two over the next month."

Jenny's mouth fell open. "I'm going to get bigger?"

Veronica bit her lip. "I'm afraid so. The first six or so weeks after you find out are when the change is the most visible." She shrugged when the two women looked at her, wondering how she knew that information. She didn't look old enough to be a mom. "A lot of my friends have kids, I've seen what happens to women's bodies during pregnancy."

She checked the other bras Jenny had still to try on. "Let me see if I can find you some..." she paused, looking for the right word, "...more appealing ones in that size. Just because you're growing doesn't mean you can't wear something that will still make you feel sexy." The saleslady excused herself and Jenny tried on three more of the bras before Veronica came back.

"The next size up feels a little roomy," Jenny reported when the saleslady asked.

Veronica nodded. "That's good, that's what you want. And I would suggest even buying just one of the third size. If you don't wear it you have a month in which you can return it, but if you need it," she shrugged, "you'll be grateful that you have it."

Jenny sighed. "Alright then." She picked five new bras total, a few of which she was absolutely certain her husband would enjoy. "Do you have the matching underwear for these? I may as well buy the sets."

"Of course," Veronica smiled. "I'll set those aside for you."

Back out on the floor Jenny fingered a pair of black, lacy, boyshort style underwear with pink edging. "And maybe I'll get a pair of these in the next size. Then I'll have something that's still nice when the time comes that I can't wear my normal underwear anymore."

Rachel eyed the panties warily. "Lace Jen? Really?"

Jenny laughed. "I forgot you have a lace phobia Rach. That still a problem?"

The brunette frowned. "It makes me itch."

"Or you just don't like dressing up. It was like pulling teeth to get you all done up fancy for our first year formal."

"What can I say?" she shrugged. "I'm a comfy clothes girl. Dresses," Rachel shuddered, "they're just not my style."

"One of these days Rach..." Jenny said under her breath, but Veronica came back before Rachel could worry about what her friend was planning.

"Okay," the saleslady smiled brightly, "shall we check out your Christmas present options now?"

Jenny smiled and shrugged. "Why not?" It was definitely going to be a holiday to remember.

NCIS

"Have some more water Jen," Rachel said, handing the clear bottle to her friend and setting a white bag on the bench they'd commandeered while they took a break from shopping. She'd been elected to get them something to eat in case the food court smells drove Jenny back to the restroom.

Jenny rolled her eyes. "Are you trying to make me have to go to the bathroom every five minutes? This is the third bottle you've given me today. Are you on some sort of water kick right now?"

Rachel shrugged. "It's supposed to be good for you."

Shaking her head, Jenny smiled. "Okay, whatever. What did you get?"

Pulling things out of the bag, Rachel set up a display. "Salad for me, fresh cut veggies for you." She noticed Jenny's look. "What? I didn't have lunch. Wasn't like you have me a lot of notice for this shopping trip."

"Vegetables?" Jenny said, picking up the container and pulling off the lid.

"It's not like they're poisonous Jen," Rachel huffed. "And I didn't figure you'd want much to eat if you weren't feeling that great."

Jenny waved her hand. "I'm fine now. But thanks. And I'm not the one who has a vegetable problem. You should see Jethro's face whenever I put them in salad. I swear that man would live off steak and coffee if there wasn't someone around to make him eat regular meals."

Rachel bumped her friend's shoulder. "That's what he has you for, right?"

Jenny smiled and the two ladies sat in silence for awhile as Rachel worked on her salad and Jenny took small bites of the baby carrots, celery, and cucumber slices in her to-go container. Soon enough they were ready to get back on the shopping wagon.

"Do you want to split up for a bit?" Jenny asked. "Meet back here in say, forty-five minutes?"

Rachel's eyes sparkled. "Tired of my company already Jen?"

"Well I can't exactly buy your Christmas present while you're with me, now can I?" Jenny pointed out.

"I do like surprises better," Rachel agreed. "Wait, are you saying my present is somewhere in this mall?"

Jenny shrugged. "That's what I'm going to find out, I guess."

"Alright then, let's," Rachel agreed.

The women parted company and spent the next half hour working their way through the stores in the mall, looking for just the right presents for certain people on their list. Finally they returned to the bench where they'd eaten their snack and grinned at the various bags each carried.

"Looks like you found some treasures," Rachel observed, glancing curiously at the store names on the bags.

Jenny began carefully putting all the smaller bag in her one bigger bag from the lingerie store so she only had to carry one and it would be harder for Rachel to snoop. "I did find some rather interesting things." She eyed Rachel's collection of bags. "And you?"

Rachel grinned. "I always love it when I find the perfect present for someone," she said mysteriously. "So, Baskin-Robbins before we go?"

Jenny contemplated what should've been a no-brainer question. "I'm thinking frozen yogurt," she said at last. "With raspberries. Lots and lots of raspberries."

Rachel looked at her suspiciously. "Jen, you hate raspberries."

"Since when?" Jenny asked, now imagining her very pink frozen yogurt cone.

"Umm...since I've known you. Something about eating one with a bug in it when you were six. Is this ringing any bells?"

Jenny shrugged as if it was of no consequence. "These berries are frozen Rach. It will be fine. Can we?"

Rachel sighed. "This is one of those cravings things, isn't it?" But she gave up trying to figure it out. "Alright, frozen yogurt it is. But if you suddenly realize halfway through eating yours that you do in fact hate raspberries, don't say I didn't warn you."

Jenny was already making a bee-line for the stand in the center aisle. She could taste her dessert already. Rachel followed, shaking her head. This pregnancy thing was already affecting her friend's behaviour and it would be interesting to see what would happen next.