Author's Note:

Thank you for all the reviews... I loved them!

And APOLOGISES for the delay in updating.... Real Life just keeps getting crazy.

An update on the writing competition – I didn't win... but that's ok.... I read the winning entry and judged that my style is maybe too intense... But I like my style and you guys do too.... so there must be a market out there for my work....

Now I have a Question: Should I change the rating on this story? Or is the warning in the Author's note at the beginning of the chapter sufficient? Need your opinion before I type the next the Adult scene.

Here's the next chapter ... Enjoy and Review soon please. Thanks....

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The next morning Ziva's cramps got worse. The scan revealed that about a third of the follicles from the previous day had ruptured. Gibbs wished he could ease her pain, but other than keeping her on an hourly routine of orgasms, he didn't know what to do. He told her to stay at home, but she refused. She needed to be occupied, busy, focussed on something, even mundane paperwork, else she would think of nothing but making a baby. And that agitate her and that's the last thing she needed.

As they stepped into the bullpen, everyone, Tony, McGee, Abby, Ducky and Jenny jumped apart.

"What?" Gibbs demanded.

"Nothing, Jethro." Jenny slipped into Director mode.

"Are you okay, Ziva?" McGee asked.

Ziva sat down slowly and replied, "Yes, just a bit ... uncomfortable."

"Boss, you didn't overdo..." Tony was cut short by the head slap Abby gave him.

"Ah, I remember a time in Munich, when I was dating this rather attractive Obstetrician. She explained how the growing follicles...."

"Ducky, this is not the time." Jenny said when Gibbs glared and Ziva grimaced.

"Quiet right, Madam Director." Ducky said. "Ziva, I suggest you go home and rest. It is likely to get worse before it gets better."

"No thanks. I'd rather be here. I just need a few minutes." Ziva said.

Gibbs shook his head, his heart warring with his head but he said nothing.

"Ok," Jenny replied. "Ziva, at about noon, I want you to join me. You will be attending a White House brunch on Sunday and we need to get you an appropriate dress for the occasion."

"I don't think so." Gibbs interjected.

"Excuse me," Jenny turned on Gibbs. "Was I speaking to you?"

"Jethro..." Ziva sighed. "I'll be fine by Sunday."

Gibbs glared from Jenny to Ziva.

"Fine, I'll join you." Gibbs said.

McGee gasped, "Boss!"

Tony continued, "You don't really want to go dress shopping, Gibbs! It will drive you insane!"

"No he doesn't. I'll go with them, Gibbs." Abby quickly said. "And if Ziva feels unwell, I'll take her straight home and stay with her until you get there."

"Ziva?" Gibbs turned to her.

"I'll be fine." Ziva said. "It will ... occupy me."

Her eyes said more than her words did. She was feeling vulnerable. Hell, she'd spent the morning crying in his arms. Hormones! Damn it. This had to work! Their baby had to be conceived within the next few days!

"Ok." Gibbs said. The sigh of relief that washed through the room didn't go unnoticed by him.

What are you all up to? He wondered as he stepped up to Jenny and whispered loud enough for all to hear "Don't upset her."

Jenny met his eyes but said nothing. Time stood still for a second. Then Gibbs headed for the elevator, stating something about needing coffee.

"Sorry Jenny, he's a bit over protective." Ziva blushed.

"As he should be." Ducky chirped. "Now like I was saying, maybe you should lie down for a bit."

"Come down to the lab. I'll roll out the futon for you." Abby said.

"I'm fine. Can we just get back to work?" Ziva said. "Please."

"Ziva's right." Jenny said. "We leave at 12:30pm if you're feeling ok."

"I will be." Ziva said.

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Gibbs' gut told him something was up. Tony and McGee seemed to be heading to the men's room too many times... together. They kept looking from each other to Ziva and him. They were nervous and Tony was stumbling over his words.

"So Ziva, you ever been to the Caribbean?" Tony asked.

"No. Would love to go some day." She replied.

McGee smirked as did Tony at that answer.

"What about you, Boss?"

"You planning on selling holiday packages now, DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked.

"Jethro..." Ziva admonished.

Gibbs looked at her and sighed, "Been there on official business."

"Of course." Tony said. "But a vacation could be fun, right."

Ziva looked at Gibbs, smiled and waited for him to answer.

"Anything with the right person at you side can be fun DiNozzo." Gibbs replied and Ziva blushed.

God he loved it when she blushed... She must have seen the effect she was having on him because her blush deepened. He smirked, his eyes hinting at what would happen late that night in their bed.

Tony cleared his throat, stood up and headed for the men's room. McGee stood up and headed in the same direction.

Yep, they were definitely up to something.

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At Madame Perriote's Boutique, Jenny was afforded a dressing and viewing room. She went through the motions of trying on various dresses as did Ziva.

"These are a bit over the top, Jenny." Ziva said.

"Nonsense. This is for a White House function. Your look needs to fit in."

"But these are ball gowns. Didn't you say we were going for brunch?" Ziva said turning on her toes as she looked at herself in the mirror.

The gown was exquisite. Ivory with orange and silver detail, off the shoulder sleeves, a deep V at her back, a delicate V at her neck, trimmed with tiny orange and silver roses, that revealed the gentle swells of her cleavage, a nice tight fit on the waist from which it flared over her hips and fell in what looked like gentle waves to the ground. The silver blinked and sparkled giving the image of rose petals floating on shimmering water in the moonlight.

"Brunch, lunch, dinner... all require elegance, grace and sophistication. The brunch is in honour of the First Lady's new project to empower women from all walks of life." Jenny said. Abby gave her the thumbs up sign and Ziva caught it in the mirror.

What are you two up to? She wondered.

"Well I think this is too gaudy for me." Ziva said, heading back into the fitting room to try on another dress.

"Oh, that one was perfect." Abby said to Jenny.

"I agree."

"But how do we convince Ziva."

"Leave it to me." Jenny said as Ziva stepped out in a sapphire blue, slim line, mid calf, sequined dress. Pretty... yes, but not at all suitable for the occasion of one's wedding.

"I like this one." Ziva said.

"I don't." Jenny said turning to Madame Perriote. "Please have the Ivory with silver trim and the red with gold pressed and delivered to my home on Saturday morning. Please match jewellery, hand bags and shoes to them. I trust your judgement."

"But, I don't like ..." Ziva said.

"Time to leave, Ziva." Jenny said. "I don't want Jethro sending out a search party. His convinced I'm going to hurt you or something."

"He's just stressed." Ziva said.

"Why? Did the Doctor say something to worry you?" Abby asked.

"Abby!"

"Sorry." Abby said. "It's just that we love you guys and we worry about you."

"I know. Everything is fine. I'm just over emotional." Ziva said.

"That's understandable." Jenny said. "I think we'll drop you off at home so you can relax a bit. It's almost 3pm anyway."

"Okay. Thanks." Ziva said. She was in pain, yes. But she wanted to make up for the crying bout from the morning. She wanted to give back to Gibbs some of what he had given to her. As she changed back into her clothes she smiled. She had a very special evening planned for them and getting home before him would help her get things started.

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Gibbs walked into autopsy and caught Tony, McGee, Ducky and Abby together.

"That looks good." He said noting the 3 sample cakes on the autopsy table.

"It tastes good too." Abby said, taking a bite.

"It's for the lunch you will be attending at my place on Sunday, Jethro." Ducky said.

"Sunday lunch, Ducky?" Gibbs raised an eyebrow.

"Oh dear, did I forget to tell you." Ducky looked chagrined. "Its mother's 85th birthday and I've invited a few friends over to celebrate. And you're one of my closest friends. You must be there."

"Uh huh." Gibbs smirked. "Of course I'll be there."

Gibbs stepped forward and took a bite of one of the cakes as he noticed the smiles of his team members faces.

"Do you like that one?" Abby asked.

"Uh huh. But I would go for the chocolate sponge with vanilla icing."

"Why?" Tony asked.

"Because that's Ziva's favourite and, for the bouquet orange roses with white calla lilies. Ziva loves calla lilies and orange suits her. Besides the dress Jenny's hiring for Sunday is Ivory with silver and orange from what Ziva told me."

"Oh dear!" Ducky gasped.

Tony's jaw dropped open.

Abby clapped a hand over her mouth and McGee gasped, "Oh boy!"

"Abby, she will be thrilled to have you as her matron of honour."

"Oh Gibbs!" Abby gasped.

"And Ducky, as her father is not here, will you to her the honour of giving her away."

"The honour will be mine, my friend." Ducky said his voice soft with emotion.

"He knows...everything! I told you he knew." Tony stated, throwing his hands up in the air.

"But how?" McGee asked.

"He's Gibbs. He just knows." Abby said.

"Ah, why aren't we dead yet?" Tony questioned.

"Because I need you, DiNozzo. You and McGee will stand in as my best men."

"Boss... Wow. Of course we'll be there for you." Tony stated. McGee nodded his head in agreement.

Abby had tears in her eyes as she hugged Gibbs. "You're not mad at us."

"I'm not mad Abby." Gibbs said. Then he looked around the room. "I'm grateful. I know you all have spent something on putting this together, but I'll pay for the rings and I expect copies of all the bills so I can pay you back."

Abby cried now and Tony and McGee swallowed, trying to hide how much Gibbs' gratitude meant to them.

"Jethro." Ducky tapped him on the back. "We just want you two to be happy."

"We will be. And remember, not a word of this to Ziva." Gibbs warned, surprising them.

"You are not going to tell her?" Ducky said.

"No." Gibbs said, as he left autopsy.

Don't want to give her a chance to think too much and change her mind.

I love her too much and I want her too much...

Whether we have a child or not... I'm never letting her go...

Never...

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Author's Note :

That's it for this chapter.

The next sees Ziva take the lead in the bedroom.

The wedding date draws nearer...

Will Ziva give in when the moment arrives?

Stay tuned to find out..... And review ASAP.... thanks!