A/N: Here's your next chapter and I gotta say that this has to be my favorite chapter so far and I really enjoyed writing it. As always enjoy and please review! More to come soon!

Chapter 6

After a very enjoyable week of vacation, Jack and Audrey had returned to work at DOD. It was now three weeks after the nerve gas threat and both had once again settled into their respective jobs.

Walking out of the restroom one day at work, Audrey met up with her father. Noticing that she was a little pale Heller asked, "Hey, are you alright? You look pale."

In truth, Audrey had been feeling nauseous quite often at work, but had said nothing to Jack or her father.

"Yeah Dad. I'm fine. Just a little nauseous, that's all," she said, hoping to convince him.

"You're sure?"

"Really, I'm ok."

"Alright, I just wanted to make sure," Heller replied, smiling at his daughter and entering his office as Audrey headed in the direction of the parking garage so she could run some errands over her lunch break.

A hour later, Audrey sat in her office staring down at the pregnancy test in her hands; the one that read positive. Seeing the result, a small smile crept across her face. She had always wanted to be a mother, and now seemed like the perfect time. Her and Jack were finally putting their lives back together and now they really had the chance to become a family and have the life they always wanted. She knew that Jack had wanted to be a father again and hoped that he would be pleased when she told him.

Later that afternoon, just before closing time, Heller was in his office working on some reports when he heard a knock at the door.

"Come in."

Opening the door, Jack entered the Secretary's office, then turned and closed the door behind him.

"Jack," Heller began, "what can I do for you?"

"Actually, sir, I'd like to talk to you about a personal matter," Jack replied.

"What is it?" Heller inquired.

Taking a deep breath, Jack said, "Well, sir, I'd like your permission to ask Audrey to marry me."

There, he had said it. Chasing down terrorists was a walk in the park compared to having to ask Heller, who was not only his girlfriend's father, but his boss, that question. If he was that nervous asking Heller, boy, was he in for it when he had to ask Audrey.

A little shocked at Jack's request, Heller replied, "You're both adults, Jack, you don't need my permission," he paused as a smile spread across his face, "but you do have my blessing. Congratulations, son."

Surprised by Heller's reply, expecting him to be less than open-minded at his request, Jack simply said, "Thank you, sir."

"You deserve it, Jack. I have no doubt that you'll make Audrey very happy," Heller responded.

Standing up, Jack shook Heller's hand and left the office in search of Audrey. Jack approached Audrey's office door and knocked as he poked his head in.

"Hey," he greeted her as she looked up from the paper she was reading.

"Hey," she replied back.

"Are you ready to head home?"

"Actually, I still have a few reports to finish up. Why don't you take off and I'll meet you back there?" she suggested.

"That actually works out well, because there a few errands I wanted to run on the way home," he lied, hoping she'd buy it.

"Ok, I should be home in about an hour."

"Ok," he replied walking over to her desk and kissing her on the lips, "I love you."

"I love you too. I'll see you soon," she said as Jack walked out of the office and headed towards the parking garage to get his car.

A half hour later, Jack opened the door to their house and went inside, throwing his jacket on the hook as he closed the door. Looking down at his watch, it read 5:32.

Ok that gives me a little under 30 minutes before Audrey gets home, he thought as he set to work, preparing his surprise.

On her drive home, all that was running through Audrey's mind were thoughts of how to tell Jack that they were having a baby. She soon arrived home and parked her car next to Jack's before heading up the stairs to the door. As she entered the house, she noticed that all of the lights were off, except for a faint glow coming from the living room.

As she walked in that direction she called out, "Jack?"

Entering the room, she gasped when she saw a bunch of candles burning brightly, illuminating the room with their soft glow. When she was far enough into the room, Jack stepped out behind her, and said "Surprise," causing her to turn and face him.

"Oh Jack, it's beautiful. But what's the occasion?" she asked, wondering what could make him go to all this trouble.

"Come here," he said as he took her hand and guided her towards the big armchair where she sat down. Taking both of her hands in his, he knelt down in front of her and looked into her eyes.

All the nervousness he had felt while preparing this, disappeared instantly when he gazed into her eyes. As Audrey realized what he was doing, a tear slid down her cheek as a smile spread across her face.

Seeing this gave Jack all the encouragement he needed as he began, "Audrey, you've been the love of my life for almost two and a half years. You gave me a reason to live and healed my heart. We've been through hell and back together and I can't imagine spending the rest of my life without you. Audrey Raines," he said, reaching into his pocket to pull out a small velvet box, which he opened to reveal a beautiful diamond ring, "Will you marry me?"

At this point Audrey was crying even harder, but still managed to smile as she looked down at the love of her life and said, "Yes."

Smiling back at her, he removed the ring from the box and slid it onto her finger. He then stood up and kissed her soundly, running his hands through her hair. Pulling back from the kiss Audrey said, "You have perfect timing, you know that."

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

"I just found out this morning, I was gonna tell you tonight," she said, seeing his questioning look, she continued, "I'm pregnant."

"Pregnant? As in I'm gonna be a father again?" he asked with a bewildered look on his face.

"Yes, you're not upset are you?" she asked hesitantly.

"Upset? Are you kidding? We're gonna have a baby. I couldn't be happier, sweetheart," he replied looking into her eyes as he leaned down to kiss her again.

"How do you feel about this?" he asked as they broke for air.

"I'm ecstatic. I've always wanted to have a family but never really had the time. Now I'm having a baby with the love of my life and we're getting married. I couldn't be happier, Jack."

Jack just smiled at her as he pulled her in for another passionate kiss. They continued like that for what seemed like an eternity until the need for oxygen became too great.

Pulling back, Jack looked into his fiance's eyes and whispered, "I love you Audrey."

Smiling up him, she replied, "I love you too, Jack," as she pulled him in for another kiss.