Chap. 7

The Annual Ball at the White House was now two hours away, and Jen was desperately trying to get her dress to stay out instead of clinging to her bulge. Her maid had been helping her, finally asked Jen to take of the dress again, because all her fiddling with the material had made the fabric static and that was the reason for the clinging. Standing in her bedroom in nothing but her underwear and in front of a mirror. She couldn't help but turn to the side and look at her growing form in the reflection. A small hand ran over the bump, and rested just below it. Standing like this really made her see how much she was actually showing.

Noemi returned with her dress and helped her slip it over her head without messing up her hair. When Noemi had zipped up the beautiful deep purple flowing dress, she looked Jen over and nodded satisfied and then the door bell rang.

"Noemi that is hopefully agent Gibbs, please just lead him into the lounge I will be right down!" Jen said and sat down at her vanity to fix the last of her makeup.

"Si Senora, you sure you ok?" Noemi had several times during the last two week asked Jen that same question whenever she was leaving the room, Jen nodded her answer and turned back to the mirror and started applying the last of her make up.

A few minutes later Gibbs was still standing by her front door, waiting for her do descent the stairs, even though Noemi had insisted several times that Jen had asked her to have him wait in the lounge. He looked up at the top of the stairs as he noticed movement, and he felt his jaw hit his chest as he noticed Jen moving slowly down the staircase, a smile spread over her lips as she reached him at the bottom step.

"Close your mouth Jethro it is getting drafty in here! But thank you for the compliment!" she reached our to him with the carnation in her hand, pinning is to the lapel of his tuxedo jacket. Then quickly turned to reach out for her purse and looked into it making sure she had everything with her.

"Uhm….your welcome!" He quickly looked down at his shoes, adjusting his bow tie and checking the carnation on his jacket smiling at the thought of how her hands had been shaking while pinning the flower to his tux, and how much he had wanted to take those small shaking hands into his own squeezing them slightly out of love.

"Well I have everything, and it's time, are you ready to leave?" she didn't look up at him as she spoke.

"Yes, yeah I'm ready!" He placed a hand on the small of her back, and began guiding her towards the door.

"Noemi, I wont be back until late this evening, so no need for you to come here in the morning, if you will just have my bed made and all the cloths I've thrown around up there out of the way I will be more than satisfied. And thank you for all your help this evening!" she indicated to her curly hairdo, and smiled. "Oh and enjoy your day off tomorrow, and please take the day off and don't stay around to make me lunch and such!" she smiled even more.

"Gracias Senora, I try yes!" the young woman bowed and closed the door after her employer.

Stanley opened the door for them and Gibbs help Jen get into the car and followed her. They both settled into the soft leather seats and prepared themselves for a 45 minute drive. After a few miles, Jen looked out the window but started small talking.

"How's your paperwork going so far?"

"Slow, but the stack is slowly getting smaller!"

"Well that's always good, wish I could say the same. But then again I don't do paperwork like you, and just sign the case report because I know and like the agent."

"Oh Cynthia has be telling on me!"

"Oh yes."

The small talk continued for a good amount of time, then they both fell silent, Jenny returned to looking out the window, and Gibbs started studying his hands. Her worry about them as parents suddenly overwhelmed her, and she felt tears pressing to fall. Why was she so worried, he was better with children than anyone. Maybe it was his girlfriend she was worried about. Would she be able to look at another woman caring for her child? Would she be able to handle watching the man she knew she loved, with another woman having fun with her and Jethro's child? And what would Secnav say when he found out who the father was, when he asked she had told him that in given time she would tell him. What if he asked tonight? What if Jethro told him? Oh that wouldn't be a problem her work hadn't suffered, and neither had the agency. But it still worried her.

Her thoughts was completely occupied that she forgot all about her company in the car. And when the reason for ruining her figure decided to make himself noticed and started moving, she placed a hand on top of the child, and moved it around in small soothing circles, she jumped slightly when she was brought back to reality.

"You look beautiful Jen!" Jethro's soft masculine voice said, and her wide shocked eyes meet his soft look.

"Oh God Jethro I forgot for a minute that I wasn't alone back here, I'm sorry. I didn't want to make you uncomfortable!" She looked down at her hand, that was still receiving small kicks.

"Oh you are not making me uncomfortable, quite the opposite actually. Is he moving a lot?" He questioned.

"Every day, and especially around this time!"

"Do you mind?" He asked hesitantly, as he moved closer to her and indicated towards her belly.

"Uhm no, I don't mind." She removed her own hand and made room for him to feel.

"You sure, I don't want to pressure you!" the worry was shown in his voice.

"Jethro I am sure!" She grabbed his hand and placed it on top of the movement. He froze but the smile that spread wide on his face told a story of amazement, in stead of fright. When the movement under his hand suddenly stopped, and his facial expression looked like a mixture of disappointment and worry, she looked at him and pointed downwards, he moved his hand in the direction she pointed and seconds later the smile was back.

"He's teasing!" he whispered.

"I know, or maybe he is trying to say something!"

He looked her in the eyes starting another wordless conversation they both knew so well. They could and did tell each other everything they couldn't put into words in these conversations. He then moved his eyes down to his hand. "No Jen I still haven't told her, mostly because it doesn't concern her and…" he was cut of by her at she brushed of his hand.

"Doesn't concern her? Yes it very much concerns her, unless you are planning on not wanting to see him when he is born. I know we haven't spoken about this fact that we are indeed expecting a child, and I know it will be a difficult task to explain to your girlfriend that you have an ex who is pregnant. But I also expect her to take care of him when ever he will be with you, so it does concern her. When are you…." This time he interrupted her.

"Jen, I am trying to find a smooth and none physical way of breaking things off with Karen. I am really sorry if it hurt you seeing her as much as you have. But this hasn't been easy for me either. One day we where cozy and back at being friends who read each other like open books, next we have an amazing night together, then we slide apart and to top it of you tell me you are pregnant. I didn't know how to handle it. I am even still trying to figure it out, but don't forget this – I can't wait to see this little guy!" he looked her deep in the eyes and placed his hand back on her stomach. She kept starring at him, the smile that graced her lips slowly rising to also reach her eyes.

Their joint smiling was interrupted by Stanley's voice "We will arrive in 4 minutes Ma'am."

"Thank you Stanley!" Jen said and grabbed her purse noticing that Gibbs's hand was still resting on her. "Are you glued stuck or?" she tried to get back into director mood, but it didn't work.

"Something like it!"

"Well you should know that Secnav knows I'm pregnant but not with who, so unless you want to jeopardize your job I suggest you keep it very low key that you are at fault for my lack of interest in any or all offers." His hand slowly left her bump and grabbed her free hand and brought it up to his lips.

"You still look beautiful!"