Kate had been out of work for three weeks, and in a little over a week, the baby was due. With Tony at work and out of her hair everyday, she'd had time to straighten up the nursery just the way that she wanted it. The two of them were still living in her apartment, of course now it was 'theirs', and they'd transformed the guestroom into the baby's room. She loved it, because along with the traditional pink for a girls room, it was also painted a pastel green. Other than that, the room was simple. Of course there were a few cutesy things here and there, Tony didn't want it extremely girly. "Just in case," he'd said. They'd argued and he surprisingly won, partly because he had a point.

Smiling to herself, Kate sat down on the couch and rested her hands on her swollen stomach. Every now and then, the baby would get on a kicking spree, causing Kate to sit and take a breather and Tony to swear up and down that she would be an athlete. Laughing, her mind traveled back to the first time she'd felt a kick.

"Oww," Kate said quietly, sitting in the chair with her hand pressed on her belly.

"Are you okay? What's wrong? Is the baby okay?" Tony said frantically, coming out of the bedroom. Apparently she'd been louder than she'd thought.

"Yeah," she said with a pain in her voice. "The baby just kicked. It was unexpected, that's all."

"Kicked?"

"Uh huh. You wanna feel?"

Tony grinned from ear to ear as he sat on the arm of the chair with his hand on Kate's stomach. She moved it a few times until he could fell the kicks just right.

"Does it hurt?" he questioned.

"Not really. The first one was a bit of a surprise, but it is not too bad. Just a little uncomfortable at times," Kate explained.

The baby kicked again and Tony smiled. "Yep, she's a kicker. Just like her mother," he laughed.

"She?" Kate said. Tony had known the sex of the baby while she preferred to remain ignorant on the subject.

"I mean he... she... it... him?"

"It's okay," Kate replied. "I think that maybe a small part of me wanted to know." She smiled and kissed his cheek. "So we're having a girl." It came out as more of a statement than a question.

"We're having a girl."

"Hey Ton..." McGee paused. "Are you okay?" he asked, genuinely concerned.

"What do you think Probie?" Toyn replied. "Kate is home, by herself and she is only a week from her due date. What if she goes into labor while I am here at work? Then what... she calls and I hurry home, find out I'm too late and then I deliver the baby myself." Tony was over-exaggerating, but he didn't give McGee a chance to get a word in. He'd been freaking out all day. "I'm just worried," he said, calming down.

"It's okay Tony. She's okay," Abby reassured him, walking toward him with her things. "It's almost seven thirty. You can go home, lay down with Kate and everything will be fine. I promise."

"I wish you were right Abbs, but I have to stay late. I am so behind on paperwork. I probably won't be home 'til ten or later," he explained.

"If you want, I can go to your place for awhile. Stay with her?" Abby suggested.

"McGee, Abby, DiNozzo... go home!" Gibbs said, exitting the elevator.

"But I..." Tony started.

"DiNozzo! Go home before I change my mind. Check on you wife and you better be here early tomorrow morning."

"Whatever you say boss," Tony said, turning off his computer and gathering his things.

He could hear her breath coming out lightly as he walked into the bedroom. She always looked like a child when she was sleeping; curled up in a ball, a slight look of worry on her face and her hair falling softly over her cheek. He hoped that their baby girl would look like her. Kate's wavy brown hair, bright smile, hazel brown eyes and that small line right on her chin... he wanted the baby to have it all.

Slipping quietly passed the bed, Tony made his way to the bathroom to take a shower. He didn't want to wake up Kate. Lately, she hadn't been sleeping well. The baby kicked, often late into the night and at nine months pregnant, it was difficult for Kate to find a comfortable way to sleep. He couldn't wait for the baby to be born and he knew Kate was more than ready but he also had to admit, he was nervouse and scared. A baby... he was going to be a dad.

Kate awoke with a start, grabbing her stomach as a pain shot through her entire body. The first thing she did was reach to the side to grab Tony, but he wasn't there. Thakfully, she could hear the shower running. He was home. A million things were racing through her mind. Don't panic. Just get Tony, get your thing, go to the hospital. You may not even be in labor. Just calm down Kate. Kate slowly got out of bed and took a few steps toward the bathroom. However, on the forth step she felt it, her water broke. Labor... okay, now you can panic.

"Tony!" Kate yelled. She waited, but he must not have heard her. She took another step towards the bathrooom, dripping and in pain. "Tony!" she screamed this time, holding tight to her swollen stomach.

Hearing her scream, Tony came charging out of the bathroom, soaking wet and attempting to wrap the towel around his waist. "What is it honey?" Tony asked, still freaked out by Kate screaming.

Kate had a worried look on her face. "My water broke..."

"Are you serious?" Tony questioned, in shock.

"No. I'm kidding," Kate replied sarcastically. "Of course I'm serious!"

Chapter Title- I titled this chapter "Terminal Leave" because Kate is out on maternity leave and that is the closest I could get. LOL