Hey guys :) Another chapter. I spent the best part of today researching and trying to understand this, so i hope i got it all right. Not that some of you will know if i do, i dunno if i even copied the names right :P lol. This is the first fluffier chapter of this fic, it gets nicer towards the end.

Chapter 4

T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia.

More commonly known as T-PLL.

It was an extremely rare, and requires immediate treatment after diagnosis. It is very difficult to treat and does not respond to most chemotherapeutic treatments, but with her the Doctors had to try.

The average survival time after diagnosis is seven months.

She'd seen countless hematologists since her diagnosis, it still didn't change the fact the symptoms sucked, and she was very, very sick.

She was currently undergoing the chemotherapy regime CHOP, which she found rather amusing seeing as alopecia (hair loss) was common. CHOP stands for Cyclophosphamide, Hydroxydaunorubicin, Oncovin and Prednisone. It was the normal procedure for TPLL cases.

She would wake up every morning, feeling like crap. And wonder why it was worth it, why she was putting herself, her body through this and taking all these medications when she was going to die soon anyway. Then she would roll over, and see Gibbs face asleep peaceful. And she knew he was the reason why. Him, and Ziva, Tony, Abby, McGee, Ducky – her family was the reason.

She was taking so many drugs, on top of the chemo there were antiemetics, to help with the nausea and vomiting caused by the chemo, ondansetron was what she was taking for that. Her second week, which is typically when neutropenia develops she was given prophylactically ciprofloxacin. And of course with her, during that period she had developed a fever. If this happens during the neutropenia period, urgent medical assessment is needed neutropenic sepsis because infections in patients such as herself with dangerously low neutophil counts may progress rapidly.

So at least one good thing had come out of this, apart from her and Gibbs getting together, and that was that her medical language had vastly expanded, so had Gibbs'.

Apparently CHOP was one of the less toxic chemotherapy regimes, so she dreaded to think what the other freakin ones felt like.

Oh and she'd almost forgotten the allopurinal that they were giving her prophylactically which they give her to prevent tumour lysis syndrome which comes as a result of rapid death of tumour cells.

She was just tired, and some days - days like today when she was sat in a hospital bed, and woke up, to bleeping machines and nurses all around her. Her lips swollen, and her throat sore from repeatedly throwing up. The only comfort came to her when she realized that Gibbs hand was intertwined with hers still and had been there all night. It was days like today that she felt like giving up but she couldn't, so as her eyes fluttered open wearily and Gibbs smiled at her and called for a nurse, she stayed quiet. Worried that if she spoke her heart would betray her and say things that she couldn't say because the words she wanted to speak, they would kill him. They would hurt him. And she couldn't bring herself to do that anymore than she already was, than she already had. She couldn't say 'stop' she had to keep going, keep fighting for all of them. But mostly for Gibbs.

"Hey Jenn," Gibbs said, smiling at her. She loved his smile so much.

"Jethro," she said softly, the soreness and dryness in her throat was clear in her voice, "Water,"

He jumped up immediately and fetched her some.

The cooling water felt wonderful on her lips, and she watched with curiosity as Gibbs flipped open his cell phone and pressed speed dial two.

"Hey Ziva, yeah she's awake."

He paused.

"You bringing Tony?"

He paused again.

"Ok," And then he hung up.

"What was all that about?" she asked, sounding much better.

"How're you feeling Jenn?"

"Like crap," she smiled, trying to be good humoured.

He tightened his grip on her hand, "I'm fine Jethro, now why did you call Ziva?"

"She wanted me to let her know when you woke up, you up to visitors?"

Her face brightened at the thought of seeing Ziva, and most likely Tony. "Sure, I'm good. Is Tony coming?"

"Yeah, but he won't stay he's gonna go into work to sort things, but Ziva'll stay."

"Are you gonna go into work?"

"I'm sorry Jenn; I have to, but only for a couple of hours."

"It's ok, life goes on." She smiled.

"You, you are my life Jenn." He pressed his lips to her forehead

"I love you," Jenny told him. She would never get tired of saying that, she was taking every opportunity to say it. It was like she couldn't get enough. All too soon she wouldn't be able to tell him it. Wouldn't be able to watch him smile when she said it, wouldn't be able to hold him close and whisper it in his ear.

She watched with joy as his face broke into a loving smile.

"I love you too Jenn, which is why, I'm going to ask you, Jenny Sheppard, will, will you marry me?"

Tears sprang to her eyes as soon as she realized what he was going to ask, "Yes," she whispered a tear running down her face, "yes I'll marry you."

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yes," he said.

"The chances are..."

"I don't care I love you Jenn, and I want to marry you."

She put her arms around him, and cried. Partly because she was happy, partly because she was sad.

One of their nurses, who'd they'd gotten to know quite well and view as a friend, Livi, came in and they broke apart.

She was immediately concerned when she saw the tears staining Jenny's face, "Jenn everything ok?"

"Well, you're invited." Jenny said to Livi.

She put her hands to her mouth, "Oh my god, you're, you're getting married!"

Jenny nodded, smiling.

"Congratulations, both of you. Ok..." She checked the results she had printed in her hand, "You're doing ok Jenn," she smiled at her sadly, "You're doing great."

She took some tests, and then Ziva and Tony arrived.

"Hi Livi," Ziva said as they walked into the hospital, smiling at the friendly, but all too familiar face.

"Hey Ziva, Tony. I'll leave you guys now," she smiled kindly at them all.

"Thanks Livi," Jenny said to her nurse.

"Not a problem Jenn." She said and turned to walk out the room, closing her door behind her.

"Ziva," Jenny said smiling at her.

"Jenn, how are you doing?" She said, taking her other hand and sitting down next to her.

"I have a question for you," Jenny said.

"Go ahead, ask." Ziva said, smiling at Jenny, but she could see the smile was strained.

"Ziva, will you be my maid of honour?"

Ziva's and Tony's faces were a picture; Ziva's mouth was hanging open. "Yes! Of course I will!" She hugged Jenny carefully.

"Congratulations Boss," Tony managed to stammer out, "Jenn."

"Thanks," Gibbs said.

"Thank you Tony," Jenny said.

"I can't wait to tell Abby," Tony said smiling broadly.

They all laughed, and for the first time a while, Jenny was truly happy.

Please review guys!

I spent AGES on this one. Especially all them medical names. And Ali, i'm sorry you thought i had leukemia after that text *giggles* But i can assure you i don't :P

Again, please do review!

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