Jenny woke up the next morning on her side, with Jethro's arm draped over her waist. She smiled. He never could stand for her to be on the other side of the bed. He probably would've been happy for them to share a single bed instead of the queen in her room. Lifting her head off the pillow slightly, Jenny caught a glimpse of the alarm clock. 0600, time for them both to be up, unfortunately. She put her hand over his and whispered his name.

"Jethro."

As if sensing the reason, Gibbs moved closer to her and tucked his head in beside hers. Jenny flinched, rolled over to get out of that position, and turned to face him.

"Wake up silly, or we'll be late for work."

"You'll be late for work," he mumbled. "I can be ready in ten minutes."

He tried to pull her closer but Jenny resisted. "If you insist on being difficult, I'm leaving."

Gibbs' eyes popped open and he frowned. "Leaving to go where?" he demanded.

She suppressed a grin. He obviously wasn't quite awake yet. And she remembered he was sensitive to the word 'leaving'. "The shower."

"Oh." He dropped his head back on the pillow. "Okay." Any other day Gibbs would've wanted an invitation to join her, but today was different. He was thinking of something else they could try tonight, if she was willing. He'd have to wait and see how the day went.

Jenny slipped out of bed and headed to the bathroom. Gibbs waited until he heard the shower turn on and reached for Jenny's cell phone. Dialing the direct line for her office, he waited until Cynthia picked up.

"Director Sheppard's office," she answered in a crisp, professional voice.

"Cynthia. Gibbs." He heard her barely audible sigh.

"Special Agent Gibbs, what can I do for you?"

"I need a favour," he grinned. "And I assure you, the Director will be pleased."

NCIS

"Ohhh..." Tony groaned, laying his head on his desk.

Ziva, who was across the bullpen checking her email, barely glanced up. "What's wrong now Tony?"

He lifted his head slightly. "Like you care."

She rolled her eyes. "Were you too busy this weekend chasing dresses to get any sleep?"

"They're called skirts, Zee-vah," Tony corrected. "And no, actually. I was hanging out with my fraternity brothers."

"Ahh," Ziva smiled. "So you were drinking."

"Maybe. A little. Okay, or a lot."

"And did Abby call and wake you up on Sunday morning to ask about church?"

"Yes," Tony whined. "You?"

"She called, yes, but I was already awake."

"Of course you were."

At that moment, Tony jerked up in his chair, shocked at the unexpected headslap. "Wha...? Oh, hey Boss."

"DiNozzo! This is not a napping room. Either get to work or leave and don't come back."

"Getting to work Boss."

Ziva's eye caught a flash of something as Gibbs took off his coat and headed up to the director's office with two cups of coffee.

"Tony," she hissed. "Did you see that?"

"See what?" he muttered, putting his suit jacket on and fumbling with his keyboard.

"Gibbs!"

"I didn't see him," Tony said darkly, "but I sure felt his presence." He rubbed the back of his head.

"No!" Ziva was adamant. "Not Gibbs. Did you see his hand?"

Tony frowned. "I saw his coffee."

"I cannot believe you think you're an investigator!" Ziva spouted off, frustrated with Tony.

"What?" Tony didn't understand the big deal about Gibbs' hands.

"Good morning everybody," McGee said as he strolled in with a smile on his face.

"You're late Probie," Tony glowered. Then he did a double take. "Wait, you're smiling. Why are you smiling McSmirk?"

"Just had a good night, that's all Tony."

McGee refused to explain because Tony would only hear part of what he said and run with it to places he wasn't intending. He and Abby had, had a good night though. She'd fallen asleep in his arms before the movie finished and even though his couch wasn't the most comfortable place to sleep, it had been so nice to wake up and have her there. McGee wanted that, not just occasionally, but every day, every morning. He felt his heart jump in his chest.

If Gibbs had gotten up the guts to propose to the Director after all their history, maybe he and Abby could make something real out of their past too. Tim was willing to take the next step, the only question mark would be Abby's answer. He'd seen her downstairs to the lab before joining his team, which was why he was late. But he had a feeling she wouldn't stay there long. Abby was too excited to see people's reactions to Gibbs' and the Director's news.

Tony was still going on about why McGee was happy but Tim had tuned him out. Finally Ziva was fed up.

"Enough Tony!" she yelled. "Drip it!"

"First of all Ziva, it's 'zip it'. And second, why are you so hot and bothered this morning?"

Ziva glared at him. "I am not hot and bothered Tony but there is something going on with Gibbs. McGee, I think he was wearing a ring."

McGee gulped, trying not to show fear. Ziva could smell it. "Uhh...a ring. Like a college ring or something from being in the Marines?" He was trying to buy time and maybe throw her off.

"No McGee!" Ziva snapped. "It was a silver band right here." She held up her left hand and pointed to her third finger.

McGee's mouth fell open and he hoped his surprise looked genuine. Tony tried coughing but couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing. He laughed hysterically for a few minutes while Ziva crossed her arms and glared. When she picked up a paper clip and started towards his desk, he held up his hands in surrender.

"Seriously Ziva, do you actually think the Boss would've gotten married again?"

"Something funny about that DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked as he rounded the corner and settled at his desk.

Tony cringed, anticipating the usual abuse that followed when he shot his mouth off. "No, nothing Boss. Any woman would be lucky to get you."

Gibbs stared. "You got extra time DiNozzo? Because I can find you..."

Tony smiled. "I'm good Boss." He headed back to his desk. "Paperwork."

"Then do it. In silence," Gibbs ordered, looking at his computer. He looked up again, noting the wide eyed stares from McGee and Ziva. "Get busy!"

"Oh, right." Ziva sat down, darting furtive glance at her co-workers and tried to get another look at Gibbs' left hand without being obvious.

NCIS

Jenny Sheppard-Gibbs walked into the office in a good mood Monday morning.

"Hello Cynthia," she smiled.

"Good Morning Director," Cynthia's greeting seemed extra bright this morning.

Jenny entered her office and the first thing she noticed was a single white gardenia in a blue fluted vase sitting on her desk. She couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. Jethro strikes again, she thought.

A deep voice behind her said, "It might be our last chance to share that."

She turned around and was met by her smiling husband and a fresh cup of coffee.

"Secret love, Jethro? That's very sweet."

His grin matched hers. "I aim to please."

Jenny pulled her arms out of her coat and hung it up, gratefully accepting the coffee he handed her. "Any takers yet?"

"Nah. DiNozzo was too busy griping about lack of sleep."

"I bet you Ziva noticed something," Jenny's eyes twinkled. "Her level of observation is scary sometimes."

"I'll know when I get back down and see their faces. Should I hope for a case so they get distracted?"

"Mmm...maybe a little one," Jenny agreed. "But then I won't be there when they get up the nerve to ask you."

"Abby will be haunting the bullpen today. She's probably ready to burst."

"If she hasn't already," Jenny laughed, sitting down at her desk. "Let me know how it goes."

"Be good Director," Gibbs leaned down to kiss her cheek. "See you later."

Jenny watched as he left. If only they could live in their little fantasy world forever. Today's revelation was bound to change things, even if everyone approved and she wasn't quite sure if she was ready for it yet.

NCIS

"Good Morning my children!" Abby announced as she walked into her lab.

She'd just left McGee in the elevator. The morning had been good, getting ready for work with him, and it had been nice to have someone to fall asleep with last night, even if she didn't do it on purpose. After all, the end was the best part. Abby had pretty much decided that she was going to get McGee to kiss her today. She was ready for the next step with him. McGee had always cared for her and he'd shown her for years that she was still incredibly important to him, even after their break up the year he became full time with Gibbs' team at NCIS.

Waking up all her machines, Abby shed her shiny black jacket and black and red hat. With her lunch box in the fridge and her CD player blasting her favourite morning mix, all was as it should be in the lab of Abby. Unable to resist, she sat at her desk and dialed McGee's extension upstairs.

"Special Agent McGee."

"Tim, it's me."

"Yes?" She could tell he was trying to be covert.

"Has anyone figured it out yet?"

"We're definitely getting close but you know, I've got a deadline coming so I'll have to get back to you on that."

Abby translated. Gibbs coming, need to go. "Well, let me know. I've dying down here."

She heard his quiet chuckle. "Okay."

Abby rolled her eyes. "Maybe I'll just come up and see for myself. You're too careful Timmy."

"Right. Well, goodbye."

"Later."

Hmm, so a storm was brewing on Team Gibbs and one person alone had made progress on guessing the secret. She'd put money on it being Ziva, who saw everything, rather than Tony, who turned everything he saw into a joke. Today is going to be a very interesting day, Abby thought. Now, what do I have that might need Gibbs attention and make for a good excuse to go upstairs?