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Jack turned over in the bed, the room was still dark but she could tell morning was creeping up on them. Releasing a heavy breath she felt a wave of sickness rush over her, trying to ignore it she lay still until she couldn’t ignore it any longer. Darting up from the bed, she rushed into the bathroom before dropping to the floor. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been sick, she was lucky enough to avoid all the sickness bugs that passed through the office. Just last week half the team had been wiped out by a virus, but it seemed her stomach wasn’t quite as strong as it once was.
Flushing the toilet she leaned back against the side of the bath, a hand running back into her hair. Gibbs was already in work, their current case was getting under his skin so he had headed in early. She gave herself a few minutes before pushing herself up from the ground and moving back into the bedroom. She could feel the start of a headache beginning, but pressed on as she decided it was pointless trying to get back to sleep now.
“Update-” Bishop, Torres and McGee gathered and started to discuss what they’d found in the last hour since arriving, Gibbs listening to each of them before glancing at the clock on the wall and seeing the time. Jack was usually in by now, it was unlike her to not be with them when they briefed each other on the case. “What about the footage-” “Dead end boss.” Gibbs nodded seeing Jack round the corner from the elevator, but instead of their floor she was already upstairs bypassing the team. “Bishop head back to the neighbours, see if anyone else took any pictures or videos that night.” “I’ll drive.” Nick grabbed his keys and nodded her way as the pair left the bullpen, “I’ll go and see Kasie, find out if she’s got anything new.”
With everyone going their separate ways, Gibbs headed up the stairs towards Jack’s office. The first sign that something was off was her door being shut, he could count the number of times on one hand that her door had been closed. “Jack?” She smiled up from the sofa where she was laying with a pillow hugged to her chest. “Stop.” Gibbs froze for a moment, a confused look on his face. “I’m sick.” Gibbs scoffed as he let the door close behind him before crossing the room. “Gibbs don’t-” “I live with ya Sloane, if I’m gonna catch somethin’ it’s gonna happen.”
Jack resigned and let him move to sit beside her, swinging her legs round so that she sat upright beside him. “Not like you-” “I know… I feel awful.” Pressing a kiss to her forehead he ran his hands through her hair causing her to sigh, her hands letting go of the pillow for his arm instead. “Why don’t ya head home?” “What about the case?” He tilted his head so he was in her eyeline. “What good are ya half asleep Lieutenant?” She wanted to argue but in all honesty, didn’t have the energy for it today. “Fair point…” “Want me to drive you?” “No. No I can manage.”
She sat herself up blowing out a breath as her stomach cramped again, her grasp on the arm of the chair tightening. “Sloane-” “I’m okay, it’ll pass.” Taking a deep breath she forced a smile before standing up. “You call if ya need anythin’.” Gibbs took her hand in his, caressing the back of her hand. “Sleep when ya get in, okay?” Jack nodded as he pressed a kiss to her forehead before stepping away from her and leaving her to gather her things.
* * * * *
3 days had passed and each day was much the same. Jack spent everyday curled up on the sofa half asleep. In the last day she’d started to feel better, whatever had her feeling so unwell finally passed. Gibbs had been watching over her each evening as she slept. She seemed to find peace in sleep and he was thankful to see her looking so at ease. It was when she woke that he worried, his own mind trying to figure out what was going on with her. Like she said, Jack didn’t get sick.
With the weekend rolling in, she was grateful to feel the warmth in the bed beside her still. Turning onto her side, Jack tucked herself into his side, her head on his chest as his arm dropped around her. Laying still she immediately regretted her decision, rolling away from him and out of the bed in a flash heading for the bathroom. Gibbs rubbed a hand over his face as he called out. “Jack?” The telltale sounds from the last few mornings followed as he got up to find the glass of water from her bedside.
“Here…” He sat himself on the edge of the bath as she accepted the water from him. “Startin’ to think somethin’ else might be goin’ on here Sloane-” “It’s just a bug Gibbs, it’ll pass.” He squinted watching her, running a hand through her hair soothingly while she waited until she felt like she could move again. A few minutes later he was holding a hand out to her as she lifted herself from the ground. “Ya good?” She nodded with a smile resting her head against his chest as he wrapped her into a hug.
By lunchtime they had been out into the neighbourhood for a walk while Kelly had baseball practice. The pair were sitting on the bench as she finished up, Jack scrolling through her phone before looking at Gibbs who had been awfully quiet. “I know you don’t usually say much, but this is quiet even for you.” He looked back across at her shaking his head, his mind was full of thoughts fighting for his attention. Their wedding, work, Jack… “Think ya should see a doctor, just to make sure.” “I am fine Jethro. But if it’ll make you feel better, I’ll talk to Ducky. What else is bothering you?”
She looked at his face knowing that he had something he wanted to say but wasn’t sure how to say it. “Ya don’t think that-” “Hey guys!” Jack smiled as she got up to wrap an arm around Kelly’s shoulders. “Think we can get pizza for lunch?” “I don’t see why not…” The pair waited for an answer from the man sitting on the bench still but when it wasn’t coming Jack nudged his foot. “Dad?” “Hmm, uh- yeah sure.” The trio made their way out onto the street and towards home, Jack’s hand quickly entwining with his as they walked. “What were you going to say back there cowboy?” “Nothin’ Jack, doesn’t matter. Just talk to Duck.”
With the conversation over, Jack got on to ordering their lunch while Kelly went and showered. In the last few months he’d made a few ‘changes’ to the house. Jack and Kelly were more than willing to see the place updated, which included a new table and half a new kitchen.
Jack came back into the kitchen planting herself in front of Gibbs who had placed his glass down just in time. Her hands rested against his chest while his found the small of her back. “Ya seem better-” “I feel better.” He nodded before she tiptoed up pressing her lips to his. He pulled her in a little tighter to his chest letting a hand travel up her back and into her hair. Her moan had him pulling back from her with a smirk nodding to the stairs where Kelly could be heard coming downstairs. “Later Sloane-” “I’ll hold you to that marine.”
Half way through lunch, Jack sat back in her chair with her legs tucked up on the chair. “I’m stuffed-” “Seriously?” Kelly looked surprised, she could normally finish off half a pizza and she’d barely touched it. “Guess I’m still getting back to normal on the food front.” Gibbs narrowed his eyes at her, the same thoughts from earlier lingering in the front of his mind. “I’m gonna get a drink, either of you want one.” Both shook their heads thanking her before Gibbs rested forwards against the table.
“What now?” Jack looked sideways at him as he watched her. “Off ya food, throwin’ up in the mornin’, ya don’t get sick. This not addin’ up to ya Sloane-” “No.” “It would make sense Jack-” No. You are delusional Gibbs if you think that…” She lowered her voice remembering Kelly was next door in the kitchen. “Just no.” She hated to say it, but he wouldn’t be wrong. Anyone else and she would say it was the obvious answer to all this. To spite his argument, she picked up another slice of pizza and continued eating it.
* * * * *
The topic of Jack’s sickness hadn’t come up again in over a week. She was back to her usual self, and more than happy to forget about everything Gibbs had implied last weekend. “Keep your hands to yourself and we might actually make it in on time-” Her head rested back against his chest as his hands danced over her waist and beneath the shirt she’d just finished rebuttoning. “Told ya you shouldn’ta worn that shirt.” She laughed, feeling his breath against her neck before his lips retraced the path they’d taken not even an hour before. She could feel herself giving into him and he knew it, the groan that escaped her his confirmation as she turned around in his arms her lips finding his as she backed him out of the bathroom and towards the bed.
An hour later and the pair were finally walking into the building. “I didn’t have time for coffee this morning because of you.” “I’ll make it up to ya Sloane.” He smirked, his hands around her waist as the elevator began its route to their floor. “You better do- I need coffee to even function in this place.” He smiled, pressing his lips to hers softly before tucking her hair behind her ear. “I’ll get Bishop to do a coffee run-” “Hmm, good choice cowboy.” Parting from one another, they wandered into the bullpen, Jack smiling at everyone as Gibbs gave a glare walking to his desk.
Jack had made it to her office to put down her things before being pulled into a meeting with Vance. Gibbs had seen the eye roll from the mezzanine as she followed the director towards MTAC. By the time she escaped, she walked into her office, the all-too familiar smell of her favourite coffee greeting her. She made it to her desk before she pushed her hand down to the desk flat, pausing as she inhaled again before blowing out a breath. Jack just made it to the wastepaper bin as she almost emptied the contents of her stomach. Dropping down to sit on the edge of the sofa she reached across to her desk to pick up the coffee cup risking another smell.
Her assumption was confirmed as she pushed it away quickly feeling the sickness rise again. “Shit…” Muttering to herself she dropped her head into her hands before the panic began to rise, Gibbs’ words bouncing around her head. “Shit.” Standing from where she’d sat, she grabbed the coffee cup and poured the contents into the sink. Rinsing it out she filled it with water before replacing the lid. Walking from her office she pushed all thoughts from her head, she just needed to make it through to lunch when she could escape for a while.
His eyes raised to her as she came out of her office, following her as she came down into the department and joined his team. She seemed to keep her distance from him, but offered a smile in his direction as she tuned in to what they were discussing. Jack continued to listen before placing her cup down on Gibbs’ desk moving towards the screen. He rested back against the edge of the desk as she spoke, suggesting the team look into another suspect. With everyone leaving, Jack moved to stand before Gibbs who had reached down for his cup but instead of the heat he’d expected he found he’d picked up Jack’s instead.
Before he could say anything she stepped forwards and kissed him. His empty hand rested against her waist while she took the coffee cup from him. “Ah, Jacqueline just the person I was after.” She parted from Gibbs quickly and turned to look at the older doctor. “Have you got a few minutes to discuss the Peterson case notes you sent me? Unless you’re too busy here-” “No, we’re done here…” Jack looked back to him once before following Ducky down to his office. Gibbs was left questioning everything that had just happened but didn’t have long enough to consider it as Ellie came back round the corner.
By the time lunch rolled around Gibbs was becoming agitated at how little Jack had been around them. He knew it was silly, she worked for multiple teams not just his, but he couldn’t help the gut feeling he had that was telling him he had been right all along. Jack chose to come down the stairs at that moment, usually he’d allow himself to get caught up in watching her but he could tell how she was trying to make her way out as quickly and quietly as possible. He followed behind Sloane, making it to the elevator just in time to slip inside leaving the other agents to their conversation.
Jack was quiet as she watched the numbers drop above the door before he reached forwards and flicked the switch. “Gibbs come on, can’t this wait-” “What are ya not tellin’ me Jack?” She shook her head, not willing to have this conversation with him now. “Gibbs just switch it back on- Come on.” He stepped closer to her, his hands softly going round her wrists bringing her hands to rest against his chest. He waited for a moment which felt like hours to Jack as she avoided his gaze. When she did look at him, she saw the hopeful expression which she had been trying to avoid.
“Ya think you’re pr-” “Don’t. Don’t say it…” Pulling her hands back she stepped away giving herself some space to breathe. “Jack come on, it’s me-” She let him hold her hands again, this time his fingers lacing with hers. “I don’t want you to say it until I know-” “You do though, ya think you’re…” The look on her face said all he needed to know. “Maybe- but it’s a long shot, you know that and I don’t want you being like this when there’s a large chance that I’m not.”
She gave a gentle push to his chest before his arms dropped to wrap around her. “You really goin’ for lunch?” “I was going to go for a walk, needed some air. Also figured I should probably head to a drugstore on my back.” “You want company?” Jack shook her head resting a hand to his chest. “No, we’ll do this when we get home.” The hand waving between them indicated what part she was talking about. “‘kay.” Giving her some space he flicked the elevator switch, his fingers brushing hers and catching her hand before she could move. “Jack…” She turned to him as his lips pressed eagerly to hers, a smile coming to her lips before she parted from him. “I love you, no matter what.” “Later.” She nodded as she let go of his hand exiting the elevator.
* * * * *
The rest of the day dragged by, his mind a long way from the case. Jack was much the same, she’d returned to her office and tried to get some paperwork complete but was struggling to focus. Gibbs and the team had left in pursuit of a suspect leaving Jack in the office alone. Her eyes fell to her bag beside her desk, her lip stinging from the force that she’d been biting it with. Closing the folder and shutting down her computer, she reached for her bag and coat leaving the office for the day and heading home. They’d driven in together this morning leaving Jack to take the subway home.
When they arrived back in the parking lot he felt the phone in his pocket vibrate. Reaching for it, he handed the cuffed suspect to Torres. He squinted trying to read the text before nodding to McGee. “Leave him in interrogation for the night-” “What!? You can’t do that-” “Boss?” Gibbs tapped his phone before closing it and heading towards his truck. “Somethin’ I’ve gotta do, ya got point McGee.” He nodded walking with Bishop and Torres inside, their suspect still protesting at being here overnight.
Jack stood at the kitchen sink, her thoughts elsewhere before the sound of the truck door closing pulled her back to reality. Leaning against the counter she waited for his inevitable whirlwind. The drive home had never seemed so long as he parked beside her mini. Jumping from the cab he rounded the front and took the steps two at a time onto the porch. “Jack?” She rolled her eyes as she walked into the living room, Gibbs turning to see her. “I told you not to get your hopes up-” He shrugged trying to tame the smile that he was struggling to conceal on his face. “Have you-” He caught something that she threw in his direction while she walked to the stairs. “I said I’d wait, didn't I?”
Gibbs was sitting on the bed, his fingers tapping against his knees as Jack sat in the bathroom. As soon as it opened he was on his feet, Jack holding her hands up to stop him in his place. “Woah cowboy-” “Well?” “3 minutes…” She shrugged as he stretched his neck, returning to where he had been sitting. Jack chewed her bottom lip as she folded her arms against her chest walking back and forth across the room.
“Hey.” Gibbs reached for her, pulling her to a stop before letting her sit across him. “Whatever happens-” He held her hand, her eyes falling to her ring. “We’re gonna be fine.” Resting a hand to his cheek she pressed a soft kiss to his lips not wanting to admit what all of this could mean for them. She was far from young anymore and was more than aware of all the things that could go wrong. They sat together for a moment longer before Jack got up from his lap and walked back into the bathroom.
“We caught the guy based on ya profile, left him in interrogation.” Standing up from where he’d been waiting he watched as Jack stepped back through into the bedroom, her eyes on her hands. “Oh my god…” “Jack?” Her words were barely a breathless whisper but he just about made them out. “Are ya-” “I’m pregnant.” She held the test in one hand holding it out to him, Gibbs ignoring it to pull her closer and kiss her firmly. His eyes moved down to it to see the same thing she’d seen, before looking back up at her.
He saw her finally accept what she’d been refusing the last few weeks, her hand covering her mouth before she wrapped her other arm around his shoulders. He turned his head into her hair as he inhaled deeply. “Told ya so-” “Now is not the time smartass.” His laughter caused Jack to lean back and study his face. “You’re okay with this? I know this wasn’t exactly the plan cowboy-” “Ya kiddin’ right? I love you Jack-” The subtlest movement of his hand shifting from her waist to rest across her abdomen, her eyes glistening as he looked into her caramel eyes. “We’re havin’ a baby.” “Yeah we are Sloane.”
The front door closing downstairs drew their conversation to a close. “Dad? Jack?” “Take a few minutes, I’ll go down…” Jack smiled against his lips before he stepped away towards the door. “Gibbs?” “My lips are sealed until you’re ready Jack.” She smiled slowly watching him retreat as she dropped down to the bed, looking down at the pregnancy test. Releasing a heavy breath she ran a hand beneath her eyes removing the tears that had fallen, her hand then moving to her stomach as she looked down at herself. “Not quite what I had in mind, but I promise I will never let anything happen to you.” Sniffing she shook her hair back from her face, pulled the bedside drawer open putting the test inside before pulling up the walls and carrying on like nothing had changed.
Leaving the confines of their bedroom she wandered downstairs to the sound of Kelly laughing, Gibbs grumbling about something before she planted herself down on the sofa. “Good day?” She looked over at Kelly who started re-telling the story of what had happened, Gibbs offering a final glance to Jack, to anyone else the look was nothing but to her, she knew what he was saying. Leaning against his side she listened as his daughter laughed her way through while Gibbs continued to moan, slightly tense as she sat there. Turning his head, his mouth was beside her ear. With Kelly’s story over and her attention on the TV he whispered quietly. “One day at a time Sloane, one day at a time…” She entwined her fingers with his resting their joined hands in his lap as she relaxed into his side.