Chapter 1: John and Rivka

John McGee gives Rivka DiNozzo a special gift for Valentine's Day 2035

Seventeen year old John McGee waited for his mother to come home from work. He had an important question to ask her and figured she was the best choice to give advice as to what his girlfriend, Rivka DiNozzo, would like for Valentines' Day. He wanted to get something special for Rivka, because he knew in his heart that she was the one with whom he would spend the rest of his life. Rivka was not quite fifteen, and her birthday was six days after Valentines' Day. John had to think of two special gifts for her.

Rivka, like John, was a twin. Rivka's twin, Beth, was Charles Palmer's girlfriend. John and Charles had already planned a special dinner for their girlfriends' birthday, with help from the girls' older siblings, Tali and Anthony. John's twin, Katie, and Anthony were a couple, who like John and Rivka, knew they would be together for the rest of their lives. Anthony had suggested a bracelet for a Valentines' gift, but John wanted something more personal.

He heard a key in the front door, and turned to see who was coming inside, hoping it was his mother. "Hi, Dad. I was hoping you were Mom coming home," John greeted his father.

Tim responded, "Well, don't act so glad to see me. What's up, John?"

"Um, well, I was hoping to get some ideas from Mom about what to get Rivka for Valentines' Day. I want it to be something special and personal."

Tim nodded, "You two are getting serious, aren't you? What kind of spending limit do you have?"

John looked at his Dad, "As serious as Anthony and Katie. I feel in my heart that we will be together for the rest of our lives. Dad, Rivka is my soulmate, I'm certain of that.

"I guess I haven't thought about how much to spend, but that really doesn't matter a whole lot. What's important is that the gift is special and personal to her and to me. Jewelry is too impersonal, even if it is engraved or custom created. Besides, the next jewelry that I plan to buy for her is a promise ring."

Tim looked John in the eyes, "Remember that she is only fifteen. I'm not sure Uncle Tony and Aunt Ziva are ready to have that kind of gift given to their daughter. What are you doing for her birthday?"

"Charles and I are taking Beth and Rivka to the new steakhouse by the mall for their birthday. I already have reservations. Charles told me he is getting a locket for Beth that's engraved with their names. That sounds nice, but it's not what I want to give Rivka."

"You know, kiddo, when your Mom and I were dating and then she went to Dubai, I sent her a CD of pictures of the two of us as our relationship grew. She still has that CD on her desk here, and in fact, the digital frame that is on her desk at work has many pictures from that CD. You don't have to buy something to make it a special gift or make it personal."

John nodded thoughtfully, "That's something to think about, Dad. Thanks!"

John went to his room and finished his homework, then checked his email. An invitation to a robotics contest caught his eye. "Build the perfect Valentine robot! Entry deadline is February 12, and judging is on February 13. Robots can be picked up after 6 PM on February 13 or before 4 PM on February 14. The perfect way to impress a geeky girlfriend or boyfriend!" John's creative spark lit; this was perfect for Rivka. He would make it personal by adding pictures of the two of them, their song and a greeting from himself. Rivka's favorite color was green, so the overall robot would be green with red hearts.

John went to the electronics desk he and his Dad had set up in the garage. He rummaged around for the parts he wanted, making a list of parts he needed. As he was looking through parts drawers and bins, his Mom drove her van into the garage. She spotted John and waved. After she moved out of the vehicle and the ramp put her on the ground, she spoke to him. "What's up, John? Are you making something?"

"Yes, Mom. Dad gave me an idea of what to get for Rivka for Valentines' Day and her birthday. I opened an email about a Valentines' robot contest, and now I have a plan." Delilah could see the spark in her son's eyes. He was so much like Tim when he came up with an idea for electronic devices.

"You two are getting serious, aren't you?" Delilah had seen the two together, and how they seemed to radiate a glow in the presence of the other. John nodded as his mother continued, "Just remember to respect her, especially when it comes to her body. If you push her for something that neither of you are ready for, she will not respect you."

John rolled his eyes, making sure his Mom couldn't see, "Yeah, Grandpa and Dad already had this talk with me. Anthony told me if I messed things up, I would have to answer to you, Dad, Uncle Tony, Aunt Ziva, and, especially to Grandpa. That's what Grandpa told him!

"Mom, you may not want to hear this yet, but I love Rivka. I can see my future with her as my wife. We are soulmates. We both know that we are meant to be together."

Delilah wheeled over to John, reaching her arms to hug him. He hugged her back as she whispered, "Stop growing up on me so fast, kiddo."

John rolled his eyes so his mother could see, "Mo-om!"

She grinned at him and tapped his behind with her hand, "Cheeky brat. I love you!" John grinned at his Mom.

John worked on the robot for most of the next three weeks. He had programmed the robot for voice recognition and it already recognized his voice commands. In a small compartment on its leg, he had stored a Valentine heart that the robot would retrieve when John asked it to play his and Rivka's song, Queen's version of "Crazy Little Thing Called Love." Funny thing was that he and Rivka had first heard the song at Uncle Tony's sixtieth birthday party and it stuck with them.

John saved about four dozen photos of himself and Rivka to show on the display in a digital picture frame that he had adapted to fit the robot's chest. He programmed a voice command to bring up each picture, and finally recorded himself singing happy birthday to his girl. He painted the exterior of the robot in emerald green, Rivka's favorite color. On February eleventh, he took the robot to enter it in the contest. His plan was to pick up the robot after school on Wednesday and have Rivka with him. He hoped she would be surprised.

On the thirteenth, John reminded Rivka that she would be riding home with him after school the next day. She reminded her Ima that John would be bringing her home after dinner on Valentines' Day. On Wednesday morning, John could barely contain his excitement. He wanted the school day to end, but it seemed to drag on forever. Finally the dismissal bell rang, and he headed to Rivka's locker.

She smiled when she saw him, giving him a quick peck on the lips. "Hi," she whispered. "I missed you all day!"

"Mmm. Me too!" John helped Rivka put her books in her locker. "Do you have any homework tonight?"

"No, the teachers seemed to be really nice about not giving homework today, do you have any?"

"Nope, so, we can enjoy our dinner without worrying about homework after." John took Rivka's hand in his, intertwining their fingers. "I do have to run an errand to the Science Center, though. We'll go there first and then get dinner."

John held the car door for Rivka as she sat on the passenger seat. He saw Anthony and Katie getting into Anthony's truck across the parking aisle. He waved to the pair, and called out, "Enjoy your evening!"

Katie smiled and replied, "You too!"

Charles tapped his horn as he and Beth drove past their cousins and siblings. "Have fun," they all called to each other. Across the parking lot, Gibbs was waiting for LJ to get out of middle school. He and LJ were teaching a watercolor class at the Community Center on Wednesdays.

John drove to the Science Center and parked the car. He took Rivka's hand as they walked to the doors. He held the door for her, and greeted the woman at the desk, "John McGee, here to pick up my entry."

"Yes, oh, congratulations, Mr. McGee. Your entry won first place in the multi-function category! Follow me." The woman started walking towards the display hall where the robots were being shown.

Rivka gave John a questioning look. "You'll see soon enough," John smiled at his girlfriend. Rivka saw the robots on tables and the sign for the contest. She wondered what John had made that had won. John led her to the table where his robot was displayed.

He picked up a remote and switched the robot on. "Play our song," John commanded the robot. Rivka smiled and hugged John as she recognized their song. She watched as the robot reached an arm down and opened a flap in its leg. It took out a red heart and held it out.

The woman discreetly slipped from the room, giving the young people some privacy. As the song ended, John kissed Rivka, "Happy Valentines' Day, beautiful. I love you!"

"This is awesome, babe. I couldn't have had a better gift!" Rivka returned the kiss.

"Wait, there's more," John spoke to the robot again. "Play the birthday song." Rivka smiled as John's beautiful tenor voice sang to her. He then had the pictures display on the screen. Rivka hugged John again and kissed him.

"Thank you, John! I absolutely love it, but not as much as I love you!"