A new story, quite unlike anything I have ever written. It's a tag to Pyramid (spoilers for season 8) and is Tony/Ziva centric. This starts after the funeral but before meeting the new SecNav. Enjoy!

Tony glanced around the dimly lit restaurant. A couple was chatting in one of the corner booths, a man sat by himself at one of the two seaters, and she was nursing a drink at the end of the bar. After the funeral, he decided to slowly make his way back to the Navy Yard to finish up some loose ends, it wasn't until he saw her car parked out front of the familiar watering hole that he decided to go in.

"I saw you sneak away after the Mass." He mentioned upon slipping into the nearest bar stool to her right.

"Tony" Ziva said quietly

"No need to explain." Tony cut her off as he followed her gaze to the end of the bar where a middle-aged woman was tending bar; raising two fingers in the air he got her attention.

"What can I get you?"

"Another round for the lady, and you might as well make one for me too."

"I did not know you enjoyed Mojitos." Ziva turned to look at Tony. His suit from the funeral ruffled, obvious signs pointed to the fact that he had been running his hands through his hair, in as so many words he could be described a mess. So much unlike the Tony she was used to.

"It isn't every day you find your partner drinking by herself in a pathetic place of a bar either, new things are happening for Special Agent DiNozzo, I guess I can try new drinks."

At that moment the bartender placed new napkins in front of each of them, setting the two mojitos down, she realized she caught herself in an awkward exchange and slowly backed away from the situation.

Ziva nodded her approval in agreement with herself about not asking questions she did not need to be asked either. The two sat silently with each other, sipping their drinks faster than necessary. Four rounds and two bathroom breaks later they both visibly relaxed, their shoulders let go of some tension, their jackets no longer on, their lips no longer tight. They were getting drunk together.

"He left again." Ziva mumbled as she turned to look at her partner, he seemed to be particularly interested in stabbing a cherry at the bottom of his drink.

"Well isn't that what he does?"

"Yes, but that is why I left after Mass, to say good bye to him. He has a mission doing something he cannot tell me, in a place I cannot know."

"It sounds kind of mysterious if you ask me, it's like you're dating Bond, James Bond." Tony spoke in the familiar voice.

Ziva chose to ignore the movie reference and think about what Tony had said. At first, she believed her relationship with Ray to be perfect, his job allowed her to keep her privacy as well, something she quite enjoyed. Recently, the constant secrets were the exact opposite of what she was looking for in life.

Ziva shifted in her chair, but kept her eyes on Tony, reaching down into the pocket of her overcoat, she grasped her hands over the ring box, slowly pulled it out and set it between them. The movement caused Tony to turn toward her; he couldn't keep the disbelief off his face if he tried.

"He gave you a ring?" Tony croaked out as the sixth or seventh mojito threatened to spurt past his lips.

Ziva turned the box in her fingers and allowed the smooth velvet to tickle her senses. She couldn't decide if she liked Tony's reaction.

"I guess congratulations are in order." Tony's disappointment was written over his face, his forehead wrinkled, his eyes became a bit squinty, his uncomfortable humor making its presence known. "I'm happy for you and C.I. Ray" he managed to chime in.

Tony leaned in to give Ziva a friendly hug, the realization that this was not a normal thing to do between them went out the window 3 drinks ago. The hug was warm and inviting and lasted a couple of seconds too long. Neither of the two noticed. Tony quickly made eye contact with the bartender and ordered more drinks.

"So, when is the big day?"

"You never asked me if I said yes."

"You didn't say yes?" Tony displayed relief and shock in the same sentence.

"Open it"

Hesitantly, Tony reached for the small box between them; he ran his fingers over the top and set it in his left hand. The box creaked open revealing nothing but the silk that normally encased valuable jewels.

"It's empty?"

"You are a genius." Ziva replied to humor him…

"Well, it's not on your finger! No need to get snippy missy." Tony pointed his finger at her, the alcohol fully taking effect. "Is it being sized?"

Ziva took a long drink from her glass, willing the tears she didn't know she had to disappear. She didn't know if they were from relief or anger, or both. She reached for the box from Tony's hands and slipped it back into her jacket.

"There was nothing in the box when I opened it either."

"So just to be clear, he gave you an empty engagement ring box?"

"Yep."

"I'm sorry Ziva." Tony put his hand on her shoulder, nudging her to look at him. "A guy like that doesn't deserve a woman like you…you are…"

"Do not be sorry for me Tony. Ray explained it as a promise. A promise I am not sure I completely understand, but a promise none the less."

"Like a promise for a ring?"

"Yes, but then he left again, I am not sure how much I can take."

Tony took a moment to think about the past few days, weeks, hell the year. It had had its ups and downs, of that he was sure. He looked over to Ziva who was twirling her straw in her fingers, willing the glass to fill up by itself with not much luck. He couldn't tell if it was her relationship with Ray, the recent loss of a friend, or just the dam breaking in general, but he noticed her eyes well up and heard a sharp intake of breath. Ziva David was crying in front of him for the second time in 3 days. Was the world ending?

Thank you for reading! Reviews are greatly appreciated, this has the potential to turn into something to take me into the season premiere, let me know what you think!

-Megan