A/N: In Enemies Foreign (I think) Ziva mentions she likes cats. Tony gets her one.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

For the love of Jade

Anthony DiNozzo was extremely nervous.

He has been dating his partner now for years, the one woman on this planet he truly trusts with his life.

She was by his side in every sense of the phrase.

It took a full year to tell her that he loved her. He of course has for as long as he can remember, but to actually utter the terrifying words aloud to her. That took time.

She understood that.

It took another full year to ask her to move in with him. After all, they were practically living together anyway. With the sleepovers, and move nights.

Now, almost 2 years after she first set her box marked "Ziva's stuff" in my living room, I'm actually considering doing the one thing I thought I would never do.

It's nauseating, and terrifying, and absolutely crazy.

But fool's in love do crazy things.

After all we have been together officially for nearly 4 years, and partners for nearly 6 years on top of that.

I know this woman like the back of my hand and I love her.

So here I am, at the pet store, trying to pick out the perfect feline friend for my little hell cat.

I scan down rows and rows of kittens, and full grown cats. All sorts of shapes, sizes and colors.

Short hair, long hair, orange, white, black, grey, Siamese, squished faced ones, skinny ones, fat ones.

Then I see it, nestled in the corner, and just like I knew when I first met Ziva, I know this was the one.

I walk in the door of our apartment an hour later. Ziva's sitting on the couch with her bare feet tucked under her, reading a book. She's using the arm of the couch to help support the book.

I don't know how she can still look so beautiful on a lazy Saturday afternoon, with her hair pulled up into a messy pony tail in just jean shorts and a fitted tee-shirt but she does.

I smile and take a deep breath, gathering all my courage at the door.

I'm gut wrenched, and my hands are slightly sweaty but I keep my secret palmed behind my back.

"Just act normal, it's going to be okay" I try to tell myself.

"Hey, sweet cheeks. Whatcha reading?" I try to start out making my way closer to her.

"I just started a little book called 'Crime and Punishment', no big deal." She replies.

"Believe me, Crime and Punishment is no little book." I retort leaning down and giving her a quick peck on the lips.

"Hey, I got something for you. A little surprise if you will."

"Oh yeah, what's that?" She asks flopping the book upside down on the arm of the couch to hold her spot.

I kneel on both knees in front of her and present her with the fluffiest little white kitten, with shocking green eyes, adorned with a pink bow on her head and a pink studded collar around her neck.

"It's a girl" I announce, putting on my most charming smile, as I hand over the little white kitten to her.

I try to control my breathing as I feel my heart thud wildly against my chest.

"Breathe DiNozzo. In and out. In and Out. It's going to fine." I try unsuccessfully to calm myself.

"Oh Tony! She is so cute! What is her name?" She asks holding the little fluffy ball at arms length.

The kitten tries unsuccessfully to bat her little paws at Ziva.

I take a deep breath. "Read her collar, sweet cheeks" I reply.

I hold my breath as I watch her scan the collar before she snaps her head up and lock her deep brown eyes on me.

I expel the breath I've been holding and repeat the inscription on the collar of the fluffy white kitten. "Ziva David, will you marry us?"

Dead Silence.

I'm trying desperately not to have a panic attack.

"Deflection time! Abort! Abort! Think of something! What do you say at a time like this? Just kidding?"

I see her jaw clench and her nostrils flare as she draws in a breath, before she merely nods her head in agreement.

My heart jumps to my throat as a smile spreads across my face.

I take the kitten from Ziva and remove the golden, diamond studded ring from her collar and slip it on Ziva's left ring finger.

I put the fluff ball on the couch and pull Ziva into my arms.

I cup my hands on either side of her face before pulled her lips to mine.

She kisses me with a passion I have never experienced from her before, I hear her whispering "yes" each time we come up for air.

I feel like my heart will beat itself right out of my mouth. The hard parts over, yet I still can't get my heartbeat to regulate.

I pull back and press my lips to her forehead.

"You still have to name that little runt, my lovely Fiancé." I mock bow to her.

"I think I will have a wonderful life with my little hairy but and… " She puts her hand to her chin in pondering. "Jade" She smiles.

"Jade?" I ask.

"Jade. Just look at her eyes! They remind me of the color Jade."

I smile down at her "Jade it is" I reply. Not being able to resist, I pull her into my arms again and kiss her temple.

"I think the three of us will have a wonderful life too, my ninja."

She stands on her tip toes, putting her lips to my ear before whispering "four" to me.

I feel all the blood drain from my face.