It was a few days after Tim got Bella into figuring it was time to start wedding plans, and Bella had been heavily debating who she was going to have as part of her wedding party. Ziva and Abby were a must naturally, but she didn't have many other friends that weren't involved in the military...well outside Ziva and Abby, there weren't any others.
Down in the gym, Bella walks over to the mats signaling for Ziva to spar with her. Waiting for the Israeli to join her, Bella stretches and gets into a fighting stance.
"Angry again, Bella?" Ziva asks, remembering the last time they were on the mats.
Bella laughs and shakes her head no, "Not at all Ziva. But since you're the only one who knows Mossad moves and the fact Tony doesn't like to spar with you. But if you don't want to practice with me..." she says giving Ziva a wink.
"I never said that I didn't want to practice with you, Bella. Besides, you know as well as I do that Tony is a big baby. Let's see how you've improved, yes?"
Bella smiles and moves forward before striking out to grab Ziva's hand. After exchanging a few punches and avoiding some holds by Ziva, Bella looks over at her, "Zi-" stepping back to avoid being kneed, "I have-" Bella strikes out before snapping back quickly, "a question."
Dodging the moves Bella tries to throw at her, she ducks. And traps Bella's right arm behind her back "And what would that be?"
"Would you be my maid of honor?" Bella asks, looking over her shoulder at the woman behind her.
Releasing Bella's arm, Ziva walks around to face her. Shock was written on her face as she looks at her friend, smiling, Ziva asks, "Really?"
Bella nods eagerly, "I couldn't think of a better person up there next to me besides you."
"Well," Ziva starts, still catching her breath, "I would be honored, Bella."
Bella smiles as she pulls Ziva into a hug. "I haven't gotten the dresses picked out yet, but I'll let you know as soon as I do. And don't worry, Abby has already forbidden any light colors."
Ziva laughs, "I can agree with Abby, no light colors, can you really see me or Abby in pink?"
"No, but it was awesome to torment her with it. You should have seen her face," Bella laughs remembering her face from the other day.
"I wish i could have seen her face," Ziva laughs. "You have not told her about your decision yet have you? I do not want to be there, she may be mad considering she was the other half of Team Tim and Bella."
"I haven't yet, but I'm sure Abby will understand. I'm hoping she'll accept being a bridesmaid. But thank you Ziva!"
Nodding, Ziva picks up her towel and bottle of water, "Not a problem, Bella."
Bella grins and grabs her towel, looking around the gym to see where the guys were, "So, has Tony said anything yet?"
"No not yet, should he have?"
Bella grins to herself, before looking away from the guys, "No."
"What has he done now?" Ziva asks, wondering what in the world would make Bella ask if her boyfriend has said anything out of the ordinary.
Standing in the boxing ring, Tony looks over at the unsure male agent across from him. "Come on McGee, I'm not going to hurt you."
Mcgee shakes his head, "sometimes I'm not so sure, tony."
Tony scoffs at him, "Thanks for the vote of confidence there. I said I was sorry after the last incidence. I wasn't expecting you to go down so fast."
Giving Tony a 'sure, whatever' look, "You nailed me in the stomach than my face. How did you not expect that Tony?"
Tony grins sheepishly, "Yea, you have a good point there. But look, I'll take it easy with you ok?"
Tim rolls his eyes before putting his hands up to block his face, just in case. The boys battle it out back and forth; each of Tony's jabs is met with Tim's arm, affectively blocking it from hitting him. "I have to say I'm impressed Probie, I think this is your longest time alive in the ring."
Tim grunts in response, knowing better than to fall for Tony's trick to get his guard down, "Thanks Tony." After blocking a few more hits, "Bella and I were talking about the wedding the past couple days and I need to ask you something,"
Tony shakes his head no, "Whatever it is, I am not going to help decide wedding details. If something goes wrong, I do not need to be smacked by Bella and by Ziva."
Blocking a punch to his face, "It's not wedding details. I know better than to come to you for advice."
"Well what is it?"
"Be my best man?" Tim remains defensive as he sees Tony's posture change.
"Really? You want me to be your best man, but why? I've constantly teased you since you joined."
Tim barely relaxes his stance, "Well, besides all of that, you've also stayed a loyal friend, like when the cop was killed or when you decided to rescue Ziva from Somalia. Or at least, I like to think of you as a friend."
A grin spreads across Tony's face as he nods, "I'd be honored Probie."
Tim smiles in response right before acting like he was going to throw a punch and his leg knocks Tony's out from underneath him as Tony tries to step back. Needless to say, Tony falls to the ring's floor ungracefully. "That is cheating."
Tim's smile widens, "Always have to stay aware Tony, you taught me that."
Tony stares up at Tim, surprised at the quick responses that he currently has. "What have you been doing, you never use to be that fast in the ring before."
Tim shrugs as he leans down to help Tony to his feet, "Just been practicing a lot more. Nothing much besides that."
Hopping out of the ring, Tony shakes his head at Tim as the girls walk up. "There is no way you could improve that much that quickly."
Tim turns and smiles at Bella, "Bella's been a pretty good teacher. With Ziva fighting with her, I had to step up my game so she wouldn't cream me when we spar."
Tony grunts unhappily, maybe I should ask Ziva to spar with me. No. "Sure, whatever you say."
Tim rolls his eyes as Ziva tells Bella she's heading for the showers. Tim heads in the same direction after grabbing his water bottle and bag. Bella starts after Ziva before stopping and walking up to where Tony is grabbing his stuff.
Bella leans down to Tony's ear, "You shouldn't be surprised by his faster reflexes Tony. He has to keep up with me after all."
She did not just mean-, staring at her, his eyes are wide as she winks at him before taking off after Ziva into the women's locker room.
Heading down to Abby's lab, Bella grabs a Caf-Pow for the happy Goth, knowing that without a current case she probably had run out of the one she had earlier that day. Deciding to take the stairs instead of the elevator, she reaches the floor to hear the blasting of Abby's current new band.
Waving the Caf-Pow in the air as soon as she crosses the threshold of the door, she smiles as Abby turns to greet her. I swear it's like that woman can smell it or something. "Hey Abby, what'cha doing?"
"The usual. Running samples from some of the cold cases to see if anything pops up in the system. What brings you and this wonderful drink down here?"
Bella smiles as she passes off the drink, "I wanted to talk to you actually. I was wondering if, perhaps, you would be one of my bridesmaids." Bella bites her bottom lip waiting for Abby's response.
"Of course I would Bella" Abby squeals, pulling the brunette into a tight hug. "Who's the other bridesmaids?"
"I was thinking of asking Sarah, Tim's sister, but I don't know what she'll say. Tim is going to ask Mark and if his sister says yes, he's going to ask Jimmy. Ziva and Tony are the maid of honor and best man."
Nodding at their choices, Abby's mind already takes off thinking of wedding plans. "That is great Bella. What about the flower girl? You guys have to have a flower girl."
Bella laughs, "We're going to ask Tim's niece Annie, Nick and Veronica's daughter. She's such a cutie Abby. I love talking to her when I get the chance."
Abby lets her go, taking a quick sip from her drink. "I've only heard of her from Tim but she seems like a cute little girl. I can't wait to finally meet her."
"Neither can I. We're suppose to go over there and visit them for Thanksgiving this year, if all things plan out right. We never know with cases and such."
Pulling into the visitors spot of an apartment she hadn't been to in over a month, Bella tries to settle her panicky stomach. It had been her idea to ask Sarah about a bridesmaid, but now she wasn't so sure. No, you can do this Bella. Just get it over with.
Knocking on Tim's old apartment door, Bella waits fighting the urge to pace before finally hearing sounds in the apartment. The door opens to reveal Sarah in lounge pants and an oversized sweatshirt. "Bella, why are you here?"
Bella plays with her hands, watching the female McGee. "Do you have a moment?"
Gesturing her inside, Sarah moves so Bella can step into the apartment. Seeing it now customized to Sarah's taste, the apartment looks so much different than when Tim had lived there. "I know you're probably studying, but I was hoping to talk to you for a few minutes, if you had time."
"What do you need?"
"I wanted to talk to you about the wedding." Seeing the dark look flash in the girls' eyes, "I was coming to see if you would be a bridesmaid. Sarah I know you don't care for me, but Tim and I would really like you to be in the wedding. Tim cares about what you think of us, you're his little sister and you mean the world to him. Please, think about it." Getting silence, Bella says goodbye and heads for the front door.
Hearing a sigh, "Why did you agree to marry my brother?"
Bella turns looking at the younger girl confused, "I'm sorry?"
Her arms are crossed in front of her, her stern look watching Bella. "Why did you agree to marry Tim? Was it the money?"
"Sarah, I agreed to marry him because I love your brother. You're brother is sweet and funny and protective and loyal of people he deeply cares for. I had no idea that he even wrote books until he mentioned it when we were at dinner."
Sarah raises an eyebrow, "Mentioned it at dinner? Tim isn't one who usually brags about what he's done."
Bella shakes her head, "He was surprised Tony had made fun of him for it to me yet. That's all. Sarah, I understand your animosity and if there was anything I could do to get on your good side I would."
Sarah doesn't even blink before answering her, "Leave Tim."
What did she just say? "Excuse me, did I just hear you say-"
"Leave my brother alone. Call off the wedding, everything."
Bella opens her mouth to stunned to say anything at first. Gathering her thoughts, "I'm sorry Sarah, but no. I'm not going to hurt your brother just to get on your good side. I truly love your brother and I'm sorry you feel this way. I think it's best if I leave now."
Turning away, Bella opens the door as she feels a hand on her elbow. "Bella wait." Looking at the woman beside her, Bella waits to hear Sarah out. "I wanted to see what your reaction was. He's my big brother and I just want to make sure he's not going to end up hurt in the end. He's had bad romances and-"
"You wanted to know where I really stood. I would never do anything to hurt your brother." Bella smiles at her, "want to go get some coffee and talk about it?"
"Yeah, I know a good place right around the corner from here." Grabbing her purse, Sarah closes the apartment door behind her, and the two women head off for coffee.