It was an hour since Jenny, Jethro, and Kate had left. Everyone had finished eating, and cleared the table.

They all sat in the living room, watching the football game. The Redskins were playing the Packers. Washington was done by 7, Tony had freaked out when the Packers had got another touchdown, and field goal.

It was the start of the fourth quarter when the front door opened. Jethro walked into the living room, and everyone looked over at him.

Ziva grabbed the remote from next to her, and muted the tv.

"How's Kate?" Abby asked.

"She has pneumonia. They are going to keep her over night since she was coughing up a lot of blood, but she will be fine."

"Can we go see her?" Abby asked her father.

"She fell asleep right before I left. She'll be home tomorrow morning."

It was an hour until 1997. 1997 was the year that would change everybody's lives. Even if they didn't know it yet.

They were celebrating at the Palmer's. As usual, Ziva was in attendance as her father could care less about what she did.

The Palmer's consisted of Jen's sister, Samantha, her husband, William, and their two children. Jimmy was the oldest, and Melody is ten.

The kids sat in the living room watching Dick Clark's Rockin' New Years Eve. The adults were in the kitchen having drinks.

"Ten minutes!" Jimmy called out.

The adults came into the room, and stood behind the couches. The last minute came for 1996.

Dick started the countdown, after finishing talking.

The others joined in at 12. "12...11...10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...Happy New Year!" They all shouted.

1997 officially began. As well as the changes.

To start off, Mike Franks had retired from NCIS. Retreating to Mexico. He had left Jethro his position.

The kids were all saddened when he moved away, but they also knew he would have done so eventually.

In May, the first Giblet had graduated high school. To his siblings' surprise, he actually graduated 50th in his class. It's not as good as first, but it is Tony.

He even got into OSU. He was glad he got into a good school, but didn't want to leave Ziva.

Kate had started getting interested in the Secret Services. She planned to join when she was 21. Her parents were apprehensive at first, but adjusted to her choices. Since, they wanted their children to do whatever they chose to.

Jimmy grew a little passion in what his grandfather does, and hopes to be like him.

Come Fall, school was back in session. Kate, and Jimmy were juniors. Tim a freshman. Abby was in eight grade. Ziva was a senior.

When Tony left for OSU, it broke everyone's hearts(even though some would refuse to say so).

At the Gibbs' household, it was much quieter. It took everybody a while to adjust to not having Tony around all the time.

Jenny was out of town at a conference.

Jethro woke the three kids up 0500 hours to make sure they were up before he left for work.

Tim walked downstairs, rubbing his eyes. "Dad. Why do we have to be up so early?" He asked, yawning.

"I have to be at work. I need to be sure you three are up." He told him, pouring his coffee.

"How do you know we won't go back to bed when you leave?" Kate asked, walking in the kitchen, and taking the orange juice out of the fridge.

"When I get a phone call from the school, or Ziva." He picked up his cup. "Have a good day at school." He told them. He kissed Kate's cheek, and patted Tim's shoulder.

He walked to the front door. "Abby. I am leaving."

"Bye Dad! Be safe! I love you!" She called from upstairs.

"Love you, too, Abs." He opened the front door, and walked to his truck.

Inside, Abby walked downstairs. She yawned. "Morning." She went to grab something to eat.

"Too early." Kate said to her little sister.

"Morning." Tim said.

In Ohio, Tony woke ten minutes before his class started. He rushed to get ready, and made it at 9 AM sharp. He was not used to college life yet.

It also did not help that he stayed up all night on the phone with his parents, siblings, and Ziva.

After his classes, he went to the jewelry store for one of his presents for Ziva's birthday.

Tony drove to DC on the tenth of November. He told his family he was coming, but not Ziva. The drive dragged on forever.

When he finally arrived, it was dinner time. He was not certain if Ziva was there for dinner until he pulled into the driveway. He was really glad to be home.

He got out of the car, and walked to the front door. He felt no need to knock. It was his home. He opened the door, and walked inside.

In the kitchen, everyone heard the door open. Ziva had a confused look upon her face, while the family smiled.

Tony walked into the kitchen, and everyone faced him.

"Tony!" Ziva yelled, and jumped up from her chair. She hugged him tightly.

Tony out his arms around her waist. "I've missed you so much, Z."

"I missed you, too."

Upon Ziva's requests there was no party this year. She wanted a day with Tony before he went back to Ohio.

They went to the park, and laid on a blanket. Ziva cuddled into Tony. Savoring every moment she had with him.

"Ziva. Have I told you I love you with all my heart, no matter what?"

"Only about a hundred times today." She said, smiling. "And I love you, too."

"So, I know I told you two years ago that I would replace our promise ring with an engagement ring." He started, getting on his knee. "That is what I want to do now." He told her, pulling the ring out. "Will you marry me, Ziva Aliyah David?"

"Yes, I will marry you, Tony!"

He slid the promise ring off, and put it on her right hand, and placed her new ring on her finger. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

He kissed her softly. As time went by the kiss became deeper, and more intense.

Ziva pulled back from him. "My dad's out of town." Ziva stated, running her hands through his hair.

"I will take you up on that." Tony said, standing up, and helping Ziva up. He picked the blanket up, and took Ziva's hand in his.

They walked back to Tony's car. He drove to Ziva's home. He got out of the car after parking in the driveway.

Once they were inside, they went straight up to Ziva's room. As soon as the door was shut, clothes were ripped off, and they attacked each other's lips.

At school the following Monday, Ziva sat in her history class. She was early to class. It was just her, and the teacher in the room.

The teacher walked past her to the cabinets in the back. She did realize the new ring on her finger.

"That's a gorgeous ring, Ziva." She stated.

"Thank you. Tony proposed Friday night." She told the teacher.

"Wow. You're getting married young."

"Yea. Well, we have been dating for four years. He felt it was the perfect time."

"Some people just know. Like it's a gut feeling." She said, sitting back at her desk.

"He gets that from his father." Ziva joked.