B/N: Kate is faced with another make or break decision that could change her life forever. It's only a week till the tribunal and she's worried.


July came and went, the entire month was spent working on Ari's tribunal. Ziva and Kate gathered information on his work and accomplishments. Kate managed to gather several Mossad officers as well as sworn statements of her team...including Gerald, who only gave it up once Ducky explained Ari had turned his life around with Kate's help.

Kate worked night and day, but after a full month of working Ari pulled her away for a break. He boxed up the evidence and took her to the shore line of Haifa.

They walked the beach together, finally settling down on the white sand for a rest.

"It's next week, I should be working." Kate looked out at the ocean, "not sitting here."

Ari pulled a small box from his pocket and placed it on the ground before Kate, she looked down to see the tiny blue box open and inside sat a beautiful yellow gold solitaire ring. "I know we have only had two and a half months Caitlin but I meant to my word...if I am to die, I want to know you were my wife at that time." He took her hand and held it, "I ask you because I love you and I want us to marry. It will possibly be a short marriage but I would rather die after a week of marriage then to die without you."

Kate looked at him, "Ari?" His name fell off her lips with the Hebrew accent she had perfected using with his name.

He reached up and pushed back her hair, smiling. "I trust in your defense Caitlin but we both know their minds are already made...I do not wish to die without knowing you are safe and well cared for...think about it my love but not too long."


The went home and Kate went to her room, slamming the door as she went in. Climbing onto her bed, she began to cry...she felt helpless, helpless that Ari had lost faith. He believed in her but didn't have faith that he would come out of the fight alive...he was prepared for death.

A knock and the door opening came with Rachel's voice. "Kate?" She saw Kate and shook her head, "my daughter, what troubles you?"

She sat on the bed and Kate sat up, wiping her tears away. "Ari is prepared for death...he does not have faith that he will make it out alive. He asked me to marry him, so I'd be safe and cared for afterwards...I said he'd rather a week of marriage then to die without marrying me." She shook her head, "why now of all times does he loose faith?"

Rachel smiled and took Kate's hand, "he has not lost faith Kate, he is preparing for the worst. He does not want you to gain too much hope only to die and have your heart die with him. Have you told him?"

"Not yet...I'm afraid to now."

"Do not wait till the last moment, his is correct in wanting a week with you then no time at all. I shall call a rabbi and two witnesses if you want...it can be that simple."


Kate pulled the box from her pocket and opened it, she eyed it and thought about what would happen if she returned to the US without Ari...she'd be a married widow, after a whirlwind romance she'd have been married only a week. However if she returned alone, she'd find herself comforted by the fact she'd been given a chance to love Ari as she should, that she'd been a wife for a short time...married to the love of her life. She would probably just regret it if she didn't.

"Do it." Kate looked at Rachel and the woman nodded, leaving the room. Kate made her way to the courtyard and found Ari throwing knives at targets. "Ari?"


He turned to her and she held out the ring to him, he took it and she nodded. Their silent communication drove Ziva and Eli crazy, they knew how to communicate silently and no one was privy to their personal conversations.

Ari took her hand gently and slid the ring on, "Caitlin, what changed your mind?"

She looked him in the eye and swallowed, "if you do die, I'd return to the US full of regret that I'd refused to give our love a chance. I love you, I love the man who has shown me Israel and who has treated me like a princess. I can't let that man get away from me. If you die, I may return a widow but at least I wouldn't be the cause."

"Good you are both here," Rachel came outside, "we have an issue...the US Consulate cannot marry you and no interfaith marriages may be performed in Israel. I'm sorry, the only way you can marry is if you return to the US."

Kate looked at Ari, "engagement is enough, we'll marry upon our return."

Ari nodded to his mother and Rachel smiled, placing a hand on each of their arms. "This is wonderful...the week ahead will be a trial that you can get through together. You've done so much together so this will not be hard...just take your time and have faith."


A/N: How will everything go down?