He knew better than to expect her to be at the house that evening. He knew she'd find a good reason to spend some time alone.
And, despite his respect for her need for space, he knew that leaving her alone right now was the last thing that their relationship needed.
So he went home, changed into a pair of jeans and grabbed the blue velvet box from his drawer.
He turned the box over in his hand several times, his eyes glazing as he thought of all the ways he could have shown it to her. The ways that would have won him the "proposal of the year" award. Dinner at a romantic restaurant, champagne, ring hidden in desert. That was a classic. Taking a trip and ice skating in the middle of Rockafeller center – and going down on one skate to propose.
Instead he had to go do this the hard way.
Why was he surprised, really? Had any part of their relationship been easy? This was completely par for the course.
He slid the box into his jacket pocket and, with a resigned sigh, headed out of the house and to the local coffee shop he knew she frequented.
And that's where he found her- in a booth in the back corner of the building, a book on the table in front of her next to a lukewarm mug of tea.
She looked up, looking mildly shocked as he slid into the seat across from her.
"I was worried," he said simply.
"You should not have been. I can take care of myself."
"Oh, I'm well aware of that," he said with a small chuckle. Tony leaned back slightly in the booth, slipping his hands into his jacket pockets and fingering the box absently. "But I've obviously done something to upset you and I'd like to fix it, Ziva," he said, his voice cracking slightly as he spoke.
"You did nothing, Tony."
He half-grinned. "Maybe that's the problem. I did nothing."
"Do not speak in riddles, Tony," she snapped, closing her book with a muffled thud. "Say what you have to say." Tell me you are not ready for this- for me. Tell me you are still in love with the memory of Jeanne. Be honest with me.
He shifted and pulled his hands from his pockets, resting them in his lap, out of her sight. He closed his fingers around the the velveteen box.
Just ask her, Dinozzo. "You happen to come across anything interesting when you packed my clothes the other day?"
"Many things," she replied quickly with a sarcastic smirk. "Like your Mickey Mouse boxers?"
He grinned. "No, like this," he said, gently setting the box on the table in front of her.
She glanced down at the box quickly before opening her book again. "Yes, I saw it."
"You didn't mention it."
"Why would I mention it? It is not my business," she replied quickly, her eyes firmly planted on the text of her book.
"I'd like to make it your business," he said gently.
She looked up, her eyes sparking with unshed tears, frustration, and hurt. "I do not know who you think I am, Tony, but I do not want another woman's cast-offs."
He frowned. "What?"
"That was for Jeanne. Why would you offer it to me?"
Tony's frown suddenly shifted to a look of shock and amazement. Jeanne. That's what this is about. She thinks... Tony couldn't help but chuckle briefly at the misunderstanding. He schooled his features back to one she would find less offensive and picked up the box, turning it towards himself and opening the lid.
"I would never offer this to Jeanne," he said simply, regarding the beautiful platinum band and diamonds.
Ziva watched him in silence as he took in the ring she could not see as the box faced away from her.
"First off, she preferred gold," he started. "Secondly, she hated Secrete's – she preferred a more traditional cut. I gotta tell ya, I thought that was incredibly boring. I mean if you're going to pick out jewelery, you might as well get something that stands out – something that is as unique as the love you feel for that person.
"Besides," he said gently. "She's not the one I want to spend my life with. I don't know why I'd buy her a ring when you've been in my heart for so long, I can't remember what it was like before you were there. I bought this for you. I want to do this right. And I want to get married one day. Soon."
He stopped, and set the box down in front of her, facing so she could see the ring.
Tony watched as her already misty eyes overflowed and a lone tear ran down her cheek when she blinked. She didn't even move to wipe it away, her gaze so fixated on the stone.
He assumed that was a good thing that she couldn't take her eyes off of it. And with a small, frustrated smile, he slid out of the booth.
Tony leaned over and kissed her forehead gently. "I'll see you at home." And he left the shop, not looking over his shoulder.
Though, if he had, he would have found her cheeks covered in tears as she lifted the ring from the box and the light caught the inside band, glinting off the engraved words.
