I probably should have mentioned this in the chapter posted last week, but I didn't think much of the season 7 finale... Yes, I loved Gibbs meeting Tony and Ziva at the airport, because the Mexicans let him go, to run drugs for them, to protect his family from harm (I figured he hadn't escaped, because there was no intense going-after/rescue scene), and yes, I loved the Shannon part, and yes, I'm super worried about Jackson Gibbs and will be all summer now... but other than that, I didn't think much of it. It wasn't brilliant (sorry, Tiff, I know you said you were biting your hand in places to keep from screaming... I didn't have any of those moments.) What did you guys think of it? I thought McGee is SO thin now! I liked him better chubby, it was so much less Hollywood-ized, you know? Not that losing weight isn't/wasn't good for him, because I'm sure it was, but still... Anyway, here is chapter 10. Enjoy.

Chapter 10— Birthday Surprises

"Tony, where are we going?" Emmy asked, as Tony wrapped his good arm around her from behind and kissed her cheek.

It was Saturday evening, April 4, and Emmy had just had a wonderful birthday with Tony. She had woken up to breakfast-in-bed; her favorite, pigs-in-a-blanket with pulp-free orange juice. Then they had done some shopping, gone on a long walk, and gone to a movie. Now they were both hungry, so Emmy figured they were going to eat somewhere for dinner.

Tony wouldn't tell her where. "It's a surprise," was all he said. "Just put this on, please." She could hear a smile in his voice.

"Tony, I don't like being blindfolded," Emmy said nervously. She paused, halfway done tying the double-knot in the back.

Tony hadn't thought about that. Of course, she might be uncomfortable with it, after what had happened to her, to them, less than a week ago. Lucas and Elizabeth hadn't blindfolded her, but he still understood her fear.

"Do you trust me?" Tony asked her, gently.

"Of course," Emmy said.

Tony took her hand in his free, good hand and guided her outside and down the front steps to his Chevelle. He helped her into the passenger seat and buckled her in. Then he went around to the driver's side and got in himself.

"Tony, you shouldn't be driving," Emmy said, frowning slightly at him. "I can't believe you never asked the doctors if it was OK."

"Why should I have? It's better me driving with one hand and two feet, than you blindfolded, now, isn't it?" Tony teased her. "Besides, I didn't take any painkillers this morning. I'm fine to drive. You know you're really cute when you're mad."

Though she was trying to be serious, Emmy couldn't help herself; she laughed.

"All right, fine, be that way," she said. "God, you're so stubborn. Need I remind you that I know how you feel about my looks, babe. Yesterday, you wouldn't stop going on and on about them under the influence."

Tony blushed. "What else did I say?" he asked her suspiciously.

"Nothing I minded," she assured him, smiling. "But you know I'm gonna get motion sick, if it's a long way."

"It's not far," Tony assured her. As they began to drive off, he said, "You know, this kinda reminds me of a case we had once."

"What happened?" Emmy asked.

"It was a Marine Sergeant and his wife and daughter had been kidnapped. Long story short, the daughter was blind and an amazing pianist, her mom said. Eventually, even though she was blind, she helped us solve the case. Being blind, her acute other senses came in handy."

Emmy nodded.

She didn't know how far they drove, before she felt the car slow, stop, and heard Tony park the car. Being blindfolded, her other senses were keener than usual, so she didn't get motion sick. She had always had good hearing and a strong sense of smell.

She heard the driver's side car door open, Tony get out, and he came over and opened her door. He placed his right hand on hers, then helped her out of the car and into a building. Emmy could hear lots of— she guessed— other patrons' voices, but she still couldn't figure out where she was.

"Sit," said a low female voice.

Emmy jumped and inhaled sharply. "Ziva?" she asked. If it was Ziva, she hadn't heard her step next to her.

Whoever had spoken did not answer her question. As her heart slowed, she felt four hands moved her into a chair. She hesitated slightly, feeling something round and staticky, bump into her arm. None of the hands felt like Tony's, but she thought she recognized the voice from before and wasn't nervous.

"Ooh, she's good, Tony," said another, slightly higher female voice, from in front of Emmy. Emmy felt Tony sit to her left; she was assured it was him when he covered her hand with his own. "We should unveil our guest of honor now."

"Guest of—" Emmy began, as the blindfold was taken off. But she never finished her sentence.

"Happy Birthday!" Tony, Abby, McGee, Jimmy, Ducky, and Ziva said. Gibbs stood silently, but there was a rare small smile on his face.

Emmy's hands flew to her mouth, as she took in the scene: Tony had brought her to Red Lobster, her favorite sit-down restaurant in the entire world, and everyone had been waiting for them, sitting at a long table. Three balloons were tied to each chair, including hers. A waiter brought out her favorite entrée, Cajun linguini alfredo with seasoned chicken, already prepared and ready to eat, along with a large glass of water and a large glass of Mountain Dew.

"Go ahead and dig in," Abby said, smiling at Emmy, as everyone sat down.

Emmy smiled, mixed the sauce in with the noodles and chicken, then closed her eyes and savored her first delicious bite.

"Mm," she said appreciatively, "this is so good..."

"We were told it is your favorite dish," Ziva said, "so we went ahead and ordered it for you. Ours should be out soon."

"Cake and presents are after," Tony said, kissing Emmy's temple.

Emmy smiled. "This is so great, you guys," she said. "Thank you."

The team smiled— even Gibbs— and as their entrees arrived, began to eat as well.

"Can I try a bite of yours?" Tony asked Emmy.

"Sure," Emmy said, "if I can try your blackened walleye?"

Tony nodded and twisted a bite of noodles and stabbed a piece of chicken onto his fork. Through his mouthful, he said, "Mm, this is great."

Emmy chuckled and took a bite of his walleye. It was just about as good as hers.

They finished eating and a cake, complete with 29 candles, was brought out. The chef himself came out and cut pieces for them, giving Emmy the first one. It was her favorite kind; yellow cake, with chocolate frosting.

"When I was about 18, it was my dad's fiftieth birthday," Emmy said, between bites, "and I wanted to bake him a cake, even though I'm not a good cook. I bought the mix and had it all ready to bake, except I didn't have what to put it in. He told me to get the cake pan from above the fridge, and I accidentally got out a casserole dish instead and baked it in that." She grinned, as the team snickered. "It still tasted really good, but it sure looked funny. He laughed so hard when he discovered it, upon coming home."

The team chuckled, as they finished their pieces of cake.

Two presents were brought out. A medium-sized box, the present from the team, and a small box, a present from Tony.

Emmy opened the present from the team first, revealing an NCIS cap, just like the one Tony wore.

"Oh, this is wonderful," she said, smiling at the team, who all smiled back— even Gibbs.

"Happy Birthday, my dear," Ducky said.

Emmy smiled. "Thank you," she said to all of them, as she put the cap on. It fit perfectly.

"And this," Tony said, pushing the smaller box toward her, "is from me."

Emmy unwrapped the present, eying Tony warily.

It was a ring box.

Emmy stared at it, then looked up and stared at Tony. She was at a loss for words.

Tony gently took the box from her hands, turned it and opened it, and looked up at her. Then he got down on one knee.

"Emmy Gerard, will you marry me?" he asked. All traces of painkiller effect was gone from his face, eyes, and voice. He was dead serious.

Emmy was floored. "Are you sure? I mean, a-are you really sure?" she stammered. "Because if you're not sure, we could just get back in the car and do this all over again. It's only been six months."

"You know I usually don't ask a question I don't already know the answer to," Tony said, just as quickly, "so... at the risk of being rejected twice, I'm going to ask again. Emmy Grace Gerard, will you marry me?"

"Yes," Emmy said, laughing, "yes!"

Tony beamed, as he stood up and took her into his arms and kissed her deeply. By the time they both stood, the ring was already sparkling on her finger. The team clapped as they looked on, smiling.

Ahem, I love Sweet Home Alabama, LOL. I don't own the quotes I borrowed, but that movie is so cute, I couldn't resist using them. Plus, I watched it, like, six times lately, so... :)

Also, the case Tony is referring to, when telling Emmy, is the case in See No Evil, I believe, though it could also be Witch Hunt, I'm not entirely sure. It aired yesterday, I know, because I watched it... Hmmm... I know, I need to follow Gibbs Rule #3 and not assume, double-check, so I will do that and complete the disclaimer at the beginning of the next chapter, maybe. :)

Please review!