Author's Notes: We're going to skip forward. This is going to cover Hiram's graduation day from high school. It is around that time of the year again, so I figured that it was appropriate.

Thank you everyone for your reviews, favorites, follows and just reading this. KK: You're welcome. Happy belated birthday! I hope that you had a great birthday! Celestrial Moon: For sure. Their parents would be proud!

One Shot Number Thirteen: The End of High School for Hiram

Hiram fidgeted with the tie around his neck. His parents had insisted that he wear a suit today. Hiram felt ridiculous. Suits were definitely not his thing. He was absolutely hopeless at tying ties. He had already spent the good part of twenty minutes attempting to get his tie just right.

"Are you still getting dressed, son?" asked Tony, peering into the room.

"I can't get this tie on," whined Hiram. "Why do I have to wear a tie in the first place?"

"It's a special occasion," responded Tony. He strode over to his son. Tony began to do a Windsor knot on Hiram's tie. "It isn't every day that you graduate high school."

"But none of my other friends will be wearing a suit and tie," complained Hiram, watching his dad tie the knot.

"Well, none of your friends are salutatorian either," replied Tony. He finished tying the knot. "Don't you want to look good for your big day? I'm sure that Arya will approve of your attire. Women love a man in a suit."

Hiram flushed crimson at Arya's name. Tony grinned at his son. At that moment, Ziva appeared at the doorway. Like Tony and Hiram, she was also dressed up for the occasion.

"Just said goodbye to Gemma," said Ziva. "She had to be there early for band. They are performing Pomp and Circumstance for the Graduation Ceremony." Ziva gazed at her son. "My sweet boy. You look so grown up in that suit."

There were tears forming in Ziva's eyes. Tony crossed the room to hug her. It was not often that Ziva DiNozzo became overwhelmed with emotion. This was one of those rare moments. Hiram grinned at his parents.

"Don't cry, mom," stated Hiram, hugging his mother. "This is a happy time."

Ziva withdrew from Tony. She wiped her eyes with a tissue. She gave Hiram a watery smile.

"You're right," she answered him. "I just find it so hard to believe that you are growing up. My little man."

Tony watched as Ziva and Hiram hugged. He glanced down at his watch. They had ten minutes to get to the high school. Otherwise, Hiram would miss the ceremony.

"We'd better get going," suggested Tony. "Otherwise, you'll be late."

Hiram and Ziva stopped hugging. They walked out to the car. Tony drove them to the high school. After another hug, Hiram departed from his parents.

The ceremony lasted two hours. The gymnasium was decorated in blue and silver—the school's colors. Hiram's graduating class consisted of two hundred and fifty students. The band played Pomp and Circumstance spectacularly. Even near the end, when they had already repeated ten times before, the band members kept going. When it was time to end the song, you could almost hear the collective sigh of relief from the band members.

Heather Hawthorn, the valedictorian, gave her speech first. Everyone listened intently and clapped after Heather was finished speaking. Then, it was Hiram's turn. Ziva had tears in her eyes the whole time that her son was speaking. At one point, Tony reached over and held her hand. Ziva looked into Tony's eyes, knowing that they were sharing the same thought.

The ceremony officially ended with everyone tossing their caps into the air. Ziva snapped a picture of the event. After a few more pictures, it was time to leave. Tony and Ziva had planned a graduation party for Hiram. They got into their car and drove to the park. Once they pulled into the parking lot of the pavilion, the family got out of the car.

All of Hiram's family made an appearance. Even unofficial members of the family were there. Ducky, Gibbs, Palmer, Breena, Tim and Abby were in attendance. Tony's father and his new bride were there as well. Three-fourths of Hiram's classmates were there as well, including his girlfriend Arya.

"So, my boy, what are your plans now?" asked Ducky, after giving Hiram a firm handshake.

"I plan on going into pre-med at Ohio State," explained Hiram. "I want to be a doctor."

"A fine choice, lad!" exclaimed Ducky. "And Ohio State, too! Your father must be proud!"

"I think that he was happier than I was when I received the acceptance letter," joked Hiram.

Ducky chuckled. He knew exactly how exuberant Tony could be. The man was easily excited.

"If you need any help at all with your studies, I would be honored to help," added Ducky.

"Thank you, Ducky," stated Hiram, smiling.

"I mean it lad," declared Ducky, seriously. "It would be my pleasure to help."

"I'll keep that in mind," replied Hiram.

As Ducky walked away, Hiram saw Arya approach him. She had a very strange look on her face. She kept twisting her hair. Her eyes kept shifting nervously. Hiram gulped. All of a sudden, he was not feeling too well.

"I need to talk to you," whispered Arya.

Hiram did not like the sound of that. Nothing good ever came from that sentence. Worried, he followed Arya outside.

I'm going to stop it right here. The next one shot will focus on what Arya has to say to Hiram. In the mean time, read and review, please!