Title: A Walk To Remember

Chapter: 14

Disclaimer: I do not own ANY of the original characters from the show, they belong to the writers of NCIS but i do however claim ownership of all other non-original characters from the show.

Author's note: AH! Please don't hate me, I know it's been forever since you got an update but I've been insanely busy! We were assigned one project for every class and were only given two days to finish all of them because the teachers are behind in the course and we need to catch up in the last week! So, sorry that it took me so long to update, but I had good reason.

Anyways... A lot of stuff happens in this chapter, and I didn't want to make it seem to rushed, but it was bugging me that I'd spent so much time focusing on the wedding that hadn't even happened yet and isn't the main part of the story. So... things may happen quickly in this chapter but I wanted to get back to the "Ziva's sick" issue (which, wait for it, I will deal with in the next chapter.)

Also, I know that it's kind of weird to be having Tony and Ziva get married in high school, since it would take a lot to get them to that altar while they're adults, but it happened in the movie, which I am still attempting to stick to the main points of. So I tried to make it as realistic as I could, and you'll see some of Tony's reasoning on why they shouldn't wait in the first "scene" of this chapter.

One last thing... I didn't want to have Tony and Ziva be too young, so they're graduating in the first part of this chapter, at least this way they're out of high school. :) Enjoy!

PS. I made this chapter longer because of the long wait.

Tony looked over at Ziva, who was sitting next to him in their school auditorium and smiled. He squeezed her hand gently, then let go and prepared himself to stand up.

"Anthony DiNozzo!" Leon Vance, the principal of Jefferson High called out and Tony proudly stood up and made his way to the stage where Vance was waiting with his diploma.

After standing next to the principal, Tony smiled and shook the man's hand. Much to his surprise, Leon smiled back.

"Never thought I'd say this, DiNozzzo…" Vance said for Tony's ears alone, "But good job and congratulations."

Tony raised his eyebrows at the man's gesture, but smiled and nodded his thanks before standing next to his classmates that were already standing on the stage. A few of them flashed Tony smiles, and he returned the favour.

Josh, who was standing beside Tony, flashed him a grin. Although their friendship had hit a rough spot when Tony punched him, Josh apologized only a few days later, and the two were now closer than ever. Not only that, but Josh was different too. Just like Tony, he had changed.

After learning that Ziva was dying, Josh felt like a complete jerk for abusing her the way he had. After apologizing to both her and Tony, he'd become a nicer guy.

"Ziva David." Tony couldn't help but smile as Ziva stood up and gracefully made her way onstage. She took her diploma from Vance, who nodded at her approvingly.

Ziva then joined Tony and her other classmates on the other side of the stage. She stood directly in front of Tony, who was smiling happily down at her. Although Ziva would roll his eyes if he ever said anything, he was proud of her.

Tony reached into his suit pocket and fingered the engagement ring he had bought her. He planned on proposing tonight.

Although his parents, after learning of his plans, told Tony that he was too young for marriage, he disagreed. Even though he never would've thought that he'd been getting married at this age, he found the woman that most people waited a lifetime to find, why should he wait?

Even after this argument, Tony's parents didn't give in, but after they realized he wasn't going to back down, they agreed to a compromise. Tony would propose to Ziva… but only after they'd graduated high school.

As much as it killed Tony to wait, he had agreed to do so if that meant that he and Ziva could get married. Now, a month and a half later, Tony was glad that he didn't have to wait any longer.

Tony was snapped out of his thoughts when music started, and he realized that the ceremony was almost over. The music grew louder and he joined his classmates in singing "Graduation" by Vitamin C.

When the song was over, the class slowly walked down the aisle and out of the auditorium in single file. As soon as they were out of the room, Tony took Ziva's hand in his own.

She smiled up at him and Tony towered over her with a smile on his face. He placed a gentle kiss on her lips before pulling away and smiling even wider.

"I have a special celebration planned."

"Oh? "Ziva asked with a raised eyebrow, "What does this 'celebration' include?"

Tony flashed her a mischievous grin, "It's a surprise."

~~~NCIS~~~

"Tony, will you just tell me where we are going already?" Ziva asked in exasperation as she stared out the car window.

Tony chuckled, "Relax Zee, I want it to be a surprise."

Ziva let out a sigh and sunk into her seat while crossing her arms in defiance. She glared at Tony when he chuckled, that was not the reaction she was looking for. Still, when he flashed her the special smile he saved just for her, she couldn't help but smile back.

Tony pulled the car to a stop on the side of the road and Ziva looked at him questioningly, but when he got out of the car she followed.

Tony came up around her and placed a kiss on her mouth, which Ziva happily returned, before he whispered. "Do you trust me?"

Ziva looked at him suspiciously, "That depends…"

"On what?" Tony asked with a grin and Ziva smirked.

"On whatever it is that you want me to do."

Tony rolled his eyes but knew that she was right. "I'm going to cover your eyes and lead you to the surprise. I need you to trust me to get you there safely."

Ziva sighed, "Why can I not walk there without you covering my eyes?" She looked down at the graduation dress she was wearing in disdain, "It is hard enough to move around in this thing as it is, and now you will not let me see either?"

Tony flashed Ziva a pleading look and she sighed in frustration, "Fine."

Tony smiled down at her and promised, "I'll make it up to you."

Ziva flashed Tony a playful glare, "You better."

Tony chuckled before stepping forward and covering Ziva's eyes with his hand. He used the other arm to guide her along a path. They walked this way for about a minute before Tony stopped and took his hand away.

Ziva opened her eyes and a smile crossed her face as she took in the beautiful sunset.

When she turned to look at Tony, she found him watching her with a smile.

"There's more." He announced and Ziva turned around and swept the area with her eyes as she looked for the rest of the surprise. Finally, her gaze rested on what she realized to be a blanket with a basket on it. Looking at Tony, she smiled.

"You made a picnic?" Tony nodded, but the gleam in his eye told her there was something more. She walked over to the basket and pulled out some of the food.

A soft smile crossed her face before she turned to Tony, holding the Israeli food in her hand. Tony smiled at her, "I cooked it myself. I wanted to do something special for you."

"Thank you." Were the only words that Ziva was able to get past her throat. She walked over to Tony and kissed him before pulling back and staring him in the eyes, "I love you Tony."

"I love you too Zee." Tony replied with a happy smile. He gently led her towards the blanket and they sat down.

After about half an hour of enjoying the food, sunset and each other's company later, Tony nervously reached into his pocket and pulled out the engagement ring.

He turned to Ziva with a serious look on his face.

"Ziva?" He asked and Ziva, after seeing the serious look on Tony's face, gave him her full attention.

"Before you, I was a jerk. I chased girls endlessly but never really cared for them, I constantly worried about my reputation and football was my life. I was horrible to anyone who was considered less popular than me. But… then I met you. And, well… you changed me. I no longer wanted to chase girls, I found myself wanting that serious relationship I'd always avoided before, my reputation didn't matter and even football wasn't important anymore."

Tony's eyes met Ziva's as he continued, "I wasn't the jerk of a guy I was before anymore, and I didn't even want to be that. You… You made me want to be better. You gave me a reason to be better, and that reason was you. Soon enough, I realized that I was in love with you."

Ziva smiled and Tony couldn't help but return it. He leaned forward and tucked a stray hair behind her ear, "When I found out you were dying, I…" He swallowed the lump in his throat, "I didn't know what to do. All I knew was that I loved you, and that I'd do anything to take this burden away from you. I'd gladly take your place, but I know that's not possible."

"I also realized though," Tony's fingers were itching to pull out the small box in his pocket. "I realized that I don't have forever to spend with you, and the thought terrified me. But… knowing that our time together is limited forced me to realize how precious that time is. I don't care whether it's a day, a year or a lifetime, I want to spend it with you by my side. I love you Ziva."

Tony finally pulled out the engagement ring and got down on one knee, "Will you marry me?"

Ziva's mouth dropped open slightly in surprise, but after she got over her shock, she got down on her knees and pulled Tony into a kiss.

They broke apart smiling and Ziva blinked back tears as she answered, "Yes. I will."

Tony's smile grew wider and he kissed her one more time before gently placing the ring on her finger. As he slipped it on, his eyes met hers, love shining brightly in them.

"I love you Ziva."

~~~NCIS~~~

Three weeks later…

"Ziva?" Gibbs questioned as he softly knocked on the door to the women's bathroom inside the church Ziva and Tony were about to get married in. "The last bridesmaid is walking down the aisle right now, we have to be at the door in one minute."

At Gibbs' words, the door opened to revealing Ziva. Gibbs' eyes widened as he looked at his daughter. The white dress contrasted perfectly with her tanned skin and the smile on her face was absolutely breathtaking.

Ziva smiled wider at the look on her father's face, "We must go now, yes?"

"Yes." Gibbs answered and he wrapped his arm in hers before leading her to the door. They stopped just outside the sanctuary and he took one more look at her. "You look beautiful Ziva."

He paused a moment and a sad look came into his eyes as he added, "Tony will take good care of you."

Ziva nodded, knowing that it was true. Still, the sad look in her father's eyes tugged at her heart. She placed her hands on his shoulders and looked into his eyes as she said, "I know he will, but I'll never stop needing you."

At Ziva's words, Gibbs felt tears burning the back of his eyes. He quickly blinked them away and smiled, "And I'll never stop being here."

Ziva smiled, and the piano began to play "Here Comes The Bride." Ziva wrapped her arm in Gibbs' before they faced the sanctuary and stepped inside.

As soon as they saw Ziva, everyone stood and watched as Gibbs escorted her down the aisle.

Soon, they were standing at the front of the church and it was time for Gibbs to let go. He kissed Ziva on the cheek and whispered "I love you" in her ear before letting go and taking a step back.

Ziva blinked back tears as she whispered, "I love you too Dad."

Gibbs nodded and smiled at her before taking a seat next to Jenny in the front row. He watched as Ziva turned to Tony, who was smiling but watching her in concern. As soon as Ziva saw her fiancé, a smile crossed her face and, after assuring himself that Ziva was okay, Tony returned it. They turned to look at the Rabbi with smiles on their faces.

"Let us begin."

Ziva glanced over at Tony and was about to look back at the Rabbi when his eyes caught hers. They simply stared at each other in wonder until the Rabbi began addressing Tony.

"Do you, Anthony DiNozzo, take Ziva David to be your lawfully wedded wife for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health," The Rabbi paused for a moment to let his last words sink in, "to love and cherish until death do you part?"

Tony smiled happily at Ziva before answering, "I do."

The Rabbi nodded, then turned towards Ziva.

"And do you, Ziva David, take Anthony DiNozzo to be your lawfully wedded husband for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death do you part?"

Ziva's heart was racing as she considered the Rabbi's question. This is it…

After turning to look at Tony, Ziva smiled and stared into his eyes, "I do."

A large smile broke out on Tony's face as the Rabbi finished.

"If anyone here has any reason as to why these two should not wed, speak now or forever hold your peace." When no one spoke up, the Rabbi smiled, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Tony smiled widely before covering Ziva's mouth with his own. Several people clapped while they kissed, and it was Ziva who ended up pulling back for air. Tony simply grinned at her, and he took her hand in his own.

The pianist began playing music and Tony walked Ziva down the aisle. He exited the church happily, knowing that this was the best moment of his life. He looked down at their intertwined fingers and smiled at the realization that he was now holding hands with Mrs. Ziva DiNozzo.

So... How did I do? Like I said, I tried to make it as realistic as I could but it's a little difficult to do in this situation. Still, I thought that the idea was kind of sweet and it was an important part in the movie.

Anyways... stay tuned for the next chapter, it's a VERY important one! :) I'm going to adress the fact that Ziva is sick, but I might not be "adressing" it in the way that you would think of. He he he... I know I'm evil but I love leaving you guys hanging with stuff like that. :P

Thanks for reading, I hope you liked it and please review!