A/N: Wow, Chapter 25 already. It's finally happened. I wrote a long chapter and didn't feel like breaking it up in two. Hope it keeps your attention. Thanks as always for the reviews - they make my day!

***JIBBS***JIBBS***JIBBS***

Gibbs arrived at the library a few minutes early to pick up Jenny. He leaned against the wall, watching her with a little girl. The youngster was enraptured by some story Jenny was telling her in a rather animated fashion. She then reached for the book Jenny had, hugged it to herself and ran off to her mother. He watched as Jenny stood up, smiling. After the girl and her mom were out of sight, he noticed the smile replaced with a hint of sadness. The casual observer probably couldn't tell the difference but he was no casual observer. He was the man who loved her.

Jenny glanced at her watch and then turned her eyes his direction, a huge smile returning as their eyes met. She turned to grab her purse, say goodbye to her co-worker and headed towards him.

"Don't you look incredibly dashing. Nice suit… and tie," her eyes furrowed. "That I picked out for Ryan when he had a special Daddy/Daughter dance with Missy." She looked at him questioningly.

He rolled his eyes. "Should have known you'd know right away. You would. What do you want from me? I didn't pack anything nice for slumming around Mexico," he said sheepishly.

She laughed. "Something nice, hmm… And what do you have behind your back?"

"I think you deserve a special night, so…" He pulled from behind his back one of her cute little black dresses, along with a pair of strappy heels. "I figured you'd want to change."

"And you couldn't take me home first to do that?"

"No time. Not if we're going to make our reservation at Lucia's."

She was beaming ear-to-ear. "I am suitably impressed. I don't suppose you have my makeup bag in your other hand."

He smiled as he pulled it out.

She squealed quietly. "You are scoring some serious points tonight, Jethro!" She took her things and kissed him before she turned for the bathroom.

"You have 15 minutes," he called out as she headed inside.

Once there, Jenny went through her makeup bag and found he'd also included the perfect earrings and bracelet. She kept shaking her head, barely believing how thoughtful he was being. This was the same guy who spent three years blowing her off, being dismissive and the worst offense - not noticing when she got her hair cut and yet now was picking out entire outfits for her? Who was this man?

Of course she knew the answer to that. He was the man who made it so she couldn't stop smiling. Her. The ice queen. Not anymore - for him she was a complete puddle.

Outside, Gibbs was waiting patiently, replaying her reaction over and over in his head. He adored seeing her happy and knowing he was the reason. He was determined to make the evening as magical as he could for her.

He'd spent a good part of the day working on his project in the backyard, trying simultaneously not to think of their impossible situation and also how to solve it. The stress he'd been feeling for her over this had taken its toll - and he'd only been experiencing it for six days. Thinking about what it must have done to Jenny over the past year… well, it made him determined to do all that he could for her. And tonight would be the start of it.

Jenny took one last look in the mirror. The door opened and one of her co-workers walked in. The look on the woman's face said everything. So did her quiet whistling.

Jenny rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I know it's a bit much but my… um, I'm going out tonight to Lucia's. Could you do me a favor and throw this stuff in my desk drawer so I can make a big entrance for him?

The co-worker smiled conspiratorially before nodding. The two women hugged goodbye before Jenny exited.

She walked out and caught Gibbs' eyes as he spotted her. The look - and his smile - was worth the hurried effort. She walked over to him and reached for his hand. He whispered in her ear, "I knew you'd look dynamite in this but you literally take my breath away."

He was surprised to see her blush, but it made him very happy. He slipped his hand to the small of her back to guide her to the car. He opened it, helping her inside. He did the same on the other end, enjoying the view of her legs as she gracefully stepped out of the car. In heels. How does she do that?

Inside, they were both impressed with the ambiance, the low light giving off a romantic feel. Jenny looked around at the Southern Spain/Moorish influence. "It's truly as magnificent as I heard," she said, her eyes lit up with wonder, drinking in every enchanting touch.

He was sure it was as incredible as she said, but he only had eyes for her.

The waitress came over and delighted in answering every question Jenny had for her about the wine and various dishes. Jenny said she would order for them both, and he nodded. She settled on starting with Young Field Greens & Prosciutto Figs, to be followed by Sopa de Poro and then for the main dish, Seared Sea Scallop and Sugared Shrimp for her. Jenny suggested they may want to share the first two courses, and then ordered the New York strip with crab claws for his main course. Gibbs heartily concurred. The waitress then left to get the wine.

He loved how excited she was about the meal. He got the feeling she wasn't eating out at places like this very often. Then again, how could she? Jenny was on a stricter budget than she enjoyed as head of NCIS.

The first two courses were incredible, and he loved sharing them with her as she explained every element she could place about the various tastes.

Before the third course could be brought out, there was a ruckus being made in the kitchen. A man screamed something they couldn't understand and then some women started crying. Jenny saw the panicked look on Gibbs' face, especially when he reached for his gun and realized he wasn't carrying. She motioned to her purse, which of course held her trusty Beretta. They shared a knowing look, once again partners in synch with each other, when the man burst out of the kitchen, smiling and handing out cigars to all the men in the restaurant.

Jenny and Gibbs couldn't help but laugh, instantly relaxing. The man turned out to be the manager of the restaurant and his wife had just given birth to their third child - a son this time. Gibbs shook the man's hand and took the cigar, placing it in his jacket pocket.

A bottle of wine was opened and everyone was given a free glass to toast the new father. Jenny was beaming, loving being a part of the frivolity that was infecting everyone in the restaurant. They both stood up and joined the other patrons in the toast. It wasn't long before he'd left the restaurant and things returned to normal, other than the waitresses gathered in a corner, giggling at the picture he'd left for them of the newborn.

"Unbelievable," Jenny said, unable to stop smiling. "What a beautiful moment to witness."

"You okay about it?"

She looked at him. "You are so sweet, but yes, I'm fine. If I got upset at every mention of a child, I'd never be able to function. Kids are everywhere, if you haven't noticed." She then looked at him and realized, while she'd had years to process it - not that she actually did - it was all very fresh for him. "Are you okay?"

He nodded just as their main course arrived, effectively changing the mood. Everything was delicious and the conversation remained light as the two basked in being together.

After the bill was paid, she took his arm and they walked out of the restaurant.

"It's a beautiful night, care to walk around a little?" he asked. She smiled as he took her hand in his, leading her down the quaint walkway, which was decorated with tiny white lights. Music played over well-placed speakers, giving it a magical feeling. "Moon River" began to play, and Jethro noticed Jenny's eyes light up.

"My mother and father used to love this song. She'd make him stop whatever he was doing and dance with her. One of my favorite memories. It feels like a sign, like maybe they're watching and they approve."

Gibbs stopped in his tracks and turned to her. "May I have this dance?"

She looked around, a little embarrassed, but noticed there weren't many people there. "Are you sure?"

"Come on. Live a little."

She couldn't contain her smile as she placed her other hand on his shoulder and he wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her snugly against his chest. They spent the entire dance looking into each other's eyes. His heart was beating quickly as an idea swept over him.

When the music was nearing the end, he got down on one knee.

In shock, Jenny's eyes went wide. "What the hell are you doing, Jethro?"

He held both of her hands in his. "Marry me."

Jenny looked around and saw that the few people who were around were starting to stare. She whispered, "Jethro, get up."

"Not until you answer me."

So Jenny kneeled down. "Have you lost your mind? How much wine did you drink?"

"Why are you so surprised, you know how I feel."

"Have you given this any thought? I used to wonder how you could have been married so many times but I'm beginning to gain some insight."

"Oh come on."

"So did you give this any thought? Do you even have a ring?"

The panicked look on his face answered her question. Then suddenly he had an idea and reached into his jacket pocket, retrieving the cigar from earlier. He took off the band and held it up to her.

"Let me try this again," he said, taking her left hand in his. "Will you marry me?"

She stuck out her ring finger for him to put the band on. "I guess I've lost my mind, too."

"Can you please just say it?"

She smiled. "Yes, I'll marry you, you crazy man."

He released a scream of approval as he lifted her up and spun her around. The gathering crowd cheered.