Title: More Than You Know
Author: rekkidbraka
Rating: T
Pairings: Tony D. and Ziva D.
Category: Romance
Disclaimer: No infringement intended.
Spoilers: None
Summary: Valentine's Day brings a surprise for Ziva.

-------------------- More Than You Know ---------------------

"Eat me." Ziva read the two words written on the little pink Post-It taped to a huge heart-shaped box of chocolates. Narrowing her dark brown eyes in Tony's direction, she studied him cautiously. Was this one of his jokes?

Tony shot her a nonchalant look, but his green eyes betrayed him. As ever, they sparkled with mischief.

"Sweets for the Sweet Cheeks," Tony said with a grin. "Bon-bons for my bon-bon. Nougats for my ninja." Ziva continued staring at him and at last, a tiny bit peeved that she wasn't playing along, Tony frowned slightly and huffed "Valentine's Day chocolates for my valentine! Good stuff! Yummy yummies!" Too impatient to wait any longer, Tony reached for the box. "Just OPEN it!"

Ziva yanked her box away to relative safety.

"It is my gift," she reminded Tony. "I will open it when I wish."

Scowling, Tony flopped down on the sofa. He muttered something to himself about how most women would've torn into that box already "but not MY little assassin! HO no!" and issued a self-mocking snort. Rolling her eyes at his dramatic show, Ziva joined Tony on the couch.

"You won't eat my chocolates," Tony pouted.

"I will," Ziva promised. "But we just had breakfast, Tony."

"It's Valentine's Day and you're supposed to eat the chocolates. Or at least open the box." Now Tony stuck out his lower lip, really wanting Ziva to see how "hurt" he was. Again, she rolled her eyes. Sighing heavily, she began to carefully tug at the delicately-tied bow securing the box.

"Yes, my little furry mutt," Ziva said, as if comforting a small child. "We will OPEN your present for me right now." Tony perked up, finding his most dazzling smile for the occasion.

"Open it faster," he prodded. Ziva shot him a look that hinted he should stop while he was ahead and Tony grimaced. "I just mean that we should get you feeling the love as soon as humanly possible, Sweet Cheeks." Ziva snickered and continued taking her time.

Once the bow was untied, Ziva opened the box and was surprised to see... only one chocolate. She didn't understand what was going on but, again, considered that she might be the victim of a Tony DiNozzo prank. But on Valentine's Day? The timing wasn't exactly perfect.

"You do not want me to lose my shotglass figure?" Ziva held out the box, offering Tony the little chocolate. He smiled at her.

"Hourglass," he corrected. "Hourglass figure. And c'mon, my sugar lump -- eat up!"

The fact that Tony was overly excited about her eating just one little chocolate confirmed Ziva's private suspicions that something sneaky was going on.

"YOU are pulling at my leg," Ziva said, intentionally dragging out the whole chocolate-eating process. She wanted to see how Tony would react when faced with having to keep waiting for whatever it was that he so badly wanted. "And I am not hungry, anyway. I will indulge myself later." She started to replace the lid on the box when Tony's hand shot out, stopping her.

"Ziva, c'mon," Tony said in a tone so serious that Ziva was taken aback. "Take the candy outta the box. Please. For me?" His green eyes pleaded with her to listen. Ziva realized that Tony wasn't kidding.

With care, Ziva slowly removed the single chocolate from its thin paper casing and took a bite. The remaining half she offered Tony. When he opened his mouth to receive the sweet morsel, Ziva placed it between his lips with deliberate tenderness. Tony took the chocolate on his tongue and the pair gazed at each other longingly while enjoying their shared treat in silence.

"That was delicious," Ziva said softly after a short time. "Thank you, Tony." Leaning over to him, Ziva kissed Tony, the taste of the chocolate mixing on their tongues.

"Pick up the paper," Tony whispered huskily, nodding at the candy box in Ziva's lap.

Lifting the delicate red tissue that the chocolate had rested in, Ziva found a gold ring with a single diamond set in it. Words failed her; she choked back tears.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Ziva," Tony said, kissing her forehead. "It'll be a lot happier if you say 'yes' when I ask you if you'll marry me, though."

"Oh, Tony," Ziva croaked, her voice breaking as hot tears streamed down her cheeks. She nodded "yes," suddenly unable to speak.

"Wait," Tony broke in, "because I wanna do this right." He got down off the sofa, moved the coffee table over and knelt before Ziva on a single knee. Taking her hand in his, Tony took the little ring, held it up and said "Ziva, I love you. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Even on the days you probably don't want to spend the rest of YOUR life with ME." Ziva couldn't help but laugh through her tears, hearing this. Tony grinned and then was serious again. "Ziva, will you marry me?"

"Yes, Tony," Ziva said, flushed with joy. "Yes. I love you. And I will be your wife. I will marry you."

Tony broke into a huge toothy grin before gently placing the engagement ring on Ziva's finger. Once this was done, he brought her hand to his lips, planting a sweet kiss on her newly-minted ring finger. Ziva sniffled, unable to stop crying.

"Aw, Sweet Cheeks," Tony said, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket. He handed it to Ziva, who used it to dab at her eyes, clean her "sweet cheeks" and then blow her nose. "You, uh... you keep it," Tony replied when Ziva handed the cloth back to him. "Think of it as a token of our undying love, my weeping ninja." Once again, Ziva found herself laughing at Tony's irreverence. Tony sat back on the sofa beside Ziva, pulling her to him as he comforted her. "I love you so much," he whispered, taking in the scent of her shampoo. "I can't wait to be your husband."

"Gibbs," Ziva replied, the thought of their boss suddenly crossing her mind. "What will Gibbs say?" She pulled back from Tony's embrace, now seriously concerned. "How will we continue working together? He will not be..."

"Honey, it's Valentine's Day," Tony answered. He again pulled Ziva to him, rubbing her back to soothe her. "And we're gonna get married." Ziva relaxed in Tony's arms. He felt her tension ease. "It's a long time 'til 7 o'clock tomorrow morning. So you just be my Valentine, Sweet Cheeks, and everything's gonna be okay."

"Tony?" Ziva asked, "What happened to the rest of the chocolates?"

"Somebody had to make the sacrifice in order to bring you so much joy, my bon-bon," Tony replied.

"And you naturally fell on the knife. For my happiness." Ziva grinned.

"Sword. I fell on the sword. For your happiness," Tony said. "There's nothing I won't do for you, my truffle."

"Such as, eating an entire box of chocolates in one sitting?" Ziva snickered.

"Nougats," Tony sniffed, frowning at the memory. "Shoulda spent the extra five bucks for the caramels."