If you were to ask Bella about her birthday, she would say it was days away coming ever so slowly. If you were to ask Tim, her birthday was moving up fast. In what seemed like the blink of an eye, the eleven weeks quickly became four weeks and Tim was still minus an engagement and wedding ring. The past seven weeks were spent either at work or helping Abby, Gibbs, and Ziva plan the surprise party they were going to throw at Gibbs' house.

I cannot wait until this thing if over, Abby is going all out! Stepping into his apartment, he throws his keys on the kitchen counter top as he sheds off his jacket hanging it up by the door. It's 1:30 in the morning, he groans as he heads for the bedroom. Turning on the light, Tim's heart nearly breaks; Bella was curled up on his bed asleep. She probably showed up earlier and waited for me to get home and fell asleep. Getting into his sleep ware (a shirt, boxers and socks), he carefully slips into bed wrapping an arm around her.

~*~

(Saturday)

A faint ringing causes Bella to wake up. Where am I? Glancing around, I passed out at Tim's last night. Moving to her back, she reaches across beside her, his side is still warm, so he came home. Hearing voices out in the living room, she slowly drags herself out of bed.

"Right now? Really? Fine." Hanging up his cell phone, Tim turns to see Bells standing in his bedroom doorway with the 'just woke up' look.

"Who was that?"

Trying to think of something that wasn't a complete lie, "It was Abby. She needs me to come over and help her move a few things."

"Can't Mark help her? I've hardly seen much of you the past few weeks."

Think Tim, think! "He is, she needs two guys to help her."

Reading his eyes, he's lying. Feeling the increased pressure in her eyes, "Do you have to go?"

"I'm sorry Bells. I don't want to go, but I have to."

She nods as she gives him a fake smile, "Right. Moving things."

Sliding past her in the doorway, he throws on some normal clothes and heads back out giving her a quick kiss on the lips. "I'll see you later."

Watching him slip out the door, tears cloud her usual bright green eyes. Sliding down the doorframe, she wraps her arms around her legs crying softly.

~*~

(Wednesday)

All hell broke loose at NCIS in the gym room after lunch. Watching Tim disappear for a fourth time that day to nowhere, Bella could feel the anger and betrayal building in her chest. She should have known. How could she have been so stupid? Throwing her cold case file on her desk, she looks at Gibbs, " I'm going to be in the gym. I can't think right now."

Knowing that was code for either being extremely pissed or sad, he nods his head knowing better then to interfere. "Fine."

Watching Bella walk off, err rather stalk off down the stairs, Ziva's eyes flicker to her phone. Call McGee and let him know? Maybe Abby knew why she was upset? No, she would give her some time first.

(An hour later)

Ziva steps into the gym to find Bella literally beating the punching bag. Ziva shakes her head, if there was any doubt in anyone's mind about her being Gibbs' niece, there is not anymore. She has his temper. "I think it has learned its lesson Bella."

Bella grunts as she stops the bag before looking at her. "No one will spar with me. Mostly because if I get hurt, they don't want to be the ones to deal with Gibbs."

"I will spar with you, if that is what you want." Maybe I can get her to talk, if not burn off some of her foul mood.

~*~

The two both go into a defensive stance. They both exchange blows and blocks and Ziva can see the anger flash in Bella's eyes as she once again avoids her strike. Never fight when you are angry Bella, your emotions cloud your movement. After a few more swings, Bella steps too wide and Ziva grabs her, throwing her to the ground. She scrambles back up and the same thing occurs several more times, on the last takedown, Ziva swears she hears something crack.

Forcing herself back into a standing position, Bella goes into a fighting pose. "Come on Ziva." She waves her fingers in a 'come here' motion, "Hit me."

"Bella, I do not think that is a wise idea."

Bella rolls her eyes, "You wanted to fight with me, so let's go."

"I think that it is best if we do not continue."

Bella smirks as she raises an eyebrow looking at her, "Don't tell me that the bad ass Mossad agent in you has gone soft."

Ziva shakes her head, knowing the foul mood Bella has been in the last few days, she chuckles, "Bella this is not you. I trained you in Mossad; you know that I have not gone soft. What is your problem?"

Bella narrows her eyes at Ziva, her tone cold, "I want a decent sparing partner. Now, are you going to spar with me or not?"

Ziva glares at her giving in, "Come on 'tough girl', lets see what you got. Though I promise you that you will not win. You are, after all, a weak NCIS agent."

Bella's smirk grows as she nods; "Now that is what I am talking about." Taking the first step forward, she brings her hand out to strike, but shifts down to try to knock Ziva's feet from out from under her.

Being trained as she is, Ziva reads Bella's face knowing her next move. She jumps in the air, and brings her arm down, grabbing Bella's wrist and locking her arm behind her back, "Come on Bella, that is a weak move. I trained you better!"

Bella growls at Ziva, putting her in a half-arm bar was easy enough to get out of. Throwing her weight back and up, she managed to shove Ziva back enough to loosen her grip on her arm and turns back around facing her.

"Ah, very nice escape," Ziva taunts, and moves to dodge Bella's next move. "Not so nice attempt to attack."

Time to play dirty. Waiting until Ziva strikes at her, she goes down as if she was in pain. Waiting until Ziva let her guard down and approached her, she grabs Ziva's arm on a pressure point and yanks her to the ground, before climbing on top of her to pin her.

Ziva laughs, as Bella thinks she's won, but Ziva has other plans. She waits until Bella moves her arm to hold her head down and then brings her arm up, whacking Bella in the side of her head, knocking her off of her midsection. Ziva pins Bella down with her knee and holds her head down on the mat-not noticing that Bella lands on her wrist.

"Now, what is your problem?"

Fighting to keep back the scream in her throat, she struggles under Ziva, "Ziva my arm."

Ziva shakes her head at her, I am not that easily fooled. "Your arm is not the problem, Bella!" Ziva growls at the woman beneath her.

She feels the tears in her eyes, as she whimpers "No, Ziva. My arm. I think something cracked."

Quickly getting off, Ziva helps Bella to stand, "I am sorry, Bella. Lets go see Ducky, we can finish our talk later."

Holding her arm against her body, she follows Ziva's lead to the elevator, heading to Autopsy. Leaning against the elevator wall, she slowly exhales trying to fight the pain.

Ziva looks at her, "Bella, please tell me what is wrong? I am sorry that I got so defensive during our spar. You are my friend, and I am worried about you. You have not been yourself."

"It's Tim." Now trying to fight back another fresh batch of tears, but not from her arm, she tries to keep her voice even. "He's been distant for weeks. I was over on Friday and he didn't get in until late and left immediately that morning. He lied to me Ziva. He's been lying to me for weeks now. I think- I think he's seeing someone else."

Turning to Bella in shock, she pulls the emergency stop, "Bella, that is ridiculous. He is not seeing someone else, that I know for certain."

"Then why would he lie to me Ziva?" the tears now running down her face, "What else could it be?"

Placing her hand on Bella's shoulder Ziva gives her a sly smile, "Did you ever stop to think that maybe he is planning a gift for you? Your birthday is in a few weeks."

Bella pauses but shakes her head. "That's taken two months worth of his time? Some how, I don't think that's it."

How do I tell her with out spoiling Tim's surprise? Sighing, Ziva looks down. "Take it from me, Bella, Tim is not seeing anyone. But he is planning a gift for you that much I do know. When he hasn't been here or with you, he has been with Abby and me. We know that you will love this gift, and it has been a chore to keep Abby from squealing. But trust me, nothing is going on that we are not aware of."

Bella looks up at Ziva, complete shock on her face. "With you? And Abby?" Thumping her head on the elevator wall, her anger quickly fades to guilt. "I'm such an idiot aren't I?"

Ziva laughs, "No not an idiot. Now quit hitting things, there has been enough violence and broken bones today."

Bella laughs before she flinches in pain, "Maybe Ducky will give me some painkillers."

"You may need a cast," Ziva says, flipping the switch again.

"Yea." Looking at Ziva with a slight smile on her face, "Next time, talk BEFORE the beat down k?"

Ziva looks over at Bella, "I tried to get you to talk! You instigated the fight."

"You're the trained assassin, you should know better." Bella replies with a smirk as the elevator doors open.

Ziva turns to Bella, and before she could walk out of the elevator, she smacks the back of Bella's head. "That was for calling me soft," Ziva says, walking ahead of Bella and into autopsy.

Trying desperately not to laugh at the woman in front of her, Bella fights back her grin as Ducky looks over at them. "Ziva, Bella. To what honor do I owe to your presence?"

Bella holds up her arm, "I think I need an x-ray Uncle Duck. I got injured."

Ducky glances between Bella and Ziva noting they are both dressed in gym clothes. "Do I dare ask what happened?"

Bella glances at Ziva, not quite sure what to say. "Uhh..."

"I made the mistake of daring her...?" Ziva says looking at Bella questioningly.

Knowing that was not the full story, Ducky just shakes his head motioning for Bella. "Come on then. Ziva, Jethro is going to be severely upset about this. I would steer clear of him for a while."

Ziva nods, "Yes I do not doubt that." Turning to Bella Ziva sighs, a frightened look on the Ex-Mossad agents face.

Bella gives her a sympathetic look as Ducky snaps some scans of her arm, "I will tell him it was my fault. Think he'll buy it?"

Ziva laughs, "I doubt it Bella."

~*~

Well, she got the rest of the day off after she repeatedly explained to Gibbs that her injury was her own fault since she provoked Ziva. However, there was one bright moment in the fact that her wrist wasn't broken but had several hairline fractures and was wearing a brace instead of a cast.

Curled up on the couch, she was in her own world until she hears the sound of footsteps in the next room. Snapping up, she sees Tim pulling out his service weapon and placing it in her small gun safe. "Hey, I wasn't expecting you tonight. Everything ok?"

Sitting down on the couch beside her, his body is faced towards her. "No Bella, everything is not ok."

"Ok." Sitting up she places her hands in her lap, "What's on your mind Tim?"

He lightly grabs her braced hand, "This for starters. Bella what were you thinking? Taking on Ziva of all people, you should have known better."

Opening her mouth, he shakes his head, cutting her off. "I'm not done yet. You not only decide to take her on, you purposely provoke her to attack you. Are you trying to get yourself hurt?"

"It wasn't like that," she replies defending herself, "You don't understand any of it."

"Ziva told me what happened, the real story of what happened today." Her eyes drop away and he sees the flash of pain in them. "Bells, do you really doubt my love for you? Do you honestly believe that I would date another person behind your back?"

"No, but I didn't think you would lie to my face either," she replies bitterly looking at him. "Did you think I couldn't tell? Did you honestly think I was that stupid to believe it? I tried to talk to you but you would push me away. You were distant and always gone, lying about where you were. What was I suppose to think?"

Watching her, he realizes how much pain she was in, she thought she was losing him and she didn't know what to do. "Come here," he says lightly pulling on her good arm, making her lean into him as he held her close. "I know Ziva told you it was birthday related right?" Feeling her nod, "Abby said it had to be a surprise so I thought it was easier then saying something by mistake. I should have known you would figure it out."

Loving the simple embrace, she lays her head in between where his chest becomes his shoulder. "It's ok, I understand now. I just wish I had known sooner otherwise I don't think I would have felt the need to take on Ziva."

He laughs and kisses her forehead. "Just promise me you won't intentionally provoke her again ok?" Hearing her agree, he nudges her head, "Why don't you head upstairs and start getting ready for bed?"

"If I have to," she says lightly laughing as she gets up. Halfway up the stairs she hears his phone ring. She pauses on the stairs knowing he couldn't see her.

"McGee. Yea, I can't make tonight. Abs, I'm sorry but you're going to have to deal with it without me."

Smiling to herself she heads back up her stairs. Even if she just got him for tonight that was ok by her. He still loved her and that was all that mattered.

~*~

After hearing what occurred in the gym, Abby just about had a fit that Bella had purposely provoked the one person that could have probably killed her with one simple mistake, and she let Bella know that every time she saw her. Although, she was a little proud knowing Bella somewhat held her own against Ziva, not even Tony would do that.

Knowing her birthday was quickly approaching, she finally was able to whisk Bella away the following Friday after the Ziva versus Bella incident. Her reasoning was that Bella needed her aura cleansed so everything was back in balance. Either believing her or knowing better to fight it, Bella agreed.

~*~

(Friday Afternoon)

Bella was out at a court hearing for most of the morning and had yet to show up for work. Tim sat staring at his computer monitor, ask Ziva to go with me? No, Ziva is helping Abby plan for the party already and she may stab me if I ask. Could ask Gibbs but that's just awkward. Which naturally leaves DiNozzo. Tony had a big mouth, but his input would be valuable.

Waiting until Tony went for food, Tim looks over at him, "Tony, mind if I tag along?"

Tony shrugs, "Sure, whatever. Let's go."

Sliding into the passenger seat, Tim inhales slowly trying how to word this without being harassed by DiNozzo. "What's on your mind McGoo?"

Surprised at the question, "What?"

Tony looks at him before he starts the car, "You rarely come get food with me and you've been out of it all day. Ziva noticed too. What's going on in that computer brain of yours?"

Slightly unnerved that he was so easy to read, he turns towards Tony. "Are you busy tomorrow?"

"Why? Ah, it's cause Bella's going to be out of town, right?"

"Yea." He clears his throat, "I have a favor to ask, if your free."

Tony can practically see the nervousness coming off of him, "I'm free tomorrow. What do you need?"

"First, you can't breathe a word of this to anyone, got it?" Seeing Tony give him a nod, "I never thought I would ever say this to you, but I need your help Tony."

Tony smirks, "Really? What do you need assistance with?"

"I need your help picking out an engagement ring."

Tony starts to laugh until he spares a glance at Tim while he's stopped at a red light. "You're serious? You're going to pop the question to Bella?"

"Yes Tony." Tim sighs to himself, "Forget I asked."

Pulling up in front of the restaurant Tony looks at Tim. "Hey, man, I'm sorry. I think it's great. Have you told Gibbs yet?"

"Do you think I would go ring shopping if I hadn't talked to him yet? This is Gibbs we're talking about Tony." Tim replies as they both get out of the car.

"Good point. Have you decided when you're going to ask her yet?"

Tim nods, "Her birthday. Abby decided we needed a huge surprise party at Gibbs' house."

Tony chuckles, "So that's what Abby roped Ziva into. She has been complaining the past couples days about Abby driving her crazy. She is glad Abby is going away tonight with Bella."

Tim smiles as he laughs, "You know how Abby is."

~*~

(After the boys return from lunch)

Opening his desk drawer, a small white bag catches his attention. When did that get there? Feeling the bag, there was a ring inside. Opening the pouch, a ring and a small piece of paper falls into his palm.

'This belonged to Bella's mother. Bella doesn't know I held onto it after all these years. Thought this should stay in the family.'

It was a white gold ring with a marquise cut diamond center with smaller diamonds around it. It was her mother's wedding ring. Glancing up across from him, Gibbs gives Tim a small smile and a curt nod before resuming what he had been working on. Sliding the ring and note back into the bag, he places it back in his desk drawer for now.

~*~

Shoving the last of Bella's bags into the back of the car Abby rented, he shuts the trunk. "I hope you and Abby have a great time."

Bella smiles up at him as she slowly wraps her arms around him. "I'm sure we will. It's Abby, who knows what crazy things she has planned for us."

Standing up on her toes, she leans up to give him a kiss as he pulls away. "Bells, we're still in the parking area. People can see."

"So?" She gazes up at him, pouting as she gives him the undefeated pleading look. "I'm going to be gone all weekend."

Oh, she has got me wrapped around her finger. Glancing down at her again he couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. Seeing the instant smile on her face made him laugh harder. Giving her a peck on the lips, he opens her door and shuts it after she hops in. Watching them pull away; tomorrow is going to be a long day.

~*~

(Saturday)

"Tony, are you sure about this place?" Tim asks as he steps out of DiNozzo's car.

"You wanted me to help you pick out rings, right? Trust me Tim." Tony answers as he reaches for the shop door.

Smiling at the clerk, both men split ways looking at the various rings. "Is there anything that I can help you with?" The female clerk asks.

"I'm not sure yet. I'm looking for a ring that's not really simple but nothing like this," Tim answers motioning to some of the rings. "I know, it's not really helpful."

She smiles at him, automatically reading his shy nature. "No, it's ok. I've been told less." Waving him further down the rows she points to a few cases, "These may be more of the type of designs you are looking for." Moving towards Tony, "Are you looking for a special woman too?"

Tony pauses looking down at the rings, he had never really thought of settling down, but he never thought he would find someone like Ziva either. Would she want to marry him? "No, thank you not at the moment anyway."

The boys' look through the various cases, each pointing out various rings that could possibly work. After ten minutes and still no luck, Tony can tell Tim is starting to get bummed out. After a few more minutes, he notices Tim is talking to the clerk as she pulls out a ring. "Find something?"

Tim looks over at Tony, "Actually I think I might have."

Walking over Tony takes the ring from Tim's hand, "that is definitely Bella." The ring was white gold with a princess cut center stone. It was surrounded with smaller circular stones. Along the side was a yellow gold heart. "So, now that you have the engagement ring, what about the wedding ring McRomeo?"

Tim just shakes off the nickname, "Gibbs gave me Bella's moms wedding ring, and I think that would mean more to her then anything I could ever buy."

Tony gives him a true smile, nodding in approval. "You know, I think you're right."

After Tim makes the final purchase and Tony seeing an engagement ring that reminds him of Ziva that he puts on hold, both men head back to Tony's car. "Wanna grab some lunch?"

~*~

This one was a bit longer then most. I hope you enjoyed it. It does jump a bit on the timeline, so if you were confused I would go back and read certain sections again.

So far, twins are in the lead. Please, for those who haven't voted yet, the poll is on my profile. I have names picked out and will probably have them posted for choosing when it gets closer.

Hmmm…oh, I may be doing a one shot of Abby and Bella's day at the spa when this is over. Not sure yet.

I would also like to thank TivaxBrulianXKibbs for helping me with this chapter!