It had been a secret for a while now. Nobody knew he was doing it, not even Ziva. It started as wanting to learn her native language, then turned into wanting to know as much as he possibly could. Tony DiNozzo sat on his living room couch with a book in his hand, intently reading. He got this book a while ago and was nearly finished with it. He would hide it whenever Ziva home and would only read it when was asleep.
He was so into his book, he didn't hear the door opening and his girlfriend of two years, walking through the house's doorway.
Ziva looked over his shoulder and was quiet as to not frighten him, and read a few sentences on the page.
"What are you reading?" Tony nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard her voice. The book in his hands almost dropped to the floor. He quickly grabbed it and slid it under the couch, forgetting there was no back, the book slid and only stopped when it hit Ziva's shoes. She bent down and picked up the book and laughed as she read the title.
"Hebrew for Dummies?" Tony looked back and saw her holding the book, his shoulder visually slumped.
"Dammit."
"Why are you reading a book of my language when I could have taught you?" She could hear Tony sigh.
"I...I was going to surprise you when I knew enough." Ziva laughed but quickly stopped when she saw Tony's disappointed look.
"Why is this such a big deal to you, Tony?"
"I was going to surprise you."
"As you have said, but what was the surprise?" Tony got up off the couch and quickly ran to their room and back, holding something in his hand.
"This isn't how I planned to do it, but what matters is I love you and I want to spend every waking moment of our lives proving that to you." Tony got down on one knee and showed the item that was previously hidden in his hand. A ring box. He opened the box and a beautiful diamond stared back at her, glimmering in the light. Ziva looked at him with wide eyes and tears threatening to fall.
"Ziva...Hatinasyi li? (Ziva, will you marry me?)". His voice was soft with so much emotion drowning them. Ziva was speechless. This was not what she was expecting when she asked about his book.
"Yes." She finally said and the grin that made its way across Tony's face was one of pure joy. He slid the ring on her finger, then stood up and gave her a kiss that could make anyone jealous. She returned it and once they pulled away, Tony pulled her into a warm and affectionate embrace.
"I love you."
"I love you too, Tony." She pulled away to look into his eyes.
"How about I give you a more private lesson?" He gave her another smile as his eyes darkened.
"Ken, gvirte (Yes, ma'am)." She playfully pulled him into their bedroom and celebrated their engagement in the form of intimacy. Thank the heavens for that book.