This is the last chapter for this story. Thank you to all who have favourited, followed and reviewed. It has definitely been a journey. I love and appreciate all the love you've shown my little story here.
Now that this story has finished, I can focus on closing a new more and beginning to post some of my newer stuff. There may even be a one - shot sequel in the works for this story too.
Ziva
Gibbs had been strolling through the mall for more than an hour and he already wished he was back at home, in his basement instead or with Tim on the sofa. It was a Friday afternoon, almost evening, and he had dismissed Tony and Tim over two hours ago. The boys had made plans for a game or two of laser tag and movie, pizza and beer back at Tony's place.
Gibbs had reassured his lover that he had made plans with Fornell, which he had. So here he was, strolling the mall, looking for a gift for Tim for their anniversary without his buddy, Tobias, who had bailed on him. Tim and Gibbs had been extra in-tune with each other since Jackson's visit. They found they were having a more intimate sex life than they'd ever had before. It wasn't as if they had begun doing it all night, every night like horny rabbits or even more frequently. It was that when they were making love to one another, it was more open and more intimate than it had ever been before.
He could have called Ducky for his assistance when Tobias had bailed on him, but truthfully, it was probably better if he did this, himself. After all, he hadn't needed anyone else's assistance to pick out the first four rings he had bought for his previous lovers. And the ring he was planning on buying for Tim, planned to be the last one he'd ever buy, for anyone.
He wanted forever. Wanted it with Tim and he couldn't wait to have it.
Who he hadn't been expecting to bump into at the mall, was Ziva David. She had been away in Israel on assignment and just before leaving the Navy Yard this evening, Vance had told him Ziva would be back on board, by Monday morning.
"Gibbs?!" she asked, shocked to see him outside of work. Even more shocked to find him in her local mall in Silver Spring, Maryland. Especially when he lived in Alexandria, Virginia, forty-five minutes in the opposite direction from his house. "What are you doing here?" She asked, stunned to see him here.
Gibbs ignored her question, greeting her with a smile and his arms opened up wide, offering her a hug. "When did you get back?" He asked, soaking up her presence as she stepped up and hugged him tightly.
"This morning, very early. As much as I wanted to see everyone, I needed some sleep more and now, I have come down to the mall for a reality check that I am indeed home in America and some groceries." Ziva took Gibbs' appearance in, he seemed content and happy, she had been surprised to see the smile on his face, despite being in the crowded mall. "Feels so good to be back." She gushed at him, hugging him again. She had missed her team.
"It's going to feel good having you back, too." Gibbs replied, giving her a genuine smile. "We missed you. Can I buy you a cup of tea? We should discuss the changes that have happened since you've been gone?"
Ziva nodded her acceptance and Gibbs took her to a little Cafe off to the side, away from the food court and quickly found a quiet table. Gibbs left her, to go to the counter and order their drinks. A black coffee for him and Ziva's favourite tea for her.
"Did you keep in contact with anyone while you were in Israel?" Gibbs enquired as they waited for their drinks. Sounding her out to see if she had been told anything. Especially by Tony, who's mouth can sometimes run away from him, despite his best intentions.
"Sadly no, my father sent me on a black op, almost immediately. It had a no communication blanket. The last I heard from anyone, Tony had gone on an Agent afloat assignment, and Tim was demoted to cybercrimes."
Gibbs nodded his thanks to the waitress as she delivered his drinks. "Tim's sister Sarah passed away; she took her own life almost two months ago."
"That is sad. I always liked Sarah. How is Timothy going?" Ziva asked, she was in shock that Sarah had taken her own life. Her heart had broken for the man she held near to her as a brother could be.
"He took it hard; he was close to her." Gibbs said truthfully. "He still has his bad days, let him tell you how he is and his feeling's guide you there."
"Luckily, Timothy had you here for him." Ziva stated, for her, it was now or never. She was going to confront her boss about his growing attraction and feelings for her closest friend. "Or are you two still toe tipping around, pretending that you have only have professional feelings for each other."
"You know?" Gibbs asked incredulously, he knew Tony had told him that Ziva knew too, but it had still surprised him.
"Yes, you do not hide your jealousy very well." Ziva stated, thinking back to time her and Tim were grappling during training, not long after Ziva joined the team and she had taken two seconds to pin him to the floor, straddling him and holding him down. The raging fire of jealousy, followed by lust had flashed before her boss' eyes and she had first thought he felt that towards her. Then, with her eyes, she followed his and found they were not focused on her, but the man between her legs.
Of course, after the two of them dancing around one another and no one making a move, she had been ready to kidnap Tim and throw him in Gibbs' basement naked, locking them both in there until someone made a move.
"I have been a working on it, among other things." Gibbs muttered smugly, mostly to himself, but Ziva heard him.
"Does everyone know now?" she asked, toying with her Star of David necklace.
"Yes." he answered, closing his eyes. He knew Ziva would be hurt, hearing she was the last to know. But at the same time, she would be happy for them.
"I understand." She replied. She leaned in closer to Gibbs. "But understand this, I will end you, if you hurt him. He is like a little brother to me; he holds a special place in my heart. I will not need a paperclip; I will kill you with my bare hands."
"Message received, but know this, Ziva." Gibbs told the feisty little Israeli. "I love him. Love him so much it terrifies me. You asked me what I am doing here? So far away from our home in Alexandria." Gibbs leaned in close to her, to let her in on his secret. "I am going to ask him to marry me. Want to help me find a ring. Because I'm desperate now. Can't find anything I like, anything he would like, either."
Ziva fought to contain her surprise and let a little yelp of surprise out. Instead of answering her team leader, she flew out of her seat and into his arms, not caring if she spilled his precious liquid life preserver. "Yes!" she answered him excitedly as he tried to extricate her off his body and save his coffee and good mood.
After their hot drinks were consumed and Gibbs had filled Ziva in on what had been happening since they spoke last, Gibbs and Ziva set off on their search of the perfect engagement ring for Tim. They had checked in with every jeweller in the mall and Gibbs was beginning to get frustrated at his lack of success. "We are going about this all wrong?" Ziva announced, at seeing the downtrodden look of defeat on Gibbs' face. "Tell me some of the things that you love about Tim."
"I love that he likes the simple things in life, but he likes quality made things. Quality tools, even if some of them aren't hand tools." he grinned at her. "I love that he and I enjoy the same activities. I love his wit, his brains and his talented mind. How is one of a kind. He doesn't lord his intelligence over anyone. He doesn't need any five-dollar words, he can express himself non-verbally, despite the fact that he is so smart. Do you need more? I could list everything I love about him until the end of time, and I wouldn't have even made a dent in my list."
Ziva held up her hand to halt him with a little grin. She could see just how much her boss; her mentor really was in love with Tim, and it warmed her heart at how happy they seemed to be, together. "I have enough now. We need something that is simple but made with care and quality. Something simple but unique like Tim. When you ask him, be straight up, from what you have said, he does not need big words."
"This is hopeless." Gibbs complained, he was over-complicating this. He had never had this much trouble when he had bought engagement rings in the past.
"I think I have the answer." Ziva announced, an answer finally coming to her. "My friend Shamael is a custom jewellery maker over on Maple Street. We should go and see him. He may have some ideas or even something perfect for him."
Gibbs looked at her, wondering where that suggestion was an hour ago, before he had become increasingly frustrated and discouraged. Before he tapped the back of her head, slapping her gently. "Work smarter, not harder, David."
Ziva led Gibbs out of the mall and down Maple Street to Shamael's jewellery shop and thrust him through the open door and closed it behind her before she could change his mind. Not that she thought he would, but she didn't want risk it. "Shalom, my friend. This is my dear friend, Gibbs." she introduced him to her friend.
"Shalom Gibbs, shalom my darling girl." the old man greeted them in kind with a firm handshake for Gibbs and a kiss for Ziva. "I am so glad you have returned to us, safely. How can I help the two of you, today?"
"My friend Gibbs, he needs an engagement ring." Ziva announced. "He wishes to ask his boyfriend to marry him."
"I shall endeavour that you find the perfect ring for your ahuvi. Is he a high maintenance man or simple?" Shamael asked Gibbs, clapping his hands together at the excitement that his young friend Ziva had on her face at the thought of her friend's impending engagement.
Ziva interrupted the two men, repeating her deduction of the situation earlier, that Tim needed something simple, but unique that's made with quality and is of substance. Shamael pulled out three rings for Gibbs to look at. One was a plain yellow gold band, with a small zirconia stone in a signet style. The middle one was silver, with gold trimming and a brushed metal textured finish. The third ring and the one that had truly caught Gibbs' eye was platinum band with a black diamond runner through the middle of the band.
"That one." Gibbs pointed to the third one. "It's just... so Tim."
"You're right." Ziva smiled at him. "It's perfect." Shamael had watched the dear girl he had met at the temple almost five years ago and befriended. She was truly happy in the depths of her soul for her friends and even more pleased that she had been the one to assist her friend in finding the perfect ring for his soulmate.
"Excellent choice, Gibbs." Shamael told them. "This ring is a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted ring by yours truly. It is stylish and contemporary, an impressive looking Edison platinum black diamond ring, featuring one carat of natural black diamonds around the centre of the band. Of course, Black diamonds share the same symbolism as other diamonds, but also have a unique meaning of their own. Like white diamonds, black diamonds are thought to symbolize purity, love, fidelity, and eternity. Then, they're also thought to be a symbol of power, charisma, certainty, and passion."
Gibbs grinned at Ziva, before kissing her cheek. "Thank you for bringing me here. It's perfect for Tim. Very us. "
Gibbs and Shamael discussed Tim's ring size and whether or not Gibbs wanted an engraving. With Ziva laughing when Gibbs explained he was a serial engagement ring purchaser and had learnt painfully to do any engraving after the wedding. She had never seen this softer side of Gibbs before, the side that showed how smitten and in love with her little brother, he was. With the sale completed, while Shamael boxed and packaged up the ring, Ziva picked her jaw up off the floor at the price of the ring. Gibbs had not even flinched as he pulled out his wallet and paid cash for the ring. As they bid her dear friend a fond farewell, they separated at her car. "Do you know how I know you, that you are serious about Timothy? Why have I only threatened your life once?" She asked, wondering why her usually direct, hard ass of a boss had not questioned her, yet. Gibbs shook his head no. He had expected a lot more threats and a lot of swearing. Threats with real swear words and deadly weapons. Although, truth be told, Ziva was a weapon in her own right. "Because although you admittedly are a jealous lover, I know you love wholly and passionately. You do not do empty platitudes and you love fiercely. You are protective of those you love, and you are loyal. Most of all, you know I will follow through on my word."
"Ain't that the truth." Gibbs muttered, with a faux grimace to make Ziva smile again. "Rule 4, Ziva."
"Understood, Gibbs." She smiled at him, and they parted ways, Ziva to get her much needed groceries and Gibbs to get home and plan his proposal to Tim
Gibbs had everything perfectly planned and was pleasantly surprised when Tim had slipped inside the front door at the early hour of 2100 hours. He had been expecting Tim to have a late night, or even for Tim to call him for a ride home from Tony. "You're home, early." He whispered in his lover's ear as Tim turned around to slip his shoes off at the front door.
"Jethro?" Tim smiled at his lover. "Yes, Tony was driving me nuts with his endless questions and as usual, putting his nose into our sex life. I had to get out of there." Gibbs smiled at Tony's antics. He hadn't expected Tony to fully embrace the relationship that he and Tim shared, and he had certainly surprised him. To Jethro, it was like the time that Tobias tried to give him some relationship advice, suggesting he seduce Tim into bed to apologise.
"So Tony was being his usual self?" Gibbs asked as he took his lover by the hand over to sofa, sitting him down. Taking the seat beside him, he leaned over and kissed Tim's lips gently. He had been itching to do that since they had left the house that morning. Jethro had watched Tim for a good twenty minutes at one-point during their cold cases today, where Tim had twirled his pen between his lips, occasionally catching it in his teeth. He had dropped the pen, a mere millisecond before his own self-control would have snapped and he would have had to do something very ungentlemanly to Tim in the middle of the bullpen. Tim had opened his lips up to Jethro's mouth, opening his mouth wider and allowing the older man entry into his mouth. Moaning into his kisses only spurred his lover on and Jethro found himself breaking off his kisses, resting his forehead against Tim's to catch his breath. "Missed me, did you?" he grinned at Tim, nipping that lower plump lip that drove him crazy.
"Like you wouldn't believe." Tim quipped at him. Tony's incessant questioning about their sexual endeavours had actually driven Tim nuts. They both knew that Tony had been automatically accepting of them, as a couple. But had expected that, like Tobias, he wouldn't want any actual details. Then again, he was a naturally nosey and curious man, so wanting the gossip hadn't exactly been unexpected.
"Well, I missed you too." Jethro told Tim, urging his lover to his feet before Tim could turn the heat up. "Come upstairs with me." He was prepared. Tobias had swung by and helped him with the rose petals on the floor and he had bought the couple a bottle of champagne, that was chilling in an ice bucket in their bedroom. The ring was safely secured; hidden away in his front pocket.
Tim hadn't needed to be told twice, following his partner, who had taken him by the hand upstairs. Jethro had stopped, momentarily at the top of the stairs, letting himself take a moment. He hadn't planned on what he was going to say. He planned to shoot from the hip and speak from the heart. He manoeuvred the two of them, letting Tim go first into the bedroom.
Looking around the room, Tim was surprised to see what his lover had prepared for the two of them. Their LED candles had been set out covering most of the surfaces in the room, there was a trail of rose petals on the floor that led him into the bedroom and around both sides of the bed. An ice bucket with champagne chilling sat on the dresser that sat against the far wall of the bedroom. His eyes met Jethro's, silently questioning whether he had forgotten an anniversary or something special.
Jethro reached his hand out and for Tim and pulled him into his embrace, his hands resting on the younger man's hips and Tim's hands around Jethro's neck, their bodies flush against one another. Jethro pulled back to look into Tim's eyes, catching his eye, they shared a small, secretive grin. "Tim." Jethro's voice broke slightly as he began. The nerves he was feeling, coming through. "You know how much I love you; I show you every day. Whether it be with a look, a touch, a kiss or even when we make love together. I've never been happier with anyone else; than I have been when I'm with you. Marry me? I want this forever and I want it with you."
Tim's insides were flip-flopping about as Jethro slightly pulled back from him and pulled out a platinum ring adorned with black diamonds from his jeans pocket. His eyes watering at the thought that, the man before him, who wasn't as open as himself with his emotions, could set off this reaction inside him. Tim hastily wiped his eyes clear of the tears of joy building inside him. "Yes!" Tim exclaimed, throwing himself into his lover's arms.
Pulling back, Jethro slipped the ring onto Tim's slender finger on his left hand and kissed his partner. The champagne was forgotten as Jethro gently eased Tim back onto the bed, never breaking the kiss, determined to show his fiancé' just how much he loved him.
The End ... Or is it?