Ziva stood staring at the beach feeling the rush of the ocean on her toes. The wash of the sea on her feet and the breeze across her skin had her smiling. Abby stood beside her, the rest of the team and Jackson sat on the beach behind them.

"You look happy Ziva. Pardon me for saying so but for the first time since you've come back you look really happy?" Abby knew the question in her voice was obvious

Ziva dove into the water letting it wash over her body cleansing her despite the rash guard that had eased her fears. When she surfaced she splashed Abby relishing the laughter. "I love him Abby, and he loves me, It was there before this but for some reason now we find a way to admit it."

"I'm glad you were able to tell each other." Abby didn't have to be reminded to be careful with what she said to Ziva. Any other time, she might not have censured her words but now she let caution take the lead. Zia wouldn't want to admit it but she was fragile and so Abby tempered her normally exuberant self in order to give her the room she needed.

"He wants to marry me. I told him yes but I am not entirely sure it was the right thing to do." She saw Abby's grin and the way she stepped forward before pausing and settling into a soft bounce in the seawater.

Abby shook her head. "Gibbs never does anything he doesn't mean Ziva. You two were meant to be from the beginning even if you had a rough start. It has always been there. But for a long time there was just too much in the way. Nearly losing each other was the only way you both going to see it. Though if I'm honest I wish it hadn't been so drastic."

Ziva gave her a rough smile before nodding. "I worry because I cannot; physically I am not ready to be a wife."

"Do you really believe that matters to him? You might take this wrong but he watches you so closely. He knows or at least it seems he knows what you need more than anyone else. If I thought for a moment that would be a cause of concern I would tell you to wait. But I look at him and I see how he looks at you. It's about you. The woman you are, the fact you survived and are still here. The rest will come in its own time. And even if it didn't I swear I don't think it would matter to him. I don't know why I can say that I just know him. But ignoring all that, I look at you and I know you'll come back from this Ziva. You're further now than I would be in the same situation." She saw Ziva turn to argue and shook her head. "I'm not as strong as you Ziva. It's not something I like admitting but it's the truth. What you went through I can only imagine and I won't ask you to explain unless you want to. But what I can imagine is enough for me to know if it were me I wouldn't be standing where you are."

"It doesn't make you weak Abby."

"No it doesn't, but, it recognizes just how much it has taken for you to be where you are. And you have to believe that you will continue to come back from this. Someday your life will return to something close to normal. Not what you knew before but something like it and that will be enough and good."

"Gibbs says very much the same thing. Which is why, I said yes to him. You honestly believe I can be the woman he needs?"

Abby smiled before draping her arm slowly around Ziva's shoulder. "You already are and I would tell you different if it were the case. I wouldn't lie to you." She smiled back when Ziva offered her the same.

"Thank you Abby. I have not always.."

"Stop that's done and we're here now." Abby led them toward the shore and back towards the men watching them in the fading sun. "So that just leaves us with finding you a dress." The soft laughter from Ziva was enough to have her joining in.

The next evening Ziva found herself standing by the beach with the people that mattered most in her life surrounding her. Somehow in the matter of twenty four hours Gibbs had managed to put together something beautiful.

A softly arching bow of flowers and vines curved around them. Of her own volition Abby wore the softest pink as she stood beside Ziva. Jackson had walked her down the aisle in her soft white dress. And Tony and McGee stood by Gibbs smiling as though the hurried wedding were the most natural thing in the world. And, Gibbs waited without the slightest hint of nerves as the officiant said the words that bound them together. It was with both clarity and a hazy sense of joy that she repeated her vows. Her bare feet followed his step for step as they ran through the sand to the large feast set up at the local restaurant only a few yards away. The ring on her finger the most simple of silver bands with a blue stone that matched perfectly his eyes had tears stinging her own. She stopped abruptly. Gently she grasped the lapels of his casual linen shirt. "It was perfect Jethro. In every way, I do not know how you managed it but it was exactly what I needed, what I would have wanted had you asked."

Gibbs felt a sense of relief, mixed with a happiness he'd only hoped for flush through him. "I'm glad it wasn't too much for you."

"No Jethro it was just right."

Somehow there was cake and champagne, both of which Ziva indulged in but only the smallest amount. She wasn't ready to lose her head even among people she trusted. Strangers here and there stepped up and offered their congratulations. It startled Ziva nearly every time yet Gibbs stayed nearby her calming as always. As a group they'd wandered down the beach suddenly she heard a loud bang and even before she could flinch she saw a shower of lights in the sky.

The cascade of fireworks was enough to settle her. A quick glance at Gibbs and she saw the same surprise she felt. "You did not arrange this?"

"That would be me Ziva?" Tony saw the very real smile on her face and recognized it as one she might have offered before hell had descended on all of them. It made every penny he'd spent more than worth it. "You guys deserved something special." Suddenly he was caught in a hug so fierce and tight he had to fight the burning tears in his eyes.

"Thank you Tony, it means more than you know."

Gibbs gave Tony a nod that couldn't convey the depth of his gratitude he felt. Tonight Ziva had showed more happiness then he'd seen since her return. Her hand tucked into his even as her head did the same into the crook of his neck. Together they watched the fire showers the sky until the last explosions cascaded in a shower of gold and blue so bright they'd never be forgotten.

Another forty five minutes and they were stepping into their cottage shaking birdseed and flower petals out of their hair. Ziva set aside her bouquet the one she'd insisted on keeping despite tradition. Gibbs had wanted to carry her over the threshold but instead she'd pointed out that should wait until they were back at his home.

For a moment he felt just the slightest bit awkward as she began pulling flowers from her hair. He shook it off as he helped her. Only when her hair was tumbling around her did she turn back to him. He expected hesitancy or something close when she looked at him. Instead he saw joy and felt the stroke of her fingers on his jaw.

"I love you Jethro and though I should be nervous and feel guilty about what I cannot do tonight. Instead I choose to believe what you tell me and simple say that I would like to lay with you. Just have you hold me and know that it is enough." Ziva felt the creep of doubt try to bite at her heels instead she ignored it and pushed away the nightmare that had been the last few months before returning home. Suddenly she felt Gibbs pressing his mouth ever so gently to the hollow of her neck.

"That is the best gift you could give me tonight Ziva. I just need you the woman you are, your love and that woman accepting that I love her. Everything else …" He felt the hot burn of grief splash against his cheek and the softness of her skin. He couldn't say why it was hitting him so hard in this moment. But, as her arms wrapped around him it broke through silently marking them both.

Ziva felt his tears and the hot streak of her own matched his, traced a path down her face. She known he'd been fighting his own grief and even a guilt he hadn't earned. She couldn't take it from him. But she could stand here in her wedding white reminding him she wouldn't leave him again. "I love you Jethro, before everything, after it all, now and for the rest of the days I breathe."

Gibbs knew that he'd lost his grip on the strength he'd so carefully clung to. But it mattered little even as they moved toward the bed and fell to the bed wrapped in each other's arms. He savored the strength of her heartbeat, the brush of her breath against his jaw and the sound of his name on her lips as he knew with certainly she was finally his. Finally she was as safe as he could make her.

Ziva held Gibbs for a long time. Awake even after his breathing had evened and he'd fallen asleep. Somehow the next few hours with the moon filtering through their window and the acceptance of the man in her arms she found something resembling strength. She'd never be the woman she was but it didn't matter since she had a family of her own making and a man that loved her enough to accept her just as she was.

Ziva woke for the first time in Gibbs' home as his wife. The two of them had spent an extra week in Hawaii after the team had left. After almost a month in the islands, she felt like an entirely different woman. She had the dark kiss of many days in the sun on her skin, the warmth of knowing Gibbs was hers and the acceptance of her team. That along with the strength she had once known that was finally returning she felt the echo of the woman she had known. She rose from bed, grateful she'd bathed the night before she dressed and braided her hair. The tan cargos and black shirt were nothing like the floral dresses and feminine shirts she'd favored until today. However they were a reminder of who she had been. They gave her the extra push of confidence she would need.

She intended to go into work with Gibbs this afternoon. He'd informed her he was only working half days for a while. She'd wanted to object but the words wouldn't come, instead she'd been grateful he'd recognized what she needed. She stepped into the kitchen surprised but not bothered when she found Tony.

"Good morning Ziva, didn't mean to intrude. Just needed to fill Gibbs in on a few things." He accepted the hug she gave him and munched on the piece of toast Gibbs had offered.

Gibbs was about to tell Ziva the news that her citizenship papers had been pushed through. A gift from Vance, and likely one that had cost a ton of favors. Gibbs had gotten the call only an hour earlier. But, before he could, there was a knock at the door. Assuming it was McGee with his own version of a check in he opened the door. The fierce burn of rage rushed through him when he saw the man standing in his doorway. Eli David stood in the morning sun looking as though he felt he belonged just where he was.