Wait for it.... wait for it.... wait for it.... I GOT DSL!!! Yee for me!!! I finally have fast internet!!! I'm like super siked. I'm so happy and so happy and so happy. EEEK! Okay, since I got internet back and I had this almost complete, I decided to post. :)

I was going to do Fornell, but I decided against it. Heh, even though he is one of my favorite characters. Anywho, this chapter was the inspiration for this whole story's idea, other than M E Wofford suggesting it. I had this chapter before the rest. :) And, personally, I like this chapter even though I feel the characters are out of character and it's a little odd to me to write in Gibbs POV but... watch'a gunna do?

Note: I will try to update Forever Tomorrow in the next couple days. I have a tad bit o' writers block. Not my fault though, blame where the muse took me. :(

Disclaimer: I now own DSL from At&t, and the help guy that helped me fix the set up process made my day when he said "Well, ma'am, I believe you are all set up. How bout you type in a couple addresses into the search box, see what happens. Kay, well then you have internet." Nice guy.

Gibbs POV

They never fooled me, no matter how much they tried to. I could see right through their banter, and what I saw wasn't what had me thinking. The potential that was behind their banter was what had me thinking. They cared, more than they wanted to admit. Avoidant about their feelings never worked out for those two.

One of the only times Tony showed me his true feelings about her was when he found me in my basement, drinking bourbon and cleaning my tools. He banged down the stairs, his feet dropping heavily on each step.

"Whoa, there was a boat here wasn't there boss? Or has it been that long?" He asked, finally reaching me. I looked at him, taking a drink of the bourbon.

"Right, small talk." He said, and he rocked back on the balls of his feet. I tilted my head to watch him carefully, waiting for him to say something. When he didn't I got up, walking across the empty basement to the tool table.

"Did you come here to stand around, DiNozzo?" I asked, and I could practically feel him jump.

"Actually, no boss, see… heh, I actually came to ask you something." He said, and I turned to look at him. He looked nervous, and that was when I saw his hand fidgeting in his pocket. Nodding, I pulled a stool out next to the one I was sitting on. He sat down, staring at the floor. I handed him the bourbon bottle, and he crinkled his nose.

"Ah, I'm fine." He said, and I chuckled.

"You don't seem fine." I said, and he shrugged.

"Ever been nervous? Ah, who am I kidding? You're Jethro Gibbs. You've never nervous." He said, and I shook my head.

"I've been nervous." I defended, and he laughed.

"Oh, really. Like when, name one time?" He asked, I paused, and he nodded.

"See, you can't remember." He said, and I smiled.

"I can remember." Tony shook his head before looking back down at the ground. I glared at him.

"See, the thing is, I was going to ask…" He trailed off, and I slapped the back of his head. "Thanks."

He paused again, and I saw him fumble with his pocket more.

"I never coined you as the type to ask permission."

He turned to stare at me, and I shrugged.

"Fiddling with something in your pocket, nervous; I'm not blind DiNozzo. No matter what anyone says."

He nodded, pulling the small box out of his pocket. He opened it and handed it to me, nervously playing with the end of his shirt. The ring was small, but Ziva's fingers weren't huge. The stone was simple, but I didn't expect him to go all out. He wasn't that kind of guy either.

"I… was going to ask you earlier but I chickened out. I told myself three years ago that I would ask you to marry her, if I ever got the chance. For a while there, I thought I'd never even talk to her like we used to." I noticed he didn't say the event. With him, it was just dates.

"I know we've been officially dating for only two years, but I love her boss. I know you aren't big on marriage and all, but it doesn't hurt to try right?"

He looked at me, and I realized how truly nervous he was. I put my hand on his shoulder, handing him the ring back.

"I don't need a speech Tony." I said, and he grimaced.

"Sorry boss, and yes, I know apologizing is a sign of weakness. Won't happen again boss." He said, and I shook my head. I sat back, taking another drink of the bourbon. This time, Tony took a drink as well, and I thought over what he was asking, or trying to at least.

"I wanted to ask someone permission to marry their daughter, you know? And since Eli David isn't exactly speaking to Ziva or me well… I know that you've been close since the first day she came here. I know for a fact that she thinks of you as a father, and honestly, you're like a father to all of us. Well, besides like Palmer and Ducky, because Ducky is more of a lovable grandfather and Palmer is just weird-"I slapped the back of his head again, and he grinned.

"I'm getting immune to that."

"I wish I was immune to your ramblings." I mumbled, and he laughed.

"Right. In all honesty, it's your fault." I glared at him, and he corrected himself. "What I mean is, I'm waiting for an answer here."

I looked at the velvet box in his hand, and then at his face.

"You don't have to ask for my permission." I said, and he nodded. He was about to speak when I cut him off.

"I know you'll be good to her. You've lost her twice, I think you've learned your lessons." I said, and he grinned.

"Well, you know. I'm a slow learner." He said, and we laughed.

"Oh, boy do I know." I said, and he stopped laughing.

"Hey, that was an insult." He said, and I shook my head at him.

"I'm very proud of you Anthony." I said seriously, looking him straight in the eyes. Deer in the headlights look was what I got.

"And I'm sure that, no matter what, you'll remember that since you came to me to ask permission, you'll have to answer to me if anything goes wrong." Tony paled, but then he laughed as I smiled.

"Right, well, I can't make any promises, but I doubt you'll ever have to kiss my ass."

"I don't kick ass." I said, and he shook his head.

"Oh yeah, you do." He paused, and he got serious again. "Thanks, Gibbs. I-It means a lot to me." He said, and I patted his shoulder again. He got up, stretching out his back before disappearing up the stairs. As I watched him go, I let a real smile cross my face.

Maybe they'd be alright. Hopefully though, because I'm getting to old to kick ass. Literally, that is.

See, I think that Gibbs really is such a fatherly figure to the team. I really do. And I'm pretty sure that Tony values Gibbs' opinion and thoughts. "Loyal St. Bernard." as Gibbs put it. And after the season finale, well... Eli David better not be back in the dang series. I'll be fllying down to LA to have a talk with the writers. Heehee, anyone wish to join? LOL, kay well. Off to update other things.

Review with yo favorite line. Make my day even better. I'll wake up tomorrow and someone will be dead, just watch my Karma.