When he comes into work, she's already arrived. She was always early. He drops his backpack on the ground, and puts some things in the drawer of his desk. He takes a seat.

She watches him, from across the squad room, wondering how long it will take him, to notice. She notices him look at her. She looks away. She types at her keyboard, pretending to focus on something important.

He smiles, when he sees two cups of coffee, and bag on his desk. He looks inside the bag, and finds a jelly doughnut. Under the bag he finds a pile of napkins. He finds a sticky note attached to the bag. I hope you brought an extra shirt., is written in her handwriting.

Hours later, he walks into the squad room, with coffee. He finds Ziva sitting at his desk, waiting on him. He places the cup holder in front of her. She shakes her head. The looks she gives him, catches him off guard.

"What are you doing at my desk? You're not snooping again are you?"

"I do not snoop."

"Then what do you call looking through my drawers?"

"Investigating," she replies, sans smile.

"Did you find something?"

She places the item on the surface of his desk. She looks up at him, in confusion, and concern.

"What is this?"

"I am assuming that you already opened it?"

"Yes, I did."

"Not, now Ziva."

"Not, now? Then when," her voice grows louder.

"Not here," he insists.

"Why are you afraid that Gibbs might overhear."

He walks around, to the other side of the desk. He reaches around, her and grabs the box, and slips it into his pocket. He pushes the chair out. "Come with me," he insists. She follows him, into the men's bathroom, which is empty. She stomps the whole way. He locks the door behind them.

"Speak," he insists.

She leans against the counter.

"Why do you have that?"

"It's an engagement ring."

"I know what it is, why do you have it?"

"I was going to give it to someone."

"I can't believe this. I can't believe you."

"I can explain."

"What is there to explain? You have clearly made your decision."

"Yes, I have."

"And it's not me."

He furrows his brow, as she pushes past him, moving towards the door.

"Whoa, come back here," he grabs her arm. She turns around, and looks at him. Her back presses against the door.

"Why? Why should I?"

"You think that this ring is for someone else?"

"I was naive to think that you would choose the right person. I was wrong to think that you would choose me. I poured my heart out, and you chose her."

"No. I haven't. And for the record, what you did last night, that is not pouring your heart out."

"It as close as I have ever come. I guess, maybe that isn't enough for you. I can understand that. I would have thought that at least you would have been considerate enough, not to bring it to work. I didn't need to know. I should go..."

"Go where? You jump to conclusions, and run away, before you even have answers. Are you that afraid of getting hurt?"

"I am just used to getting hurt."

"I am not going to hurt you."

"You might not do it intentionally."

"Can you just shut up, and listen to me for a second?"

"Fine," she crosses her arms over her chest.

"I am not any good at telling people how I feel. You and I, as different as we are, have that in common. I wouldn't know how to tell someone how I felt, even if someone else scripted it for me. It's not natural, at least not, for me. I don't know if I can ever tell you how I feel."

"So you are choosing not to tell me, and to be with someone else? I don't understand."

"When did I ever say that I was going to be with someone else? Did you ever hear me say that? The only person saying that, is you."

"Then why do you have an engagement ring? If you're not going to propose to E.J. why do you have it?"

"I am a lot better at showing people how I feel."

"You're going to show her, with the engagement ring?"

"Why do you keep bringing her up? No one is talking about her."

"Why do you have the ring?"

"It's not for her."

"Then who is it for?"

"It's for you."

"For me?" she shakes her head, completely stunned.

"Yes, it's for you."

"As a token of appreciation?"

"What? No."

"I assume that it to serve some symbolic purpose."

"Yes, it is."

"And I'm sure that it has nothing to do with commitment, because you do not commit, to anyone."

"You're wrong. Sometimes you need to get out of your own head long enough, to listen to other people."

"I am listening."

"No you're not. If you were you would be reacting differently."

"Differently how?"

"I want you to have this ring."

"Why do you want me to have it?"

"You should have it."

"But I don't understand why."

"It is the only way I know, to show you how I feel. I want to show you that I am willing to commit, to you, and only you. I want to give this ring to you," he admits.

"Why?"

"It's an engagement ring. What do you mean why?"

"What is its purpose?"

"Well, it's not a friendship ring. It's an engagement ring, and it has the same purpose as all other engagement rings do."