A/N: I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed this story. I had planned to post this chapter on Friday or Saturday. But, life got in the way. Then this chapter didn't want to end and it turned out to be longer than usual. I hope no one is upset about that.

Disclaimer: I don't own them and I'm still not making any money from this.

"Hey. Got a minute to give me a hand?" Gibbs flipped his cell phone closed as soon as he received a positive reply.

He leaned against the workbench and took a drink of coffee. Balanced across two sawhorses, Jethro's latest project sat in front of him. Working in his spare time, it had taken several weeks to complete this one. It had turned out perfectly. The wood, dark golden oak, gleamed in the overhead light. Each board had been hand sanded until they looked like satin.

Ziva jogged down the stairs and stopped next to Jethro. "What do you need my assistance with, Gibbs?"

He took another drink of coffee and nodded at the sawhorses.

"That is a porch swing," Ziva stated the obvious.

"Yep," he replied.

Ziva gave it a closer examination. The craftsmanship was impeccable and it was quite beautiful. She turned to Jethro, "You built this?"

"Yep," was again his only reply.

"You want my help to hang this on your porch?" Ziva inquired.

"Nope." This time Jethro smiled at the young woman. "You're going to help me hang it on your porch."

Ziva looked from the Jethro to the swing and back again. "You built this for me, Gibbs?"

"Yep," he responded again with a bigger smile.

She cautiously ran a finger over the curved back. Ziva knew he had spent many hours working on this project. That he had put such effort and care into it something like this for her left her speechless.

Jethro put his coffee cup on the workbench. "Come on. Help me get it up the stairs." He pointed Ziva to one end of the swing.

Working together they managed to carry the heavy oak swing up the stairs. They soon had it out of Jethro's house and over to Ziva's front porch. Jethro directed her to sit it to the side where it would be out of his way.

"You decide where you want it. I'm gonna go get a ladder." Jethro left Ziva still staring at the swing and headed back to his house. He gathered the ladder, a cordless drill and the hardware to hang the swing. When he returned to Ziva's porch, she was still standing where he left her.

"So, where do you want it?" He asked her as he propped the ladder against one of the columns.

It was then that she finally turned those huge, chocolate eyes to him. "You built this for me."

"Well, yeah, Ziver. Figured you would enjoy sitting out here to read," he replied slightly baffled.

"This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me, Gibbs. Thank you," she said while looking back at the swing.

"So, you decide where you want it?" he asked hoping she wasn't about to get all weepy on him.

She chose the side of the porch to the right of the front door. It took several minutes for him to set up the ladder and drill the necessary holes. Jethro had Ziva hand him the hardware and tools he needed to attach hooks to the ceiling. Finally, Jethro lifted the swing and Ziva stood on the ladder to attach the chains to the hooks.

He stood back to check that it was hanging level. "Looks good there. You picked the perfect spot. Try it out."

Ziva touched the dark, golden wood of the arm with one finger and set the swing in motion. "It is too pretty to use."

"Ah hell, Ziver, you aren't going to hurt it. Sit on it," Gibbs had grown accustomed to her displays of emotion when they were alone. But, that didn't mean he was comfortable with them.

Ziva sat and cautiously moved the swing back and forth. "This is so wonderful, Gibbs. Thank you. "

Jethro sat next to her, "I'm glad you like it. I was thinking of building a picnic table for your patio next."

"Gibbs, you are spoiling me," Ziva told him.

Jethro just shrugged, "It's about time someone did. You deserve it."

"I intend to cook dinner for you tonight," Ziva told him.

"Actually…" At his pause, Ziva turned to look at him. She could see a faint blush staining Jethro's cheeks. "I have a date tonight," he reluctantly admitted.

Ziva could not pass up an opportunity to tease him, "I do not recall you asking for permission, Gibbs."

He smiled, "Didn't know I had to, Ziver."

She tried to look stern, "Oh, yes, Gibbs. We discussed this. If you can approve of whom I date, I can do the same."

Jethro had known that conversation would come back to bite him in the butt. She would never let him live it down. He had to grudgingly admit his choice in women hadn't always been the best. Maybe having her opinion would be a good thing.

"Fine. If I decide to take her out a second time, you can meet her," he conceded.

"So, where did you meet her? What is her name? Where does she do for a living? What do you know about her?" Ziva fired off a volley of questions at a rapid pace.

"The coffee shop, Elizabeth, elementary school principal, and more than I'm going to tell you," Gibbs answered with as little information as possible.

"Gibbs, that is not fair. I need more details that that," Ziva protested.

He stood and gathered the drill and the ladder. "That's all you're going to get for now." He bent and kissed her on top of her head. "You can cook dinner tomorrow night and interrogate me then."

Ziva pretended to pout, "Fine, but I will get answers." As Jethro started down the steps she called out, "Do not forget to take her flowers. And, wear the dark blue shirt with the silver tie." She could hear his laughter as he headed back to his house.

NCISNCISNCISNCISNCIS

Several hours later, Ziva was still sitting on her front porch. As Jethro had suggested, she had brought a book and a glass of raspberry tea out to the swing. She had been there when Jethro left for his date. He had waved as he backed the Charger out of his drive. Ziva had returned the wave and had smiled when she saw he was wearing the shirt and tie all of the female NCIS employees admired so much.

At the sound of a car pulling into her drive, Ziva looked up from her book. She was surprised to see Tony getting out of his newest sports car. She put her book down and waited as he crossed the lawn.

He greeted her as he jogged up the steps, "Good evening, Agent David."

She smiled, "Good evening, Agent DiNozzo."

"Is the sniper home?" he inquired.

When Ziva shook her head no, he leaned forward and placed a very soft kiss on her lips. As he straightened, he took notice of the porch swing.

"Hey! This is cool. Where did you get it?" he sat next to her.

Ziva used her foot to set the swing in motion. "Gibbs made it for me."

DiNozzo looked more closely at the detailed craftsmanship. "This is amazing. I wish I could do something like this."

"Maybe Gibbs would teach you," she said with a smile.

Tony snorted, "Yeah, right. I don't think either one of us has the patience for that." He picked up her book and looked at the cover. "Pride and Prejudice? Seriously?"

She snatched the book from his hand. "Yes, Tony. I happen to enjoy it." She laid the book on the other side of her. To forestall and snide comments he might make, Ziva asked, "Would you like a glass of iced tea?"

When Tony said yes, she went inside to fetch him a glass. When she returned to the porch, she was surprised to find Tony holding a book of his own. His grin was sheepish.

"I went to the bookstore today," he explained.

Ziva handed him his glass. She took the book from him and read the cover. She was shocked by his choice. "You just happened to choose a book about an Israeli spy?"

"No," he took the hardback away from her. "I got hooked on this series after I had the plague. For weeks, all I could do was lie around. Even I can't watch that much television. McGee brought me the first book in the series. This is the latest one."

She eyed him with new appreciation, "I did not know you liked to read, Tony."

"There's a lot you don't know about me, Zeevah," he retorted.

Ziva just patted his leg and returned to her own book. They sat in comfortable silence, each lost in the pages of their books. A slight breeze made the shaded porch quite comfortable. It was only when it became too dark to see that Tony finally marked his place and put his book aside.

"This was nice, Ziva," he told her.

"I will be sure to tell Gibbs you enjoyed the swing," she teased.

"I'm being serious here, Ziva. It's nice to have someone I can relax around and just hang out with," Tony admitted.

"I know, Tony. It is wonderful that we do not have to play games with one another," Ziva replied.

Tony kissed her for the second time that evening. "I better go. " As he stood, he smiled at her. "We'll have to do this again."

"Anytime, Tony," Ziva watched him cross the lawn to his car. She had to admit to herself that she admired the view.

NCISNCISNCISNCIS

Ziva was curled up on the sofa with her book when she heard her backdoor open and then close. She glanced at the mantle clock. It was shortly after midnight. The young agent was not concerned. Only one person, other than herself, had a key to that door. She recognized his footsteps as he passed through the kitchen. Jethro had obviously seen her light and known she was awake.

"Gibbs, is anything wrong?" Ziva asked.

"Nah, just thought I would let you know I'm back," he told her as he sat in the club chair across from her.

Ziva sat up and crossed her legs under her. "So, how was your date?" She knew she would get minimal details.

"It was fine," Jethro hedged.

"Just fine, Gibbs? I want to hear all about it," she was eager to hear whatever he would tell her.

"Has anyone ever told you that you are nosey?" he stalled.

"That is why I am such a wonderful investigator. Now tell me everything," Ziva demanded in a tone she would never get away with at work.

She was rewarded with that lopsided grin, "We had dinner and then we went to that jazz club McGee recommended. Then I took her home."

"And?" Ziva was not satisfied with the condensed version.

"And, that's all you're getting. I'm not telling you what happened once we got back to her house," Jethro's tone said that subject was off limits.

Ziva felt her cheeks heat. She tried to stop the mental images before they could get started. "Please do not. There are certain things children do not want to think about their parents doing."

Jethro blushed but he still smiled. "We didn't do that, Ziver."

Ziva leaned forward, "Will you see her again?"

"I certainly plan on it," the smile widened.

Ziva hoped that he had found someone who would make him happy. "Do not forget, you said I can meet her."

Jethro stood. "If you promise to behave yourself."

Ziva followed him to the front door. "I will be on my best behavior, Gibbs."

"Night Ziva," Jethro gave her a quick hug.

"Good night, Dad," she returned the hug. "By the way," she called to him, "I was right about the shirt and tie, yes?"

From her place on the porch, Ziva heard his laugh and the word "brat" come from her driveway.