A/N Thank you to everyone who keeps reading and reviewing. All of the kind words are wonderful.

As she heard her back door open and close, Ziva closed her book and slid it onto the end table. She sat up on the sofa as Jethro crossed the dining room and entered her living room. He was carrying a plastic grocery sack.

"Gibbs, I thought you were out with Liz," Ziva greeted her late night visitor.

"Was," Gibbs sat down in his usual club chair and placed the bag on the coffee table. "Took her home. She has an early meeting in the morning."

Gibbs pulled a half pint of Cherries Garcia ice cream from the bag and passed it to Ziva. He retrieved a spoon from his shirt pocket and passed it to her. He dug in the bag and removed his own half pint of Rocky Road.

"I will have to run an extra five miles for this, Gibbs," Ziva protested even as she removed the lid and dug the spoon into the container.

"Put it back, then," Jethro answered as he opened his container.

Ziva smiled as she took the first bite. "I think I would rather do the extra miles."

The pair ate in silence for several minutes. Ziva studied Jethro. A casual observer would think he was relaxed. Ziva could tell he was preoccupied. The ice cream was a stalling tactic.

"Gibbs, I appreciate the ice cream and the visit. But, I get the feeling you have another reason for coming over." Ziva paused and when Jethro didn't respond, she continued. "Is there something bothering you?"

Jethro toyed with his ice cream. Finally, he looked at Ziva and took a deep breath. "I'm thinking about proposing."

"Proposing what?" Ziva frowned in confusion.

Jethro had to resist the urge to roll his eyes. "Marriage, Ziver. I'm thinking about asking Liz to marry me."

"Oh." Ziva leaned back on the sofa and studied her own ice cream.

"That's all you have to say?" Jethro questioned her.

"What would you like me to say?" Ziva's tone was quiet.

"That I'm not making a mistake. That she won't turn me down." Jethro stuck his spoon in the container and leaned forward to put it on the coffee table. "That you won't be pissed."

Ziva took another bite before her container joined the other one on the table. "I do not think you would be making a mistake. I like Liz. She is very nice. I think the two of you would be very happy together. And, I do not think she will turn you down. I can tell that she loves you very much."

"But, you'll be pissed," Jethro stated.

Ziva tried to collect her thoughts before she responded. "I would not be angry. I want you to be happy. You deserve that. And, I do not want you to spend the rest of your life alone. I just do not like it when things change. It makes me uncomfortable."

"I know, Ziver. That's why I came to you before I asked her," Jethro admitted. He leaned forward and rested his arms on his legs. "If I marry Liz, nothing will change."

"But, things will be different. You will have a wife who will expect you to spend time with her. I will not feel as though I can just come and go from your house whenever I want." Ziva paused and a look of horror appeared on her face. "You would not move, would you?"

Jethro knew her reaction was a symptom of her deepest fear. "No, Ziva. I won't move." He did move to the sofa and pull the young woman into a hug. "I promise. I won't leave you. And, sometimes change can be a good thing."

Ziva laid her head on his chest. "I am sorry. I am acting like a whiny brat again. I should be happy for you, not worrying about myself. That is not fair to you."

Jethro kissed the top of her head. "I understand why you're worried. Ziva, if I thought this would come between us, I wouldn't even consider getting married again. I think having Liz around would be good for you. You'll have another woman to talk to and to do things with. You really do have a lot in common."

"Like what?" was Ziva's quiet reply.

"Well," Jethro didn't have to think too hard to supply the answers. "Liz runs every morning. You both love to read. When you watch movies, you both pick chick flicks. Liz likes antiques as much as you do. She knows the location of every antique store and flea market in three states. That trip to the mall proved you can both shop like pros."

Jethro paused and then admitted, "Actually, I'm afraid if she moves next door, you'll spend more time with her than I do."

Ziva giggled and hugged him back. "We could write out a schedule. We could decide who gets her which days of the week."

Jethro laughed. "Just don't think you need to send DiNozzo over to keep me company."

Ziva drew back far enough to look at Jethro. "You have already talked to Tony about this, yes? That is why he said he had to go home tonight. He knew you planned to talk to me."

"Yeah." Jethro grinned at the jealousy she couldn't hide. "I talked to him this afternoon. And, before you get in a snit, just remember, Tony was here first."

"I do not get into snits." Despite Jethro's snort, Ziva continued. "I cannot help it if I am passionate about certain things."

Jethro smirked. "Passionate, huh? And, here I just thought you had a temper."

Ziva smacked him on the arm and then retrieved her ice cream from the table. "When do you plan to ask her?"

Jethro grabbed his container, too. "Tomorrow night."

Ziva ate her ice cream and contemplated what to say. She finally faced Jethro. "I am happy for you. I think Liz will be a wonderful addition to the family."

Jethro poked at the melting contents of his container. "She may not say yes."

"Of course she will say yes." Ziva scoffed at his concern.

"Maybe." Jethro continued to toy with his spoon. "Maybe not. I'm not such a great catch, Ziver. I've been married four times. I have a dangerous job. I work insane hours. I have a temper. I can be a real bastard." He shot her a small smile. "I have two bratty kids."

Ziva's loyalty to those she loved demanded she defend him, even from himself. "You have been married four times because the women after Shannon were not the right ones. Your job is dangerous; but, you have Tony and McGee and me to watch your six. Besides, Liz's first husband was an accountant, and he still died. You work long hours mostly because you chose to work them. Perhaps with Liz you would have a reason to cut back on the hours you devote to the job. You already have since you have been dating her. You are not a bastard to those you care about. We all know you only lose your temper with us when you are worried about us."

This time Jethro gave her one of those rare, mega-watt, Gibbs' smiles. "What about the bratty kids?"

Ziva sniffed and stuck her nose in the air. "I happen to think your kids are perfect."

When he finished laughing, Jethro leaned over and kissed her on the side of the head. "You are perfect, Ziver. Tony, I'm not so sure about."

He rose from the sofa and took the ice cream containers to the kitchen trash. When Jethro returned to the living room, Ziva was waiting for him beside the front door.

She gave him a quick but fierce hug. "I really am happy for you. I think you can make it work with Liz." She smiled up at him. "And, I will be here to smack you on the head if you do not treat her right."

Jethro returned the hug. "I'll hold you to that, Ziver."

Ziva watched as he jogged down the front steps and headed in the direction of his house. Despite Jethro's assurances, Ziva knew things would change. But maybe, like he said, that wouldn't be a bad thing. As she shut the front door, Ziva contemplated what it would be like to have another woman around. Other than Abby, she had never had a close female friend. And, she and Abby were so different they didn't really have much in common. It would be nice to have someone to talk to and to go places with. As she went about shutting off lights, Ziva smiled. Perhaps being the only woman in the family wouldn't be so bad.

NCISNCISNCISNCISNCISNCIS

Ziva pushed the hangers along the rod as she considered and rejected shirt after shirt. They were all too boring or plain. Finally, she found the one she was looking for. This one was perfect.

"Ahaa! This is the one." She snatched the hanger from the rod and turned around. Her expression was triumphant. "Now, where are the ties?"

From where he leaned against the door frame, Jethro looked on in amusement. "Hanging at the end of the closet." He moved across his bedroom and took the cobalt blue shirt she waved in his direction. "What is it with you and this shirt?"

Ziva shot him a look that clearly said he was an idiot. "It looks perfect with your hair and your eyes. All of the women at NCIS think you look hot when you wear it. Have you not noticed how they all make excuses to come by on the days you have it on?"

Jethro looked at the garment and snorted. "I will never understand women."

Ziva patted him on the arm. "It is best you do not try."

She moved back to the closet and rummaged through his ties. Jethro stood in front of the dresser. He held the shirt up and studied his reflection. He shook his head in puzzlement. Jethro knew he would never understand the mysteries of the female mind.

Ziva stood next to him and held up the silver tie. "This is the one. This will look wonderful with your charcoal gray suit."

Jethro couldn't resist the opportunity to tease her. He looked down at the faded jeans and long-sleeved, Carhart t-shirt he was wearing. The work boots were scuffed and worn.

"What's wrong with what I have on?" he asked.

Ziva put her hands on her hips and sputtered in indignation. The both turned at the sound of a chuckle from the doorway. Tony was leaning against the frame.

"He's just jerking your chain, Ziva," Tony told his irritated partner. "Come on, sweet cheeks. Let the man get dressed. He doesn't need you fussing over him like a mother hen."

Ziva shot one last stern look at Jethro. "Remember. The gray suit."

"Yes, Ziver." Jethro nudged her towards the door. "Now, go away or I'll be late."

Ziva and Tony went downstairs. Jethro showered and dressed in record time. He was more nervous than he wanted to admit. Having Ziva hovering hadn't helped his nerves. He was afraid Liz would turn him down. Jethro admitted to himself that he wouldn't blame her if she did.

When he was finally ready, Jethro descended the stairs. Tony and Ziva were waiting in his living room. They rose from the sofa as he picked up his keys from the dining table. Ziva couldn't resist the urge to straighten his tie.

"Are you finished?" He growled. Tony just rolled his eyes and grinned.

"Yes. Do you have the ring?" She asked.

"Yes. And, no, you can't see it." Jethro hadn't shown the ring to anyone. He wanted Liz to be the first to see it.

Tony put his hands on Ziva's shoulders and pulled her back against his chest. "I've got her, Boss. You better make a break for it."

Jethro smiled when Ziva swatted at Tony's hands. She managed to wiggle free from his grip and placed a kiss on Jethro's cheek.

"Good luck, Dad," she whispered.

They followed him to the front door. Jethro had almost made it out the door when Tony stopped him. The younger man gave him a brief hug.

"Good luck, Dad," he also whispered.

"Thanks, you two." Jethro gave them one last smile. "I'll talk to you in the morning."

Ziva called from where she stood in the door, "You could call us later. Let us know what she says."

Jethro laughed as he opened the door to the Charger. "If I show up at your house later with a fifth of bourbon, you'll know she turned me down."

"She will say yes, Gibbs," Ziva yelled as Tony waved and then pushed Ziva back into the house. He shut the door and hugged Ziva. The hug led to several heated kisses.

Finally, Tony broke off the kisses to smile down at very sexy woman in his arms. "Agent David, I have a question for you?"

"Yes, Agent DiNozzo?" she purred.

"Do you realize we're in the wrong house?" he asked with a laugh.

Ziva raised an eyebrow. "We could always go make out in the basement."

Tony laughed and opened the door. As he ushered her onto the porch, he told her, "I'm not that crazy, Zi."

"Where is your sense of adventure, Tony?" she teased him.

They held hands as they walked back to her house. Tony was looking forward to dinner out for a change. He had made reservations at his favorite Italian restaurant. He knew Ziva was nervous about Liz's reaction. Fortunately, Tony knew many pleasant ways to distract her. He smiled to himself. If several of those distractions just happened to involve getting his sexy partner naked, he definitely wouldn't complain.

A/N I'm sorry. I didn't intend for this to be a cliffhanger. I had planned for the proposal to be part of this chapter; but it isn't finished. Gibbs isn't cooperating. You'll all just have to wait for the next chapter.