Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of NCIS I am just a fan.
Chapter 9
This was it. It was time for the lovebirds to tell the rest of the team how they felt. Gibbs smiled which was very unlike him since he never wanted anyone on his team to date, as Tony opened his mouth and allowed the rest of the world to see what he had been holding inside for a month.
"Ziva and I," Tony stuttered as the words came out. "Well…Ziva and I are dating. I asked her out a month ago. I'm in love with her."
Abby Scuito smiled. She knew for a long time that Ziva was in love with Tony and she couldn't be happier that they both finally confessed their love for one another. Jimmy Palmer and Ducky Mallard looked at each other and laughed, and nodded silently agreeing that it was about time. Director Vance was the last to arrive. He was in MTAC getting his daily briefing about affairs in the Pacific when he heard laughing and joking coming from below. Ziva and Tony had their arms around each other and were smiling like two love struck teenagers.
"What did I miss?" shouted the director from MTAC. He didn't really care if two of his agents dated as long as it didn't affect their work in the field.
"Director, Ziva and I are dating." Tony said smiling.
"Good for you. Now why don't you and the rest of the team go out and celebrate. Gibbs, make sure they don't hurt each other. I need all of you bright and early. You will be taking a Gulfstream to Hawaii. Petty Officer in Pearl was found murdered and they believe that the connection can be linked to a Washington drug leader who is moving cocaine in and out of the Virginia area."
The team walked out of the bullpen. However, Gibbs asked Tony to stick around before they went out for dinner.
"Tony, I've never been prouder of one of my agents. I consider you like a son to me. I have something for you that I think might be of use someday. After all, it is the holiday season."
Gibbs took out of his pocket a black box with a 10 karat diamond ring inside.
"I used this when I proposed to Shannon. She was the love of my life and since I don't have a child to pass it down to, I thought maybe when the time was right you could use it for Ziva."
Tony smiled. He knew his boss didn't like to show affection to his team members. However, he couldn't hold it in anymore. He hugged his boss and thanked him from the bottom of his heart. But, before he was able to walk into the elevator Gibbs told him one more thing.
"If you ever hurt Ziva in any way I swear I will request you be sent to be an Agent Afloat again." Gibbs was angry. He loved the relationship Ziva and Tony had and the last thing he wanted was for them to screw things up.
"Hey!" shouted Abby as Tony and Ziva walked into the restaurant. "It's the lovebirds!" She was screaming so loud the entire restaurant could hear her.
Tony pulled out a chair for Ziva so she could take her seat. Who said chivalry was dead? She wondered silently to herself how Tony could be such a sweetheart deep down inside. Then she silenced her thoughts she finally had stability something she believed she would never maintain. Tony sat down next to her with his arm around her and kissed her cheek. He whispered something to her that made her laugh. He continued playing with the ring in his pocket the only problem…when he should give it to her. He wanted the moment to be perfect.
The team spent the evening talking and laughing. They couldn't believe how much in their lives was changing. Everything was different now and the team knew how much they loved each other. They knew that life was going to change and more importantly they had a million questions about the future. But, hey, what's better than that being able to walk into life on a daily basis not knowing what life will throw your way. After all, the next day they were off to Hawaii, to Pearl Harbor and the beginning of a new case.