Tony's Question

Tony watched Ziva go up the stairs and waited until he couldn't see her to clear his mind of the sudden nerves he was feeling now. He heard the door close and he knew he was good to work on his surprise. He turned around to face Gibbs, who was sitting in the chair still and staring at him.

"DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked, as he put a western on the television.

"Boss, I have a question…," Tony said shakily.

Tony's heart was pounding in his chest. It was flying at a million miles an hour and adrenaline was coursing through his system. This was the most nerve-wracking thing he had ever done before. He was silently glad that he had never had any kind of relationship with Wendy's parents when he was younger, because he just hadn't cared then. Now, he cared and it mattered. Especially now.

"You've been more of a father to Ziva over the last seven years than her father has ever been to her and I... I wanted to ask your permission to ask her to marry me."

Tony's last few words had come out strong and confident. However, his other words were barely more than a whisper, as he admitted what he knew about how both he and Ziva felt toward one another. He was nervous for bringing up something so personal and wondering how Gibbs would react, considering that they had only just told them that they were in a relationship.

Gibbs smiled at him. "I'll grant it. But, you should talk to Eli David as well," Gibbs informed the younger man standing in front of him, who had just completely relaxed. "He is still her father."

Tony tensed again. Now it felt like his heart had stopped. He had been avoiding that thought since the original thought had popped into his head a few weeks ago. Now he had to confront it and who better to do that with than the man who Tony knew would understand.

"I know, Gibbs," Tony said, using his boss's name for the first time since they had met too many years ago, before Tony was a member of NCIS. "I'm a little afraid of that."

"I'm sure Eli must already know what's going on between the two of you. You don't honestly think that he's stayed completely away from her, do you?" Gibbs asked.

Tony shook his head and fidgeted a little, unsure of how to express his nerves of speaking with this man ever again. After all, the man had threatened his life on more than one occasion in regards to what he was doing with Ziva. "Boss, can I be honest about something?"

"You can always be honest, DiNozzo," Gibbs said, chuckling at the odd question and wondering if Tony would actually make it through a conversation with the Director of Mossad.

"I'm a little terrified of Eli David," he said quietly. "I don't know what to say to that man. I don't know how to act around him. I don't know how to word what I want to say…."

Gibbs made to interrupt Tony, but Tony waved him off, wanting Gibbs to allow him to finish his statement.

"I mean, I don't really care if he gives permission or not. I just… well, I would rather just tell him what I want to do and leave him no choice, because he'll say no. I mean… honestly, Gibbs… I annoy the hell out of Eli. He doesn't like me and he'll never allow this. He'll think I'm no good for Ziva. He never liked me. And when he thought that Ziva and I were having a secret relationship the summer you were retired and in Mexico he threatened to take me out personally, because he didn't think I was good enough for Ziva."

Gibbs laughed. Part of his laughter was at Tony's nerves. Part of his laughter was almost a silent threat to Eli David to try taking out one of his team members. That was a quick way to start a war between two countries that had been allies forever.

"Then, tell him that's what you're doing," Gibbs said sternly to Tony. "Besides, I'll stand in with you while you give him a call. You can use MTAC so you can speak face to face, so to speak."

Tony smiled slightly, feeling comforted by these words. He knew that Gibbs wouldn't let him down ever. "Thanks, Gibbs," Tony said quietly.

"Of course, Tony," Gibbs said, now using the younger agent's first name for the first time since he had first learned the man's name too many years ago.

They shared a soft smile and then Tony headed up the stairs, hoping beyond all hope that Ziva hadn't heard a word of what was said between him and Gibbs. When he found the stairway empty, he was pleased. As he stepped into his room, Ziva stepped out of the shower and back into the room, right behind Tony, and only wearing a towel. It was going to be a long night for the two of them.

A/N – so here we get to the question we've all been waiting for; Gibbs permission for a wedding.