Title: Man of Two Minds
Author: Trista Groulx aka dustytiger
Rating: T (like the show to be safe)
Disclaimer: I remain a poor barista I make nothing from this I am borrowing these characters for fun and they still belong to their network, creators, writers, actors and actresses who bring them to life.
Summary: Ziva comes back from Israel, but Tony is already in a relationship Keates. How will he choose between two such important parts of his life?
Notes: The couple go out for a date, but Tony still has a surprise up his sleeve. Thank you to all of you who stuck with this fic,starting to wrap things up this is a fifteen part fic. I'll likely re-explore the pairing but it's been a long time since I've sequeled a fic, and not something I want to do again I just never like a secondary requested fic as much as the original so I'd rather just fresh write something new.

The couple arrived at one of their favourite sports bars and were seated in the bar area, seated at able with stools, so they could both see and hear the game which they couldn't do in the dining room area. They each had a beer in front of them, and were sharing an appetizer of deep fried pickles as they waited for their meals to arrive. Keates reached across the table and took his hand, he smiled at her, but she could tell there was something on his mind.

"Hm, this is nice, Spider," Keates told him breaking him from his apparent trance. "Things are easy with you."

He smiled at her, and rubbed the inner part of her hand with his thumb. "You make it easy for me. You've let me be honest with you and you didn't shoot last week."

"I seriously considered it but had I shot you after I knew who she was it would have been a hell of a lot harder to get away with it."

He laughed nervously. "I plan to make that up to you for the rest of my life." He then moved to stand in front of her, cupping her face with his hand.

"What the hell has gotten into you?"

He took the box from his pocket where he'd been keeping it presenting it to her with a grin. "Don't make me get down on one knee, Zoe."

She couldn't help it but she let out an excited scream when she heard him say that. She laughed, wrapping her arms around him, then realised she could also wrap his legs around his waist to pull closer, not caring that they were in a restaurant. She kissed him fiercely as he put the ring onto her finger. She pulled away from him for a moment running her fingers along his cheeks then kissed him again, this time more tenderly. After a long embrace they both laughed she then rested her forehead on his, smiling at him.

"I never thought I'd see the day," she told him, finally looking at the ring. "I had no idea you could pick jewelry, Tony."

He laughed and ran his fingers along her cheek. "I love you, so you really want to marry me?"

"I want to be the person who can say she tamed Anthony DiNozzo Junior." She patted his chest above his heart, and laughed when the server came over with their meals, offering her congratulations to the clearly happy couple. She squeezed his hand. "I love you so much, especially since you waited 'til half time to ask."

"I'm just happy you said yes, I've never been so nervous in my life especially after everything that just happened."

"I understand, but this is reassuring for me Spider. This ring is perfect, where did you find it?"

"I had it made."

She stood up and hugged him tightly, he kissed her cheek. She ran his fingers through her hair and shared a quick kiss. They had forgotten about the game, paid the bill and went home to celebrate. They were both thrilled that they were moving forward together after everything that had happened. She knew that he really did want to move forward with her making her more at ease with what had happened lately. She understood his past, and knew that they both wanted a future together, and she couldn't wait to tell everyone they cared about.

Notes: I hope you liked it, I thought it was time, or I'm just a sucker for sweet things. Question, what are everyone's thoughts on the "Spider" nickname? Let me know what you think, be kind heart.