Title: Favourite Friend
Author: Trista Groulx aka dustytiger
Rating: T (same as the show, nothing explicitly naughty)
Disclaimer: I am an unmotived beauty consultant and frazzled barista who does not own NCIS, it belong to its creator, network, writers, actors, actresses and other people who bring it to life weekly, I make no money from having fun with these characters, just some much needed sanity. I also do not own the song which helped this fic to grow it belongs to Katie Rox, and likely SOCAN.
Summary: Tony goes to pick up Ziva from the airport after she buries her father, but she doesn't want to go home.
Notes: It's time for the big question! Hehe… Thank you as always for the support. Will review reply when I am home.

"…You're my favourite friend…"

A few days later Dinozzo took Ziva out for dinner at the same restaurant he had taken her to the first time they had gone on a date. They were dressed more casually then the last time they were there. Ziva noticed he was acting differently, and wondered what he might be planning, but decided to enjoy the evening. When they were done eating they went to the art gallery together, which surprised Ziva. They were looking at the various pieces of art, holding hands. When they got to a room featuring Israeli artists and landscapes he found a bench and they sat down together.

"I'd like to see where you're from at some point," Tony told her.

"I would like that," she assured him. "I am glad we came here today."

"Me too," he assured her kissing her softly.

She pulled away a moment later, running her fingers along his cheeks. He smiled at her, understanding fully that this was more than that in public than she was comfortable and she might never warm up to him kissing her like that while they were out. He liked to show her off, and there were times he wished she enjoyed more than hand holding, small gestures, and chaste kisses when they were around other people; friends or strangers.

"I love you, Ziva David," he told her, his hand still on her cheek.

She noticed he was fidgeting. "I love you too, Tony. What has gotten into you today?"

She had noticed he had been acting nervous through during their entire meal. A part of her was worried that he might have gotten tired of this, but his behaviour wasn't in line with that. He kept touching her, trying to kiss her. She had no idea what was going on with him, but wanted to do something to help.

"I'm…" his voice trailed off, he took her hand, and again ran his finger through her hair, he was glad he had done this here so he couldn't just fall into bed with her and ask her when he came down from another euphoric encounter with her. "I know that we haven't been dating long, but when I think about the future you're always in it. I know the timing might not be the best, but I need you to know what I want – Ziva, will you marry me?"

Ziva couldn't believe her ears, but was soon smiling. "Yes, Tony I will marry you."

"Shit!" he muttered, realising a very significant part was missing. "I forgot your ring."

"That is fine, it was perfect," she assured him, smiling sincerely at him.

Tony rifled through his pocket and pulled a ring out to present to her. He couldn't believe that had forgotten the most important part of the proposal. Ziva's jaw dropped when she saw the ring Tony had presented her. She couldn't believe he had it, she thought it was gone like so many other of her mother's belongings. There was a part of her that wanted nothing to do with the ring, but another part of her liked the symbolism of the old ring. She was torn, the only reason she stayed where she was was that she knew how hard it was for him to do this and if she made him think for even a moment she might not want a future with him their relationship would never recover. She did want to marry him, and couldn't do anything that could put that future in jeopardy but she had to be honest with him.

"Tony, where did you get this?" she asked him, visibly shaken.

"I thought, you'd like it, don't be upset, please, I can explain it. I can't believe I blew this. A few days after you left for Israel I got a letter. I thought it was odd, but assumed it was from you, so I opened it. Inside was a letter from your father, basically giving me his blessing to marry you, when I finally got my head in the game and started to date you. As well as information about a safety deposit at the bank, when I went to the bank and looked inside the only thing in it was this ring, and this." He handed her a letter with her name on it.

"I cannot believe he gave you this. I do not understand," she told him. "You did not blow it. I was not expecting you to have this ring, that is all."

"Ziva, did I do something wrong?" Tony asked.

"No, Tony, you did not. I do want to marry you. But this ring is too much."

"I thought…"

"I love it, but it belonged to my mother, and I do not know if I can wear it. If I was to damage it, or worse, lose it it could never be replaced."

"I don't think you'd lose or damage your engagement ring." He took her hand. "I didn't mean to upset you. I really thought you would want this ring. I looked for others but I didn't like them as much."

"I know. I do want this Tony, but this ring, it's so much."

He pulled her toward him, wrapping her in a tight hug, tears began to fall down her cheeks. He thought that presenting her with the ring, and telling her about the letter her father had sent him would make the proposal extra special. He certainly hadn't expected to upset her like this. He was kicking himself for not asking Gibbs his opinion on giving her that ring to avoid this situation. He hadn't wanted to make her cry when he presented her with her engagement ring, since she was not a tears of a joy kind of woman.

"Ziva," he whispered, kissing her forehead.

"Thank you Tony," she whispered. "I love you. I do want to marry you, please believe that."

"I do believe that and I love you too. If you want a different ring I'll get you whatever you want, but you should read the letter he wrote you before you decide. I'm sure he explained why he gave it to you, he trust you with it I know that."

She nodded, squeezing his hand as she took the letter from him. Tony had never seen her like that and was starting to question if he had done the right thing. He thought she would be happy to see the ring again. In the letter her father had sent him he made it very clear just how much he wanted his daughter to have that ring, and he would have felt like he was letting the man down, even in death, if he didn't propose with that ring.

Now he wondered if offering her that ring could ruin the important milestone for them. He would get her a new ring, anything she wanted if that was what she wanted, but he had already believed he had the perfect ring for her. He hated that he had upset her and wished he could have the moment back to make it perfect for her. He gently wiped away her tears, letting her take the lead, scared she would leave.

End Part 17

Notes: Eeek… Will he need to get a new ring? What's in the letter find out tomorrow. Thanks a million Jen heart… Please let me know what you think I'd love to come home to happies!