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: All is revealed. I am a fluff kind of writer sooo… As always thank you for the support, and a big thanks to Jen for updating so I can focus on my ladies' weekend of sin! Would love to have lots of review alerts when I get home :D

"…I need you here…"

For a long moment Ziva stared at the letter Tony had given her from her father. She felt overwhelmed seeing his handwriting written on an envelope. For a long moment she wasn't sure she would be able to read it, but she owed it to him. She knew he would get her any ring she might want, but she knew she to read this letter before she made her final choice. She knew there was a reason Tony had wanted her to have it, but it wasn't easy to accept given her relationship with her father.

She was relieved he holding his hand to assure him that she still wanted this, it was just seeing the ring, knowing it could be hers that was overwhelming. She knew she needed to open the letter. She was glad that he was giving her space to read it, but was relieved he didn't pull his hand away or excuse himself. It was exactly what she needed. She began to read the letter. She wasn't sure she would ever be able to share the contents of letter with him, but hoped that after reading it she could get her thoughts together and explain to him why she'd reacted the way she had.

My sweet Ziva,

I am sorry I could not tell you this in person and that I could not see your face when you told me you were finally engaged to Tony, but I am happy I was able to give your mother's ring. She always wanted you to have it when you found the right man and I'm glad it was Tony who was the man who was able to finally give it to you.

I am so happy you have finally listened to your heart, and saw what everyone else around you already could. There is something between you and Tony which is very powerful, just as there was between your mother and me, although I did not always respect that as I should have. Had she not been taken away I would have done everything to prove to her my love for her and show you and your siblings what real love could be instead of showing you what you learned.

We may think that God takes away a lot in our lives, but he also gives back in His own way. While those gifts are sometimes harder to keep than we realise they are always worth the fight. I know you will cherish this gift after all the loss you have been forced to endure. I hope that you will wear your mother's ring with pride for the rest of your life. It will be a lasting symbol of what true love is.

Love always,

Abba

Ziva folded the letter carefully and put it down. She fought back her emotions, still feeling torn about her father, but needing to focus on the happy moment she was sharing with the only man she could see herself having a future with. She then fell into Tony's arms. He pulled her to him, kissing her cheek. She then kissed his lips softly for a moment, before pulling away and resting her forehead against his. He smiled at her, running his fingers through her hair; they must have looked like quite the site to anyone who was passing through that room.

"Ziva?" he asked.

"I would like to keep this ring," she told him, smiling slightly. "There is no need to get another one, I was overwhelmed but I understand why you wanted me to have it now."

His eyes lit up, and he finally put the ring on her finger, but it didn't fully slide on. Since the moment he had seen it he knew that no other ring could come close to that one. It was gorgeous, but understated, which reminded him of her. He had looked at a few other rings just to be sure nothing stood out, but every time he looked at anything he could only compare it the white gold solitaire with an emerald in it instead of a diamond. She kissed him softly, but pulled away only a moment later, to look at the ring.

"My mother had tiny hands," she laughed, her head resting on his. "We will need this sized."

"That's fine," he assured her. "That will give us a chance to tell everyone before you show up at work with a ring on your finger."

She smiled. "I forgot how pretty her ring was, and how unique she was."

"Maybe this will make it easier for you to talk about her," he told her. "The ring suits you too. I looked at a few others but none were as perfect as this one was."

"It is perfect. We are going to get married."

"I know we are, and I can't wait for that to happen. I would suggest we elope and get it over with but Abby would castrate me for not letting her be a bride's maid."

She laughed. "I would like something small, with Abby as my maid of honour."

"That works out well 'cause I only want McGee next to me as my best man."

"What about Gibbs?"

"I just figured he'd walk you down the aisle. He's more father than friend."

"You're right, he is going to be surprised."

"Not as much as you' d think. I went to him for advice on how to propose."

"Why did you not ask your father?"

"My mom told me how he proposed once I wanted something different, and if he asked anyone else the outcome wasn't good. It's too hard to talk about her without you there."

"I am sorry, Tony."

"I'm fine, really," he assured her. "Besides, I thought Gibbs got four women to say yes to him, he could help me get the one who mattered to me."

She smiled and cupped his face. "I love you Tony."

"I love you too, Ziva."

"Can we go home now?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

They left the art gallery a few minutes later, wanting to go home to celebrate this milestone in their relationship. They knew they would have to tell their friends, but were glad in a way that the ring hadn't fit right which gave them a little time to plan something to tell their friends, and family. The two of them were grinning the whole way home and did not skip a beat when they got there showing just how excited they were about this new development.

End Part 18

So that wasn't so bad, was it? Next up another team part… then the three chapters I added… hehe… hope you liked it let me know :D thanks again to Jen for updating for me…