Chapter 24

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After two movies and a lot of laughter the team left. The snow had stopped falling and the city snow plows had come through making the roads passable. Gibbs did not want Samantha to go home but he knew that tomorrow was a workday. Samantha would not stay in his guest room on a school night. "Don't want you to go but I know you will insist."

"I don't want to go but school tomorrow and you have to go to the office." Samantha kissed him gently. She then got up and got her coat. "We better get going before the roads get bad."

Gibbs gave her a glare of disappointment. "Ok," He got up and got his coat too. "Wait here I'll go warm up the car."

Samantha stood at the door and watched him head toward the car. She began thinking to herself as she watched him start the car and then scrape off the snow from the windows. "I really could stay. I don't have to force him out in the snow, " she thought smiling to herself. She knew if she stayed her resolve about an intimate relationship with him before marriage would soon go out the window. "I can't," she thought. Gibbs knew her reasons for waiting and was very understanding. "That is a step I won't take. I really want his respect as well as his love." Gibbs came in right at that moment.

"You ready," he said knocking the snow of his boots and coat.

"Yeah. I am sorry Gibbs. "

"Rule 6. Don't say you are sorry it is a sign of weakness." He smirked at her. " I enjoy freezing my rear off to drive you home."

"Funny. Let's go."

Gibbs held her arm and helped her to the car. The entire driveway was very slippery. He opened the door and helped her into the car and then he went around to the other side and got in.

The short drive to Samantha's house was very quiet, almost to quiet even for them. When they got to Samantha's apartment Gibbs got out and walked her to her apartment door Samantha handed him the key. Gibbs unlocked the door. "Do you want me to drive you to work in the morning?"

" I can handle it. I have good snow tires on my car. Thanks to a wonderful gentleman I know. I also took a driving course when I moved here to learn how to properly drive on snow." She smiled up at him and then gave him a kiss.

"If you are sure. I could drive you and then you could meet me at NCIS and we could have dinner together. " There was almost a pleading sound in his voice.

"Well, that would be nice. If you are sure you want me too."

"Absolutely. I would know you get to work safely and I get to see my favorite girl again. Both ways I win."

"Ok, I need to get there by 0700 or earlier. I have some work to do."

"Your wish is my command sweetheart." He turned on the light in her apartment and walked around like he always did when he brought her home.

"All clear." Samantha teased smiling at him.

"Just want to make sure there is no one lurking around here to attack you."

"Except you right," she laughed knowing he was just being his overprotective self. Since the incident with Olivia he was like a mother hen when he left her alone.

"Very funny. See you in the morning." He came up to her and kissed her passionately. Samantha returned his kiss letting him take charge of her lips. When the need for air became absolutely necessary the two broke apart and just stared into each other's eyes. Nothing more was said Gibbs winked at her and walked out the door. Samantha sighed and closed the door. She knew her phone would ring as soon as he made it back home. Then they would talk for at least an hour, her sitting on her couch and him working in his basement.

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The next morning Gibbs drove Samantha to school dropping her off at the front door. He then drove to his favorite coffee spot and then headed toward NCIS.

The morning went slow. The team had no cases so they were just working on paperwork. Gibbs had to endure the endless bantering between his senior field agent and Ziva. Tony had starting quoting movies around 1100 hours and Gibbs was done with it after a short 2 minutes. Getting up he looked toward Ziva "Join me for lunch Ziver." He said motioning toward the elevator.

"I would love to Gibbs." She said getting up and grabbing her bag.

"What a minute Probie and I are hungry too Boss."

Gibbs glared at his senior field agent. "Ziva and I will think about bringing you something if you quit all your silliness and get back to work DiNozzo. Tim, why don't you go and take Abbie to lunch?"

Tony started to protest but he got a head slap before he could get a word out. "Thank you Boss. Enjoy your lunch." Tony immediately got back to working on his reports, grumbling under his breath. As she walked away Ziva just smiled at him and so did Gibbs.

McGee got up and headed downstairs to Abby's lab before Gibbs could change his mind. He would love to take Abby to lunch.

Once in the elevator Gibbs turned to Ziva. "Thanks for joining me Ziva. I really do need your help. Do you have any idea where we can get an unusual ring for Samantha?"

"I knew it," she said happily. "I was thinking last night about a place. Samantha is a special lady and she deserves a special ring. I do know a place that has several rings that would be just right for her."

"Thanks, Ziva. Let's check this place out and then get DiNozzo some lunch. " Gibbs smiled at Ziva and they both chuckled.

"You really have him bothered."

"Ya think David."

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Timothy McGee came into Abby's lab. Her music was blaring and she was dancing around the lab running diagnostic programs on her "babies". She seemed to be in a good mood. Tim just stood there and watched her for several minutes. "Don't lurk Timmy. Come on in." Abby yelled over the music.

"How does she always know?" he thought walking into the lab. "Hi Abbs," he said walking up to her. "Gibbs gave me an hour for lunch. Want to join me?"

" I would love too," she said. "The diagnostics I am running on my babies will take at least two hours. Basically I am just watching anyway."

" Great, you pick where we are going, my treat."

"Lately Samantha has me hooked on Mexican. There is a great place about half a mile away."

"Your chariot awaits my lady." McGee pointed toward the elevator. Abby grabbed her purse and they headed out for an enjoyable lunch.

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Gibbs and Ziva made it to the jewelry store and began to look around. It was a vintage store and had many, many choices for engagement rings. Ziva picked out a couple for him to look at. Gibbs shook his head none of them were special enough and they did not have the meaning he wanted. The owner came over to them. "May I help you?"

Ziva spoke first. " We are looking for a special engagement ring."

"Well pretty lady, what do you have in mind?"

"Oh it is not for me" Ziva replied quickly "My friend here is looking for a ring for his special lady. I am just here to help."

"Oh I see. Do you see any that you like?"

" Not yet." Gibbs just kept looking and avoided any kind of questions. He would know the ring when he saw it. He would know it his gut. The owner kept asking what his lady was like and Ziva continued to answer for him. That was the true reason he brought Ziva along to keep the sales people off his back.

A few minutes later the owner pulled out unique ring and showed it to them both. "Gibbs what do you think about his one? This truly looks like Samantha."

Gibbs looked at it and held it up to the light. It was beautiful. The owner saw the look in his eye and began to describe it. " It is a one of a kind European cut diamond that takes center stage, while a natural blue sapphire sparkles on either side," he began. " As you can see it has engraved floral elements on the band. Just perfect for a regal lady."

Ziva could see his eyes sparkling almost as much as the stones in the ring. "What does you gut say Gibbs?"

"I think we have found it. It is perfect and the blue stones make it Cowboy colors. She will love it." He smiled as the owner and Ziva. Ziva just rolled her eyes. "He must be in love," she thought.

"Wonderful. Now we will have to size it for your lady. Do you know her ring size my chance?"

Gibbs thought for a minute and looked a Ziva. "She has very delicate hands even if she is a Marine. She wears a size five." Ziva looked at him with a shocked expression. " Had her class ring sized about a month ago Ziva. I sort of borrowed it." Ziva could not help but chuckle.

"Well this is the perfect ring for her. It is a size five," the owner replied putting the ring into a special wooden ring box.

Gibbs paid for the ring and the two headed out to the car. "That is a lovely ring. When are you going to ask her?"

"Remember Ziva, this is totally classified. Not a word to anybody."

"Of course. Do you know how you are going to ask her?"

" I have a plan. Just rest assured it will be soon. The rest is a need to know basis and David you do not need to know." Gibbs started the car and headed for the nearest Chinese restaurant to pick up lunch for the three of them.

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Tony's eyes could not help but light up when he saw Ziva getting of the elevator. She was carrying two white bags with what he hoped was his lunch. "Well did you and the Boss have a good lunch?" Ziva did not say a word and put Tony's lunch on his desk. Then she got her lunch out of the bag and put Gibbs' lunch on his desk. "Wait a minute, did he not take you out to lunch?"

"Not exactly Tony." Tony looked at her with questions in his eyes. "Don't ask any more questions Tony. I can't answer them right now."

"Why?"

Just then Gibbs walked up with two coffees and a tea for Ziva. After he sat the drinks down, he walked up to DiNozzo and raised his hand over his agent's head. "Need to know DiNozzo and you just don't need to know." Gibbs put a gentle tap on Tony's head. "Now mind your own business and eat your lunch." Gibbs then looked over at Ziva and grinned. He then went to his desk to each his lunch and plan his next move. He wanted it to be special.