Chapter 30

Can't believe this story has made it to 30 chapters. It always gets to me when I get on a roll and can punch out several chapters at once then on other days it takes me weeks to get a chapter written. I love the reviews I have gotten on the last 2 chapters. Well here it is the Gibbs/ Samantha proposal. I hope I do it justice.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of NCIS. If I did I would have not let fans with an addiction to this show wait over 100 days to find out about our team.

Gibbs pulled the car up into his driveway and turned off the car. He got out of the car and went to the other side of the car opening the door for Sam. The two walked silently into the house.

Once inside Gibbs put his arms around her waist from behind. He put several kisses on the back of her neck. "You hungry."

"I could use a drink. I want to save room for that delicious meal you promised me." Sam turned and looked him in the eyes. "Would you get me a diet coke while I go upstairs to change? Don't want to mess up this outfit for tonight."

"Sure. Do you want to watch a movie?" Gibbs kissed her on the nose.

"You pick it. I know you could use a nap after your night partying last night," she smirked and rubbed her hands down the sides his arms. He nodded his head and headed for the kitchen.

Sam went upstairs to the extra room that had become her room. She had a lot of clothes, books and a few special items sitting around the room. She quickly changed into a pair of sweats and one of Gibbs' long sleeve sweat shirts she had commandeered as her own. She carefully laid out her outfit on the bed. She stepped into the bathroom and brushed her hair and put it in a pony tail.

She heard the movie start downstairs and could smell the aroma of coffee in the air. She did not like to drink coffee but the smell of it brewing reminded her of him. She walked down the stairs to see him standing at the bottom of the stairs holding a cup of coffee in one hand and a diet coke in the other.

Gibbs looked up and saw Sam coming down the stairs. He just stood and stared at her. She looked so beautiful in his sweatshirt, sweats and her bare feet. It took all the will power he had not to grab her and propose right there. Choking back the urge to scream out. "You look so beautiful right now. Will you marry me?" He managed to smile at her and hand the can to her." Wow, I don't which outfit today you look more beautiful in, my shirt or your sexy outfit earlier."

She took her drink and walked past him to the couch. She sat down and patted his place next to her. "Well thank you kind sir. Now come sit here next to me. You have been so tense today." He winked at her as he removed his black suit coat and tie. He laid them down on the end of the couch and sat down next to her. He put his arm around the back of the couch. Samantha cuddled up to him pulling her feet up under her legs. Gibbs lowered his arm around her and pulled her into his side. He smelled her hair. He loved the smell of her shampoo. She always used strawberry scented shampoo and he loved it.

They sat there watching the movie just enjoying each other's company. Samantha felt Gibbs breathing become slower and steady. She knew he was asleep. She carefully reached into the pocket of her sweatpants and pulled out her phone. Setting the alarm so they would not miss their reservations she put her left hand on his chest resting over his heart. She tried to watch the movie but her eyes slowly closed and she was soon asleep also.

(((((((((((((( NCIS))))))))))))

Across town Tony DiNozzo was leaving the florist shop with a dozen roses in his arms. When he had called Gibbs that morning he was really calling for Ziva who wanted to send a message to Gibbs. He had their day all planned out. First, he showed up at her door with pastry from a local Israeli bakery and a fruit smoothie. Ziva had not expected him to show up with presents. "She does not know what else I have planned for today," he thought. Tony started planning this day last Saturday when he had picked her up at Samantha's on Kelly's birthday.

He had brought her back to his place and they had talked. They decided to begin dating and see where that took them. He had wanted to take her in his arms that night and tell her that she was his soul mate. Since seeing Gibbs so comfortable and happy with Sam, he had really wanted to show her that she loved

After he left Ziva's he sent her a text message. "Miss David will you do me the honor of joining me for dinner this evening?"

Ziva answered. "Why yes kind sir."

"Well then meet me at my place at 7:00 pm. I am cooking. Dress Casual."

"See you there." Ziva answered.

Tony got into his car and laid the roses on the seat. He had planned this down to the last detail. He had chosen the most romantic movie that he could remember. He had chosen the "Goodbye Girl." He had planned his meal to be a vegetable pizza and a salad. He had also got a good wine and then needed to decorate for his Valentines' meal.

When Ziva arrived at the house of DiNozzo at 7 that evening she was dressed in pair of cargo pants and a long sleeved dark green shirt. In her hand she was carrying Tony's favorite Italian dessert she had picked up at a local bakery. When she reached the door there was a note pinned to the door. "Welcome my lovely ninja. Door is open. Leave my present and your coat on the couch and meet me on the roof. Dress formal." Ziva smiled to herself. "Of course he would expect a present" she thought.

She opened the door and set the dessert on the coffee table and reaching into her coat pocket she had a wrapped present. She kept her coat on since she assumed the roof would be a bit chilly since it was February. She closed the door and made her way up the stairs at the end of the hall leading to the roof of DiNozzo's building.

She opened the door onto the roof slowly. After all this was DiNozzo and she was never sure what to expect. As she carefully exited the hallway onto the room she noticed Tony dress in a white tux with a hat pulled down over one eye. "I said the dress was formal sweetheart." he said flipping a switch and turning several rows of red Christmas lights and romantic music began playing in the background. Ziva looked at him smiled and shook her head. "Tell me which movie this came from."

"I will have to show it to you later." He came up and took her hand and led her over to the table he had set with candles and sitting at her place was the red roses he had bought earlier. "You don't need that coat. I have heaters set up so we won't spend our evening shivering," Tony said helping her out of her coat. "Miss David, may I have the pleasure of this dance?"

"Of course." The couple began to dance looking deeply into each other's eyes. Tony knew he had really taken her by surprise as he kissed her on the cheek. "Tony this is wonderful," she whispered. She laid her head on his shoulder and sighed. Ziva had never been romanced and she could really get to like to like this.

NCIS

Tim was not the romantic type but his discussion with the love of his life on the proceeding Saturday he decided that this Valentines' day needed to be special. He had planned dinner out at her favorite restaurant and then movie she had mentioned she wanted to see. He had bought her a dozen black roses and a copy of her favorite movie the Princess Bride on BlueRay.

He had called on Tuesday night and formally asked her out. His heart skipped a beat when she had said yes. Both of them had a special smile on their face all week. Gibbs had noticed that his team was all in a very good mood all week. He had smiled when he thought about Rule 12 was no longer existent and he really did not care.

On Saturday afternoon, Tim called Abby and drove by to pick her up for their date. When she opened the door she was greeted with Tim McGee dozen black roses and a smile. She knew she was in for a wonderful evening.

NCIS

Gibbs and Samantha were still cuddled on the couch when his dream started. This time it was a wonderful dream. In this dream, he and Samantha had decided to forgo the restaurant for Chinese food, Samantha's IPod for music and dancing by firelight. She looked so beautiful in his sweatshirt with her sweatpants and her bare feet. Her hair was down and the fire was dancing in her eyes. He was enjoying just holding her as they swayed slowly to the music.

This time when Gibbs woke up he had a smile on his face and the woman he loved still asleep in his arms. He pulled her closer and decided that he would make that dream happen. This dream was the right way to ask her to marry him.

He must have held her a little too tight because she sighed and looked up at him. "You ok," she asked. "Not another bad dream."

"No," he whispered. "This one was a good one. I was just wondering, would you mind if we change the plans for tonight?"

"What did you have in mind Special Agent Gibbs?"

"Just want to stay here with you. You look so beautiful in my clothes. I just don't want to share you with the world. How about take out, music from your IPod and a fire in the fireplace."

Samantha just looked at him and smiled. "That sounds like heaven to me."

Gibbs gave her another kiss and then moved to get up. "Well if we are staying here I am going to go upstairs to get changed and cancel our reservations. While I do that you decide on our dinner and call it in."

"Ok." She grabbed her phone. "Chinese ok."

"That sounds good." Gibbs took the stairs to his room two at a time. "Get me the usual."

While Samantha called in their order, Gibbs changed into a pair of sweatpants and one of his long sleeved shirts. Then he called the restaurant and canceled their dinner arrangements. Then smiling to himself he removed the delicate ring box from his suit coat pocket and deposited it into the pocket of his sweats. Now he had a fire to make and wait for just the right moment to ask Samantha to be his wife.

Downstairs Samantha had called in their food order and was busy setting the table for their romantic dinner. She had added candles and two wine glasses. Gibbs walked into the dining room and smiled. "Looks wonderful." he asked putting his arms around her. "You feel cold. While I am getting the fire started go put something on your feet."

While Samantha was upstairs Gibbs went out and got Sam's roses out of the trunk of the car. Putting them at her place on the table, he then went out back to get some firewood.

Samantha saw the roses when she came back downstairs and smiled. "Food will be here in about 45 minutes" she told him.

"While I get this fire started, how about some music?"

"Lovely. I will get my IPod and get some music going. Usual."

"Whatever makes you happy sweetheart."

The couple silently tended to their chores and waited for the food to arrive. They did not need to talk. They were just happy to be sharing the evening.

NCIS

After the couple finished their dinner in silence because they were sitting close together and were holding hands. Both of them found words were not necessary to convey the utter contentment they were feeling.

Just then a Samantha's song came on. Brad Pasley's The World came up on the playlist. Grapping her hand Gibbs led her over to the floor in front of the fireplace. "Dance with me." Sam nodded and Gibbs took her into his arms. This song had become very special to him. It was the way he felt about her. She had become his world. Sure Shannon and Kelly were still a big part of his heart but he had learned that he had room in his heart for his girls, Jenny Sheppard and most of all Samantha. As he held her close and the music played he contently hummed along with the music.

Just as the song came to an end he knew in his heart that this was the correct time to propose to her. He stepped back and looked into her eyes. "I have something I want to talk to you about," he whispered.

"What?" It was obvious she was concerned. It had been such a wonderful evening what could he want to talk about now.

Gibbs took her hands and lowered himself to one knee in front of her. Samantha got a nervous giggle and Jethro saw the fire dancing in her eyes. "Be careful Jethro you might not be able to get up," she said biting her lip.

"If I can't, call DiNozzo to order the crane." Samantha smiled. Gibbs knew that when she got nervous she made silly jokes. She was always an intuitive lady so he knew she was aware of what he was about to ask. "Now let me ask this question. Samantha, I had forgotten what it was like to truly have a woman who cared so much. I did not realize how alone I was. What a hermit I had become. Thank you. I don't want to ever be alone again. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

Samantha looked at him in shock. "I don't know what to say," she said. "I always thought with 3 ex-wives you were a little sour on marriage."

"Samantha forget that," he smirked. "Answer my question."

With tears in her eyes she nodded her head with a yes. Gibbs then reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring box he was happily carrying. Removing the ring from the box he smiled up at her and then slipped it onto her finger. Her smile and the sparkle of her told Gibbs she was very pleased with his choice. Gibbs stood up and put his arms around her. "I am so happy," he said pulling her into his chest. She just snuggled in. Within minutes he felt her sobbing and he could feel his shirt getting wet with her tears. Pulling back Gibbs lifted her chin so she was looking into his eyes. Her face was red from crying. "What are you crying about sweetheart?" he asked.

Samantha managed a smile. "I am so happy. For the first time in I am not sure how long, I am not alone. If I have a flat tire or my car breaks down I have someone who would love me enough to fix it. Someone who cares to listen when I 've had a bad day and just need some TLC. Someone to protect me from the world or at the very least support me when I need to handle it on my own. I feel so safe with you Jethro. I feel loved and protected. I feel nothing can really hurt me. Since my grandfather, no one not even David has made me feel cared for like you do."

"I hope I can live up to that." Gibbs smiled and kissed away some of her tears.

"You will. When you care as much as I know you do even when you do something wrong it is for the right reasons." She took his face into her hands and kissed him firmly on the lips. "Thank you" she whispered. "We have both been alone a long time. Being part of a couple sure feels nice."

Jethro kissed her again. Taking her hand he led her to the couch where they cuddled up together. No further words were said. None were needed. Samantha had her knight in shining armor and Gibbs had the second love of his life. Nothing could hold a candle to the happiness they shared. They sat there for hours just holding each other. Finally, sleep took over.