Author's Note: Don't get mad! I sum up day six and it's day five now. (Sum up turned out longer than anticipated though).
Yesterday had been mostly spent in bed. They left the apartment a few times though. Tony wanted to get something else from Ziva's storage and then he had her put him on her lease. When he signed the paperwork he noticed she'd prepaid two years. That simple observation froze his heart. He wasn't sure if he could survive being away from her for so long. Did she really think the mission would require so much time or was she being overly cautious. He wanted to believe the latter. But rationally he knew she paid that far in advance because she wanted to give herself enough time to get out of this alive and still have things to come back to. Even if it was a simple storage unit.
But at least she thought there was hope, else she wouldn't have prepaid so far in advance. Yes, she thought there was hope of coming out of this alive. He needed that hope...especially today.
When they'd gone home yesterday after grocery shopping - which Tony had never had so much fun doing - she'd cooked him a sausage and spaghetti dish that blew his socks off. He then proceeded to complain that she'd hadn't cooked enough for him over the years. She told him that was because they worked most of the day and night and day again. Then they made love on the couch. He liked seeing her there between those colorful pillows, looking at him like he was her world. He took that because she was his world and he couldn't lose her, couldn't lose hope.
Afterwards, they watched Arsenic and Old Lace on the big screen. Ziva had never seen it and when Cary Grant found the second body in the window seat and screamed, "Egads there's another one!" Ziva nearly choked on her popcorn and had a laughing fit he'd never witnessed before. She couldn't breathe for five minutes because she was laughing so hard - he thought he'd have to do mouth to mouth not that he'd complain about that either.
She was glorious as he watched her laugh and when she'd finally calmed he kept the movie on pause and they started talking about the strange places they've found bodies. There was the chimney which he said was unusual but not that strange then the one trussed up like a scarecrow and the ones under the frozen lake, the bits and pieces of course - then they started laughing again (even though they both felt bad about it) because they realized they could do this all day.
They finished watching the movie and Ziva remembered the fourteen or so bodies in that serial killers backyard. Tony asked her which one and she laughed before clarifying the woman with no toe. Tony then pulled out McGemcity's book - Deep Six and flipped right to the passage about Tommy and Lisa making love on the white sands of her country.
"So you want me to show you Israel?" Ziva had asked.
"Yeah," Tony kissed her nose. "I'd like to see more of it than just a Mossad interrogation room - oh wait sorry conference room."
Ziva shook her head but laughed anyway, "I'd like to show you. I could take you to Haifa - we might be able to find those white sands there."
They made love again and after, while Tony was holding her covered in only the throw they'd rescued from her storage - he asked what if she was pregnant? He told her they hadn't used any protection and he hasn't noticed her taking any little pills. For a moment he wanted to say you can't go now; you can't risk our kid! But the words died on his lips when she told him she had an IUD. She said given what she has done all her life - it was the best choice.
Tony then - almost without hesitation - asked her if when she came home to him if she'd remove it? Ziva was taken by surprise by that question and stared into his face for long moments. Then she kissed him and said "When I come home if you still want me to, yes. I would love to have a baby with you Tony DiNozzo. On one condition," she then added, "if it is a boy I get to teach him how to treat women." Tony laughed then agreed with the caveat that he still gets to teach him all his dating tricks.
Tony said when she got back they'd look for a bigger place too - maybe something with a backyard and a pool. Though seeing McGee in swim trunks might be as bad as the Jonas Brother costume.
It had been a fun, beautiful day that he did not want to end. But today was another and today would be very special.
"I thought we might go to the movies today?" Ziva said as she pulled on a grey top over her black cargo pants. "I can buy you one of those big tubs of popcorn and-"
"No movies today," Tony said as he grabbed his car keys and took one last look around the bedroom. "We're going for a day trip near Rock Creek Park."
"Rock Creek Park? We got a murder?" Ziva smiled.
Tony laughed, "Nooo Zeevah! We are going to do what the locals do - enjoy the park with no fingerprint powder or evidence bags in sight!"
"Well, you know I love hiking but Tony you always get mad when we wander too far from the car," Ziva looked at him sideways. "And you aren't wearing the right shoes."
"They're fine," Tony pulled her to the door, "I'll have you know I've climbed up steep hills in these things."
"Aha," Ziva narrowed her eyes suspiciously at Tony but went along without further protest.
It took just over an hour to get there, Ziva was curious because Tony was acting stranger than normal or even normal for these days. Then they pulled up a long gravel driveway and at the end of the driveway sat a small chapel. Ziva turned to Tony who simply put the car in park in front of the chapel, exited and opened her car door.
"Why are we here, Tony?" Ziva took his offered hand and exited the car.
"I wanted to show you this place and tell you a story," he said as he closed the door and walked them over to a small bench under a large tree facing the chapel.
They took a seat on the bench and Ziva stared at Tony curiously, "Tony?"
"Tony swallowed hard, "When I killed Rivkin and you were mad enough to shoot me in the head," he smiled.
Ziva placed her hand on Tony's forestalling his next sentence, "I was just mad that Michael had died and you didn't come to me first. I am sorry-"
"SSsh, sweetheart there is nothing to be sorry for." Tony touched her face, "I am sorry because I lied to you. I was jealous."
"It is the past, Tony," Ziva put her hand on his, "we do not have to bring it up again."
"Except, that during that time - when you were gone - I could hardly function." Tony lowered his hand and held hers. "I didn't know where you were, I had to find you."
Ziva offered a half-smile, "You seem to be good at that."
"Then Gibbs told me you'd drowned on the Damocles," Tony held her hand tighter. "I came here. I don't know why. A friend of mine had gotten married here a long time ago and I remembered this place. It seemed peaceful."
Ziva leaned into Tony, "Tony, that time is over."
Tony looked over at her with the remembered pain of that time, she saw it as clear as anything.
"Is it?" he asked softly. "I came here then and I had a good, long talk with God. I really don't do that very often. But I did then and I asked him for a favor. I asked him to bring you back to me."
"When you thought I was dead?" Ziva asked softly.
"Yes," Tony nodded. "I don't know why I asked it because I had no reason to believe you weren't gone. And when...and when Saleem took the hood off...you were mine again."
"He came through for you, huh?" Ziva placed her other hand on his.
"Oh yeah, big time." Tony lifted her hands and kissed them. "So, you see, this place is very special."
"Then thank you for bringing me here, Tony. I am glad you felt you could share this with me," she kissed him lightly. "Maybe we can go inside and light a candle?"
"There is something else I want to share with you here," Tony stood and indicated for her to remain seated. He then gave her that brilliant DiNozzo smile and Ziva's breath was caught in her throat when he went down on one knee.
"What are you doing, Tony?" Ziva asked as fear shook her, "Please do not do this."
"Oh, I am doing this," Tony pulled out a small blue ring box and opened it to reveal a stunning antique diamond ring.
Ziva shut the box in his hand, stood and went to the car, "I want to go!"
"You realize you are the girl," Tony stood and followed her, "You need to let a man propose the right way."
"Tony," Ziva took a breath, "this is beautiful. My heart is beating out of my chest but we should not become engaged. Not now."
"Ziva," Tony pulled the ring out of the box and slipped the box back into his pocket. "I want to marry you, today."
"What?" Ziva gaped at Tony.
"I want to marry you, today, in that chapel," Tony held the ring up to her and a prism of colors reflected off of it in the sunshine.
Ziva looked at him like he'd lost his mind.
"I want there to be a real, legal, unbreakable connection between us in every way," Tony placed his hand on her waist, "I want you to be my wife. I want to know that my wife is returning to me."
"I cannot," Ziva stared at him, her eyes glassy and unable to completely focus. "I cannot do that to you. You need to be free, Tony," she said unsteadily, finding it hard to catch her breath.
"Free to what?!" Tony yelled in anger, "To what, Ziva? Find another great love of my life? That is not going to happen! I don't want to be free! I want the world to know I am taken. I want my wife to fight to come back to me!
"Tony!" Ziva cried. "Stop this! You are not thinking straight! I am here for five more days and then...then I do not know. I may not come back! I do not want to leave you a ..." Ziva brought her hand to her mouth and backed away from Tony.
"A widower?" Tony sneered the word. "At least I'd be something then."
"What?"
"When I thought you dead on the Damocles; what was I? A co-worker, a friend? Who knew that my heart had turned to ash? Who knew that I didn't care if I came back from Africa or not? I was nothing but Ziva David's friend. I told you in Brazil! I don't want to be your friend! I want to be your husband!"
Ziva stumbled back against the car's passenger side; her whole body trembled uncontrollably as she saw the look, the determination in Tony's eyes. But how could she do this? How could she marry him? And leave him? Her heart banged against her chest and all she could think was that this was wrong for Tony...this was wrong for him.
"I cannot do this to you, Tony," Ziva's voice trembled, her body shook harder with the emotion, "Let us wait. When I return-"
"No!" Tony took hold of Ziva's hand and placed the ring in her palm. "This is my mother's ring. It is yours now. I have everything we need to do this. And I want to do this now! No waiting...not anymore." Tony inhaled, "I want to know you are mine. I want to know you want me enough to do this."
"That is not fair, Tony," Ziva's tears came unbidden. She never felt like this before -so loved and shattered at the same time. "I want to protect you. I do not want you to have to deal with things you should not need to because of me."
"I am the only one who should deal with anything concerning you," Tony held her arms, "I want you to belong to me as I want to belong to you."
"But Tony," Ziva shook her head, "we do not need to do this for that to be true."
"He wants this very much, Ziva," Gibbs stated as he stepped up next to them.
"It's time for a wedding," Abby chirped behind Gibbs.
Ziva turned to see Gibbs, Abby, Tim, Ducky they'd all come. Palmer stood a few feet back on the steps as did Director Vance.
"What are you going to say, Ziva?" Tony Sr.'s voice drifted over to her from behind Tim. He stepped forward and stopped just next to Gibbs, "Tony needs you just like I needed his mother."
Ziva looked around at all the love in everyone's face and then back to Tony. The love he showed her was breathtaking. She lowered her forehead to Tony's chest. He wanted this but she did not want to leave him broken as her husband. Her husband...she never thought that could happen in the course of eight days.
She was here with them...with him. She made her decision the moment she told Tony she loved him. "Yes."
Author's Note again: Well now! First I can't say enough how I appreciate the feedback. I just love the dialogue about the story! ::::hugs!:::: I am posting tonight because Aliyah had me itching to post the new chapter after her wonderful reviews!
Now I want to know - do you guys want to see the actual wedding? Or should I gloss over that part? And there is still a bit of story to tell. The story will not end with Ziva leaving - I had to ease your hearts.
And this Chapel/Wedding scene was inspired by the pic MW let loose on Twitter for half a second. I hold no hope that Tiva will actually marry on ep 2 but I can give you my fanfic-y version of it! So there!