NCIS ~ I Will Love You Thru Everything

chaptta 19

As soon as they had arrived at the restaurant, Ziva was wide-eyed. Lanterns were strung along outside the entrance and soft music was playing. Ziva gaped. "Tony," she whispered, "I did not realize it was going to be this fancy!" Tony chuckled. "You haven't even seen the best part!" he teased. They walked up to the maitre'd and Tony said, "Reservation for two, Dinnozio." The maitre'd checked his clipboard and smiled. "Right this way, please. " He led them thru the huge restaurant, all the way to separate outdoor booth boxes. He opened the curtains and ushered them thru. Ziva was stunned! It was a completely private outdoor booth, with lanterns strung round the canopy roof. Soft music was playing, and she looked out over the edge of the booth - it was a water-side restaurant! She could see the moon reflecting on the deep blue water.

Tony came up behind her and gently put his arms around her. "Do you like it?" he murmered into her hair.

speechless, Ziva could barely talk. "Tony this is..absolutely beautiful. No one has ever..I mean.."she drifted off, unsure how to phrase what she meant. Tony's grip tightened and he turned her around to face him. "I know," he murmured. "But this is me, I care enough to do these things for you. I'll always treat you like the princess you are, Ziva. You'll never have to worry about a thing, Zi."

Ziva looked into his eyes. She thought she might never look away. Tony looked back into her eyes. Suddenly his gaze deepened. "I have to tell you, Ziva..I need to ask you something." He pulled a necklace out of his suit pocket and gently helped it around her neck. "I have to tell you that I love you, Ziva..and I want you to be my girlfriend. "

Ziva gasped. The necklace was beaitiful rubies and diamonds and went perfextly with her dress. She threw her arms around Tony's neck. "Yes, oh yes. Tony I would love to be your girlfriend."

Tony's face lit up. He honestly hadn't known what she would say. After all, she'd been thru an awful lot.

It was the start to a perfect dinner. They laughed their way thru the meal, reveling in the alone time. Ziva felt like she was on a cloud. Tony made her feel so treasured - like he was proving that all men were not the same.

Tony had only just asked her to be in an official relationship and his thoughts were already movng towards marriage. He knew it was an impossibiity, with Gibbs, but a guy could dream, right?

After the dinner, Tony drove Ziva home. It was a little after midnight when he finally stopped kissing her goodnight on the front step of her apartment.

Ziva watched him drive off. She slowly got ready for bed and settled in, falling asleep almost immediately and dreaming of Tony.

Thanks for reading! ;) any tips or ideas are appreciated!