Ray stood at the door, his hand extended, ready to knock. He hesitated, not sure if he could do this. He bit his lip in nervousness.

"Come in," came a voice from the other side. Damn ninja senses, Ray cursed. He sighed and opened up the door, shutting it behind him before turning around to face the man behind the desk.

"Shalom, Director David," he greeted Eli nervously.

"Shalom, Agent Cruz," Eli nodded, "What can I do for you?"

"Look, Sir… I've never been one to beat around the bush. I would like to tell you what I have come here to say," Ray began anxiously.

"Well then say it!" Eli cried exasperatedly. Ray took a deep breath.

"Director David, I love your daughter. I am in love with Ziva. And… I would very much like to propose to her when I return to the States," he stated, his confidence finally with him.

"Come," Eli beckoned, a pensive expression upon his face. Ray advanced towards the desk. "Sit," Eli directed, and Ray sat.

"Sir?"

"I am confused as to what you are here for," Eli admitted.

"Confused?"

"Yes. Why are you telling me this? I appreciate the heads up, but I do not know why you have told me before you even asked Ziva."

"Is it not customary in Israel for the man to ask his girlfriend's father for his blessing before he proposes?" Ray asked, confusion plain on his face. Understanding, however, seemed to dawn on Eli's. He sighed and removed his bifocals.

"You have come to the wrong place, Agent Cruz," Eli informed him. No matter how he tried, he could not stop the sadness that clouded his voice.

"Now I am the one who is confused," Ray confessed.

"I love Ziva very much. But… I am afraid that my blessing means nothing. It is not my blessing you should be attempting to obtain, Agent Cruz."

"But you are her father-"

"I know. But our relationship… It is complicated. I love her dearly, but I am afraid that I have been shirking my responsibilities in the fatherhood department for quite sometime. Regrettably, she has found someone else to fill the void that I left in her life. I do not think that my blessing would mean anything to my dear daughter," Eli revealed forlornly.

"Who is this man?" Ray asked.

"Perhaps you have heard of him. He is the infamous Leroy Jethro Gibbs," Eli answered.

"Ah, yes. I have met him... Wait, isn't he her boss?" Ray asked, confused.

"Yes. Their team is the most tightly-knit team I have ever encountered. They are like a little family," Eli nodded.

"So I should ask her boss for her hand in marriage?" Ray asked, incredulous. Eli smiled.

"It does sound quite bizarre. And it was noble of you to come here, young man, but I am afraid it was a wasted effort."

"So I need to ask Gibbs?" Ray double-checked.

"Is that fear that I hear in your voice?" Eli smirked. Ray chuckled.

"Maybe. And… just out of curiosity, if your opinion did matter… Would you have given me your blessing?" he wondered. Eli smirked.

"It doesn't matter," he replied, before placing his glasses back onto his nose and turning back to his paperwork, signaling the end of the conversation. Ray exited the room, knowing that pushing was futile.

Eli dropped his pen once Ray was safely out of the room and ran his hands down his face.

To be honest, Eli wasn't sure if he would have given Ray his blessing or not. Ray reminded him a lot of himself. It wasn't a bad personality… but it was not a good personality for raising a family. You can't be married to a woman and to your job at the same time. Eli knew this from experience. This experience cost his children their childhoods, and in Ari's case, their life.

Ray was a good man at heart… But Eli wasn't sure if he was a good man for Ziva.

But his opinion did not matter, so he kept it to himself.

TBC

A/N: please tell me what you think!