#26 Tell Her

It was the first Saturday in ages that Tony hadn't hit the snooze button on his 7:30a.m. alarm for he was anxious to get the day started. After a quick shower and breakfast, he strolled down to the corner market where he bought a wide variety of fruit, fried chicken, some snacks, and a few small pastries to finish off the meal he was planning. Once he had checked all the food items off of his list, Tony found a classic red checkered picnic blanket along with a wicker basket.

He didn't want everything to be too predictable but he figured he needed to keep the American traditions alive. Purchasing his items and walking back to his apartment building, he put everything into the trunk of his car then ran back up to his apartment, checking on appointments he had made a few days earlier. Once the clock struck nine, he checked to make sure he had put everything in the car he would need for the day, filled it up with gas, and then headed to Ziva's apartment.

When he reached her door, he took a deep breath then knocked. A few moments later he heard her coming towards it then a short pause when he guessed she was looking through the peephole. Even though being in America had her more at ease there were just some precautions a girl never stopped using.

The door soon opened slightly and Ziva's head with wet curls came around the door. "Tony," she said, surprised to see him. "What are you doing here?"

He shrugged, then put on a smile, trying to peek into her apartment. "I wanted to spend the day with you. Something wrong with that?"

A soft smile crossed her face as she opened the door for him and gestured towards her couch as she was heading down the hallway. It was as he was sitting down that he realized she was only dressed in a long, maroon t-shirt since she had just gotten out of the shower.

After waiting for ten minutes and still no Ziva, he became restless and ventured to the hallway that led to her bedroom and bathroom. "Ziva," he called. "Are you going to keep me waiting all day?"

Without hearing an answer, he headed towards her bedroom. Leaning on the door panel, he looked inside. Still not seeing her, he walked past her made bed and into her closet where she had two shirts in her hands trying to decide which to wear. Before letting her know he was right behind her, Tony leaned over her shoulder and pecked her on the cheek. "Both are really nice," he said softly, smiling into her ear.

Leaning her head against his, she returned the smile and bit her lip, still trying to decide what to wear. "Should I wear the purple or blue plaid?" Ziva asked Tony about the two long-sleeved flannel shirts.

Taking another look at them, he shook his head. "I really can't decide. You look nice in everything."

Rolling her eyes, she shrugged her shoulders as she decided on the blue and hung the purple back up. "You are terrible."

"I know." He said with a huge grin on his face, so happy to be with the woman he loved. Over the last few weeks they'd really grown close to each other and were much more relaxed with the other's presence.

After pulling a pair of simple jeans out of the closet, she shooed Tony out of the door so she could get dressed.

In less than fifteen minutes, the two were heading out of the front door into the cool, crisp January air. To Tony's advantage and surprise, the day had turned out to be very nice for D.C. and was just warm enough to get away with only needing a light jacket. Maybe what he was about to do today was supposed to happen, that he was actually doing something that needed to be done, that wanted to be done.

As they headed out to the car, Ziva ran a hand through her loose curls and turned to Tony. "Where are you taking me?" she asked excitedly, happy to have a whole day to spend with her confidant.

Tony put his arm around Ziva's waist as they continued walking and shook his head determined to keep her guessing.

During the ride to where Tony was taking Ziva, she was dying with anticipation, but Tony was sure not to give away his surprise. Twenty-five minutes and what felt like a life time later to Ziva, he pulled into the Great Falls Park which surrounded the Potomac River. Once he paid the small fee for their admission, he drove a few miles to the start of the trails then parked.

As the two got out, Ziva's eyes lit up. "Oh Tony, what a wonderful surprise!"

Smiling that he'd made her happy, he grabbed the water bottles out of the trunk when she wasn't looking so she wouldn't see what else he had in store for her.

Once the two had decided on a three mile trail that led to the falls, they ventured out. Today it didn't take Ziva slipping for it to result in them holding hands, it had just become the natural thing to do—an extra comfort the two shared with each other.

While they walked slowly to the falls, they discussed some of their favorite things, activities, and places. It was something many would call a simple conversation, but in reality it was very complex. It was filled with Tony and Ziva telling each other things about themselves they'd never known before. A new and fresh window full of discovery and excitement—a true sign that they were becoming something they'd never been before.

They had gained a whole new perspective on what their relationship could and maybe even would be. Something told the two of them on that trail that after today things would be very different than what their first eight years of partnership had ever brought. It was what the next eight years of partnership held that they both looked forward to. Each new day was a new chance to discover, enlighten, and love.

When they had reached the end of the trail and to what was the beginning of the rushing falls and the humongous rocks, it didn't take long for the scenery to take their breath away. The skies were a beautiful baby blue with just a few very soft and light clouds. It was as if the whole area had been cut out of heaven and placed in between a huge forest of towering trees that were there to protect the beauty that had been put there.

Everything was almost a symbol that though it may be a long and treacherous time to get through a thickly wooded area where there were set-backs, the pay-off in return for going through so much was so worth it that Tony himself knew he would do it again in an instant.

Neither of them really knew how long they stood there in complete silence— though still appreciating each other's company—completely enthralled in the feeling of awe as well as an honest submission to nature, allowing themselves to realize that they were so small in this world that was filled with pain, yes, but it was also overpowered with un-mistakable beauty and power.

The sun piercing into Tony's eyes brought him out of his wondrous trance and again became aware of his presence and surroundings. Checking his watch, he realized it was already half past noon and they had been standing there for over an hour.

After softly nudging Ziva, they started back on the trail with a whole new outlook on just how marvelous some places could be in contrast to what they saw every day by working in a world of crime and terror.

When they reached the car, Ziva leaned on the roof which Tony did as well and she smiled at him. "Thank you for such a wonderful morning!"

Smirking, Tony patted the roof as he got into the driver's seat. "Oh Ziva, you ain't seen nothing yet."

Cocking her head to the side with a curious expression, she slid in next to him in the passenger's seat as they drove off to another side of the park.

While Tony was driving, Ziva turned her head away from the window then directed her gaze to Tony. She couldn't have asked for a better person in her life. He was someone that cared for her, made her smile, and allowed her to look forward to each day knowing he'd be right alongside of her.

Momentarily, they arrived at the park's café where they shared a lunch then Tony took her hand and led her to the nearby horse stables. As the barn came into sight, Ziva shook her head in disbelief. Somehow this man holding her hand knew so much about her. Even though she didn't open up to him that often, he caught on to every detail that she did share and for that, she was amazed.

When they had reached the stable's manager, an older man that looked to be in love with his job, he smiled and walked towards the partners and shook their hands. "Howdy," he said with a strong southern accent. "I'm Luke, I run the stables here at the falls. Are you Mr. DiNozzo?" he asked, looking to Tony.

"That I am," Tony said happily, looking towards a baffled Ziva. "Did I make my reservation in time?"

"Yes you did! Since it's January we don't have a lot of reservations coming in but it turned out to be a perfect day for riding the trails. There are only three horses out on the trails at the moment so you'll almost have your pick."

"Great," Tony said enthusiastically.

After looking at each and every horse in the barn Ziva decided on a brown Arabian and Tony decided on a black pinto with a white mane.

Taking a trail map from Luke once Ziva had begun bridling and saddling her horse in the barn, Tony quickly ran over to the trunk of his car and took out the basket then had the manager help him attach the basket to the back of his saddle as well as gladly accepted the help of bridling the beast.

Minutes later, Ziva came out of the barn already atop her horse so Tony easily mounted his horse, from some practice and lessons from Gibbs, then they were off on another adventure.

Since Ziva was more comfortable with riding, she went ahead of Tony and had a blast trotting through the well cleared trail.

While she had been in the barn, Tony had Luke mark a rarely used trail that led to a cleared meadow so while Ziva was riding and enjoying the wind rushing around her, having that feeling of freedom, Tony was carefully keeping track of where they were for if he wasn't careful he would miss the unmarked trail.

Less than a half a mile later, Tony spotted where they needed to cut off into the woods and called to Ziva who was quite a ways ahead of him. A few moments later, she came trotting to him. "What is it?"

"Let's take this trail," he said, trying to be as nonchalant as possible.

Wrinkling her brow, she turned to Tony. "What trail?"

"This one," Tony insisted, pointing towards the general area.

Scratching her forehead, Ziva just shrugged her shoulders. "Lead the way."

Though it wasn't as short as Tony would have liked, they finally made it through the more vigorous trail and Ziva's jaw soon dropped as a vast meadow was suddenly before them. Just like the falls, it was completed isolated by trees and the silence was only disturbed by the birds chirping and the wind rushing through the tall grass.

It didn't take long for the two horses to realize that there was an immense amount of grass for them to snack on so Tony and Ziva dismounted and let the animals wander the field, knowing they wouldn't lose sight of them anytime soon.

Before Tony's horse set off to go get its lunch, he took the basket off the saddle and began searching for the perfect area to lay out their blanket. Ziva quickly caught on to what Tony was planning and helped search with him. Not long after, they had settled on a spot near the back wall of trees which was away from the horses.

Once their blanket was set out and shoes kicked off, the two started to get comfortable. After a number of varying positions with Tony sitting up and Ziva lying down and vice versa, Ziva just ended up resting her head on Tony's chest as he laid down, supporting his head with his left arm and holding Ziva in his right, never wanting to let her go.

Without either of their knowledge, they both drifted off to sleep with the breeze lightly blowing across their faces plus the comfort of being in each other's arms.

Nearly forty-five minutes later, they both woke to the sound of the horses whinnying. Fearing something was wrong, Tony and Ziva shot up and looked to the direction of the sound but were soon able to breathe a sigh of relief when they realized the two animals had just been frolicking around, enjoying the freedom of the wide area.

Since it was just past five, Tony decided it was probably time for dinner. With the weather being so cool, Tony didn't have to bring along the cooler and had put all of the food into the basket. Reaching over to it, he patted Ziva's arm who had dozed back to sleep in the comfort of her company. As she sat up, she was amazed yet again while he began to set out the plates and food.

Halfway through their all-American picnic, Ziva put down her chicken leg and leaned back onto her right arm, looking Tony right into his eyes. "Why are you doing all of this?"

Tony swallowed his strawberry then returned her gaze. "I wanted to do something for you. You've been there so much for me I just wanted to repay you."

She shook her head. "No, it is you who has always been there for me. I do not deserve—"

"—you deserve the world, Ziva," he quickly interjected, "and some days I don't think I could live in the world without you," Tony spit out, almost not realizing what he was saying.

It had been burning in his mind just what he would say today and he didn't know if he'd ever be able to say what he wanted to, what he really meant. Now that he had actually said what he'd meant and realized that it felt good to tell the woman he loved all of this, he continued.

"You are the one person who lights up my life. Your smile makes me smile. I thank God every day that I get to spend my days with you. You are my life, Ziva. I want to keep spending these days with you like we have but not just as partners… as something more. You make everything so much better. When we were in Australia I realized all of this. I realized that just having you as a co-worker wasn't enough. I thought that I could handle just a professional relationship with you but whe—when we kissed it hit me that you felt the same way. That we are meant for each other. That we both care. I love you, Ziva."

When he looked up, Ziva had a tear running down her cheek with another smile that lit up his world and she moved even closer to his side. Putting a hand on his cheek she leaned over and kissed him slowly.

After a few moments, she pulled back a bit then wiped a tear away. "Tony, I love you too," she said with pure honesty and relief.

The rest of the evening was spent cuddling with each other and opening up to a whole new level after having the comfort of knowing neither would leave the other anytime soon. As the stars began to come out, Tony began pointing out constellations and comets with Ziva listening intently, happy to cuddle into her partner's embrace.

Once the moon came out, the two decided it was time to pack things in and head for the stables. Tony was so glad he had made all-day reservations so they wouldn't have a time limit on the day that neither thought could have been more perfect.

After they made it back to the well-marked trail, Tony and Ziva rode side by side, hand in hand, excited to start a new life together.

As the days and weeks passed, a copy of Tony's bucket list had been hung in both of their apartments as a reminder of what it had done to each of their lives separately and as a whole.

Ziva soon came up with the idea to make their own bucket list, things to do together.

The first three were definitely their favorites:

1. Visit the other six wonders of the world

2. Go to Tel-Aviv together

3. Let each day be filled with wonder and happiness.

The End

A/N: WOW! Another story has finally ended. It feels like I just started this yesterday! I hope you all enjoyed this and thank you for staying with me through this adventure. Please review and tell me how you thought I handled this story plus your favorite parts! Thank you again for being such awesome readers! ~Lynn D.