Unconventional

They'd never done anything the conventional way. That was just not their style.

Flowers and romantic declarations of love never fit their lifestyle. They showed their love with bullets and back-up. He had her back, and she had his.

They had their own language; after years of working together it would be impossible not to. It was a silent language, built of side glances and a brush of fingertips when no one was looking.

No one knew. At least that's what they told themselves, although they suspected that those closest to them had a good idea of their romance.

After years of working together they were as close as, or closer than, any couple. Completely in sync and able to read each other with just a glance. The defenses they built against the world were transparent to each other.

By the time they gave in to their desires they were already in love. Not long after that they knew that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.

They had mentioned getting married once or twice. Neither had expected for the opportunity to present itself to them. He had almost married once, but she had never given it a second thought before him. They both agreed that it was not a likely future for them.

Every case reminded them how short life was, but neither were willing to admit their relationship, lest they be separated. Both slept better knowing that they could protect each other. That decision had been made on a rainy night in late February as they lay tangled up in each other and blankets.

This case was different though. This case threw the frailty of life into stark relief. This case reminded them that life was precious and oh-so-brief. This case instilled a sense of panic and frantic lovemaking whenever they got a moment away.

This case changed things, whether they knew it or not. They hadn't realized how much they wanted that wedding until they mentioned Jimmy's late one night.

The weird uncles, the bad food, the cheesy music and kids running everywhere. And then the garter, the bouquet, the cake. The fittings were awful, they agreed. Though, secretly, the idea of her in white made his heart skip a beat.

The vows. The vows made them think, they both knew what they would promise each other.

"The ring," she said more wistfully than she anticipated. The glance they shared spoke volumes.

She smiled when he said "the kiss" in that husky voice that made her melt.

It all seemed so overwhelming. Everything that went into getting married. He vocalized how impossible it would be to handle.

She understood. They could not manage all of that. Not with how uncertain their lives were. Still, the thought of being irrevocably his was all she wanted at that moment.

A beat passed, their glances were laden with emotion.

And then she asked that magic question, "elope?" with the smile that she reserved just for him.

Tony had never expected that Ziva would be the one to propose. But then, they had never been conventional.

FIN