A/N: I read a series once in the Stargate universe that I found absolutely fascinating. Written by a person I know only as DietCokeChick, the series was called "The Barista", and it was written from the viewpoint of Daniel's Barista. It was a wonderful concept, to watch the life of our accident-prone archaeologist through the eyes of his coffee pusher, and I was always impressed with the well-written series. The idea came to me that our intrepid Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo might need someone like this in his life. An elderly landlady who found it her duty to keep watch over young Anthony, to make sure he took care of himself, and to give him the mothering attention he so obviously needs… What's not to love, right? Hopefully people won't think I'm completely daft, and will enjoy reading these little snapshots as much as I've enjoyed writing them.

Standard disclaimers apply. Gladys Scarapelli is my own creation, but all others are not mine. I make no money, and I'm only borrowing the characters for a little while. I promise to return them in (relatively) good condition.

Un-betaed, cuz I can't stand the suspense of waiting to see what you all think… My apologies for any mistakes. As always, reviews and constructive criticism are welcome!

Without further ado…

The Landlady Series

Gladys Scarapelli believed in three things. Well, truth be told, she held a great many beliefs, but only maintained three with absolute certainty and conviction. She believed, absolutely, that one day, when her time was come, the good Lord would lift her up into the heavens where she would be once again reunited with her beloved Antonio who had passed, God rest him, nearly six years ago now.

She believed, unwaveringly, in the spirit of her country and the proud service men and women who risked life and limb daily, all so she could sit on her porch every morning and evening while sipping her coffee (or perhaps something a bit stronger) and watch as life moved around her in this "Land of the Free" and "Home of the Brave."

And she believed completely in her own instincts. She never claimed to be psychic. It was a just a certain - intuition. Call it a gut feeling, if you like. She simply knew that ever so often she would experience certain - feelings. They would come upon her at the most random of times. No set pattern as such. Just a tingle here, a niggle in the back of her mind there, a twisting in her stomach and a dead-certainty about some person or event. They would come upon her gradually - like the build-up from a lover's caress, or they would slam into her with the full force of a steam engine running full-tilt straight at her. Sometimes they were random, inconsequential things - like the times when she knew without a doubt that the milk had turned sour well before she had even opened the refrigerator. Other times they would be in regards to items of such magnitude that she would fairly vibrate with the intense emotion of it - like the time she heard Antonio call her name, and she knew without a doubt that it would be the last time she heard his voice.

The feeling that hit her as she opened the door to the young man with the sparkling sea foam eyes and the Colgate smile landed somewhere in between. This gut feeling told her that this boy with his floppy-haired good looks and his radiating charm would become an important figure in her life. Instinct told her there was a depth to the young man that went far beneath the exterior polish, and she would do well to take a chance on him. And instinct had never failed her before.

"Mrs. Scarapelli?" She was unsurprised by the smooth rumble to his voice, and mused silently that it had no doubt been a contributing factor to what she imagined would be a lengthy trail of tossed skirts and broken hearts scattered behind the virile young man.

"Yes." She didn't think it was possible, but at her affirmation his grin actually widened, showcasing a matching set of dimples just visible on his smooth-shaven cheeks.

"I'm Anthony DiNozzo." He raised his eyebrows in a questioning manner. "We spoke on the phone?"

"About the townhouse. Yes. I remember."

"I know it's late…" his head dropped and he looked apologetically up at her through a thick fringe of lashes. "I appreciate you showing it to me on such short notice. Some days it's kind of difficult to get away from work at a decent hour."

"Not to worry, Dear." she soothed as she reached up for the keys hanging by the door. "I'm an old woman. Don't need much sleep these days." Straightening her sweater over her shoulders she stepped onto the porch, carefully locking the door behind her. "It's just next door." She explained as she led him across the porch to the door thirty feet from her own. "It's a corner unit, lots of windows so there's plenty of light and cross ventilation, and you only have one common wall. That's the good news."

"And the bad news?"

"That common wall is shared with the landlord." She was unable to suppress a smile of her own as he chuckled from behind her.

"Somehow I don't think that will end up being a problem." He flashed his teeth at her once more in a captivating smile, and she had to be the first to admit that she was smitten.

"Just you wait, young man. The first time you want to bring a pretty girl home you won't want to be worried about what the old lady next door can or can't hear through the walls, now, will you?" She couldn't help but bait him a little. Her own gregarious nature felt a spark the moment she first spoke to young Anthony, and she knew with complete certainty that their personalities were totally simpatico.

His teasing response only cemented the impression in her mind.

"You could always take out your hearing aids before bed." He smirked, a glint of amusement in his hazel eyes. "That would save us both from what could be a rather uncomfortable morning after, don't you think?"

"You would deny an old woman her vicarious pleasures? For shame, young man!"

His eyes went wide at her scolding tone, a smile just barely hidden beneath the surface. "No Ma'am! Never!"

Gladys bark of laughter accompanied the click of the key in the lock as she opened the door an led him inside. She was proud of this unit. The remodel had been completed two weeks ago, and the contractors had performed beautifully. The front door opened into a small entryway, which merged into the main room. It was an expansive space, extending the length of the unit and transitioning well into the dining room and kitchen just beyond the grand staircase. The pocket skylights two stories overhead flooded the room with late afternoon sunlight, and the golden rays gleamed off the polished maple flooring.

"It's beautiful." Anthony's voice was hushed with just a touch of awe as he walked the length of the room, pausing in the corner to run a hand over the hearth above the river stone fireplace before turning in place to survey the rest of the room. "Elegant, yet comfortable." he complimented.

Gladys beamed with the praise. "I really wanted a place that someone would be able to make into a home." She explained. "It's perfect for a family." She enthused. "Or a young person might find it the right home for entertaining." She pointed out the open breakfast bar that segued into the gourmet kitchen, and the formal dining area just beyond. Gesturing toward the left she brought his attention to the grand staircase that curved up to the loft-style walkway above. "There's three bedrooms, and a bath upstairs. The master bedroom - at the end of the hall - has it's own ensuite with separate glass block shower and Jacuzzi tub. And a smaller room or office and half-bath downstairs - just on the other side of the staircase." She followed him throughout the home, in turn pointing out the amenities, or simply standing silent while he just absorbed the place.

"You've done a fabulous job." Anthony complimented as they emerged back onto the wraparound porch. "You said it's ready right away?"

"Mm hmm." she nodded as she turned the key, locking first the front door and then the ornate iron security screen.

"I'd like to put down a deposit." The young man got straight to the point - eager, yet a little apprehensive at the same time.

"Let's get the paperwork filled out." Gladys motioned him back across the porch to the pair of rockers just outside her front door, and handed him a clipboard with a thick stack of documents and a ballpoint pen. "Now tell me again." she invited. "You said you're in the Navy?"

The dimple flashed in his right cheek again. "Well - I work for the Navy. And the Marine Corps. For NCIS."

Gladys nodded along as he kept up a running commentary while he remained bent to the task of filling out the numerous pages of applications. She held up a pitcher of iced tea, silently offering a glass, and smiled when he nodded assent. He radiated a certain kinetic energy as he spoke of his job as a Federal Agent, and working for a man he simply called 'Gibbs', and Gladys felt a sparkle of joy and a sense of coming home. She would run the paperwork through, go through the proper channels, but she knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that she was looking at the young man who would soon become her newest tenant and neighbor.

TBC