Tim and Tony made the forty-five minute trip into Maryland the next morning. Tim's father, George was making brunch for his wife's birthday. Sarah had arrived the night before.

Tony was quiet during the journey. He couldn't help but feel a small sense of panic in telling Tim's parents. They were the closest thing Tony had ever had in his life to parents. It took a long time for Tony to accept them welcoming him into their home and hearts. Tony felt that he was interfering or inconveniencing them. He did not want their pity because for all intents and purposes, he was an orphan. His physically and emotionally abusive father had sent him to boarding school at twelve and then officially disowned him after high school. Tony had not heard anything from his father since he was in his early twenties. When he turned twenty-one he had inherited a sizable amount from his mother's estate that she had set aside secretly for her son. Dinozzo Senior had tried to block the payment of the money. It was sad because the man had plenty of money. Even with his fancy lawyers, he could not circumvent the terms of the settlement. So, financially Tony was practically set for life, but that did not mean he would never find a career.

With a sickly mother and an uncaring abusive father, Tony had never learned what a normal family acted like. He would make himself sick with anxiety when he first came around the McGee's. He felt embarrassed and he could admit a little jealous at first as he watched the ease in which Tim's family related to each other, how they cared for each other. Why would they want a loser like him around? Slowly, Tim's parents broke through Tony's wall and he let his guard down.

Liz McGee, Tim's mom, doted upon Tony. She was a child psychologist and from the get go picked up on Tony's myriad of issues. It took some time, but she slowly was able to get him to talk to her about his upbringing, the physical abuse he suffered and his feelings of inadequacy that had plagued him for years. Tony loved his 'Mama McGee', which was what he would call her at times. Occasionally, Tony would feel flashes of panic, where he felt like he was an unwelcome intruder to their close knit family unit; fortunately those feelings had lessened over the last few years.

As they walked into the inviting home with their arms laden with gifts, Tony couldn't help but smile when he saw George and Liz putting last minute touches on the brunch.

"Boys!" Liz exclaimed as she turned to see Tony and Tim standing in the doorway. She gave them both hugs and kissed their cheeks. "Sarah made Mimosa's."

"Yum." Tony said as he took a sip.

"Help me bring this into the dining room, Tony." George said as he carried a serving dish.

"Sure." The SFA replied as he placed down his drink.

Tim used the opportunity to talk with his mom.

"How is he?" She asked.

"Good but…" Tim shook his head. "Talk to him."

"Of course, sweetheart." She gave Tim another hug. "We'll miss Maxine today."

"Me too." Tim said a little glumly. "She apologizes for missing your birthday."

"She's a sweet girl, Timothy."

"Yeah." He said with a dreamy look upon his face.

Tony walked back into the kitchen, holding his drink. Tim shared a quick look with his mom and excused himself to go talk to his sister.

Liz walked over to Tony and hugged him tightly. She felt him relax into her embrace as he briefly lay his head on her shoulder. She stepped back with a smile and reached up to kiss him on the forehead. Tony blushed as warmth spread through him. He wasn't sure what he did to deserve her.

"We missed you." She said as she went to the fridge and grabbed some juice.

"I'm sorry…" Tony said. "We've been really busy…" He stopped the excuses after he saw her raise her eyebrows. Tony looked down. He didn't want to lie to her.

She sat in a chair at the kitchen counter. She pulled the other one out next to her and patted the seat. Tony took a deep breath and sat down, but still didn't look at her. He finally did when he felt her hand rub his back slightly. "What's going on, sweetheart?" She smiled as she sat back. "You can always talk to us. You know that."

Tony's heart was thundering. "I know…but…"

"Don't be scared, Tony. There's nothing you can tell us that would change how we feel about you." She paused. She knew his issues stemmed from his childhood and the fact that he never had a reliable adult figure in his life. He did not understand the unconditional love most parents had for their children. He needed constant reassurance. It made her so sad to see him nervous and stressed. She hoped he wasn't sick or worse. "It's okay."

Tony nodded a few times and braced himself for the conversation. "Did Tim tell you anything?" He asked.

She shook her head. "He only told me that we should talk. He's worried about you."

Tony smiled. "It's nothing to worry about. It's not like I'm sick or anything."

Liz breathed a sigh of relief internally at his words. "So what is it?" She prodded gently.

Tony cleared his throat as he grabbed his hands so they could stop shaking. "I'm dating someone." He said quietly.

"That's great, honey." She smiled but was reserved when she saw how nervous he was. "I can't wait to meet him."

"What?" Tony's head shot up when Liz answered him. "I thought Tim didn't say anything!"

"He didn't, Tony." She placed a hand on his arm to calm him. "But why else would you stay away unless that is what you were worried about that?" When he did not reply, she continued. "We don't think less of you because you are with a man."

"But George is military."

"That does not mean he is a bigot, sweetheart. You are part of our family, Tony. We are not disappointed or angry because you like a man."

"I love him."

Liz smiled at the man she thought is as her second son admitted that he was in love. She knew that was something he has wanted for so long. Her heart sang for him. She thought for a moment. "Does Gibbs feel the same?"

Again, he looked upon her with surprise. "How?"

"I know you." She grinned. "I've seen the way you look at him and how you talk about him."

Tony groaned as he put his face in his hands. "Have I been that obvious?"

"No, honey. But like I said, I know you."

"I guess." He said sheepishly as he gazed down again; he almost felt embarrassed by how much her words were true. He couldn't hide himself from her. It was almost a relief, but at times scary. Nevertheless, it made him feel fifty feet tall that she cared about him.

"Hey." She waited until he glanced up. "I am so happy for you. And George and Sarah will be too." She stood and he followed suit. She hugged him again. "Don't ever stay away from your family because you are scared. We love you and support you."

"Yes, Ma'am." He grinned as she smirked at him. "Sorry, yes Mama McGee."

"And next time you come for dinner, bring Gibbs so we can see if he passes muster and is good enough for you!"

"Yes Mama McGee."

"You got that right!" She gestured to the kitchen door. "Now, go join the others, I'll bring the rest of the food out."

"Why don't I help?"

"Shoo!"

"Okay! Okay!" Tony laughed as he walked out, feeling as light as air.

TBC…