Two weeks later:

Tony came home from his time in Los Angeles and was tired. He dropped his keys in the usual place and put his stuff down to unpack later. Then he could smell something coming from his kitchen and found Maria taking a casserole dish from the oven.

"Well don't you look all domestic?" He moved toward her and kissed her cheek.

She smiled and said "I made some cheese enchiladas for tonight. I felt like a little Mexican."

"Good, do I have time to shower before we eat?"

"Yes I want to throw together a quick salad first so you have a few minutes."

"Thank you baby, I just feel the airplane grunge on me and I need to get rid of that."

She touched his face gently. "I missed you."

He smiled. "Me too sweetheart."

Then Tony headed down the hall with his travel bag to the bathroom to get a shower and some relaxing clothes on.

He was thinking about what he had done in Los Angeles for the past two weeks. He had a full report to give the director and it seemed like things had gone well. He had been given an open invitation to return anytime he wanted by the team at the Office of Special Projects.

He turned on the shower spray and stepped under slowly letting the water massage his upper neck and back gently. He exhaled for a moment. It was good to be home. He had missed his own bed and Maria being there beside him.

Half an hour later: Tony finished his shower and was dressed in some jeans and a long sleeved t – shirt with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers printed on one arm of it. He went out to the kitchen barefoot with the ends of his hair still damp.

"That smells even more amazing now honey than before."

Maria smiled. "I hope it tastes even better. "She started making up their plates. "Have I mentioned I like casual at home Tony when it's just us?"

"No you haven't but thank you." He smiled.

Then they sat down to eat.

"One of the guys on my team found a litter of kittens. They still need time with mom but how do you feel about one around here?"

"I am allowed one small pet in here. Since the goldfish are gone now, I think the place could use some life in it again." " So tell him to hold one for us when they are ready to go."

She smiled. "Good I think a furry friend will help you destress more."

He said "About that, I was wondering would you want to move in with me?"

She looked at him for a moment. "Wow, this is a big step. You do have the closer place to both of our jobs and I am pretty much here every night now. Yes I would love to. I got new bedding for the spare room that I think you'll like. It just needs matching art on the walls."

Tony ate a bite of his enchilada and said "Good I'll need to look at it. What did you go with?"

"I decided on gray with some splashes of red in there. Tried turquoise but it didn't look right to me."

"That sounds good and also nice enough for guests if we have any overnight."

"I'm glad you like it. So how was Los Angeles?"

"Good enough that if I ever wanted to move out there the NCIS OSP team would take me in a heartbeat. But right now I like life on the east coast just fine."

"Well that's always good to have the option if you need it. I like you here too."

He kissed her lips gently. "I plan on staying with you as long as you'll have me."