Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS.

Chapter 10

A few days after the team found out about Tony and Lizzy's relationship, Jenny came over to Lizzy's apartment but didn't see either of her daughters around. "Lizzy? Rachel? Are either of you here?"

Lizzy was in the shower with Tony when she heard her mother's voice. "Shit, my mom's here."

"Crap. You still haven't told your mother about us have you?" When Lizzy shook her head, Tony sighed in frustration, "Liz, how could you not tell her yet?"

"I didn't know how to tell her."

"Well, we have to tell her something now."

"Don't worry. I'll take care of it. Just stay in the bathroom o.k?"

"Fine but, Liz, I'm sick of hiding my relationship with you from everyone. Either you tell her or I will."

Liz got out of the shower and put on her robe. She walked out of the bathroom and looked at her mother, "Mom, what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to check in on you and Rachel. See how the two of you are doing."

"Mom, we're fine. We're more worried about you. How are you doing with what's going?"

"I'm doing better but I need to ask you something."

"What's up, mom?"

"It's very clear that your father wants this divorce to go through. And between him not calling and him not answering any of my calls it is obvious that he wants nothing to do with me anymore and why should I waste my time like some fool."

"Your point, mom?"

"I want to know what you think about me dating again?"

"Mom, I think dad is getting on with his life and it is high time that you did the same." Lizzy said with a small smile.

"Thank you. How do you think Rachel will react?"

"With her it can go either way. Do Annie and Chloe know about you wanting to date?"

"Yes. Annie is supportive and she chose a few colorful words to describe your father while Chloe is more angry about the situation. She is not as supportive. She thinks I should work it out with Jethro."

"She'll get over it."

"How do you know?"

"Mom, for years you sacrificed everything to make the perfect home for us. When Sammy died, Daddy blamed you because you were supposed to take them bike riding but you couldn't because you were taking care of Annie who was sick with the chicken pox. Dad was out with Decker, Pacci, and Ducky getting a drink. He blamed you for what happened and you still forgave him. Then after a few months of divorce, he remarries."

"What is your point, Lizzy?"

"My dad is a bastard. He put everything on you and when things went wrong he blamed you. You did it all and it still wasn't enough. You deserve someone who is going to appreciate you. Chloe is having a tough time accepting this because she doesn't want to think badly of dad. But she will eventually understand."

"Hey, Lizzy, look at me. Look at me. I don't want you to think about your father like that. No matter what issues are going on between your father and I remember how much he loves you. He always loves you. From the moment he first saw you on the sonogram picture, he loved you. Come here." She took her daughter in her arms and hugged her. "I love you and so does your father. Remember that."

"O.k. mom. Since we are talking about relationships there is something I need to tell you."

"What's that?"

"I've been seeing someone and it is serious."

"How serious?"

"I've never felt like this before for anyone. I can't help but think about him when he's not around me and when he is my heart beats faster and slower at the same time. I get these big knots in my stomach that only get tighter when he looks at me. And when he smiles at me, I feel such a sense of bliss. I really love him, mom."

"Sweetheart, I'm so happy for you. Who is he? When can I meet him?"

"I'm happy for me too. His name is Tony and I want you to come out to dinner with us tomorrow night."

"No problem. Where?"

"At Palena's."

"O.k. I'll meet the two of you there." Jenny walked over to the door and hugged her daughter "I love you."

"I love you too." Lizzy closed the door and saw Tony there completely dressed. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough. Did you really mean all those things you said about me?"

"Yes. I really did, Tony."

"I love you." Tony said wrapping his arms around her.

"I love you too." Lizzy kissed her boyfriend.

"So I guess we tell your mother about us tomorrow?"

"Yup. Are you o.k. with dinner at Palena's tomorrow night?"

"Yeah, that's fine."

The next night, Tony must have changed his outfit eleven times before he was somewhat comfortable with his appearance. He didn't want to make it seem like he was trying too hard to impress Jenny. He still couldn't figure out what her reaction was going to be. Tony's palms kept sweating up and he thought, "Now I know how Probie feels on a date."

"Hey, Tony, are you ready?"

"Yeah, you?"

"Yup. Let's go." Lizzy walked into the room and smiled, "Sharp suit but you don't have to be so nervous. My mom doesn't bite too hard."

"Liz, your not helping."

"Just relax. Everything is going to be fine." she said before kissing him on the cheek.

They got to the restaurant and sat down at the table. "So what do I say?"

"Just be yourself and if she sees what I see, then she'll love you."

"O.k. Hey, there she is."

The two stood up and Lizzy said, "Hi, mom" Lizzy said.

"Hello, sweetheart, and Tony? This was not the Tony that I was thinking of?"

"Yeah."

"So how long has this been going on?"

"A little over a year."

"Lizzy, why didn't you tell me that you were dating one of my agents?"

"I didn't know how and at the time he was a member of dad's team."

"So why let the secret out now?"

"We were tired of hiding our relationship and we love each other." Tony said.

Just then Lizzy got a phone call from her best friend and business partner, Tessa. "It's work. I'll be right back." Lizzy got up to answer the call.

"I was wondering why you turned down the offer to befriend a beautiful coed but now I understand. You had been dating my daughter."

Back in July, Jenny had approached Tony with an offer to woo a doctor by the name of Jeanne Benoit but Tony refused the assignment. Tony couldn't go through the guilt and hurting Lizzy like that.

"Yeah, at that point I had already fallen in love with Lizzy and could not, would not hurt her like that. She is the most important person in my life and I would do anything for her."

"Then just promise me one thing, Tony."

"What's that."

"Don't hurt her. Lizzy wears her heart on her sleeve and I don't want to see her get hurt."

"I don't want to hurt her. I love her."

"O.k. then."