It was the three month anniversary of the death of Jimmy Palmer and the DiNozzo's were just laying low for the day. Tony had opted to home-school Tali for the remainder of the school year. Her anxiety issues were greatly improving but she still had moments of panic and instances of nausea. Tony was scheduling his photography appointments around Tali's therapy sessions. She was seeing Dr. Sheppard two afternoons a week. One appointment was just for her and the other was her and Tony. Therapy was helpful to both the DiNozzo's. So much show that Tony had begun meeting with a an adult therapist. He was finally working through traumas he had suffered throughout his life.
The DiNozzo's had one plan on the three month anniversary of Jimmy's death. That was attending Tony and Tali's joint therapy session. Tony had purposefully scheduled the appointment for that day. Knowing that both him and Tali would need to open up that day. Tali's solo appointment of the week had been the anniversary of Tori's death. Only three months had passed but to the DiNozzo's it felt like three years. It felt like forever since they had last spent a day with their friends. Tony was greatly struggling with the guilt over his fight with Jimmy. Something he was hoping to work out that day. Tony turned into Dr. Sheppard's office at exactly one fifty in the afternoon. Tali took a seat in the waiting room while Tony signed in at reception. He was waiting for the secretary. When a tall woman with dirty blonde hair and the most amazing blue eyes Tony had ever seen stepped out of Dr. Sheppard's office. Tony was confused. Dr. Sheppard only saw adults during joint sessions with children and this woman appeared to be alone. Given that Dr. Sheppard was black and about twenty years older than this very pale woman. Tony could pretty much rule out a direct family member.
"You must be Annie's two o'clock. I am Dr. Crews." Dr. Crews introduced.
"Where is Dr. Sheppard? She didn't say anything about leaving the practice." Tony asked.
"I am afraid that Annie's mother passed away unexpectedly last night. Well I shouldn't say unexpectedly. She was eight five years old but she was healthy up until the end." Dr. Crews explained.
"We can reschedule" Tony offered.
"No I am taking Annie's caseload for the next few days. I am actually going to be practicing here from now on." Dr. Crews explained.
"Dr. Sheppard had mentioned a new doctor joining the practice." Tony recalled.
"Well that's me and I am very excited to return to private practice. After being away for ten years. It is very exciting." Dr. Crews explained.
"Returning to the work force now that the kiddos are in school?" Tony guessed.
"Just the opposite actually. I was staff psychologist for a youth detention center for ten years. Before that I owned a practice with my ex-husband. After our divorce I just needed a change. Now that I am in the adoption process. I have decided that private practice would be better. Being a single mom and all. My old job would have me called in at all hours of the night." Dr. Crews explained.
"Adoption?" Tony asked.
"I am adopting a seven year old girl from Uganda. I was originally going to adopt her as an infant but I was in a bad place at the time and another couple had expressed interest. I went back to the village a few months back and she was there. It turns out the couple broke up just before finalizing the adoption process and ended up sending her back. Well now that seven years have passed and I am in a better place. I decided to try again and I am going to bring her home next week." Dr. Crews explained.
"Well I wish you luck and I am glad that you will be Tali's psychologist." Tony replied.
"You know I will only be Tali's psychologist for a week." Dr. Crews replied.
"That is true" Tony replied.
Tony and Tali took their seats in Dr. Crews' office. Tony was trying to push past his conversation with Dr. Crews. Even if she had not dropped that hint. He did not think he would be able to focus. Dr. Rene Crews was one of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and the first woman he had really noticed in a while. He was still recovering from his breakup with Julie but he wanted love. By the time Rene returned from Uganda and had her new daughter settled in, Tony may just be ready to start another relationship.
"Tali was telling me that it was the three month anniversary of the death of your friend." Dr. Crews commented, pulling Tony from his trance.
"Oh yeah. My friend Jimmy." Tony replied.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Dr. Crews asked.
"Jimmy died from a broken heart after losing his daughter to a brain tumor." Tony started.
"That must have been hard. Tali said that Jimmy and you were like brothers." Dr. Crews recalled.
"That is true" Tony replied.
"Mr. DiNozzo I know that this is you and Tali's joint session but you are in another place today. I would like to complete the session one on one." Dr. Crews explained.
"OK" Tony replied.
After being kicked out of the session Tony became riddled with nerves. He feared that Dr. Crews would tell Tali about him and how perverted he was. He couldn't help it. These feelings just happened. He feared that Dr. Crews would tell Dr. Sheppard and she would drop Tali as a patient.
"Tony?" Dr. Crews called.
"I am sorry. It just happened. Haven't been with a woman since Tali's mom died and it just happened. I am sorry." Tony apologized.
"It is fine and more importantly Tali did not see anything." Dr. Crews assured.
"I got an erection. That is so wrong. In front of you." Tony rambled.
"I spent the past ten years working with hormonal tweens who were locked away when girls were getting breasts. I am more than used to it." Dr. Crews assured.
"I was talking about my dead friend." Tony explained.
"Tony do not worry about it. It is natural." Dr. Crews assured.
A/N: Poor Tony but at least Dr. Crews is understanding. New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.