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Mandy said goodbye to her family without feeling any guilt at all. She knew deep in her heart that they felt the same way; it was a false sense family they were trying to recapture. Something that had died a long time ago. They did try, but by mutual agreement they would stick to Christmas and birthday greetings; less painful in the long run for everyone concerned. As she was closing the door, she heard her young niece tell her father his mother just called and was coming anyway.

As she joins Tony in the car, he asks, "You okay, Mandy?"

"I will be now that you are here. Tell me about this hotel?"

"It's small and comfortable. They have a pool and a great breakfast. It is near the Indian River. I thought that you might enjoy taking walks with me in the cool air."

"I'd like that, but only if you're up to it. Have you seen Ducky?"

"Ducky and Jimmy both. I just have to take it easy. So long walks and longer conversations."

"Or we could go home and not let anyone know we never left. It's not that I'm opposed to going, it's just that I'd never use the pool and if you get hurt you'd be closer to Ducky."

"Don't you ever think about yourself first, Mandy?"

"I do all the time. I know that I'm a bit agoraphobic, Tony. But being with you makes me happy and feel safe, and I'm more comfortable in my apartment."

"Your place it is then, my Mandy, because I want what you want."

"We'll need to stop for food."

"We'll order online and have it delivered, enough for two weeks."

"Okay."

"How about we stop just for overnight? I've been driving for hours."

"I have no problem with that, I'll even buy dinner."

"Are you trying to get me to put out, Mandy? I'll have you know I'm not a cheap date. It's going to have to be a lot more than burgers and fries for me to come across," He tells her with a smile then laughs.

"I was planning on buying you chicken wings and beer," She tells him with a flirty smile.

"Really? So you think I'm that cheap?"

"Yes, cheap and easy."

"Well, you've got me pegged."

"Seriously, Tony, how about a nice steak and maybe some kind of pasta?"

"That sounds more like it. And Mandy, I pay, I want to."

"Okay, you pay. Can we stop at the first shopping center we come to? I'm going to need some things, and no for these things you can't pay."

"Sounds like a plan. I need to get a few things, too."

They separate once inside the shopping center with plans to meet again in one hour in the food court.

It doesn't take him long to get two pair of jeans and a few button-down shirts that he won't have to struggle putting on, and the rest of the things that he will be needing.

With a cup of tea sitting on the table in front of him, he calls Gibbs.

"What going on?" Is Gibbs way of answering his cell.

"I have Mandy with me. We are spending the night in Pennsylvania and coming back tomorrow. We will be in town staying at her place; she wants me to be closer to Ducky and she is more comfortable in her own place. Who am I to say no to her? "

"Good call for the both of you. I sorry, Tony, Ducky and I broke your trust. We sat Ziva and Tim down and…"

Tony closes his eyes and listens as Gibbs tells him the one thing he was hoping that his boss would never do. But thinking about it, it was the one thing that had to be done if he was to be kept safe and away from his drunk of a father.

"Tony? Tony? DiNozzo, can you hear me?"

"I'm sorry, Boss. I zoned out. I don't like it, but I understand why you did it. Boss, I don't want anyone to know that I will be in town. Just you, and if I need Ducky, I'll call him."

"No one will know. I give you my word on that. Now, is there anything that you need at her place?"

"Food. She likes lots of fruit and vegetables, whole wheat bread. You know, healthy food like the meal she made for us. You can use the money in my safe; you can open it. One thing can you get is a bottle of champagne. I want to toast the New Year with her. I don't want to mess this up, Boss. She is too special to me."

"Don't worry, I'll get everything you need. I'll even drop off some of your clothes."

"The key to her place is-"

"Won't need the key, DiNozzo. I installed the lock, I'll just pick it."

"Of course you will. Please don't forget to feed my fish." Tony said, only to realize that Gibbs had ended the call.

Mandy came out of the bathroom dressed in a beautiful dark green dress that hugged her in all the right places, but still made her look conservative in appearance. Her hair was loose on her shoulders and she wore the perfect amount of make-up.

Tony looked at her and sucked in a lungful of air trying to get back the breath she took from him as she entered their hotel room.

"Do I look okay?"

"Amazing, absolutely beautiful," He tells her then he brings her into his arms and kisses her with just enough passion to get his point across.

They are laughing as they enter the hotel returning from their meal. He watches as she takes off her shawl and places it on the dresser, her shoes come next.

They only had one glass of wine each with their meal. Neither are drunk or even tipsy.

"I'm going to change out of these clothes. Do you need help with any of the buttons?" She asks him.

"No, go on get changed. We can rent a movie and get comfortable. I even brought popcorn; we can pop it in the microwave if you want."

The time Mandy spends in the bathroom gives Tony the time to control his breathing and will his erection away. He has been fighting a losing battle all night with his hormones. He wants nothing more than to take her into his arms and show her just how much he loves her. He changes into sleeping pants and a t-shirt when he has control of his body again.

To say he is in trouble when she calls out to him would be an understatement. From just the tone of her voice, he knows that he is a goner.

He looks up as she comes closer wearing a pale blue teddy that hides nothing at all.

"Tony, you know that I love you and I want to be with you. I think it's time for us to cross that bridge together."

He holds out his hands and waits for her to place her smaller hands into his. "Are you sure, Mandy?"

"Yes, for the first time in my life I'm sure and I'm not afraid."

He kisses her and walks her backwards to the bed. With one hand he pulls the bedding down then helps her to sit without his lips ever leaving hers.

She pulls away from his lips and whispers in his ear. "Tony, you should know that I've never done this before."

He moves his head enough so that he can look into her eyes and he can see only the truth; love and hope radiating from them.

"I am honored that you want me to be the one to share this moment with, Mandy."