The team knew when Gibbs hadn't seen his wife and knew the weekends when he was going to fly to California to see her. His moods were on highs and lows. The worst of the lows was the in between of seeing her. DiNozzo understood and let himself take the wrath of Gibbs' temper. He couldn't imagine being separated from Lizzie. The time away for them had been what they had needed. Like everyone else, Tony had been counting down the days until Director Shepard's return. He knew there was no way in hell Jenny would miss her girls' graduation from Georgetown University, and the weekend was quickly approaching. He saved the case report and printed it, glancing around the room. Gibbs was sitting at his desk, staring at him and sipping Jamaican blend. The older agent motioned with his head to the elevator.
"McLiterary, proofread my case report."
McGee rolled his eyes but nodded his head. Where did Tony come up with the nicknames? He shook his head and took the report. Much to Ziva's dismay, he hadn't been surprised or offended by the news of Tony and Lizzie's engagement. Tony had changed for the better in his opinion. He watched Gibbs and DiNozzo walk into the elevator.
Gibbs said nothing and stalled the elevator by hitting the emergency switch. He turned and looked at Tony. "Jen's coming home."
"I didn't think she'd miss graduation."
He looked down to the ground, smiling. "Nope. I think she threatened the doctor into giving her full clearance."
Tony laughed. He wouldn't doubt it if she had. Since getting an apartment with Elizabeth, he had overheard many of Jenny's gripes about being grounded when the two were on video chat.
Gibbs took a drink of his coffee. "I'm taking you with me to get her. SecNav is lending us the jet. Ducky's going too. Leaving tomorrow."
The very special agent nodded his head. Was he ready to protect the Director again? The last time he was on her protection detail had caused a medical leave of three months. He leaned against the wall of the elevator.
"Don't second guess yourself, Tony." He flipped the switch and waited for the doors to open.
Tony blew out his breath and pushed himself away from the wall. He rubbed his face and walked into the squad room, sitting down at his desk. The rest of the day seemed to drag on, but he didn't hesitate when Gibbs dismissed them. He had never been happier to see Connecticut Avenue. Tony needed to talk to Lizzie.
She didn't hear him enter the foyer of the apartment. The coffee table was covered in color swatches, and she was in deep concentration as she rested her glass of cabernet sauvignon against her cheek. The aroma of lasagna baking in the kitchen hit Tony's nostrils. He watched her for a few moments as Etta James' At Last played in the background. Lizzie's hair was in a messy bun. She had ditched her sandals but was still in the navy color block tank dress chosen this morning. When he heard the timer, he knew he was caught. She put her wine down and met his eyes.
"How long have you been there?"
He smiled at her as she walked towards him. "Long enough."
Elizabeth slipped her arms around his waist and stole a kiss. She could tell something was bothering him. "How was work?" she asked, walking into the kitchen and opening the oven.
Tony shrugged his shoulders. "The usual."
She put the dish onto the counter and slipped the mitts off, waiting for him to continue. Clearly, he wasn't ready. "I can guess." She opened the fridge, taking out the head of lettuce.
Tony walked over and handed her a knife as she washed the lettuce. "You annoyed McGee."
He nodded. "That's every day, Liz."
She smirked and started chopping the lettuce. Tony kissed her shoulder. "You could make the salad," she said to him.
"I like supervising."
"I'll supervise when you do the dishes."
"Liz," he groaned.
"You know the rules. Whoever cooks doesn't do the dishes or clean the kitchen. I cooked."
He slid his hand down and pinched her bottom.
She laughed. "Hey, I do have a knife in my hand. Back to guessing…"
Tony took the knife out of her hand and scooted her out of the way. He'd finish making the salad. Lizzie removed two plates from the cupboard and poured him a glass of wine.
"Daddy wants you to go with him tomorrow."
He took a large swallow of wine and nodded his head. "He does. Liz, I don't know if I'm—"
Elizabeth shook her head. "You're ready. Daddy wants you with him. Mom wants you there too."
"Did your mother have to convince your father I should be there?"
"No, Tony. He's giving you a second chance."
"He shouldn't be having to give me one! I should have done it right the first time."
Lizzie sighed heavily and stepped closer to him. "You can't change what happened. How many times have I told you that?"
"Liz, a million times."
"In a way, it needed to happen. It's made every one of us closer. The only one still beating you up about it is you."
He stared into her eyes, nodding his head.
"Take the second chance. Prove it to him. Don't do it for anyone but you."
"You're right."
"Usually am," she replied.
Tony cracked a smile and kissed her softly, telling her he loved her. Since moving in together, he'd learned that she was right most of the time. The couple finished making dinner and sat down to eat. After washing dishes and sitting down on the couch for a movie, Tony noticed the clutter on the coffee table.
"Liz, what's all this?"
"Possible wedding colors."
As he looked at the various swatches, he felt intimidated. His fiancée laughed softly and tucked her hair behind her ears. "I've narrowed it down."
"Okay," he said apprehensively.
"Options are rose, dusk, and smoke." She put those three options together then arranged the other choices. "Or eggplant and dusty rose." Liz glanced at Tony.
"I like both."
"I know. That's my problem. Also, violet, fuchsia, and vanilla."
"Wouldn't it be easier to get married naked in a solid white room?"
Elizabeth laughed, shaking her head. "No, silly." She kissed him.
"We have time to decide," Tony admitted honestly, pulling her against him.
They had chosen a June date two years ahead. Lizzie wanted to be finished with school. She had been accepted to the Maryland Institute College of Art. Finally, she was going to be where she had wanted to be all along. The only reason she'd earned a degree from Georgetown University was to please her alumna mother.
"With my mother and grandmother?" She wanted to have ideas before Helen came in like a blitzkrieg.
"I see your point, but it can wait. There are more pressing matters tonight."
"Such as?" Lizzie asked, glancing up at him. A smirk graced her features. "Oh, slipping into something more comfortable…like me?"
Tony nodded his head. He stood up and lifted her off the couch, throwing her over his shoulder. Lizzie giggled as she was carried into the bedroom. Tony learned there were many perks to living together. He'd attempted to explain the bedroom benefits to McGee until Gibbs head smacked him. His skull ached for a week.
Hours later, they were on the way to California. Gibbs was particularly in a foul mood. His morning had started off with a phone call from Jenny informing him his mother-in-law would be hijacking the Gulfstream.
"Jethro, I can be charming," Ducky said after fifteen minutes of hearing the agent's grumblings.
"What?" Jethro snapped.
"I can be charming," the medical examiner emphasized. "With Helen."
"You do that, Duck."
"DiNozzo," Gibbs barked.
"Yeah, boss?" He answered with a twizzler hanging out of his mouth.
"Is the surprise party still happening?"
"Boss!" Tony winced as he was hit with the twizzler Gibbs was stealing from him. He was almost met with a glare. "Yeah, it's still happening. Plan hasn't changed."
Ducky shook his head as he watched the exchange. He was grateful to see Jethro in a lighter mood. He'd never tell either of them that DiNozzo reminded him of Gibbs when he was younger. Ducky couldn't wait to see Jenny. He hoped his medical knowledge wouldn't be needed on the flight, but one could never be too careful when dealing with a previously collapsed lung. The trio kept themselves amused for the rest of the flight.
Jenny met the boys with hugs and kisses on the cheek except for Jethro. He received more than a kiss on the cheek. Tony thought his future mother-in-law looked amazing. She had a California tan and looked relaxed.
"Going to continue with yoga?" he asked. He knew she'd been taking yoga classes with Helen.
"No. I never want to see a yoga mat ever again. I did not want to learn all the positions my 72-year-old mother can do. She's more flexible than I am. It's," Jenny stopped, realizing she'd said too much.
Gibbs and DiNozzo looked at each other and looked at Helen Shepard as she approached. The two men looked at each other a second time. "Don't," Gibbs said harshly.
"Too late. Images burned."
Jenny laughed. "Good. I shouldn't be the only one to suffer."
Jethro glared at his wife, and she patted him on the cheek. "You'll live," she promised with a smile.
"Won't," he grumbled.
"Jethro," Helen spoke cheerily. "You should take up yoga. It wouldn't kill you to be more zen."
DiNozzo snickered and received the characteristic Gibbs glare. The older agent looked to Ducky. The Scottish medical examiner remembered his role and walked over, taking Helen's arm.
"You look lovelier with each year, my dear."
"Donald." Helen blushed as Jethro grinned, watching the two walk to the plane.
Jenny rolled her eyes at her husband. "Is that why you brought Ducky?"
"Nah. You needed a doctor on the flight."
She shook her head, knowing he wouldn't admit he needed a buffer. Surprisingly, Helen was undemanding on the flight. Ducky kept the elder Shepard entertained with stories from his youth. He was hopeful to secure a dinner date with the redhead, but he didn't want them to end up in bed like they had years ago. It was during a vulnerable time for Helen.
Gibbs watched the two with a raised brow. The eyebrow rose higher when Helen leaned into his old friend's chest as she laughed at a joke. Jenny wincing in pain broke him out of his mother-in-law watching.
Jen looked at him and Tony as she eased back into her seat, removing her hand from the middle of her chest. "I'm fine. I was told it would be normal."
"Will it happen every time you fly?" Tony asked.
She shrugged her shoulders. "I guess it's from adjusting to the altitude. It'll have to be normal."
"Normal? Jen, being in pain every day isn't normal," Jethro spoke.
She rolled her eyes at her husband. He had suffered injuries that bothered him still. "Jethro, I'll remind you next time you complain about your knee or your –" A finger being put over her lips silenced her. Jenny smirked. He hated being reminded about that Positano injury.
Gibbs mumbled and slipped his arm around her, kissing the side of her head. He hoped Katie and Lizzie's graduation weekend wouldn't be too much for her. She planned on returning to work on Monday. Jethro watched her intently as her green eyes closed.
"Stop thinking it'll be too much, Jethro," Jenny mumbled, needing a nap. Her mother had kept her up into the wee hours of the morning. Helen had expressed her opinions about the wedding, graduation, plans after graduation, and plans for the weekend.
Tony snickered to himself. It never ceased to amaze him how Jenny could read Gibbs' thoughts or how Gibbs could read hers. If Lizzie learned to read him that way, he'd be in trouble. "Ow!" He shrieked as he felt Gibbs' boot to his shin.
"And stop abusing your son-in-law."
"He's not yet," Jethro grumbled.
Jenny laughed and shook her head. She dozed off, wondering if her girls had a surprise party planned for her return home. There was something she was sure of; she knew her girls were impatiently waiting for her to walk through the door of the Georgetown home.