Charity walked with Tony, his arm around her. Bernie was walking in front of them, leading the way to the table. Senior was waiting for them. When he saw Charity, he pulled her in for a hug. "What happened, dear?" He asked.
"Just a little broken nose." Charity answered, pulling back and giving him a smile.
"Don't try and play it down." Senior replied. "Anything happening to this beautiful face is a tragedy."
"A girl could get used to this." Charity said with a smile.
Tony pulled Charity's chair out for her then he took his seat next to her. Bernie sat next to him and Senior sat on the other side of Charity. "So, how did you break your nose?" Senior inquired.
"Bar fight." Charity answered playfully. "You should see the other guy."
Senior chuckled. "Beautiful and a sense of humor."
"Don't forget she can kick butt." Bernie added.
Charity laughed slightly and shook her head. She was kind of glad for the bruising since it would hide the twenty shades of red she knew her face was turning. She hated being the center of attention.
"So, how exactly did you two crazy kids meet?" Bernie asked.
"We had a couple of cases cross." Charity answered.
"Instant sparks, huh?" Bernie inquired further.
Tony and Charity had to fight back their laughter. "You could say that." Charity said.
"Yeah, but they weren't the good kind." Tony added. "She couldn't stand me at first."
"I can understand that." Bernie said. "Sometimes I find you hard to put up with." He teased Tony.
Charity giggled and Tony narrowed his gaze at his cousin. "Hey, you taught me everything I know about women."
"If that's true, then I owe you a big thank you." Charity told Bernie.
Tony laughed and shook his head.
"If you wanna thank me, then do you have a sister you could introduce me to?" Bernie replied.
Tony instantly felt horrible. I should have told Bernie! Panic shot through him as he waited for Charity's reaction. He saw a pained look briefly flit across her face, but she quickly composed herself.
Charity gave Bernie a grin, but Tony could tell it was forced. "Oh, I don't know if I could do that to anyone else. I don't think anyone else I know could handle a DiNozzo man."
"We are a rare breed." Senior agreed.
"Very difficult to deal with." Bernie added.
Tony let out an internal sigh of relief, but he could tell that that had hurt her slightly. The group talked a while longer and then the waitress came and took their orders. After a few moments, Charity excused herself to the ladies' room.
As soon as she was away, Bernie turned to Tony. "Is something wrong?" He asked. "After I asked her about a sister...she seemed to change."
"Her mom and her sister were killed when she was fourteen." Tony answered. "A car crash, Charity was in the car with them."
"That's terrible." Senior replied.
"I didn't know. I'll apologize when she gets back." Bernie said.
Tony shook his head. "Don't worry about it. You didn't know and I'm not sure if she'd get mad at me for telling or not. That's kind of part of why she hated me in the beginning."
"What do you mean?" Bernie replied.
"I kinda dug up her past and found out everything that happened." Tony answered. "She wouldn't talk to me, so I had to do a little detective work."
"Oh wow." Bernie replied. "You really don't know how to deak with boudaries?"
"Hey she thanked me for it later." Tony replied.
"Oh here she comes." Bernie said, looking up.
Charity returned to her seat. "Just because I'm back doesn't mean you have to stop talking about me." She teased.
"You are something else, Charity." Bernie told her. "My cousin here is one lucky man."
"Eh, I think I'm the lucky one." Charity replied, a casual grin on her face. "Evem if he is difficult at times."
"You can be pretty difficult yourself." Tony teased her.
"Your point?" Charity replied.
The group sat and talked and laughed. When their orders arrived, they ate, with quite a bit less talking. After they finished their meals, they talked for a while longer. Then Bernie went back to the hotel with Senior, so that Tony and Charity could spend some alone time together.
Later that night, Tony and Charity were snuggled up on the couch at Charity's place, watching movies and eating popcorn. "Well, Senior and Bernie like you." Tony said.
"Oh no. The family likes me, that's usually a death sentance." Charity teased.
"Oh no, I'm keeping you around as long as you'll have me." Tony told her.
"Even if I am stubborn and hate letting you know when I'm hurt?"
"Even then." Tony told her.
The movie ended. "I'm gonna hop in the shower." Charity said, getting up.
Tony sat on the couch for a few moments and waited. When he heard the water start running in the bathroom he got up and started unbuttoning his shirt. He quietly made his way into the bathroom and finished undressing. He then slipped into the shower behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her neck.
Charity giggled, loving the feel of his body pressed against hers. "I was wondering when you were going to join me."
"Am I that predictable?" Tony asked.
"No, I'm just a great investigator."
"You're great at a lot of things." He said, his hands roaming over her wet skin.