If I am to be honest, I did not think we'd be together.
He was so brash, so rude and conceited. His arrogant manner as he strolled into the office, the interrogation room, even Abby's forensics lab was impossible to ignore, if only for the fact that it made me simultaneously annoyed and somewhat amused. How could someone love themselves to such a degree of narcissism? It honestly disgusted me. Still, he was my partner, and I had to put up with him.
He still managed to amuse me, however. From silly jokes about McGee's love for technology to his complete and total aversion to let me drive, he kept me entertained at work.
I don't believe I ever had an epiphany, in which I said, "Yes, this is the man I want to be with." Most times I just rolled my eyes and tried to ignore the details of his latest conquests - be they women, or a ridiculously large cheeseburger. I do not recall a transition from feeling vaguely annoyed when he swaggered into a room to feeling light, and... fluttery. Nothing a trained woman of the Mossad should feel. But what could I do?
As much as I dislike to admit (to myself, to others, and especially to him), I find myself fascinated by the man. His love for the cinema rivals his love for me, and, trust me, that is hard to do.
He never stopped being Tony. He simply evolved from "Tony, my partner", to "Tony, my love." And I do not mind this one bit.