A/N: Thank you to everyone who has sent such encouraging feedback. Also, to those who have said they dislike the Jenny/Tony pairing, I'd advise you read no further because that's what this story is about and it's only going to get more painful for you ;)

Also, I'm sorry to say, nobody should expect anything of substance from me. I'm purely a fluff writer…my brain doesn't have the capacity to produce anything substantial but hey, the world needs fluff…right?! Enjoy x

"I thought you were supposed to be in charge."

Jen had almost reached her waiting town car when Tony's voice rang out across the parking lot. She stopped in her tracks and turned around slowly, watching Tony as he closed the gap between them.

"I thought you were the boss," Tony reiterated in a softer tone when he came to a stop a few feet from her.

"I am," she concurred.

"Then why are you following Gibbs' rules? He's not the boss,"

"It doesn't matter whose rules they are, Tony. Following them is for the best. I've found that out for myself over the years. Things get messy when the rulebook goes out the window. Especially in the case of rule number 12."

Tony didn't have to guess who she was referring to regarding her own flouting of the rules. He'd always known there was more to her past with Gibbs than either of them had let on.

"It doesn't have to be messy. It could be different for us."

"It would be even harder for us, Tony. I'm not just your team boss. I'm the Director of a federal agency. Having a fling with one of your subordinates doesn't play well when you my job title!" she said, a little more forcefully than she had intended and she cringed a little as Tony visibly recoiled at her choice of words.

"No, I guess it wouldn't be worth the flak you would get from your Director cronies…not for JUST a FLING with one of you subordinates," Tony spat out coldly and turned away.

"I didn't mean it that way, Tony," Jen called after him. He stopped but didn't turn around.

"I wasn't talking about just a fling, Jenny." Jen struggled to hear him with his back turned to her and so she took a few steps towards him as he continued. "Like I told you before, I'm not the player everyone seems to think I am. It wasn't just pretend commitment like I had with Jeanne that I'm ready for. I'm looking for a real relationship. Something that goes beyond a few dates and one of us sneaking out before the other wakes up in the morning. If there's one thing I really enjoyed about being with Jeanne it was waking up with someone in my arms."

Jenny smiled sadly as she thought of how long the left hand side of her bed had been vacant for. Tony turned around and caught the look of melancholy in her eyes.

"I bet it's even more enjoyable when you're holding someone special in your arms," Tony said quietly, reaching out to take her hand, squeezing it gently. At his touch, she looked up at him and he could see the unshed tears brimming in her eyes. "Hey, don't cry," he soothed, rubbing his thumb back and forth over the side of her hand. "If you want this, we can make it happen,"

"But the rules…"

"…can be rewritten. I think it's about time. If this," he continued, gesturing between the two of them with his spare hand," is meant to be then, we'll work it out. I promise."

"I need some time to think," Jen whispered, gently extricating her hand from his.

"I understand. Take all the time you need," Tony said as she made her way over to the car. Her driver had got out when he saw her resume her walk and was holding the door open for her when she reached the vehicle.

"For you, I'll wait," Tony called and Jen smiled and gave him a small wave before getting in the car and having the door close behind her.

"For you, I'll wait," Tony repeated quietly, as he watched the car drive out of the lot, following it with his gaze until it rounded the corner and drove out of sight.

Well, what do you think? How long with Tony have to wait? Should I continue?