[Winning a Bet]

3rd Person POV:

Tony glanced up to watch the girl across the room from him. The one that had been driving him nuts all night and all morning….well for the past few days really. Two weeks…two weeks they had been at this stupid bet and he was close to cracking. He had begun questioning whether keeping this bet going was worth his sanity. Their competitiveness was well known and if left fueled long enough this deal could go on forever, and that would not end well. His inner turmoil was broken by the sound of platform boots trotting down the hallway. The team all looked up to spot Abby quickly rushing into the room.

"Hey Abs where's the fire?" Tony inquired. Instead of a usual perky response Tony received and odd look from Abby. Without another word the girl grabbed Claire by her wrist and yanked her over to the elevators. The team sat there in silence once more…..this time confused as to what just happened. But sometimes with Abby it was best not to ask.

...

Down in the lab, Claire was letting herself get dragged around the uncharacteristically silent Abby. Once they were in her desk area she was released.

"Is there a problem?" Claire inquired, watching her friend warily. Abby huffed and turned to face Claire, her arms crossed over her chest.

"Who is Tony's girlfriend?" she blurted out. Claire's eyes bulged.

"Wh….what?" she stuttered, thoroughly confused and worried about where this was going. Abby rolled her eyes.

"I know you of all people would have noticed how different he's been lately! This isn't normal for him, this is serious. Tony doesn't do serious." Abby explained with a stern expression. Claire chuckled.

"What makes you think it's a serious girlfriend?" she inquired, able to fall back into her normal demeanor now that she knew Abby wasn't on to her.

"Well he's less flirty with random women, he hasn't discussed conquests. Lately he hasn't been plan free, and he's just…..always calm…or like content." She rambled on, pacing tightly in her office. Claire suppressed a grin. Did he really change that much?

"What's wrong with that?" Claire asked casually. Abby eyed her.

"It's not, but aren't you worried about this? What if she's some psycho who is really looking to stab him in the back!" she cried dramatically. Claire's eyes rose comically.

"Abby calm down." She encouraged. Abby huffed again.

"Why aren't you bothered by this?! It's Tony we're talking about. I thought you liked him." Abby accused.

"I do, I just don't think we should be prying into his private life." Claire dismissed, feeling uncomfortable under Abby's stare.

"I still think we should do a background check on this person. I need to know for Tony's sake." Abby insisted. Claire smiled at her. Leave it to Abby to get all protective of Tony and his feelings.

"Abby.."

"Don't Abby me, aren't you concerned with his well being?" Abby shot back.

"Of course I am."

"Then say you'll help me find out who she is." Abby pleaded, smiling at her. Claire sighed and stared up at the ceiling. This was getting so complicated.

"Sure why not, I've got nothing better to do." She finally relented. Abby silently cheered before dragging her out into the lab space.

...

Abby has me finding your mystery girlfriend ;)- Tony stared down at the message on his cell with a frown. This could go in many directions and he wasn't sure how to take this.

Is that a problem?... he quickly typed back, glancing around to see if anyone had noticed his lack of work. As he did he remembered that everyone was out of the office other than him. Tony shook his head wryly. This job had made him slightly paranoid.

Of course not, just expect some harassment when we find candidates. She immediately answered. Tony groaned in his head. Of course, they would start badgering him for information. He was happy, shouldn't that be enough for his teammates? Suddenly an email alert popped up on his computer. Not recognizing the address he clicked on it warily. However what came up was beyond what he was expecting. If he had taken a sip of water surely he would have chocked at the picture. A firm figure clad only in sexy lingerie was cut off at the neck. Tony gulped heavily as he recognized that body easily and he could have sworn that it looked like his apartment bathroom in the background. He blinked hard as he gained his breath back and finally tore his eyes to look down at the caption underneath it.

-Just a little gift for when I'm not there-

"Tony?!" a voice scolded from behind him. Tony shouted in alarm and frantically held his hands over the screen and whipped his head back to stare at the eavesdropper. He growled in annoyance as he saw McGee's wide eyed expression.

"A little privacy if you don't mind, McPeeper." He snarled defensively. McGee stared at him incredulously.

"Tony we're at work. This is no time to look at your porn." He scolded quietly. Tony stiffened up and glared at the man.

"That's not what she is." He countered sternly. Claire was not some object to be gawked at like a piece of meat. McGee's eyebrows rose at his tone.

"So the rumor is true? You have a girlfriend?" he asked curiously. Tony pursed his lips. Dang it.

"Maybe…either way its none of your business." Tony evaded, trying to quickly exit his email. McGee smirked and watched Tony carefully.

"And this is what you do all day? Sext like some horny teenagers." He asked, fully believing that Tony would go for that type of girl. Tony ran a hand through his hair, thinking through how to approach this.

"No she's actually very professional. We just have some stupid bet going…" Tony trailed off but paused as he stared at McGee thoughtfully. Tim fidgeted nervously under his gaze.

"How would you like to help me out?" Tony offered with a smirk. McGee frowned.

"Why would you want my help?" he asked warily. Tony asking for help was odd enough.

"I know you don't have hardly any experience with females but hypothetically….if you wanted your girlfriend to get all hot and bothered for you, what would you do?" he quickly asked. McGee rolled his eyes at the insult but pursed his lips in thought.

"I guess a grant romantic gesture would work." He offered with a shrug. Tony frowned in disappointment.

"Explain." He deadpanned. Tony knew TV romantic but Claire would catch onto that too quickly to be impressed. McGee shuffled on his feet, uncomfortable with this whole conversation.

"Like candles, dinner, serenade. You know mushy, romantic stuff." McGee elaborated. Tony hummed in thought and grinned.

"That might just work." He muttered and slapped McGee on the shoulder.

"Good work probie, I'll make a man out of you yet." Tony joked. McGee glowered.

"Oh and we won't tell anyone about the…" Tony gestured to his computer screen sheepishly. McGee sighed but nodded.

"No." he agreed before walking back over to his desk.

...

That night Claire knocked on his apartment door before brushing off the nonexistent dust from her dress. Tony's call from inside prompted her to open the door, only to be greeted with a strange yet welcoming sight. In the midst of a candle lighted room Tony stood there with his best dress suit on. Claire's jaw dropped as she stood in the doorway. He chuckled at her awestruck expression and slowly made his way over towards her. Taking her hand gently he tugged her inside, shutting the door behind her.

"Any special reason for all of this, and why you wanted me to dress up?" Claire asked curiously, looking up at him through her eyelashes.

"Do I need a reason to spoil my beautiful girlfriend after a long day of work." He shrugged with a coy grin. She hummed, not buying it.

"You're trying to win brownie points and get me to crack aren't you?" she grinned. Tony grabbed his chest in mock hurt.

"You wound me." He whined pathetically. Claire laughed and grabbed both of his hands, using them to pull him into a deep kiss. As they broke apart Tony took a moment to compose himself.

"That's dirty." He groaned. Claire grinned but didn't protest.

"So is there anything you had in mind other than standing here looking sharp?" she questioned instead. Tony held up a hand as indication for her to wait and he dashed over towards his stereo. The slow sound of Boyz II Men and she grinned at him. Tony swiftly and gracefully pulled her into his arms and began to waltz her around the living room. As the voices came on she was shocked to hear Tony mumbling along with the lyrics just for her.

Close your eyes, make a wish.

And blow out the candlelight

For tonight it's just your night

We're gonna celebrate,

All through the night.

Tony was secretly thankful for his rich upbringing as he never would have been able to sweep her off her feet, almost literally, as well as he seemed to be doing right now. As the song continued on he kept serenading her with his baritone voice.

Pour the wine, light the fire

Girl your wish is my command

I submit to your demands

I will do anything,

Girl you need only ask

She grinned as he smoothly turned on his television to reveal a fake crackling fire as the part of the song came on. Claire just stared up at him in amazement as he continued singing, staring at only her as he did.

I'll make love to you

Like you want me to

And I'll hold you tight

Baby all through the night

I'll make love to you

When you want me to

And I will not let go

Till you tell me to.

He grinned at her as he translated his honestly into his words and his eyes. He would do anything and everything for this girl. All she had to do was ask and he would be at her beck and call. She held so much power over him it was frightening.

Girl relax, let's go slow

I ain't got nowhere to go

I'm just gonna concentrate on you

Girl are you ready?

It's gonna be a long night

He grinned teasingly as she bit her lip, more than happy to comply with what he was suggesting. She was becoming putty in his hands and she didn't mind one bit.

Throw your clothes on the floor

I'm gonna take my clothes off too

I made plans to be with you

Girl whatever you ask me you know I can do

Claire laughed out loud, throwing her head back as Tony jerked off his jacket along with the lyrics. He rose a brow questioningly and ran his hands along her sides as they continued to sway, lost in their own little world.

I'll make love to you

Like you want me to

And I'll hold you tight

Baby all through the night

I'll make love to you

When you want me to

And I will not let go

Till you tell me to

Tony was cut off as a pair of soft lips landed on his. He grinned and wrapped her tighter into his embrace as they swayed. Claire smiled up at him lovingly as the song continued, but faded into the background.

" That was something else." She whispered, the bright smile not leaving her face. Tony chuckled, not really caring about the bet right now. He was just happy his plan had gone beyond the desired effect. Props to McGee for the advice. Claire swooped in, pulling him by his tie so she could get a better angle of his lips. Tony smiled into the kiss.

"You wanna put those words into actions?" she grinned invitingly. Tony groaned happily as he pulled her figure tighter against him.

"You have no idea." he growled playfully. Claire giggled and began walking him backwards towards the bedroom.

"Does this mean I win?" Tony asked curiously, however whatever smug comment he was going to add died in his throat as he saw her unamused expression.

"Right I'll shut up now." He agreed to her silent request eagerly. With a smile he leaned in and took her into another breathtaking kiss, eager to make up for lost time with the beauty in his arms.

...

(Song: I'll make love to you by Boyz II Men)