Dallas, Texas

Hovering in the open area between the foyer and the kitchen, Jenna watched Bobby from afar. Handsome as always, he confused her now more than ever. She didn't like to feel like she wasn't in control, but that's how he made her feel. She was supposed to be giving him space, not putting any pressure on him, living her life for her, but he always managed to make her feel like there was more, without there actually being more.

Spotting her, he smiled, walking up a couple of steps from the sunken living room to meet her, "that was quick."

Returning his smile, she hooked his arm through his, letting him guide her into the living room as she responded to his comment with an explanation.

"She was exhausted, no story needed tonight."

Quiet, Bobby didn't need to say anything, he understood. By the time they'd returned home after an evening of family oriented holiday activities at the arboretum Charlie had been more than ready for bed.

Reaching the living room, he waited a few seconds before unlinking their arms. "I made you a drink."

Pleased he planned to stay long enough to have a drink, everything else about his behaviour continued to be a bit of a mystery to her.

"Thank you." Accepting the glass he handed her, she kissed him on the cheek, letting her hand sit lightly on his forearm.

Rarely did he reach out to bring her close, but rarely did he make a point to separate them when she put herself in his personal space either and that was progress.

Tapping his glass to hers, he took a drink, then took a seat in an armchair, making what felt like a calculated move to create space between them. The dark wood and leather chair was designed for one, two if she was on his lap, however considering the state of their relationship she didn't think that's what he was intending.

"I had fun tonight."

Making conversation as she turned briefly to walk the few feet to the couch, she could feel his attention on her, watching her every move.

Meeting his eye as she sat down, she smiled, "the night's not over."

In the seven weeks since she'd listened to Sue Ellen and agreed that space was good to give Bobby a few things had changed for her, and she had to assume the same went for him. Looking away, Bobby's smirk and quick drink told her everything she wanted to know.

Clearing his throat, he spoke again, addressing not what was going on between them but something far more platonic.

"You've decorated nicely", looking around at the Christmas decorations adorning the room, ones she was planning to take down in the next few days, he made by far the most bland small talk she'd ever heard from him.

"Thank you."

Taking her equally polite, bland answer as an invitation to keep going rather than try again with a different subject, he continued, "did you go shopping with Sue Ellen?"

Swirling her drink, she watched the dark liquid move around the edge of the glass, silently wondering what was going on between the two of them.

Looking up, she addressed the distance he was creating. "We've had a great evening and years of history. Is Christmas decorations really what you want to talk about?"

Cracking a smile, Bobby held eye contact with her, refusing again to acknowledge his feelings for her, putting the conversation back into her hands. "What would you like to talk about?"

"Us", unable to take more of his avoidance, she downed her drink in one gulp and stood up.

Settling on the thin wooden arm of his chair, she draped her legs over his, resting her hand on his shoulder, no more than a foot between their faces.

"Jenna", whispering her name, his tone told her he was having a difficult time with her forwardness.

Trying her best to remind herself of how conflicted he might feel, her own feelings got in the way of empathising with his. He was attracted to her, she knew it, and she was certainly attracted to him, but she was getting impatient.

"You're so noble, I love it and I hate it."

Chuckling, surprising for the situation they were in, he admitted, "you're not the only one who feels that way."

Encouraged by his confession that it wasn't easy to resist her, that he too had conflicting feelings about his virtuous nature, she pushed him to stop thinking so much about it.

"It doesn't have to be like that", whispering, she leaned in, her lips only inches from his ear, "it's up to you."

She'd never been shy and she didn't consider herself to be particularly traditional, but in this case she didn't want to be the one to make the first move. She wanted him to want her enough that his desire overrode his hesitation, and she knew exactly how to make that happen.

Close one moment, the next she gave him the distance he'd so desperately wanted, sliding her legs off his and standing.

"Jenna", his voice husky, she had him exactly where she wanted him, and his hand reaching out to grab hers, she was exactly where she wanted to be moments later.

Pulled back to him, there was little doubt this time where he intended for her to sit, his strong hands holding her in place, not that they needed to, she wasn't going anywhere.

His lips on hers, she felt no hesitation, only delight. They fit together nicely, they always had, and she knew they always would. Leaving him had been something she'd had to do, something she'd at times regretted and thought of as a mistake, but leaving had brought them to where they were now, reunited.

Giddy like she'd been when they'd first addressed their romantic feelings years ago, but with the experience of having lived a life since then, she matched his actions with her own, liking what she got in return, until she didn't.

Clasping his hand around hers as she slid her hand between his jacket and shirt, he pulled away and breathlessly murmured, "I can't, I'm sorry."

Taken aback, she said nothing.

Speaking again, he still didn't really explain himself. "It just doesn't feel right."

"Which part?"

Unimpressed, especially because it had felt very right to her, she didn't even try to avoid brushing against him as she got up.

Wincing, he certainly ended their enjoyable time together when he told her what was actually on his mind. "It would upset Pam."

"I had you first, she lived with that."

Chuckling, he didn't deny what she was saying was true, however he didn't seem to think it made a difference either. "I'm not sure she'd appreciate you being the first after her."

Frustrated firstly by his good-natured chuckle and secondly by his excuse, she didn't really know why she said what she said, it just came out.

"If it takes some other lady to be the first then maybe you should do that."

Maybe Bobby did need someone like Jack was for her, someone who he wasn't serious about, someone who would help ease him back into just having fun, without the seriousness that came with marriage. The danger with suggesting what she had though was that if Bobby didn't follow the plan and instead ended up falling for another lady that wasn't her she might never get another chance. He'd eloped with Pam after knowing her for only a short while, it wasn't completely unreasonable to be afraid that he might do it again. The other drawback was the knowledge that he was giving someone else what she wanted; she'd taught Charlie to share but it didn't necessarily come naturally to her and she didn't want to have to force it now, she just wanted what she wanted and for everyone else to respect that.

Obviously having heard what she'd said, he didn't acknowledge it directly, instead standing and muttering, "I should go."

Nodding, she didn't touch him this time as they walked side by side to the foyer, lost in her thoughts.

Reaching the door, they stood silently for a moment before he leaned down and kissed her on the forehead, an action that screamed platonic to her.

"I'll see you tomorrow", halfway out the door, he reminded her that whether they were ready or not, they'd be seeing each other very soon at the Anderson's New Year's Eve party.

Not long ago she'd had reason to imagine that she might ring in the new year with Bobby, but now it sounded like it was Jack's night, which wasn't bad, but it wasn't her first choice either.

"Goodbye", closing the door behind him, she breathed out, completely unsure of herself now.

To be continued…