Tony almost didn't want to wake her. Piper was slumped in the passenger seat of his car. She had been quiet the entire drive here from NCIS. He thought she just didn't want to talk about what had happened at the bakery. He hadn't realized she was just exhausted. He leaned over and brushed her hair out of her face. How could McGee think Tony didn't really love her…

He could see McGee's point. Yes, Tony had a bad history with women. It was all his own fault too. But couldn't people change? Apparently not in McGee's mind. But Piper was the complete opposite of any other woman he had ever dated. Well, aside from being damn beautiful. She was spunky, disagreeable to the point of annoyance, and horribly opinionated. Not to mention the fact that she was as restless and jittery as a slinky that had just been kicked down a set of stairs. She didn't take crap from people, but also knew when to keep her mouth shut. Of course the only one she really shut her mouth around was Amelia…

And there was another enigma: Amelia. That woman went against almost everything Tony knew about women. But she was fierce when it came to protecting her friends. That was why he could understand why all of her friends looked to her for guidance. Tony had no doubt that if Amelia hadn't personally approved of both himself and McGee, Lexi and Piper would still be single.

Lexi was the one person in the whole bakery group that Tony understood. Lexi knew all too well what real loss was. Tony had a feeling that there was some big black mark on Amelia's past, but Lexi didn't hide the fact that she had a weak personality. Amelia put up a wall around her feelings. Lexi shot her emotions right in people's faces. Her blatant honesty was what made Tony like her so much. She freely admitted that she needed someone to take care of her. McGee was perfect for her in that he thrived on caring for other people. They complimented each other.

And there was the rub. McGee was so protective of Lexi's feelings, that he wasn't going to let anyone hurt Lexi, or anyone of her friends. He was so terrified that Tony would hurt Piper, and in turn, anger or hurt Lexi. At first, Tony thought McGee was just pissed that Tony finally found a girlfriend who was just as good as McGee's girlfriend. Suddenly, McGee's perfect Lexi, wasn't so unique anymore. But after tonight… After Piper was almost hurt, Tony's tunnel vision finally widened. This wasn't about jealousy, or I have something you don't have. This was really about McGee's fear and distrust. And Tony found himself almost resenting McGee for even considering the fact that he would ever hurt Piper.

He really was in love with her.

"You gonna stare at me all night?" Tony was so lost in thought that he didn't realize Piper was looking right at him.

"Well, you're nice to stare at." His sarcasm didn't fool Piper. He could see it on her face. "I was thinking about you."

"I hope so, seeing as how you were just looking right at me." She smiled and moved to unhook her seatbelt. She had her hand on the door handle when Tony stopped her.

"Wait… I…"

"What." She shifted so her back was against the door.

"I love you." His face was so serious that Piper zoned out for a second. "I love you, Piper."

"I love you, too."

Piper didn't remember getting out of the car. She didn't remember going up to her apartment. She had no idea how all of her clothes got on the floor. The only thing her mind registered, was Tony's warm body on top of her.

"I love you." Tony's whispers tickled her ears. "I love you, Piper."

"Tony." His mouth covered hers, muffling her own, 'I love you.' She put force into the kiss, letting him feel what she wanted to say. A million thoughts crossed her mind, each one more sappy than the last.

'This is how it feels. This is what all those horrible soapy love stories were trying to tell me. This is what love feels like.' She almost chided herself for such mushy thoughts.

Then Tony's mouth moved to her neck and she lost her ability to form coherent thoughts. She forgot about holding back and let her hands dig into his back. Instead of a grunt of pain, her bold movements only encouraged Tony. His hands grazed all her sacred places. He bit down on her shoulder and neck.

"Make love to me." She mewled. "Please, Tony, make love to me."

She felt his body go into overdrive. His muscles tensed and he wrapped himself tighter around her. His mind told him to go slowly. He wanted so much to pleasure her, to show her how much he loved her. But his body refused to cooperate. His movements were too quick and jerky. He entered her hard. She dug her fingernails into his hips as he rocked back and forth. He tried to slow down, but every time his body began to relax, she would squirm against him.

"Tony… Tony…" She was breathless and he knew she was close. His vision blurred when he came. At the same time, he felt her body clench and then relax. He rolled to her side and pulled her close. He nuzzled against her neck and kissed her. "What were you thinking about?" Her sudden question made him turn on his side to face her.

"I can't really think at all with your naked body squirming against me." He smirked at her.

"No, I mean, in the car. You had this look on your face. I've never seen it before."

I was thinking about how much I love you." Her face broke into a sappy grin. "I was also thinking about how much I'm amazed that Amelia hasn't completely lost her temper with all of us. With everything going on… And McGee being such an ass."

"She doesn't get mad… She's vindictive, but she's also creative. It's kinda dangerous, actually. I know she's got something in the works." Piper stopped herself before she said too much. "But I think it only involves Tim and Lexi. Tim is pissing her off more than anyone… I think."

"She likes me though, right?"

"She approves… Be happy with that." Piper snuggled closer to him. "And I definitely approve. I honestly never thought…"

"What?"

"You make me think mushy things." Tony's body shook with laughter.

"Well," he made himself stop laughing. "If you're being honest I guess I have to be too." He put a hand on her cheek. "You make me think about the future. Usually, I only think about how long it will be before things crash and burn. Or all I can think about is how I'm going to make a clean break of it. But with you… All I think about is the next time I'm gonna see you."

"So, in short, you think mushy thoughts too."

"Basically. But I thought my speech sounded prettier."

"They usually do. But I think you rehearse." Tony nodded. "But it was pretty."

"You're pretty."

"I'm sleepy."

"Go to sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."

"Kay…" She yawned. "But its your turn to make breakfast."

Tony smiled when she closed her eyes.

YES, THERE WILL BE MORE IN THIS SERIES!