Wren stared at the FBI agent sitting across the table from him. "You want me to become an agent?"

The man who had introduced himself as Oscar, nodded. "Hiring Callihan was one of the best decisions we have ever made. He understood the world we are trying to end better than most. You have even more skill than he did. The pay would be great and you would be helping your country."

Wren grappled with the proposition just offered him. Oscar pressed him further. "Callihan always kept an eye out for you, you know? The reason you didn't become a suspect when the hospital was attacked, was because of him. Did you know that?"

Wren blinked, his heart grieving as he listened. "I didn't."

"Well, with your record, you were at the top of the suspect's list. He intervened on your behalf, just like he did the night of his death. When it came to you, he didn't think straight. He realized you were in danger and ran to your rescue all alone. He was ordered to stand down and wait for a strike team, but his last words were, There's no time. I think Callihan would be very happy to know it was you that took his place."

Wren locked gazes with the agent, touched and troubled. "I would need some time to think about it," He said, finally," but even if I wanted to, I am bound to work for Tony Kingsley for another eight months or so."

Oscar raised his hands in a conciliatory manner. "There is no hurry. These gangs and human trafficking aren't going anywhere. Think it over, and contact me when you have decided."

Wren took the business card handed him. "I'll do that."

Twenty minutes later he was grateful to step into the sun's warm rays. He guessed it was past noon by the sun's positioning and wasted no time in hurrying to the red jeep waiting for him.

"That didn't take long," Dean grinned at him from the driver's seat.

"Nope. Thanks for waiting. I wasn't anxious to pay for a Taxi or wait for one."

"My pleasure. Besides, I'm looking forward to getting that mansion tour you promised."

Wren chuckled, already feeling lighter in the boy's presence. He enjoyed the wind blasting him from the open vehicle as they drove out of town. Dean didn't try to strike a conversation either which only made him appreciate the young man even more.

Finally, they pulled into the mansion's gates and stopped in front of the steps. Dean shut off the engine, turning to Wren with a grin. "Do you think Leah missed me?"

Not able to help himself, Wren laughed loudly. "I think you are hoping for too much!"

"I bet you're right."

The two made their way into the mansion where Wren instantly searched for his ward. Instead, his gaze found Fiona's as she walked slowly down the mansion's steps. She smiled with genuine pleasure at them.

"Who is this young man?" She asked in a kind manner as she reached the floor level.

"Fiona, meet Dean. Dean meet Fiona. I met him the night Leah disappeared. He helped me find her."

"Oh?" Fiona turned to him with surprise. "Then, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, young man."

Wren cocked a curious brow when he turned to see Dean not only gaping wide-eyed at the maid but also blushing a vibrant color. Fiona acted as if she didn't notice as she turned to Wren. "Tony is asking for you. It seems urgent. Also, Leah went to the rose garden and asked me to tell you to come when you were through."

Slowly, Wren's grin slipped. He had wondered if his boss would have doubts after all that had transpired and now tension stiffened his shoulders. "Sounds good. Do you mind seeing if Hilda will give Dean a grand tour? I kind of promised him one."

"Of course." She smiled brightly, but understanding passed between butler and maid.

Feet heavy, Wren mounted the winding staircase, looking to Leah's door out of habit but turning in the opposite direction when he reached the top. The office wasn't far down the hallway and all too soon, he rapped on the wood.

"Come in."

Stepping into the large room, Wren walked the distance, stopping in front of the desk. Tony watched him with a sobriety that only increased his nervousness and the silence draping between them made things almost unbearable.

"Do you know why I came home?" Tony said. He sounded so serious, Wren wondered if someone else had died.

"To check on your daughter after the attack, Sir."

"That was my cover for returning. It worked as a valid excuse to get away from Mr. Queen too, but it wasn't my reason."

"What was your reason?"

Tony sighed. "To check on you. I wanted to see if you were abiding by the terms of our agreement because according to Charles, you weren't."

Wren tensed further and dropped his gaze, unable to look at his benefactor.

"Have you abode by our agreement, Wren?"

Clenching his fists that were crossed behind his back, Wren released a shaky breath before forcing himself to meet Tony's firm gaze. "I kissed your daughter."

Tony blinked but otherwise remained stoic. "I see. And did she return it?"

"Um..." Wren hesitated, " She, uh, kissed me first, Sir. I lost control for a moment. I'm sorry."

Again silence. "Do you love her?"

Wren didn't hesitate. "More than my own life."

"Have you told her?"

"Not in so many words, Sir, but I think she knows."

"Then I insist you find her and tell her now."

Wren paused as Tony's words penetrated his frightened mind before he once again lifted his stunned gaze to gape at the man. "Excuse me? I don't think I heard you right."

Tony smiled then, his eyes dancing with amusement. "I think you did hear me."

Hope and beginning spirals of joy surged but still, Wren pushed them down, wondering if he was dreaming. "I don't understand. I thought you were against me. I -"

Tony raised a hand, sobering again. "Wren, you faced your greatest fears... your greatest enemies, for my daughter. And, I'm not blind. She loves you. I've decided I'm done controlling her. If she chooses you, then I will choose you as well. If she rejects you, then I will reject you."

Wren knees suddenly felt weak. "Are you serious? Because I don't appreciate this if you are joking."

"I'm not joking. However, I would appreciate you staying as her butler and finishing the year. During the week I would like you to maintain a certain level of professionalism, but I would allow dating on the weekends. Does that sound fair?"

Slowly, a broad smile spread over the butler's face and to Tony's absolute dismay, tears surfaced.

"If you cry, so help me, I will change my mind," Tony growled.

Laughing, Wren dabbed one escaped tear and shook his head as if to snap himself together. "I'm sorry. I'm just a bit overwhelmed."

"Well, go be overwhelmed somewhere else!"

Wren laughed again, bowing at the waist before popping up straight as he realized how silly that appeared. He started to extend a hand to shake Tony's but withdrew it as well. How on earth did someone thank a father for letting him date his daughter?

"Just go." Tony rolled his eyes and Wren needed no other promptings. As soon as the office door shut, his fists pumped the air and he released a whispered shout. "Yes! Yes! Yes! Thank you, God!"

He whirled to run down the hall but froze as he came face to face with Hilda and Dean. Both stared at him as if he was losing all sanity.

"You okay there, Dude?" Dean said, eyeing him.

Releasing a quick breath, Wren grinned. "Better than okay. I need to go somewhere but I'll catch up with you later. Okay?"

"Yeah, Sure."

Wren's feet couldn't move quick enough as he dashed down the staircase, out the door, and around the mansion. He finally stopped when he came to the Rose Garden's white picket fence. He smoothed his hair and adjusted his shirt, all the while his eyes on the girl he loved. She sat on their bench, staring into the distance as if in deep thought. So much so, she didn't even notice him until he spoke.

"You called, Princess."

She twisted sharply and he savored the way her face ignited with joy upon seeing him. "Wren! I'm so glad you are back. Did the visit with the police go well?"

Wren didn't really want to talk about the police. He wanted to hold her, touch her, finger her golden hair, kiss her lips. But, he shrugged and nodded. "The FBI wants to hire me to hunt gangsters."

Her blue eyes rounded. "What? You can't! I need you here!"

Wren chuckled and moved to sit beside her. Unlike the other times when they sat together, he purposely sat close to her so that their legs brushed. Perhaps if she didn't seem so alarmed, she would have noticed.

"I didn't say I was going now. Stop worrying."

She breathed in relief. "Oh good. I thought you were going to leave me."

Wren smiled, his mind still not really on their conversation. One hand reached out to remove a strand of hair stuck to her lips. This time her eyes widened for a different reason as she suddenly became aware of their closeness. When Wren didn't release the strand but started twirling it around his fingers, she blushed. His smiled widened.

"So what do you need me for? I'd like to hear it."

She blinked. "What?"

"You said you need me. I'd like to hear every tiny reason why you need me. If that's okay."

Her lips parted when he wound the fingers of his free hand through hers and her chest rose and fell. "Its - just - I - I want to," She swallowed hard, dropping her gaze to glance at their linked hands. Her gaze filled with questions when she looked back to him. Wren realized what she needed to say must be important as she seemed reluctant to give it up despite the romantic tension hanging between them. "I want to find my mother."

Surprise jolted Wren. "Really?"

"I think my father is lying to me, but I will never know unless I find her. Will up help me?"

Wren pondered the question before smiling softly. "I can't deny you anything, Princess. Of course, I will."

Her eyes melted to pools of blue ocean water and Wren could resist no longer. Releasing the strand of hair, he slid his hand to her neck and lowered his head. He could have sworn she stopped breathing altogether, but her hand suddenly appeared, blocking her pink inviting lips from his.

"Wren, my father..." She cast a furtive glance to the mansion, looking in that moment more adorable than ever to the butler.

"Let him watch," He murmured. Gently, he pulled her hand away and pressed his mouth to hers. He kissed her with tenderness at first, waiting for her to relax against him. He wasn't disappointed for her entire body melted, molding against his and her hand that had just blocked his kiss wound its way up his chest, then to his neck, pulling him closer. When her fingers found the base of his hairline, he groaned as pleasure burst through him. He sensed she shared his desires and boldly moved his lips with passion. All the restraints he had held himself back with broke as he pulled her closer. Her heart beat melded with his and he smiled against her lips when she sighed with contentment. It was only when the urge to do so much more surfaced, did he pull away, slowly and reluctantly, but knowing it to be necessary.

Resting his forehead against hers, he listened to their deep breathing. Her heartbeat slapped against his palm from where it rested on her neck and he knew she wanted him as much as he wanted her.

"I don't think we should kiss like that very often," She finally murmured and Wren breathed a laugh before pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

"I think you might be right," He sobered some, pulling back to look her in the eye. "I love you, Leah Kingsley. Do you know that?"

Immediately, she burst into tears. "Do you know how long I have wanted to hear you say that?"

Emotion tightening his throat, he pulled her to his chest, stroking her hair with one hand. Her shoulders shook as she cried though he knew they were tears of joy. "I'm sorry I couldn't tell you sooner, Princess. I had to keep my promise."

"But - But... w- what about now? Didn't you break your promise?" She sniffed.

"Would you believe me if I told you he gave us permission to be together?"

Slowly, she pulled herself to sit upright and searched his face for signs of teasing. But she didn't find it and hope reflected in the heiress. "For real?"

Wren smiled softly, reaching to stroke his thumb down her dampened cheek. "For real. I'm not ever leaving you, Princess. That's my promise to you and I'll keep it. No matter what."

Her lips trembled but she smiled. Brightly. Beautifully. Then, she squealed as he knew she would and threw herself at him so hard, he had to grab the bench's back to keep from falling. Laughing gaily, she pulled back and planted her own kiss on Wren's eager lips.

One more kiss wouldn't hurt.