A/N: Here's my first Bones fic. I wasn't even meaning to write one, but the idea just sort of sprung into something that I could make into a Booth/Brennan fic. :) Constructive criticism would be great, seeing as I'm completely inexperienced in this fandom.

Disclaimer: Not mine. I don't need any more responsibility.

--

After months of painstakingly keeping his distance from her, he finally broke down and took a chance.

He knew that the feeling in his gut would never go away if he didn't just get it over with and lay everything out on the table. So one evening, just as she was about to leave, he stopped her with a hand on her arm.

After she turned to look him in the eye, he'd asked her, trying to cover up the shakiness of his voice, if she would be so kind as to join him for dinner sometime.

The shock on her face was evident. She blinked a few times, obviously at a loss for words.

But after composing herself, she politely declined his offer, and left, only glancing back to give him an apologetic smile.

She hadn't really meant to hurt him. But she'd rather have a few months of awkward silence than the possible permanent end to their platonic relationship that could occur had she chosen to take him up on his request.

He watched her walk away.

He'd never felt this before.

Throughout his life, he'd gotten what he wanted – who he wanted – using his charm and good looks.

But this was the first time a woman had ever been able to say no to him.

For the first time, he'd fallen for someone stubborn, someone who looked past the surface and never judged a book solely by its cover.

Because of this, he was now on the opposite side of the spectrum.

He had to work to please her. He had to try to impress her.

Not the other way around.

He chastised himself inwardly. Why couldn't he have fallen for his usual type? The gorgeous-yet-dumb, pretty-yet-dull women that always seemed to come at him in flocks whenever he entered a room.

He chuckled bitterly to himself. He could answer that question for himself.

Because despite how easily achievable their hearts were, he was tired of their lack of intelligence.

He couldn't help but smile at the irony of his situation. This epiphany had sprung from the one thing he'd always avoided most:

Rejection.

--

End

Please, please review!