Just As You Are

Summary: Cullen's Bullpen for March, movie scene oneshot. Happily stolen from "Bridget Jones' Diary," wherein Mark Darcy follows Bridget when she leaves after dinner with the "smug marrieds." If you haven't seen the movie, don't worry, the story still makes sense (though I HIGHLY recommend watching it b/c Colin Firth is one foxy Brit).
Rating: K+. Ish.
Disclaimer: Much as I love them, they earn me nothing.

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Dinner had been less fun than usual. Booth sighed as he pulled on his coat and prepared to brave the rainy night outside Wong Foo's. The squints were normally a fun crowd, but tonight he'd just felt like the odd man out on a triple date. Cam hadn't been there, but Angela had Hodgins, Bones had Sully, and even Zach had managed to scrounge up a female willing to sit near him in public. It was worse than high school. After taking a few of what Sully seemed to think were good natured jabs at his singleness, since nobody else was really talking to him, Booth had decided to cut his losses, call it a night, and go home. There was no reason to stay. He didn't come to Wong Foo's with the group as much now; for some reason, he felt out of place. As though Sully was calmly taking his spot in their circle. It was dumb, but he just didn't want to anymore.

"You're leaving already?"

Brennan's quiet voice stopped him. She had left the group and was standing before him now, watching him, arms folded. God, she was beautiful.

He shrugged off-handedly. "No reason to stay. I don't want to be in anyone's way."

"That makes no sense," she puzzled, frowning. "You're always welcome with us. You know that."

He looked back at their table, seeing the others laughing easily. Sully had apparently just told a great joke. "I don't think anyone's gonna miss me. You guys are pretty set as it is."

"Of course we miss you when you're not here."

"Well, you don't miss me."

"Why wouldn't I miss you? I enjoy your company. I like you, Booth."

He snorted. "Right. Apart from the alpha male behavior, and the low IQ, and the lack of scientific knowledge, and the assumptions I make during cases – and of course, the over-protectiveness –"

"No, I mean, I like you. The way you are."

Her eyes were clear and frank and honest as she looked at him, reaching out one hand. A peace offering? He took it, squeezing it gently before letting it go, trying to figure out what to say.

"Tempe? Tempe! There you are. We thought you'd vanished on us." Sully's voice, bright and cheerful, cut through the peaceful moment. She half-turned, telling him she'd be right there, before returning her attention to Booth.

"I should – probably – " with an apologetic shrug, she glanced back at the table. Booth smiled. He didn't mean to keep her away.

"That's fine. I was just going." Pulling out his keys, Booth gave her a last look. "Absit invidia, Bones." He'd looked it up. It seemed like the right thing to say.

She smiled. Only Booth. "Gratis tibi."

And he left.

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Author's Note: This was slapped together madly in half an hour. I did change a few unimportant things, and invent some different dialogue to make it flow, but OMG I love this bit in Bridget Jones.

And I promise Striped Socks is soon to be updated. I'm taking a brief pause just to write this, and after tonight's ep I hope to find some new inspiration.

Please review!