A/N: Alright, I haven't wrote a Bones fic by myself in a long time, but the bestie demanded a post-ep
Dedication: Lily, ya better like it.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
"It was good to see you, Dr. Brennan." Chef Gordon Gordon Wyatt gave the good doctor a smile and shook Agent Booth's hand.
"You too, Chef." The corners of her mouth turned up slightly.
"C'mon, Bones, I'll drive ya home." Booth offered, his hand finding it's usual place on the small of her back.
"I... drove myself, Booth." Brennan offered a meek smile.
"Well, then I'll walk you to your car. Chivalry isn't dead, Bones." Booth opened the door to the restaurant and ushered her through.
"Chivalry can't die." She corrected him as they meandered down the sidewalk to her car, "It's a tradition, an archaic one at that, but it's not capable of death."
"Two steps forward, five steps back." Booth muttered under his breath, "It was an expression, Bones."
"Oh..." Her mouth formed a perfect 'o', "I knew that."
"Right." Booth shook his head and opened the driver's side door, "Drive safe, Bones. I'll see you in the morning."
At that moment, Brennan found herself not ready to say goodbye. They had been having a good evening and the night was still young. As she slid into the car, she glanced up at Booth, "Hey, Booth.."
"Yeah, Bones?" He smiled down at her.
"You want to come over for some tea?" She offered.
"Tea?"
"Well... you could have coffee, but generally after seven pm it's not good for the body to intake caffeine because it releases chemicals that-"
"-Tea would be great, Bones." Booth chuckled, "I'll follow you back to your place."
"Okay." Brennan nodded slowly, "I'll see you there." She smiled at him as he slowly closed her door. He stared at her through the darkened window for a moment before turning on the heel of his shoes and heading back to his SUV.
Booth climbed in the driver's seat of the SUV and backed out of the parking space. He followed Brennan from the parking lot towards her apartment. He tapped out a rhythm on the steering wheel as he tried to recall Dr. Wyatt's instructions about patience. This was a step, a step that Bones was making, and he hadn't had to do anything besides be there.
As he parked in the space next to hers and he met her at the bumper, he came to a realization. His hand slipped around her shoulder and protected her from the cold fall winds when it dawned. Like when he ran the four-by-four in track, he had carried them for the first stint and now he was handing her the baton. She was setting the pace for them and he was cheering her on.
"I'm glad you're here, Booth." She whispered as she opened the door and let him in.
"Me too, Bones." He smiled and followed her lead, "I wouldn't be anywhere else."