The In-Betweens – Chapter 1 – The Night of VNM's Death
I feel like we've been cheated out of so many things this season so this story is my version of what happened in the betweens.
Disclaimer – I don't own anything except the story.
Brennan's POV
I've been awake the entire time. I can feel the exhaustion but I'm unable to sleep in spite of it. My mind won't rest, I keep thinking about what happened after I knocked on Booth's bedroom door. I didn't come expecting to have sex with Booth.
I came for understanding; I came for an explanation of what Vincent's dying words meant. Or Booth's interpretation of them. Because the only thing I could surmise from Vincent saying repeatedly "don't make me leave" was that he thought I was making him go. What kind of person does everyone think I am? Obviously everyone truly believes me to be the "Ice Queen" as I have been called so many times before. Is that really who I am? Did Booth find me cold and unfeeling?
That is what I wanted when I knocked on his door. Not the incredibly sweet, incredibly gentle, incredibly mind blowing (metaphorically speaking of course) experience that I had with him. I knew we were compatible. I knew the experience would be very satisfying. I knew when he told me about breaking the laws of physics he was being metaphoric but that with Booth and me it would be true nonetheless. At this moment, lying in his arms, the only thing I can think is what happens now?
Booth's POV
I should be sleeping. My body should be resting because I have a sniper to apprehend tomorrow. Justice is screaming to be heard. Vincent shouldn't have died. He shouldn't have died and we shouldn't be where we are now. Bones shouldn't be in my bed, in my arms. Even though it was an experience like I've never had before. Just like I knew it would be between us, a miracle. We shouldn't have taken this step, no, not a step, a leap. Not now, not yet. We weren't ready. There is still so much to be worked out. My mind keeps repeating that. It refuses to be quiet to let me sleep.
I know she isn't asleep. I know because I can tell her mind is working as feverishly as mine. I've always been able to tell that about her. Is she thinking the same things I am? Does she too feel that we moved too fast? Please God, as much as I know it was not our moment, don't let her run away, as she has done so many times in the past. As I lay there with her in my arms my mind asks the same question over and over, what happens now?
They both lay there as still as possible. Neither wanting to move, risking the explosion of questions or even embarrassment they were both afraid the other would feel. It was 5:30 and time to get up. They each had a very busy day ahead of them. She, preparing the transport of Vincent's remains back to England, and him, catching a sniper. Brennan rolled out of bed never looking at Booth. She didn't speak and neither did he.
She grabbed the clothes she had been wearing the previous night and threw them on quickly before turning to look at Booth.
"Booth….can….can I use your bathroom?"
"Sure Bones…go ahead. I'll make some coffee." He reached for his clothes never looking at her.
"Ok. Thanks." She turned to rush to the bathroom.
Booth watched as she disappeared behind the bathroom door. He worried how they would get past this awkwardness as he headed to the kitchen.
Once she was showered and dressed she walked into the kitchen where Booth was pouring two cups of coffee. She accepted the one he held out to her with a smile and "Thanks."
"Are you…..Bones…..if you're finished in the bathroom, I'll get cleaned up and ready to go myself."
"Yes, I'm finished. I'm going to head on into the lab." she gathered her purse and headed toward the door.
"If you wait I can drive you. You don't have a car remember?" He asked, both with hope and apprehension.
"No Booth, its fine. I've already called a cab. So, I'll talk to you later?" She asked, hand on the door knob.
"Yeah sure, later." He watched as she exited the door and softly closed it behind her. Shaking his head he headed to the bathroom.