Title: Secrets (1/?)
Characters: Brennan, Booth, Booth/Brennan
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Not mine
Spoilers: Season 5, specifically, Foot in the Foreclosure & a little bit Bond in the Boot
Summary: They said they don't have secrets from each other, but that's not really true.
Don't be afraid
Hank's words played over and over in her head, like some sort of weird recording put on repeat.
She is an expert martial artist and a very proficient marksman, what does she have to be afraid of?
"Bones, hey, are you even listening to me?"
Oh, right... him.
She pulls herself back to reality, back to the Sequoia they're driving in, back to him.
"Sorry, Booth. I was just thinking about Hank. Do you think he'll use the pill box I got him? You got him the 90 day supply of all his medications, right? I don't want him to run out again..."
She's rambling, that's what happens when she gets nervous.
"Bones, slow down. Pops'll be fine. He's in a great retirement community, and contrary to what he says, all of the nurses and orderlies are great. Besides, I've already set up some dominoes dates with him for the next couple of weeks to check up on him."
Of course he has, Booth may not be as intelligent as she is, but he's not stupid.
"Can I come with you? You know, to visit him and play dominoes? Hank taught me, and I must say I am quite adept at the game."
"Of course you can come, why do you think I'm telling you?"
She looks at him slightly surprised, "Well, you tell me everything... remember, no secrets."
He looks sideways at her, and takes a moment before answering her. "Riiight... about that 'no secrets' thing. I think you're holding out on me, Bones."
She snaps her head around to look at him, it's almost cartoonish and he chuckles, that just makes her more aghast, "Wha... no I haven't been! You know I tell you everything, Booth. Even when it makes you uncomfortable. That's an unfair accusation!"
"Really, Bones?" He has a dangerous tone in his voice, like he's about to trump her "What did Pops say to you when we were saying goodbye?"
She narrows her eyes, pausing to collect her thoughts, "I told you - he was just saying goodbye... besides that's not any of your business. It was a private moment between Hank and myself."
He scoffs at her, "Since when have private moments ever been kept a secret? You tell me every salacious detail of your sex life, but you won't tell me what my own grandfather said to you?"
He looks at her skeptically, she looks like she's been caught for just a moment, then furrows her brow and shoots back, "Well, what did Hank say to you?! I may not be as adept at reading people as you are, but I'm confident that you and Hank exchanged more than just pleasantries and 'be a good boy.' Who's keeping secrets now?"
She looks at him matter of factly, and he is stunned for a moment. Then he bursts out laughing. It's a great sound. She's always enjoyed the sound of his laughter, so exuberant and unabashed. It always makes her smile, even when she's trying to look stern with him.
"Alright, you got me there, Bones. But, wow, I'm impressed with that one too. First you try using your gut on the case... now you're trying your hand at reading people. Guess I'm finally starting to rub off on you."
She gives him a small smile, "yes, that's true... but Booth, I'm not keeping any secrets from you... not really. I will tell you what Hank and I discussed eventually, but I'm not sure either of us are ready for that conversation yet."
He looks at her, startled, "Woah, Bones, way to get all heavy on me. Is everything OK? Are you alright? Are you sick? Is it Pops? Is he sick? Do I need to go back and get him?!"
She winces at his reaction, she didn't mean to cause him any sort of distress, "No, Booth, everything his fine. It's just, well, it appears you're not the only Booth who reads people well. Hank made some... observations in his time with us... and he made me privy to some details. This particular moment does not seem appropriate to divulge any of the information he shared with me, but I promise in time I will tell you everything."
He does not like this, the scientific way she spoke to him, or her answer in general. She can tell by the look on his face, Parker gets the same one when he doesn't get his way.
"Fine... but how much time are we talking about here?"
"Booth."
"Ugh, alright, but I really don't like that you and Pops were talking behind my back."
She's irritated now, "It wasn't behind your back! It was a private conversation between me and Hank. I will tell you all about it, but right now neither of us are in the right mental state to process all the information, so stop pouting."
He looks warily at her and opens his mouth to speak, but she shoots him a look and he shuts it. He knows what's good for him and what isn't.
"Hank taught me how to make grilled cheese, do you want to come over for dinner tonight?"
He sighs, "Yeah, grilled cheese would be great."
They just finished dinner and are in her kitchen cleaning up. She stops drying for a moment and looks curiously at him.
"You know, Booth you never told me what Hank said to you. You deflected my question because you were surprised at how well I read you and your grandfather back at the nursing home."
Booth continues to wash the dishes but considers her for a beat, "First of all, it's a retirement community, and you're right, Bones. I didn't answer your question, but if you're going to wait to tell me what Pops said, I'm gonna wait to tell you. Give you a taste of your own medicine."
Her jaw drops, and she's not happy with the answer, "Come on, Booth. That's not fair! My reasoning for not telling you what Hank and I discussed is completely rational. You're just being childish and mean."
He shakes his head, "Nope, Bones, I agree with you. I don't think you're ready to hear what Pops told me."
She's livid, "You can't use my own argument against me! You have to form your own rationally, and counter mine! You're not being fair!"
He chuckles, "Sorry Bones, not gonna work. The only way I'll tell you what Pops said is if you tell me first. Otherwise, you'll just have to wait it out."
He smirks at her, one of those 'you know you can't win this one and it's killing you' smirks. The kind that infuriate her. But she's got a plan, if he's going to wait her out, she'll just beat him at his own game.
"Fine Booth, have it your way." She grabs his arm and leads him to the door. "Since neither of us are going to give up our secrets, and it seems to be all we can talk about, you should probably just leave. Don't worry about the dishes, I'll finish them up. Thanks for coming over for dinner, and thank you for your candor. I guess I'll see you tomorrow if we have a case. Have a good night."
And with that she pushed him out the door. He's left standing there, open mouthed and alone, staring at her closed door.
TBC.