A/N: This was the first multi-chap I posted to ff and I was a newbie and didn't realize I should split up the chaps. So, long story short, I am re-posting it to do that. I apologize in advance to those who have me on author alert—I'm about to do this to my first three fics, so you're gonna get a bunch of alerts. Please don't shoot me!

Meant To Be?

Chapter 1

Booth made a third circuit around Brennan's block, not because there were no parking spots, but because he was trying to work out exactly what he was going to say to her. He'd been awake a good part of last night thinking about it, had it all scripted in his mind, until he actually got in his SUV to go to her apartment. Then all the logical arguments flew out the window and he was back to the only thing he really wanted to say: I love you.

Oh, hell, just do it, Booth! What's the worst that could happen? She could kick you out and never talk to you again. She wouldn't do that--Bones would never do that.

This has to stop, he decided and pulled into a spot in front of her building, cutting the engine and getting out before he could change his mind. One way or the other, he needed to get it off his chest before it drove him crazy. He wasn't sleeping well or eating well and he was having a hard time concentrating at work.

He rang her doorbell and stood waiting, sheer strength of will keeping him from bolting. Then the door opened and she was standing there looking at him with a quizzical look on her face. For a moment he was speechless and then he remembered the excuse he had for coming to her apartment at 8 on a Friday night.

"You dropped your cell phone in my car," he managed, pulling the phone from his jacket pocket and handing it to her. She smiled and put it in her pocket, opening the door wider.

"Thanks for bringing it by. I wondered what happened to it. You want to come in? Have a drink?"

Booth smiled. "Sure. Sounds great. Got a beer?" He stepped into her living room and looked around, thankful that she was alone. There was a book opened and turned face down on a throw at one end of the sofa. A cup of tea sat on the coffee table in easy reach.

Booth took the beer she offered and sat down at the other end of the couch. Brennan sat with a leg drawn up under her and picked up her tea. There was an awkward pause as Booth tried to gather his thoughts. Brennan spoke first.

"I finished analysis of the remains we recovered in that warehouse this morning. I'll macerate the skeleton tomorrow so I can see if there is any evidence of the weapon used--"

"I didn't come here to discuss the case," Booth said. "I came here to talk about us."

A line formed between Bones' brows. "What do you mean?"

Booth took a deep breath, looked down at his hands and finally looked into her lovely eyes. "Have you ever thought about you and me, maybe, you know..." he looked away, took a deep breath and blew it out. "Wow, this is hard. Bones, I think we should consider dating. There, I said it."

Brennan still looked puzzled. "Each other? But Booth, what about what you said about not crossing the line with people you work with? I like working cases with you." Good, he thought, hopeful, she hadn't said no yet.

Booth fought the urge to move closer to her. With Bones it was best to keep a certain distance at this point. He was afraid if he was close enough to touch her, the conversation would be over, and he really needed to say his piece.

"I know what I said, but the sessions I've had with Dr Wyatt have made me realize a few things. Cam being poisoned didn't necessarily happen because she and I were involved. And the fact that we haven't been involved romantically hasn't kept you safe. I mean, you were buried alive! You've been shot at and Kenton nearly killed you."

Bones shook her head stubbornly. "If we get involved, you'll take risks for me--"

"I take risks for you NOW--don't you know there's nothing I wouldn't do to keep you safe, to save your life if someone is threatening you?" Against his better judgment, Booth moved closer to her, his eyes holding hers. "I even threatened a gang leader to drop the contract he put out on you. There is NOTHING I wouldn't do for you, Temperance."

Brennan searched his face, her heart racing at the love she found in his warm brown eyes. She finally looked away, closing her eyes and trying to bring order to her scattered thoughts. Was Booth really asking her to let him in? She had a hard time letting people get close--it hurt so much when they left her. It was so much easier if they stayed at arm's length. She had few close friends. As for lovers, satisfying biological urges was one thing. But she knew that wasn't what Booth wanted. A man like Booth wanted body and soul commitment.

"Seeley, I don't know if I can give you what you want. I date some and I have several partners I can call when I have biological needs. But what you want is more..." Brennan stopped, at a loss.

"Yes, I do want more. Haven't you felt it? Don't you ever wonder what we could be like?" Booth touched her shoulder and leaned closer. "I think we should give us a chance."

Brennan couldn't breathe, his face was so close and all she wanted to do was move the few inches it would take to meet his lips. Fear held her back. Then suddenly Booth's lips were softly touching hers and she found herself responding. His mouth tenderly explored hers and she sighed, slipping her arms up around his neck, pulling him closer.

Booth's heart was thundering at the feel of her in his arms at last. She felt so good, so right, unlike any other woman he'd ever known. Maybe now--

Brennan's senses were reeling. Booth smelled so good and she felt so safe cradled against his chest. The man really knew how to kiss, too. But this was Booth. What if things got awkward? How was she going to handle it if six months down the road he didn't want her any more? She loved working cases with Booth. She didn't want that to change.

Placing her hands on his chest she gently pushed. It took Booth a moment to realize her mood had changed. He moved away from her a little, but kept his arm around her shoulders.

Brennan got up and started pacing, trying to calm her pounding heart. Booth's arm dropped to his side and he watched her, wondering what was going through that brilliant mind of hers. He didn't have to wonder long.

"This is crazy! We can't do this. I mean, we WORK together! This isn't going to work! I don't know how to do this and how to be around you at work and oh, god, can't we just forget this ever happened?" She stopped and pinned him with an accusing stare. "This is your fault! If you hadn't...and we hadn't...oh, you need to go!" She punctuated her demand by lifting her right arm and pointing at the door firmly.

Booth rolled to his feet and stepped close to her. His voice was intimate and deep with emotion and barely contained frustration. "Don't think for a second that I don't know how much you enjoyed that. But I'm a patient man and I realize you need some time to deal with all this. I'm going to give you that time. But we'll be talking about this again...very soon." Stroking her cheek, he rubbed his thumb over her lower lip, dropping his eyes to follow the movement. It was obvious he was sorely tempted to kiss her again, but he just smiled and turned away. "See ya Monday," he said over his shoulder, and then he was gone.

Brennan dropped to the couch and put her head in her hands. What am I going to do now? she thought miserably. This was going to ruin everything.