Title: Vegas Luck

Author: Lifeguard

Rating: T

Disclaimer: I only wish I owned "Bones," but I don't, so c'est la vie.

Spoilers: "The Woman in the Sand" (episode 208)

Summary: This is my alternate plot/ending to 208, and what would have happened if Joe Nolan had not given B&B the information they needed. What if Booth had to fight again, but didn't want to? Will Brennan's beginner's luck run out? And what else happened in Vegas on that case?

Author's Note: This was just an idea that my muse smacked me in the head with, and it took me awhile to try to work it into the episode, and work out the possible plot holes that might arise. Let me know what you think, reviews are always more than welcome.

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As Booth and Brennan, otherwise known as Tony and Roxie, exited the fight club with Nolan, she noticed the former boxer was scratching his arm and inquired about it, after whispering the relevance to Booth.

"None of your business," Nolan spit back at her, "Now if I was you, I would high tail it back to your hotel room and wait for the next call. And don't be causing any more trouble or it's my neck on the line, I've already got to many strikes against me."

Brennan glanced at Booth, wondering if he would question the boxer any more. Booth's eyes told her that they shouldn't push Joe any further tonight. He escorted the two to their vehicle and as Booth got in, he glared into the FBI agent's eyes,

"I'm warning you Army. Don't do anything stupid like try and skip town, cause they'll find out, and we'll all be in for it. Understand?"

"I got it."

Booth pulled the car away, leaving Nolan behind them. He drove in silence for a few minutes until Brennan spoke,

"What now Booth?"

"Nolan's protecting someone, he knows things, I'm sure. We've just got to get him to talk."

"Does that mean you have to fight again?" she asked, taking in the blood on his shirt and how tenderly he moved his arms.

"I hope not. I'm going back to the gym tomorrow to try and talk my way out of it."

"But we know what these guys are capable of if someone displeases them. What happens if they decide to take a baseball bat to you?"
"Then we know who murdered Billie right? Besides, I won't let them get that far. Give me a little credit Bones, I did take down that monster tonight," he smirked at her.

"With my help," she shot back.

Booth scoffed, and pulled out his cell phone. He dialled Walt's number and let him in on his new theory and plan.

Back at the hotel, Booth removed his shirt, tossing the bloody garment into the garbage. He grabbed a wash cloth and turned on the cold water, running it underneath it. Squeezing the excess water out, he began to wash his arms. Brennan, who was rubbing her feet from her night in heels, heard him wince, and saw how he struggled to reach his shoulders, obviously in pain from his fight. He placed his fists palm down on the counter, sighing in frustration. He abandoned the wash cloth for the ice pack, opting to press it against his face, and headed over to sit on the bed. She walked to the bathroom, and re-rinsed the wash cloth in cold water. Silently, she joined him on the bed, and gently began to clean his wounds.

"Thanks," he mumbled to her, as she rubbed a spot on his shoulder.

"Tell me if I'm hurting you."

He nodded, "Hey, you never told me the other reason why you bet on me."

She blushed a little, looking away from him, "It's silly."

"Aw come on Bones, try me," he gave her his charm smile.

"Beginner's luck. I haven't lost at anything since I've been here. So I figured if I bet on you-"
"I couldn't loose."

"Sounds silly, right?"
"No, sounds familiar. Thanks."

She smiled again and dabbed at a spot on his face with the cloth. His eyes closed and he turned away from her a bit.

"Did I hurt you?"

"No, it just stings a little. I'll be ok."

She reached out and guided his chin back to her, tilting his head down slightly. Pursing her lips, she lightly blew on his cheek bone where she had just cleaned his cut.

"Better?" she whispered, "My mom used to do that to take the sting away."

His chocolate brown eyes met her blue ones, "Much…" he replied, his voice low.

Brennan moved to the cut near his hair line, washing it gently, then blowing on it. As she did so, Booth couldn't help but take in her scent, his nose being so close to her neck. She smelled like vanilla, and he exhaled, trying to keep his emotions in check. She had been driving him crazy through the whole case; the way she walked and talked when she played Roxie, the way her red lips called to him, but mainly how she looked in that black dress was what drove him wild. When she brought her head back down, he couldn't help himself anymore. Reaching out, he placed his hand on her neck and jaw line, drawing her face towards his, and capturing her mouth with his lips.

The kiss was short but sensual, and she didn't pull away like he had expected her too. When they broke apart, she sat stunned, staring at him, her lips still parted. He searched her eyes, willing her to speak. Instead, she brought her fingers to her lips, lightly placing them there, as if feeling her swollen, warm lips would make what had just happened more real.

He mentally kicked himself for kissing her, realizing he had crossed that invisible line, and gone where he wanted to go but never should have. She probably hated him.

"Bones…I'm, I'm sorry…" he lowered his eyes.

He expected her to leave him, but she didn't. Instead, she took his hand, and moved closer to him. She lowered her head to his, and breathed ever so lightly on his lips before kissing them lightly.

"Don't be…" she murmured.

He kissed her back and then let himself go.

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In his dream, she was straddling him, wearing nothing but a black lacy bra, her hair hanging freely around her face. When he opened his eyes to the sunbeams in the room, he realized that his dream had become reality the previous night. His arm was draped over her abdomen as she lay sleeping, her body spooning against his. He noticed the black lacy bra lying a few feet away on the floor. Booth smiled, relishing her being in his arms, basking in the afterglow.

Yet he couldn't stay in his bliss for long. As the sun crept into the room, thoughts crept into his head. What had last night meant, if anything? What would happen to them? To their partnership, to their friendship? Would this come between them?

But she hadn't run, hadn't left him yet. Booth knew his partner, knew that she would run if she felt scared, unsure. Maybe she just hadn't had the chance yet. He squeezed his eyes shut at the various negative possibilities, willing himself to go back to the night, to when she was his, and to remember that as she lay in his arms, she was still his, if only for a little while more.

As Brennan slowly awoke, she was aware of someone else's heart beat behind her, someone else breathing steadily, and someone else holding her in strong arms. His arms. Last night. It hit her then, what had happened, what she had let happen the night before. She wondered if he was awake, if she would be able to slip out unnoticed and pretend like nothing had happened. But what if she acknowledged it? What then? What could come of their intimacy? A part of her asked these questions, dared her to spend just a little more time in his arms, dared her to realize the feelings she had been repressing for him.

He felt her tense slightly in his arms, felt the change in her breathing pattern, and knew she was awake. He was afraid that now she would bolt, so he waited for her to move, content with just watching her for now.

Slowly, Brennan let her head loll back to meet his eyes, not yet moving from his embrace. He watched her do so, gauging her reaction.

"Morning," he smiled a little at her, testing the waters.

"Morning," she replied quietly.

She rolled away from his arms then, gathering the sheets around her. She sat up slowly, but didn't leave the bed. He stayed where he was, propping himself on his elbow. There was silence for a few moments as she sat thinking about what had happened. Booth let her take her time, deciding that he would leave it up to her as to what to make of the previous night. He knew what he wanted, but he knew it was also her decision, and if she wasn't ready for anything more now, then he would wait.

"Booth…" she started tentatively, "Last night-"

"…was amazing," he finished for her, and then kicked himself for saying anything.

He saw a hint of a smile flash across her face.

"Booth…last night was, I think it was-"

He silently begged her not to say mistake or wrong.

"…complicated," she ended.

He rolled closer to her, taking her hand in his, "Listen Temperance," he began, using her first name for emphasis. She looked into his eyes, "Last night doesn't have to mean anything if you don't want it to. It's your call as to where this goes, and I just want you to know that I'll be fine with any decision you make. No pressure alright?"

Brennan could see the truth in his brown eyes, that he wouldn't force anything on her, that he would wait for her if she wanted, and maybe even if she didn't.

"I just, I need some time ok Booth? You know, to think this over."

He nodded.

"And we can't tell anybody. I promise I won't even tell Angela."

"What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas," he replied.

"That seems like an appropriate phrase."
He smirked for a moment at her lack of colloquial knowledge and then moved towards the edge of the bed.

"I'm going to shower and then go see Nolan and Nick at the gym, alright?" he switched to a lighter tone with the game plan for the day. She agreed and he headed to the bathroom, happy with the thought that she hadn't run, and that she was going to consider the possibilities of what had happened.

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Booth, otherwise known as Tony, sauntered into the gym, casually tossing his jacket over his shoulder. His eyes wandered across the various boxers training until he saw who he was looking for.

"Hey, Nick!" he called out, giving his voice a hint of an accent.

Nick cast him a glance, and came over to the ropes, "What do you want Army?"

"A word with you."

"I'm afraid I'm a little busy right now," the owner gestured to a boxer he was working with.

"What? No time for your new champ?" Booth countered back.

The remark caught Nick's attention, and he hoped out of the ring, coming closer to Booth.

"You wanna keep it down Army? Not everyone is in that loop."

"So I've got your attention now?"

Nick nodded, "Make it fast, and it better not be about your woman's winnings," he looked around, expecting Roxie to be in tow.

"She's back at the hotel. Had a long night, if you know what I mean," he winked.

A hint of a sly grin flashed across Nick's face, "I told you to let her ice your wounds."

"Now, about the next fight Nick. You see, last night was kind of rough, considering I came out of retirement for it. And Roxie, she's bored with this scene, wants to head home. I don't think I'll be able to fight again, and I was hoping you'd understand."

Nick's face clouded over, "No, I'm not that understanding Tiger. Didn't you understand when I said that we own you now?"
Booth matched Nick's stance, glaring at him, "No one owns me. You got that?"

"I said, we own you. Once you're in the game, you don't get out unless we say, or you're in a body bag."

Nolan appeared behind Nick, "I suggest, Army, that you leave before something happens."

Booth shook his head, "I said I'm not fighting. And if you have a problem with that, then I want to speak to your management."

Nick laughed, "No one speaks to him, he speaks through me. And he would say the same thing I'm telling you."
"So whose mouth piece are you? Is that all you are?" Booth taunted.

"You're pushing your luck Tony," Nick's voice was menacing, "Leave now, wait for the call, and you will fight. Unless of course you want something to happen to that pretty little girlfriend of yours."

Booth responded in a low growl, "You leave her out of this."

"You fight and we will. If you don't, then anything that happens is your own fault."

"If you so much as look at her the wrong way, I'll kill you," Booth threatened.

"She's safe, as long as you belong to us," Nick replied, then walked away, leaving a very angry Booth in his wake.

As the FBI agent stalked away, Nick turned to Nolan, "Have someone discreetly trail him and the girl. They so much as put a suitcase in the car, you do what you have to do."

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Booth stormed through the hotel room door as Brennan was reading a case file.

"You're leaving. Pack your things, and I'm putting you on the next flight to D.C."

Her mouth hung open, "Pardon? What's going on?"

"I said you're leaving Bones. Go on, pack your stuff."

"Booth, I can't leave. We haven't solved this case yet, we're still undercover."

"I am, you're not," he grabbed her suitcase and flung it on the bed.

She raised her eyebrow at him, and folded her arms, "I am not going anywhere until you explain to me what is going on," she demanded.

"It's probably better that you don't know."

"What went on at the gym?"

He avoided her question, and avoided her eyes.

"Booth!"

Brennan planted herself in front of him, starring him down, "I don't know what's going on, but unless you tell me then I am not going anywhere. We're partners Booth, and just because of last night-"
"This has nothing to do with last night."

"Then what the hell is going on?" she almost yelled at him.

Booth rubbed the back of his neck and spoke to the floor, "They threatened you Bones. They told me that if I don't fight, they'll do something to you. So you have to leave, you'll be safe at home, I'll stay here."

She was momentarily speechless, "They threatened me?"

"Nick did. He probably pulls this with any reluctant participant. You know, threaten someone close to them to get what they want. But I can't take that risk with you."

She placed her hand on his arm, and he finally looked directly at her.

"Booth, I appreciate your concern, but I am not leaving. If I ran from every case that was even remotely dangerous, then the criminals would win. I have to stay. For the case, for Billie, and especially for you."

"Bones-"

"No Booth, I have to stay. If I leave, then they'll know and take it out on you. I can't let that happen. Besides, you need me to be Roxie, I can't leave you on your own. Whose going to help you win the next fight?" she grinned slyly at him.

He shook his head, "I could have taken that guy, you know it."

"Just like you know I can take care of myself."

He sighed, "Bones, I'd feel a lot better if you'd just go back to D.C."

"And you know that's not going to happen."

"Then I'm not leaving you alone, not even for a second," he said, taking her hand in his.

She lowered her eyes from his, and he sensed she was still not comfortable with this kind of intimacy. She slowly dropped his hand.

"So what else did Nick say?" her tone switched to business, the moment over.

"Basically what he said last night, he or whoever is in charge, owns me, and to sit around and wait for their call."

"Do we have enough to take Nick into questioning now that he's uttered a threat?"

"We could, but that would be to suspicious. I want to wait it out till the next fight. If we take Nick in now we run the chance of blowing our cover."

"Can you handle another fight?"

"I'm going to have to."

"What about Walt? Can you fight him?"

"I don't think I get to make requests anymore. I think the plan is to head down to the local FBI chapter and poke around in Nick and Nolan's records, see what we can scrounge up while we wait."

Brennan nodded, "Ok, is there anything else we can do? Or the lab?"

"I think we just need to keep a low profile, if anything else."

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As Booth and Brennan headed into the local FBI building, they were unaware of the man watching them from across the street. Once they were inside, he removed his cell phone and dialled a number.

"They went to the cops," was all he said.

To be continued…

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