No, this isn't a drill. I AM posting a Bones story. (If you're waiting for an update on any of my other unfinished Bones stories, fear not because they're under works;).
So, after falling behind on the current season due to air time conflict, I finally caught up yesterday and watched the last two eps. And after almost stomping on my iPod after watching the season finale, this idea surfaced. If you haven't watched the finale, turn back now! I mean it, but feel free to come back later once you've watched it;)
If you're reading this far is because you're 1) up to speed with the current season and 2) you're probably interested in reading, so…read on;D
You should all send virtual hugs to Caris Bennet because it was thanks to her 'have you watched the finale already?' emails that prompted me into watching the finale earlier than planned and that's what led to this ideaXD
Disclaimer: Bones belongs to Fox.
Booth's POV
Ever since I made the decision and told Bones all that crap about why we shouldn't get married, things have taken a sort of awkwardness between us. There hasn't been any fighting, but there are definitely some unspoken words between us. I guess neither of us wants to bring up the elephant in the room.
I settled myself on the couch, flipping through channels. I let out a sigh, shooting a quick glance at the dark hallway leading to the stairs. Lately, it seems I've been avoiding going to bed until Bones is already asleep. It's killing me inside to know that we're distancing ourselves, but I don't know how to stop it short of exposing her to the situation.
I kept flipping through channels, but I couldn't settle on anything. I wasn't in the mood.
A few minutes later I finally gave up, leaving the TV on one channel for once. I got up and grabbed a bottle of my favorite Scotch. When I returned to the couch and noticed a romantic movie was playing, I took a swing right from the bottle. I clenched my jaw after swallowing for the Scotch to do its work.
Once the movie ended, I was beyond irritated with the 'they lived happily ever after' final scene and I'd finished the bottle of my good Scotch. I was stretched along the length of the couch debating the possibility of simply getting up to grab another bottle of alcohol. After much debate, I opted for changing the channel and ditching the idea of having more to drink.
I stared at the TV, but soon I felt myself starting to drift off.
B\BI was ruffling through the stack of paperwork on my desk when I sensed someone entering my office. I glanced up, spotting a beautiful young woman walking towards me."Hey, Dad." Christine flashed me a charming grin very similar to mine as she rounded my desk to give me a hug and kiss on the cheek."What a surprise!" I greeted, returning the hug and kiss."I'm here to steal you for lunch." My daughter laughed, a rich sound that reminded me of her mother."Sure." I smiled back, standing up and shrugging on my suit jacket."Diner." We said in unison, and that eliciting another laugh from Christine. I smiled, gathering her to me as we exited my office."Agent Booth!" I heard a voice call just before we reached the elevator. I turned, spotting a young agent hurrying towards us.He briefly filled me in on his progress in the Robertson case. I nodded, instructing him to fill Agent Shaw in as well."Hmm, you and Agent Shaw have been partners for a long time now." Christine eyed me as we rode the elevator."She's really good at her job." We unloaded and I led the way towards my FBI issued SUV. "Scratch that. She's excellent. I always tell her she's going to run the FBI one day." I open the door for Christine, noticing the way her bro creased in disgust. Just like her mother, she believes in doing things for herself."We're just partners, if that's what you're trying to get at." I said, backing out of my parking space. There was once a time when I was partnered to a brilliant forensic anthropologist from the Jeffersonian and my 'just partners' claim was a big sham. But this time I meant it."Hey, you're single. So..." Christine shrugged and I realized she was up to something.The drive to the Royal Diner was spent in silence. I found on street parking right in front of the diner and I felt the need to break the silence by informing 'we're here'."Yup." Christine nodded, unbuckling her seatbelt before opening her door. I followed, thinking about something Bones would have responded with.I held the door for Christine, catching my reflection in the glass. My hair was peppered with gray and there was a wrinkle or two that made me look a little older than I felt.There were open stools at the bar, but our favorite table was being cleared so I waited. I thanked the waitress and sat down. I noticed the way Christine watched me."What?" I asked, waiting for her to sit down."You know, it doesn't matter if I come here with mom or with you, I always end up sitting at this table." She answered.I gave her a small smile, briefly remembering all the times I've shared this table with Bones in the past. "It's our favorite, I guess.""See, it is because of everyday stuff like this that makes me wonder why you two parted ways...""Christine, baby..." I didn't want to drag her into the fiasco that Bones and I ended up in."It's obvious you two still love each other." Also obvious was the fact that Christine was not going to drop the subject."What is this about?" I stared my daughter in the eye, prompting her to tell me what was on her mind."Mom's leaving DC." The words were spoken softly and I felt like my whole world was crashing. Again."What?" I cleared my throat when the waitress approached us, asking if we were ready to order. I shook my head and the woman hurried off to another table, promising to return in a few minutes. "Where?" I clarified, the news of Bones leaving reopening a wound I'd never quite patched up."Some remote village in Africa. Ancient remains were found." Christine bit her lower lip before continuing. "The going away party is tomorrow at the house. Aunt Angela organized everything. Everyone's gonna be there. It's sort of a surprise.""Oh." I stared out the window, trying to control my emotions."You should come say bye.""How long will she be gone?" I asked, worried about Bones going to some unsafe zone."Honestly?" Christine leaned conspiratorially closer, showing that Hodgins has had some influence on her. "I don't think she's coming back.""What makes you say that?" I questioned, leaning closer."The Kathy and Andy series ended a few years ago and Mom's new novel series features ancient remains..." Christine looked agitated. "Look, the other day I was talking to her and I don't know, I just caught a vibe.""Okay." I nodded. Christine is most certainly like Bones in many areas, but she's like her old man in others."Just come to the party, please?" How could I deny my daughter when she was giving me that adorable Bones-like pleading smile?"I'll try." I said sincerely.B/BNervously, I parked a few houses down and took a moment to gather my thoughts. Since going our separate ways, I haven't seen much of Bones. And when I have seen her, it's only been briefly."Come on, Seeley." I gave myself a short pep-talk before finally opening my door and walking towards the Mighty Hut, the house I once shared with my family.Christine opened the door before I even got to it, offering me a wide smile. "The guys are in the back working on starting he grill." She pointed towards the kitchen, saying Angela and Cam were there."Seeley!" Cam grinned when she saw me, probably waiting for my reaction to her use of my given name."Camille." I grinned back. Her eyes narrowed as she handed me a beer."Looking good, Booth." Angela gave me a smile, waving a hand at everything that still needed to get done. "You here to help?""Maybe I should help the guys." I joked, walking to the back door to join the others.I was drinking beer, having a laugh with Hodgins when Angela rushed towards us saying that Bones was back.We all waited in silence, gathered in the living room. I held my breath when I heard the lock tumble and Bones entered.Wow. She looked stunning, as beautiful as always. The years had certainly been kind to her."Hey!" Bones laughed, smiling at everyone. But despite the smile, I caught the discrete glance she shot my way.B/BThe party had truly been that; a party. The house slowly emptied and before I knew it even Christine had made herself scare, leaving us alone.I followed Bones to the kitchen, watching her every move."Another beer?" She asked me, shooting a glance over her shoulder."Nah." I shook my head, still watching her. I'm not sure if it was the fact that I was back at our home, standing with her in our kitchen, but I suddenly felt the need to wrap her in my arms and not let her go."Bones, I..." I knew I had no right to do this to her now, not after all this time that's passed, but I felt like this was probably my last chance to get this right. "I made a mistake and I..."Bones turned around to face me, eyes filled with unshed tears. "Booth, no." She shook her head, silently begging me not to continue."Bones, I love you." I needed her to know that I haven't stopped loving her."No." She shook her head with more determination this time. "You changed your mind." She walked out of the kitchen, her words echoing as loud as the sound of her footsteps.B/B
A loud thud and an instant flash of pain on my lower back jolted me awake. I opened and closed my eyes, realizing I must have fallen off the couch in my sleep. I dragged myself into a sitting position, reaching behind me to grab the empty bottle of Scotch and get it out of the way.
I looked around, recognizing my soundings. Home! I was home.
"A dream!" I laughed softly, breathing a sigh of relief when it hit me that I was at home and I was in the present.
I shot off from the floor, not bothering to turn off the TV, and took the stairs two at a time. I stumbled closer to the top, but not even that stopped me.
I checked Christine's room first, finding a soundly sleeping child. I blew a kiss her way, not daring to wake her up. She's had a couple of fussy nights lately.
Next, I bolted towards our bedroom. I turned on the light, finding Bones sleeping on her side of the bed.
"Bones!" I knew I was probably too loud, but didn't care. I rushed to her side, planting a cheerful kiss on her cheek. "Bones, wake up." I gave her a shake, eager to talk to her.
"Wha- Booth?" Those blue eyes squinted, trying to shield away from the bright light.
I claimed her lips, kissing her fiercely. She tasted faintly minty and I can only imagine what my kiss tasted like. But I didn't care, because all I wanted was to have her close to me. And for a moment, I did. Her arms wrapped around me as she kissed back.
But then I don't know what happened, because I felt her tense up. She untangled her arms from around me, breaking our kiss in the process. "Wh-what is it?"
I kissed a trail to her left ear, not being able to get my hands and lips off of her. "I have something to tell you, Bones." I whispered softly.