Hey guys sorry it took a little while, but I had to make sure I'd be able to complete it, I think I'll be fine.
Disclaimer- Still not mine
SETTLING IN
Booth held tightly to Bones hand as they walked up the stairs to his apartment, he smiled as he realised she was holding on just as tight. She sensed he was watching her and looked up into his chocolate brown eyes. She had missed those eyes, the comfort and safety that came just by knowing they were focused on her, made her feel like she could handle anything 'except a year away from him' she thought idly as she smiled at him
"Is something wrong Booth?"
He smiled and bent to kiss her cheek
"What could possibly be wrong?"
She blushed understanding his sentiment. Booth placed the key in the lock and turned it, pushing the door as he went. The smell of stale air wafted around them and Booth scrunched up his nose.
"I guess Jared forgot to come by every once in a while"
He smiled and ushered her in. They had gotten a cab to Brennan's place first and dropped off her things then driven to Booths, he was pining for a hot shower. He dropped his bag by the door and bent to remove his boots cringing at the way his back twinged. The reaction was not lost on Temperance. She had known sleeping on an army cot for a year would be bad for him, but had not wanted to sound condescending toward him, so kept her mouth shut. She reached out and ran her palm firmly across the tight muscles of his back, feeling him tense and then relax.
"Go shower Booth; I'll make us something to eat"
He smiled and nodded walking off toward his bedroom. Tempe turned to the kitchen and wondered what she could prepare, knowing there was no fresh produce or bread she looked in the pantry which was usually very well stocked. Once she had some food was on its way to readiness, she looked around aiming to busy herself. She could still hear the water running from Booths shower and then spotted his duffel. Hesitating a moment, she walked to the bag and unzipped it, smiling when she saw the bundle of letters sitting on top. She took them out carefully laying the pile on the floor next to where she knelt, and then set about pulling his clothes from the dark canvas. She was amazed at the amount of sand he had brought back with him; it was all through his clothes and sitting in piles at the bottom of the holdall. She opened an internal pocket of the bag and smiled, taking out what she had found. She looked down into the eyes of her handsome partner in dress uniform, attached to the photo was a sheet of paper, she read through it realising it was his discharge papers, stating he had done his duty and was officially no longer a soldier, meaning he was retired. Temperance felt relief flood her and turned back to the picture still in her hand. Booth walked quietly down the hall seeing his Bones kneeling on the floor, her back to him as she went through his bag. He watched her silently until he saw her shoulders tremble
"Bones"
He hurried over to her, as she turned showing glassy tear filled eyes. Booth squatted down half beside her half behind her his arms encircling her thin body
"Hey... shhh... what's got you all upset Bones?"
She leaned into his warm body feeling calm again. Booth gently stroked her hair, leaving soft kisses on her crown. He tilted her face up to look at him and brushed away her tears with his thumbs, smiling sadly
"Feeling overwhelmed?"
She nodded
"A little, I... I found this"
She showed him the paper
"Does it really mean they won't send you back?"
He smiled
"Yeah, that's why I retired; I don't want to ever give them an excuse, to make me leave you"
Temperance pulse quickened and she leaned to the side hugging him fiercely
"Thank you... I... Thank you Seeley"
Booth smiled, he had always disliked his name, but hearing the way it rolled off her tongue sent a shiver down his spine. Bones held up his picture and smiled
"Can I keep it?"
Booth looked at her surprised by her shyness
"Ah ok... but you know you have the real thing though, right?"
He joked lightly, she smiled
"I know"
Booth nodded,
"Come on, I'm starved lets go to the dinner"
She looked to the kitchen
"I was cooking pasta"
He looked to the stove where sure enough the pot was steaming. He took her hand pulling her to her feet in and easy display of strength
"We can eat it later"
Bones smiled and nodded
"Besides, I believe you have a little pie to eat missy"
He tapped her nose and kissed her lips lightly, as they shared another hug that neither wanted to end. Temperance smiled, it felt so good to be in his arms after all the time that had past, and she snuggled into his chest and felt him hold her tighter.
They got to the diner a little after 1pm, Booth held the door for her and chuckled as he once again heard her tummy rumble, and she blushed and hit him playfully
"Don't laugh at me Booth"
He smiled at her whine, and pulled her to his side. The ladies behind the counter all looked to door seeing their favourite customers walk in, and in each other's arms none the less
"Oh Seeley, Temperance you're back"
They chatted to ladies happily then took to their table by the window.
"Now what can I get you two on the house"
Tempe looked to Booth with a confused look and he smiled in anticipation of his partner's catch phrase
"I don't know what that means"
Booth chuckled, thinking how adorable she was and how desperately in love he was
"It means sweat heart, that your money is no good here"
Tempe frowned at the waitress she knew as Maggie
"But I have US dollars and th..."
Booth placed his fingers around her hand and squeezed
"I'll explain in a minute Temperance, lets order ok"
She looked puzzled but nodded. They ate happily once their food arrived, stealing glances at each other and laughing when they got caught.
"When are you going to see Parker?"
Booth looked up from stirring his coffee
"I pick him tomorrow morning at eight, he's skipping school and I have him for the weekend"
Tempe nodded
"Will I see you tomorrow?"
She hated how needy she sounded, but she only just got him and wasn't ready to let go. Booth got up from his seat and watched the fear flash across her face before he sat next to her. Booth took her hands in his
"I was actually going to ask, if you wanted to meet us for lunch at Sid's, and then maybe spend the afternoon with us"
Temperance Brennan was not an emotional softy, but in this moment she wanted to cry. Booth had a way of making her feel so wanted, she had never experience before and she found she liked it very much.
"Really, you don't think Parker will mind sharing you?"
Booth gently stroked her cheek
"Are you kidding?"
Brennan frowned
"Bones, don't underestimate how much my son loves you"
Tempe smiled. She and Parker had begun getting very close the year before she left; he was constantly by her side listening to everything she had to say. He quoted her often and had started mirroring alot of her mannerisms including her eye roll, which Booth thought looked adorable when they were side by side. A waitress walked over clearing their plates and another walked over with two slices of pie, one cherry and one apple, Booths smile was ear to ear
"Ooh yes, God I missed pie"
Brennan chuckled
"So Bones, which one do you want?"
She shrugged her shoulders, looking at both with a wary eye. Booth scooped up a piece of cherry pie and held it to her mouth
"Open up Bones"
"Booth I can feed myself"
She moved to take the fork, but he batted her hand away
"Indulge me Temperance"
She smiled shyly looking around; nobody was watching so she opened her mouth a little and allowed him to feed her. Booth was stunned, she had actually let him feed her in public, he had fed her ice cream once, but that was behind closed doors. He watched as she scrunched her nose up at the tart flavour and shook her head, he smiled
"Too sweet for ya?"
She nodded taking a big drink of his water, making Booth laugh at her. She looked up with a stunned look on her face and he realised she really didn't like it. Booth touched her cheek, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear
"You ok?"
She nodded still clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth in a bid to reduces the sweetness still lingering
"Ready for the apple one?"
She shook her head in the negative, looking up with bright eyes. Booth scooped up another bit of pie, this time apple and smiled as she let him feed her without hesitation. The moment she chewed her face twisted at the texture of cooked apple, she reached for the water but Booth gently took her face in his palms and placed his lips against her, kissing her softly at first then a little more passionately. Brennan forgot all about the pie the second Booths lips touched hers, she leaned into him her hands going to his chest and fisting his shirt, Booth groaned as he forced himself to pull back. Tempe smiled
"I still... don't like pie"
Ok one chapter down, please review let me know what you think and if you want more.