Snakeskin
A/N - This story came to me quite while ago but school has kept me very busy. So to celebrate a recent A- on my latest paper, I decided to finish it. Enjoy!
The slip of paper sat on the edge of her desk, a bomb waiting to go off. Brennan looked at the paper with the same hard glare she reserved for criminals, wondering how she had let this even happen. How could they have tracked her down? She had changed her address so many times that she thought she was safe from their attack. Her scheme had failed miserably and now she was torn between disregarding it or acknowledging its existence, accept what it would mean. Either way, she would hate the result.
"Whoa, what did the paper do to you?"
Angela came into the room, catching the tail end of her friends glare. She placed Brennan's coffee on the desk before snatching the paper from its perch. She was silent as she read it before she burst into delighted laughter.
"Oh this is good. Are you going?"
"No"
"Why?"
"Because there is no reason too. I don't need to open old wounds."
Angela took a seat across from Brennan, her smile wide.
"Come on sweetie, those things are always so much fun. You could take Booth."
"I'm not going"
"I could come with you if you want. You need to go sweetie."
"Angela, I'm not going. Nothing you say is going to make me change my mind."
Angela let out a loud sigh as she stood, taking her coffee with her. She paused at the door, her face pulled into a frown.
"You know Brennan, you can't open old wounds of they were never healed in the first place. This might be good for you, put some closure on your past."
"I'm not like Ange; I have nothing but bad memories in that period in my life."
"Who doesn't?"
With that, Angela closed the door and Brennan resumed glaring at the paper, hating it for putting her in such a horrible position.
Two days later, her decision finally made, she approached Angela in the lab. She waited until she was finished filling in a rather fiddly detail in her latest sketch before tapping her gently on the shoulder. Angela jumped slightly before taking her headphones off, her smile wide.
"Hey sweetie, what can I do for you?"
"I need a favour."
"And that would be?"
"I'm going"
"Good. I knew that you would eventually see sense. What do you need me for?"
"Advice on what to wear. Can you come over tonight? It's this weekend and I want to make sure I have everything straight before I go."
"Sure. Do you want me to bring over anything?"
"I'm out of red wine if you want to bring a bottle. I'll order the pizza."
"It's a date."
"Thank you Ange."
"Anytime"
Brennan left, looking for the next person on her favour list. Booth was in her office, his legs crossed, Jasper in his hand as he gazed out the window, lost in thought.
"I was looking for you. Have you been waiting long?"
"No, just a few minutes."
Brennan sat behind her desk, trying to find the right words to start this very painful conversation. It wasn't that she was worried that Booth would say no, she was more worried that he would say yes. Last time they had played fancy dress they had gone undercover as a married couple, and socially inept as she was, she could have sworn there was something there between them. She could not help getting into her character a little more than she needed to, enjoyed touching him without having to worry about the implications that it would bring. Now she was putting herself back into a situation of close proximity, only this time it had nothing to do with work.
"Booth, can I ask you a favour?"
"Sure Bones, what can I do for you?"
Brennan extracted the invitation from her pocket and handed it to Booth. She let him read it before she began to talk again.
"I know this is huge and I don't want you to feel like you have to-"
"Ok, I'll go. It sounds like fun.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. What time do I need to pick you up?"
"7:30 would be fine."
"Ok, 7:30 it is. And Bones, please don't feel like you're making me do this. I'm doing it because you're my friend and it's been a long time since we've had some fun. We're well over due."
Booth gave her one of his charm smiles and she could not help but smile back, it was one of those mysterious Booth powers.
"So what do we have on the case book today?"
Brennan let the conversation slip away, happy for the distraction that work always brought. It could be forgotten for the rest of the day, she could worry more tonight.
Armed with a fresh glass of wine, a stomach fill of pizza and three glasses of wine already in her system, she let Angela raid her wardrobe. Her room, normally neat and tidy, became a complete scene of chaos. Brennan sat on the end of her bed, her ankles crossed, trying not to speak. She didn't really like it when people invaded her personal space and this whole thing had her stomach tied in knots.
"Try this"
Angela, having finished with Brennan's wardrobe, pulled out a dress from her own bag.
"You have nothing. Try this on"
"What do you mean I have nothing? There must be something in there"
"There is nothing. Trust me Brennan; you need to try this on."
She waved the scrap of material in front of Brennan until she took it from her hand.
"Fine"
Brennan sighed and began pulling off her clothes and slipping the dress over her head.
"I hate this Angela. I really hate dressing up."
"Quit complaining. Its one night and Booth will be there to rescue you if things get too rough. Now turn around and show me what that looks like on you."
Brennan turned with yet another sigh and let Angela examine her.
"It looks good on you sweetie. Take a look"
She turned and looked in the mirror, a little taken back by what she saw. The dress that Angela selected was a shade of sky blue and it set off her eyes nicely. It was strapless and the slim line emphasized her slim shoulders and narrow waist, and it was just the right length, brushing the top of her feet.
"So what do you think?"
"Once again Angela, you were right. I still don't understand how women do this."
"Because we are slaves to pain and beauty. Now get that dress off, put some PJ's on and let's watch a movie."
Brennan gave her a bright smile, the first of the night, and tugged off the dress.
"Now that is something I can understand."
When Saturday night arrived, Brennan had gotten herself ready hours in advance, killing time watching old sitcom reruns on television. She was just starting to get sick of Friends when the knock came at her door. She couldn't help but smile when she pulled open her door and found Booth standing in her doorway dressed in a royal blue suit, blood red tie and three roses in his hand. He smiled as he looked her over.
"Wow Bones, you look fantastic. Remind me to thank Angela."
"You look very handsome Booth. And you're on time."
"One thing I learnt very early on my dating career, do not keep a woman waiting. Especially a beautiful one. These are for you."
Booth handed her the roses and she examined them closely, her smile getting wider. He had given her one red rose, one yellow and one white.
"Why are they all different colours?"
"The white is for peace, the yellow for friendship and the red for love and passion."
"They're beautiful. Let me put them in water then we can get going ok?"
She turned away from him and began searching for a vase. She couldn't help reading into the meaning that the roses had and she found herself surprisingly flattered by his attentions.
"Ready?"
"Sure"
He held her coat as she slipped into it and offered her his arm after she had lock and closed the door. When they arrived outside of her apartment block, she was given yet another surprise. Booth had hired a limo. A long, black stretch limo.
"Your chariot awaits madam."
"You hired a limo?"
"Of course. Do you really think I would let you ride in a boring old car?"
He held open the door for her and slipped in beside her. He popped open a bottle of champagne and poured her a glass.
"To help calm your nerves. Just remember that I am here if you need me ok?"
She gave him wide smile before she sipped her champagne. Having Booth here calmed her nerves slightly and she felt more confident. She never had any issues with her confidence, except now, when she was put into a situation where she had no control what so ever. She felt like she was going into the lion's den with no weapons to protect herself with, except Booth. And even he could do only so much with that smile of his. It was ten minute drive but it felt like a mere second before the limo had come to a stop outside of a large hall. The music from within was loud enough to be heard clearly from outside and Brennan had to fight the urge to demand the driver to take her back home. But she new that turning back now would be admitting defeat and she hated doing that.
"You ready to go in?"
"No but I will anyway."
Brennan clung to Booth's arm as they walked their way through the wide opening of the hall and towards the music. She handed her invitation to an older woman that she didn't recognize and headed into the bowel of the building. It took her eyes and ears a second to adjust to the flashing lights and loud music. It was all too much for her senses; she was far to acclimatized to her lab. In the lights, it was hard to see any familiar faces and so when Booth took her elbow and led her to the table covered in nibbles and glasses of wine, she willingly followed. Soon the music died down and the lights became brighter again and her body began to relax.
"Temperance Brennan, as I live and breathe"
A fake looking smile flashed at Brennan ad she was overwhelmed with the urge to throw her drink in the woman's face. Instead, she pasted on her own fake smile.
"Lisa Sutton, how are you?"
Lisa was still the same blonde, perky cheerleader type that she had been in high school. Brennan had envied her and the life her and her friends led while she stayed on the outskirts, pretending that she was happy.
"Good thanks. Married Troy right after graduation. We have two beautiful little girls and a lovely home. What about you?"
"Working."
Lisa screwed up her nose slightly, her eyes going dim with boredom.
"Oh. What was it you did again?"
"I'm an Anthropologist. I study bones."
"Sounds interesting. I have to go now, talk to you later."
Brennan watched her walk away before sagging against Booth.
"God, she's still as stupid as she was in high school. I can't believe I was ever jealous of those girls."
"Why were you jealous?"
"They were beautiful and popular, I was a nerd. Need I say more?"
Booth gave her a wide smile.
"I always had a thing for nerds."
Brennan opened her mouth to question his statement but was interrupted by another voice.
"T.B honey, is that really you?"
"Michael! How have you been?"
Brennan let her old friend embrace her before pulling back and looking him over. Michael was your typical computer nerd, with glasses and a pocket protector. He had been her closet friend and confidant when her parents had disappeared and Russ had gone away. He was there for her every time another foster family had booted her. When he had moved to New York, it had broken her heart. Now, all grown up, he had ditched the glasses, grown his hair out and had obviously been working out. If Brennan didn't know he was gay, she would have expected to see half the girls in the room on his arm.
"I'm good babe. But I want to talk about you and all those books you've been writing. Or more importantly, who is this gorgeous man on your arm?"
Brennan smiled and watched as the two men shook hands.
"Michel this is Seeley, my partner. Seeley this is Michel, one of my best friends in high school."
"Mr. Seeley Booth. It's good to be able to put a face to the name. I read about you both so often in the papers."
"Are Teresa and Sammy here?"
"I haven't seen them yet, but the night is young, they may just be late. So back to you. Are you married?"
"No. How is your love life going?"
"Great. I have the most beautiful guy and I have three dogs. I am happy."
Good. Did you get your business at the end?"
Michel gave her a grin, casually flicking at the waist of her dress.
"Do you like your dress?"
Brennan suddenly felt self conscious as she smoothed out the fabric.
"It's not really mine; I borrowed it off a friend."
"Well, your friend has fantastic taste. I designed that dress."
"Really?"
"Yup."
He turned back towards the room that was milling with people, pointing out a few other dresses.
"I designed those ones as well. Michel Mitchell has been around for the last six years now."
"Wow, you really made it huh?"
"You made it as well Bones."
Both turned to Booth, who had been watching the conversation fly back and forth, sipping at his drink. Brennan was never very god at tooting her own horn, she needed to be reminded every once and a while. Michel flashed Booth a smile.
"I have no idea why you just called T.B Bones, but I agree with you Seeley. She has indeed made it. Writing books, a fabulous job that she loves and a hunky partner. What else does a girl need?"
Brennan laughed and felt herself begin to relax. Michel took her hand and kissed the top of her knuckles.
"I have to go and mingle a little more but I will definitely be back. Don't you dare leave without giving me your address and number, ok?"
"Ok Mickey"
"God, it's good to hear you call me that again. I missed you after I left."
"I missed you too. Go mingle Mickey; I'll be here when you get back."
Michel turned back to Seeley, his hand out.
"Nice to meet you Seeley. I shall return in an hour or so."
And with that, Michel was swallowed into the crowd.
"Nice guy."
"He was one of the few friends I had at school. He was an outcast like me."
Booth handed her a fresh drink before asking her another question.
"Was here there when your parents disappeared?"
"Yes. I stayed at his place for weeks at time after they left. Russ was always out and I didn't want to be alone. In fact, I was the first person that Michel came out too."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I always knew there was something different about him but I was a little too involved in my problems to pay too much attention to what was going on with him."
Booth put an arm around her shoulders, pulling her a little closer to him, giving her a quick squeeze. He knew this entire issue with her parents was hard on her and that she wanted answers more then anything else. That was why she was good at her job; she didn't stop until she had the answers that the families so desperately craved.
"You had a right to be selfish Bones. Not only were you a teenager but your parents were gone. Another question, who are Sammy and Teresa?"
"A couple of old girlfriends who used to hang out with us. Sammy was the comedian, she used to bring cow bones from her farm to school and hassle me for studying anthropology for fun."
Booth laughed before taking the glass from Brennan's hand and putting his arm around her waist.
"Want to dance?"
"Sure."
He led her to the center of the dance floor and pulled her close to him. He swayed her gentle from side to side, his cheek resting against her hair. This was the type of situation Brennan had dreaded getting into. Her body was pressed against his and there was nothing to distract her from the way her anatomy was betraying her. The small hairs on the back of her neck and on her arms were standing to attention and she got the same twinge in her stomach that she used to get with Sully. There had to be some sane logical reason as to why she reacted this way with Booth. He wasn't the ugliest creature alive but that didn't matter to her. He drove her crazy but that was more annoying then attractive. So what was it? Why was it that when he touched her she felt like she had been electrocuted?
"Can I cut in?"
Just to the left of them, came a voice that she never would have thought she would hear again. Booth gave her a quick look before nodding at the man.
"Sure. I'll be just over here Bones."
Booth slipped out of her arms and his form was replaced with the slightly softer one of Troy Lutsen, her high school crush and husband of the person she hated most. He had changed a lot and time had not been as kind to him as it had been to his wife. He was starting to go bald and he had the beginnings of pot belly. He wasn't as handsome as she remembered and she was sure that his eyes had lost that coffee brown twinkle that she had always found so attractive.
"Temperance Brennan, time has been kind to you. You look good."
"Thanks Troy, you too. So what's it like to be married to Lisa?"
Troy rolled his eyes heaven ward before smiling at her and Brennan was again struck by how much he had changed. His strong white teeth had been replaced with ones that were cigarette and coffee stained.
"Don't ask. I love her and all that, and we have two stunning little girls but I sometimes wish we had waited until we were a little older. Being married young is not the best idea I ever had. What about you Temperance, married yet?"
"No"
"Boyfriend?"
"No"
Troy pulled her a little closer and she resisted the urge to pull away. His breath was hot in her ear when he spoke again.
"I know you had a crush on me in school"
"You do?"
"Yup, I always thought you were cute but I never wanted to go there. But tonight you look so stunning, I had to ask you to dance."
"So you thought I was cute but you never spoke to me? How does that work?"
He shrugged his shoulders as he dipped her slightly before continuing to speak.
"It was high school; you didn't fish outside of your social pool. I figured that tonight would be a good time to catch up on lost opportunities."
His hand slid down from its position on her waist too land on the curve of her back, just above her rear end. She resisted the urge to break his arm, choosing instead to be as calm as possible.
"You're married Troy. And I'm not interested."
"Come on Temperance. You know you want to do what we never got to do in high school"
His hand slipped down even further and landed squarely on her rear end this time. Before she could react, Booth was at her side, his hand on Troy's shoulder.
"Hands off buddy."
Troy gave Booth a smirk, keeping his hand where it was.
"This is none of your business."
Booth stepped closer, gently pulling Brennan away from Troy.
"Yes it is."
The music had stopped and now every eye was on them, and Brennan got the sinking feeling that tonight was not going to end as quickly as she hoped. Mickey emerged from the crowd, his face pulled into a frown as he sidled up to Brennan.
"What's going on?"
"Troy got carried away and Booth saw it."
"Oh boy fight"
Troy was in Booth's face now and she could see by the clenching of Booth's fists as he got ready for the fight she was certain was coming.
"Say you're sorry."
"Why should I? Like I said, it's none of your business. She's not your girlfriend."
"That is beside the point. She is still a lady and you are married. You have no right touching her like that."
Troy swung first but Booth saw the clumsy shot coming and blocked it easily, delivering one of his own to Troy's jaw. He didn't seem to feel it though because he swung again and this time made contact with Booth's solar plexus. Booth fell back, gasping for breathe. Troy took advantage of his position and knocked Booth across the skull with his fist. Michel jumped in and gave Troy a hard shove backwards, his face hard.
"Back off."
"When did this become your fight, faggot?"
Brennan may not know Michel as well as she did when they were younger but she knew what set him off, and the word 'faggot' was one of those things. Michel swung his fist and it connected with a hard crack across Troy's jaw. Troy stumbled back more, blood dribbling down his chin. Booth was back on his feet again and had come to stand beside Michel, fists raised. Troy just stared at them before moving through the silent crowd and out the door. Everyone began moving again once they realized that the fight was over. Booth leaned heavily on Michel as Brennan pulled out a seat for him. She knelt in front of him, her hand on his face as she made sure that nothing was broken.
"Are you ok Booth?"
"I'm fine Bones. He had no right touching you like that."
"I'm fine Booth, I can take care of myself you know."
"That's not the point. Thanks Michel"
Michel gave him a grin.
"Not a problem. You sure you ok? He gave you quite a crack across the skull."
"Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry that I ruined your evening."
Michel waved off the apology.
"It's boring here. I say we go and have our own party."
Brennan stayed where she was beside Booth and gave Michel a grin.
"I like that idea. How about we go back to my place and have some wine?"
"I'll get our coats"
Michel disappeared again and she turned her attention back to Booth. He had a bit of blood on his suit but she was pretty sure it wasn't from him. He would just have a hell of a headache in the morning.
"Lean forward a little more; I want to check your head."
Booth did as she said and she traced his head gently with her hands until she located the bump near his frontal lobe. He winced but didn't pull away, only grumbling slightly as she felt the area around it.
"When we get back to my place, we'll put an ice pack on it. You're staying over tonight though; there is no way that you are in any state to drive."
"You know Bones this was not the way I expected tonight to turn out."
"Enlighten me, how did you expect it to turn out?"
"I don't know but it didn't involve me getting into a fight"
Brennan moved her hand onto his shoulder and knelt down beside him again, finding his eyes with hers.
"Thank you for defending my honor. Even though you know I could have done without it"
"You're welcome. You look beautiful tonight, did I tell you that?"
She smiled at him as Michel came back towards them.
"I think you may have a mild concussion. Let's go home."
When she woke up the next morning, it was a boomer of a headache that greeted her. She closed her eyes but the sunlight still sliced through her lids, burning her sensitive eyes. She heard a loud groan beside her and when she rolled over, she was shocked to find Booth lying beside her. He was still asleep and she took the chance to take a quick peek under the covers, shocked to find him naked. She ran her hands down her own body finding the exact same problem. They were in bed together, naked and she had no idea how they how they had gotten tat way. She searched her memory but nothing came. She quickly got out of bed, fighting back her wave of nausea as she pulled on her bathrobe. She moved out of the room as quickly and as quietly as possible, moving into the living room. Michel was snoring loudly on the sofa, his mouth open. She shook him awake.
"Booth is in my bed."
"T.B, I'm hung over honey. You do not wake a drunken man up."
"Booth is in my bed. How did he get there?"
Michel groaned his hand over his eyes.
"Can I at least have a cup of coffee before you start quizzing me?"
"No. Answer me, how did he get into my bed?"
Michel sat up and glared at her as hard as his eyes would allow.
"I have no idea. I was just as drunk as you too. Is he still sleeping?"
"Yes."
"Well go and wake him up! Ask him yourself and stop harassing me!"
Michel snuggled back under the throw over and Brennan turned back to her room. She took a deep breath before entering, coming to stand beside the sleeping Booth.
"Booth?"
No response.
"Booth!"
Even with her louder tone of voice Booth didn't move. She knelt down beside him, level with his ear and took a deep breath.
"SEELEY!"
Booth rolled over with a start before he opened his eyes.
"Good one Bones, lets all yell at the hung over man"
"Booth, how did you get into my bed?"
"What?"
Brennan pulled the covers back slightly, showing off Booth's smooth chest.
"You are in my bed and you are naked. I was naked. How did that happen?"
Booth's eyes widened as he glanced under the covers, the full extent of the situation hitting him harder then the red wine he had drunk before.
"I have no idea. I was as drunk as you were, remember?"
"That's the problem Booth, I can't remember!"
She sunk onto the end of the bed, her head in her hands. She didn't feel like she had had sex, she just felt hung over. She felt Booth shift on the bed, his hand coming to rest on her shoulder.
"It's not a huge deal Bones. Nothing happened"
"How do you know?"
"Look around, do you see any evidence of sex?"
She raised her head and looked around the room. Clothes were thrown on the floor but that didn't really mean anything, they were after all both drunk. She didn't see any condom wrappers and she didn't smell that distinct sex smell that tended to hang around after the main event.
"Ok, so why were you in my bed, naked then?"
"We got drunk. Who knows what was going on in our heads? We stripped off and slept no big deal. Go have a shower and I'll make you a strong coffee. I'm sure Michel needs one as well."
Brennan sighed and dragged her tired, heavy body into the bathroom and turned the water on full heat. She hated hangovers.
Angela attacked her as soon as she walked into the lab, her smile wide.
"So how was it?"
"Great, until Booth got into a fist fight assisted by my old best friend."
"WHAT?"
"Defending my honor and all that. Now that you'll all updated, can I get into my office please?"
Brennan managed to side step Angela, who remained rooted to the spot with surprise. But the peace did not last long because Angela trailed her, like a dog with a bone.
"Details please."
Brennan sighed loudly as she sunk into her seat, her head resting on the palm of her hand.
"Short version, we went to the reunion, an old crush molested me, Booth and Michel fought with him, we went back to my place, drunk way too much and this morning I found myself naked in the same bed as Booth, who was also very naked."
"You were in bed naked with Booth? Did you sleep together?"
"I don't think so. I don't feel like I've had sex and there was nothing to prove that we did."
Angela let out a low whistle and slumped back in her seat, her face slack with shock. She had always had a niggling feeling that there was something between Booth and Brennan, even with Sully around that tension did not stop. This little situation would do nothing except more wood on that fire and Angela was quite surprised that they had even managed to do this much alone. As much as she loved Brennan, her best friend was one of the most socially impaired people she had ever met. The fact that she had snagged Sully had been miracle enough but now this. She was a woman of many wonders.
"What did Booth say?"
"Not a lot. He didn't seem all that worried."
"Why would he? If you didn't sleep together then you didn't sleep together."
"I don't think it's that simple Angela. What if we did sleep together?"
"It can't have been that good if you have no recollection of it."
And there is was the ghost of a smile that Angela had been looking for.
"Relax Brennan. If you slept together, chalk it up to a drunken escapade and hope that if it repeats that you will be sober enough to remember it. I'm going to get you a latte and a muffin, then I'll leave you be."
"Thanks Angela."
"Not a problem."
Angela left the room and Brennan let her head lay on her arms, her head still feeling too heavy to hold upright.
When she got home after the shift, she drifted into the bathroom to have another shower. She had no idea why but she glanced down at the toilet, smiling at the upturned seat. It was then when she saw the small scrap of plastic floating in the bowl.
"Shit"
Shower forgotten, she strode back into the kitchen where she left her cell sitting on the counter. She hit the quick dial waiting anxiously for Booth to answer.
"Booth"
"Booth its Brennan. You need to come over."
"Why, what's wrong?"
"Just come over."
She hung up the phone and headed back to the bathroom. She put on the rubber gloves that she had fished out from the cabinet and took the little scrap of evidence from its haven in the toilet. She sat on the floor and carefully examined it, knowing that what she had feared was no true. She had indeed slept with Booth.
When Booth arrived, he found her still sitting on the floor. He dropped beside her, frowning.
"What is going on?"
"We did sleep together Booth. I found a condom floating in the toilet."
"Shit."
"That's exactly what I said. What does this mean Booth?"
"Like I said this morning, we were drunk Bones."
"I just don't like the idea of you having this image of me doing this all the time. I could not handle that."
Booth put an arm around her shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze, her hair tickling his nose.
"I would never think that Bones, I have too much respect for you."
"Good"
She leaned against him as she continued to examine the condom in her hand. This changed everything.
"Bones, you might want to put that thing back in the toilet ok? I'll make us some hot tea and we can talk some more."
She watched him leave, suddenly feeling foolish. She had fished a condom from the toilet and had sat examining it. She really needed a hobby. She watched it get flushed away with the toilet water before heading into the kitchen, where she could hear Booth moving between the cupboard and the bench. She moved into the kitchen beside him and helped him make the tea, their bodies brushing together every once and a while. It was then that Brennan got a flash back, not a clear one but one that was enough to confirm her suspicions.
"Do you remember anything Booth?"
"I remembered a little more after work today."
"What did you remember?"
"Kissing you."
"Oh"
Booth turned his back to the tea preparations and looked at her, his hand coming to rest on her arm.
"Just so you know Bones, even if I did remember what we did clearly, I can tell you that without a doubt that I would not regret it."
"Really?"
"Really. And you know why?"
"Why?"
"Because I can remember just how good it felt to kiss you."
He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, pulling back slightly. It took her a moment to respond and when she did, it was with the vigor and enthusiasm that she approached everything else.