"What are you doing here, Booth?" She flung the door open, glaring at me, and ranting about waking up the neighbors. "You didn't answer your phone. I was worried."
"It's midnight. I was sleeping. Why aren't you?"
"I would be, if you would have answered your phone and let me know you were alright. I would have said goodnight, and went back to bed. But no, you have to insist on going about your business as usual, pretending there's not a lunatic out there issuing death threats, refusing to stay with friends..."
"I can take care of myself, Booth." I hate it when she reminds me of this, especially when she is standing in there half dressed, with rumpled hair and sleepy eyes.
"That's great, if it were necessary, which it isn't, because you have me." It was then I realized I must have said something wrong, because she was suddenly in my space, jabbing a finger in my chest to punctuate her words, forcing me to take a step back.
"If you want something to take care of, get a girlfriend or a dog." I knew I should be paying attention, but I was suddenly aware that she was wearing only a shirt, a big shirt - no bra, long bare toned legs - but still just a shirt. I wondered if she realized we were in the hall now. I guess she wasn't as worried about her neighbors as I thought. "If you don't see us as equals, I don't know how we can stay partners."
I forced my eyes, and my thoughts, back to her face and the conversation. "Come on, Bones. We are equals. I look out for you. You look out for me. I help you. You..." I completely lost my train of thought, as my brain struggled over a new realization. I let my eyes briefly wander downward to confirm my suspicions. Oh, hell. This can't be good. I wondered if I actually said that out loud, or if she could hear my heart pounding.
"Booth, I don't need you nearly as much as you think I do." She took a step back. Either she was going to slam the door in my face, sealing the deal on having the last word, or she was finally awake enough to remember what she was wearing.
I took a step forward, leaning against the door frame, preventing the first scenario. I suddenly needed to know the why behind the second scenario. I felt a warmth starting in my heart and spreading through my body. I was really looking forward to her explanation.
"Bones, why are you wearing my shirt?"
..........
1. You wearing my shirt to bed makes me forget that we don't actually sleep together, even though we want to.