The Date
*A/N: Sequel to 'Just Another Discussion.' You don't have to read that to enjoy this, but it is recommended. So here it is, by request of brittanirose!*
Temperance Brennan groaned and tossed yet another outfit on the floor. Her date with Booth was in half an hour. She'd known him for years, and they were best friends, and of course she'd been thrilled when he asked her out. She was, however still very nervous.
This was quite unusual for the scientist. She was, after all, Dr. Temperance Brennan, best selling author and world-renowned forensic anthropologist. Nervous was not something she was used to.
Choosing a black skirt, and a low cute purple silk top, Brennan dabbed on some more lip-gloss, took a deep breath, and stepped into the elevator as she heard a horn honk.
Seeley Booth was waiting outside. Normally a cautious man in the field of romance, albeit not in his line of work, (being an FBI agent usually called for guts) it had taken a misheard shouting match in the car to get him to finally ask out the woman he'd been in love with for so long. Tapping his fingers against the steering wheel, Booth glanced at his watch, about to honk again, when he saw a pair of long legs exit Brennan's building. Then he saw the torso, and eventually head, that was attached to them.
Booth was stunned, as usual, by the woman's ability to look amazing in anything. (And anything did mean anything. Most of the time, Booth saw Brennan in a long white lab coat, or a full body suit at crime scenes.) In a simple black skirt and purple shirt, Brennan still looked absolutely stunning, and Booth had to remind himself to close his jaw.
She grinned at him as she pulled open the car door, sliding gracefully in. Thrown off guard for the second time that evening, he forced himself to shake it off, and smiled right back at her.
"Hey, Bones."
Brennan loved that nickname. He didn't know that, of course, but it made her feel so special, such a part of something. Plus, Booth had given it to her. What wasn't to love?
"Booth."
The pair smiled awkwardly. They'd been on assignment as a couple before, with no problems, they'd even kissed, but the premise of an actual date, in truth, terrified both of them.
"So, where're we going?" Brennan strapped herself in.
Booth hoped he'd chosen well. "A little restaurant called La Luna. It's –"
"Italian." She smiled warmly. "I love Italian food."
Relieved, Booth grinned back at her.
"I know."
Booth pulled out, guided the car along a twisty avenue of streets. Before long, all the awkwardness was gone, and they were once again arguing like the old married couple everyone had always proclaimed them to be.
"Booth."
"Yeah?"
"You're lost."
"I am not!" He sighed in exasperation.
"You are."
"Bones-"
"No! You're lost! If you'd stopped and asked for direction like I said, then we'd-"
"We'd have missed our reservation!"
"At the rate we're going, we're going to miss it anyway," She huffed under her breath.
She tried a different tack. "Booth?"
"Yeah?" He replied, wary of her sweet tone.
"Can I drive?"
Booth slammed on the brakes, narrowly avoiding a streetlamp.
"NO, Bones you cannot drive!"
She pouted. "I'm going to tell Sweets you have control issues."
"Was that a threat?! Are you threatening me?!"
Brennan had to smile. "No," she lied, unconvincingly.
Catching a glimpse of fairy lights, Booth pulled up to the restaurant, easing the car in gratefully.
"See? I told you! What'd I tell you?" He muttered triumphantly, dashing out of the car to open the door for her.
Though she remained calm, and collected on the outside, the rush of thoughts going through Dr. Brennan's head was akin to this: Ohmigod he's coming over here Ohmigod he opened the door Ohmigod he's offering me his hand!!!
She felt rather more a schoolgirl, on a date with her crush, than a mature, successful woman on a date with a good friend. She wasn't used to it- but she liked it.
Taking his arm, Brennan stepped out of the car, graceful even in her heels, and onto the curb.
He guided her into the restaurant, joking with her, "And now, the date can really begin!"
They were led to a little table for two. It was against a wall, lit by candlelight, and provided an excellent view out of the large window. The window overlooked a garden, and Brennan took the liberty of identifying and pointing out everything growing in it to Booth.
The waiter arrived, handed them their menus, and, with an obviously fake Italian accent, began listing the specials for that evening.
Brennan frowned. Booth caught the look and groaned inwardly. "Bones-" he began, but she cut him off.
"Excuse me, sir?" She addressed the waiter.
"Si?"
"I don't think your accent is genuine."
The waiter had the grace to be ashamed. Twirling the ends of his (fake) mustache in his fingers, he huffed, "Signora, I assure you that this accent-"
Booth laid his hand on the waiter's arm, whispered something in his ear, and the man dashed off.
"His accent wasn't real, Booth!"
I know that, Bones! Look, the accent is more of a mood thing, okay? It's...it's part of the setting. Just go with it, alright?"
"Fine."
"Good."
The pair picked up their menus, descending into a comfortable silence.
"Have you eaten here before?"
Booth nodded. "A few times. Parker came, once."
"Recommend anything?"
"Pretty much everything's good."
She studied the menu for a moment more, before asking, "Do you want to share something? I don't know how big the portions are."
He smiled behind his menu. "They're pretty big. Yeah, we could do that. What're you in the mood for? Lasagna? Risotto? Cannelini?"
"It's pronounced can-uh-loe-nee, Booth. Cannelloni. It's tubes of pasta stuffed with meat, cheese and other things. It originated in the-"
"That's okay, Bones. I don't need the history."
She smiled. "So cannelloni it is?"
"Yeah. Cannellini." Bones shook her head in disbelief.
A different waiter approached them; he had no fake mustache, and no fake accent.
"What can I get you two lovebirds tonight?" They both blushed a little, and glanced awkwardly down at their menus.
"Cannelini."
Brennan and the waiter shared a look, and she added, "1 large dish of cannelloni."
"Mushrooms?" She glanced at Booth, who shook his head.
"No mushrooms."
"And to drink?"
"I'll have a glass of white wine. Booth?"
"Me too."
The waiter smiled as he removed their menus. "I'll be back shortly."
Kay, that's it! Chapter 2 coming soon! Feedback is, as always, much appreciated!