Hello all, long time no see. After words of encouragement and realizing the reason I deleted everything is first place was a moot point, I'm back and ready to write. This seemed to be everyone's favorite of mine so here it is again. It's reworked and improved but the story line is still the same. There will be B&B lovin' but you'll have to be a little patient as it doesn't occur for a few chapters but have no fear. I'm going to need lots of feedback on this one people so don't be afraid to hit reply. Enjoy!
"So…" she began. It's time Tempe, just tell him already. She had invited him to lunch to tell him something important. She'd known and agreed to this nearly a week ago.
Booth wiped his mouth with his paper napkin then set it back in his lap. "Okay Bones, let's have it." His smug grin told her he knew something was up.
It had been a better part of a decade; of course he knew something was up with her. Before she could go on he spoke again.
"Ninety nine percent of the time when something's up with you Bones, you confide in me and I knew this time wasn't any different. So because I wanted to find out sooner, rather that later, I waited for you to come to me. My life works much more smoothly I have found if I let you do the pursuing." He tossed a fry in his mouth and washed it down with a large gulp of coke. "So what's the big news?"
"My editor," she began. "Well also my publishers…that want me to go to on tour."
"With who Justin Beiber?" he joked.
"I don't know who that is." she replied.
"Never mind," he chuckled. "Go on."
"They want me to do a book tour. My sixth book is coming out soon and they want me to do some promotion."
"How'd they talk you into that?" he asked. PR was just not Bones' thing.
"It was more blackmail than anything," she explained. "The publishing company requires all the authors to travel and promote their books, and until now I have either refused or got out of the requirement due to my work schedule. Until now." She balled her napkin up and released it onto her finished plate. "They can't guarantee a continuation of my contract unless I go."
He let out a low whistle. "Wow, that's some powerful blackmail."
"I know," she agreed.
"When do you leave?" he asked.
She sighed as she looked out the window. "Soon."
"Like tomorrow soon or three weeks soon Bones? Cause I got some beers in your fridge I want to get back. And how long will you be gone?"
"I leave in ten days," she clarified. "I'll be gone for just over a month."
"A month!" he shouted and she shh'd him. "A month?"
"I know it's a long time," she said," but they have me covering a large area. I'll need some recuperation time between cities. Booth I don't like this either. I hate being away from everyone that long. I'll miss Parker's football games and your hockey games, Thanksgiving…you."
"No Bones, I understand," he said sadly. "Will you be back in time for Christmas?"
"The plan is to be back the week of," she replied softly. "Will you have Parker for Thanksgiving this year?"
He shook his head. "I had him last year remember?"
She chuckled softly remembering them cooking her a tofurkey-or trying to at least-during the holiday. She had enjoyed their time together as a trio immensely. She was instantly saddened they wouldn't be together this year as well as Booth now being alone as well.
Booth pushed the rest of his plate away suddenly losing his appetite for anything else. He was happy for her, her books deserved credit and promotion…he just wished she could do it via webcam or card board cut out with a recording taped to the back.
"Well Bones, I'll miss ya, that's for sure," he relented trying not to be totally crushed. He had been looking forward to watching the parade, eating take out and snuggling on her couch the whole day. Now he was going to have to stay home, get drunk and eat Ramen Noodles.
"I'm sorry Booth. This wasn't how I planned on spending the next month of my life either. Does Hank or Jared have any plans for the holidays yet?"
"Pops is going his girlfriend's daughter's place I think and Jared…I don't like Jared. I'll be fine Bones. I'll make sure I don't leave out any loose ties to hang myself from the shower rod with." He gave her a large, fake smile. "I hope you have a good time."
"I know you mean that, even with the fake happiness and sarcasm," she told him. "I'll be back before you know it. And who knows, maybe you'll get a few cases and all your free time will be devoted to that."
"Bones you're not making me feel any better. Go. Have a good time. Bring me back a Lady Liberty lighter."
"I'm actually going the west coast," she hesitantly corrected.
"Great, even further away," he said tossing his hands up. "Who's keeping you safe Bones? Have they hired security? Is it a flunk-out rent a cop?"
"I have no knowledge of their safety precautions Booth," she said. "I assume they take care of that."
"What? Bones you have to be kidding me. There are all sorts of psychos out there, especially the closer you get to California. What if some crazy with a mommy fetish tries to cop a feel or something or tries to steal a lock of your hair?"
"Booth I'm going to be perfectly safe, trust me. If I feel I need protection I'll take my big gun." She began pulling bills from her wallet and dropping them on the table. "You bought last time," she reminded him before he could chastise her. She zipped her purse back up and put it on her shoulder. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."
"It's all right." He stood and tucked his chair back in. "Let's get you back to the lab."
.
.
Booth sat at his desk pondering all the things that were swirling in his head. He was going to minus a kid and now minus a partner/best friend for the holidays. Being alone during the year was fine except for major holidays. Then being alone meant you were a leper.
"Agent Booth?" Sweets knocking broke him from his thoughts. "Do you perhaps have a minute?"
Booth raked a hand over his already disheveled hair. "Yeah Sweets, what's up?"
Sweets stepped in and paused in front of a chair placed in front of Booth's desk. "Do you have plans for the upcoming holidays?"
Booth's eyes moved from his desk to the man in front of him. "Why?"
"Well I was wondering if maybe you wanted to come over and have Thanksgiving dinner with Daisy and myself. See neither of us have any living family and we would like to make a traditional Thanksgiving dinner…but it seems pretty pathetic when it's only the two of us. We're also going to ask Hodgins and Angela, Cam and Michelle as well. You know, the more the merrier."
"I didn't know Daisy could cook," Booth said. Of all the things Daisy went on and n about, cooking wasn't one of them.
"She can…sort of. The sides are easy so that will be a piece of cake," Sweets said hopefully.
"What about the turkey?"
"That she's never cooked before but she's scoured the internet, cooking shows, Paula Dean, all that and I'm confident she won't screw it up too bad."
Booth groaned inwardly. What had he done to deserve this punishment? Thanksgiving, at Sweets'? He just didn't think he had the strength in himself. Maybe if Bones were going.
"You mentioned everyone but Bones, what about her?" Booth asked suddenly. Had she already told the twerp about her trip?
"Daisy is going to ask Dr. Brennan. She seems very excited about hosting with Dr. Brennan in attendance."
Booth almost felt sorry for the kid and his girl. It was known to everyone that Daisy had a hard-on for his Bones and really, it was kind of flattering. Poor Daisy. He could imagine how that conversation would go. The girl might cry.
"Sweets you should probably know something," Booth said taking pity on the baby duck and the ducklette. "Bones, she's going on a book tour through Thanksgiving. She told me today at lunch."
"Oh…oh no Daisy will be devastated. She's been practicing this cranberry desert she heard Dr. Brennan rave about. She's going to be crushed." Sweets shook his head. "What an inopportune time for all of this."
"Yeah," Booth agreed sarcastically. Who the hell was Sweets to complain? While Daisy wasn't anywhere near his type she was cute and definitely made for Sweets and seeing them together gave Booth hope that he might one day have that too.
"Do you think you'll be able to make it?" Sweets asked. "It would mean a lot to us both."
Was the little runt asking for a personal favor? It sure seemed that way. The look in his eyes was near pleading. Sweets was supposed to deliver willing and able bellies for Daisy to feed or he might get his sex privileges taken away for good.
"I'll do my best Sweets, no promises though," was the best he could do at this time.
"Thank you Agent Booth, very much," Sweets said happily.
"Great Sweets. Now leave me alone so I can do some work." He waved Sweets from his office.
"Sure thing, thanks again," Sweets called over his shoulder.
"Sometimes I really want to strangle that little bastard," Booth muttered to himself.
.
.
"So Bren," Angela carefully folded stock paper into the shape of an airplane," tell me about this book tour thing. How's it work?" She aimed and fired, sending the plane into Hodgins' direction. It landed smoothly at his feet.
"Angela this is a scientific lab, not a recess ground," Brennan chastised.
"It's play ground sweetie and sheesh, lighten up. This book tour got your panties in twist?"
"Nothing is twisted," Brennan emphasized. "I'm just worried I guess. Booth is going to be alone on Thanksgiving this year and I hate that for him. Last year he, Parker and I had a wonderful time together and I don't want him sulking the entire time I'm gone. He'll stay home, drink nothing but beer, not shower and eat horrible foods that give him heartburn."
"Careful Bren, your Mrs. Booth is showing," Angela snickered.
"I don't know what that means," she snapped," but I don't like the way it sounds. I'm purely worried about Booth because he is my partner and friend. Why must everything about us being twisted into something sexual?"
"It isn't twisted Bren, it is sexual. You two are like a wet dream without the happy ending. Have you ever thought of taking Booth with you on this little trip? I'm sure he could use a vacation." Angela quickly put her hands out to catch the plane Hodgins glided back to her. She unfolded, read and quickly scribbled something back.
"Oh gross," Cam gagged. "Really? On paper?"
Angela's head looked up at Cam over her shoulder.
"Hi Cam!" she said cheerfully.
"You two really need a cold shower." She shook trying to block out that mental memory. "Dr. Brennan I have all your paperwork ready for your vacation so you are all set." She handed over the thin file. "I know you didn't give specifics but I jotted down some sights to see on the west coast if you get the time. It's really beautiful country over there."
Brennan quickly scanned the list. "Thank you Cam that was very thoughtful of you."
"You're welcome." Cam turned to leave but stopped short as an incoming plane nearly hit her.
"Sorry Cam," the replied instantly in unison.
.B&B
"Bones will ya shut up already," Booth teased hauling her cases to his car. "You're my partner who's going on some long vacation/work thing. I won't see you for a whole month, the least I can do is drive you to the airport."
"I know," she chuckled," but I could have just as easily taken a cab." She fumbled for her ticket inside her purse.
"Yeah yeah Bones, just say thank you and we'll be on our way." He stood still after he closed the boot and waited for her.
"Fine," she relented," thank you. Can we go now?"
"Yes." He handed her her carry-on and pulled her other larger suitcase behind him. The wheels slid easily on the pavement as they walked side by side into the crowded airport.
Booth waited behind the lines of people as she checked her bags and stood beside her as she waited to go through security.
"I'm gonna miss you Bones," he reminded her as her time approached to go through the metal detectors.
"And I you," she replied. "Time will go by quickly, you'll see." She placed her carry-on and purse along with her shoes and coat in the plastic bin. "Make sure Parker practices his multiplication tables."
"Okay Bones."
She let the men sweep her body then went through and collected her things. She tugged her casual shoes back on and put her bags over her shoulder. She waved again to him as she went through the gate and disappeared.
He was standing there, watching all the passengers board, wishing he had hugged her and reminded her to eat and to call him when she landed, make sure she locked her room doors, didn't talk to strangers, or crossed the street without looking both ways…
"Stop worrying and give me a hug."
He turned around to find her standing face to face with him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he pressed their bodies together tightly. She was soft and smooth under his hands, her body molding to fit inside the cradle he had made for her in his arms.
"I'm not worrying," he whispered in her ear.
"Liar," she scolded playfully. "You always worry too much. I'll be fine, I can take care of myself." She pulled back to be able to look at his face. His hands were still at her hips not wanting to let her go anytime soon.
"Did you bring your big gun?" he teased.
"Sorry, can't tell you that," she said with a coy voice. She straightened his jacket holding onto the lapels tightly. "You'll get my mail right?"
"Promise," he told her.
"And water my plants?"
"Promise."
"And watch my big TV?"
"Promise."
They both laughed and hugged again this time both closing their eyes to make memories of each other.
"I'll only be gone a month," she reminded them both.
"Four weeks," he agreed letting her go so she could board for real this time.
"Call when you land!" he called to her and she waved over her shoulder to acknowledge she would.