You're Still the One
Disclaimer: Nope, not mine. Wish they were, then I could really make them have some fun!
A/N: So, I got a new mp3 for Christmas and I was playing with it, trying to get all the songs I like in it. Which is harder than it sounds because it only holds about 450 songs, yeah, that should be enough, shouldn't it? It somehow isn't. But anyway, I was going to the songs and found one I haven't heard in a long time - Shania Twain's You're Still the One. I absolutely love that song and I could see BB dancing to it as soon as I heard it. And I knew I had to write a one shot; but me being me, I couldn't just write two or three pages and have them dance to it. Nope, I had to write a background for it - but I still dont know where this came from. It's somewhat different than my usual fics but it's still fluffly. I want to thank Puppet for her help betaing and Red for her feedback. I added a bit more fluff at the end since she asked so nicely! Now, please, read, enjoy and review!!!
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"Well, I never thought I'd see this day," Angela Montenegro-Hodgins commented, as she sipped her wine and looked around the room.
"What do you mean?" her best friend, Dr. Temperance Brennan asked, as she too gazed around the room, looking for the sight that had prompted that comment from the artist.
"This," Angela said, waving her hand around to indicate the whole room. "Booth willingly taking a promotion that takes him out of the field, before he absolutely has to, and us throwing him a party."
"Well, Angela," Brennan couldn't help correcting. "We didn't really throw this party; Booth's FBI friends insisted."
"Whatever," Angela said, disregarding that pesky detail. "And that's another thing I thought I'd never see," she added, shifting in her seat to better see Brennan, as she pointed to her. "You being so cool and collected about this whole thing."
"What else am I supposed to be?" Brennan asked, with a shrug, as she took a sip of her water.
"I'm not sure," Angela answered with a frown. "But this isn't what I expected," she said, thoughtfully. "I mean, you do realize that he won't be coming by the lab anymore, right?"
"Yes, I know that, Angela," Brennan said, with an amused smile.
"And you won't be going out into the field with him anymore, either," Angela insisted.
"Yes, I know that too, Ang," Brennan answered, with the same smile.
"You won't be working with him anymore, Bren," Angela persisted.
"I know that, Angela," Brennan said slowly, as if talking to a child. "You're going on as if I'm never going to see him again. He may not be my partner anymore," she added, with a shake of her head. "But he is still my husband, you know. We live together."
"I know that," Angela said. "But still, working together in the field used to be very important to you guys. I'm just surprised that he took that promotion. I would have sworn that he'd fight to stay a field agent until the last possible day."
"Yes, well," Brennan responded, as she played with her glass. "We talked about it and decided that this was for the best. This was the third time he was offered the promotion in the last year and his career might have been stalled if he didn't take it."
"Look at you," Angela said with a wide grin. "Acting like a wife, worried about her husband's career."
"How else am I supposed to act?" Brennan wanted to know. "I am his wife."
"Yes," Angela agreed. "It's just nice to see, that's all, even if it's the biggest surprise of all."
"Ummm," Brennan agreed. "Yes, I still remember your scream when I told you we were getting married."
"Well, you couldn't really blame me, could you?" Angela asked, with a grin as she thought back to that day almost two years ago. "You guys had been together for almost three years with nary a word about marriage. Heck, it took you almost two years to decide to move in together. And then one day you showed up at my office to tell me that you guys were getting married in two weeks! How could I have not been surprised?"
"You might have a point," Brennan allowed, with a small smile.
"And two weeks, Brennan!" Angela protested the fact she had complained about since the day she found Booth and Brennan were getting married. "That wasn't enough time to plan a proper wedding!"
"It was enough time to plan the wedding we wanted, Angela," Brennan defended her choice, as she always had. "It was small, intimate and simple; we didn't want anything else. Besides, you still found the time to throw us a party, didn't you?"
"Well," Angela said with a wide grin. "There are some advantages to being a Hodgins."
"Besides being married to Jack, you mean?"
"Yes, besides that," Angela answered and her grin turned into a naughty smile. "Still, I have to admit, your wedding was beautiful and very much you guys."
"Thanks, Ang," Brennan said, sincerely with a far away look, as she remembered that special day. "It was beautiful, wasn't it?" She asked and Angela agreed again. And for a few minutes the two friends started reminiscing about both their weddings.
Maybe it was everyone's reaction to Booth's acceptance of his promotion, or maybe it was hormones that were making her sentimental or it might have been simply that a phase of her life was ending and that was making her look into the past. For whatever reason, she suddenly remembered all the remarks that had started flying around the moment she and Booth had announced they were a couple--and which hadn't stopped until months after the wedding.
She tried to shake those memories away; there was nothing to be gained from dwelling on it. It was in the past, over and down with, water under the bridge; but however many clichés she came up with, she still couldn't put them away. She tried to pay attention to Angela's comments but it was useless and she finally gave in and asked Angela about it.
"Hey, Angela," she said, stopping the artist mid-sentence. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, sweetie," Angela answered promptly, giving Brennan her full attention. "Go ahead."
"Did you ever think," she began only to pause for a moment. She had never asked Angela what she thought about it because she had never been quite sure what her friend's response would be and she hadn't wanted to open a can of worms she wouldn't have known how to close afterwards. But she needed to know the answer, "back when Booth and I first started dating, that maybe we wouldn't make it?"
"Ah, sweetie," Angela said after a few moment's pause. "What makes you ask that?"
The pause, and the question in lieu of an answer, was answer enough. And Brennan just nodded and said, "I see," not bothering to answer Angela's question.
"Sweetie," Angela said again, as she reached forward and took Brennan's hand. "I . . . yes, there were certain moments where I thought that maybe you guys wouldn't be able to make it work," she finally admitted, quietly.
"I see," Brennan repeated, just as quietly. "Why?" She asked, as she looked into Angela's distressed eyes. "You were always the one that pushed me towards him; you were always going on and on about how we were meant to be together; that we're soul mates or some such thing. Was that a lie?"
"No, of course not," Angela denied, vehemently. "I've always believed that . . . I still think that," she reaffirmed.
"Then why?" Brennan persisted. "If you thought we loved each other so much, why did you ever think that we wouldn't make it? How could you have thought both things at the same time?"
"Oh, sweetie," Angela said, shaking her head. Trust Brennan to ask the tough questions. "As important as love is to a relationship, it unfortunately is not the only thing that will make or break one. For a relationship to be successful, the couple needs not only to love each other, but to be completely committed to it, to trust each other above all things, to communicate with each other and to be wiling and able to compromise. And you guys," she paused and shook her head again. "Well, you had the love and the trust and maybe even the communication but you weren't very good at the compromise part of it."
"How can you say that?" Brennan demanded, somewhat insulted. "We've always comprised! That was what made us so strong!" she argued.
"No, sweetie," Angela denied and then held up a hand to stop Brennan from arguing again. "Look, you and Booth, you guys have gone through different stages in your relationship. First you were partners and friends – and that's good. And yes, as partners and friends you guys were very good at compromising but that changed once you began a romantic relationship."
"I don't see the difference," Brennan said, stubbornly. Angela took a deep breath and prepared to explain what she'd spent months trying to understand.
"When you were partners, it was easy for you guys to compromise. You'd always had very defined areas of expertise and, whatever else can be said about you guys; you'd always respected that expertise. Whenever a decision had to be made in your respective areas of expertise, it was easy for the other person to defer to the expert's opinion. You might not have always agreed with it, but you trusted that the other person knew what he/she was doing.
"And then you became good friends and even though your lives started to overlap, the decisions each of you made still primarily affected only the person making them. Sure, you advised each other and gave your opinions but at the end of the day, you respected the other person's right to make whatever decisions they wanted to make."
"Booth always nagged whenever I made a decision he didn't agree with," Brennan couldn't help but point out.
"Yes," Angela agreed with a nod. "But at the end, he supported whatever you decided; because even though he was your friend and cared for you, you were just friends and your life and his were separate. But when you became a couple that changed. It was no longer your life and his but your lives. Suddenly, the decisions you made affected not only yourself but the other person too. What's more your decisions not only affected you and him but also Parker, since he's such a big part of Booth's life. And neither of you knew how to handle it.
"As much as you loved each other and as ready as you were for the next step in your relationship," Angela paused to think things through and make sure she was saying what she needed to say, "you guys hadn't really thought how things were going to change. I think deep down you thought that things were going to continue as they had been – with some added physical benefits. And when that wasn't the case, you didn't know how to handle it.
"You hadn't ever really been in a relationship where you needed to take the other person's feelings and thoughts into account when making a decision and he was used to being in a relationship with you but still being in charge of his life. And," she added, "you guys are both incredibly stubborn, opinionated, and have very different opinions about some basic things in life – and neither one wanted to be the one to give in. I think, for a while there, you were locked in a struggle for control of the relationship. Until you finally figured out that it wasn't about who was in charge but about making decisions that both could live with; about making sure that both your needs were met and that sometimes one would be in charge and then other times it'd be the other person." She stopped to take a breath and then added, "I'm just glad that you did finally figure it out."
After a silence, where Brennan digested everything she'd just heard, she said, "But you never said anything."
"What could I say?" Angela asked with a shrug. "You guys already had enough on your plate and neither one was ready to hear me. Besides, I had already meddled enough in your relationship. You guys had to figure it out by yourselves."
"You always said that we could work it out, though," Brennan pointed out.
"Because I always thought you could. Sweetie," Angela added, as she squeezed Brennan's hand. "Just because I had a moment or two of doubt about you two making it, doesn't mean that I ever doubted the strength of your feelings or the fact that you guys belong together. It just means that for a while there, I was afraid that your incredibly stubborn natures would get the better of you and you would let go of the best thing that has ever happened to either one of you. I'm very happy that wasn't the case."
"But some people weren't, were they?" Brennan asked, after a few moment's of silence.
"No, some people weren't," Angela agreed. "Some people would have liked to see you two fail. But that's human nature, I'm afraid."
"It is?" Brennan asked, surprised. It would never occur to her to wish ill on anyone.
"Yes, unfortunately, it is," Angela asserted. "Some people are envious and jealous of anyone that is happy. And you guys, well, you guys have it all, don't you? You're two strong, attractive people with successful careers, that are involved in a successful relationship, with the love of your lives. You two have it all; and some people would have been more than happy to see you two lose some of it."
"Was Cam one of those people?" Brennan asked, not sure if she wanted to know the answer but curious nonetheless, giving the pathologist's past relationship with Booth.
"No, of course not," Angela answered firmly and immediately. "You and Cam may never become best friends, but she is your friend and wouldn't wish you ill. Besides whatever she had with Booth is in the past, and she is very fond of him and only wants him to be happy. She's known for a long time that you're what makes him happy."
Brennan nodded her understanding even as she gave a silent sigh of relief. "Did she have any doubts too?"
"Yes," Angela answered simply. "You have to admit you had some pretty rocky times your first few months together," Angela pointed out, almost apologetically.
Brennan nodded again; the first few months had been very rocky. The speculation, gossip and interest about their relationship had been pretty heavy and she hadn't known how to deal with it; she wasn't used to such intense focus on her personal life and it had put a great stress on her, which, in time had turned into a significant stress on the relationship. Combined with the normal growing pains of a new relationship and the problems Angela had just explained, it was no wonder that they had been having a big fight almost every other day. Sometimes, when Brennan thought back to those days, even she was surprised they'd made it as far as they had.
"I guess we did," she said in a thoughtful voice. "What about Hodgins and Zack? Did they have the same doubts?"
"Well," Angela answered, with her first smile in the last few minutes. "You know Zack; I don't think he really understood that you two had gotten together until months after and if he noticed something different, I'm sure he didn't understand it. And Jack," she paused and added with a chuckle, "it turns out that Jack is a hopeless romantic and always reassured me that you two would make it."
Brennan laughed along with Angela but privately thought that it was ironic the only person that seemed to have not had any doubts about her relationship with Booth was the conspiracy nut and not her best friend. Before she could comment on that, however, Booth walked up to their table.
"Hey, ladies," he said, as he leaned forward and kissed Brennan's bare shoulder. "How are you doing?"
"Hey, handsome," Angela responded with a smile as Booth sat next to his wife. "We're fine. How are you enjoying your party?"
"A lot," he answered with a grin, as he brought his wine glass to his lips. "Though, I'll enjoy it more now that I've made the rounds and can stay by my wife's side for the rest of the evening," he added with a grin, even after two years, he got a kick every time he said 'my wife.' He didn't think it'd ever get old.
"I was just telling Bren here," Angela said, knowing that there was more to the story than they'd said and wanting to know what it was. "That you don't look old enough to be giving up field work, and, voluntarily!"
"Yeah, well," Booth said, as he smiled innocently at Angela. "I may not look it but the old reflexes are not what they used to be."
"Ummm," Angela said, not sounding as though she believed that for a moment. She had, after all, seen him bring down a suspect with one shot after a ten minute pursuit the week before. She knew his reflexes were as good as ever. "And," she added. "I can't believe that Brennan is also giving up the field work."
"Angela," she answered the implied question, for what seemed like the thousandth time, "You know I don't want to go into the field with anyone but Booth."
"Yes, I know," Angela agreed and the look in her eyes let them know she was going to keep pressing, so Booth decided to execute a strategic retreat.
"So, wife," he said, with a smirk when Brennan automatically frowned at the nickname. She would rather be called 'Bones' than 'wife'. "How about a dance with your dear, old, husband?"
"You're not old, Booth," she said, as she pushed to her feet. "But I'll dance with you regardless." He laughed and stood up, putting his hand on her waist to lead her to the dance floor.
"Wait here," she told him a few seconds later, as an idea popped into her head. "I'll be right back; I want to request a song."
"You want to request . . .?" He started to ask, but she had already hurried away towards the DJ. He just shook his head thinking that he should really be used to all the surprises she threw his way by now.
A few moments later, she was back and with a beautiful smile on her face stepped into his arms. Before he could ask her what song she had requested, the first notes of Shania Twain's 'You're Still the One" could be heard and the DJ was saying the dedication: "From Temperance to Seeley: Despite it all, we're still here. And I love you more now than I did five years ago. Congratulations on the promotion!"
"Temperance," he began to say, beyond touched at the gesture since he knew how much she disliked public displays of affection.
"Shhh," she said, putting a finger to his lips. "I know. Let's just listen to the song and dance." When he nodded, she laid her head on his shoulder and he tightened his grip on her waist and laid his head on top of hers, as they moved to the songs mellow beat and sang the lyrics to each other:
(When I first saw you, I saw love. And the first time you touched me, I felt love. And after all this time, you're still the one I love.)
Looks like we made it
Look how far we've come my baby
We mighta took the long way
We knew we'd get there someday
Bridge:
They said, "I bet they'll never make it"
But just look at us holding on
We're still together still going strong
"Did you ever think we'd be here?" Brennan couldn't resist asking. "Back when we first met, I mean."
"Back when you thought I was narrow-minded philistine, you mean?" he asked her, with a grin.
"I never thought you were a philistine," she protested with a frown. "Narrow-minded, maybe," she allowed with a grin. "Arrogant. and full of yourself, definitely," she added. in a thoughtful tone.
"Yes, well, back to your question," he said. after shaking his head, "No, I didn't; not at first, at least. I think I didn't let myself go there."
"I know what you mean," she said with a nod, before letting her head fall back onto his shoulder and going back to enjoying the song.
Chorus:
(You're still the one)
You're still the one I run to
The one that I belong to
You're still the one I want for life
(You're still the one)
You're still the one that I love
The only one I dream of
You're still the one I kiss good night Ain't nothin' better
We beat the odds together
I'm glad we didn't listen
"Did all the talk back when we got together," she said after a few moments, "ever make you doubt that we could make it?" She asked after a brief internal debate. Just like she'd never talked about this with Angela, she'd never brought it up with Booth either.
"Did I . . . ?" Booth repeated, surprised. "Of course not!! How can you ask that?" He asked her, bewildered that she would even think that.
"So, you never doubted that we would make it?" she pressed, needing to finally talk about it.
"Of course . . ." he started to categorically deny any such thing but the look in her eyes stopped him. He took a deep breath and told her the truth, because he had never told her anything less than that. "Yes, I had a few moments of doubts, – Temperance, we were fighting a lot those first few months. But I always knew I loved you and that you loved me and I never doubted that we wanted to make it work or that we could. But yes, there were moments I wondered if we would; though they were never prompted by what someone else had said." He paused for a moment and then asked, "Can you tell me you didn't have those moments too?"
"No," she said softly, relieved he had been honest. She found that, strangely enough, she felt better knowing he had had doubts too. "I had those moments too. But they never lasted long and they always made me more determined to try harder."
"Yes," he nodded, glad they were on the same page. "Me too. But we made it and here we are."
"Yes," she agreed with a sweet smile. "Here we are," and with that they lost each other in the song again.
Bridge:
They said, "I bet they'll never make it"
But just look at us holding on
We're still together still going strong
(You're still the one)
You're still the one I run to
The one that I belong to
You're still the one I want for life
(You're still the one)
You're still the one that I love
The only one I dream of
You're still the one I kiss good night
I'm so glad we made it
Look how far we've come my baby
"I'm so glad we made it," he repeated softly when the song ended, leaning forward to kiss her. She kissed him back and they got lost in each other until the hoots and applause brought them back. They grinned at each other for a few minutes and started to dance to the next song. A few minutes later, he broke the comfortable silence.
"So, Angela suspects something's up, doesn't she?" he asked with a grin.
"Did you really think she wouldn't?" she asked back.
"Nope," he answered without a moment's thought. "And you still want to wait to tell her?"
"Yes," she answered simply. "I want to wait for the first trimester to be over before we tell anyone."
"Ok," he said, as his grin widened as it had every time the subject was brought up, which had been every few minutes since they found out she was pregnant. "I can't believe we're having a baby!" he said in an excited whisper.
"Me neither," she answered with a rueful smile. "I'm still not sure how you talked me into marrying you, let alone get pregnant!"
"Yeah, well, it must have been my natural charm," he said with his charm smile.
"Must have been," she agreed. Then she got serious and told him, "I love you; nothing and no one else in the world would have gotten me to agree to either of those things."
"I know," he said seriously. "And I love you more for it." With a gentle grin, he leaned forward and they once again got lost in the magic of their love.