-squeeee- It's finally herrre! The sequel to Fine. I took a little bit of an angsty turn for a few minutes but rest assured- it is still quite fluffy and delightful. [ or at least I hope you guys think so! I had some issues with this chapter, particularly the start of it, so please let me know what you think. Second chapter is written and will be up ASAP [ probably tonight if my internet cooperates So enjoy! And remember- Reviews feed my soul...
That night had been a turning point for the partners. It was monumental, for both of them and as they sat at the diner, yet again, waiting for their coffees they studied each other.
Booth gazed lovingly, what a relief to finally be able to say that, at his partner and as he saw her studying him he smiled. She was giving him the same look she gave a set of newly discovered bones or evidence, intense scrutiny that was completely free of bias. It was an exhilarating experience, being stared down like he was currently and as uncomfortable as it may sound he felt himself entranced. Her piercing eyes had a softer side behind them that she was letting him see much more than usual, a window into the real Temperance. He was good at reading people, it was a gift and nothing new, but the depth of emotions he now saw and the new things he picked around her, he still found himself being surprised by her. They have been partners for three years, almost died and spent more time together than apart; he had thought they knew each other pretty damn well. He wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of their lives learning these secrets and sharing his own; knowing such a statement would frighten her he instead chose to reach his hands across the hand and cover hers with a comforting smile.
Her mind was going a mile a minute. This was amazing and horrifying. Thrilling and terrifying. She was starting to realize that she really did care for Booth, more than she ever would have imagined she could and that scared the living daylights out of her. In her mind she instinctively thought of her past and those loved ones who had left her, leaving her broken and forced to pick up the pieces of herself time and time again. She wanted to trust Booth though and her rational mind grudgingly agreed with her impulsive side- Booth had been the one constant in her life for three years now. He was her…rock? She remembered Angela making a reference to him being something like that…maybe it was boulder, not that it really mattered. She found herself searching his eyes for any trace of doubt, any hint that he wanted out of their sudden new terms. She instead found only caring concern and the love she noticed earlier and her mouth curved into a smile as he felt his hands on her own and sighed softly.
"Booth?" she asked timidly, still unsure of what exactly she would say to him. He looked at her and nodded with a strange grin on his face, almost as if he were speechless, she thought with a chuckle. Smiling broader and grasping his broad, work hardened hands in her own she looked into eyes as she spoke softly. "Please understand what I'm trying to say here…I'm happier than I have really ever been when I'm around you Booth. I want to do this and I'm not scared. I trust you never to leave me.." she suddenly got choked up and looked to the side for a moment returning her gaze when she felt one of his hands raise up to touch her cheek softly. She sniffled a little then laughing met his concerned gaze "I do trust you Booth. More than I should probably…But that's what I wanted to say or ask I guess. Don't let me overanalyze this. My mind and my past experiences are telling me to run for the hills, get out now" She laughed and raised her hand to touch his face when she saw the sudden flash of fear in his features. "Don't worry. I want to stay, I don't want to run and I have no reason to. Just don't let me over think this. I want us to work. I really do, Booth." She felt herself running out of words and looked to the still silent man across the table expectantly.
He listened to her speech and fell even more in love her, if that was even possible. He saw the fear reflected in her eyes and knew how hard it must be for her to ignore that inner instinct, ignore the flight response instilled in her after abandonment and heartbreak. It killed him to think that somebody had hurt her, but made him even more intent on his purpose- keep her safe and happy for as long as he was around. Which was going to be his forever, whether she liked it or not. He suddenly realized that she was looking at him and he found himself scrambling for the right words to convey his emotions. "We are going to work Bones, I know it. I will never leave you, not ever…it kills me to even consider it, and I love you too much to ever spend any length of time away from you. If you run, I'll follow. Hell, I'll even enlist Ange to help monitor your over thinking just in case I miss some subtle girl sign or something…I never want to lose you, ever." He finished and looked up at her gently bringing her hand to his mouth and kissing it. He saw her shyly smiling at him and knew in that moment that they would be alright.
It had been a little over a month since their formal change from partners into something more, and while it wasn't a secret around the lab they had taken great steps in ensuring they acted no differently towards one another at work. Booth was standing with Hodgins and Zack at the far end of the platform, with some sort of bug race; he honestly didn't listen when the overexcited scientists brought out the insects, contained in their own little jars. He once again sighed, mentally kicking himself for letting them talk him into being the referee for their competition. He was fielding an interference debate when he saw somebody very familiar walk onto the platform and straight for his partner's office. He had to fight every urge in his body to keep from powering over and confronting their visitor but instead he decided to give Bones a chance to handle it on her own before he went all 'alpha-male' on her and defended her honor. Only a few minutes though. He split his attention between the arguing men in front of him and side glances at the office across the platform.
Bones had just sent Angela to save Booth from the bug racing and was settling into her chair when she heard her friend's shocked gasp and an all too familiar voice acknowledge their meeting "Angela." Her friend uttered nothing in return but her clicking heels made their way quickly across the platform. Just as Brennan was searching for escape routes the guest was at her door and she found herself able to utter only one thing "What the hell are you doing here?"