Summary: Bones' practical joke makes Booth think. Total BB loveliness.

Disclaimer: Nope, don't own it.

As Usual

Agent Booth approached the familiar lab, pushing down the excitement he felt welling in his chest every time he recognized his partner's level auburn ponytail and straight, guarded stance. She'd become easy for him to recognize, even from behind, even from long distances. Maybe it was because Booth had become accustomed to looking for her. Maybe because of the many collective hours he'd spent watching her, drinking in every detail greedily, even the unconscious details she wasn't even aware of.

Booth took a deep breath and strode evenly up the steps toward the platform, where the good Dr. Brennan and Angela were working. Well, Bones was attempting to work while Angela was hovering around her, seemingly quizzing her best friend about something she was uncomfortable answering, since Bones kept looking up from the skeleton, annoyed, gesturing sternly. She was probably asking about her date with Glenn Broomfield – Bloomstead – whatever. He didn't want to think about it except to hope the man was an annoying, chauvinistic ass. He caught a line of their conversation before Angela noticed him.

"I just don't understand why, if he's so successful and it went so well, you're not going out with him again!"

"I don't know…he just didn't spark my interest is all."

Booth couldn't help the satisfied grin he felt grow across his face.

"Hey Booth." Angela said with a grin that matched his, glancing from him to her friend, who had her focus turned back on the skeleton on her table.

"Hi." He returned her greeting. "Hey Bones."

She turned her blue eyes up to meet his and gave him a desperate look followed by a smile. "Thanks for saving me. She's like a vulture sometimes."

He grinned at her. "Anytime."

Angela rolled her eyes. God, if those two didn't get together soon, she was probably going to explode.

Bones descended the platform with Booth on her heels, going to her office to show him the notes she'd put together on their case. Angela tagged along behind.

Bones had opened the file, Booth hovering closely over her shoulder, and began saying something anthropological to him that he probably didn't understand when they both noticed Angela leaning against the doorframe. Not that she wasn't welcome, they just weren't used to anyone being there with them as they bounced ideas off each other and talked out the case.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't know this was a private party."

"It's not…whatever that means. We just-"

"Want to be alone. Gotcha. Say no more." Angela smiled and winked.

Booth grinned. He didn't know why, but he always enjoyed Angela's comments. Just like how he always enjoyed the way people assumed he and Bones were a couple. He rarely corrected them. Bones, however, was rolling her eyes.

"Angela." She called her best friend back before she could turn and leave.

"Yes, sweetie."

"There's something I want to tell you. I know you've wanted to hear this for a long time, so here goes." Bones took a deep breath and discreetly reached down to lace her fingers through Booth's. He looked down at their hands in surprise. "Booth and I…we're together. We're in love."

Booth and Angela's jaws dropped simultaneously. They stared at the forensic anthropologist, whose face betrayed no humor. Booth's heart hammered against his chest. They'd never said anything about that before. Not that he hadn't felt it…he thought that maybe she might've felt it, too. But how did she know with such certainty how he felt about her and why the hell was she blurting it out to Angela before discussing it with him?

"Really?!?!" Angela shrieked, finally regaining her senses.

"No." Bones replied directly, with a smirk as she watched Angela try to find words for her anger.

"Bren, how could you!? Are you trying to kill me? Really, do you want me to have a heart attack!?"

Bones had released Booth's hand and walked past her fuming friend out to the platform again.

"Well, serves you right for grilling me about me and Booth all the time."

The two friends bickered on the platform until Angela stormed away, not really angry, she knew Bren wouldn't let her get away with it for long. Booth was trying to calm his pulse and control his shaking hands. There was no denying it now. Hearing Bones say those words had sent his hopes flying, and she dashed them just as quickly.

"Booth? You coming?" He heard her ask, and he stepped up to the platform.

"Yeah, I'm listening." She was watching him closely, she knew something was up.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, you just shocked me a little back there." He tried to laugh a little. Bones grinned.

"Sorry, but she left me no choice. I think she actually believed me for a second. To think, us, in love." She chuckled to herself. Booth forced a smile.

"Yeah, ridiculous."

She started to spout off her findings to him again. He didn't meet her eyes when he knew she was looking at him. He fastened his gaze to the skeleton, knowing if he glanced up she would instantly recognize the love and disappointment clearly written in his chocolate eyes that for some reason she seemed to read so well.

"What's the matter?" He heard her ask, and he started back to reality, meeting her eyes for a moment before glancing back down at the skeleton.

"Nothing…you were saying?" He prompted, and her brows were furrowed as she analyzed him, but she continued. Booth took a deep breath and shook off the feeling, like he'd shaken it off so many other times when he hadn't quite acknowledged what it was, exactly. But now he knew, and suddenly Bones was staring at him again, and as he looked into her blue eyes, he thought she knew, too. But the look flickered in her eyes and was gone again as she cleared her throat and said something complicated.

"English, please?"

"Booth, I am speaking English. Just because you can't understand my technological terms does not mean…"

Booth grinned as she continued the rant he'd heard before and began walking down the platform. She followed automatically to his SUV as they continued their banter, as usual. But this time, when his hand unconsciously drifted to the small of her back, her voice hitched and she glanced sideways at him. He gave her his best charm smile and she smiled back, picking up her sentence again. They toyed with the illusion of normalcy that day, both knowing the other felt it, too. Both knowing that nothing was the same anymore.

No, I'm not finished yet. I've got another chapter and a little epilogue for this story. But I'd love to hear what you think so far! Drop me a line, I love reviews even if it's just to say hi! Thanks for reading,

Austin B.