This has been floating around in my brain for a while. I needed something to keep my muse happy while I squelched the desire to write something about about their time now without accidently letting something slip for those that don't want any spoilers for the next episode.
So I give you this a crossover Bones/NCIS. I think jealous Booth is hot and I am sure between Tony being Tony and Gibbs, Booth will have plenty to fuel that jealousy.
So let me know what you think.
He stood in the doorway to her office, she hadn't noticed him yet. How many times had they done this? How many times over the years had he come to her office to pick her up after a long day? How many times had he wished he was picking her up to take her home, their home? That all ended when he asked her to take a chance and she said no. They had both ran to the far sides of the earth. She thought they could pick up where they left off when they returned, but he came back with a girlfriend.
The girlfriend didn't work out so well, another rejection, many nights of drinking and self loathing. Many nights of wondering what was wrong with him, many nights of being angry at women in general. He had told Bones he needed time, time to find that inner peace before putting himself back out there. She needed to be stronger, strong enough to risk a relationship. He found the peace, but not the courage to test her strength.
She turned and saw him there. "Booth, why are you standing there staring?"
"Sorry, you looked busy and I didn't want to interrupt."
"That has never stopped you before." She said as she slipped off her lab coat. He stepped in and picked up her bags where they sat next to her desk. She looked closely at his face. "You have something on your mind."
"It is nothing." He gave her a weak smile "We will talk about it later."
They finished their dinner and he took her home. He sat in the SUV and watched her until she was inside the building before he drove off. How was he going to tell her? Did he need to tell her? It was a fantastic opportunity and who was he kidding, he wasn't getting any younger, how long could he running around in the field chasing bad guys? This job would give him more of a set schedule so he could have more of a normal life, and he could give Parker a better life.
Brennan knew something had been bothering Booth, but she also knew that he would tell her in his own time. In all the years they had worked together, she learned that pushing him for information only caused him to clam up. What she did know about this information was that was that it was occupying most of his thoughts. He had scarcely said a word to her from the time he picked her up to the time he dropped her off. She was confident that they would make it through whatever was on Booth's mind.
Baltimore wasn't that far, maybe 35, 40 minute drive… each way. Move somewhere in between, cutting down driving to 15 to 20 minutes and they could still hang out once in a while. Could he stand to only see her only the once in a while? Had the old feelings come back somewhere along the way? He walked into his bathroom to get ready for work and looked at his reflection. Who was he fooling, he never stopped loving her. He only held back after Hannah because he was afraid she would run again and he knew he couldn't stand that. At least this way she was here and safe and he could see her, touch her, and talk to her. He hadn't made a decision yet; he wanted to talk to her first. He just didn't know how to bring it up to her.
He picked up his phone flipped it open and pushed the speed dial button for her.
"Morning Booth, do we have a case?"
"No, no case Bones. Was wondering if we could meet for breakfast, I have something to discuss with you. I could pick you up."
"Sure breakfast would be nice; I can be ready in about 15 minutes."
"See you then."
They rode to the diner in silence. She stole glances at him and could tell by the lines in his face he had not slept much the night before.
"Booth whatever this is has you rather concerned. I am sure if you just talk about it, you will feel better. Keeping stuff like this inside can cause stress on the body which can cause premature aging."
"Bones, can we just wait until we get to the diner?"
"I was just pointing out that you are obviously under stress by the deep worry …"
"Bones stop … please."
She turned and looked out the window. They sat at their usual table and after the waitress took their order, she spoke again.
"Booth, what is it you wanted to discuss with me?"
Booth stared out the window for several minutes, never taking his eyes of the street pole across the street, "I have been offered a promotion."
"That is wonderful Bo …"
"In Baltimore, running that field office"
"Oh."
"Bones it is a great opportunity."
"I understand. I am happy for you Booth." She took a deep breath and gave him her best smile.
"So you think I should take it?"
"Is that what you asked me here for, was to tell you what to do?" No I don't think you should. What about us? You promised, you promised you would never betray me.
"No, but you would tell me if I shouldn't …right?"
"Booth, as you said this is a great opportunity. I would never ask you to pass it up." She dropped her head "So yes, I think you should take it."
Her head was spinning, she felt like she was suffocating, she needed to get away from him; she needed to get some perspective. "Booth, I have a meeting this morning with my publisher, I need to go."
"I'll drive …"
"No, no" she shook her head slightly, "You have breakfast and we will catch up later."
She left the diner and hailed the first cab she saw. She gave the cab driver her address and leaned her head back against the seat and concentrated on breathing.
Once Brennan closed the door to her apartment, her haven, every emotion she had held in came rushing to the surface. Her eyes blurred to the point she was unable to see more than fuzzy outlines, her breathing became labored and burst out of her in only what could be described as guttural moans. Her legs gave out on her and she slid down her door to the floor. The pain she felt in her chest was something she had only experienced twice before, when her parents left her and then again when Booth came home with Hannah.
Once she became aware again of her surroundings afternoon shadows were playing across the walls. She hiccupped slightly as she sat up, her body felt heavy, just to force herself off the ground was utilizing every ounce of strength she had. As she padded across her living room, she didn't even bother to turn on any lights, "Three days, three days for my world to right itself." She didn't even bother to take her clothes off, just removed her shoes and crawled in between her sheets and prayed for sleep.
The ringing sound was persistent and annoying; she rolled over trying to find the offending device. As she felt her alarm clock she repeatedly pushed the button that should silence it, however, as her mind became more alert she realized the ringing was not her alarm clock it was coming from the other room. As her mind cleared enough to register it was her cell phone the ringing stopped. She rolled back over, she stared at her window noticing it seemed considerably brighter than it had when she crawled into bed. She didn't care she just wanted to sleep, she pulled her pillow over he head to drowned out the ringing.
Brennan was awaken this time by a pounding, a pounding on her front door. Maybe if I am quiet they will go away. The pounding persisted, they were not giving up, she sighed as she pulled herself out of bed and shuffled to the door. As she looked through the peep-hole she saw a very determined Angela beating on the door with the side of her hand. "Bren I know you're in there, I"m not leaving until I see you, so you might as well open the door." She took a deep breath and slowly opened the door wide enough to talk through it.
"As you can see Angela I am fine."
Angela cocked her head to the side with the look on her face proving she was not convinced and would not be happy until she was inside the apartment. "You didn't show up for work yesterday or today and you are not answering your phone, I need more than I'm fine." She crossed her arms and stared intently at Brennan.
"Fine" Brennan sighed as she opened the door wide enough for Angela to enter.
"Oh my God sweetie, are you alright?"
"I told you I was." Confusion written all over Brennan's face.
Angela looked her up and down. "You're in clothes that I'm assuming you put on yesterday and it seems you slept in them."
"I was tired last night and just fell asleep."
"Mhmm, this wouldn't have anything to do with a certain Special Agent being offered a promotion in Baltimore would it?"
Brennan's body stiffened. "He told you?"
"Yes he told us. He also said you told him he should take it."
"It's a wonderful opportunity for him and he can't work in the field forever. He would be suited to this job."
"But …?"
"But what?"
Angela stood in front of her friend crossed her arms and leaning over onto one leg, tapping her opposite foot. "You don't show up to work in two days, you don't answer your phone and you told Booth to take this promotion. There is a big BUT it's written all over your face." Angela paused as she studied her friends face when the realization of what she was looking at hit her. "You still… why didn't you tell him not to go?"
"We missed our chance Angela. We missed it more than once; it's time to move on." With those words Brennan moved around Angela trying to hide the pools that were forming in her eyes.
"Don't try to hide the tears, I'm sorry Sweetie I know you love him."
"Nothing lasts forever. My world will right itself in a couple of days, but as you can see I'm okay, so you may leave."
"Besides being worried about you, there is another reason we have called."
"What's that?"
"There is a request for your expertise on a case that is being handled by NCIS."
"Oh?"
Angela fumbled in her purse and pulled out the paper. Handing Brennan the paper "You're suppose to contact a Special Agent Gibbs at this number."
"I'll call him, Thanks Ange … for everything."
"Sweetie, take a shower and eat something before you call him. I know you don't think so, but you'll feel better and your mind will be clearer if you do."
"I will Angela."
Angela hugged her and made her promise to call if she just wanted to talk. When she was satisfied with the promise Brennan gave her, she slipped out the door and headed for a certain FBI Agents office.
Brennan stood in her shower letting the water cascade over her weary body helping to wash away tension she was feeling. Fresh tears started to fall. She didn't fight them; she allowed them to help cleanse her of the pain she was feeling. The one place the tears and the rushing water could not ease was the tightness in her chest when she thought about Booth leaving. Work would be a welcome distraction, especially when she would be able to work without Booth. She wrapped a towel around her head and slipped on her oversized bathrobe, the one Booth had gotten her two Christmas' ago, even though she told him not to get her a present. She poured herself a cup of coffee, pulled out a pad and pen and her cell and settled on a stool at her breakfast bar and dial the number Angela had given her.
"Gibbs" Brennan furrowed her brow as she listened to the infliction in his voice, which reminded her of Booth.
"Agent Gibbs this is Dr. Temperance Brennan of the Jeffersonian Institute, I was told you were requesting my expertise."
"Yes ma'am, thank you for calling me back. We have a set of skeletal remains belonging to a naval officer; however, so far his cause of death has escaped us. Your name was brought up, saying you have had some luck examining bones."
"I am the best forensic anthropologist in the world. Luck has nothing to do with it Agent Gibbs."
Gibbs smiled very slightly at the phone listening to the seriousness of her voice. "I see."
"So, when would I be able to examine the remains?"
"Whenever you would like Dr. Brennan."
"I can be there in 2 hours."
"That'll be fine; I'll have a pass waiting for you."
Brennan stood observing her reflection in her mirror. She didn't look any different; however, something was very different about her. Her complete breakdown, when she arrived home the day before, was uncharacteristic for her and even now the thought of Booth leaving brought a heaviness to her and a powerful urge to cry. She watched her reflection as her eyes started to fill with tears. She squeezed her eyes tight forcing the tears out, she shook her head and splashed water on her face. Not now, I need to work, I will think about this later.
She continued to get ready and recited the bones of the body to herself to keep from being distracted by thoughts of Booth. If she was to be totally honest about it, reciting the bones only succeeded in causing her to think of bones specific to Booths anatomy, such as his mental protuberance and his perfectly shaped acromion, which eventually led to her thinking about soft brown eyes. She had to repeatedly shake herself and force herself to think of anything not Booth related, which was hard after 6 years of being partners.
Their lives were entwined with the others, even looking around her apartment there were pieces of him everywhere; Jasper the pig, Smurfette, his extra suit in the closet, his duffle bag in the front closet, a shaving kit under her sink, his brand of beer in her refrigerator, his favorite bottle of scotch in her liquor cabinet, and not to mention the monstrosity of a TV hanging from her wall. She looked under her sink and there was his shaving kit sitting on the right side where it had been for the last 4 years. She still had her emergency kit at his house too, a similar bag under his sink and a change of clothing. She would have to remember to pack those things up for him, but not today and maybe not tomorrow.