Timeline: Post S3

Disclaimer: I don't own them, but if anyone wants to send me Booth I won't argue...

She turns the nozzle and listens as the water begins to fall on the cool tile of her tub. This was just what she needed - a place of comfort, of solace. Just like working tirelessly on the platform trying to find that last piece of information that would lead to an ID. Or a night at the diner with Booth. She shakes the last thought free; that was a different kind of solace altogether. Stripping off the remainder of her clothes, she steps into the shower and lets the warm water wash over her.

It had been a long, dreadful day. Over four hours in any vehicle would be enough to wear on a person, but that had just been the beginning. She still couldn't piece together how they'd ended up in a standoff , but it had happened and when the shots rang out... Well, she couldn't recall if the scream ripped through her or if it had been entirely in her head. Either way, it left her shaking. She had watched as he pulled himself off the concrete and handcuffed the suspect before turning to face her, giving a small nod. He was fine and she had let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.

Sighing, she leans against the wall of the shower trying to make the feeling fade away. Here, under the warm spray, she lets buried emotions course through her, not caring to examine each one. Often, she finds her thoughts drifting towards Booth, their relationship. How she understands exactly what it is, but can't acknowledge it aloud. Not yet.

The water suddenly turns cold and she takes it as a cue to get out and dry off. Her pajama bottoms are just coming to rest on her hips when she hears the pounding on the front door.

"Come on, Bones, open up." More pounding. "I know you're in there."

"Hey." She opens the door and finds him balancing two paper bags on his hip. "Sorry, I was in the shower."

"I see that." He gulps and moves into the apartment. "I brought Thai food."

"Eating this late is going to catch up to you one of these days, Booth." She shuts the door and starts toward the living room. His free hand lands on the small of her back, pressing against her shirt and causing it to stick to her damp skin. She pushes away a shudder and sits down on the floor.

"And it'll have no effect on you?" He settles on the floor next to her.

"The only time I eat this late is when you show up."

"Oh, so I'm a bad influence."

"Horrible."

She watches as he pulls the take out from the bag and begins handing her her favorites. She'd never actually told him they were her favorites; he'd taken note. She feels the corners of her mouth curl up and shakes her head as she begins eating. She's hungrier than she'd realized; the day having taken its toll. A compaionable silence descends as he starts eating as well. It continues for awhile puncuated only by napkins rustling and the occasional sigh. She's reaching for the last of the mee krob when he clears his throat.

"Temperance, listen, I knew what I --" She holds a hand up, effectively killing the words on his lips. She gives a slight nod and their eyes meet in unspoken understanding. Her hand covers his for a moment and a smile quirks on his face as he stealithly grabs for the mee krob. Laughter bubbles out from both of them as they let the night wash away the tension of the day.