1638.1

Just an idea that popped into my head and I wanted to...HAD to post it before it faded. I have no idea where this might lead, but its a fun thought.
=====================================================================

Booth and Brennan were having their usual post case talk at the diner.

And as usual, there was an underscore of emotional and sexual tension between them, along with a tenderness and an affection that an outside person could not fail to notice. In the beginning they discussed the case, but again as usual, the talk drifted to affectionate banter that left them both smiling.

Eventually Booth excused himself to use the washroom. As he passed a nearby table, he felt a firm hand grip his forearm. Booth was brought to a stop.

"Excuse me young man, might you have the time of day?"

Booth looked down at an older gentleman, then quickly glanced around the table. The old guy was sitting with several other people. All wealthy and attractive looking. Why was this bunch hanging around an ordinary diner, when they looked like a 5 star restaurant crowd?

For some reason Booth felt a moment of confusion. He couldn't place the accent of the man, foreign certainly, Mediterranean possibly...and he couldn't place the man's age...at first glance he would have guessed late fifties, early sixties. But the guys eyes, that's what confused Booth...those eyes...they seemed to burn with vitality, but at the same time seemed so...ancient...

Booth looked at his watch, and said, "Uh...its 7:35 P.M.?" He raised his eyebrows in an unspoken,"Is that all?" and made to go on his way.
But that grip tightened just above Booth's wrist, and although it wasn't really all that tight, Booth had the feeling this guy's grip could be like an iron shackle if he wanted it to be.

"Might I make a query, young man? Regarding your beautiful companion there?"

Booth's brow furrowed, but he remained silent, so the gentleman went on.
"She is very beautiful, and it is obvious there is a great affection between you both. I daresay, even love. "
Booth opened his mouth to protest, but the man waved it away with an almost imperious gesture.

"Don't try to deny it young man...I've seen it too many times to be wrong about it. Tell me , why do you hesitate? Why do you both draw away from one another when you are attracted to each other so powerfully its easy for anyone to see it?" The man looked piercingly into Booth's eyes.

Booth found himself answering almost against his will. "Listen buster...not that its any of your business, but we're partners, we work together. We don't indulge in personal relationships because its against the rules, and we..."

"Stupidity"." the man said with another imperious gesture. . Booth was getting annoyed. The man gazed at Brennan, and said "Do you not realize life should be savored, enjoyed? Do you not realize what you have there..." He nodded toward Brennan, "Is something few men find? There's love between you both, LOVE! How can you deny yourselves the joy of such love and passion, over such stupidity as rules. Living life, to truly live, you must break some rules. Do you not wish to start living Mr. Booth? You are not, you think you are, but your life is a shadow of what it could be. Oh, I know you think you have had some adventures.." the man's eyes left Brennan and they gripped Booth's again...but there is so much more to be experienced, do you not wish to take the zest of life to its fullest?"

Booth's locked eyes with the older gentleman's, and a moment of realization passed between them both. Each was looking into the eyes of a warrior...

Booth snatched his arm out of that grip...and felt he had been allowed to.

"My life is just fine, thank you. I don't know where you get off judging my life and making assumptions like you have, but I hope you and your crew here have had your fun slumming, and maybe you should go back to your yaught or private plane or whatever you rich people travel in and go find your own kind."

Booth stalked off, and the gentleman watch him leave with a look of humor and anticipation.

"Him?" one of his companions asked.

"Oh yes, him..." he said with a grin.

"Now...We must be off! I must find some drinkable wine in this town, and must visit the sights! Come!" he said with huge geniality to his companions, , and strode out of the diner, and they followed him like a pride of lions following the head male.

In the washroom, Booth was dashing water over his face to cool his temper before he went back out...he was looking into the mirror and taking a long breath, when he realized that total stranger out there had called him by name...