Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to me. I wish they did, but sadly they do not.
A/N: This started as a oneshot, but it developed into several chapters. I'm almost finished with the final chapter and I think you'll enjoy how it ends. Please R&R!
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Distracted
Lately Booth had been finding it difficult to concentrate. Something was distracting him more and more often. No matter what he did, he couldn't focus. For what seemed like the hundredth time, he tried to force himself to finish his paperwork. A soft knock on his office door signaled the arrival of his partner.
"Hey," she greeted him quietly.
"You don't have to knock, Bones. You know you're always welcome."
"I know, but you looked like you were really focused. I didn't want to interrupt you."
He smiled at her unusual thoughtfulness. "What's up? Do you have something for me, or is this a social call?" Yeah, like that would happen, he thought to himself.
"We've found some interesting anomalies on the victim's remains, but I'd like to show you in person." She sat down across the desk from him. "I figured I would help you finish the paperwork from our last case before getting started on the next…"
He smiled again, fondly. "That would be great, Bones." Her answering smile made his heart skip a beat. You've got it bad, Seeley… he thought, handing her a folder.
As Brennan dove headfirst into the paperwork, Booth couldn't help studying her. Her delicate features were extremely attractive… He watched her feminine hands, grasping a pen, flying swiftly over the page in front of her. His eyes traveled up her arms, noting the faint smattering of freckles that peppered her pale skin. She'd taken off her jacket, so his gaze continued up to her bare shoulders. Years of martial-arts training had given her arms and shoulders nice definition. She had well-muscled arms, though not too muscled…
"I need you to sign this one." Her voice shook him out of his reverie. She gave him a puzzled look, obviously noting his lack of progress on the paperwork.
"Oh, okay." He took the paper from her and met her quizzical gaze. "Sorry. I think I've just been cooped up in this office too long."
His explanation seemed to satisfy her. "Well, we're almost done…" She got back to work.
He admired her ability to focus on something so intently. Then again, his problem wasn't lack of focus… He could focus, just not on work. Shaking himself, he looked down at the form she'd handed him. It was a standard, run-of-the-mill document with two lines at the bottom to be signed. One was for himself, the Special Agent in Charge of the investigation, and the other space was for "Expert Scientific Witness." He studied her familiar signature. Dr. Temperance Brennan. It was smooth, graceful, and professional. Just like the woman. He added his own John Hancock, musing about the way it looked next to hers. Glancing up, he met her suspicious stare.
"Booth, I came by to help you with the paperwork, not do it myself!" He found her adorable when she scolded him.
"Sorry," he said sheepishly. He flashed her his best charm smile, hoping to appease her. She rolled her eyes in return and tried to look annoyed, but he caught her smiling to herself.
Grinning, Booth tried to concentrate on his share of the work. Brennan, ever the workaholic, had finished her pile first and began grabbing papers from his stack. As she reached for another form, Booth "accidentally" set his arm on top of the papers so she couldn't pull any out.
"Booth!" she exclaimed, playfully slapping at his arm. He laughed, observing the amused gleam in her eyes. Snatching a handful of papers, she went back to efficiently filling them out.
Enjoying their little game, Booth nabbed the pen out of her hand. She glared at him in mock exasperation. "You are such a child!" He stuck his tongue out at her and to his delight, she burst out laughing. Brennan didn't laugh often, so it was always an unexpected pleasure. It was a throaty, unselfconscious sound and Booth loved to be the one to evoke it.