A/N: First and foremost, thank you to everyone who left a review on my last story. I sincerely appreciate your kind words and feedback! :)
As for this story, we all know that Booth and Brennan almost kissed at the end of "A Night at the Bones Museum," but they (unfortunately) got interrupted by the motley crew. I always knew that they would have kissed without that interruption, so I was inspired to write that alternative ending down. I'm starting to see a trend... ;) But don't we all wish the team didn't have such bad timing? I know I do. I love them, but come on, people! Anyway... I've included dialogue from from the final scene of the episode mostly to set the scene. More has been added to some pieces of the conversation between Brennan and Booth, but hopefully it retains the same sense of authenticity that their relationship has. This is one of my favorite episodes, so I hope I've done it justice.
Don't forget to drop me a review with your thoughts!
Disclaimer: I don't own Bones.
As usual, Temperance Brennan looked stunning. Breathtakingly beautiful, as a matter of fact. It wasn't often that she had an excuse to dress up for something like this. Her light brown hair was in large, soft curls that barely touched her shoulders and she wore minimal makeup. It was the perfect amount for this type of a gathering. The way she looked didn't go unnoticed by her partner, Seeley Booth. Never has, and never will. Her sense of style has become less clunky and more tasteful since they had met, but he always thought she was a sight to behold. The entire team was here to celebrate Brennan's work, solving the 3,000 year-old case of what is now an Egyptian mummy in 2009. For years, anthropologists and Egyptologists believed that Meti, the mummy in question, was murdered by his brother, Anok. The Egyptian government hosted a gala in her honor, saluting the incredible work she had done. It wasn't her scene, but Brennan was happy to add another success story to her repertoire. She truly was the best in the world.
The pair dressed in near-matching outfits. Unintentionally, of course. That's just how they work. They know each other very well. That, and Booth helped Brennan pick out her dress for the evening. It was important that they look like a team. If anyone asked, he saw it as pure coincidence. Even if he didn't have any prior knowledge about her gown, he can read her like she reads the bones of a decomposing corpse. They had worked together as partners for over 5 years now, and had become very close friends, but something more was growing between them. Both could feel it, but neither mentioned it. Something was different after Booth's brain surgery. That was very clear. She had read him her now-deleted book while he was in a coma, and he created a dream life for the two of them based off of what he heard. It was appropriate, because the creation of Agent Lister and Dr. Reichs was inspired by their partnership - and her aspirations for their future - but she would never admit to that part out loud. That had begun to transcend the dream and make its way into their reality.
She could tell by his rambling that he was excited about the exhibit. Booth made many comments about how cool everything was, and she had to remind him not to step on a few things. To her, this kind of event had a level of normality to it. After all, she did work for the museum. But, to him, it was a room full of shiny objects and mummies - a dream come true. He was like a kid in a candy store. As they walked through the room, they made conversation about the case. Brennan had proved that Anok didn't kill his brother; that his mother was correct in insisting on her son's innocence.
"So, it only took 3,000 years for someone to hear her. You know, I'll tell you what. If I was Egypt, I'd throw you a party, too," Booth said. He was always proud of her, but it could really shine through tonight. She chuckled at him, then took a deep breath and exhaled sharply. Although she was proud of her accomplishments with this case, she was reminded of what she had to do while she was here.
"I have to speak... I hate these things." He cocked his head at her. Booth could see her anxiety from a mile away. As much as she loved catching bad guys, he knew that his partner preferred being behind the scenes as much as possible. That's why she writes books.
"What are you talking about, Bones? You're great at these things. Listen, you changed history. How many people can say that?" He stepped toward her as he finished his question, showing her how important she is; how important their work is.
"You can! Every arrest you make changes history. You make the world safer."
"With your help." She tilted her head to the left and smiled at him warmly. It was true. They made a great team.
"So, Andrew... I thought you were going to take him to this thing. That's what he told me."
"I was, yes, but... you and I, this was our case, and I guess..." She trailed off, glancing at the floor beneath her as they inched closer to each other.
"What goes on between us... that should just be ours. Isn't that what you said?" She looked into his eyes and awaited his response. Both of them felt the pull of their magnetic attraction.
"Yeah, I did." Neither of them moved, not wanting to ruin their moment.
Sure, Andrew Hacker was kind, funny, and attractive to Brennan, but no one could compare to the man standing before her. He was her standard, and she was his. Try as they might, they could never beat the real thing. She even discussed Booth on her outings with Hacker, despite her best efforts. Many thoughts ran through Brennan's mind in regards to what she should do in this moment. They were leaning into each other and essentially breathing the same air, flirting very obviously... it seemed to be the perfect moment. Angela had once told her that making the first move was appropriate if her interest was taking too long. Although that was with Sully, she felt that the same rule applied here, with him. She knew Booth would never want to make her uncomfortable, which is why he didn't push anything. He dropped countless hints, of course. The guy hugs, late night take-out meals in their respective homes, their dates to the Royal Diner and the Founding Fathers. She knew he was ready, but he wouldn't know if the same was true with her unless she proved it to him.
I think 5 years is long enough, Brennan thought to herself.
"You know, Bones," he spoke in a soft voice, "I kinda feel like... this might be going somewhere."
"Why do you feel like this is going somewhere?" Brennan smirked. Maybe this was the right moment. It sure as hell felt right.
"Because I–" She interrupted him, wanting to be the one in control. There was nothing wrong with teasing him a bit.
"Booth..." She looked at the floor for a moment to throw him off, then looked back up to gaze into his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Bones. I got too carried away. I don't want-"
"No, Booth. That's not..." She grabbed his forearm before he backed away.
"If what goes on between us is just ours, then you can keep a secret?"
"Depends on the secret." Booth grinned at her, eliciting a smile and slight shake of the head from Brennan.
After engaging in a few more seconds of eye sex, as Angela would call it, she grabbed him by the lapels and kissed him. Slowly and tenderly. Nothing to prove to anyone this time around. It was just Brennan and Booth. No third party present today. All they had to do was enjoy the moment. His hands went to her waist, drawing her close and pressing her up against his body. Sweets would lose his mind if they told him how much tongue contact was involved. They had quite a bit of pent up sexual tension. Enough to power a few small Midwestern towns, really. It has been a few years since they kissed under the mistletoe, thanks to Caroline, but this kiss felt more... natural, and organic. Everyone knew it had been a long time coming, especially them. They had been fighting the attraction for years. Seeing the other go out with a new person eerily similar to the one they truly loved never helped. The last time they kissed as a product of their own desires was when they first met, in 2004. After several moments had passed, their kiss came to an end.
"Wow, Bones. I don't know why I wasn't expecting that." He rested his forehead against hers.
"I just thought it seemed like the right time." She looked up at him apprehensively. He wouldn't have kissed her back if he didn't approve, but she still needed to hear it from him.
"Oh, it was. Definitely was the right time, Bones." They bathed in the afterglow. That was quite a kiss.
"Wait, what about Andrew?" Back to reality. She retracted her head from his and sighed at the question. Not really a great time to think about Hacker.
"Well... I don't think it'll work out." Booth tried to look disappointed, but didn't do a great job.
"That's a shame. Why don't you think it'll work?"
"It's funny you mention that. There's actually someone else who I think would be a much better match for me... but I think you already knew that." He nodded.
"Yeah, I did. I just, you know, wanted to be sure." Brennan's eyes twinkled up at him.
"I just wanted to tug on your tie." He laughed at her. A classic Bones move.
"Yank my chain, Bones. You just wanted to yank my chain. Tug on my tie? Really?"
"Oh, yes. I suppose that's how the phrase goes. I don't know where you're keeping a chain hidden in this suit though, Booth. You're only wearing a bowtie as an accessory. The chain portion doesn't make sense." He rolled his eyes playfully.
"I suppose it doesn't. We'll have to take that up with the people who came up with that saying." Brennan nodded, taking it far too seriously. Booth could see that look on her face and gave her a quick, chaste kiss.
"Lighten up, baby. This is supposed to be your night of fun!" She rolled her eyes.
"You haven't pulled out that moniker in a few weeks."
"Want me to do it again?" He waggled his eyebrows, earning him a slight slap to the shoulder.
"Maybe later." While she spoke, she noticed that the lapels of his suit jacket had gotten slightly wrinkled in their heated exchange and decided to fix them. The slightest touch from her to him, and vice versa, always created a spark.
The laughter of the team could be heard, coming closer to where they were standing. In an effort to keep the things between them, theirs, the pair stepped back from each other and returned to their normal distance.
"Come on, you two!" Angela called down to them from the balcony. "The ambassador is about to speak." Sensing she might have interrupted something, she ushered the team back out to the ballroom. Angela smiled down at Brennan. It said, "I'm proud of you, sweetie." Not long after, she followed the rest of her group and left Brennan and Booth back to their own devices. Once they were alone again, she straightened his bowtie for him. She was mostly just looking for an excuse to be near him once more.
"Think you can keep that secret for me?" Booth extended his hand to Brennan, who took it in stride. He threaded his fingers between hers and brought her hand up for a light kiss.
"I think I'll manage. Come to think of it, I have a secret of my own secret to tell you. But it's gonna have to wait until after this party winds down. " He winked at her, causing her to laugh.
"Oh, really? I look forward to hearing all about it later this evening." They beamed at one another, now very satisfied with their evening. Booth released her hand and traded it for his arm.
"Now, if you'll allow me, I'd love to have the pleasure of escorting the greatest anthropologist in the world to her party. Shall we?" She looped her arm into his.
"I would be honored. Lead the way." He turned his head toward her with a smile as they walked off, arm in arm. This was going to be a long night.
I hope you all enjoyed this one. Please leave me a review and let me know your thoughts!