A knocking on the door woke me up from at least a decent sleep. The last few days of frantic searching for a missing teenager had me running more on coffee and adrenaline than sleep. Whoever was knocking, no *pounding* on my door had better have a good reason, I thought, swinging my legs over the edge and standing. A stretch of arms over my head brought on the doorbell ringing as well as the pounding.

"I'm coming!" I yelled, taking long strides to the front door. I stubbed my toe on the doorframe and cursed right as I got my hand on the doorknob. "Whoever this is, it had better be -," I was cut off by the sight before me.

Dr. Temperance Brennan stood these, fist raise to knock again, soaking wet from the late fall rain. But that wasn't what stopped me. What stopped me mid-sentence were the trails of mascara-streaked tears running down her face, the red nose, and the wide eyes filled with terror. Without a word, her face crumpled further and she launched herself into my arms. I pulled her inside my apartment and shut the door, locking it, before I let myself hold her. She bunched my t-shirt in her fists against my chest as she sobbed and shook.

"Hey, Bones, shhhh – it's okay. What's wrong sweetheart?" I said, running a hand over her wet head. Make that soaked head, I thought as I realized my sweatpants were quickly becoming soggy as water dripped from her coat onto me. I didn't get a reply, just a shake of her head and t-shirt grabbed even tighter. "It's ok – come on, let's get you dry at least." I pulled back and went to leave for a towel.

"No! Don't leave me!" She blurted and nearly tackled me in her haste to hold onto me once more.

"Ok, no one's leaving," I said, "but we have to get you dried off, Bones. You're lips are turning blue."

"Lips d-d-don't actually turn b-blue," she stuttered, her teeth starting to clack. "They t-turn-," I stopped her with a finger on her lips.

"Leave the science for now," and I felt her lips like ice underneath my fingertips. So very cold. So very not my Bones. I grabbed her hand and led her into the bathroom. Switching on the light, I grabbed a clean towel from the shelf and put it on the sink. Her hands fumbled at the buttons on her coat before I gently swatted them away and undid them for her. It shrugged down her shoulders and landed with a wet thwack on the tiled floor. I averted my eyes upon seeing that the rest of her was soaked through – and all she was wearing was a dress. Thou shalt not look at thy partner……

I ducked my head out of the bathroom and quickly grabbed a t-shirt and a pair of sweats from the laundry basket right outside the door. And then there was Bones, halfway out of her dress, no modesty whatsoever. I tried not to linger on the creamy expanse of chilled skin in front of me but she was beautiful. Women are the one of the most beautiful of God's creations – and she was definitely one of his masterpieces.

"Booth?" She said and I let my eyes rise to hers, taking one last long look before steeling myself.

"Get dried off and change into these, Bones. I'll be right outside the door, ok?"

"Ok," she said and I backed out, shutting the door. I leaned my forehead against it, closing my eyes, hearing the sounds of clothing rustling and her bare feet against the tiles.

Thou shalt not desire thy partner…..especially when she's wet……

More to come