I own nothing Bones belongs to FOX productions and receives all credit for the characters.
Chapter 2
Wind is Sexy
Seeley Booth sat in driver's seat of his FBI owned Chevy Tahoe with the key in the ignition, the clock on the dash read 7:07 PM. If he did not leave in the next three minutes he would be late.
He told her he wouldn't be late. Yet, he procrastinated not because he didn't want to go but, because he wanted to go more than anything else in the world and it terrified him.
He closed his eyes and replayed the scene in her office as he had done repeatedly since he'd walked out of the Jeffersonian less than two hours ago. "What the hell did she mean when she said "The thing I love most about you" does that mean she loves lots a things about me?...Wondered Booth... Man what were you thinking practically admitting you had fantasies about her? Wait she basically told you she wanted to know about your fantasies…Oh God…I don't know what this means for us…Great… now I sound like a squint."
Booth let out a sigh started the SUV and backed out of the parking place more nervous and confused yet happier that he had been in years. The entire summer had been leading up to this change in there relationship, not just what happened today and truth be told Booth knew it. He and Bones had spent so much time together outside work this summer they could actually be the poster children for a "surrogate relationship".
The things they did together in the last few months as well all of the looks and not so innocent touches played over and over in Seeley's head as if it were a DVD stuck on a loop.
They had lunch together almost everyday, diner together a minimum of five times a week, even if some of those times were at nine o'clock at night and at the Jeffersonian. It seemed that their arguments had actually become more passionate as if that could be possible. They went to the movies and even a concert.
Booth was amazed how close Parker had become to his partner. She went with them to the Zoo and she came to many of Parker's little league games. Booth was pleasantly surprised that Bones knew baseball pretty well. When Parker hit his first home run that won the game no one cheered louder than Bones and when Booth grabbed her and hugged her at the excitement of his son's achievement she hugged him back just as tightly.
They had stayed at each other house a few times the last time being just three weekends ago when Bones stayed at Booth's house. That night was the closest they'd come to "crossing the line" and truth be told he really has not been able to stop thinking about it since.
***
Temperance clasped the delicate chain around her neck and allowed her fingers to embrace the silver charm that rested just above the neckline of her low cut shirt. She remembered how surprised she had been when he presented it to her out of the blue. She loved the necklace and charm there was no question but, the look of happiness on his face as well as his declaration when she immediately put it on was a priceless treasure to her.
Bones looked herself over from head to toe once more in the full length mirror and let out a sigh. She knew she had better turn and leave right now or she would change clothes for sure.
She had double checked with Angela as to what was proper attire for the establishment and had been assured it was casual, but promised her best friend she would wear something tight fitting and sexy.
It really was not a hard promise to keep, because lately Temperance had found herself wearing clothes that were more provocative and accented her shapely body.
She reached into the small wicker basket on her dresser that held some of her cosmetics and pulled out a tube of lip gloss that Angela insisted she buy when they went shopping a few months ago. She had never worn it because she thought tinted lip gloss was just a little too juvenile for a professional woman in her thirties.
Tonight however, was not going to be about Dr. Brennan the scientist it was about Temperance the woman and if she was going to be resolute in her mission tonight a little "kiss me pink" lip gloss certainly couldn't hurt.
"7:13" said Bones out loud to herself as she looked at the time on her cell phone. She knew Booth would be there any minute he was always on time if not just a little early which was good mannered but just a bit annoying. After tossing her phone and her raspberry flavored lip gloss into her purse she decided to surprise Booth by not only being ready on time but, by being outside waiting for him.
Bones locked the door of her apartment and confidently walked the short distance to the elevator that opened almost instantly after she had pressed the call button. She stood against the back wall of the elevator after it descended two floors; Temperance felt a quiver in her stomach. Elevators normally did not affect her equilibrium and she knew the source of the instability came form the decision she had made the instant Booth walked out of her office this afternoon.
***
Just minutes before arriving at Brennan's apartment Booth turned the radio on to distract him from his thoughts. He was immediately greeted with a high-pitched alarm followed by a weather bulletin being read by the evening radio announcer.
"The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory that will remain in effect until 4 a.m. Saturday."
"A low pressure system will help to produce strong gusty winds across the mid Atlantic. A wind advisory means that gusts up to 45 mph are expected."
"Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Winds this strong can also down trees and power lines. Residents are encouraged to use extra caution. If you are outside you are advised to seek shelter."
The temperature was extremely warm despite the increasing winds. Booth looked off into the distant sky and saw the dark ominous looking clouds and wondered just how severe the storm was going to be. "Guess the winds are finally changing" whispered Booth referring more to his relationship with Bones, than to the trees that were bending to the force of the wind.
After pulling into the parking lot of her apartment building, Booth checked the time 7:26 if nothing else he was punctual. He parked and quickly looked in the rear view mirror then to both the left and right scanning for any potential dangers. Years as an Army ranger as well as FBI agent had ingrained an overt sense of awareness that had become natural.
A smile formed on his face despite his nerves as he got out of the SUV and started walking toward the building he was glad they were going out. Angela was right they just needed to relax. "Relax…Yeah right… Booth like that's going to happen after what she said this afternoon." Booth allowed him self the luxury of wondering what Bones would be wearing.
Booth stepped from the gravel parking lot up onto the sidewalk and headed toward the landscaped courtyard. He had taken about ten steps before the captivating sight directly in front of him brought him to a complete standstill.
"What the Hell?" whispered Booth with a furrowed brow shaking his head in disbelief?
Bones was standing on the stone retaining wall more than three feet off the ground her arms were raised above her head as if she was praying to some kind of divine being, her eyes were closed the look on her face was relaxed making her look younger than her years.
Booth opened his mouth to speak but closed it again and stood silently, "God help me please!" Begged Booth silently knowing he was completely enamored by this crazy woman and that she owned him heart and soul.
The wind was gusting pretty hard and he could see her hair blowing and tangling around her face.
She was wearing a pair of black low rise Levis that were tighter than any other jeans he'd ever seen her wear and an aquamarine tank top that was held together with tiny pearl buttons that fit her curves snugly although it barely met the top of her jeans and those damn sexy boots with the spiky heal.
She looked "hot" and Booth knew he owed Angela for this outfit.
Booth felt the wind against his back and when the same gust hit Bones she smiled and tiled her head back, her were eyes still closed her mouth was slightly open and she had a look of blissfulness on her face.
Bones knew he was there even before she seen him, it seemed as though she could almost sense when he was with in a close proximity of her. She felt the wind rippling against her body and it felt relaxing and energetic and she loved it.
She opened her eyes just enough to watch him look her over she was relieved that he seemed quit pleased. She knew the accusations that she was naïve or inexperienced in dealing with people and emotions were undoubtedly true. She did know however, when a man looked at her with eyes full of lust and it made her tremble to see Booth stare at her with desire.
When she licked her bottom lip, Booth let out an unexpected grown and questioned his own sanity as he realized that he felt envious of the wind.
"Bones what you doing?" barked Booth trying to force himself back into reality. "Why are you up there? Do you know there is a wind advisory in effect? You could get hurt standing out here!"
"I love wind storms Booth" replied Temperance ignoring his questions and giving him a relaxed smile "Wind is sexy."
"It sure as hell is!" muttered Booth to himself as he walked towards her so he could help her down from the wall. Wondering how the hell she got up there in the first place.
"Come on Bones get down from there before you fall and break your neck." pleaded Booth as he offered her his hand.
Bones took Booths' hand but make no move to get down. Instead she turned slightly towards him and just continued to enjoy the feel of the warm breeze. "I ...I can't wait …I have to tell him …No I can't not yet, Temperance not yet."
"Bones are you listening to me?" asked Booth impatiently looking up at her and tugging her hand in an effort to get her down. "Now Bones…Jeez! What were you thinking?"
She stepped down onto the stone bench in front of the wall "there you go Bones…" cooed Booth as her right foot safely touched the bench.
"You're lucky I came along or you might have been stuck up there all night Bones". Teased Booth with his trademark smile.
The fact she did not defend herself or yell at him for telling her what to do did not go unnoticed by Booth and for the second time today and it was a little unsettling. "I wonder what the hell is going on in that head of hers. She is up to something I know it …She enjoys torturing me I know she does!"
Being uncharacteristically quite Bones smiled an easy smile and squeezed his hand as she placed her second foot onto the bench but made no move to step down to the ground.
"Bones lets go… you have to get down!" Implored Booth as he tugged her hand and looked down at her feet "What were you thinking climbing up there wearing those Boots? You know what… never mind, let's just get you down….Okay? "
"I love the wind" repeated Bones "I just love the wind Seeley it reminds me of you."
It was more the tone of her voice than the words themselves or even her use of his given name or the undefined declaration of love for the second time within hours that caused what felt like an electric shock to travel through his body.
"Booth I... there is something I..." started Temperance
"Why does the wind remind you of me Bones?" Asked Booth in a low almost shaky voice interrupting her. He was unable to look away from the penetrating stare she had on him and completely dubious of what her answer was going to be.
Bones didn't respond quickly but she did hold out her free hand to her partner which he quickly accepted.
"Wind touches you everywhere and nowhere at the same time" said Bones as she looked down on her partner willing him to understand how she felt. "It's encompassing yet it's not restrictive, it can be strong or gentle and strangely enough, occasionally it's both at the same time." Never taking her eyes off him Bones squeezed Booth's hand just a little harder drawing strength from him so she could continue. "Sometimes it moves you unexpectedly and while there is no doubt it can be freighting. Most times it's simply a delicate and tender loving touch that's always there."
Without another word Temperance took a deep breath and stepped off the bench as if she was stepping off a cliff and it felt exhilarating she leaned into her partner and let her body slide down his until her feet touched the ground.
Booth's heart was beating so fast he was sure she could feel it considering her body was pressed up against his. Their clutched hands were trapped between their bodies. Booth leaned forward and touched his forehead to hers before he let go of her hands and gently pushed the strands of wind blown hair out of her face.
"Oh... Bones!" moaned Booth almost painfully absorbing her beautiful description of him. He let his fingers move through her hair, it felt soft and silky just as he knew it would no it felt better. He'd wanted to run his fingers through her hair like this for so long he couldn't even remember a time when he hadn't longed to. He'd dreamed of seeing her chestnut strands splayed out on his pillow every morning for the rest of him life.
Booth wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a tight embrace that was anything but a guy hug. He had so much he wanted and needed to confess to her he didn't really know where to start or if he even should.
Bones circled her arms around Booth; she could smell soap from his recent shower and the cologne she loved. She rested her head on his chest and let her hands rest on his lower back, smiling she thought of all the times he had touched her in the same location. She felt him quiver as she moved her hands under his jacket and wondered what he would do if she put them under his tee shirt.
"Bones...I...I don't know if this is a good idea" whispered Booth so quietly she almost didn't hear him yet he didn't loosen his hold on her.
She pulled back her head just enough so she could see his eyes. She heard Booth say that the eyes were the windows to a person's soul. Temperance didn't know much about so called souls she didn't even know if she believed in them. She did know however, when she looked in to the deep pools of Seeley Booth's eyes she knew exactly what he was feeling and what she seen right now was fear.
He was reliving it all Epps, his Army life, her foster care, the grave digger, his gambling, her father, their partnership, Keaton, his father and even Sully.
"Stop it! Stop it right Now!" Shouted Bones as she stepped back out of his reach. "We all have luggage Booth."
"Baggage, Bones" corrected Booth quickly recognizing what she meant; not at all surprised she had read him so well she had really gotten pretty good at figuring him out and it scared him almost as much as it pleased him. "Baggage we all have baggage."
"Between us we might as well have steamer trunks." Added Booth with a heavy sigh running his fingers through his hair.
"It's not a good enough reason anymore, Booth" Declared Bones.
"What are you talking about Bones?"
"Fear" replied Bones calmly, never taking her eyes off him. " Is not a good reason for shutting someone out, Booth you taught me that!"
"Bones I not shutting you out. I could never do that… okay!" confirmed Booth shoving his hands in his pockets. "It's complicated alright if we are not careful we could lose everything."
"Neither you're reasoning nor you're fear is rational" replied Bones "I think…"
"What? What do you think?" interrupted Booth Incredulously "Keeping you safe is not a good enough reason? Maintaining our partnership is not a good enough reason? Not destroying the best relationship of my life is not a good enough reason? Is that what you're saying? You want me to believe those are not good enough reasons to take this slow? Well I'm sorry Bones, but those are pretty damn good reasons to me!"
"Change is inevitable Booth." replied Bones. "Did he just say best relationships he'd ever had in his life?" "We have changed Booth you know it and you can't keep denying it."
"Coming from the queen of denial that's pretty damn funny!" hissed Booth feeling him self getting agitated.
Bones grimaced at his true words; she had been guilty of denying herself any kind of true feeling for a long time. But she was not the one who drew the line in the first damn place.
She took a deep breath and retraced her steps until she was standing toe to toe with only man she had ever been in love with. Even if she didn't identify it as love yet. The heels of her boots gave her the advantage of being at eye level with Booth. Her close proximity to him caused her heart to pound. She leaned in so close their noses were practically touching she was not surprised that he didn't back away; she did notice that his eyes were dilated and his breath was a little ragged. She knew her next words would set him off but she knew it was time to push him, so she just couldn't stop herself. "Where is your faith Seeley?" Demanded Bones "Where is your faith in me? Where is your faith in us?"
"Bones," warned Booth quietly through gritted teeth wondering why he fell in love with the most infuriating woman in the world. "She is killing me… she's fucking killing me. We can't do this…I can't do this yet…I know as soon as I tell her I love her she'll run…" "Faith makes things possible Bones, not easy!"
Not backing down from the imposing glare that Booth normally saved for suspects. "I never said it would be easy Booth, as a matter of fact it might the hardest thing we ever do but we will never know until we try."
"It's not supposed to be hard Bones" replied Booth sounding frustrated as he took a few steps back and shoved his hands in his pockets willing himself not grab her and show her just how hard he could be. "Nice real nice… Seeley and you consider yourself a gentleman"
"If it worth having its worth fighting for." Answered Bones echoing Booth frustration "I've never known either of us to back down from a fight."
"Bones…at heart I'm a lover not a fighter" confirmed Booth with just a slight hint of his charm smile wondering why his heart is overpowering his mouth today.
Bones smiled when saw the twinkle in his eyes and knew they were going to be okay and that they would get there eventually just as he'd told her and eventually was going to be sooner rather that later if she had anything to do with it. "Well considering it's our first date I wouldn't know anything about that." Sassed Bones enjoying the confused look on Booth's face "You did say it was a date right?"
"Hun? Um…yes…yes I did" Admitted Booth remembering his comment with confused and bashful smile realizing she had just perfected the skill of using his own words against him." "Not bad Bones!"
Booth watched her tilt her head just a little to the left and shift her blue eyes slightly. He'd recognize that look anywhere, because he loved it! It was the one she had when she had just figured something out. "What the hell did she just figure out?"
"We should go" said Booth grateful they had a diversion from there current mine field. He knew they were going to have to talk about their feelings and he wanted to. Bones was right he was afraid but not for the reasons she believed.
"Yes we should" responded Bones relieved that Booth had not changed his mind about meeting up with Angela and Hodgins because she still intended to execute her plan and she most definitely had to talk to her best friend.
Bones took a few steps forward before turning around suddenly causing Booth who was just a half step behind her to literary bump into her. "What the hell Bones?" asked Booth quickly scanning the area in front of his partner trying to determine what had caused her to stop so unexpectedly.
"Booth?" said Temperance as she chewed on her bottom lip.
"Yeah Bones" answered Booth.
It's your line and I won't cross it, I have to much respect for you to do that." Said Temperance never looking more serious. "But there is something you should know."
"But what Temperance? What should I know…What?" Demanded Booth having no control over the fact his blood pressure was rising again, hating that she could take him from zero to sixty, in about a millisecond with that one little word. "But."
Not to mention he was not really in the mood for science or anthropology lesson. He immediately regretted asking the question because he knew that if you asked Temperance Brennan a question you'd better be ready for the answer because she was going to tell you exactly what was on her mind.
"You know what Bones never mind okay" sighed Booth running his fingers through his hair. "Just forget it."
"But…you should know I'm getting pretty tired of waiting!" answered Bones unabashed as she turned walked to the stone bench picked up her purse and sashayed toward the parking lot.
Booth just stood there and watched her walk away from him completely dumbfounded. Seeley… What the fuck just happened here?
