Climbing out of his SUV, Booth reached the real estate agent just as Brennan shook hands with the man.
"Hi, I'm Temperance Brennan, and this is my partner, Seeley Booth."
The realtor looked the slightest bit confused at Booth's presence, and if Booth read him right, not especially happy about it. Smoothly keeping it to business, the realtor spoke through his blaring smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Dr. Brennan. I'm a big fan of your books. And Mr. Booth, very happy to meet you as well. I'm Christopher James." He extended a well manicured hand.
Booth accepted the handshake with his right hand, slowly moving his left to graze Brennan's lower back.
"Pleasure. I'm just along for the ride, offering an opinion, you know."
The men had a half-second's awkward silence before the group continued inside.
Once they entered into the sprawling, unfurnished two story house, Booth and Brennan's heads were immediately drawn up by the all the stark, empty space. Gaping at the 18 foot ceilings, Brennan slowly walked around the room, her heels clicking on the floor. She said to the realtor,
"There's….a lot of space." Looking to Booth, she silently asked his thoughts.
Politely he responded with a shrug,
"Bones, it depends on what you want. I mean, God knows you can afford this."
Her azure eyes widening to take in all of the grand, whitewashed house, she finally spoke.
"I think this is too much. I don't need a mansion. I'm looking for something…more practical. Booth, what do you really think? Do you like it?"
Staring at his Bones' small frame lost in the huge room and her bright eyes glowing against the blank walls, he responded honestly.
"It's not you." He gave her a simple, affectionate smile.
She smiled back gratefully before turning back to the realtor, who had also been staring at her.
"Mr. James, I think we're ready to see the next one."
--
Deciding to pile in the large van belonging to the real estate agent, Booth was a bit put out he didn't get to sit in the front with Brennan like always. Taking his seat in the back, Booth narrowed his eyes and cast a dirty look at the back of the realtor's headrest as he fawned all over Brennan.
"I've been so excited to meet you, Dr. Brennan. Everyone at the office is jealous I got picked for this job." He offered her a brilliant smile. "And I've got some especially gorgeous houses to show you."
Brennan chuckled self-consciously.
"That's very flattering, thank you."
"And I think I've got the right kind of house in mind for you now, so we should work really well together." He looked over at her, beaming once again.
Booth liked to consider his patience just shy of infinite. He could perch in a tree holding a rifle for 15 hours without moving a muscle, sit through countless Bob the Builder episodes with Parker during the Super Bowl, tolerate blinding pain for hours or days at a time….but when some jackass hit on Temperance Brennan, his fuse was uncontrollably short-and he knew it.
"So! Yeah so uh, Bones….when are you planning to move out of your place?"
"As soon as possible, I guess. I spoke with Dr. Goodman today and he said he was happy for me and that I could go on 'emergency cases only' status as long as I need. So I really want to start moving as soon as I close on the house."
Booth smiled at the back of her headrest.
"So in other words, you're super excited about getting a new house and you can't wait to move in."
Brennan released a low, smoky laugh.
"Basically. But it shouldn't take long to move. Once the sale is finalized I can hire a couple of movers and have everything moved in half a day."
The real estate agent seemed pleased to interrupt.
"Okay, here we are."
--
It took a while longer to check out the second house. As Brennan explored the multiple
bedrooms and inspected the backyard swimming pool, Booth exchanged tight smiles and competitive door opening maneuvers with the realtor, always keeping Brennan in front of them.
Speaking over her shoulder as she studied the kitchen, she talked as though only Booth were in the house with her.
"I like this one. You?"
Brennan turned and caught Booth's glance. He was flattered she even cared what he thought, and even happier that her interest was evident to Mr. James. Taking in a brief survey of the airy house around him, Booth answered contemplatively,
"Well Bones, I like it. I think the size is good, the setup is very practical, and you know I like that pool."
Brennan nodded and continued inspecting the room.
"Yeah. I like it, but I'm just not…." Brennan went quiet, searching for the right words. Booth quickly supplied them.
"In love with it?"
They both stood facing each other, oblivious to the real estate agent's presence. Brennan blinked away her surprise at Booth's instant understanding and answered.
"Exactly. I think we're on the right track though." She turned back to the sliding glass doors leading to the yard. "I love the yard though. I think I want a pool, I could swim laps and lay out…"
Booth cut in, "Invite me over and drink beer." He crossed his arms at Brennan's chuckle, turning to Mr. James with a smug 'beat that' grin.
Finally finding something to say, Mr. James clapped his hands together and chimed,
"Alright Dr. Brennan, there's a house across town I think you'll be head over heels for."
He moved toward her and went to put a guiding hand on her back, which Booth anticipated and effectively neutralized with a strong arm around her shoulders drawing her forward. Giving Brennan a boyish grin, Booth reassured her.
"Don't get bummed out, Bones. You'll find the perfect one."
Booth glanced over his shoulder, raising his eyebrows at the scowling real estate agent two steps behind.
Five minutes later, the three were winding down a back road of DC with only Mr. James'
voice droning through the car. Booth was brooding at his backseat banishment; Brennan was staring intently out the window, vaguely nodding at the realtor's chatter. Suddenly, her eyes went wide and she sat up in her seat.
"There. That house- it's for sale. Can we stop?"
Brennan turned to the realtor, who nodded uncertainly at her and swung into the driveway of a large one story house. As Mr. James walked to the sale sign at the end of the driveway and read the information, Booth and Brennan got out of the van and stood close, taking in the house and yard together. Brennan spoke first.
"I like this one. Its Moroccan architecture blended with different elements of Spanish style."
Booth checked the handle on the massive antique wood door, surprised to see it was open. Turning to give Brennan a mischievous look, he asked,
"Shall we?"
Letting Brennan enter first, Booth followed into the patio and marveled at the charming but severely overgrown courtyard and the stone fountain standing dry in the center. Mr. James entered through the open doorway and informed Brennan,
"I just spoke to the owners. They didn't want to discuss figures over the phone, but they sounded eager to sell, since this house is somewhat of a…." He cast his gray eyes around the somewhat dilapidated structure. "Fixer-upper. Anyway, they said it's completely unfurnished, to go ahead and take a look around and to contact them if you are interested at all." He continued to inspect their surroundings, looking doubtful.
Booth and Brennan exchanged glances, and then made their way into the main house. Booth's dress shoes scuffed across the cement floors as he followed Brennan through the empty space. Walls were cracked and peeling, windows were broken and taped up, the kitchen was devoid of everything but pipes and wires.
As Brennan wandered, completely absorbed in the house, Booth let out a little laugh.
"Whoa, they really meant 'unfurnished'. But I'll tell you Bones, I really like it. I think it has potential."
Brennan studied the frame of a glass door, found the lock, and forced the aging door open to the backyard. Immediately, she smiled at the huge empty pool and the half acre backyard, which was also completely overgrown and almost resembled some kind of magical meadow. Mr. James came outside behind Brennan, took one look around and ventured,
"Dr. Brennan, with all due respect, I think this house may be more than you can…" He dropped off in an instant at the malignant glare Brennan turned on him. "I mean, I'm sure you
stay incredibly busy, and this house is a considerable renovation project."
Booth smiled internally. That was not the approach to take with Bones.
Stance rigid and arms crossed, Brennan looked around calculatingly.
"I think I can handle it. Booth, what…do you…" Booth stepped closer to her, and she looked up at him with vulnerable ice blue eyes. Speaking more softly, Brennan sounded almost self-conscious.
"Am I crazy? I love this place. I can't explain it, but I really want this house. Do you think I can do it?"
Brennan's eyes focused on the house and yard, taking in all the potential work to be done a bit warily. Booth answered instantly with feeling.
"Bones, you can do anything." He smiled warmly at her, but Brennan seemed unconvinced.
"Should I? I mean, this is more than I need, I-"
Booth shook his head and put his hands on her shoulders.
"You deserve all this and more. You can't help that you fell in love with this place, can you?" He smiled widely. "And tell you what, Bones, there's nothing I like more than a good project. I'd be happy to help you with anything and everything if you get the house. How's that?"
Booth rocked Brennan's shoulders teasingly until her slight frame swayed back and forth and a tiny smile appeared on her face.
"Booth, we don't even know if I can buy this house. And if I do, you definitely don't have to help me renovate it." Brennan's lips curved into a grateful smile. "Thank you, though."
Booth rolled his eyes, wearing a cocky grin.
"Please. You know if I didn't, you'd just turn those big baby blues on me and have me building cabinets in no time."
Brennan responded with a very mild scolding look to hide her embarrassment as her cheeks bloomed pink. Booth just laughed.
"Seriously Bones, if you want it, my advice is go for it."