"Alright," said Booth, "Well, let's talk about it, then

"Alright," said Booth, "Well, let's talk about it, then. Do you want a drink?" He switched off the music and turned his full attention to his partner, looking at her sincerely. There were few people in the world he cared about more than his partner and he wanted to make things right between them.

Brennan nodded yes, "Sure, coffee would be great." She followed Seeley into the kitchen and as she watched him begin to prepare a pot of coffee she added; "Now I'm sure you can tell that I've never spanked anyone before Booth, so I guess this will be a learning experience for us both."

Booth dropped the measuring spoon, spilling coffee grounds over the sink. "You've never WHAT?" He demanded, sure he hadn't heard her right. Brennan was pretty, uh, unique, but surely she wasn't suggesting... what he thought she just suggested.

Temperance arched an eyebrow at the spilled coffee grounds before looking back up into Booth's astonished looking face and responding quite frankly, "I said I've never spanked anyone before, so it'll be a learning experience for both of us."

"You want to spank me?" Booth demanded, jaw dropping. The idea was preposterous. I mean, sure, he wasn't exactly a stranger to the idea, but that was years ago when he was young... and stupid. "You do realize that is crazy, don't you?"

Brennan replied in all confidence, "Spanking has been used throughout the centuries Booth, it's the quickest way to settle this issue, so we can move on. Besides, you're the one who suggested it this morning."

"I suggested?" Booth said indignantly, "I never... wait, Bones, I was kidding!" He said, remembering his parting shot earlier that day. "I don't really think you sp--punishing me will solve anything. Plus, don't you think it's a little...inappropriate, given our relationship?"

Brennan countered, "Our relationship is based on utter trust; which you broke. You left me to think you were dead Booth. I killed someone on an instinctual impulse to protect and keep you safe. You of all people should know how hard that was to deal with. And not only did I have to deal with ending another person's life, but I had to deal with… with losing you… even if it wasn't real, the grief I felt was real to me for over a week. I assumed you of all people wouldn't have left me to suffer like that, and I'm sorry if it sounds trite, but I don't think that I can just forgive you and move on without you having to suffer a little to. Now if you can tell me in all honesty that you truly believed that Sweets would have told me, and that you had no other alternative means to notify me you were okay, then I can forgive you, and we can move on. But, if you had any doubt in your mind that Sweets would tell me, and you made no effort to contact me, then yes, I think you should be held accountable for your actions."

Booth wasn't one to welch. The fact that Brennan felt he had betrayed her was enough to make him feel like manning up to his mistake. He had never wanted to hurt her. Still, he knew better than to underestimate the petite forensic anthropologist. Temperance was tough and she didn't go in by halves. "What kind of, uh, terms are we talking?" He asked, swallowing nervously.

Brennan shifted her bag around in front of her to gain access to the large paddle brush stored within. Within moments she had dug it up and pulled it out to examine it as she stated, "Well this will do for an implement. You're a pretty tough man, and I don't want to damage my wrist trying to give you a just spanking. As for terms…? I suffered for a little over a week; you'll suffer for considerably less. I'm not exactly proficient on what the ratio of spanks to emotional pain would be to generate a number. I guess fifty swats will suffice."

"Fifty!" Booth sputtered. "...it damn well will suffice. I know you're not a doctor of the flesh, Bones, but that things gonna bruise! Where the hell did you get it!"

Brennan's eyes crinkled in confusion as she turned the brush over in her hand responding, "It's just an every day wooden hairbrush Booth; I've had this for awhile. As for being a doctor of the flesh, I don't see what that has to do with a spanking?"

"It has to do with you spanking MY flesh," Booth protested, "Just thought you might have a little compassion. I do have to use this thing, you know," he said, indicating his ass.

Temperance couldn't help the small smile that formed at the corner of her lips at Booth's reaction. She responded, "I'm sorry Booth; I didn't quite relate your comparison at first. I do realize you'll need to use your 'posterior' again afterwards; I will be mindful." There was an awkward moment of silence between the two before she continued, "Unless you have any more questions, I guess we can get started. Let's go into your bedroom to get this over with… or, would you rather use the couch out here?" Brennan pointed towards the living room.

Booth looked around his living room, his domain of manliness. No way was he going to let Brennan whack him in front of his TV and his leather couch. Reluctantly, he turned back to his bedroom, feeling a shiver down his spine as it started to sink in that Bones was serious. As serious as she was about anything she did... and that was saying a lot. He licked his lips, but he couldn't go back on the plan now. "Alright," he said, moving deliberately towards the bedroom.