Why Bones Shouldn't Drink
Part 2
She wasn't sure what woke her, but she knew she wasn't alone. She could feel him. She had her back to him, thank god, so she was able to get her bearings and gather her wits before she had to face him. Finally, unable to stand the suspense another second, she rolled over. Damn! His eyes were open and he was staring at her. She wondered what she'd done. She was still wearing her clothes from last night and it looked like he was fully clothed too, so nothing like THAT had happened.
"Good morning," he murmured with a slight smile, his voice husky.
"Morning," she mumbled, sitting up too quickly. Pain slammed through her brain and she lay back down with a groan, clutching her head. "What happened last night?" she asked painfully.
"You don't remember?" he asked hopefully.
Blinding lights were flashing behind her eyelids and she groaned again. "No. Well, I remember being at the bar and Angela ordered Long Island iced teas…How many did I have?" she asked weakly.
Booth schooled his face into a sympathetic look. "Three or four, maybe more. You don't remember anything else?" he probed.
"No…was I awful?" she asked with dread. There was a reason she usually stuck to beer or the occasional glass of wine. She couldn't handle hard liquor. Those Long Islands hadn't really tasted like liquor. Sneaky little bastards.
Booth firmed his lips, fighting the urge to grin. "No, you really weren't that bad," he assured her. Something in his voice betrayed the suppressed mirth and she peeked at him.
"Oh, god, I WAS awful! What did I do?" she demanded, covering her eyes with both hands.
"You stripped down to your skivvies and danced on the bar. You were actually very good. I didn't know you could dance like that," he teased. She groaned more deeply and he relented. "I'm kidding, really Bones, you weren't bad. You're a pretty happy drunk."
She peeked at him again, trying to gauge his sincerity. His face was serious but there was a suspicious gleam of amusement in his eyes. "I said something embarrassing, didn't I? Tell me," she demanded.
He finally gave up the struggle not to smile. "You told me I was cute and then later you begged me never to leave you," he said finally.
She moaned, back to hiding behind her hands. He heard her mumble something about killing Angela. "Get me some aspirin, please?"
Unable to stop grinning, he rolled out of bed. "Sure, Bones, I'll be right back."
A moment later she felt the bed dip by her hip. Rolling up on her elbow, she took the water and aspirins and gulped them down. Taking the glass from her and setting it on the nightstand, he waited for her to look at him. And waited. And waited. Putting a knuckle under her chin, he tipped her head toward him. "Hey, don't be embarrassed. I know it was just the liquor talking. I didn't take any of it seriously," he assured her.
She studied him for a long moment. "How did we end up…sleeping together?" she asked, unable to think of a less provocative way to say it.
His lips quirked at her wording. "You didn't want me to leave and I didn't have the heart to disappoint you," he said gently. "I think you know nothing happened. You needed me, so I stayed. That simple. No clothing was removed, no kissing, no bodily fluids exchanged." Her eyes dropped and she colored a little. "Just two adults giving each other comfort. Nothing to be ashamed of." Her eyes snapped back up to his and he smiled softly.
Unable to stand another moment of the warm intimacy in his glance, she pulled back and rolled off the other side of the bed, standing carefully lest her head fall off. "Well, good, I mean great." She watched him awkwardly from across the bed. He was looking at her thoughtfully and she felt a lump in her throat at the caring in his look. "Thank you," she whispered.
"Any time, Bones. It's what partners do," he said softly.
She snorted inelegantly. "Right, bet you've never done that for any of your MALE partners."
He stood up. "You're right. But none of them ever asked." She chuckled and he hastened to add, "Not that I ever would, 'cuz I'm not at all—"
"I know what you meant," she said with a grin, enjoying his discomfort.
"So, we're okay?" he asked hopefully.
"More than okay," she said as the smile faded from her face. "Have I ever told you how much I love being your partner?" she asked softly.
He grinned that cocked grin she loved so much. "Not nearly enough, Bones. Right back at you. Now, how about some breakfast? I'm starved."
She groaned, clutching her stomach. "Nothing for me, thanks. Well, except coffee, lots of strong, black coffee."
He chuckled. "Are you sure? 'Cuz I'm thinking some eggs, some bacon, hash browns and pancakes would really hit the spot—"
She groaned again. "Booth! Stop, please. I swear, after this, I'll never touch another Long Island iced tea."
He headed for the kitchen. "That's a shame, Bones, 'cuz you really are cute when you're drunk," he said over his shoulder.
She straightened, alarmed. "Wait, what else did I say? Booth? Booth!" She stalked into the kitchen, determined to make him tell all. But he'd said enough.
