Hello!! Thank you everyone for the wonderful and encouraging reviews, you guys are so awesome! Even the weather can't get me down now, or the papers or the fact that is now officially two months until I have to go home and find a job sigh. Well, here's Part 2, hope you like it!


Brennan met with Cam quickly to run over some administrative business, hurried over to the platform to consult with Hodgins about some particulates and then dropped by Angela's office to try a last ditch attempt to convince the artist that she really wasn't going to feel like gong out on Saturday night. The attempt was fruitless, but then again these errands were only occupying about a tenth of the vastness that was Dr. Temperance Brennan's mind. The rest of it had been taken over by her partner and the inferences made by his mother who had made no attempt to disguise her feelings about their relationship.

Did he really say I was beautiful?

She couldn't deny that she had been having some not so partnerlike thoughts about Booth. Let's call a spade a spade shall we? Fine, they had been more than unpartnerlike. Yeah, try inappropriate, X-rated, sexual…..Alright! Lately those thoughts had been turning into dreams that were decidedly carnal in nature and she had been having a very difficult time looking him in the eye without her imagined midnight encounters rushing back into her mind.

To be perfectly honest though, it didn't scare her as much as she assumed it would. She wanted Booth; she could admit it to herself. Sure she was nervous, but nerves had never been a deciding factor in determining whether or not Temperance Brennan was going to go after what she wanted.

But he'd drawn the line. It was that simple. She respected her partner and if he was that afraid that a romantic relationship with her would put their lives in danger, because they weren't already, then she could wait. She just didn't know how long.

She put her coat on and made her way over to the diner, entering to the sound of Booth laughing at his mother's description of the latest antics of her grandchildren.

"You should have seen your brother's face; he didn't know what to do! I swear, I think he wonders how his son ended up so much like you." His mother was beaming at him and Brennan felt her heart catch, seeing her partner so happy.

She walked over and slid into the seat beside him.

"Hey," he said, grinning at her. "What took you?"

"Oh, you know, I'm a very busy woman. You'll never understand the demand on my time," her voice took on a light, joking quality. "You should feel honoured that I manage to make time for you every day."

"Your magnanimous spirit is inspiring Dr. Brennan," Booth feigned awe and noticed his mother smiling softly.

Lunch progressed very well, but Brennan couldn't deny that by the end of it she was supremely confused. Booth's mother continued to drop hints and make references to Booth's phone calls until Brennan didn't know which way was up. If Booth felt as strongly about her as his mother was implying, why did he insist on maintaining the illusion that that damn line he had drawn was doing anyone any good?

Eventually Booth's mother yawned. "Seeley, I'm tired. I think I'll head back to my hotel and get some sleep. You always think you'll never become one of those old fogies who can't make it through a day without their afternoon nap, but it all catches up with you."

Booth rose. "I'll drive you back."

"No, no, I can take a cab. I'm sure you two have work to do," she insisted.

"No, Mrs. Booth…." Brennan started.

"Call me Rose dear." She smiled at the younger woman. So this was her, she thought to herself. Booth had told her a lot about his partner and she could tell by his voice that her son was head over heals in love, but to the see them together made her heart tug. She had never seen her boy so happy.

"Alright, Rose. We really don't have that much to do. We can certainly give you a lift."

Booth glanced at his partner, wondering when it had become always 'we' and 'us.'

"Well, if you're sure….." his mother started.

"We insist!"

They made their way to Booth's SUV and headed downtown. When they arrived at her hotel, Booth and Brennan got out to say good-bye.

She hugged Brennan and this time Brennan put her arms around the older woman.

"It was very nice to meet you and I hope I'll see you again before you leave," Brennan said, sincerely hoping that she would be granted another opportunity to talk to her. Maybe have the chance to hear a few embarrassing stories about her partner's childhood; collect some dirt in case the need arose for some more blackmailing.

"You can count on it," Rose smiled.

Booth watched the exchange, happier than ever at how Brennan and his mother seemed to have taken to each other.

Before he knew it he was being enveloped in his mother's arms and telling her that they'd pick her up for dinner at around 6:30 that evening. He realized that he had spoken for Brennan, assuming that she would be accompanying them. Maybe he should have asked her first.

"If….I mean….you are coming, right?" he asked, glancing sideways at her.

"Yeah, sure," said Brennan apprehensively. "If you want me to, because if you want some time alone….."

'Nonsense," protested Rose. "You must come, I insist. Seeley will have a much better time with you along; we old folk make for pretty boring company. So I'll see you at 6:30, and I don't want to be kept waiting."

Booth rolled his eyes.

"Yes Ma'am," he said, offering her a salute.

She laughed and made her way into the hotel. They headed back to the SUV and Booth threw his arm around Brennan's shoulders.

"So, what do you think? She's been asking to meet you for some time now."

"I liked her. She's very sweet, but I guess subtlety isn't one of her strong points." Brennan couldn't resist teasing him and was rewarded as his cheeks tinged pink at her laughter.

"Yeah, about that….." But she didn't let him finish.

"I think we need to talk about a few things Booth."

"Ummm….alright," Booth couldn't help feeling like he was back in fifth grade being told that he had to visit the Principal's office. But then she smiled at him and he felt like, instead of the dreaded detention, he was receiving a gold star.

"What's going on Booth?" She raised an eyebrow at him. If he wanted to keep that line then she needed to understand; needed to be able to wrap her head around what had gone on today.

Booth didn't know what to say. He couldn't deny that everything his mother said was the truth, but how could he tell her that? He'd drawn the line as much to protect his heart as their lives. There was no way that she could feel the same anyway, so why set himself up to fall? All of a sudden he had a brilliant idea…..feign ignorance!

"I don't know Bones, what's gong on?"

"I asked you first," she said stubbornly.

"I asked you second,' he said, reminding her a bit too much of his five year old son.

"Booth…." She began, about to berate him for his childishness, but closed her mouth when she saw what appeared to be fear in his eyes. Then she realized, he thought she was going to reject him. Did he know her at all? Hmmm...should she make this easy for him? Maybe, but not too easy.

Booth saw the change in her gaze as she studied him. He couldn't read that gaze, but the smirk that was now gracing her features put him on the defensive.

"What?"

"Did you really say I was beautiful?" she asked sweetly.

"Umm…well, I guess I must've." He looked worried, but then he smiled. Her tone of voice and confidence in raising the issue imbued him with a newfound courage. "I remember saying that you were gorgeous, attractive, stunning…I guess beautiful was in there somewhere."

Now it was her turn to play the deer caught in the headlights. How does a girl respond to that?

"Well….how come you never mentioned it before?"

"I didn't know how; didn't know what to say. You're…..well, you're Dr. Temperance Brennan. You're brilliant, beautiful…..you know. I never thought you'd consider me." He looked at the ground sheepishly.

"Well you kinda have to give me the chance first," she said as if it was the most logical thing, as if putting his heart on the line was that simple.

"I know…..it's just….being in love doesn't really allow for very much logic or rationality," he said quietly.

"In love?" she breathed. "Well then why did you draw the line? It makes no sense. It's not like that line has kept either of us safe or kept us from having feelings for each other." By the time she finished, her voice had become louder.

"I know….." he started. "Did you say 'each other'? Bones, do you have feelings for me?"

Brennan sighed. "Obviously, or else I'd be running for the hills after a lunch like that!"

"Yeah, I was wondering why you weren't on the phone with Cullen, severing our partnership as soon as you met her."

Brennan moved forward, invading his space, and smiled. "I think I'll have to thank your mother."

He moved his arms around her waist. "Yeah, I guess we will."

Suddenly her demeanor changed. She pulled herself out of his grasp and gave him an irritated glare . "Were you ever planning on telling me yourself or were you going to hide behind that stupid line forever?"

"I…..Bones…..no," he spluttered, running a hand through his hair. "I figured it would come out eventually. What I feel for you….something like that can't stay hidden for very long. That doesn't mean I wasn't scared as hell, worrying about what you'd do when you found out."

She could accept that. Brennan couldn't help but smile at his awkwardness, he could be so endearing without even trying. "Well, what did you think I would do?"

"Well to be honest, I thought you'd hit me or yell at me for ruining our partnership. Maybe tell me you never wanted to see me again or slowly withdraw until things were so strained that our friendship could never be salvaged. I don't know…..." He trailed off, not wanting to consider the other possible ways this could have played out.

She moved her arms around his neck. "Wow, you've really put some thought into this. I'm honestly glad your mother can't seem to keep your secrets though, I thought I was going to be forced to make the first move."

"Would you have?" He stared at her incredulously.

"Well of course. Like you said, being in love isn't something that can remain concealed for very long." Her smile bloomed as she felt his arms tighten around her.

Booth didn't know what to say. "Bones…."

He had nothing.

He pulled her to him, finally allowed to enjoy holding her in his arms.

Brennan closed her eyes and relaxed as they just stood there in the other's embrace. She pulled back and looked into his eyes. The love and contentment she saw there was almost too much, she had never felt this way before.

"Bones?" his voice pulled her away from her thoughts.

"Hmm?"

"Can I kiss you?"

She looked at him the way she looked when he asked her to explain the significance of a certain bone fragment or mark on a skull……for the fifth or sixth time.

She just shook her head at his wariness, tilted her face to the side and pressed her lips to his in their first, and in Booth's opinion, most unforgettable, kiss. Their grips on each other tightened as they got lost in the feelings aroused by their first intimate contact.

They eventually pulled back, both of them grinning like fools and even Brennan couldn't be bothered to consider how corny and cliché they probably looked, standing there staring into each other's eyes.

"Won't your mom be surprised when we pick her up tonight," Brennan said chuckling.

"You know Bones, I really don't think she will."

"Why not? She leaves us so we can do paperwork and when we go to pick her up, we're a couple. Don't you think it'll kind of throw her for a round?"

"It's 'throw her for a loop' Bones……and well, she's kind of known for a while about how I've felt."

"How long has that been?"

"I can't really put my finger on it, you know? You ever read C.S. Lewis?"

"I read the "Chronicles of Narnia" when I was a child."

"Well, he wrote that when you actually fall in love, you don't really know it until you've fallen so far that you can't remember when you started. It just happened and I can't tell you when, but by the time I realized it, I knew that…..you'll laugh……but, I knew that it was just the way things between us were meant to be."

Brennan laughed and Booth pulled back slightly.

"See, I told you you'd laugh."

"I'm sorry Booth. That was so cheesy…."

He looked mildly put out and she pulled him close again, ready to spread on some honey of her own.

"….but, nonetheless, very true."

His smile reappeared and he kissed her again softly. He knew they had work to do, but he really didn't want to stop.

He spoke as he continued to place light kisses on her lips. "We should….really…..get some…work done…..before dinner."

Brennan sighed into his mouth and pulled away.

"Fine, if we have to." He grinned at his ability to make her forget about her favourite…..scratch that, former favourite…..thing in the entire world.

She smiled back at him and laced her fingers through his as they headed back to his truck.


So, I was thinking about making this the end, but I sorta want to write Mrs. Booth again because I think she's so cool, so tell me what you think! Is there potential for a Part 3?

Please, let me know what you think!