A/N: So, as I sat thinking about all of the wonderful suggestions you all sent me in reviews, there were a couple that really stood out. I am keeping a running list of ideas going and the more ways I can find to put Booth in a tux, the longer this one will go on.

This week's pick was inspired by a comment from auntof3. While this is likely not what she had in mind, it's where my muse took it.

Special thanks to ProfeJMarie for giving it a last minute read-through.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bones

The Tuxedo on the Highway

The sky is darkening as he pulls the SUV to a stop behind her Prius. Switching on his flashers, he exits the vehicle and makes his way to the side of her car. At least she managed to get it off to the side and out of traffic.

She stands on the side of the road staring at the flattened tire. A light misting rain that has begun to fall, causing the tendrils that fall loose of her elegant up-do to curl and cling to her neck. He's about to make a joke about how many forensic anthropologists it takes to change a tire when their eyes meet. "Bones," he says, snapping her back to the moment. He watches her shiver and slips out of his tuxedo jacket. Stepping over to her, he wraps the garment around her bare shoulders. "You're standing in the rain," he tells her.

She looks up at him, eyes shining. "I could have called a tow truck, Booth," she tells him.

He touches her face. "Yeah, and you could have just ridden with me in the first place." Instantly he realizes his mistake when she looks away - he had planned to bring Hannah to this event. Though the other woman hadn't been in his life for well over a month, he hadn't asked his partner if she wanted a lift.

He looks down at her, aching to lean down and kiss the pink of her lipstick off of her lips - to take one more gamble - but he holds back. He knows that he's ready, but is she? Instead, he settles. Tossing his head toward the SUV, he smiles at her. "Go sit in the truck, Bones."

She opens her mouth as if to protest before turning and heading for the passenger door of the Sequoia. He watches until she is safely out of the weather before turning to the tire. Stooping down next to the wheel well, he removes his cufflinks and slips them into his pants pocket before rolling up his sleeves.

Walking to the driver's side door, he pulls the lever to pop the hatchback. He quickly locates the spare and the key he needs to remove the lug-nuts. Walking to the SUV, he grabs the jack.

He's just getting ready to unscrew the nuts when a loud clap of thunder fills the air and the sky opens up. He chuckles softly, shaking his head to himself. "Son of a bitch," he says through gritted teeth.

In the minutes it takes him to remove the flat, he's soaked through to the skin. As he's reaching for the spare, a stiff wind comes up and it slips from his fingers to slid down the small embankment. He sees her start to get out of the truck. "Stay in the car, Bones," he says sternly. She doesn't listen. When has she ever listened?

"Booth, you're getting soaked and..." A flash of lightening illuminates his face and stops her in her tracks.

He grabs her arms. "And now we're both wet," he growls at her. She flinches at his grip and struggles beneath his hands. "Can't you just let me protect you?" he complains.

"Booth," she whimpers, tears trailing over her cheeks.

He releases her and she takes a step back. He's appalled at himself for manhandling her. For not showing her the respect she deserves. He turns his back to her and takes a deep breath. One hand on his hip, he rubs at the back of his neck with the other. He swings back around just in time to hear her scream as she slips in the mud and falls.

He slides down beside her. "Oh, God, Bones," he says, a hand brushing the hair out of her face. "Are you okay?" His arms lend support as they close gingerly around her body.

"I'm fine," she says. "Really, Booth, it was stupid of me to..." A bold flash of lightning streaks across the sky and she sees the warmth in his eyes. The look he gives her is one that she hasn't seen in a long time. It's one that gives her hope. She stares at the way the fabric of his soaked shirt sticks to his chest and shoulders. She watches the way his breathing hitches just slightly. Taking a deep breath, she raises her eyes to his face. "I still don't believe in fate," she says, focusing on his lips.

"And I still do," he tells her honestly. His arms remain around her, but his hold eases as he steels himself for what he fears is coming. To protect them both.

She hurries ahead. "What I do believe in is us," she whispers. "Do you think we'll ever get our shot? Or have we really missed our moment?"

His heart slams against his ribs as it soars upward. "I don't know that there is just one moment, Bones," he says softly. "I want to believe we could have as many chances as we needed."

She nods slightly. Her hand comes to his cheek. "Booth," her lips are so close he can almost taste her sweetness. "Would you kiss me if I asked you to?"

"Are you asking me, Bones?" he husks on an uneven breath. He mirrors her touch, placing his hand on her cheek.

She echos the words that he once said to her. Words that resonate deep emotion now that she understands the full meaning of the promise behind them. The promise that she has this man's heart. "I just feel like this is going somewhere..."

Booth smirks. "Quit stealing my lines," he murmurs as his lips delicately pluck at hers. A gentle kiss quickly becomes heated as they cling to each other in the rain. Searching. Exploring. Drinking each other in. "Hey, Baby?" he asks, peppering her with kisses.

"Don't call me 'baby'," she hisses, even as she melts further into his embrace.

"It'll grow on you," he says, dipping to take her mouth in a heated kiss. "Just like Bones." He chuckles. "It's raining and we're both soaked. Let's get outta here." Standing, he helps her to her feet.

"Booth, this isn't good for your back," she protests when he lifts her into his arms.

His brow furrows. "Take my gun and shoot me," he says. "I want to hold you. And besides, I've got white knight syndrome, right?" Carrying her to the car, he deposits her in the passenger seat.

"What about my car?" she asks him.

"Call a tow," he says, the tips of his fingers trailing the neckline of her cocktail dress. "I'll call Cam and tell her you had car trouble."

"What will we do while we wait?" she asks.

Leaning in close, he breathes his next words against her mouth. "You ever make out in a car when you were a teenager?" he asks, giving her a hungry kiss.

Pulling away, he watches as she bats her eyelashes in wide-open owl fashion. Her lips are swollen from kisses, her cheeks stained a soft pink. "No," she confesses.

Flashing her a smile, he whispers, "Then I'd say you've got plenty of catching up to do..."