Chapter Three
A/N: So much for a short story. I was inspired this morning and it will be longer than anticipated. Total change of course for the plot. And the title brings on more meaning that I had intended it to.
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What if I don't want you to wait?"
Many scenarios had played through his mind over the past few months, as too what her response may be when informed of his true feelings for her.
F-Off.
Oh, Booth, don't be silly. We're partners.
I'm in love with someone else.
We are too busy with our careers to be in a relationship.
"Are you sure of that Bones? If you can look me in the eyes and tell me you don't want me to wait for you, I will respect that." He shifted his weight, leaning more on his left leg. Patience was Seeley Booth's alluring characteristic that was envied by all who knew him. Whether it be a target to be sniped at eight hundred feet, a suspect with everything but a nail in their coffin trying to figure a way out or Parker choosing a movie to rent on Sunday afternoon, patience was something Seeley Booth had spades of.
"Booth, I'm flattered you have feelings for me. Any woman would be lucky to have you."
"Touché. Any woman but you." He turned his head to the side not knowing whether he should scream or laugh. He turned back to her, persistence another admirable quality of his. "Look me in the eyes."
Peering into his eyes, her own blurred by welling tears, she disconnected her heart from her brain and spoke the slaying words, "Don't wait for me."
A bullet in the knee cap would have been easier to take. As a former Army Ranger, POW and now Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, it wasn't in Seeley Booth's nature to beg. Some people would say there is a fine line between begging and pleading. He wasn't going to do either.
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Their conversation a few weeks earlier had ended after she reiterated that she didn't want him waiting for her. They continued to work together amicably, solving three murder cases in that time. Some on lookers thought it was adrenaline; others thought it was a Band-Aid for their unresolved feelings for each other.
"Booth, can I see you in my office please?" Brennan asked of him on a Thursday afternoon.
He followed her to the confinements of her domain and was startled when she closed the door behind him. Whatever she was about to say should have been able to be said with the door open.
"My publisher is hosting a party this Saturday and I need to bring a companion."
"You want me to find you someone?" He inquired knowing damn well that wasn't what she was asking.
"Actually, I had thought of that (she wanted him to think that she had thought of that) however, I thought it might be more practical that you come with me. After all you have read all my books."
"I don't know Bones, this might be a conflict of interest." His voice laden with sarcasm came across loud and clear to her.
"Fine, if you don't want to, I'll ask Clark."
"Clark? As in your assistant Clark?"
"Yes. He would make an excellent companion."
"Why do you need to bring someone?" he asked curiously.
"My publisher would like to promote my book and for publicity reasons, apparently, me having a companion makes for better publicity."
Yeah right. She wants me. I am going to make her work for it - us.