*FLASH* Rating changed to M *FLASH*
For a moment, everything is bathed in red. The shade is luscious, a deep crimson so vibrant you must take a second look at everything that it has settled on. The farms on the west-facing hillsides are drenched in the fading light. The trees in the forest appear if they had been painted; the sunset is so vivid. The sun blazes a last fierce glow before disappearing behind the next hill.
The reddened land gently turns to hues of purple and blue; the clouds overhead ranging from dark lavender to gold where the sun has stained the sky. The silos and buildings are silent; nothing moves in the dusk's first few moments.
The sun's dying breath finally fades, and the heavens appear above. The moon is heavy as it steadily rises, turning from peach to silver. The hills darken underneath the stars, as the only light comes from the kitchen windows and the ghostly moon.
A never-ending cycle, hiding a few surprises, like the mist gathering on the fields, making the scene even more heavenly, even more surreal.
Brennan awoke first the next morning, keeping her eyes closed as the breeze floated in from the open window. She felt contented and well-rested, suspecting her deep sleep to be improved by the quality of the fresh country air.
She opened her eyes as she felt Booth stir beside her, smiling as he came to. He blinked a few times before returning the smile, stretching. Brennan leaned over and gave him a sloppy kiss on the lips.
"How'd you sleep?" She asked.
"Well." He closed his eyes and murmured. "You?"
"Very well. It's so calming to be here. No bones, no murder, nothing."
"We needed a vacation." He returned the kiss. Brennan didn't break away to reply, but instead ran her tongue against his bottom lip, demanding permission. He granted. She rolled over on top of him, straddling him, messy hair falling across his bare shoulders. She slid down and felt him harden even more, pushing her hips against his. He groaned and tugged off her shirt, planting his head in between her breasts. Brennan teased off his boxers and they briefly paused, staring at each other. Raw emotion was shared between them, fueling them both with intense desire.
Still staring at those steady brown eyes, Brennan lowered herself on him, breathing on his collarbone. Booth shivered and leaned his cheek on her hair; Brennan felt him flush further.
She lifted her head and gave him another kiss. "I wish we could just do this every morning." She whispered. He tore off her panties in reply.
The exchange was slow and lustful as the world heated up around them. Birds began to sing, and the sun began to strengthen.
Booth, almost unwillingly, pulled out of Brennan, causing her to gasp. They both lay in bed a little longer before putting on clothing and heading downstairs.
Booth made coffee as Brennan went on excitedly about the day.
"We could go for a drive this morning and then come back for lunch before swimming or doing something the locals suggest." She explained as Booth offered her a cup and sat down.
"Sounds like a plan," He kissed her, Brennan's eyes fluttering closed.
She sighed as they parted. "I wish every day could be like today."
He chuckled. "No you don't. You'd miss your bones."
"But the isolation, the privacy, just you and me…" She trailed off and he raised a suggestive eyebrow.
"Save it for later," she grinned, punching him lightly in the shoulder. He smirked in reply.
"We should get away more often."
"We should."
"And we should buy an old house."
"Slow down there, cowboy."
She rolled her eyes, taking a sip. "This house is old, and I like it."
"Built in 1854."
She raised an eyebrow.
"I told you, I did my research."
"It's seen a lot."
"We can only wonder."
Silence settled for a minute.
"Bones?"
"Yes?"
He let the question hang. "You feel it, don't you?"
She frowned. "Fell what?"
"The vibes from this place."
"Don't be ridiculous."
"I'm serious! It has a nice feel to it, doesn't it? That's why you like it."
She hesitated. "I guess."
"Something happened here." He lowered his voice.
"Of course, lots of things have happened here. The house is a hundred-and-fifty-seven years old."
"No, something different. Something… bad."
Her frown reappeared. "How can you tell?"
"Among the good vibes, there's something…" He shrugged. "Off."
"Murder?" Her eyes flashed.
He shook his head. "I don't think so. Maybe bad isn't the right word."
She shrugged and finished her coffee. "Ready to go?"
He nodded, dropping the subject. "Yeah."
Booth sped along the paved roads and went nearly as fast down the dirt ones. They drove in silence, absorbing the scenic view outside. The mountains collided softly with each other; the creeks cutting like knives through forest and field. Cattle went on peacefully, and silver silos reached for the skies.
They explored the small nearby towns. Most were made up of a church and general store. Ancient houses clustered around, creating a quaint little town in the middle of nowhere. There was a certain element of satisfaction and joy of just riding about, carefree.
The humidity hit them as they stepped outside, back at the farmhouse. They'd picked up a few things for lunch.
Booth watched as Brennan pulled her hair up in a messy ponytail, sweating over the stove. He forced down his libido and got them both drinks.
"So, what should we do this afternoon?" He asked as they ate.
"Swim."
"I agree. It's bloody hot."
Brennan raised an inquisitive eyebrow. Booth didn't meet her gaze, slightly embarrassed.
"My grandmother used to say that when it was hot."
"Pops' wife?"
Booth nodded. "Nanny."
This touched Brennan and she smiled. Seeing that he was clearly emotional, she put a hand on his arm.
"This house reminds me of her." He admitted. Brennan felt a stab of pain but managed to hide it from her partner.
"Eat up." She encouraged. "The flies are driving me insane."
After they finished eating they headed up to change into bathing suits. However, this provided to be a difficult task, as they couldn't keep their hands off of each other. It started when Brennan asked Booth to tie her bikini halter. Ignoring the vast expanse of skin open to him provided too tough a challenge, and instead he ended up pressed against her, his arousal causing her breath to catch. She then leaned back and raised her arms behind his neck, allowing him to reach around and completely remove the bikini top.
The rest is history.
When they finally got out of the house they drove only a little and stopped the car on a bridge. They slid down the bank and onto the rocky shore of a creek. The freshwater was cold but refreshing; the area secluded and private, save for a horse that had wandered down for a drink, and the sun full of warmth.
Booth watched with one eye as Brennan spread out beside him, swatting at the pesky flies with one hand. She was on her back but turned her head to face him. He tried not to stare at the sight of the small water droplets glistening on her skin and fought the urge to lick them off. She closed her eyes and sighed contentedly. He did the same.
"No murder." She said.
"No FBI." He replied.
"Just us."
"It's like another world out here."
"I haven't had a vacation in seven years."
He opened his eyes. "Seven years? That's right before me. I mean, before us."
"Yes. I took it right after the very first case."
"Why?"
"No particular reason." She dropped the subject.
"What do you feel?"
"What do you mean?"
"Describe how you feel." He said simply.
"Um, alright. The sun feels good on my skin, seeing as it is wet, and overall I feel very satisfied and untroubled."
"I'll remember that."
"Why?"
"You'll see."
They lazed around the brook for another hour or so before packing up and heading home. Sitting on the porch and watching darkness fall, Booth brought it up again.
"What do you feel right now?""
She stole a sideways glance. "Contented and slightly tired. A cold wind is beginning. However, the house seems welcoming." She paused for a second, and Booth raised and encouraging eyebrow.
The still air suddenly shifted; the temperature plummeted. They stared at each other, both feeling the unexpected change. The house's spirit seemed to reach out into the dusk, becoming a part of the land, until both home and nature melded together into harmony. A calm feeling spread over the couple – they, who were always too busy saving the world to be in tune with it.
"There seems to be some element of disrupt. Some element of unfulfilled desire." She whispered.
They, who had never been this carefree before, who had never made love without some element of personal demons hanging over them, who had never made love in complete synchronization with the house and wilderness that engulfed them, like it did here, unlike anywhere else.
His eyes flashed suggestively. Brennan felt her own interest soar, unprecedented. Wide-eyed, she backed into the kitchen. He followed her hungrily.
"You feel it now?" He murmured.
She traced his collarbone. "Yes. I've… never… felt like this… what-"
He shushed her, pouncing on top of her, swiping away the plates and whatever remained on the table. Brennan struggled with his pants, feeling a familiar bump form underneath. In a mad frenzy they stripped themselves, ignoring but at the same conscious of every little thing around them.
"Temperance," He growled into her ear.
"Seeley," Came her breathy response as he filled her, a warm feeling that crept through her blood and into every cell of her body.
"What… Is this?"
"Unconditional love," He barely managed, and then was silenced with a kiss.
They were drained afterwards, and went through the motions of getting ready for bed in a trance. Night gripped onto the countryside with firm claws, everything utterly exhausted from the energy it takes to exist.