Disclaimer: I don't own "Bones". I'm just playing with them and will return them to Hart Hanson and Fox when I'm done.

A/N: A big 'Thank You' to everyone who has read, reviewed, favorited, and placed alerts on this story. This is, by far, the most read piece I've ever posted - nearly 3000 reads! Without you, it wouldn't really be worth it!

I know I said that this chapter was going to be it, over and done. But ... well, things took a different turn and it's going to be the next chapter. I promise! I'll even pinky swear, and we all know that you don't break a pinky swear! Please, please, please just stick with me and I swear you will be rewarded for your faithfulness!

And I'd like to give a shoutout to my Twitter pals who are encourage me and make me sane when I start to rant publicly about my frustrations with this piece. Ya'll rock! :) So, without further adieu ...

The Beauty at the Banquet

Chapter 3: Two Steps Forward, Three Steps Back

The driver pulled the car into park shortly after his two occupants had begun a very slow, intimate round of kissing in the backseat. He was no eavesdropper, but the couple had, essentially, forgotten where they were the moment the man had slid into the seat and closed the car door. Their conversation had a decidedly private feel to it and he had felt somewhat ashamed listening to the two of them; however, he had no other choice. When he had arrived at the liquor store – the address the woman had given him – and glanced in the rearview mirror, seeing the handsomely-dressed pair sharing an intimate moment suddenly made him feel like a voyeuristic teenager intruding on a special time between two lovers. Two lovers who, incidentally, had failed to notice they were still in public.

The cabbie cleared his throat in an attempt to alert the inhabitants of the arrival at their endpoint. After hearing the cabbie clear his throat for a third time, Booth finally backed away from Brennan and tossed a few bills into the front seat. "Thanks, man," he called as he pulled his partner from the back of the taxi, ushering her quickly into the building, not bothering to wait for change. He was afraid if he allowed either of them any time to think about what was happening, reasons for not continuing down this path would begin to come to light and he didn't want to give time to anything that might stop them this time.

Once inside the elevator, Brennan quickly drew close to Booth once again. For the few moments they had been apart, she had begun to miss the weight of him so close to her. He focused his attentions on her, his hands moving to her hips, holding her in place against the wall of the cube-shaped room. His mouth landed on hers as the elevator began to move, her tongue pressing against his lips, begging entrance.

He opened his lips, smiling against her, as her tongue dove into his mouth. Her hips began to mimic the movements of her tongue, pressing against his lower body. The friction between the two of them achingly sweet, she felt forgotten warmth spread through her as she pressed closer to him, beginning a steady rhythm. It was a new dance for them, but each slipped into it as if they had been moving together forever.

All too soon, the elevator buzzed, announcing their arrival and the doors slid open. Booth released his hold on Brennan and stood straight in time to see his neighbor, Mr. Ross, standing in front of the doors, holding a garbage bag. Booth smiled sheepishly, pulling Brennan behind him as they made their way to his apartment. "Nice evening," he said with a nod to the elderly gentleman as they passed, trying to act nonchalant, despite having been caught in a compromising position.

"Yes it is, Mr. Booth." The old man smiled knowingly at the couple as he entered the elevator car just as the door to Booth's apartment closed with a loud bang. Once inside, Booth turned to face his partner as she launched herself into his arms, their mouths fusing once again.

Even as her arms grasped tightly around his neck as they pushed their way down the hallway toward the bedroom, a small part of her brain began to shout through the fog of arousal, questioning whether or not this was the right thing for the two of them. Come on, now, Brennan, the voice chided. This is Booth. Booth! Your partner, your friend! He's not the type of person to have a single-evening romp. You know that. Remember that speech he gave you last year about crappy sex? Do you really think he'll be okay with having sex with you just one time? He's going to want more from you. You know this! For the moment, her brain won out. Still holding tight around his neck, she stopped the kiss and looked at Booth.

Breathless and curious, Booth couldn't help the words that escaped his lips as a confusion settled across his face. "What is it? Why did you stop?" His head was dizzy and light and he could feel the oxygen invading his body once again as he slowed his breathing. Her face was tinged pink and her lips swollen from his kisses. "God, you're beautiful." The words escaped him before he knew he had even said anything.

Her breathing slowed as she untangled her arms. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, trying to form the words that she knew needed to be said. She could feel Booth's eyes boring into her, but she knew that in order for this to happen, they needed to be on the same page.

"Booth." She stopped, still unsure. "What are we doing?" Her voice was hesitant, unsure, and timid.

"Isn't that obvious?" He spoke with a small laugh, unable to stop himself from teasing her. He was afraid this would happen and yet, he knew it should happen, just to make sure they were on the same page. No miscommunications. No misunderstandings. "Well, Bones …" He stopped, trying to decide what exactly he should say.

She looked at him hesitantly, only somewhat regretting the pause the evening's activities had taken.

"What is this, Booth?" She took a small step back, peeling his hands from around her waist. "I'm sorry, but I need to know."

"Well … I guess that depends on you, Bones."

"Me?" Her voice rose a bit, surprised that he was placing the outcome in her hands, metaphorically speaking.

"Yeah, you." His tone was soft, caring, but also nervous. He wanted this - the thing between them - to be a permanent, solid entity. But he also knew that his sexy scientist partner didn't believe in absolutes and would justify their night together as "satisfying biological urges".

Not wanting to see things end until he had his fill of her, tired of playing the game, tired of loving her from afar, Booth decided that no matter what happened tonight, he would make love to this woman. Even if it meant waking up alone the next morning with only her scent and his memories as a reminder of their time together, he was willing to do it. He knew he just wanted to be with her, no matter the result.

"Yeah, Bones. It's up to you. Whatever you want tonight to be, I'll agree to." There. He had said it. Plain and simple; no misunderstandings.

Brennan stood, staring at him in surprise. She had expected a lengthy speech from Booth, detailing all reasons why tonight should be more than just a one-time deal. She had momentarily envisioned Booth pushing her, pressing his argument towards her, fighting to convince her that the two of them together could be - no, would be - great in a long-term capacity. She could hear his voice describing in detail how Fate had brought them together nearly five years earlier, and how the Universe had kept them together through so much, and how they owed it to a higher, unseen power to be together and to allow their love to grow and blossom. She could hear his argument for marriage, for spending their lives together. She was prepared for these things. So when he stood in front of her, basically agreeing to do and be anything that she chose, she was taken aback.

Booth stood, his hands fidgeting since she had removed them from her body. He was agitated, hoping that her answer to what was happening included him, hoping she wouldn't turn and walk out his door as she had so many times before.

"Booth …" Her voice cut the palpable silence that encompassed them. He looked again at her face, hopeful and scared. "I think that what we are doing … this between us ..." she faltered, suddenly uneasy. Booth took a step forward, running his arms around her waist again, pulling her closer to him. She leaned forward, resting her forehead against his, deeply inhaling his scent before she continued.

"I think that what we're doing is finally finishing what we started that night behind the pool hall." She spoke quickly, the words falling from her mouth in a rush. She knew if she stopped to think rationally about anything that had happened since they met earlier that evening in the ballroom, she would run. And Temperance Brennan was tired of running.

Booth opened his eyes, looking deeply into the blue-gray orbs that were staring back at him expectantly. He saw openness, innocence, vulnerability, and a little bit of fear staring back at him. When he spoke, it was on a breathless sigh at hearing her say the words he had feared he would never hear.

"Bones."


Well, there you have it. What do you think? Good? Bad? Am I too much of a tease? (I don't mean to be!) Press that little 'Review' button down there and let me know what you think. The next chapter is coming along nicely ::snicker::, but I want to make sure that I'm on the right path here. The only way to do that is for YOU to tell me! I want to hear what you have to say!