A/N: Just a reminder...this story is slightly AU. I don't own the Bones characters, but I do like to borrow them from time to time to act out my stories. The Storm character is the property of Marvel Comics. The Starfire character mentioned in this chapter is the property of DC Comics, as are Superman, Superwoman, and Supergirl. The dialogue and plot of the story are mine, but I did borrow and rework a scene from The Last Shot at a Second Chance. I'm sure you'll recognize it. If you have time to leave a review, I'd appreciate it. Laura

Aubrey glanced at his watch again as he watched Jessica out of the corner of his eye. It was five o'clock in the evening, and Jessica was still taking photographs of the crime scene. Finally he cleared his throat to get her attention. "Um, Jess? It's getting kinda late…isn't it too dark to take pictures down here anyway?"

Jessica gave him a sweet smile before pointing to the camera's flash attachment and turning back to the task at hand. "I'm almost finished, Superman. I want to make sure I'm thorough. Dr. Brennan entrusted me with this job, and I don't want to let her down. Just a few more shots…" She took a flashlight out of her equipment bag and squatted down to look at the area where the car had been parked. "Dr. Saroyan said that she thought some of the body fluids might've leaked from the car's trunk, but I'm not sure that's what really happened. I don't see any evidence of any fluid here except brake fluid…"

Rocking back on his heels, Aubrey whistled a little tune as he waited impatiently, finally deciding to try another tactic to encourage the anthropologist to complete her work quickly. "Hey, I'm getting kinda hungry. It's been awhile since I ate lunch, and with it being this cold, my body has used up all that fuel in maintaining my high metabolism. I'm like a hummingbird, you know? I need to eat something soon..." That ought to do it...use some science talk to impress her, right? "You don't want me to faint, do you?" He pretended to pout a bit as he watched her work. "That would be a terrible thing to have on your conscience, right?"

Rolling her eyes as she packed up her camera and her other equipment, Jessica let go an exasperated sigh. "Well, I'd hate to have you starve to death on my account, Agent Aubrey. I'm finished now, so you can drop me by the Jeffersonian and then you can go eat dinner. I rode the bus to work this morning, but I've missed the one that goes by my apartment in the evening, so I'll just take a cab home…"

That wasn't the plan Aubrey had in mind when he'd suggested it was time to leave. He was surprised to find that he was more interested in spending some non-work time with his favorite squint than in eating dinner, although he really was hungry. Weird...I'd rather talk to her than eat...it must be love... Shaking his head, he disagreed with her suggestion. "Well, it's not like I'm going to starve to death in the next few minutes. I'll drive you home…maybe we can even stop somewhere along the way and pick up something for dinner." He gave her a warm smile. "That won't be a problem at all…"

"Except that I need to go by the Jeffersonian first...I need to put the equipment back where it belongs and my coat and boots are in the interns' locker room along with my purse…" Jessica grimaced slightly. "I'm sorry...I know that's out of the way. I'll just get a cab to go over to the Jeffersonian and then take another cab home. There will be plenty of cabs around here this evening since we're at an airport…that way you can just go on home and have dinner." But that's not what I really want to do...I'd rather get a ride with him... Jessica stole a furtive glance at Aubrey, admiring the way his dark suit fit him across his shoulders and trim waist. The contrast between the suit and the tan overcoat was striking, and it accentuated his slim build very well. What was it Dad used to call it? Wiry...yeah...slender but well muscled. Very nice...James is definitely well structured... "It's no trouble, Aubrey. I'm a big girl. I don't mind riding in a cab."

Aubrey rolled his eyes at her, holding up his hand to interrupt. "No way that's happening, Jessica. I told Dr. Brennan I'd give you a ride back to the lab, and that's exactly what I'm going to do. Anyway, how can you pay for a cab if your purse is at the Jeffersonian? It's not like you have a lot of room to carry a wallet in that jumpsuit." Aubrey picked up one of the large equipment cases and put it in the back of his SUV. "We'll go by the lab to put this stuff away. You can pick up your things, and then I'll drive you to your place. How's that?"

"That might work…" Jessica paused as she lifted another case into the SUV. "You know, Aubrey, I've got some leftover vegetable soup in my refrigerator that I can warm up for us to have for dinner, and then maybe we can watch Nightmare Before Christmas afterwards…" Jessica smiled shyly. "That is, if you want something like that to eat. I make good soup. It's got all sorts of different kinds of vegetables in it, and some meatballs...and I've got some homemade frosted sugar cookies at home, too." She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, hoping she could hide her nervousness about whether or not he'd accept her invitation. "Come on, it'll be fun. I'm a good cook, and you'll get a nice free meal out of the deal…"

Aubrey pretended to shiver as he walked over to where Jessica stood, knowing that she was watching him intently. "Vegetable soup and homemade cookies on a cold night like this? Can't beat that for warming us up, can we? Although we might be able to warm up in other ways..." He took Jessica's hand in his, smiling as he bent down to kiss her, when his phone rang loudly, startling both of them. Sighing with disgust and rolling his eyes, Aubrey pulled his phone out of his pocket as Jessica giggled. "Aubrey. Oh, hey, Booth." Aubrey made a funny face at Jessica as he listened to his supervisor, causing her to grin as she entwined her fingers with his. "Yeah...yeah, I know. Yeah, Jessica took lots of pictures and samples for Dr. Brennan. I haven't called you yet because I was busy...the FBI techs left about thirty minutes ago. Yeah, we're finishing up here and headed to the lab. Yeah, I'll talk to you tomorrow." Ending the call, Aubrey put his phone in his pocket and grinned at Jessica. "Booth's got lousy timing, doesn't he? Let's get you to the lab…and then let's go have some of that soup."

Oooooooooo

Aubrey and Jessica drove through the dark streets of DC that evening, each one quietly contemplating the kiss that had almost happened between them. We were so close… Jessica watched the Christmas lights go by as she stared out the passenger window. Dammit, Agent Booth...of all the times to call, you have to pick that one… She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear Aubrey's question the first time he asked it. "What?"

"You know...superheroes." Clearing his throat slightly, he'd finally decided to break the slightly awkward silence between them. "So if I'm Superman, which superhero are you gonna be? Superwoman?"

Jessica scoffed at that silly suggestion. "No way. I don't want to be anyone's sidekick. I want to be a superhero all on my own." She paused as she thought over her many choices. "I think I want to be Storm. As a little girl, I was always fascinated with her and how she could control the weather, and she's a strong female character who's not intimidated by anyone. She's an excellent role model."

"No way. You can't be Storm." Aubrey snickered as he checked his rearview mirror. He cast a sideways glance at his passenger. "That's not gonna work at all…"

"I don't see why not...It's my choice, and I can be anyone I want…" Jessica crossed her arms over her chest and pouted a bit. "You're probably just annoyed because Storm is probably stronger and has better superpowers than Superman, and you're afraid I'd win the superhero battle of the sexes."

"Nope, that's not the problem at all. And just so you know, Superman isn't afraid of losing any superhero battles, okay? However, you seem to have forgotten one little detail, Jessica. Storm is a Marvel Comics creation, and Superman is a DC comics creation. Those two worlds can't mix, right? They're two completely different universes. It would be like a crossover movie between Star Wars and Star Trek. It can't happen that way." Aubrey shrugged as he pulled the SUV into the Jeffersonian's parking garage. "It's just not natural, you know?"

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Jessica sighed softly as she thought over the situation. "Unfortunately, I'm not really up on the DC Comics Universe like I am on the Marvel Comics Universe. I don't suppose you have a suggestion, do you? I mean, other than Superwoman or Supergirl?"

They got out of the SUV and walked around to the tailgate. Grabbing some of the equipment, Aubrey nodded. "Yeah, maybe. I think I know who you can be instead of Superwoman. How about Starfire? She's got superhuman strength and skills, and she can manipulate ultraviolet energy." Smirking at Jessica, Aubrey closed the tailgate and continued. "She's also a really hot redhead who can assimilate different languages from men by kissing them…" Aubrey paused, realizing he'd just given his companion an idea of what he'd been thinking about on the drive over to the lab, and that those thoughts were definitely not pertaining to catching a criminal.

Smiling demurely, Jessica nodded slightly as she thought about Aubrey's suggestion. "Sounds like that was the original 'speaking in tongues' idea." Jessica laughed at Aubrey's embarrassment as they rode the elevator up to the lab. "It also sounds like you've done a lot of research on the character of Starfire…" Pushing the button for the lab level, she smirked at him. "I'm sure it's all for intellectual purposes…"

"Well, I wouldn't say I've done a lot of research on her, exactly. I just know about her from what I've read. She's a popular character, especially with that tiny costume she wears in the graphic novels. She's voluptuous, so she has lots of fans." Aubrey arched his eyebrow at Jessica and laughed. "Have you ever been to a cosplay convention?"

"No, but I've always wanted to go to one. What about you?", Jessica said as they stowed the equipment in the proper place in the lab.

"Well, there was one Star Wars convention where me and some of my fraternity brothers went dressed as storm troopers, and I've been to a few comic book conventions, but I've never gone in a costume. Maybe the next time the Imagicon's in town, we should go in costume together."

"I'd like that." Jessica gave Aubrey a flirty smile. "I suppose that means you'd like to see me in one of those tiny costumes like Starfire wears, right?" Aubrey blushed furiously as he fidgeted with his car keys. "It sounds like fun, Superman...let's plan on it. Okay, now you wait here. I'm going to go get my things out of my locker room. I'll be right back." With that, Jessica turned and quickly strode down the hall, leaving Aubrey standing alone in the lab. He looked out the window, gazing down at the snowy streets leading away from the Jeffersonian. Twinkling strings of lights had been festooned over the trees that surrounded the museum, providing inviting places for a pleasant walk on a winter's evening. Anxious to spend more time with Jessica, Aubrey came up with an idea. He turned and smiled as she joined him by the window. God, she is so cute in that puffy coat and those little boots….

"I was thinking...how about a pre-vegetable soup appetizer? There's a little gelato shop about a block from here. It's great stuff, made with organic ingredients. Why don't we go get some?"

Jessica paused for a few seconds before answering. It was hardly ice cream weather, but she knew that strolling through the glittering lights on a beautiful snowy evening with an attractive man by her side would quickly warm her up. "That sounds great." She smiled as Aubrey offered her his arm, looping her arm through his while they walked to the gelato stand, laughing and talking about superheroes and cosplay conventions. As they walked out of the shop, Jessica took a bite of her mango gelato.

"Ever notice it's never too cold for ice cream?" Jessica grinned as she licked her cone.

"Oh, are you cold? Here." Aubrey, ever the gentleman, slipped out of his overcoat and draped it around her. "There you go. Better?"

"Yeah! Thanks, Boyfriend!" Jessica gasped slightly as she realized what had slipped out. "I mean friend that's a boy. You know, as in 'attaboy'..."

God….just what we need...another awkward moment. Aubrey shook off his negative thoughts. It's time to just go for it. "You know, I want to kiss you, Jess…I would've kissed you back there at the crime scene if Booth hadn't picked the wrong moment to call." He was relieved when he realized that Jessica wasn't going to run away from him in panic.

"I want to kiss you, too, even though a crime scene may not be the best place for that." She smiled shyly. "Do you think it means something that we haven't yet?"

"Maybe so, but I'm pretty sure it's my fault." He grimaced slightly as he shifted from one foot to another, trying to appear cool and calm and failing miserably. "I mean, I've built it up to be a big deal in my head, and now it's like this giant T. rex flailing its tiny arms around…" Good job, Slick...impressing her with your science knowledge there….

"I think it's scary for both of us, because one thing can lead to another, right? And we have to decide how we feel about that...if that's what we really want." Jessica shrugged and nodded, understanding what he meant. "But I'm not in a rush to decide anything. Are you?"

"Not really, but normally, I'm really good at these kind of things, you know? I mean, it's not like I've had a bunch of girlfriends, but I know how and when to kiss someone I care about.", he stammered. Yeah, just keep telling yourself that...maybe you'll be right one day...

"You know what that tells me? That what you and I have isn't normal. It's more special than that, isn't it? And we don't want to mess this up. We can take it slow...we've got time." Jessica slipped out of Aubrey's overcoat and handed it back to him. "It's starting to snow again...you're gonna need your coat." Jessica smiled as she looked up at the falling snow, walking backwards as she moved away from where Aubrey was standing. "Have you ever tried to catch snowflakes on your tongue?" She giggled as she tilted her head back and stuck her tongue out.

"Of course...I went to college at Syracuse. You know how much snow they get there?" Aubrey smiled at her delight with the snowfall. As smart as she was, Jessica still had a sense of whimsy and childlike wonder, and he was completely entranced by that. Her cheeks were flushed a delicate rosy pink with the cold, and her green eyes sparkled with exhilaration as she felt the snowflakes brushing her face. She's so beautiful...

Jessica was walking backwards and spinning around as she tried to catch snowflakes on her tongue, not really aware of where she was in relation to the street. Suddenly she found herself in the path of a car that was speeding toward her, its horn blaring a loud warning.

"Jessica! Look out!" Sprinting to the curb, Aubrey grabbed her arm and, pulling her out of the way of the car, he lost his balance and pulled her over on top of him. He found himself lying on the sidewalk with her in his arms as he looked up into her beautiful green eyes. "Are you alright? You're not hurt, are you? God, you scared me, Jess…you gotta be more careful..."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a passionate kiss. Smiling, she quirked an eyebrow at him. "It looks like you really are faster than a speeding bullet, Superman…" She giggled as she kissed him again. "You're melting my gelato…"

Reaching up to brush the hair from her eyes, Aubrey grinned. "Maybe we should get up off the sidewalk…" As they stood up, Aubrey sighed in relief as he realized Jessica wasn't injured. "Whew…" He brushed the snow and dirt from his coat as he chuckled. "Listen, Jessica, if you didn't want to wait any longer for me to kiss you, there are easier ways to let me know than trying to get hit by a car." Still shaky from the adrenaline rush he'd just experienced, he closed his eyes and exhaled slowly before taking her hand in his and giving her another big grin. "Let's go have some soup."