A/N: I know this is a short one, folks, but a short #TuxedoTuesday is better than no #TuxedoTuesday! At least to my way of thinking! I mean...Booth...in a tux...need I say more? Hope you enjoy!

Sophia...thank you!

Tuxedo to the Rescue

Brennan closed her eyes, resting her chin on her hand. She was exhausted and was looking forward to the water Booth had gone to get for her. She'd been up on her feet the whole night talking to donors, answering the expected questions about her books or pregnancy and making sure she did her part to make the black tie affair go as smoothly as possible.

She had needed just a moment to rest. To store up the last bit of energy she'd need to make it through the night. She'd spent the whole evening surrounded by people. If she sat down, people sat with her. If she walked, people followed her. She couldn't seem to get the quiet moment she craved.

"Dr. Brennan! Do you have a minute?" To Brennan's overly tired mind, the woman's voice was rather annoying.

She opened her eyes to see yet another person she didn't know standing next to her. She was just getting ready to answer when she felt his hand on her shoulder.

Booth's deep voice cut in smoothly. "I'm sorry, but I need to borrow my partner for a few minutes. You don't mind, do you?"

Brennan watched the brief look of disappointment cross her features, but realized this woman, like so many others, was powerless against the effect of Booth's charm smile. Brennan had often been annoyed with Booth when he suavely spoke like he just had. He left no room for argument. Just assumed he would get his way. Tonight, though, his statement was directed at someone else. Tonight, it was rescuing her.

She turned to look up at him just as he winked at her. A thankful smile graced her face. She held out her hand and felt his strength as he placed his hand around hers and lifted her to her feet. At this later stage in pregnancy, she'd opted for sensible shoes, but her feet complained, none the less.

Brennan looked up at Booth with an obvious question in her eyes. He simply smiled down at her.

"Are we dancing, Booth? I'm not sure I'm..."

"Trust me." He placed his hand against the small of her back and lead her to the dance floor.

She tucked her arms under his, letting them rest against his sides. She watched his eyes twinkle as he slid his hands around her expanding waist. Her own gaze wandered down his neck to his bow tie. She was quite sure she would never tire of seeing him in a tuxedo.

He tilted his head down into her vision. "You looked like you could use a break."

She slowly nodded, fighting to keep a smile on her face.

"All we gotta do is sway a little, but we'll be alone. Nobody will bother you here."

Her lips gently curved into the most genuine smile she'd had that night. She leaned as far into him as her swollen belly would allow and closed her eyes. Her forehead slumped over to rest on his shoulder as she breathed a sigh of relief. He held her snugly, supporting her and she realized she didn't have to make such an effort to remain standing. He always seemed to know just what she needed.

Her mind wandered back to the start of the evening, when they had been getting ready and he'd fussed with her. She waited for him to say something now, but he didn't. There was only the slightest hint of movement in time with the music. "You aren't going to tell me 'I told you so'?" she asked as she felt his cheek rest against the top of her head.

"Nah."

The rise and fall of his chest, coupled with the slow steady swaying was hypnotic. "You were right," she sighed, "I didn't realize how tiring this event would be."

She felt his voice rumble in his chest as he answered, "It's almost over and we can dance out here as long as you need. Then we'll go home and you can rest."

If she'd had the energy, she would have smiled. "I may need more than one dance," she said, appreciating that he wasn't pressuring her to leave before she was ready.

He kissed the top of her head. "I've got all the time in the world."

She hadn't realized it was possible to nap standing up until this night. She felt safe in his arms. Protected. She knew she didn't have to think about anyone or anything for these next few minutes. He was willing to rescue her from the smallest things. All she had to do was have faith.