A/N: This idea is the brain child of chymom. Thanks for the suggestion, sweetie. I hope you enjoy it...

To my friends ceeray3, ProfeJMarie, samnickmike, lalaurala-bones and stephaniew for looking out for me and keeping me sane through my work stress. I love you all and I would be lost without your friendship and support. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

And for my fellow Aquarian and Twitter pal pippinim1 - Happy Birthday!

Disclaimer: I don't own Bones.

Tuxedo for Sale

Monday morning...

"Bones," his voice booms as he walks into her office.

Brennan looks up from the folder she's reviewing. "Do we have a case?" she asks.

"No," he says with a sigh as he settles on her couch. He looks at her, the carefully prepared speech he had planned evaporating. "Umm, listen, Bones, I need a favor."

She places her pen down. "What is it, Booth?" she asks.

"The Bureau is having this fund raiser for the children's hospital and..."

She sighs. "I have charities that I donate to already, Booth."

He saw that coming. She'd had the same reaction when Angela asked her to sponsor the pig. "It's not that simple, Bones," he huffs in frustration. "It's a bachelor auction and I have to wear a stupid monkey suit."

"I don't see how I'm supposed to help you, Booth," she says with a shake of her head. "I don't see what harm it would do for you to participate. I'm sure you would bring in a very nice contribution for the hospital and with Hannah gone..."

He looks at her. Could she really be that oblivious? He wants to yell at her. To tell her he's still that guy. That Hannah is gone because she never really had his heart. But he saves his breath. There's no need for that. "Maybe you're right," he says as he gets up. "Maybe it won't be so bad."

Friday evening...

He tugs at his cufflinks as he stands backstage. He feels ridiculous. The coordinator had been elated to find out about his break-up and begged him to get involved. He reminds himself that this is for charity. That it's so kids with cancer could get better treatment.

"Our next bachelor is Special Agent Seeley Booth. Seeley is as American as apple pie, his favorite dessert," earning a laugh at Booth's expense, the MC of the event continues, "A former Army Ranger, when he's not chasing down the bad guys he coaches his son's little league team and is an avid hockey fan."

Booth tries to smile as he wonders who wrote the bio. At least she didn't mention... "...and he's recently single, ladies. Let's help the big guy mend his broken heart." Great. Just great. Suddenly, he's very glad that Brennan didn't see fit to show her face tonight. The last thing he needed was to be embarrassed in front of his partner. The woman he still loved.

"Shall we start the bidding at $100?" she asks sweetly.

Hands shoot up. Booth raises his eyebrows. At least he's popular, he thinks to himself as the dollar figure quickly rises. When it hits $3,000, Booth notices someone standing in the back of the room on a cell phone. His gut tells him something is going on. Soon he finds out he's right.

The man calls out, "I have my client on the phone and she has authorized me to release $5,000 in cash for the date with Agent Booth." There are gasps and chuckles around the room and Booth's mouth drops open. "On the condition that he agree to meet with her now."

The MC looks at Booth expectantly. "It's your call, Seeley," she says. "The dates are supposed to be scheduled for mutually convenient evenings, but I will tell you that the amount is unprecedented."

He nodded and grabbed the microphone. "We accept," he calls out. The last thing he wanted was to be made to feel guilty over this. He steps off the stage and walks to the back of the room.

The guy is older and dressed in a high-end suit. "My client apologizes that she was unable to attend herself," he says to Booth. "She had another event this evening and sent me in her stead."

They walk out together and he opens the door to a waiting limo. They climb inside. For a few minutes, they ride in silence. Booth's curiosity gets the better of him. "Who'd you say you worked for?" he asks.

The man stares out the window at the city lights. "I didn't," he replies. "My clients pay me for their anonymity."

"Can you at least tell me where we are going?" he queries.

"The Four Seasons," he answers.

Booth tenses. He wasn't doing that, he didn't care how much money had been put out or if he had to pay it out of his retirement account. "Listen, buddy, I'm not..."

There is a laugh. "Relax, Agent Booth. This is not what you're thinking. There is a charity ball tonight and my client merely wants you as her date. Nothing more."

Booth takes in a deep breath and blows it out. The car pulls up to the curb and the door swings open. "How will I find this client of yours?"

"She'll find you," he responds. "Enjoy the rest of your evening."

Booth smoothes the palms of his hands over his pants and buttons his jacket as he exits the vehicle. He looks around and makes his way up to the door.

He sees a pair of feet tucked into elegant heels. Allowing his eyes to flow upwards, he discovers those feet are attached to very nice legs. Legs that disappear beneath the hemline of a black satin cocktail dress that clings like second skin to...

"Bones?" he breathes. "What are you...?"

She reaches for his arm and cocks her head toward the door. "Did you really think that I wouldn't rescue you, Booth?" she asks with a mischievous smile. "You'll recall I caved on the pig."

He takes her hand and tucks it into the crook of his elbow. He's still stunned into silence as they make their way toward the ballroom. He glances sideways at her.

"Angela suggested that I make you stew," she offers.

"Yeah?" he says with a smile. She was about as subtle as a 2x4. Everything about her suggested she was flirting. Was it worth the risk if he was wrong? He leans close. "You know, you didn't have to pay 5k for a date, Bones. You could've just asked me and gotten us both off the hook.

"Angela..." she begins as they stop in the hallway.

He backs her against the wall, getting dangerously close to her. "Angela doesn't know a damn thing," he whispers. His hand slides over her shoulder and down her arm to her hand. "Hey, Bones?"

Her blue eyes twinkle at him as their fingers entwine. "Yeah, Booth?"

With his other hand, he cups her cheek. "Unless you tell me not to, I'm going to kiss you now." He waits. Clinging to what hope he has left.

"Hey, Booth?" she whispers, her tone different from any other tone she's used with him.

He feels his heart thundering against his ribcage as he waits for what he's now sure will be a rejection. It's difficult to hide the sadness in his voice. He almost doesn't manage it. "Yeah, Bones?"

She stretches the last few inches to close the gap between them. "Not if I kiss you first..." Her lips brush over his softly and he kisses her back. He takes everything she gives him and returns it with 7 years of pent up passion.

When they pull apart, she straightens his tie and they smile contentedly at one another. His hand finds its spot on her back and he can't help but smile himself when she slips her arm around his waist.

"You hungry?" she asks.

"I could eat," he answers.

"Diner?" she asks, eager to go to one of their spots with him.

He brushes his lips over her temple. "Yeah," he agrees, flashing her a smile.

"Good," she says. "I think I'm finally ready to have a bite of your pie..."