Sunday, May 22, 2011

It had been two days since they met at the Reflecting Pool. Two days, and Temperance had not received so much as a text message from Booth. She sighed, and tried to refocus on the chapter she was cleaning up for her new book. She pushed her laptop onto the couch next to her and restlessly stood up to get a glass of wine. Just as she started to pour, her phone loudly rang. It startled her so much she jerked the wine bottle and spilled some onto the counter. Grabbing her phone, she activated the call and answered "Brennan" as she reached for a towel with her other hand.

"Hey Bones, uh Temperance," Booth's voice came through the phone line, "How are you?"

Temperance stood still, the spilled wine temporarily forgotten, as she tried to decipher the reason he used her given name. "Hello, Booth," she answered cautiously, "I am fine. How are you?"

"I've thought about what you said," he replied evenly, "and I want to make sure you completely understand my decision-"

"Um, okay – do you want to come over so we can discuss this," Temperance quietly asked as she sank into the nearest kitchen chair.

"Heh, no, I just want to tell you right now, over the phone," Booth quickly replied. After a moment of silence, he cleared his throat, and started again. "I… I would like to know if you would like to go out on Friday?"

Temperance was confused, "you ummm… decided to wait and discuss this in person after all? Why wait until Friday, that is 5 days away."

"No, Temperance," Booth chuckled, "you misunderstood me. I would like you to go on a date with me on Friday to pursue the possibility of a more personal relationship between us."

"…" Temperance was stunned. Of course, she knew this was a possibility, but she hadn't really expect this outcome. "Are… are you sure?"

"Why… did you change your mind about what you told me?" now Booth was scared.

"No… I mean Yes… I mean No I haven't changed my mind, and Yes, I would like to go out with you on Friday," Temperance stammered.

"Alright, good," Booth was relieved. "Well, Temperance, I would like to take you to dinner and then dancing, how does that sound?" Booth was remembering how good she had felt in his arms at her high school reunion, and was anxious to try that experience again.

"That sounds good… Booth, why are you calling me Temperance… you rarely call me anything but Bones."

"I thought, given that this was a personal conversation, I should not use your name I gave you at work," he replied quietly.

"Trying to compartmentalize, huh Booth? Keep the work separate from the personal?" Temperance couldn't help teasing him a bit before adding so softly he had to strain to hear "I like being called Bones, by you, and I don't mind if you want to call me that anytime." She sounded so very shy as she said that – something he had never heard before from her. It made his heart swell and his chest expand as she admitted to liking his nickname for her.

"Ahem, well, thank you Bones – I umm, I'm glad you like my name for you," clearing his throat, Booth continued, "well, I'm going to hang up now. I will see you tomorrow for work, and Friday for our date – don't forget!"

"I won't forget Booth. Goodbye," Temperance was a little sad he was hanging up so quickly, but she really had to finish that chapter anyway.

"Bye Bones!" and with that he was gone.

I know this shouldn't be the end, but I am stuck as to where to go next. If my inspiration comes back I will continue this story. I want to go through the week and follow their current case and then, of course, into the date. Unfortunately, I have no ideas at this time for those two events.