Hey, hey! So, here it is...the last 'official' chapter of this story. We've got an epilogue planned, but for now, this one is a wrap.

Thank you each one who has been so kind about this mirror-collaboration project between myself and pal Sleeplessinatlanta!

Be sure to mosey on over to her's as well to get another sweet, hot chappie of B&B scrambling each other's brains out! Ha!

Oh, and...um...in 24 hours, y'all. FINALE! WOO! (and hey, no spoilers!)

-b&b-

"Ugh, stop ringing," Brennan murmured, nuzzling deeper into Booth's chest and making a general motion with one hand toward the alarm clock.

He chuckled and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I'm exhausted."

"Yes…" she slipped her fingers over his stomach when he reached over and shut off the incessant beeping. "I believe I'm to blame for that. I'm sorry."

Booth smirked and slid deeper down the mattress until they were eye level. "No you're not."

"True," Brennan smiled, rubbing her thumb around one of his nipples. They'd been so busy that a couple of days had gone by without much more than breakfast at the diner. But last night they'd more than made up for it. The sun had just been about to rise when she'd pinned him beneath her for round three…or was it four? Brennan had come so many times, she'd literally lost count. "But I am sorry you're exhausted. I'm fatigued myself. I hope it's a relatively light day at work." she finished with a yawn.

"Work," Booth groaned, closing his eyes in refusal. "I gotta go." He squinted toward the alarm clock and then rolled quickly to his side, falling out of the bed in his rush. "I gotta go now. Or I'm gonna be late. Damn it."

Brennan scooted to the side of the bed, her bare shoulders and breasts visible from his position on the floor. "I don't have to worry about that, seeing as I am my own boss."

Booth growled playfully at her. "Yeah, well…I don't have that luxury, Dr. Brennan," he flirted, instead of correcting her. "And it's not my boss I'm worried about. It's Sweets. Whenever I'm late, he's always sort of sniffing around. Like he can tell or something. I swear," he grunted as he got off the floor and walked toward the bedroom door, picking up and pulling on his discarded clothing.

The words served to remind her that there was a very actual something worth knowing about, and it made her frown a little. Not that they had discussed it and decided to keep it secret…it just seemed to have worked out that way. She heard the rasp of his zipper, and it brought her back to the man at hand.

Falling back against her pillows, she stretched her arms above her head, enjoying the masculine yet smooth way he moved. She was surprised when he stopped at the bedroom door before walking back and dropping a quick goodbye kiss on her lips. He grumbled that he was already late and practically ran out the door, but nothing could stop the smile covering Brennan's mouth. She knew it was sentimental, as she stretched luxiously against her mattress, but it was hard to care.

It made her illogically giddy when she considered just how much her life had changed in just a few months. Two and a half months ago, she'd offered him sex. Now, he knew every part of her, and Brennan knew they could never go back to the way it was before. She knew her body and her mind were addicted to him.

To the outside world, it seemed as if everything was the same. They worked together, they apprehended murderers, and they still caught a drink afterwards. But now, when they went for a Saturday morning run, it was after spending Friday night in bed. When he had one too many beers as they did paperwork at her apartment, she took his hand in hers and smiled as she led him to her bed, slowly peeling of his clothes, and hers.

There were hello kisses and soft touches, and bickering arguments that could now be ended with the strategic use of hands and lips.

It was so new, but so incredibly good, it was almost surreal. She'd be lying if she didn't admit that a small part of her kept expecting to wake up and find out it was all a dream.

-b&b—

"Hey, happy birthday, dude," Hodgins slapped Wendell on the back as they all met outside the hockey arena. "And a sweet victory, nice…"

Wendell smiled. "Yeah, it's a pretty good birthday gift, I admit."

"Aw," Angela crooned, faking a small frown. "That can't be all you're gonna do, right? Come on…" she shoved Hodgins' shoulder before wrapping her arm around Brennan's. "You guys need to take Wendell out."

Booth pulled on the ends of the towel he had wrapped around his neck. "Huh," he shrugged. "I guess we could. Like what, tomorrow night?"

"Make it Friday, and I'm in," Sweets leaned in. "Let's go to the same strip club, yeah?"

Hodgins met Angela's eyes, and she nodded. "Fine by me," she smiled. Hodgins grinned and nodded. "I'm in."

Booth very deliberately did not look at Brennan, and just gave a half smile. "I'm in."

And Brennan very deliberately did not look at Booth.

-b&b-

"What's with you, dude," Sweets punched Booth's arm with barely any force. "I mean…you're barely even…you know, watching," he motioned toward the scantily clad women currently dancing on poles right in front of them. "Do you need more to drink?'

"What?" Booth rolled his shoulders back. "No, of course not. I mean…sure." He grabbed another shot from the table and then motioned toward the waitress to bring him another beer.

"Yeah," Wendell joined in. "How is it possible you aren't interested in this show?"

"I'm…interested," Booth insisted, leaning back in his chair and focusing his eyes on a busty blonde in front of him.

"Right," Hodgins nodded, an amused look on his face. "I don't think so. Only one thing makes a guy completely chill at a strip club, and that's if he's getting sex. Lots and lots of really good sex." he smirked. "I should know."

"Maybe it was just a good week at work," Booth shrugged, feeling his body tighten in apprehension.

"Dude," Hodgins leaned in. "You're so lucky those two yahoos didn't hear you say that." He motioned toward Wendell and Sweets who were headed toward the bar. "Work? Really? I've worked with you for years, and I've never seen you this relaxed."

"It's nothing," Booth insisted, and felt a hollow pit develop in his stomach. It wasn't nothing. It was sure as hell not nothing. "But I should…I should probably get going pretty soon."

"Oh…" Hodgins laughed. He shook his head and laughed again. "Dude. Dude!"

Booth ignored his laughter and walked over toward Sweets and Wendell.

-b&b—

Brennan took another intense suck from her milkshake straw, causing Angela's eyes to widen. "You trying to get every last drop, there, sweetie? I'm sure they'd bring you another milkshake if you want one."

"I don't want another one," Brennan set the metal glass down immediately. "If I did want another one, I'd ask for it. If I want something, I have it."

"Right…" Angela nodded. "My mistake."

Brennan forced her fingers to relax, then in turn her arms, her shoulders, her neck and her back. The slow, deliberate process helped alleviate some of her stress, but not much. Was Booth?...

The question repeated itself in her mind, over and over and over, and she couldn't banish it. Nor could she get rid of the ridiculous notion of driving over to the presumed strip club and blocking his eyes. Grabbing the check from the waitress, she opened her wallet quickly.

"Gotta run?" Angela asked, and Brennan was too agitated to hear the amused tone of her voice. They'd been in this position a couple of months ago, and Angela recognized the signs. But this time, she knew not even a movie would distract her friend. If only she'd actually act on her feelings for Booth, there would be no reason for all of this tension. Sighing, she smiled. "I'll see you on Monday,"

Brennan blinked and looked back toward Angela. "Yes. Monday."

As she paid the bill, she forced her body to relax once more. She'd just wanted some company, and so she'd invited Angela out for a late dinner before heading back to the lab to finish grading some reports. But the normally soothing notion of getting work done was gone, and she felt her stomach churn, likely affected by the food she'd eaten, combined with anxiety.

It was completely ridiculous. Booth was a male, and as such he was likely to be aroused around sexually alluring women. It wasn't such a big deal. In the past, she'd even been rather amused by the way he'd tried to hide it, even if it was just a flirting woman during a case.

This shouldn't be any different, she knew, but somehow…it was. And Brennan was self-aware enough to know that the difference was sex. Specifically, the fact that they were now having it, and though Brennan knew he was only having sex with her, she realized she was associating more than just orgasms with Booth. It was the way his eyes would darken. The way he'd lick his lips. The way he loved it when she called out his name. The way he looked at her first thing in the morning. The way it felt to lean on his shoulder at the end of the day. She wanted all of those things to be just hers too.

That's where it got dangerous, as they had not discussed their relationship at all. The truth was that all they'd discussed was sex, those weeks ago, and since then.

Sex all night long was a far cry from I want sex with you every night from now on.

With a sigh, Brennan clenched her fist at her side as she used her other hand to call for a cab. She'd offered him one thing, and now all she wanted to do was give him everything.

Unacceptable.

-b&b—

The knock on the door surprised Booth, but he was pleasantly surprised to see his partner on the other side. "Hey, Bones," he grinned and stepped aside to let her in. "I thought you were working tonight."

"Oh, so you're busy?" she fairly hissed, meeting his eyes in challenge. "If so, I'll leave."

Booth considered the sweatpants he was wearing and the half-empty beer on his coffee table. "I'm not…busy. Is…everything okay?" he asked, hearing his own cautious tone.

"I'm an honest person, Booth," Brennan declared, practically standing as tall as him. "I like the truth. I am fervent about the truth."

"Okay," Booth stood up straight as well, his arms crossing over his chest. "And…"

"And…I think it's time to be truthful," her jaw jutted forward. "It's time to be very clear. What are we doing?"

"Right now?"

"Us, Booth," she stressed, her teeth clenched. "You and me. And the truth. I don't want to live a lie. I can't do that."

"Bones, you know I'm not a liar," her frustration was clear, but Booth had no idea where this was coming from. "Just tell me what you're thinking."

A half crazed but soft chuckle escaped her lips and she began pacing his living room. "I'm thinking…I'm thinking, thinking of you at that strip club. I'm thinking…were you aroused?"

"Um", Booth bit his bottom lip, wondering what the right answer was. But she did want the truth. "You're asking me if I was turned on tonight?" When she nodded, he swallowed. "Why are you asking me this?"

"It's rational that you were," she conceded, an almost defeated tone to her voice.

"What?" Booth's brain felt fried, and then he figured it out. "You were jealous? Bones…"

"Don't," she huffed out an annoyed breath. "It's not rational, I'm aware. But the point is that I've been assuming certain things, but that is illogical, and I just want the truth."

"Okay," Booth shoved his hands into his pockets and stared at her. "So you're saying that…you want the truth…no matter what it is."

"Exactly," her throat worked slightly, but other than that, she gave away nothing.

Booth rocked forward on his toes. "And if I say that it's over between us, and that's the truth…that you'll be okay with it?"

"Yes," Brennan breathed immediately. The lie was barely out of her lips before she hissed, "No." She clenched her fists at her side in frustration. "No. Just thinking about you with someone else makes me…irrational, Booth!" His eyes narrowed, and she practically stomped her foot in frustration. "We have a problem, don't we?" Her head tilted to the side, knowing he understood their problem.

"What problem would that be, Bones?" he asked in such a soft voice. But Brennan missed his sure tone.

"I offered you sex. No questions asked. But…" her eyes were frantic. "But I couldn't keep my end of the bargain, could I?" She shook her head, self-deprecation in her voice. "I should have known better, because like everything else between us, we can't settle for less than everything. I'll never be able to be near you and not want to be even closer." Brennan turned and placed her hands on the back of Booth's couch, her head hanging between her shoulders in defeat. "I'll never not want you all for myself, okay. There. That's the truth,"

"Bones," his voice was low as he moved closer. "Do you really think I'd want to be with anyone else?"

"No," she looked up. She knew it based on all of the data she'd accumulated these past few months.

"Then why are you worried?"

"I'm not," she insisted, turning around and meeting his gaze head on. Then she looked away and smoothed her hands down her sides. "Okay, yes, I am a bit nervous. I find that I can't stop thinking about you. About everything. And I thought we were on the same page, but then I realized I wasn't sure. Maybe I was just jumping to conclusions, and-"

"You don't do that," he interrupted.

"Exactly," she nodded. "It IS irrational, and-"

"No, I mean…" he moved even closer and placed his hands on her elbows. "You don't jump to conclusions. So it must mean that what you were thinking and feeling was rational fact, right?" he offered, looking into her eyes. "Logically?"

She stared at him. "Are you using my own logic on me?"

He chuckled then, a hopeful light entering his eyes. "Yeah, I guess so." He blushed at that, as if it was an incredibly intimate thing to do. "Bones, I'm in this thing. All in. Just… you and me, and us…" He swallowed, his fingers tightening on her elbows. "I'm not in us alone, am I?"

"What?" she blinked, her hands coming up to rest on his ribs. "No, of course not. Booth…I've been foolish, haven't I?"

"You're a genius, Bones. You're not a fool,"

She smiled at his compliment. "No…I mean…" Biting her lip, she ran her hands up to his shoulders before wrapping her arms around his neck. "I've been thinking for a long time that I needed to tell you how I feel. Not just the sex, which is…" it was her turn to blush, but she didn't look away, her eyes growing impossibly bright. "It's fantastic, Booth." She breathed out a laugh at being able to say it. "But so is everything else. Watching movies, sharing a bed, making breakfast together-"

"I'm always gonna think skim milk is gross, you know that, right, Bones?" his face scrunching up in disgust.

For a moment, she almost argued, but then decided it wasn't worth it. "The point is, Booth, that I should have been truthful a long time ago, and I should have asked for the same truth from you."

"You've got it," he wrapped his arms around her waist and tugged her close, pressing her lips against his for a quick second. "And you're always gonna have me, baby. It's not going to change, ever. Even if you always read squinty science articles in bed."

"Hey," she slapped his shoulder. "Only when you're sleeping."

"Oh, yeah?" he murmured, tugging her even closer. "You don't always have to say the truth, Bones. I know what's true. We both have for a long time now, I think."

"But," he added, letting his lips skim over her jaw. "There is one question you haven't asked me yet."

"Mmmm?"

"Ask me," he whispered against her skin. "Ask me why I'm home right now." His hands stroked over her back, making Brennan slightly dizzy with pleasure. "Ask me why, even though I knew you were going to be at the lab all night, I'm not still out with Wendell, Hodgins and Sweets."

"Why?" she asked, scraping her nails down his back in possession, making him thrust his hips toward her.

"Why?" he repeated, swiveling his hips against hers. "Why? Because, Bones," he buried his face in her neck. "Because no matter how many women were taking off their clothes, there was only one woman I wanted to see naked. Hell, I was tempted to just come straight to the lab, sneak up behind you and make you come all over your desk, baby."

"Oh," Brennan gasped before shoving him away. She pinned him in place with her eyes as she quickly stripped off all of her clothes. Then she turned around and once again placed her hands on the back of his couch. "Show me," she taunted, tossing him a saucy half smile over one shoulder.

"What?" he blinked, completely with her, but still about three seconds behind what she was doing and saying. The sweet curve of her pale ass beckoned his hands, and he growled, noting the long straight lines of her legs. His eyes rose up her perfect body until he met her eyes again. She was smirking at him.

"Show me," she said again before stepping back and leaning over, widening her stance. "You thought of me like this? You wanted me? Nobody else?"

"Yeah," Booth caught up, yanking his clothes off in record time. "Hell yeah, Bones." He shoved up behind her, running his hands over her from shoulders to hips and then up her front, lingering on her breasts, cupping them just like he knew she liked it.

"Out of all the women in the world, I'm the one?" she slightly taunted, her voice incredibly breath and turned on.

"Fuck yes, Bones, you know it. I don't want just one more time. I want all of the time."

"God, that turns me on," she admitted, rotating her hips back at him. "Get inside me. Now."

"Not yet," he murmured, sinking to his knees. From her position, Brennan could clearly see him between her spread legs. So it was impossible for her to look away when he cupped her thighs and let his firm tongue enter her from behind. The image caused her knees to buckle, and she pressed her elbows to the couch to stay balanced. But from this angle, it was almost impossible to maintain any control at all.

"Booth, you're the one for me," she rasped out, all teasing gone. "I don't even care how illogical it is. You make me so ridiculously happy. Tell me you want it too."

"Yes," his words were muffled by the soft skin of her pussy and she watched as he flipped around, sitting on the floor, his back flush against the back of the couch. He wrapped his arms around her thighs and tugged her, pressing his mouth right against her clit before wrapping his lips around her and sucking hard.

The image, combined with the way his straight cock was pointing straight toward her made her crazy, and she fisted his hair in her hand, pulling back and dropping to her knees around him. One arm looped around his shoulders and she fisted him in her other hand, jerking him this side of rough before sliding onto him in soft, soaked bliss. She didn't even try to stifle the cry that escaped her lips.

"FUCK!" he practically shouted, wrapping his arms around her waist and shoving up inside of her that one final oh so tight inch.

"You have no idea how hot it is to feel you so hard inside of me, Booth," she told him, meeting his eyes and starting an up and down rhythm.

"Yeah," he leaned down and sucked her throat, both of them fully aware that he was leaving a mark. "Bones, baby…yeah. Keep riding me, Bones. Keep it up, baby. So hot, so wet, so damn tight every fucking time, and all mine…don't stop, baby. Don't stop until you come all over my cock."

His words stole her breath, and she shoved on his shoulders, forcing him to the side and down until his back was flat against his hardwood floor. With the new position, she could piston harder, riding him exquisitely hard. Her hair fell around her face, and her breasts bounced with every thrust, but she didn't release her grip on his shoulders. "I won't stop," she promised, getting lost in the desperation in his eyes. "I've tried, but I know I can't, Booth. I'm always going to be yours. Always,"

The most confident grin she'd ever seen crossed his face, and he lifted his hands and cupped her breasts, running his thumbs over her tight nipples. "I'm yours too, Bones."

"Yessssss," she hissed, bearing down enough and clenching around him. "Yes, yes, yes…"

"Yeah," he repeated, his entire body going taut. He wanted to completely lose himself in her and also be there to catch her when she fell.

His orgasm rushed to the head of his dick, and he cried out her name. Brennan tensed, her hips undulating with no pattern whatsoever. She felt his cock pulse and lengthen and then everything was so amazingly warm as he coated her insides, his release triggering her explosive climax.

Finally collapsing onto him, she panted, her orgasm leaving her breathless.

-b&b-

The floor was hard against his back, but he loved how soft she was on top of him.

"You want to get up?" she asked, not moving a muscle.

"Sure," he replied. "You'll have to get up first, though."

When she didn't move, he chuckled, the sound almost forced with all of his energy drained in her sweet body. "You can't move, can you?"

"Yes," she insisted, placing her hands on the floor on either side of his shoulders. She lifted a couple of inches, but then dropped back down. "I just choose not to."

"Mmhmmm," he smiled. 'Okay, sure."

She smiled against his chest, lightly kissing him. And then she smiled again, and then she laughed.

Booth laughed too and gently cupped the back of her neck. "How about the couch?"

"Acceptable compromise," she kissed over his stomach.

With a grunt, Booth lifted onto his elbows and then to a sitting position. Brennan stood up, and then Booth did too. Once they were standing, Booth wrapped his arms around her waist, hugging her from behind and leaning on her toward his bedroom.

"Bed?"

"Yeah," he mumbled against her neck. They practically tripped a few times on their way, but then they landed on the mattress in a heap. He was on top of her, but then he rolled off and they both wiggled their way to the pillows.

With a sigh, Brennan pressed her back into the mattress, and then turned her head to look at Booth. He did the same and smiled at her, reaching out with one finger to rub against her arm.

"Hey, Bones?"

His voice held a tiny bit of hesitation, and it amused Brennan. After all, there was no one else there with them. "Yes?"

"You know that annual FBI charity event?"

"Yes," she finally turned and moved his arm until it was over her shoulders. Tucking close to his body, she placed a hand on his chest, lightly draping her thigh over his hip. "I attend every year."

"Yeah," he cleared his throat and stared at the ceiling. "Well, it's next week, and I…" he turned to meet her eyes. "Come with me, Bones."

Her brow furrowed in confusion, but her face softened at his shy tone. "I assumed I would be going, Booth. After all, I've gone the past couple of years, and-"

"No," he pressed a quick kiss to her lips and then pulled back far enough to stare at her. "I mean…come with me. As in…you and me…with me." His breath escaped him in a rush. "Not as my partner, but…"

"Oh," she nodded, tracing his shoulders with her fingers. "I see."

"Look," he shrugged. "I know it's soon, but I just kinda thought that, you know, since we-"

"I"ll go with you, Booth," her fingers rested gently against his lips, silencing him. She smiled at him and pressed her lips against his, lightly tracing her tongue against the seam of his mouth. "I will go with you, Booth. I will dance with you, and laugh at your jokes, and when the night is over, I'll invite you to my place and make you come as many times as you want."

"You will?" he gasped, just the idea of all of that pleasure going straight to his head.

"Yes," she nodded primly, her tone belied by the way she was moving to straddle his thighs. "I believe that is a good starting point. From now on, after we solve a case, we don't just share one drink…we share a bed."

"That works for me, Bones," he grinned as she leaned down toward him for a kiss. "For starters, and for the rest of our lives."

-b&b-

Okay...so like I said...there's a little smutty epilogue to come, but that's that! Hope you liked this story! Be sure to let me know, if you are so inclined!