A/N: My apologies, everyone, for the fact that this is the shortest chapter of our story thus far. However, it started out as a chapter that was twice as long as the others and I ended up splitting it in half. So don't worry, the next chapter will go up tomorrow. :)

This is the part where I thank everyone who has reviewed, and I want you to know, I really mean it. Your reviews are the highlight of my day. This story has gotten more responses than anything else I've written, and it's gratifying, truly gratifying to know that people out there are reading and enjoying. Thank you, and please keep it up.

In other news, there has been a recall on all Boreanaz 2.0 velcro clothing. It seems that the constant chafing of the velcro is causing the Boreanazes to become disgruntled and unruly. Several have already broken out of their habitats and tried to escape, loudly complaining about their sensitive skin. Send back your velcro Boreanaz clothes and receive a velour track suit, black speedo and tanning lotion, all a part of our Sunbather Boreanaz™ line, absolutely free.*

*Plus shipping and handling.


On the way back to her apartment Brennan had started to become worried about sleeping with Booth. He loved her, and she loved him, and he had so many preconceived notions about the quality of sex between two people who love each other. Oh, she had no doubt it would be enjoyable; you could tell that just from looking at Booth and the confident, graceful way he carried himself. Not to mention that past lovers had complimented Brennan on her technique as well. But in the past he had gone so far as to claim that good sex could defy the laws of physics, and he seemed to believe that intercourse between two caring partners should be nothing less than miraculous. And Brennan was used to giving men orgasms, not miracles.

But when he arrived at her apartment, the way he looked at her – dilated pupils making his eyes black, breathing heavy and all of his attention focused on her – made her forget all of her anxieties and lose herself in his arms.

She had begun desperately ripping his clothes off in the living room, but he stopped her and insisted that, this first time at least, they make it to a bed. So she jumped up and wrapped her legs around him, and he carried into the bedroom, bumping into walls and knocking over furniture on the way. He laid her on the bed, and as he began to passionately but tenderly disrobe her, she was reminded of his words in the elevator. I'm going to make love to you, Temperance Brennan. The worry started to creep in again.

He must have seen something in her eyes because he stopped kissing her, much to her dismay, and gazed at her with guilt and concern evident on his face. "I'm not – I'm not rushing you, am I?" he asked. "Because what I said earlier – we don't have to do this now, if you don't want to –"

Suddenly she understood his earlier frustration when she had asked him if he still wanted to come over. She responded by covering his mouth with her own, and when their lips parted again she leaned upwards and whispered in his ear. "Seeley. Booth." She heard his breath hitch at the sound of his name. "I. Want. You."

Now, hours later, Brennan was waking up in the arms of her partner, and she had to admit – the experience had been rather miraculous.

Booth was still asleep, and she took the opportunity to study him more closely than she'd been able to before. She'd always found him attractive, but more than ever she thought he was truly handsome. Not in a classical Greek androgynous sort of way, but in a way that seemed even more ancient, more primal. She knew he wouldn't understand if she told him, but she secretly thought he was a caveman beauty. Large jaw, strong nose, heavy brow; they all suggested ferocity and testosterone. Broad shoulders and solid muscles backed up the claims his face made, and the slight curvature of his spine, while probably due to childhood scoliosis, made his shoulders hunch forward and lent strength to the image that he was a hunter, a warrior. He was a man born to tame wolves to sleep by his side, born to dominate the tribe and conquer any who dared challenge him. An alpha male. Considering how intellectual she was, Brennan found her deep attraction to him surprising.

Even more surprising was how gentle he'd been. She'd expected him to try and dominate her in bed, to let his fierce nature take over and slake his lust. And granted, things had started out that way; their frantic foreplay in the living room had been quite rough. But once he got her into the bedroom, a different side of him seemed to take over. He was slow, methodical, tender, a lover in every sense of the word.

She watched his chest rise up and down as he slept peacefully, and smiled as she recalled something he'd said once: "That's right, people, I am a constant surprise."

A few moments later, he awoke, and smiled back at her, blinking the sleep from his eyes. "I was right, wasn't I?" he gloated groggily. "Laws of physics were defied."

She smirked mischievously. "Well, doesn't the saying go that 'rules were made to be broken'?"

He laughed and they cuddled together, enjoying the mere presence of each other and the contact of their skin.