Disclaimer: still the same.

Brennan hadn't gotten much sleep. Angela had interrogated her about every little thing that had happened that she hadn't seen at the bar. They had both been cuddled up in Angela's bed when Brennan subtly admitted to the kiss.

Angela had jumped up, throwing the comforter aside.

"YOU KISSED?"

Brennan had just smile sheepishly.

"New rule Bren, next time I ask you 'Hey what happened tonight with you and studly?' you ALWAYS start with the good stuff!"

"Sorry Ang. I didn't know you cared so much about who I kiss."

"Did you see that guy? Bren, Booth it H-O-T. Of course I care. Honestly I may start living vicariously through you."

The two talked long into the night until both of them drifted off, exhausted from gossiping.

The sun streaming through Angela's bedroom window woke Brennan. She looked over to see her friend, mouth open and snoring softly beside her. Brennan squeezed her eyes shut as her head started to pound.

Coffee. Brennan thought, and then Booth.

She got up and cursed, looking at the clock. Booth was probably waiting for her at the diner already. She threw on jeans and a tee, checked the mirror quickly, wiping away mascara from the previous night, and hurried out the door.

Nearing the diner, Brennan subconsciously touched her fingers to her lips, thinking of last nights kiss. She smiled, and breathed in the fresh air. Today was a good day, she decided, the start of something good.


Booth was conflicted.

He was somewhat elated from the kiss the night previous, but couldn't help feeling slightly guilty. He liked this girl- a lot. And this girl was only 18. She was almost as young as Jared! It seemed wrong, but he swore she was right for him.

He pushed away his doubts and went to meet her for breakfast.

He smiled, said good morning and pulled out her chair for her when she arrived.

Despite mentioning she always felt horrible in the morning before a cup of coffee, Booth couldn't help but notice that Brennan seemed frivolous and very much awake. She happily chatted to him about her classes she had that day.

Booth smiled and nodded along, all the while preparing his words.

"So about that kiss last night." He finally said, interrupting her explanation of theoretical evolutionary advances.

He watched as her eyes flicked to the side and a small blush crept onto her cheeks.

"About that." She smiled.

"I think we would both agree that that was a mistake. I mean, we are friends. And friends don't kiss like that."

Booth tried to make his voice convincing. He tried not to think of how happy he had been to have her in his arms. How familiar, yet exciting it had been. He tried not think of her rosey touchable skin, or her piercing blues that just a second ago had been happy and animated talking about Homo sapiens. He kept his face straight, yet friendly. Hoping she wouldn't see rot through him.

It was all for nothing though. He didn't quite know yet that facial cues were not Brennan's strong point.

Brennan's face changed instantly. First shock, which she quickly tried to hide. Then confusion and shame, not so easily hidden by her eyes casting down. "Of course. A mistake." She said, her eyes not meeting his, "I've got to go."

She quickly got up, and as soon as she had arrived she was gone.

Booth's heart strings were pulling. Hard.

He leaned forward, resting his head in his hands over the diner table.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck." He swore under his breath.

He felt as if he had just saw something great that almost happened - but he had to save her from it.

He had to save her. Because she is young. And because he would rather be friends with her and never get exactly what he wants than to lose her and see her hurt.

Thanks for reading. Give me a review if you are still reading this and interested, because I fell out of love with this story line but I might be able to bring it back to life and find a new way to love it if people want it.