Okay, I'm sorry this took so long. I was sick, working overtime (which I still am doing) and have car issues. This chapter just did not want to be written. I havent really re-read this, I just wanted to post something (i've already rewritten it like four times). so i apologize if it sucks
I dont own anything you recognize
Chapter 7
BRING!
As the bell rings, doors on along the hallway open, releasing a flood of student eager to begin their weekend.
Rebecca and Tessa exit their English class, faces covered in cheap make up and pouts; they had just failed the Shakespeare pop quiz. They are so distressed by their air-headedness that they don't notice the Zack walking towards them, his arms full of folders and papers.
CRASH!
Papers are flowing down like confetti over a poor confused Zack as the Barbies scoff loudly.
"Hey, watch where you're going, you little nerd!" Yells Rebecca, trying to discreetly adjust her stuffed bra cups.
"Yeah." Agrees Tessa, trying to use the least amount of words, as usual.
CLICK, SLUT, CLICK, TRAMP, CLICK, HARLOT
"What is taking you guys so long?" asks Hannah, coming towards them in her I-got-crabs-walk. "You were supposed to meet me outside."
Rebecca is still lost in the hopeless act of making her breasts look bigger so Tessa just points to the still stunned Zack. With roll of her eyes, Hannah walks away, her two look-alikes following behind her.
Zack doesn't spare them a glance as he begins to collect the dropped papers. He is so focused on his task he doesn't notice the young girl bend to help him. They grab for the same folder, causing their hands to touch. Zack looks up into hazel eyes, set in the cutest heart shaped face he ever saw.
"Hi" says the little cutie shyly, her other hand tucking a lock of light brown hair behind her ear.
Zack stares as angels begin to sing and-
"Angela don't you think you're exaggerating a little much?"
"I happen to think my description of the Barbies was right on target." Angela defends with a grin.
Hodgins chuckles as he plays with a lock of girlfriend's hair. They are sitting close together while an embarrassed Zack sits across from them at a table in the library's upper level.
"Angels may not have literally sung, but they might as well have!" Angela continues, turning to speak to boyfriend. "This girl was so adorable, and absolutely perfect for him. And Zack, in his own cuteness, was so dazzled by her. I couldn't hear what was said, but their faces were so red."
They turn to look at their young friend, whose face is still very red from Angela's retelling.
"What's her name Zack?" Hodgins asks.
"Sally," he mumbles, not meeting anyone's eyes. "I'm the TA for her chemistry class. She just helped me pick up the papers. She was being nice."
"Uh huh. That's why she was giving off all the 'please ask my shy ass out' signs?" Angela leans towards Zack, causing Hodgins to frown as her hair falls out of his fingers. "Sweetie, ask her out. She wants you to ask her out. She'll say yes"
"You can't be sure of that," he says in an analytical voice.
"Yes I can. I'll teach you flirt. Maybe it'll go better than it did with Brennan."
" You gave Brennan flirting tips? Why would you do that?" Hodgins and Zack both look at her puzzled.
"She likes Booth and wants him to like her back." Angela tells them.
"He does." The boys say at the same time.
"Booth can't stop looking at her, he listens to everything she says. Trust me, that guy has it bad." Hodgins says with a smirk. "Your flirting tips won't work."
"Why not?" Angela asks indignantly. "I'm a great flirt."
"Yeah I know baby," he says knowingly, giving her a quick kiss. "But that's who you are; you're a sexy, flirty woman. Brennan isn't like that and I don't think Booth wants her to be. Look at them"
Hodgins gestures to the couple below them, sitting close together during their last tutor session. As the other three watch, Brennan appears to make a comment on the pen Booth is using, one that reveals a picture when tipped upside down. Booth leans towards her, closer than she allows anyone else, and wiggles it in her face a little. He quietly tells her something, his mouth in a smirk and his eyes twinkling. Brennan's reaction is too quiet for the others to hear, but she leans even farther towards Booth. They smirk at each other for a few seconds, before backing away and continuing their tasks.
"They flirt, in their own way." Hodgins continues. "Booth probably can't stop himself and Bren obviously doesn't realize she does it. It 's just natural for them."
"Well, how come he hasn't asked her out then?" Angela inquires, one eyebrow arched.
"He just came back from war," he says gravely. "We don't know what he did there or what he saw. Yeah, he acts a little arrogant and cocky, but doesn't mean he's not hurting. Maybe he just needs to get his balance first."
All three of them sit in a contemplative silence looking at the non-couple below, their thoughts filled with guilt and gratefulness for what Booth and others soldiers have done for them and their country.
The light is still filled with the blue tint of predawn when Booth jerks up in bed. He shifts his head from side to side to take in his surroundings, his entire body tense. His breathing starts to calm as he remembers that it is Thanksgiving morning and he is in his grandparents' home. He takes a shaky breath and wipes his face with his hands, clearing away the cold clammy sweat from his nightmare.
He lies back, staring at the white ceiling, trying to push back thoughts of his past. He waits for the itch to start the tingle that starts in his fingertips and works it way up his arms until he can't help but take action; he waits for the urge to gamble. Just as he thinks he starts to feel the sensation, a new image enters his mind, filling him with warmth. He sees Brennan's laughing, her beautiful eyes sparkling, her cheeks a flattering pink, her wavy hair blowing in the cold wind.
Booth again sits up, shaking his head. He quickly changes into the running clothes he brought with him. He quietly makes his way downstairs; hoping a run will help him get his thoughts straight. When he leaves the porch, he turns right and starts to jog.
It's been three days since his last tutor session with Brennan and he can't get her out of his mind. Every emotion he feels causes her to pop into the forefront of his thoughts. Happy, angry, sad, guilty, scared, he wants her there to share it with her, to be comforted by her. He also finds himself wishing he could do the same for her.
From the second those hypnotizing eyes locked onto his, he knew. He knew that she was going to be someone important in his life. As he has spent time with her, all the doubts and reasons not to ask her out seem less and less important.
'Man she's amazing. You don't deserve her, Seeley. But I know she likes me. Maybe I should just tell go for it.'
The sun is fully risen when Booth arrives back at the house. He stops on the porch to even out his breaths, wiping sweat off his forehead with his arm. He takes in the beauty of the day and sighs, knowing he wont be sharing it with his brother. They had finally met for lunch the day before, hugging and laughing. But Booth noticed that Jared had been drinking, and as soon as brought it up, along with Jared's expulsion, the arguing had begun. In the end, Booth had forced himself to leave so he wouldn't physically fight with his brother, Jared yelling behind him that "Saint Seeley" could go to hell.
He enters the house, being as silent as possible. He pauses as he hears music from the kitchen; smiling at the thought of his grandmother cooking, he creeps towards the kitchen. He stops in the entryway at the sight that greets him.
He sees his grandparents smiling and gazing at each other with love. Pops' has one hand around his Grams' waist as he uses the other hold her smaller hand, as they dance to Nat "King" Cole's L.O.V.E. Pops whispers something which causes Grams to toss her head back and laugh. With a huge smile and expert skill, Pops twirls his wife out, then twirls her back into a dip.
As he lowers his head for a kiss, Booth gives them privacy by turning away to head upstairs for a shower. As he passes near the front door, he hears an almost hesitant knock. Trying to ignore his now aching feet, Booth walks to the door and opens it. At the sight of the person at the door, the politely inquisitive expression melts of his face and is replace with pleased shock.
"Booth!" says a surprised Brennan.
"Bones." Booth rakes his eyes over her form, soaking up how lovely she looks in a dark blue v-neck silken shirt, sliver chain necklace and black slacks. He clenches his hand to curb the desire to run it through her wavy locks. "You look great."
"Thank you," she says with a blush. "Um…Happy Thanksgiving."
"Oh, sorry Bones, come on in." Booth quickly guides her inside out of the cold.
"Hank invited me."
"For Thanksgiving?"
"Yes. Is that ok?" as she asks she slightly turns her body back towards the door.
"Wait! Yes, of course it's ok." Booth grabs her shoulders to stop her. "Happy Thanksgiving Bones."
He gives her a smile of pure happiness, his face that of a boy on Christmas morning; she doesn't even try to stop her own smile.
"Temperance! Happy Thanksgiving!" exclaims Hank as he and Lizzie walk towards them.
"I made a pie" Brennan says awkwardly, and holds it out towards Lizzie.
"You made a pie? I thought you hate pie?" asks Booth.
"I do. But you seem to love it and I assumed that your grandparents would as well," she says, matching his playful tone and smile.
"Well, you're right. Come on, dear, let me get you something warm to drink." Taking the pie from her hands, Lizzie leads Brennan to the kitchen.
"Hang on there shrimp." Hank stops Booth from following the women into the kitchen. "Maybe you should take a shower and clean up."
Booth looks down at himself and blushes slightly. With an embarrassed smile, Booth goes upstairs; Hank shakes his head with a quiet laugh before heading to the living room to begin the tradition of watching the Macy's parade and football.
As they sit together at the table, Hank and Lizzie are amazed at the difference in the two before them. They are sitting what to anyone else would be uncomfortably close, but seem to be natural to them. Brennan is talking and smiling more in that one meal than she had in her whole time as their foster child. Booth is laughing, joking and acting like a goof, just as he did as a teen; but there is a new sparkle to his eyes as he looks at Brennan.
"So Tempe, do you have your college applications all complete?" Lizzie asks as she brings the desserts to the table.
"Actually, I have already been accepted to George Washington University with a full scholarship. Which is a relief, as the next two weeks will be very busy." She replies as she carries the pie she made over.
"How come, Bones?" Booth asks.
"Well, besides my own studying and tests, my work schedule is full with other students needing help." She sits as Lizzie and Hank start plating desserts. "You never told me what career you are studying for Booth."
"I'm a criminal justice major. I'm trying to get into the FBI." He says almost quietly, afraid of her reaction.
"That is very impressive." Brennan says with a serious face, her eyes showing her sincerity. "With your interpersonal communication skills, and your obvious dedication to your physique, you will be a very good agent."
"Thanks Bones." Booth's grin is huge as he gazes at her, too happy to tease her about checking him out. "What about you?"
"I am majoring in forensic anthropology and will apply for an internship at the Jeffersonian medico-legal lab."
"See, I knew it was fate that we would meet." At her puzzled look, Booth leans towards her. "The Jeffersonian lab contracts out to the FBI. I'll probably be an agent cause of my military background and I know you'll get into the Jeffersonian, you're a genius. So we'll probably work together on a case or two. Don't you believe in fate?"
They are so focused on each other; they don't notice the knowing smiles they are receiving from Hank and Lizzie. In fact, they have completely forgotten they are there and can hear their conversation.
"No I don't believe in fate, it's ludicrous. And I won't be used and left in the lab by some cocky agent."
"Alright, so we'll be like Mulder and Scully." He takes a big bite of his apple pie, still looking at Brennan with laughter in his eyes.
"I don't know what that means," she says, eyeing his pie with distaste.
"Partners, we'll be partners Bones."
"The chances of us ever working together, let alone being partners are close to zero. And don't talk with your mouth full."
Booth swallows his pie and grins at her before standing up and grabbing a box off the end of the table.
"Here Bones, the perfect pie for you." He opens the box and shows it to her. "Chocolate cream pie. See no cooked fruit. Just chocolate, which you have to love."
"What makes you think I love chocolate?" she challenges.
"You're a woman, every woman loves chocolate." Hank groans and shakes his head at his grandson's folly.
"That is such a generalization!" Brennan says as she rises. "And for your information, I don't like chocolate cream pie. The crust is too flaky. Dinner was delicious, thank you for having me"
"Whoa, wait, Bones." He places the pie down on the table and blocks from leaving, his face full of apology and slight panic. "I was just playing with you. You don't have to leave."
"I know that Booth, it has nothing to do with that." she smiles to prove to him that nothing he did is causing her to leave. Seeing the smile, he instantly relaxes. "I promised Angela that I would go shopping with her early tomorrow morning, to make sure she doesn't buy anything she shouldn't. I should get home and get some sleep."
Hank and Lizzie both hug her goodbye, making her promise to come back for dinner another day. Booth sees a slight sadness creep into her eyes and wonders what has put it there.
"I'll walk you to your car Bones." He guides her with his hand to her back, helping with her coat.
They pause a moment once they step outside, just enjoying the crisp cool air. Booth stuffs his hands into his jacket pockets then starts to slowly walk down the porch steps.
"I like that thing around your neck."
"What?"
"That thing around you neck. I like it, it looks nice."
"Oh." She touches it self consciously, blushing. "Thank you."
"So, what are the squints doing today?" he regrets the question when the sadness returns to her eyes
"Angela is with her dad, Zack flew to Michigan with his family and Hodgins is having dinner with some cousins. Everybody is with family." her tone is sad, and wrenches at Booth's heart.
They have reached her car, and Brennan ducks her head to search for her keys. Booth steps closer to her and tilts her chin up with his finger.
"Hey," he says softly, their faces inches apart. "There's more than one kind of family."
They stare into each other's eyes, taking and giving comfort. Booth's eyes flicker down to her mouth. He moves his fingers towards her hair, lightly caressing her jaw. Brennan's breath quickens as Booth's head starts to incline towards her own.
YEOW! BANG!
They quickly pull apart as an orange cat runs away, knocking down a garbage can in the process. They each look down in awkwardness.
"Happy Thanksgiving Booth." Brennan says as she opens her car door and slips behind the wheel.
"Happy Thanksgiving." He replies, closing the door for her. He waves as he watches her drive away, wanting to grab his bebe gun and shoot that damn cat.
I will try to write the next chapter as fast as I can. Oh, I know in the show Zack's sweetie is Naomi but I really hate someone by that name so I changed it.
Happy Easter!
