A/N: So, last week was an epic failure when it came to getting an update completed. Those who know me know that I am facing massive deadlines at work and have under a lot of stress. The next few weeks may be rough, but I am going to do my best to bring you updates for this on what I call #TuxedoTuesday over on Twitter. I sincerely appreciate your continued patience.

A huge thank you to all my friends who continue to offer love and support; especially stephaniew and lalaurala-bones who reminded me to take care of myself first and worry about writing later. I'm incredibly blessed to have you in my life.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bones.

Blood on the Tuxedo

Seeley Booth watches his partner collapse. Dropping the champagne flutes, he barely notices the sound of shattering glass or the splash of liquid against his pants legs as he draws his gun. People around him scatter as he levels it at the man standing over his partner. "I'm only going to say this once," he growls. "Drop. Your. Weapon."

The gun falls from the would-be assassin's hand and clatters along the hardwood floor. He glances down at the crumpled body of Temperance Brennan before turning back to the FBI agent. "It wasn't supposed to be like this," the man says. "She was..."

As the security guards take over, Booth drops to his knees beside Brennan. Nothing matters anymore. Nothing but the woman he loves. "Bones," he rasps as he pulls off his tuxedo jacket and presses it to the wound on her shoulder. "Hang in there, Bones," he tells her. "Hang in there, baby."

Her eyes flutter as they settle on him. She tries to raise her hand. Tries to touch his face. Reaching out, he brings her hand to his jaw and he holds it there. "Booth," she whispers weakly. "I..."

Tears fill his eyes as he cradles her. "Shh," he says. "Everything's gonna be alright, okay?" Her eyes drift closed and he feels her hand go limp as her head rolls to the side. "No," he cries out. The tears fall freely. He touches her face. "Stay with me, Bones. Stay with me."


Three hours earlier...

He watches her as she puts on her make-up. Leaning closer to the mirror, she applies mascara and he admires the curve of her back as it flares into her hip. He loves the way the lacy scraps of lingerie cling to her body and looks forward to this night being over.

Brennan slips into the rich purple cocktail dress and turns to Booth to zip her up. He does so, placing a kiss to the spot where her neck meets her shoulder. A hand on the closet doorframe, she slips into her pumps.

Worry lines cross his face as he follows her to the dresser. He stands behind her as she looks into the mirror. He watches her fiddle with the dangly earrings, slipping them into her lobes. "You don't have to do this," he reminds her.

She turns to face him. Her eyes hold a quiet sadness and fear he hasn't seen in quite some time. "Booth," she says, a hand moving to his chest. "It's the only way to get him out of hiding," she tells him. "I'm tired of being a prisoner in our apartment or the lab."

He runs his hands over her bare arms. "I just need for you to be safe," he answers. "It's not worth the risk."

Leaning up, she seals her lips to his confidently. "You'll be right next to me," she says. WIth a smile, she teasingly adjusts the bow tie at his throat. "I'll be perfectly safe."


In the parking lot, Booth stalks behind the gurney as they wheel Brennan out. He calls Cam. He doesn't want to be the one to drop this news on Angela Montenegro-Hodgins. Snapping the phone shut, he continues to follow the medics as they get into the vehicle.

"You'll have to meet us at the hospital," the paramedic says as he begins the shut Booth out of the ambulance. He flashes his badge, but young man shakes his head. "I'm sorry, but no."

Booth rakes his hand through his hair. "Listen, kid," he barks sternly. "You ever been in love?" He yanks at his tie, the damn thing feels like a noose. He shouldn't have let her do this. He should have found another way. Getting a blank stare, he continues. "That woman in there? She's more than just my partner, she's my world." He feels like he's going to choke on the emotion. "I need to be with her. I'm supposed to protect her..."

The other medic reaches out and grabs Booth's hand. "Hurry up, Booth," he says as he shoots his companion a dirty look. "Adam's new. He doesn't know any better." As the sirens begin to blare, he chuckles. "You're usually the one we're working on."

Booth grabs Brennan's hand, his eyes focusing on her face. "I know," he responds. "And I should be tonight, Joe."

Joe laughs. "Yeah?" he asks. "You know she'd kick your ass for saying that if she was conscious, right?"


An hour earlier...

He has to do something - anything - to relieve the tension. He sees it eating at her. He can feel it in her shoulders without even touching her. He smiles slightly at her and takes her hand. "Whatdoya say, Bones? How about a dance?"

The corner of her mouth twitches up and she entwines their fingers. They walk out on the dance floor and she presses as close as is publicly decent. He feels her shiver as his hand glides from the bare skin of her back and over the silky fabric of her dress to rest in his spot. "He may not even be here tonight," he whispers, trying to soothe her.

He sees the tears registering in her eyes before she tucks her head into the crook of his neck. "He is," she breathes. "I can feel him watching me."

He takes a deep breath, his eyes searching the room for a face he's only barely seen. Since when was Bones the one with the gut feelings? "You've been spending too much time with me," he teases her softly.

Pulling back, she gazes into his coffee colored eyes. "I don't know what that means," she utters.

For a brief flicker, he forgets the danger, he forgets everyone around them. Chuckling softly, he leans in and plucks at her lips. "I love you," he tells her. Seeing the confusion in her eyes, he shakes his head and explains. "Gut feelings are supposed to be my territory..."


He sits perched on the edge of one of the stiff waiting room chairs. His hands cup the back of his neck as he leans forward, the nurse's words echoing through his head. Surgery. No idea how long it will take. Doctor will find you. Waiting room.

As he waits for their friends, he finally notices his sodden trouser legs. He finally notices her blood all over his hands and the front of his shirt. God only knows where his tuxedo jacket ended up.

The tie hangs loosely around his neck and his sleeves are rolled up. His cufflinks clink with the change in his pocket as he begins to pace. He was gonna have somebody's ass when he found out how the gun made it through the security checkpoints, but for now, that doesn't matter. None of it matters. Tonight he's not a cop or a g-man. Tonight he's a man in love with a woman who was fighting for her life.

Cam approaches him and he almost snarls as she sneaks up on him. "How you doing, big man?" she asks quietly.

He embraces her, crushing the pathologist to his chest. "She's been in surgery for a while," he says. "It just feels like it's been so long..."

Prying herself from Booth's embrace, she looks at her watch. "Booth, it's only been a little more than an hour since you called me..."

He shakes his head. "It was a through-and-through. Shouldn't we have heard something? Anything?"

There's a desperation in his eyes. Naked love for the wounded anthropologist mingles with his fear. Cam places a steading hand on his arm and gives him a comforting smile. "Do you want me to ask?" she prods. "I'm not sure they'll tell me anything, but if it'll make you feel better..."

"Where is she?" Angela asks as she bursts into the room, her husband hot on her heels. Her tone softens when she sees the pain on Booth's face.

A figure wearing scrubs approaches them. "Family of Temperance Brennan?" With the attention of the group is focused on him, he looks from Booth to Hodgins. "I'm assuming one of you is Special Agent Seeley Booth?"

Booth nods. "That's me," he answers before firing off questions. "How is she? Is she okay? Can I see her?"

"Mr. Booth," he says with a sigh. "There's something I need to tell you. Can we...?"

Booth's face falls. Cam grabs his arm. "Anything you need to say, you can..." she begins.

"Actually, I can't. This is privileged information," the man says, pulling off his scrub cap.

Booth shifts his weight from one foot to the other. He brushes Cam's hand away and begins to follow the doctor. "It'll be okay," he mutters to their friends. "It's got to be.


Brennan blinks, her eyes opening for the first time after surgery. She sees the cool green of the hospital room, feels the weight of the lightweight blanket and sheet over her. The gown is scratchy against her skin. She's reminded why she hates hospitals.

But then her gaze settles on Booth. His head rests on the on the edge of the bed beside her. The crisp white of his shirt contrasts against the blue of the blanket. She smiles, her fingers slipping into his hair. She watches the childlike way his fingers clench around the black strip of his tie.

"Bones," he says, returning her smile as he takes her hand.

"Did you get him?" she asks.

"Yeah," he tells her. "We did. Listen, Bones, we need to talk."

Her brow furrows. "What happened? Where was the bullet? Is there bone damage?" she attempts to sit up and he moves to sit beside her on the bed. "Give me my chart, Booth."

He looks at their hands. Using his thumb, he swipes gentle circles over the back of hers. "Nothing like that," he laughs. "You're fine. Both of you."

Her mouth falls open as her eyes and her hands fall to her still flat belly. "Are we? No..."

He rests his hands over hers. "A baby, Bones," he beams at her. "We're having a baby!"