Disclaimer: I do not own Bones.
The sun peeking though the blinds woke Brennan the next morning. Groggily she noticed the warmth next to her was missing. She moved her hand behind her and found cool sheets instead of Booth. Coming more awake she head the shower running and checked the clock by the bed. 7:30 am. She quickly got out of bed and moved to her bag, knocking on the bathroom door as she went "Booth! Hurry up I'm already late." Aside from being in the field with Booth she arrived at the Jeffersonian by 7am. Brennan groaned to herself. Angela would never let her hear the end of this.
The shower stopped and Booth poked his head out the door "you say something Bones?"
"Yes. You need to hurry. I'm already late."
"It's only 7:30."
"And I'm usually in the lab by 7."
"You need to learn how to relax Bones" Booth commented as he exited the bathroom. Brennan made the mistake of looking over to where he stood. Booth stood just outside the bathroom door, close to his closet, his back turned to her and a towel wrapped around his waist. Her mouth went completely dry as she absorbed the sight in front of her. He really is a perfect male specimen. She thought to herself Wait! Where did that come from?
"Ah...umm…do you have coffee by any chance?" She spun around quickly in hopes he wouldn't catch her staring at him half-naked. What she didn't know was that it was already too late. Booth could feel her watching him the entire time and caught her quick spin. He smiled to himself. She about drove him nuts on a regular basis. A little turn around couldn't hurt.
"Sorry Bones, fresh out." Booth said smiling "I thought we could swing by a coffee shop on the way."
"Oh Okay." Booth had to bite his lip to keep from laughing. Brennan had her eyes pinched shut trying to gather her things and head to the bathroom. She bumped into the bed twice and was just about to walk into the dresser when Booth grabbed her.
"Bones!" Still wearing just the towel he grabbed Brennan by the shoulders and pulled her to him before she careened into the edge of his dresser. He leaned down to whisper in her ear "It might help if you opened your eyes." Brennan nodded weakly and did as he suggested only it did not help matters. From the angle where they stood she could see the reflection of Booth standing behind her, his head by her ear, in a towel. Her stomach started causing strange sensations and the heat she missed when she woke up without him returned.
"Thanks." Her voice barely registered above a whisper. Brennan walked into the bathroom to get dressed. She had showered the night before so the process didn't take long. When she opened the door again she noted Booth was dressed, picking up his badge, wallet and gun from the nightstand. Brennan berated herself for being so disappointed. Maybe if I'd dressed faster…Stop It! But she couldn't quite get her imagination to listen.
The pair were just about to walk out the front door. Brennan glanced nervously at the time – ten till eight. They really should go but she couldn't seem to stop herself. "Booth wait a minute."
"Huh? Bones, you were the one worried about being late." He flashed her his signature grin "I, on the other hand, always have an easy out – being with you at the lab."
She had to say this now, before walking out that door, back into the reality waiting on the other side. "Booth, about last night…I'm sorry…I didn't mean to dump on all on you."
Booth's face grew serious as he took in her expression. Would this woman never learn? "You have nothing to apologize for Bones. I'm glad I could help."
"That's just it, though" Brennan blinked hard several times, trying to stop any more tears from falling. "You're always there, helping me. What do I do for you?" She made a scoffing sound "I've gotten you blown up, suspended and shot…it isn't fair to you."
The seriousness in her voice and eyes concerned him. He couldn't have her blaming herself for all that had happened. She had become a target so often because of her work with him and the FBI. "Bones, it's not your fault…" Booth wanted to continue but Brennan stopped him.
"I've been thinking" Booth cringed. This could not be good "Maybe after this mess with Davis is cleared and the case is closed, maybe you should have a real partner."
"Whoa, what are you trying to say?" As much as Booth didn't want to hear the answer he knew he had to.
"I mean a real partner, an agent, not just a scientist." Brennan said the last staring out the door past Booth.
"Wait just a minute Bones" Booth began.
"It's late. We need to go." Bones pushed past him out the door to the SUV.
"This conversation is not finished Bones." Booth stated, slamming his car door shut.
"I'm pretty sure it is."
"You think you can get rid of me that easily? Don't I have some say in this?" Booth looked over to his partner's side of the car. She had on of her supercilious Dr. Brennan looks, which meant there was no talking to her right now. "I know this case has hit too close to home but come on Bones it isn't the first time." Not good ol' boy. You're feeding right into her logic. "Neither one of us can afford distractions right now so how about we table this discussion until the case is closed? Just promise me you won't do anything irreparable until then, okay?"
Silence.
"Bones, please?"
"All right."
