A/N: the episode of Firefly referred to in this chapter is called "Out of Gas". I don't own the episode, of course, or the Bones characters.
Booth walked quietly through the family room on the way to the kitchen for a midnight snack, pausing as he noticed that his wife was engrossed in a television program on Netflix. Knowing that she had eclectic taste in entertainment, he stopped for a minute or two to see what she was watching so intently.
"Whatcha watchin' there, Bones? It's kinda late for tv, isn't it? I know it's Saturday night, but you're usually in bed by now.", he asked as he gently plopped on the couch next to her. "It looks like you're enjoying it, whatever it is…"
Brennan pressed the pause button before she turned to glower at her husband. "I am enjoying it, and I'd really rather not be interrupted right now. This is a pivotal scene in the episode, Booth. The ship's life support system has malfunctioned, and the crew are running low on oxygen. The captain is trying to replace the catalyzer in the engine so the life support can function again, but because he's badly injured, he's having a great deal of difficulty and his success is in doubt." She shuddered slightly. "Even though I usually find this program entertaining, in some ways I find this episode very frightening. It reminds me somewhat of being buried in the car all those years ago when Hodgins and I were running low on oxygen. However, for some reason I find that I can't look away from this episode until I know what happens to the captain and his crew."
Booth put his arm around Brennan to comfort her. "Would you enjoy the episode more if I sit here with you for a few minutes until you find out what happens?"
Smiling, she nodded as she leaned against her husband while he rubbed her shoulders. As she pressed play, the episode continued. The captain was finally able to replace the needed part in the engine, allowing the life support system to begin functioning correctly, and thus saving himself, his crew, and his ship. "I'm glad that turned out well. I feel much better, Booth. Thanks for sitting with me until the end of the episode."
"Any time, Bones. I used to love this show when I was younger." Booth winked slyly at Brennan. "You know, the show you're watching now...Firefly? It was created by Joss Whedon, the same guy who created Buffy and Angel. Maybe that's why you like it so much."
Brennan nodded in agreement. "Perhaps you're correct, Booth. I can see some similarities in the way the programs are written, particularly in the way he's combined the two wildly different genres of westerns and science fiction into a single program, and yet the show is still very entertaining and also thought provoking. The dialogue, character development and the dramatic structure are excellent. Mr. Whedon must have a very active imagination."
"True." Booth hesitated as he watched with interest when the character of Inara Serra appeared in the next episode in the queue. "Hmm. I always thought she was a very interesting character."
Pausing the program again, Brennan pursed her lips. "I imagine you think so because the actress that portrays her is an extremely attractive woman." She narrowed her eyes at Booth as she pretended to slap him on the arm. "I believe you're ogling that woman, Booth."
"I am not!" Booth pretended to be annoyed. "I was admiring her acting skills." Brennan rolled her eyes at him before turning back to the television. "Anyway, Bones, I know you usually admire the actors on these programs, too. Remember how much you admired the man who played Spike on Buffy? I suppose you're going to tell me that you don't find the actor that portrays Malcolm Reynolds to be attractive, too."
She shrugged blandly. "He's a fairly attractive man. I liked him better on Buffy when he played that evil character Caleb." She paused the program to look up the actor's name on the credits. "I'm not sure he's actually been in anything besides Buffy and Firefly…"
Laughing out loud, Booth looked at his wife in surprise. "C'mon, Bones, you should know better than that. He's the guy on that one show...you know, the one you thought was so ridiculous? Where the mystery novelist works with the New York City homicide detective?"
"Oh, yes...now I remember. You're right...that program is ridiculous. Imagine an untrained civilian tagging along with a group of police detectives during an active murder investigation. They even allow him to participate in their interrogations of suspects from time to time." Brennan sighed in frustration. "I find it hard to believe intelligent people would actually watch that show."
"Well, they can't watch it any more. It got cancelled…" Booth grimaced and shook his head. "Too bad, really. I mean, I didn't like the program all that much, but I kinda feel bad about those actors who are losing their jobs. I mean, I guess they'll be able to find another television series to do. Both of the people who played the leads are popular actors, and if they want to work full time, they'll get another opportunity."
"I suppose." Brennan snuggled next to her husband and gave him a flirty grin. "Would you like to watch another episode of Firefly with me? I find that I quite enjoy spending my time like this with you."
Booth smiled as he pointed the remote at the television. "Sounds good…although it's too bad there aren't any ads on Netflix. I don't know when I'm gonna get some love and attention from my wife if there aren't any commercial breaks during the episode."
Brennan smirked as she wrapped her arms around him. "I'm sure we'll figure out something."
