A/N: My apologies for taking nearly a week to post again. Thank you guys for your patience. And thank you for the amazing response. The quality of the reviews and the sheer number of them continues to amaze me and I'm grateful to have such wonderful readers!

This chapter deals with the "morning after" so to speak as well as their first day together and their first night. Just as a warning on both sides, there is a more adult scene at the end, but I think it still falls into the teen category. I gave a lot of thought as to whether or not to change the rating, but decided it wasn't necessary at this point considering it could easily appear on television. If anyone disagrees, please feel free to let me know - just do it kindly, please! =)

Many, many thanks to the wonderful Hannah Taylor1 who was my Beta for this chapter. She read over this chapter multiple times and supplied a great deal of insight and many ideas. If you haven't read her work, you definitely should! Thank you to Cathmarchr, as well. She allowed me to bounce some early ideas off on her and was very helpful.

Disclaimer: Don't own them!

~B/B~

He awoke to the sensation of light kisses brushing down his bare chest and fingers trailing down over his arm, moving to trace the lines of his hands. It was tempting to keep his eyes closed and simply enjoy her process of waking him, but his desire to see her overwhelmed him and he relented.

Opening his eyes, he took in the sight of her as she enjoyed him. The morning had fully arrived and the sun was shining down, highlighting the planes of her face and the sheen of her hair. Her clothes were rumpled and her skin was a little pale from being up all night, but he didn't think she had ever looked more beautiful.

"Good morning." She looked up and found him watching her. "How's your back?"

Ever practical. "Fine." He assured her, though he shifted and knew that wasn't entirely true. "How'd you sleep?"

"Surprisingly well considering I was outside, on the ground." She said, placing a last kiss on his stomach before sitting up. Reaching back, she pulled her hair into a ponytail as he watched. "People are beginning to arrive. We're receiving strange looks."

"What time is it?" He sleepily raised his arm to try to focus on his watch.

"Almost eight."

"Mmm." He stretched cautiously. "Two whole hours of sleep. Lucky us."

She frowned at him. "You weren't complaining two and a half hours ago when you suggested we stay awake just a little longer and enjoy the night."

He sat up slowly, rolling his neck to work the kinks out of his back. "Yeah well… it was a pretty amazing night." He leaned in to press his lips to hers. She kissed him back, sliding closer, her hand pushing his away from the buttons on his shirt as she took advantage of the exposure of his skin. His hand went to her thigh, drawing her to him as he deepened the kiss.

"Let's not go in today." He murmured, his lips hovering at her ear. "Let's stay here."

She chuckled, pulling away. "Booth, we have a case." She admonished him.

"We can work on it from here." He attempted to draw her back in to him. "Or better, we could not work on it. We could just be together."

"Booth…" She shook her head at him. "What are you talking about?" She started to stand and he stopped her, his hand reaching for hers.

"Stay." He said, tugging her back towards him.

"What's wrong?" She asked, her eyes narrowing in the squinty way he loved best.

"Nothing."

"Booth."

He sighed, looking up to meet her gaze. "How do we know that when we stand up, when we step off of this blanket, leave his park, that this won't just all disappear or fall apart?"

"Booth, this blanket is not the stabilizing factor in our relationship. Our relationship is built on mutual love, not this rather old, unattractive piece of fabric." She reminded him, placing her hand on his. "To attach symbolism to the location of our mutual realization of our feelings is unproductive."

"Yeah, I'm sure that, logically, you're right on track there, Bones."

"Of course I am."

"But the fact is, once we do leave this park, it's back to the real world. That means the case, and the job and, like it or not, the FBI evaluating our relationship." He tilted his head, turning his palm so that their fingers tangled together. "Are you prepared for all of that?"

"Yes, I've considered the possibilities. I'm aware of what's coming, Booth." She tried to reassure him.

"It's not just that, Bones. Our relationship is different now. We'll have to learn about each other in different ways, create different boundaries, deal with different feelings." He looked down at their hands and waited.

"Booth… why are you trying to scare me away from this?" She asked him after a long silence.

His head snapped up. "I'm not!"

"You're speaking very negatively." She pointed out.

He started to argue, but then sighed and nodded. "I just… Bones, sometimes when you get overwhelmed you just… bail. And if you're going to bail on me, I need to know now. Because the moment that we step off of this blanket, everything that happened last night becomes real. It's you and me. And if we let it become real and then you change your mind… I can't…"

She touched her fingers to his lips to silence him. Then, holding his gaze, she stood and deliberately stepped off of the blanket. Motioning, she indicated he should join her and, after the briefest of hesitations, he did, watching her the whole time. When he'd vacated the worn fabric, she bent down and folded it up, tucking it under her arm.

Reaching out her hand for his, she walked them silently to the car, opened the door and placed the blanket inside. Turning to him, she ran her hands over his chest, up to his shoulders and into his hair, dragging him down for a kiss that went on and on.

He tugged her to him, loosening the ponytail she'd just constructed and letting her hair fall to her shoulders as he buried his hands in it.

When she eased away, he was breathless. "I love you." She said softly. "And I'm very regretful that my failure to deal with my feelings prior to now has caused you to feel unsure in our relationship, but I can assure you that I did not make this decision lightly. I'm not bailing, Booth."

"Yeah," He breathed. "Ok." Leaning in, he kissed her again, pouring everything he had into the kiss. "I love you too, Bones."

"I know." She said, her fingers working to help him button his shirt back up, dodging his playful hands as he started to unbutton her own shirt. "Booth!" She smacked at him, but didn't dodge the kiss he planted on her cheek. "I don't want to take the time to go home to shower and change before going in to work, but perhaps we could get coffee on the way in?"

"Sure, baby." He said, opening her door for her. He waited to see her reaction to the new nickname, but she merely raised her eyebrows at him before settling quietly into her seat. He took it as a very good sign.

~B/B~

He handed her a cup of coffee as they walked along the reflecting pool at the mall, the same place that they had met just a few short weeks ago after spending a year apart. This time her arm was linked with his and his eyes were warm and loving, no unspoken distance between them. She said something that made him laugh and he kissed her forehead.

When they reached their bench, they sat, shoulders and hips and legs touching. He snaked an arm around her shoulders and she settled against him, contentedly sipping at her coffee, a comfortable silence surrounding them.

Without warning, she placed her hand on his knee and slowly ran it up his thigh, resting it dangerously high. "I think you should stay at my place tonight." She gave his thigh a light squeeze, looking up at him without reservation, a smile settling on her lips.

"Oh, yeah?" His voice betrayed his surprise at her sudden offer.

"Yes, if you're free." She blinked at him. "I would like to continue exploring the new physical relationship we're sharing. Your insistence on restraint would no longer be a factor if we were in private, would it?"

He met her direct, unwavering gaze with his own flustered one. "Bones, you mean…?" He let the implication hang, having no doubt she would know what he meant

"Yes." She said, simply as she angled her body towards him, her eyes lifting to his. "Based on last night and the pleasure I felt from our quite restricted forms of intimacy, I think that the shared experience of uninhibited intimacy would be incredibly enjoyable for both of us."

He drew in extra oxygen, attempting to settle the sudden rush of pure urge flowing through him, images of uninhibited intimacy racing through his muddled mind. Leaning close to her, he grazed his lips against hers, barely touching, pulling back when she tried to increase the pressure.

"Tell me, Bones, why do I find your squint-speak so incredibly hot sometimes?" He murmured, moving his lips to press against her neck.

"There's no way for me to assess that." She arched her neck to give him better access, leaning in to him. "Do you find it more enjoyable than if I were to, as you would say, speak English?"

"I don't know. Try me." He pulled back to look at her as he made the challenge.

She thought for a moment. "Would you find it hot if I suggested that we have intercourse?"

His heart thudded. "Sure, but that's still not English."

She searched her quick mind for a more suitable phrase. "Perhaps if I asked you to throw me onto the nearest surface, tear off my clothes and make love to me?"

The images that flashed before him once more, combined with her casual formation of words usually whispered in secret had him dropping his head to her shoulder, letting out a strangled groan as he gripped her leg. "Geez, Bones. Are you trying to kill me?"

"Or if I suggested we join…"

"Woah, hey, you win. I forget what game we're playing, but you win." He said, drawing away from her in an attempt to stabilize his quickly rising testosterone levels before he begged her again to skip work and hole up with him all day. "Where did you learn to talk like that anyway?"

She shrugged. "Angela and I share many things."

He let out a short laugh. "And that is all I need to know about that"

Then, growing more serious, he smiled at her. His fingers touched her cheek, trailing down the line of her jaw, and taking her chin between his finger and thumb. "Yes."

"Yes, what?"

"Yes, I want to stay at your house tonight. Yes, I want to explore our physical relationship, yes, I want uninhibited intimacy." He slid his hand back into her hair. "Yes, I want to make love to you."

"I want that too." She leaned in to kiss him and the intensity of her lips nearly rocketed the kiss out of his control. He laid his palm on her cheek, gently easing her away.

"Ok, Bones, talk about something else or I'm going to drag you back to your place right now, serial case or no serial case." He retreated from her once more, picking his coffee back up off the bench, taking a sip to give himself a moment.

"Agent Lyndon." She said, her voice a little breathy as she struggled with her own endorphin rush.

"What?" He asked, snapping around to look at her. "Of all the things…"

"You can't deny it's an unfortunate situation, Booth. She obviously found you quite physically stimulating and I'm sure she is quite confused about the sequence of events last night since she has no way to see the logic behind them." She took a sip of her own coffee.

He raised his eyebrows at her. "Are you suggesting there was logic behind your actions last night?"

"Of course, as I already explained to you…"

He shook his head, chuckling. "No, baby, that wasn't logic. That was some kind of crazy Bones-world reasoning." He continued quickly when he sensed she was about to argue with him. "Anyway, who cares about Agent Lyndon and her understanding or misunderstanding?"

"Perhaps not many people, but we should."

"Why?" He took off the lid to his coffee and blew on it lightly.

"Because she will likely allow her emotions to rule her decision making and may inhibit the progress we make on the case or simply be an annoyance to us. I think that you should talk to her." She decided easily.

"Me? Uh, no… I don't think so."

"Well, not me." She frowned at him. "I doubt she feels all that friendly towards me after I interrupted your date with her."

"Yeah, you did kinda steal her thunder." He smirked at her.

Her glare became a smile when he gave her a friendly nudge of his elbow. "So, you'll speak with her then?"

"I didn't say that."

"Booth…"

He sighed. "Sure, I'll clear the air. She's an agent. Means she's tough, right? How hard can it be?"

"Precisely. Simply tell her that she was unfortunate enough to insert herself in a situation that had been culminating for a number of years. Perhaps she will be happy for us. There's no reason for her not to be." Brennan mused as she sipped her coffee.

"Yeah, nevermind that whole public humiliation bit." He said drolly, watching as she missed the sarcasm in his voice completely. "Drink your coffee, Bones. It's gonna be a long day."

"And a long night." She said mischievously.

~B/B~

He brought his vehicle to a stop in an empty section of the Jeffersonian parking structure and turned it off. He gaze was soft as he took her hand. "Sure you don't want me to walk you in?"

She shook her head. "No, your presence will only distract me at the moment and make Angela more inclined to pry. I have a great deal of work that requires my full attention including examining the last set of remains, cataloguing the similarities and differences in order to create a much more accurate profile of the killer than psychologists can come up with, determining the nature of the weapons used on the victims, and the conference call I have scheduled with Mason…"

"I get the idea, Bones. You're busy today. Which means you won't be coming with me to inform the victim's family?" He surmised.

"I can't." She said firmly. "But the more focused I stay, the earlier I will be able to leave tonight." She offered him a consolation prize that left him grinning.

"Don't talk to anyone." He teased her. "Work, work, work and then come straight back to me." He leaned in and kissed her softly. "It's still hard to believe that I can just do that anytime I want." He kissed her once more before drawing away. "Look, don't be surprised if you get a call from the FBI today. I'm going to go file the paperwork first thing just to make sure there's no confusion. We're going by the book here."

She frowned. "Booth…"

"Don't worry." He cut her off. "It'll be fine. Trust me, ok?" She nodded and he squeezed her hand. "I have a weird favor to ask you."

She smiled. "Like a partner thing?"

"No… like a boyfriend thing. I want you to give me the key to your apartment." Realizing how that sounded, he quickly amended. "Not a key to your apartment. Just your key. Temporarily. For today."

She looked at him strangely. "Why would you need the key to my apartment?"

"It's a secret." He said, shrugging. "Just work with me here, Bones. It's a surprise. For tonight. I want to have it ready when you get home."

Her smile surprised him, as did her easy acceptance of his explanation. Reaching down for her bag, she took out her key ring, slipped off one of the keys and handed it to him.

"That's the extra that Russ and Amy dropped off the other day. They checked on my apartment while I was away." She gave him a rare shy look. "You might as well keep it."

He lifted his gaze to hers and held it there. "Keep it? Wow, Bones… I mean," He looked flustered for a minute. "I don't have an extra key to my place, but if I did…"

She shook her head, shrugging off the sentiment of the moment. "Booth, I wasn't trying to be symbolic. It's practical for you to have a key to my house, given the amount of time you'll likely be spending there in the future. There's no obligation for you to reciprocate."

He tucked the key away in his pocket and reached over to smooth her hair away from her face. "Hey, I want to. And I will." He promised, leaning in as she met him half way. They shared a lingering kiss. "I'm going to miss you today." He confessed.

"We're often apart during the day." She pointed out, even though her hand was still holding the lapel of his coat, keeping him near.

"Yeah, but it's different now." He touched her cheek. "I love you."

"I love you, too." She told him softly.

"Go on." He nudged her. "I'll see you tonight. Call when you're on your way, ok?"

She nodded and opened her door, extracting herself from his car but leaving behind the lingering scent of her perfume. He watched for a long moment as she walked away, heading towards the entrance of the building. Then he was out of the car too and striding towards her.

"Bones!"

She stopped, turning to him in surprise. When he reached her, he took her face in his hands and tugged her against him, his mouth landing hard over hers. He kissed her for one long, time-stopping moment, feeling her melt against him, her hands clutching at his shoulders.

Then he pulled away, releasing her. With a grin, he brought her hand to his lips and dropped one last kiss before turning and walking back towards his car.

"See you tonight." He called over his shoulder.

~B/B~

Compartmentalizing was one of her strong points, but even Brennan was having difficulty focusing on her work with Angela hovering over her as she worked, peppering her with question after question that had nothing to do with the decomposing remains between them.

"Bren, you're killing me." Angela complained. Again.

"Angela, could you please hand me my charts on the previous remains?" Brennan didn't look up as she continued to examine the bones.

"Did you guys talk?"

"The charts, please, Ange."

"Did you tell him how you feel?"

"They're on the computer desk. To your left."

"Why are you wearing the same clothes as yesterday?"

Brennan sighed and walked over, retrieving her own charts. "Angela, while I would enjoy engaging in an examination of the various aspects of my night with Booth, my work requires my full attention at the moment."

"Wait… your night with Booth?" Angela grinned. "Oo, Sweetie, tell me everything."

Recognizing that Angela wasn't going to give up, Brennan looked up at her, momentarily setting aside the charts. "I succeeded in preventing Booth from going to dinner with Agent Lyndon when I ran in front of his car and then proceeded to converse heatedly with him before deciding that taking direct action was most beneficial to us both."

Angela stared at her. "Translate. Quickly."

"I kissed Booth." Brennan said, a slight smile coming to her face in spite of herself.

Angela let out a relatively contained squeal and stepped forward, embracing her friend. "You have no idea how long I have been waiting for this day!" She squeezed Brennan before she released her.

Brennan laughed, warming up to the idea of sharing. "After I kissed him, he wanted to talk…"

"Oh, for heaven's sake."

"… so we spent the night in the park. On a blanket. He suggested we simply begin talking and assume that what we wanted to say would eventually be said." Brennan shook her head. "I admit that I found that idea somewhat ridiculous, however it did appear to be effective."

"So?" Angela prompted her.

"So… we are dating and I am very pleased." Brennan admitted, ignoring another of Angela's squeals. "However, when I arrive at my apartment this evening, Booth will be waiting there. With a surprise. I have a great deal of work to do before I can leave…"

Angela held up her hands. "Say no more, Sweetie. I will let you work so you can get home to that deliciously gorgeous man who wants to kiss all over you." She started to walk away, but turned back around. "Don't think this means I don't want all the details though. Especially after tonight…"

Brennan smiled. "Goodbye, Angela." She hesitated. "And thank you. For interfering last night, even though your methods could have been considered brash."

"Anytime, Sweetie. I'm always available for a smack down truth-telling session." Angela sent her a grin before retreating to her own office.

Brennan shook her head, still smiling to herself, as she returned to her charts.

~B/B~

Booth stood. Then sat back down. Thinking, he stood again, picking up the forms that he had filled out and hitting them against his hand. He took a step towards his office door and stopped. He sat down again.

He'd reread the Bureau's policy on personal relationships between partners and consultants three times. It discouraged romantic involvement. It gave the Bureau the right to dissolve any working relationships they deemed to be unstable because of interpersonal issues. But not once did it forbid a personal, romantic or even sexual relationship between partners.

He stood again, the papers that put his fresh, young romance with his partner into black and white terms still in his hand. He made it to the door this time and down the hall. All the way to the inter-office mail area before he changed his mind.

Turning abruptly around, he headed for Sweets' office.

The young doctor was absorbed in an impressively thick book, when Booth walked in. He looked up in surprise.

"Agent Booth."

Booth tossed the papers at him. "I'm on my way to file those." He crossed his arms over his chest.

Sweets flipped through the papers, realization hitting him quickly. He looked up into Booth's defensive face. "I see. This is quite a development."

"Don't analyze it, Sweets. Just get your little expert testimony all ready to go." Booth said, moving around the couch and leaning in close to the young doctor. "Because if I find out that you said anything that's going to cause a problem for us, then I will…"

Sweets cleared his throat. "Agent Booth, there is no reason for you to attempt to… and succeed at intimidating me. I have no intention of hindering your chances in any way. As you should know, from reading my book on you and Dr. Brennan."

Booth stood back up and raised his eyebrows. "Yeah, gotta be honest with you, Sweets. I pretty much skimmed it."

"Of course you did." Sweets stood too and handed the paperwork back to him. "Essentially my argument is that you and Dr. Brennan work so well as a functioning unit because of your deep rooted, abiding love for each other which causes your job performance to be heightened as a result of your subconscious connection."

"Uh-huh."

"Meaning that your recognition and embracement of your feelings will only serve to strengthen your partnership." Sweets explained.

"Great." Booth said, pushing away from where he was leaning on the couch. "That's good, Sweets. What you said right there, that's what you need to tell them when they ask you, ok? Just tell them that."

"You seem very nervous." Sweets observed.

"Well of course I'm nervous." Booth said, exasperated. "The FBI could decide we can't work together anymore. I could lose my partner, here, Sweets. Excuse me if I'm a little anxious."

Sweets shook his head. "I don't think that's what you're worried about. I think you're worried that if it comes down to it, Dr. Brennan will choose your professional relationship over your romantic relationship."

Booth sent the psychologist a glare. "Do not analyze me."

"Fine." Sweets agreed. "Perhaps you should have a little faith though, Agent Booth. Faith in the FBI and faith in her."

"Yeah." Booth said, moving towards the door. "Look, just do your thing when they talk to you, ok?"

"How is your new relationship so far?" Sweets asked as Booth began to open the door.

Booth stopped and looked back over his shoulder, a lopsided grin on his face. "There's not even a way to describe it."

Sweets grinned too. "Totally awesome?"

"Better."

"That good, huh?"

Booth started to step out the door, but paused once more. "Let's just say you'll understand it when you're older. Because what this is… you're not even on that playing field yet, kid."

He closed the door behind him, feeling much more confident as he strode back towards the mail area and handed his paperwork over to be sent to the Human Resources department.

Heading back towards his office, flipping his poker chip in the air and whistling aimlessly, he felt his phone ring. Pulling it out, he had a quick flash of hope that it would be her, missing him. But it wasn't her name flashing on his caller ID.

"Agent Lyndon, I've been meaning to call you." He dragged his free hand through his hair and closed his eyes.

~B/B~

"Look, thanks for meeting me." Booth held the diner door open for Lyndon, his eyes flicking towards his usual table. He pointed her to another and they sat down across from each other.

"We're working together." Lyndon took the menu he handed her. "As much as I would like to, I can't just never see you again."

"Yeah, about last night…" Booth began. "Bones… Dr. Brennan and I have sort of been dancing around the status of our relationship for awhile now, and, well, last night you sorta walked in on the fireworks scene. See, Bones makes most things more difficult. Not on cases or anything, but in real life…"

"Agent Booth, I promise that details are not necessary." Lyndon shifted in her chair. "All that I really want now is to find this killer so that I don't have to continue working a case with a guy that everyone now knows I'm attracted to and his partner, lover, girlfriend, whatever you'd like to call her."

"Yeah." Booth nodded, dropping his eyes from hers, feeling the reprimand in her voice that he had to admit wasn't completely out of line. "Right. Then why don't we just skip this whole lunch thing, eat on the road, and get busy?"

She stood. "Fine with me."

Booth stood and waved the approaching waitress away, heading for the door. Lyndon followed him back towards his car.

"Agent Booth?"

"Agent Lyndon?"

"Isn't it sort of against the rules to date your partner?"

~B/B~

Exhaustion settled deep as Brennan headed home for the evening. After a night of little sleep the day's workload had been close to overwhelming. With seemingly endless data on the three sets of remains to sift through, she'd spent most of the day bent over the bodies or bent over her coffee table, sorting it all out.

Now as she walked towards her apartment, knowing what was waiting inside for her, she breathed a sigh of relief. It was interesting to discover how much she looked forward to finding him there when she arrived. His warm presence filling up her usually empty living space. His arms, his smile, his kiss.

She turned the knob slowly, easing the door open and stepping inside. The lights were on and music played faintly in the background, but her partner was nowhere to be seen.

"Booth?" She called to him as she set down her bag and began taking off her coat.

"Hey, Bones!" His voice came from far away, back in the recesses of her apartment. "Hold on a sec."

She nudged her shoes off, leaving them by the couch, and wandered towards the hallway, insatiably curious about his intentions for the night. He appeared suddenly in the hall, stepping out of her bedroom. His crooked smile lit his face when he saw her.

"Hi." She stopped advancing towards him, strangely affected just by the sight of him standing there, so comfortable and familiar in her home, dressed in his jeans and an old t-shirt. Looking as though he belonged there.

"Hi."

And then somehow she was in his arms and his mouth was on hers as he pushed her up against the wall and dove in deeper. His fingers tangled with hers and he pinned both of her hands against the wall by her head as he pressed against her.

"Missed you." He mumbled between kisses.

"So it appears."

"You missed me too."

"Yes." She confessed. She met his lips for another searing kiss before asking the question that was plaguing her. "What is my surprise?"

He chuckled against her lips. "Come on." He guided her back towards her bedroom, keeping one of her hands locked in his. She looked around her room, but nothing seemed out of place or different. She frowned in confusion.

"This way." He tugged her after him into the master bathroom.

Her tub was filled with soapy water and the candles adorning her sink were lit. The firelight from the candles danced, making the glass of wine sitting on the rim of the bathtub sparkle. A book sat next to the wine and when she looked closer, she realized it was the book she was currently reading, the one she kept on the nightstand.

She turned to him, questions in her eyes.

He shrugged and smiled at her. "You said you were going to have a long day at work. I figured you might could use some relaxation time, especially since I kept you up all night."

She looked back at the scene in front of her and felt something she wasn't sure she could identify specifically, but suspected was inspired by love. The magnitude of his thoughtfulness hit her and she brought him closer, laying a hand on his cheek.

"You are a good man." She said softly, looking into his eyes.

He smiled at her and brought her hand to his lips, leaving a kiss on her fingers. "Thanks, Bones. But it's just a bath."

"True." She conceded. "But no one has ever done something like this for me before. It is very… pleasant."

"I'm glad you like it." He kissed her fingers again. "Now enjoy it before it gets cold, ok? Come out when you're done. No rush."

He started to leave, but she laid her hand on his chest, stopping him. "You could stay, Booth."

He covered her hand with his as he turned back to her. "Bones…"

"You could stay." She told him again, stepping closer and tilting her head up. His lips met hers naturally and his arms wrapped around her waist, drawing her to him.

"That's not in the plan." He murmured as his mouth trailed down to her neck. "I've got to get dinner ready for us and you're supposed to relax in here. Take some time for yourself."

"This is very relaxing."

He chuckled. Slowly, very slowly, his hands went to the buttons of her shirt and he undid them one by one while she held her breath. Pulling back from her, he slid it off of her shoulders, leaving behind only the white camisole she'd been wearing underneath.

"There, I got you started." He dropped a kiss on one shoulder, then the other while his hands slid up her sides and down over her stomach. "Now you do the rest."

"Are you going to watch?" Her hand drifted to the button of her slacks and she raised an eyebrow at him.

"Haaa…" He took a step away. "Tempting. So very tempting." He cleared his throat and scrubbed his hand over his cheek. "I'm just going to… go. To the kitchen." He moved back towards her, planting a quick kiss on her lips. "I love you. You are…. so beautiful."

"Booth…"

"Later." He whispered the promise before disappearing.

She debated going after him, but thought better of it when she realized there were some definite benefits to playing this his way, considering it had been an extraordinarily long day and she was anything but refreshed.

Slipping off the rest of her clothes, she eased herself into the bath with the knowledge that he was just a few yards away lingering in the back of her mind. The water felt good as it encompassed her tired body and she leaned her head back, closing her eyes.

Sipping at the wine, she read a few pages of her book, getting caught up in the anthropological implications of the culture of indigenous people. It was only minutes however, until the usual appeal of the scientific subject faded as her mind dwelled more on the living, breathing man waiting for her. Sitting up, she set her book aside and began to wash her hair and her body, taking extra care to ensure that her skin was smooth and fragrant.

Stepping out of the tub, she dried and wrapped herself in the silk robe hanging behind the bathroom door, looping the belt of it loosely around her waist. She fluffed her hair out, drying it so that it fell in soft, clean waves around her face. On a whim, she left her face bare.

She could hear him in the kitchen. He was singing a song she couldn't identify under his breath and the lyrics were punctuated by the opening and closing of the cabinet doors. Standing in the doorway, she watched him find plates and silverware before opening the oven and removing a covered dish.

He was turning, a triumphant smile on his face, when he saw her.

"Hey." She smiled at him.

"Wow." His eyes drifted over her face, down her body to her bare legs.

"Thank you for the bath."

"Sure."

"Booth?" She smiled at him.

"Yeah?"

"You should put down that dish before it burns your hands."

"Oh! Uh, yeah…" He looked down, seeming surprised to still be holding their dinner. Moving quickly, he set it down on the stove and abandoned the towel he'd been using to shield his hands from the heat.

Amused, she walked over and slipped her arms around him, leaning against his broad chest.

He let out a soft groan. "Geez, Bones, tell me you're wearing something under this. Because it doesn't feel like it."

"What does your gut tell you?"

Another groan escaped him as his hands travelled up the silk fabric draped across her back, one reaching and tangling in her hair, the other travelling back down to rest low on her hip."Bones…"

She slid her hand up the back of his t-shirt, feeling the warm skin against her hand. "More." Her request was enhanced by her thumb slipping into the waistband of his pants.

"Dinner…" He protested half-heartedly as he slid his hand further down to cup the curve of her backside. "We're supposed to eat dinner. It may not taste great, but I made it…"

"Later." She captured his lips in a kiss. "Sexual stimulation has been proven to be one of the most effective forms of relaxation. I'm still a little tense."

"That's not fair. You are not playing fair, Bones." He kissed along her jaw, working his way back to her ear, flicking his tongue at her earlobe.

"So punish me."

He let out a laugh, his breath washing over her neck. "I don't want to punish you tonight. Tonight I want to love you. I want to touch and stroke and kiss every part of you. I want to make you tremble."

"Yes."

"Now?"

"Yes."

He tilted her face up and laid his mouth on hers, his movement insistent but infinitely gentle. His tongue probed hers, sliding along the smooth surface. His hands travelled over the silk of her robe, touching her everywhere he could reach, gripping her hips and brushing against her breasts.

She gripped him tightly, responding to his kiss eagerly, her fingers in his hair as she pressed against him. "Booth…"

"What, baby?"

"Bed. I want you in my bed. Now."

He clutched her tighter, groaning in her ear. "You got it, Bones."

Bending down, he swooped her up in his arms, grinning when she let out an undignified yelp. Whatever protest she considered making, he swallowed as his lips found hers again as they made their way back to her bedroom.

Laying her gently on the bed, he stepped back and surveyed her for a moment. She smiled, looking up at him through hooded eyes. "I love you." She whispered.

"I love you, too, Bones." He took a steadying breath and leaned down over her. "You have no idea."

~B/B~

Hours later, Brennan reclined in her bed, watching as Booth crossed the room, balancing two plates in one hand and carrying two beers in the other. She started to get up to help him.

"Uh-uh. Sit." He gingerly bent over and handed her a beer. "I've got this."

"You can let me help you, Booth. I can remain relaxed while assisting you with the plates." She opened her beer as she watched him ease on to the bed, setting the plates down carefully.

"Don't argue." He settled in, draping his arm around her shoulders and pressing a kiss to her temple. "Here." He scooped up a bite of the casserole he'd made and lifted it to her mouth. She took the bite, her eyes on his.

"Hmm." She chewed, nodding.

He chuckled. "It's ok, Bones. You can tell me it's not that great. This is the only casserole type thingy that Pops ever used to make for me and Jared. I think I remembered all the stuff that goes in it…"

"It isn't excellent, no." She admitted. "But I still find it endearing that you cooked it for us."

He took a bite. "Yeah, guess we should stick with endearing."

She curled against him, resting her head on his shoulder. "This was an excellent night, Booth."

Placing a kiss on her hair, he took another bite of the casserole. "Yeah, we're really on a roll here, aren't we?"

"On a roll?"

"Doing great." He clarified.

"Oh. Yes, I agree." She lifted her face to his and held his gaze. "I'm very happy."

He surprised her by sitting up abruptly and searching for his abandoned pants. Reaching into the pocket, he pulled out something she couldn't see and moved to sit beside her again. Taking her hand, he placed his closed hand on her palm and dropped something hard and cool into it.

"Here, I want you to have this." He smiled down at her.

In her hand was a small key. She looked up at him. "To your apartment?"

"Yeah." He shrugged. "Not that its symbolic or anything. Just practical since you'll be spending time there."

She smiled back at him. "Of course."

"Yeah."

"Thank you, Booth."

Leaning down, he pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "No, thank you, Bones."

~B/B~

That's all for now! Hope you liked it. =) Don't forget to leave me a review and let me know what you thought. Your feedback means a lot to me. Thanks everyone. =)

Next chapter: Brennan feels the need to tell off some people in high places. Why? Come back and find out! ;-)