Thankyou all so much for the feedback so far – even those I had to blackmail it out of. You made me a very happy lady when I turned my computer on this morning. Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou, and did I mention THANKYOU!

Now, back to the story.

Chapter 10

The party was in full swing. Angela glanced around the room, pleased with how things were progressing so far. Everyone was relaxing and so far they seemed to be going along with her challenges and having a lot of laughs along the way. Booth was yet to carry out his challenge, but the effect that Bones was having upon him was tremendous and she couldn't wait to see the sparks that flew when the two of them locked lips.

Bones and Booth had migrated to the same area of the room and had fallen into comfortable conversation. Well seemingly comfortable to those who observed them anyway. He was drawing on every bit of strength he could muster in an attempt to keep his mind out of the gutter yet still finding his mind heading in just that direction. There was just something about her tonight. More than just her appearance, more than her lack of undergarments, something he could not pin down, but whatever it was it was damn sexy. Alluring. "Get it together Seeley. You haven't even kissed her yet."

Bones meanwhile was wondering exactly when or how he was planning on kissing her. She knew it was coming, at least she assumed that it still was, and the anticipation had all of her nerve endings twitching. The thought of him drawing her towards himself. Of his lips meeting hers. How long would he let them linger? Would he let his lips part and send his tongue in search of hers? Why hadn't he kissed her already? Had he changed his mind and decided not to? Silently she tried to analyse her irrational behaviour. Why could she not stop thinking about a staged kiss with someone she was not looking to take things any further with? Why did kissing Booth have so much appeal to her? She didn't understand it. She couldn't describe or classify it, and this only seemed to heighten the anticipation.

Bored of observing their chatter, Angela decided it was time to hurry things along in her typical, not so subtle manner. Approaching them she interrupted their conversation. "Booth will you just hurry up and kiss her already. You are killing me here."

"Who said I was going to kiss her?" he asked and Bones felt her mouth go dry. He had changed his mind. He didn't want to kiss her.

"Booth," Angela whined with a pout. "You have to. Otherwise no present for you." She shook her finger teasingly.

"Your challenge only says I had to kiss someone. It didn't specify who. Maybe I should kiss you or Cam instead."

Bones face fell as she felt a wave of disappointment flood over her. He didn't want to kiss her. He would rather kiss one of her colleagues than her.

Angela punched Booth playfully on the shoulder. "Now look what you have gone and done. You've made the poor girl sad. You had better give her a nice big kiss to make it up to her."

Booth laughed, "Yeah, you are probably right. Come here Bones," he said, grabbing her arm and pulling her towards him.

Bones was caught off guard, unsure as to what was going on and shocked back into the present by the suggestion that he was actually about to kiss her. She stumbled as he pulled her towards him, crashing heavily into his chest.

Booth grabbed her around the waist with both hands, steadying her. "I was hoping to leave you breathless after the kiss," he told her, "I wasn't meaning to make you that way before we even started. You're stealing my thunder here Bones."

She was about to speak up and tell him she didn't understand what he was saying, but he leaned in towards her, silencing her with his deep brown eyes. He was about to kiss her. It was actually going to happen. She felt as though electricity was coursing through her body.

"Close your eyes Bones," he told her, and she obeyed.

They both leant in simultaneously, closing the short distance remaining. Their lips touched, softly, carefully. She thought he was about to pull away when she felt him alter his stance, but instead he pulled her closer, wrapping one of his strong arms around her waist, the other hand finding its way up to the back of her head. Her arms wrapped around him in response as the kiss deepened. Feeling his lips part she forced her tongue in and went in search of his. Exploring his mouth hungrily. The kiss intensified still further as they attempted to devour each other, oblivious to all the eyes now staring in their direction until eventually they broke apart, breathless.

"I can honestly observe," she told him between gasps, "That you have most definitely succeeded in leaving me breathless."

He laughed and pulled her back towards him, this time into a hug and whispered in her ear, "You are not the only one Bones."

They were interrupted by Cam clearing her throat loudly. They loosen their grip on each other slightly, turning to face her.

"Be safe," she told them with a chuckle, slipping a condom into the top of Brennan's dress.

Angela was nearly in hysterics by this stage, jumping up and down squealing. She threw her arms around both Booth and Brennan, locking them both in a group hug.

"What?" Booth asked her, eyebrows raised. "I was just following orders. I seem to recall someone having set me a challenge. Now where is my present?"

"And my present," Brennan added. "I believe I have satisfied the terms of your challenge sufficiently."

"Has everyone completed their challenges?" Cam enquired.

"Not quite," Angela admitted. "I still haven't gotten around to doing mine. I think I have been well and truly upstaged however, so maybe we should just skip ahead to the opening of presents."

"Not likely," Hodgins retorted. "We all played along. Your turn lady."

Everyone else nodded in agreement.

"Okay, okay," she conceded. "But putting me on the spot like this really kills the spontaneity."

"Just get on with it," Booth teased. "We want our presents."

"Fine," she said, turning to Hodgins. She slowly and quietly began to serenade him.

If I

Should stay

I would only be in your way

So I'll go

But I know

I'll think of you every step of

The way

And I...
Will always
Love you, oohh
Will always
Love you
You
My darling you
Mmm-mm

The words of Whitney Houston filled the room as everyone stood in stunned silence.

I hope
life treats you kind
And I hope
you have all you've dreamed of
And I wish you joy
and happiness
But above all this
I wish you love

And I...
Will always love you
I...
Will always love you

I, I will always love
You...
You
Darling I love you
I'll always
I'll always
Love
You..
Oooh
Ooohhh

Hodgins jumped up abruptly at the end of her song. "I'll be right back," he said without meeting her eyes as he rushed from the room.

Angela's stomach dropped. Just when she thought they were on the same page, she had clearly gone and stuffed it all again. She cursed herself for how deep she had managed to fit her foot in her mouth this time. Tears welling in her eyes she was about to bolt from the room when he returned and was back standing before her once more.

"Ange," he whispered. "Please Angela, don't cry." He brushed a hand over her cheek. "I just wanted to give you this. I was originally going to use this as your Kris Kringle present, but I lost my nerve. But I want you to have it. Please?"

She took the small box that he offered, her eyes glued to his, as the emotion washed back and forth between them.

"Please," he repeated. "Open it?"

She peeled back the wrapping that surrounded the small jewellery store box and had a good idea of what she was about to see before her. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath and slowly opening the box. To her surprise, it was empty.

"I don't understand?" She looked up at him, her face full of confusion.

"This box is a symbol," he told her. "Of how empty my life is without you. And a promise," he continued, "that one day, if you let me, I will fill it with any ring you choose. I know we tried to do this before. But we weren't strong enough, and we let the world defeat us. But I have learnt my lesson, and with your permission I will never let go of you again."

Angela had tears streaming down her face, her mouth hanging open. She stood, frozen to the spot, unable to speak, unable to move.

"Ange," Hodgins pushed.

She looked deep into his eyes and saw the depths of the emotion they contained. Mustering all her strength, she nodded and with that he threw his arms around her, lifting her from the ground and spinning her around before drawing her to him for a long, passionate kiss.

Their friends broke into applause cheering them on.

"Get a room you two," Booth heckled.

"Oh God," Camile teased, "Don't tell me I am going to have to get camera's installed in the store rooms again."

The broke apart eventually, smiles filling their faces.

Wrapping his arm around Bones shoulder, Booth pulled her towards him and whispered in her ear, "I don't think now would be a good time to tell them that our kiss was just for show."

Bones nodded in silent agreement. That could wait for another time.

TBC

I know, I am mean and horrible. But I need my sleep and I wanted to get this much to you before I went to bed. More to come soon. This party has a bit of life left in it yet. Please, please, please let me know what you think. Your reviews spur me on and give me the drive I need to keep this story rolling. Thankyou to everyone who takes the time to read, but massive thanks to those who take the few minutes to give me some feedback.