Title: The Education of Temperance Brennan
Author: Gator-md
Summary: Some things you don't learn in a school. Booth teaches Brennan a few things.
Disclaimers: Don't own Bones. For fun only.
A/N: Thanks again for reading and reviewing…Hope this doesn't seem too OoC…Let me know…Also, sorry for the delay…I was at a conference and didn't have any time…now to London for 4 days…
Booth drummed his fingers on the cab's armrest. Rebecca had been late picking up Parker, so he hadn't gone with Hodgins, Angela, and Brennan. He shifted in his seat and tried to check his reflection in the plastic divider. He recognized the nervous gestures for what they were. He was used to being in control or, at the very least, knowing that he would be able to get a read on the situation. But trying to read Brennan was like trying to follow a Zach explanation without asking any questions…basically impossible. Booth shook his head at himself. He knew that wasn't true. He could read Bones so long as he wasn't trying to figure out what she thought about him. He didn't trust himself to be impartial. He was conscious that his own feelings might color his perceptions of how she felt. Booth knew their partnership was back on solid ground, as was their friendship, but he didn't know if there was anything else on her part. He knew there was more on his. The time they had spent together recently doing "research" had strengthened his desire for more---more of whatever she was willing to share with him. Booth wondered if tonight could be the start of something more.
Angela's casual invitation to join them at the Kennedy Center Gala was anything but. The fact that she had refrained from hinting at the romantic possibilities the evening presented concerned Booth more than if she had offered to get them a room for after. He wanted to pursue a romantic relationship with Bones, but he wanted to do it on his terms. Booth stopped drumming his fingers and his eyes widen slightly in shock. He had just a put a name to what "more" was. He wanted to date Bones. He turned the idea around in his mind, trying to wrap his head around the idea. He was surprised to find that it wasn't that hard. She was simply the one. He smiled to himself. Tonight he would test the waters. If the results went his way, he knew they would be taking it slow. He didn't want Bones to chalk up their relationship to hormones or biological imperatives. He mentally scolded himself for jumping the gun. Although he was slightly bemused at how easy it was for him to contemplate a relationship with his partner, he didn't even know how she felt about it.
Booth arrived just after the cocktail reception and introduction of key donors. He didn't mind missing the formalities. Angela had promised dinner and concert. That he could handle, especially since Bones would be there to keep things interesting. A smile graced his face as he thought of what she might say over the course of the evening. In his head he could hear her chastising an overweight woman for wearing a dress that was too small for her. "Obviously, her body mass is not proportional to the amount of material used to construct the dress. She is risking impairing her oxygen supply." Booth knew she wasn't that bad, but it still made him smile. The fact that he never knew what was going to come out of her mouth was one of the reasons he was so drawn to her. Very few people had the ability to surprise him, but she did so constantly.
Entering the ballroom he looked for a familiar face. Booth caught sight of Angela and made his way towards the table. He noted the stiff set of her shoulders and her slightly clenched jaw. She didn't notice his approach and jumped slightly as he leaned over and kissed her cheek. "You should always wear red," he whispered in her ear.
Upon recognizing his voice, her body language relaxed. She returned his teasing immediately. "I always thought you should just go shirtless, but I guess we can add tuxedos to the list." Booth shot her a charm smile and then reached over to shake Hodgins's hand. Jack quickly introduced the rest of the table, but Booth didn't really pay that much attention. He glanced at the empty seat next to his chair and then at Angela. She answered his unspoken question. "Powdering her nose."
Taking the seat next to her, he said, "I thought women did that in twos."
"When have you ever known Brennan to do the expected?" Booth smiled at Angela's comment since it mirrored his earlier thoughts. "Speak of the devil…" She nodded in the direction behind Booth. He followed her gaze. Walking towards the table was Bones in the black rose print silk dress. The dress emphasized her physical assets and her loose hair framed her face. The smile that lit her face when she saw him captivated Booth.
As she reached the table, he attempted to stand up and hold her chair for her. However, in his haste, he knocked over a glass of water. He quickly attempted to sop up the water, but a waiter appeared and handled the mess. Booth apologized before returning his attention to Bones. She was watching him, her amusement evident. "You look…" He was at a loss, but before he could continue Brennan interrupted.
"If the next word out of your mouth is nice, save it, Booth. This dress deserves more than 'nice'." She arched an eyebrow in his direction in challenge. The teasing tone in her voice was matched by the glint in her eyes.
From behind them, Booth heard Hodgins attempt to disguise a laugh. Booth would have shot him a look, but he couldn't take his eyes off Bones. He had two options. He could continue the teasing banter that characterized most of their conversations or he could start testing the waters. He chose the latter. Pulling her chair out he helped her to her seat. As she sat down, he leaned down and spoke so only she could hear. "I was going to say beautiful." He took his seat beside her.
Brennan looked at him in surprise. His tone was not the teasing, slightly flirtatious one he normally used. Instead, he sounded completely serious and his eyes never left hers. She was the first to look away and nervously adjust the silverware on the table. Conversation flowed around the table. She could hear Angela describing an exhibit at the Hirshhorn. When she glanced up from her fork, he was still watching her. Brennan wasn't sure what to make of it or him. She knew she had baited him with her comment about the dress, but she hadn't expected his response or her own reaction. Booth's soft-spoken words seemed to reverberate in her head. It wasn't so much what he had said, but his expression. There was something different about the way he was looking at her. She would normally ask him for clarification, but she instinctively knew she wasn't ready to hear his answer…yet. She was saved from making any response as the first course was served.