The Civil in the War
Chapter Ten
Susan H.
Booth held open the camper door, and Brennan swished in. Booth followed and wrapped his arms around her from behind.
"I can't feel you, how many layers are you wearing?"
"I think six. I almost ruptured a disc getting dressed," Brennan said as she removed her hat and spun it across the camper.
Booth laid his head on her shoulder, and tried to undo the buttons on her bodice.
"Here, let me. Your fingers are too large." Brennan fiddled with each button until it released. Booth could then reach a small portion of her neck and kiss it. He pulled the dress back and off her shoulders. He rubbed his hands along her arms.
"Why is this dress still stubbornly on?" he whispered in her ear.
"There's another fastener in back of the skirt."
Booth ran his fingers along the back of the waistband until he found it and unhooked it. He then tugged the skirt down until Brennan could step out of it.
"That's the first layer," he said.
He untied and loosened the laces on the back of the corset. Brennan raised her arms over her head, and he slipped the corset up and over. She took a deep breath and relaxed her back muscles. Her chemise clung damply to her skin. Booth wrapped his arms around her waist again.
"MMMM, I can feel you. Bones, what is this thing?"
"It's called a chemise."
"It's ugly," he said as he untied the drawstring on her first petticoat.
"I wish it was the ugliest thing I was wearing," Brennan giggled.
The second petticoat dropped, and Booth pulled her back against him. His new beard pressed into her shoulder and neck. Booth held her silently for a long time.
"Booth, I know I'm not very good at picking up on these things, but is something wrong?"
She felt his body melt against hers. She leaned back, and they were supporting each other. She couldn't help but think that Sweets would be proud.
"It was just a game today, but I relived some difficult moments."
"You seem to handle it so well."
"Yeah, overall, I do, but no one comes away untouched. It alters a person forever."
"Are you sorry it changed you?"
"Do you think I should be sorry Temperance?"
"You are who you are. I admire your courage and sense of duty. I think you're strong, but it didn't make you hard."
"I am who I am. I guess I'm okay with that. I missed you. I knew you were close by. I knew we were working the same case, yet I ached for you."
Brennan grabbed his hand and led him to the bed platform. She turned and hugged him, and he sat her down. He pulled the chemise over her head and got his first glimpse of the drawers. He pushed her back on the bed.
"What in the world are these things?"
"I told you I was wearing something uglier than the chemise."
"I'm sure to a nineteenth century man, these were beautiful." Booth laughed. "They're ripped," he said.
"No, that's how they're made. Otherwise, every time nature called, I would need to completely disrobe."
"You walked around like that all day?" He hovered over her and smiled in her face.
"It was terribly uncomfortable at times."
Booth kissed her, his tongue urgently separating her lips. She tried to keep up with him, but he moved quickly, consuming her. She tried to follow his lead, but he seemed directionless. Fabric rustled. Booth scooted her all the way onto the bed. Within moments he lay still, gasping in her ear.
"I'm sorry. That was selfish. I'm so sorry."
She wrapped her arms around him and stroked his back.
"Well Sir, I believe a lady can be quite forgiving of her soldier who returns in a passionate, fevered frenzy."
He tried to detach, but she held him in place, and continued rubbing his back and hair. His breathing slowed.
"I'm sorry," he rasped again.
"I'm not. I consider this my opportunity to reach back in time and comfort you as a young soldier."
He propped himself on his elbows and tried to roll on his side. She continued to hold him tight.
"I don't want to hurt you," he said.
"I told you already, I don't find you too heavy. Please stay here for a while longer." She squeezed him with her arms and legs, and stroked her fingers through his hair.
He relaxed. She drew circles on his temple.
"I don't know everything that happened in the desert, but I know you have a good heart. I know your motivation came from a good place. And I know your sense of duty kept you honest. You can doubt yourself if you choose, but I don't doubt you."
She softly scratched his back. Her heart ached, and she didn't know why.
"Well, I have to update reason number two that I know you love me."
"Tell me."
"A miracle. You reached back in time and comforted me when I was a young soldier."
After a few silent minutes, Brennan spoke up.
"Booth, I really need to remove these boots and awful stockings."
"I agree. And these drawers," he reached down and undid the drawstring, "handy maybe, but hideous."
Brennan laughed.