A/N: Some of you will probably not really enjoy this chapter But fear not, it is all part of my master plan Need to set things up. Now I am not setting this Dr. Klein person up to be an evil character. I wanted to keep her real and not be someone everyone will loathe (even though I know I will when the time comes). My vision for her is a nice person trying to meet another nice person in the shark pool (sorry, couldn't help it) of dating. Enjoy and review!
The case had progressed in a satisfactory manner and as usual they had been solved with the perpetrator behind bars. Booth was on his way back to the aquarium to wrap up some business with Dr. Klein, after which he would be able to file the case away and possibly relax. The last few weeks had been taxing both physically and emotionally.
During the drive over he reflected on Bones' behavior since that Thursday session with Sweets. It was impossible to imagine, but things seemed to be settling down. Bones had started talking to him again, and they had even had celebratory drinks after solving the case, although, he had been slightly disappointed when she had invited the rest of the squints along. He had planned to discuss things, and finally straighten everything out once and for all. But there hadn't been a free moment and things were still up in the air.
Even though she was speaking to him again, it seemed like there was a definite distance between them. They were still friends, but it seemed like she was taking Sweet's recommendation to heart, and jumping right into a social life that didn't include him at all. She had been out on a date with Andrew Hacker not two days after the session. Apparently she wasn't wasting any time on the dating scene. Although he couldn't understand what she saw in the man, Hacker was not exactly her type. While he was a good ADD, he was goofy and foolish at times, traits that Bones usually abhorred in people.
Well, whatever she was trying to do, she was certainly getting his attention, which made him crazy. He thought back through all their recent discussions to find something that might clue him into what was going on inside that brain of hers. He kept coming back to one thing. It had been the look on her face when he had agreed with Sweets. Her head had whipped around to face him and he couldn't be totally sure, but for a split second he had thought he had seen pain flash through her lovely eyes. However, just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone, and the cool, collected look of indifference had replaced it. Maybe he was just being fanciful, his mind making him see what really wasn't there. He seemed to have a problem with that these days.
He arrived at the aquarium not particularly eager to go in. It just reminded him of his current problems with Bones. Reluctantly he exited his SUV and made his way to the front door. He spoke to the receptionist and waited for Dr. Klein to greet him.
A moment later she exited the elevator at the far side of the lobby, and he studied her as she approached. There was no denying that she was a very attractive woman. Her dark hair and eyes coupled with her slender, feminine athletic build would speed up any mans heart rate and he was definitely capable of appreciating a good looking woman when he saw one. In their previous interactions, she had been warm and personable, easy to talk to, intelligent but down to earth. He shook his head slightly. Now was not the time for this he thought, hearing Bones' recriminations echoing through his memory.
"Agent Booth." she greeted him with a smile and an extended hand.
"Dr. Klein." He returned grasping the proffered hand. "Thank you for taking the time to meet with me to just wrap some things up."
"Oh, it's no problem. I am just glad this whole thing is over and the killer will be brought to justice. The publicity for the aquarium has been spectacular, but we would rather it have been for something a lot less sinister." She said with a slight grimace. "So, what can I do for you today?"
"I just need to go over your statement one last time to lock it up for the prosecution." Booth answered.
"Sure. If you'll follow me to my office then, it will probably be easiest to talk there."
After arriving at her office, things had progressed quickly and all the loose ends had been nicely tied up. The discussion easily morphed into a friendly social conversation.
"So tell me Agent Booth, did you actually ever consider me a suspect?" She asked with a conspiratorial grin on her face, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she leaned over her desk.
Booth laughed, "No, not really. I had ruled you out as a suspect pretty quickly."
"Figures." She said with mock disappointment, slumping back in her chair. "I never get to play the part of the bad girl." She said with a wink.
"Can I ask you a question Agent Booth?" She said more seriously than her previous conversational tone.
"Shoot." He replied, taking a sip of the coffee she had given him earlier.
"Does your Dr. Brennan not like me?"
Booth nearly spit out his mouthful of coffee. As it was, it only slightly went up his nose. Recovering, he returned, "No, why would you say that?"
"I don't know, call it women's intuition. I got the distinct impression that she wasn't very fond of me. The daggers she shot my way during the initial part of the investigation tipped me off."
"Nah, that's just Bones' way. She can get overly clinical and scientific sometimes." He said, slightly uncomfortable with the subject.
"Oh, well that's a good thing. I have one more question for you if you don't mind."
"Go ahead," he said warily, not sure he wanted to know what she was about to ask.
"Is there anything going on between you and Dr. Brennan? I mean I definitely picked up on the vibe she was giving off."
"Vibe?" he questioned.
"Yeah, a very strong alpha female wave was sent in my direction. You know, kind of like she was protecting something that was hers." She asked pointedly.
"Ah, no, there's nothing going on with Dr. Brennan and myself. We are just partners and friends." Was his practiced response.
She studied him with a bit of skepticism. They certainly seemed to be closer than just friends and partners, although maybe she had just witnessed their well oiled professional routine and had misinterpreted the signals. So, she decided to take him for his word, "Ok, good. So then me asking you to lunch sometime wouldn't be infringing on anyone's territory? Because you two seemed awfully close."
"No, no it wouldn't." Booth replied bewildered by what had just happened. He had been asked out on a date. Well, maybe date was too strong, after all it was only lunch, but none the less it was like a date. This was certainly an interesting development. What to do? Maybe it was time to embrace Sweets' advice and try the dating scene again. Granted he didn't have a lot of free time, but he supposed he could make room in his schedule, especially now since it seemed that Bones was no longer interested in spending significant amounts of time with him. Maybe this was just what he needed to finally put that coma dream to rest, and move on.
"Good. So what do you say, lunch tomorrow?" She inquired.
Booth thought for a moment and answered, "Sure."
"Great, how about the Royal Diner at noon?"
"Ok, that is one of my favorite spots." He answered, feeling a slight tug of guilt. He had always thought of the diner as their place. Bringing another woman there just didn't feel right, but it looked like he didn't have much choice.
"Excellent." She returned with a bright smile.
A slightly awkward silence followed, and Booth decided it was time to high tail it out of there. "Well, I oughta be going so that I can wrap up this paperwork."
"Ok," she said following him to the door, "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
Well, he had a date with a beautiful, successful, intelligent woman. That is always a good way to start a week. Although, he was still apprehensive about the whole thing. That nagging feeling in his chest just wouldn't give up. It felt somehow like he was doing something wrong, but couldn't quite figure out what it was. It had been a while since his last date, so he just shrugged it off to nerves. He wasn't used to a woman asking him out. But Dr. Klein seemed to be a go-getter, not afraid to take a chance. Who knows, maybe this was the start of something great.