YAY finally, time for the date ;) - well, the beginning of it at least ;)

I really hope you like this chapter ;)

Don't forget to leave me more of those super nice reviews ;D I really apreciate them ;)

10 Dates - Chapter 10

Angela spent the next couple of hours helping her friend get ready.

When Temperance had calmed down, they had talked for a while. They talked about Temperance fear of letting anyone in, about her being afraid of people leaving her. Finally Angela had convinced her to give Booth a chance, saying that if she never let anyone in, she might not get hurt, but she would never get the joys of depending on someone either.

Realising the truth in Angela's words she decided to give it a go. She was still scared and she wasn't sure how far she would go with Booth, but she missed him and she didn't want to loose him as a friend and partner.

Temperance felt a sense of relief having finally made a decision. As she got ready with the help of Angela, she relaxed and the two friends laughed together while picking out clothes for the date.

Angela said she'd drop Temperance off, but she wouldn't tell her where. All she said was that it would be a casual outdoors date and helped Temperance pick out a pair of jeans and a fitted top, showing off her great body without showing too much. A denim jacket over her shoulders and a wide red belt to match her red shoes finished off the look. A touch of make up, her hair pulled back in a pony tail and she was ready.

Temperance's heart started to beat faster and faster. She was getting nervous and excited at the same time.

"I'm so proud of you, Sweety." Angela said as she hugged her tight.

"Thank you, Ange. I couldn't have done this without you." Temperance said hugging her friend back.

They got in Angela's car and started driving. Temperance looked out the window without actually noticing where they went. She was thinking about her partner waiting for her somewhere. A smile appeared on her face. She couldn't help grinning from ear to ear. She looked at her friend beside her and saw her smiling back at her.

Suddenly she felt the car stop. When she noticed the big sign in front of them, saying "National Zoo" she looked back at Angela, eyebrows raised in an unspoken question.

Angela just smiled and pointed towards the entrance. There, to one side, stood the man she had come to meet. Temperance's heart skipped a beat. He looked so handsome in dark jeans and a black T-shirt, showing off his muscular upper body.

Temperance looked at Angela, who nodded encouragingly. She quickly hugged her friend, grabbed her bag and stepped out of the car.

Booth hadn't noticed her yet. He was in a world of his own, pacing back and forth. She's not coming. He thought. What if Angela didn't convince her to meet me? Please, Ange, please get her to come.

Suddenly Booth felt someone watching him. He stopped pacing and looked up. There she was, standing 30 feet from him. His heart stopped beating at the sight of her. She smiled a small shy smile at him. She looked so damn gorgeous. He loved the way her jeans showed off her long slender legs. Her top hugged her body in just the right way. She didn't move, just stood there smiling at him. Her arms were folded in front of her carrying her jacket and her bag hung over her shoulder.

Booth couldn't stand being so far from her anymore and started walking towards her. He saw her begin to move too. Their eyes were locked and they were both smiling happily. He watched as Temperance ran the last few feet towards him and threw herself in his arms. He caught her and pulled her tight, lifting her off the ground and swinging her round and round as she laughed.

He had never heard a more beautiful sound. He put her back down, but didn't loosen his grip on her. They stood like that, holding each other for several minutes. Her arms were wrapped around his neck, his around her back pulling her tight. He sighed, content with finally having her in his arms.

"I didn't think you'd come", He whispered in her ear, "I was so afraid you wouldn't."

He pulled closer, afraid to let her go. Afraid she'd run from him again.

"I almost didn't", Temperance whispered back, "I was so scared. Scared of getting hurt. Then I realised I would still get hurt if I didn't give you a chance"

Booth pulled back slightly to look into her eyes. They were shining with unshed tears and the pain in them tore at his heart.

He reached up and cupped her cheek with his hand, gently rubbing his thumb across it. He felt her lean into his touch.

"Temperance", He said gently, "I'm so glad you came. I'm so glad you decided to give this, us, a chance. I'm not going to push you into anything you're not comfortable with. I just want to spend time with you. You mean so much to me. I can't stand not seeing you every day, several times a day." Booth said smiling down at her, and then pulled her to him once more before going on:

"I missed you so much, Tempe. You have no idea how much I missed you."

Temperance couldn't hold back her tears anymore. She clung to him desperately. It felt so good to be in his arms again.

"I missed you too, Booth. So much. I'm so sorry for pushing you away. I'm sorry for being such a pain when all you've done is support me, be there for me," Temperance cried against him as she tried to apologise, "I wouldn't blame you for giving up on me. I don't deserve you."

Booth felt his eyes water at her words. He wanted to kill everyone who had ever hurt her. Everyone who had treated her badly and managed to convince her she didn't deserve to be loved.

He hugged her tighter as he spoke to her, his voice firm:

"Temperance. Don't ever think you don't deserve to have love in your life. You deserve so much. I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have pushed you. I never meant to frighten you, I just wanted to let you know how much you mean to me and maybe in time, we could be…something more than friends."

He squeezed her tight before pulling back again to look at her. Their eyes locked and they stood in silence just looking at eachother.

After a while, Booth leaned forward placing a gentle kiss on her forehead before speaking again.

"Tempe, you deserve the world of happiness and if you'll let me I'll do everything I can to give it to you."

The sincerity in his voice and eyes gave her no choice but to believe him.