A/N: This story is going to continue on for a few more chapters. I have had a massive case of writer's block and sharing my computer with an 18 year old and 10 year old can infringe on my creative moments. But I WILL finish this story!!

Chapter Eleven

"Booth, what's wrong?" Brennan asked as she felt his body pull from hers and slump back on to the couch. He was pale, the tan on his face fading quickly. His hands firmly placed over his face, he mumbled something indistinguishable.

"Was it the way I kissed? I mean I have been told I am a good kisser but perhaps you think differently." She knew it wasn't how she kissed and thought by lightening the mood she would get him to open up to her.

"Bones, it wasn't the kiss. That was perfect," he replied as he patted the couch indicating for her to sit.

"Then what Booth? Why do you look – terrified?"

He turned his face to see her eyes, round and wide.

"I imagined many scenarios where I would kiss you. In your office; in my office; in an elevator; so many places, even right here, on your couch. But this, this is better than anything I could ever imagine." He felt his heart rate slow slightly as her eyes held his gaze.

"Better?" Brennan inquired.

"Oh yeah Bones, much better," he said then flashed her a smile. "But in my dreams I could control everything, myself and you. I could make you do whatever I wanted."

"Whatever you wanted? Her voice lowered a notch. "And what did you have me doing Seeley?"

For a split second, he thought he was in trouble and his panic was legitimate. Then she did it. She gave him a half smile which was accompanied by a twinkle in her eyes.

"Well, I had you kissing my mouth softly," he replied, deciding it was safe to start with tame versions of his dreams.

Before he could say another word, he felt her lips on the corner of his mouth. His eye lids fell shut as the most intense tingling sensation coursed through his body every time her lips lightly pressed against his skin.

She leaned backed and smiled as she saw the color returning to his face.

"I think I have magic lips," she announced.

"Oh really, you think that do you?"

"You went from petrified to almost sedated in a matter of thirty seconds."

He hated when she had the upper hand on him. He really did. But Seeley Booth was willing at this point in time to sacrifice his pride if it meant she would touch him again with her lips.

"Booth you know you don't have to be in control of everything. It is okay to be vulnerable and insecure," Brennan said as they continued to talk and drink their hot chocolate.

"I know, Sweets and I have been talking about that lately, and I am trying to work on relinquishing some control over things but, well, it is much easier said than done." He placed his cup down on the table, leaned back and stared at the fire. "You know what I like best about fire?" he asked as his eyes followed the flames from the logs to hole where they would dissipate into the chilling night air.

"The fact that it is a hot glowing body of burning gas, that often carries fine incandescent particles creating it's brilliant reddish-orange color?"

Booth removed his eyes from the flames and focused them on his partner.

"You really are one hell of a genius Bones, but that is not what I like most about fire. I like that is it unpredictable."

Brennan was about to speak but decided against is as she studied her partner's face. He was thirty six years of age took very good care of himself by working out and balancing his diet. His skin had weathered years of being in the Army and field work with the FBI. The one thing that concerned her was his worrying. He constantly had everyone's well being on his mind. His son. His brother. His work - the victims and their families. And hers. He would call her office at seven in the evening knowing she had not had dinner yet and would somehow wedge his way into sharing yet another meal with her. She minded at first as she felt he was invading her space, her time to reflect on the day and plan for the next. As time moved along and their sharing of meals increased from more dinners to lunches, and even the occasional breakfast, having Booth in her space became likable. She found that she had someone to share her life with, even if it was only her work life.

"Unpredictable? That is ironic coming from a man who likes to control everything." Brennan sat motionless waiting for his response.

"I don't like to control everything, just things that –" he stopped, he knew he was a control freak. He could admit it but didn't like other people to know that he struggled with it.

"You like to control," Brennan added in to finish his sentence.

Booth scoffed at her words but when her eyebrows rose, he knew she had him.

"You found out my deep dark secret. I, Seeley Booth, am a control freak." He had only done that admission once before and that was with FBI Psychologist Lance Sweets – just two weeks ago.

Brennan knew it was difficult for him to say that to her so she let her thought stay silent that she had known he was a control freak since working their first case together.