A/N: Wolfy, here's a shout out just cause I have to give one to my twin, Siapom, thanks for looking this over and telling me it was good…again. Jaed, how'd I do on my first solo scene, and BonesDBchippie I'm looking for a rockin' review, as always.
With Brennan's arms wrapped around him, Seeley pulled her close and kissed her again, smiling briefly against her mouth as she reciprocated enthusiastically. The surrounding host, production crew and restaurant patrons cheered for them as the kiss broke.
"I thought you were…I saw your belt buckle…I was so worried. Why didn't you call?" She whispered as she clutched him to her. Live television be damned, she had Seeley back.
"My luggage was stolen from my room and my phone died. Is Angela watching this?"
"She said she would, why?"
Angela sat in her office at the Jeffersonian with Zack and Hodgins. Zack had his ears covered as the high-pitched girlish squeal issued from Angela. On the screen, they watched as Booth turned to the camera with a grin.
"Angela, you're going to shatter glass if you do that any louder." Angela immediately covered her mouth, but continued to dance around the office. Hodgins watched her; amused that she was so happy over their reunion. When the artist looked at him, he held her gaze for a long moment before returning it to the television screen.
Back at Trader Vic's, while they were no longer in an embrace, Temperance refused to let go of Booth's hand, in an unconscious attempt to make sure he was really there. Harrison looked from one to the other, a large smile on his face.
"Well, the world finally gets to see Special Agent Seeley Booth, and I must say if you can elicit a response like that, you must be something special." Booth gave a little half smile and glanced quickly at Temperance.
"The response is mutual. I've worked with Temperance for years, and have nothing but the deepest respect for her abilities, and it goes beyond a professional relationship… obviously. This woman is worthy of every emotion and every bit of the respect I hold for her." Temperance blushed a little at the words, and for once couldn't think of a single thing to say. Harrison returned the attention to her at that moment.
"How did this partnership start, and how did it get to this point?"
"I've worked with Agent Booth for a few years, but mostly on a consultory basis. He would bring remains to be examined, I would look them over and report my findings."
"I'll admit at first I didn't put much store into her work, but she was right every time. And when she was able to give me the description of a murderer and murder weapon based solely on autopsy x-rays, I thought she was trying to do my job," Booth added.
"He burned me. I left shortly after to identify victims of genocide in Guatemala, and upon my return to the States, he had me held for questioning by Homeland Security because he needed my help and I refused to speak to him again."
"Homeland Security?" Harrison laughed.
"She wouldn't work with me, so I had to do something. At any rate, when she said the only way she would work with me was to be full partners on all cases I brought to her, I agreed."
"And it's been smooth sailing ever since?"
"Not at all. This man is the most arrogant person I have ever worked with in my life. He constantly undermined me, but…I trust him, implicitly."
"Does your personal relationship affect your work relationship? If you're fighting, for example, how do you handle it?"
"Temperance and I have worked together far too long to let personal feelings get in the way of an investigation."
"Dr. Brennan, do you bring elements of your real life into your fiction?"
"Only in as much as my personal career is concerned."
"And how do you feel about the movie, Bred in the Bone? Is it a thrill to have your work going up on the big screen?"
"I was grateful to Ms. Marshall for allowing me to consult on the details, which would be important, which could be removed and not have the story suffer. I've enjoyed her films in the past, so I'm sure she's done a good job on Bred in the Bone as well."
"Well, thank you Dr. Brennan for your time, and I hope we get the opportunity to speak again." Harrison extended a hand to shake Temperance's. She reluctantly let go of Booth's to return the courtesy. As they went off air, Jared approached along with Brandi.
"So this is the illustrious Temperance Brennan." Jared extended his hand to Tempe who took it with a smile. "I'm Jared Booth."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Jared. Booth's said some wonderful things about you."
"I don't know about 'wonderful'…" Booth grinned at his brother.
"Oh, gee, thanks. I suppose you'll be with your woman all day?" Brandi took this opportunity to step forward. She took in Booth's appearance with a critical eye. He still wore his jacket, t-shirt and jeans from the day before, not having had the chance to get new clothing.
"Temperance has several appointments today, but I'm sure we can find a way to squeeze in some private time for the two of you, after we get you something decent to wear. You can't go to a premier looking like that."
"Yeah, heaven forbid I look like shit." Seeley muttered under his breath. Tempe looked at him and fought a smile.
"Well, if you're joining us, we need to go. Tempe's next appointment is in half an hour." Brandi huffed and ushered Temperance away from the set. Seeley looked at his brother, who was highly amused with the entire situation.
"I suppose I shouldn't expect you back this evening?"
"Funny." Booth shook his head and hurried after Temperance and Brandi. They made their way to a waiting car and piled inside, Brandi sitting in front with the driver. Tempe's hand immediately sought Seeley's, and she looked at him.
"Booth, if your phone died, how did you know I'd be in California?"
"I didn't. Another set of remains was discovered. I flew in last night at the request of the Los Angeles Field Office. Jared mentioned you were in town after he picked me up from the airport."
"I need to see the remains…"
"Later Bones. I told Agent Finn you wouldn't be available until Monday. You have the entire weekend to do whatever it is you need to do. Besides, I've already arranged to have the x-rays and soil samples sent to the Jeffersonian. They'll be there bright and early on Monday for you team to look over."
"But…" She tried again. Seeley kissed her, cutting off the protest. Brandi turned around to look at the pair, her blackberry holding the day's schedule.
"Not to interrupt, but I believe we can squeeze in some time for Mr. Booth here to get something suitable to wear at around four. Right now we have your hair and nail appointment, then at three, you have a book signing in Hollywood. After that, we'll have some time for your 'partner' then it's back to the hotel to change for the premier. You've been invited to a few after parties, so all you have to do is choose where you want to go."
"Why exactly do I have to attend one of the parties?"
"Tempe, darling, we've discussed this. You have to connect with these people. It's good for your career."
"My career is identifying remains. Writing is more of a hobby for me."
"Well, whatever. The point is that your books are incredibly popular, and Hollywood is not going to leave them be. They will be all over you to get those books up on the big screen. You need to make connections." Brandi glanced at Seeley, who only smirked. He felt Tempe squeeze his hand hard in annoyance. He turned to look at her, and the irritated expression on her face told him she knew what he was thinking. He chose to stay on her good side and keep his thoughts to himself.
XxXxX
Booth sat in the waiting area of the hair salon, waiting for Temperance and looking at an outdated People magazine. He tried not to focus on the fact that Brandi was staring at him, but it finally got to him. He looked up over the magazine at her.
"What?"
"You won't have any time alone with her, not with her schedule."
"I'm sure we can find time."
"Tomorrow, she's supposed to do some interviews with local press, it'll be an all day process, then on Sunday, she has a few book signings to attend. No time."
"I'm not intending to interrupt her schedule, but I also know that she won't be busy twenty four seven." Booth looked back down at the magazine. Brandi looked at him thoughtfully for a minute, and then smiled.
"Let me see what I can do." She stood and left the salon, pulling out her phone as she did so. Seeley took a moment to look at Bones. He smiled at her when she glanced at him, enjoying the slight blush that covered her cheeks. She fought a smile of her own as she turned away from him again. Booth's thoughts returned to their conversations while he was in Galveston and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. No use thinking about that right now. With a sigh, Seeley leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. With at least an hour to go, he could try to take a nap while he waited.
When Tempe's hair and nails were done, she hopped out of the chair and paid for the work. Booth was still sleeping, and with a smile on her face, she strode over to him. She reached down and ran a hand through his short hair. He muttered something and shifted in the seat.
"Seeley, wake up. We need to get going." She shook him slightly.
"Beautiful." He said the word audibly. Temperance frowned at him.
"Who is?"
"Temperance." Brennan's heart pounded in her chest. For some reason the admission meant more coming from him while he was asleep. She smiled and shook him a little harder. This time his eyes opened and he looked around, confused. "Are we ready to go?"
"Yeah, we are. Come on sleepy-head." She offered a hand and pulled him up from the chair before they made their way out to the waiting car.
The next hours were agony for Booth, not because he was bored, which, if he were to admit to it, he was, but because Brandi insisted on being a chaperone, as though he and Bones would play hooky. It was finally five in the evening, and both were at Tempe's hotel room changing for the premier. With an irritated sigh, Booth waited for the opportunity to use the rest room as Brandi talked on the phone. He didn't mind giving Bones the time she needed, but the publicist not leaving the two of them alone was beginning to irritate him.
"All the details are set for tomorrow," Brandi said to Seeley as she snapped her phone shut.
"What?"
"Tomorrow. I've cancelled Tempe's appointments and arranged for you to spend the day together. I thought you might like to do something fun, so I've arranged a tour guide for you at Disneyland."
"We're going to Disneyland?"
"Yes, and in an effort to stay in Tempe's good graces the movie studio that produced 'Bred in the Bone' has agreed to foot the entire bill. Anything you want while you're there, they'll pay for. You should have fun."
"Huh. I never thought about taking her to a theme park. Thanks Brandi."
"Don't mention it. Only thing it means is that she'll be extra busy on Sunday."
"I'm sure that's fine. If you don't mind, I'd like it to be a surprise to her."
"For once, my lips are sealed." She offered him a smile, and winked. The bathroom door opened, and Tempe stepped out. Booth looked at her and thought he had never seen anything quite so beautiful. The gold dress she wore shifted around her frame delicately, and brought out the red of her hair and the blue in her eyes. Tempe looked at Booth and blushed. She'd never seen him look at her so intensely before.
"The bathroom's free if you need it," she said, suddenly shy. It was an emotion she wasn't used to feeling. Seeley nodded and made his way to the room. She watched as he entered the room and closed the door behind him. Brandi looked at her client with some amusement.
"You're a lucky gal. Not many people can find a man like that."
"He is something else." Tempe smiled and sat down to wait. She really wasn't up to going to the premier. All she wanted to do was spend some time with Seeley, but that time alone wasn't coming soon enough for her. As she and Brandi waited for Booth to dress, Tempe's mind wandered back to her conversations with him while he was in Galveston. No use thinking about that right now, certainly not with my publicist here. With a sigh, Brennan took a seat. The wait for the end of the evening was turning longer than she wished.
Booth and Brennan walked down the red carpet hand in hand. Tempe's newfound acceptance of their relationship was both surprising and refreshing. This openness was something Booth wasn't used to, but he was going to enjoy it for as long as it lasted. As they approached the Grauman's Chinese Theater, Booth let go of her hand and leaned toward her ear.
"Do you think they have a balcony here?"
"You'd know better than I would, why?" She turned her head slightly to look at him.
"It might give us a little privacy." He winked at her as his meaning sunk in.
"Booth!" He lifted his head away from her to laugh, but found her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her. He laughed as she held him that way, the spontaneity surprising. He leaned back down toward her ear, whispering once again.
"Oh, don't tell me you wouldn't want some alone time right about now." Booth placed a gentle kiss on the pulse point behind her ear. She shuddered and leaned back into him. Booth kissed her once more and pulled her into the theater, both of them rather reluctant to be there. As they sat, waiting for the movie to start screening, Booth sighed a little. He felt like a teenager on a first date that was hoping to score at the end of the evening.
"Booth, what's wrong?" Temperance put a hand on his thigh and turned to look at him. He placed his own hand on top of hers and rubbed soft circles over her smooth skin.
"Nothing's wrong."
"Yes, there is. I heard you sigh."
"It's nothing, really."
"No, it's not. You always pester me when you think something is wrong, and won't let it go until I tell you. What's wrong?" Booth could hear the irritation in her voice. He leaned in close to her so that he was whispering into her ear.
"You really want to know? Fine. I don't want to be here right now. What I'd like to be doing is picking up where we left off in Galveston, only…in person." Tempe shivered a little at the implication and felt herself growing warm at the thought. Booth placed a hand on her knee and gave it a reassuring squeeze as the lights dimmed for the movie to begin. Brennan looked toward the screen, but wasn't really paying attention to anything happening on film. Her mind was entirely focused on the sensation that his hand on her thigh caused. She shivered again, before a wicked thought overcame her. She turned to Booth and tapped him lightly on the shoulder.
"Booth, can I borrow your jacket," she whispered. Booth turned to face her.
"Are you cold?"
"No."
"Then why would you need my…" He lost his train of thought when he noticed the impish expression she wore. "Oh." Booth quickly removed his jacket and handed it to Temperance. She gently laid the jacket on her lap and moved closer to Booth. His hand was still on her knee, but slowly, agonizingly moved up her leg until…
"Mmmmm," Temperance moaned slightly, trying to keep quiet. To the rest of the theater, Seeley looked cool, calm, and collected. Looks however can be deceiving. He shifted slightly in his seat as Temperance's hand on his thigh inched higher. Oh, god. I can't believe Bones is doing this in a public forum. I can't believe she's… Booth groaned a little and shifted again as her knuckles brushed against him. While both remained facing forward, the movie was the furthest thing in their thoughts. Both were concentrating very hard to not make a sound to give themselves away.
As Booth rubbed her through the silky material of her panties, Temperance gripped the arm of her chair tightly. She had never been so glad to have a dark environment to cover her as she fought to control her reaction to Booth's touch. He wasn't even contacting her skin directly, but still had little surges of sensation shooting through her.
Booth squirmed slightly in his seat as Tempe's hand gently caressed him through the material of his pants. He could feel the change in her pace as she fought for her own control. If she kept this up, it could be a bit embarrassing for him once the film was over. With his free hand, he reached for hers and gripped it tightly. Bones looked at him with glassy eyes as he concentrated fully on her. Booth leaned toward her and whispered in her ear.
"You can finish what you've started later." His voice was ragged, and the rawness of the sound sent a shiver of warmth to Tempe's core. Booth kissed the side of her neck, his tongue darting out and touching her pulse point. Tempe felt her control slipping rapidly as her body tensed under his skillful ministrations. When she thought she couldn't stand it any longer she felt the waves of release strike from her core. Unable to hold back the sound, She gasped loudly, and in her passion flooded brain thought it was odd that everyone in the theater seemed to gasp at the same time.
"Booth, what just happened?" she whispered as she turned her gaze on him. He let a smirk slide onto his face as he leaned in closer to her.
"I'd think you'd recognize an orgasm when you felt one." Brennan felt the words more than heard them. She tried to give him a disgruntled glare, but her brains still was not functioning correctly. At least her breathing was under control.
"That's not what I meant, and you know it."
"I just got shot in the film," he snickered lightly. Tempe smacked his arm, but then leaned comfortably against his side as he moved his hand to her shoulders. He kissed the side of her temple and turned his attention to the film. Brennan closed her eyes contentedly. If she reacted to him that way when he wasn't even touching her skin, then how much better would it be when they were finally together?
The movie having ended, Brennan chose the after-party closest to the Grauman, which was at the Roosevelt, only a block or so away at Hollywood and Highland. The atmosphere was electric as music thumped and Hollywood's elite mingled, not that Brennan knew who any of them were. Thank God for Booth. Seeley pointed out various celebrities to Temperance and explained who they were as best he could, though she still remained pretty clueless about the whole thing.
"Over there is Tobey Maguire, he was in the Spiderman movies. And there is Colin Farrell."
"I know who he is. He's funny. Wait…that's Will Farrell." Angela's once spoken word were brought to her mind. Funny is Will Farrell, hot is Colin Farrell. Booth gave her a smile, and then raised one of her hands to his lips to kiss. They continued around the room with Booth continually pointing out the A-listers. After a short time, he excused himself for the restroom. Tempe felt a little out of her element among all these people she should have heard of until she recognized a familiar face.
"Matthew! It's nice to see you again." She smiled at the handsome man as he approached.
"I saw you on TV this afternoon. Glad your partner turned up okay."
"Thank you."
"Would you like to dance? You shouldn't be standing in the shadows. You are sort of the woman of the hour after all." Matthew held out his hand, and after a moment of hesitation, Brennan took it. He took the lead as a jazz song began to play. Matthew watched, fascinated as Temperance began to smile. "What's so funny? I'm not a good dancer?" His tone was light.
"It's nothing. I just remember Seeley quoting this song once." Her mind drifted back to that day. He stood next to her in the lab, invading her personal space as he berated her for trying out online dating.
"Whatever happened to seeing someone across a crowded room…that old black magic gets you in its spell."
"There's no such thing as magic Booth."
"Oh, there's magic." Temperance looked away from Matthew's bemused expression and spotted Seeley watching her from across the room. The words, once seeming flippant held much more meaning for her now.
That old black magic has me in its spell
That old black magic that you weave so well
Its icy fingers up and down my spine
That same old witchcraft when your eyes meet mine
The same old tingle that I feel inside
And then that elevator starts its climb
Down and down I go, round and round I go
In a spin, loving the spin I'm in
Under the old black magic called love
Seeley strode across the room purposefully. He wasn't jealous, exactly. The fact that Brennan's eyes fell onto him the moment he re-entered the room spoke volumes to him, so did the way her face lit up. Matthew spun Temperance out away from himself and directly into the waiting arms of Seeley Booth.
"You were right Booth." Booth looked at her as though her head had just flown off her shoulders.
"I'm right? About what?"
"There is magic." She smiled softly at him, and gasped as he pulled her close to him as the song came to an end. The next song began and elicited a sly grin from each of them.
"Black magic seems to be a theme right now," Booth said as 'Black Magic Woman' began. The latin beat of the song led them to a new dance as Seeley held her close, their hips and legs moving in unison. Every time their bodies made even the slightest bit of contact, it felt like an electrical charge running through them. Booth spun Tempe out away from him, and when he pulled her in, her leg hooked up around his waist. He ran his hand up her thigh, and moved his lips down her neck before letting her go and falling into a rhythm again. Temperance turned slowly until her back was to Booth. Her hips swayed seductively against him as she slowly descended to the ground, her body brushing against his with every move. She rose as slowly as she had descended, her arms on his legs and sliding up against him until they rested on his hips.
Booth wrapped an arm around her and dropped a kiss onto the side of her neck, moving down toward her shoulder. Seeley grasped one of Tempe's hands in his and spun her out again. As she came back, she placed her hands on his chest and let them slide to his waist. They looked into each other's eyes for a long moment before Temperance spoke.
"Do you think we've mingled enough here?"
"I'd say that's a definite yes." Booth grabbed hold of her hand and led her from the party. From another section of the room Matthew watched the pair leave with a disbelieving shake of his head. He turned to his date for the evening, Tammy Jean, to see if she had witnessed the same thing he had.
"You know, if I ever wondered what it would be like to sleep with her, I think I have my answer."
"Yeah, and Seeley ain't bad either."
Temperance fumbled with the key to her hotel room as Booth peppered kisses onto her neck and cheek. Her hands shook slightly as she finally got the key to swipe in the door allowing them entry. They quickly made their way inside, slamming the door shut behind them as Booth pressed Temperance into the door, his hand in her hair and his mouth on hers. She slid her hands under the edge of his jacket and pushed it back towards his shoulders.
"This…jacket…needs…to be off…you," she said between kisses. Booth unwound his fingers from her auburn locks and assisted in pulling off his jacket, neither of them caring as it fell to the floor in a heap. Tempe placed her hands onto his shoulders and forced him around until his back was to the wall. Booth wrenched his lips from hers and began to trail kisses down her neckline and to the point of the 'V' of her dress. He traced the line of the dress with his tongue back up to her shoulder before reaching behind her and grasping for the zipper.
As the zipper descended, Booth felt the silky feel of her skin under his fingertips. He reached back up and pushed the dress from her shoulders, watching as the fabric pooled to the floor. His eyes roamed over her. The overhead light shone down on her, almost setting her auburn hair to flame. Her panties sat on the edge of her hips and were a combination of lace and satin that accentuated her curves, as did the matching bra.
"Stunning." Temperance beamed at him, then reached up to unbutton his shirt. Her hands shook as she fought with the offending article of clothing, distracted as she was to have Booth's lips on hers again. Once his shirt lay on the floor with the other articles of clothing, Booth brought his hands to her body, caressing her, pressing lightly into her musculature until he reached her breasts. His hands encircled them, his thumbs gently flicking over her nipples, hardening them. Tempe arched into him and gasped as his mouth left hers and descended to one of her peaks. He sucked on it through the fabric of her bra as Tempe's hands slid down his back and made the return trip back up, her nails digging into his skin.
Booth moved his hands behind her back and unclasped her bra before pulling it from her body. He stood again to look at her and felt her reach for his pants. With shaking hands, she undid the belt before popping the button. She slid the zipper down and pushed off his pants. Booth struggled to get them off for a moment as he kicked off his shoes and removed his socks. Tempe giggled then, which made Booth look up at her, slightly confused.
"Thank you. This could have been ruined if you'd left those socks on." Seeley grinned at her, slipped his arms around her waist and walked her backwards to the bed. As she fell onto the soft material of the comforter, Booth grabbed hold of one lag and began to kiss a trail from her thigh to her toes, pulling her sandal off as he went. Brannan's breath hitched as he flicked his tongue against the sensitive skin on the back of her knee. He repeated the process with her other leg before lowering himself over her. His lips sought the soft skin of her taut stomach, and he kissed a trail down her, stopping momentarily to dip his tongue into her belly button. She gasped and arched up towards him.
Booth slid his hands under her back and moved them until he grasped the hem of her panties. As he pulled them off her, he kissed the exposed skin, savoring each sexy moan that escaped her. His mouth descended onto her center, and he could feel the heat of her arousal as he darted his tongue between her folds. She gasped and thrust her hips towards him.
"Seeley, please." It came out more a moan than actual words. And at the sudden lack of touch from him, Temperance raised her head to look at him. He had moved away and was fishing through a pocket of his pants. "What are you doing?" Her brain was fuzzy and she was having trouble contemplating what was going on. As he ripped the wrapper off of a condom, it clicked. Booth pulled off his boxers and as he made his way back to her, he rolled the protection on himself before settling between Tempe's legs. He caressed her thighs and looked to her for permission. He saw the permission there in her passion hooded eyes.
Booth slid into her, groaning in pleasure at the feel of her around him. He thrust deeply, withdrawing almost completely before sliding back in. With one arm gripped around her hips for better control, Seeley stroked her nub in rhythm with his own movement. Temperance was having trouble thinking. Hell, even breathing was becoming a challenge as Booth moved in her. She felt like she was going to slip farther off the bed as his pace increased. As her arousal built, she slid a hand across her body and drew circles around her own nipple. The sight of Temperance caressing herself drove Booth to the breaking point. Harder and faster he moved, trying to hold back enough to bring her with him. He felt her body tense, then arch as her muscles squeezed against him. With a fierce, final thrust, he collapsed forward against her, breath labored. After a moment to gather himself, Booth looked up at Temperance with a tired smile.
"Worth the wait."
