The Tequila in the Anthropologist
Chapter 11
Disclaimer: Okay, umm...just checking...checking... Sorry. I do not own Bones.
The empty shot glasses hit the table top. Both participants in the experiment followed protocol and used a citrus wedge to finish off the ritual. Booth, eyes watering a little from the burning sensation in his chest, cleared his throat a little, and shook his head to regain his composure. He noted that his partner, Bones, had recovered nicely after giving a sharp exhalation through pursed lips. She folded her arms on the table in front of her and leaned forward a little, with her lip curling in a small smile.
"See something you like, Special Agent Booth?" she drawled, in a tone reminiscent of Roxy, from their Vegas undercover operation.
'Ladies and Gentlemen. Our inhibitions have left the building,' remarked Booth to himself.
Booths' gaze had been drawn, like the proverbial moth to a flame, to the additional view of her cleavage, afforded when she had leaned forward onto her folded arms. It was a low blow, but he wasn't complaining. Not to be outdone, Booth raked his eyes slowly back up toward her face and made eye contact, with what was his most smouldering look.
Sometimes witty comebacks, or even words, were not necessary.
As enjoyable as an evening of competitive flirting promised to be, it would have been futile to continue this way, it was the reactive flipside of the pushing away that had occurred on the previous evening – there had been too much reactive behaviour of late - and besides, Bones would win.
"Okay Bones. You know I wanna give this thing, us, a chance, so why do you think I need protection from you? If I'm the big, tough alpha male that you keep harping on about, you know I'm capable of making 'risky' decisions."
The expression on her face moved from sultry, to vulnerable, to something he couldn't quite identify.
"I can't give you what you want Booth – 30, 40, or 50 years. I simply cannot comprehend a relationship of that scope, or even fathom the rules. You don't deserve the damage that I know that I will do to your open heart, I care too much to let that happen."
Booth, rubbed the back of his neck and took a breath. "Bones, there is such a thing as thinking too much y'know. There are no rules. I'm not as smart as you, but I know people, and in some things I know you better than you know yourself. You won't hurt me Bones, because I won't let that happen. I'm the tough guy."
He put his hand over hers and she rotated her wrist so their fingers could lace together. She moved closer toward him, sliding over on the couch and rested her head on this shoulder.
Booth continued his argument. "Five years ago when we started working regular cases together, it was tough to be in the same room together, or even have a civil conversation. But our relationship as partners grew over time, our bond became stronger, we are there for each other now Bones. At the beginning of the Cleo Eller case, if I'd suggested that we could have a partnership like have right now, you would have punched me out."
She smiled into his shoulder, and admitted, "We were pretty mean to each other back then Booth, but we did learn to value each other and care for each other. I agree that I could not have predicted that we would go on to have such a successful partnership."
Booth nodded in encouragement.
"That's the point Bones. We were put together back then and grew, against the odds, and because didn't have a choice we worked at it. Being a couple is just the same except we have more choices. Two people together, supporting, caring, growing..."
'Loving,' he added silently.
"We've come a long way in five years. Bones, you have grown. Your heart may not be as open as mine, but at least you can make that distinction now, you never could before, and it gives me hope. So if you can't picture 30 years Bones, try picturing five years, or even just one year. Call it a longer term experiment."
Temperance Brennan had consumed a fair amount of alcohol that evening, but she followed Booth's reasoning with ease and processed it. Booth had put an arm around her after she had leaned into him. His words had triggered the same set of reactions and emotions in her as the previous evening had. But tonight, the controlled environment provided her with a safety net. The alcohol allowed her reactions to be safely diffused, detached, and examined while they were floating through her mind on a warm tequila current.
She raised her head off his shoulder and pivoted herself to face him, and moved her hand up to touch his perfect acromion. Her eyes were brimming with tears.
"Booth. You believe in me and I trust you. It makes me feel...loved, and a little afraid. Would you be satisfied with five years, or even one year, just to give 'us' a try?"
As his partner spoke these words, Seeley Booth prayed that they had reached the tipping point of the discussion. He leaned in until their faces were mere inches from each other.
"Temperance, having the courage to make that choice is the only thing that really matters." Only tequila vapours separated them now, just as it had been six years previously. "You know, I think we may be going somewhere again, so I'm gonna have to kiss you now..."
A/N: We're close to the end now folks. I also posted a one-shot on the original tequila session, with a slight twist. If you have any requests for the ending, now would be the time to review or PM me.