Author's note: Alright, let me start off with a couple of warnings. I have absolutely no idea what people do at an FBI ball so I've made it look a bit like my high school prom. (Don't worry, I didn't add a crappy live band.) I've taken a couple of liberties with Cullen's character. Don't shoot me if you don't like it. A big thank you to Bsquared19. Thanks for your advice on the dress. About Temperance's reluctance to mix business and pleasure, I've decided to handle it my way. In other words, a very unconventional way. °lol° And finally, lots and lots of chivalry in this chapter. Oh yes, I'm also developing a thing for Zach. (No, not that kind of thing.) I'm thinking about building a story around him (with hints of BB fluff of course) when I've completed this thing here. Anyone interested? Or should I drop that idea?
For my reviewers: We were this close to breaking my record, people! I only needed one more review. But it doesn't matter. :-) I'm more than pleased with my 11 reviews. angel6, Bellabun, Bsquared19, Howdylynn (Thank God you're still following my story.), Cora Clavia, Ellie (They are indeed SO meant to be together.), krisnina77, Afw, I hart Booth, blueheelersgurl and Amasayda, thank you! You guys keep me writing.
Disclaimer: °huffs in frustration° I do not own Bones, damn it. If I did, they would've kissed each other the first episode.
- Week 2: Wednesday -
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"Bones!" Booth called out, throwing the door open with so much force it hit the wall with a loud thump. He saw her scanning herself onto the platform. Her abrupt movements were the only indicators of her currently tense mood. That and the rage blazing from her eyes. "Bones, damn it!" He was at the platform in no time. "Just wait a second, will you?" He searched his pockets for his badge. Where's that damned thing? His hands finally found the card. He swept it through the scanner. As soon as the little red light popped to green, he bolted up the stairs. He was just in time to see Bones storm off to her office, slamming the door closed behind her.
He slumped down on a nearby examination table. "Damn it." he muttered. He rubbed his eyes. Nice going, Seeley. Now you've really done it.
"You do know that Brennan doesn't like people sitting on her skeletons?"
Booth shot up. On the table where he had been leaning on just a moment ago, was the still juicy corpse from their case spread out. He grimaced. Damn that corpse. Damn this case.
"Thanks for pointing that out, Angela."
The artist threw him a curious look. "What did you do this time?"
He sighed heavily. "It's that case we're working on."
Angela narrowed her eyes. Crossing her arms before her chest, she took a step closer. "Let me guess. Your manly ego took over."
"Don't you start on that subject too!" he shot out. "It's bad enough she" he pointed at Temperance's office. "is ranting about my alpha male tendencies all the time. I can't help being protective and yes, possibly possessive, whenever a creep is ogling her!"
"You don't have to justify yourself, Booth. It's the way you are." Angela patted his arm. "It's just that our Brennan isn't used to having a knight on a white horse coming to her rescue. She needs time to adjust."
"Time, my ass." He felt like kicking something. The only things he could possible kick were the table with the skeleton on and Angela. Kicking either of them wasn't an option. He groaned in frustration. "I thought things would get simpler when we got together. You know, as an item."
"Sweetie, sex always complicates things. That's common knowledge."
He sighed. "I should've seen that one coming." He contemplated the closed door of Brennan's office. "She wants to keep things professional. At least, everything work related." He glanced at Angela. "I should've seen that one coming as well, right?"
The artist gave an affirming nod. "Well, you could always give her what she wants." Angela smiled at him, a naughty light dancing in her eyes. "I've heard you're taking her to the FBI ball. Be as professional as possible. She'll change her mind in no time."
"How did you ..." he asked confused.
"We're best friends. There is such a thing as telling each other everything." Angela waved at Tempe's office. "Be professional. It'll torment her so much that she'll be begging you to be all knight-like again before the day is over."
Booth thought about it. Maybe if I play along with her game, she'll come around. It won't be easy, though. Not with that Zellar guy poking in our businesses. He felt the irritation rise in him again. But I have to give it a try. A sly smile spread across his face. "Thanks for the advice, Angela."
"No problem, Booth. Express your gratitude with gifts, that's all I'm asking." she winked.
He grinned. "I'll keep that in mind."
He strode over to Temperance's office. He knocked on the door. "Bones?" No answer. He knocked again. "Bones, can I come in?" Still no answer. He tried the doorknob. The door was locked. He sighed. "Bones, open the door." No movement whatsoever. He let his head rest against the door. "Look Temperance, I'm ..." He sighed again. "I'm sorry for acting the way I did. I had no right telling Zellar off." He heard something at the other side, something that sounded a lot like a snort. "Alright, so maybe it wasn't exactly telling him off. Maybe I was a bit too harsh."
The door flew open, showing a still irritated Temperance. "A bit too harsh? You were about to knock him a black eye!" she huffed.
"Hey, I had a good reason! That guy had no right to ask you to be his date for the FBI ball! You're with me now."
She rolled her eyes. But she smiled nonetheless. "Don't you think I know that, Booth? I was about to inform him that I already had a date until you barged in and lashed out at him. I can take care of myself."
"I know. You remind me about ten thousand times a day."
They smiled at each other, all the irritation and anger forgotten.
"All I'm asking you is to be professional. Work and pleasure should be kept separate."
"You know how I feel about that. Us being together can only improve our work." He sighed. "But fine, if this is what you want. I'll keep everything work related on a professional level."
She took his hand and gave it a squeeze. "Thank you."
"We're cool again?" He saw the confusion appearing on her face. Sensing another I-don't-know-what-that-means moment arise, he quickly explained "Is everything alright again between us?"
She smiled. "Yes, we're cool again." Temperance answered, using his earlier expression.
"You know," he draped his arm around her shoulders "you're getting better at pop culture references."
---°---
She was applying the last bits of make-up when she heard the doorbell ring. Temperance grabbed her purse and opened the door. She froze. Booth was standing on her doorstep, looking as handsome as ever, with a single lily and what looked like a box in his hands. Temperance smiled at him, amused by his gaping at her appearance. She knew she looked nice. The floor length dress had a discreet V-neck that showed off her cleavage just a bit, but not too much. There was a sort of ribbon in a darker colour sewed under her breasts. She loved the deep red colour of the dress, it reminded her of a rich red French wine. It brought out the reddish tones in her auburn hair. She pushed one of the capped sleeves that had slid down back on her shoulder. She cleared her throat. Booth started from his intense staring and handed her the lily while trying to form a coherent sentence.
"You look … Well, I mean … Wow …" he ended in a sigh. "You look amazing … stunning … absolutely gorgeous."
She blushed. "Thank you, Booth. What's that?" she queried, pointing at the box in his hands. Her voice betrayed her curiosity.
Booth gave her a lopsided grin. "Open and see." He handed her the box.
She carefully opened it and peered at its content. "It's an alarm clock!"
"I noticed the other day that yours had been in an unfortunate accident."
She put her hand behind his neck to pull him in for a kiss. "Thank you, Seeley." She pulled back and turned around to search for a small vase to put the flower in. She heard Booth sharply suck in his breath. Bingo, he noticed.
"You should've warned me about the back."
"That would've ruined the surprise." she threw over her shoulder.
Two minutes later she returned. Booth wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her body flush against his. He dipped his head to press a passionate kiss on her mouth. Temperance moaned. She slid her hands under his jacket. He made little circles with his thumbs on the bare skin of her lower back as he invaded her mouth. They shivered when their tongues touched. Temperance gripped his shirt and tilted her head to the side to deepen the kiss. Booth's fingers danced up her spine, caressing tenderly each inch of skin. Temperance pulled back a little to gasp for air. She kept her eyes closed. Booth's hands came to a rest on her shoulders. He licked his lips, her taste still lingering there. With slow circles he massaged her shoulders before sliding his hands down her arms. Temperance bit her lower lip. The sensations he caused were even more intense with closed eyes.
"We should get going." Booth murmured.
She opened her eyes. "Yes, we should."
But neither of them moved. They kept staring at each other, their desire clearly written on their faces.
"Temperance, we should go now. Or we won't be going at all." he tried again, in a hoarse voice.
She let go of his shirt and took a step backwards, away from the luring warmth of his body. Temperance grabbed her purse and opened the door. She felt Booth's eyes following her moves, scorching her skin and making her knees wobble with longing.
Booth let his gaze wander over her naked back. Who could've guessed that sexy dress would have a killer back? His eyes tracked the gentle curve of the dress which dipped dangerously low on Tempe's back. Look how low it goes ... I wonder what panties she's wearing. God, is she even wearing panties? She certainly isn't wearing a bra. He groaned and adjusted his trousers to mask his arousal. "Torture." He mumbled. Now it'll be even more difficult to stay professional. Damn that dress! "Absolute torture." He followed Temperance out of the door, all the time keeping his gaze fixated on her back. The smooth creamy colour of her skin was tempting him. If he didn't watch out, he would be drooling all over her the entire evening. He slipped his arm around her waist and flashed her a charm smile. The contact of skin on skin sent small shocks through his veins. He momentarily closed his eyes, savouring the smoothness of her lower back. God, bless that dress.
---°---
They pulled up at the building where the FBI ball was being held. Booth turned the engine off and contemplated the entrance a bit ahead. Then he turned his head to look at Temperance.
"Ready to go in?"
Temperance stared down at her hands. Nervously she fumbled with her dress. Why do I feel nervous? This isn't my first ball. I've been to plenty of those things before. She shrugged her shoulders. Maybe it's because I'm here with him.
Booth placed a large hand on her fumbling fingers. "Stop fidgeting, Bones. There's no reason to be nervous. You look beautiful." He leaned in and pecked her cheek. "You're the Bell of the Ball, trust me."
She straightened her shoulders. Stop being weak, Temperance. You heard the man. You're beautiful. Stop looking for confirmation. She grabbed her small wine coloured purse and was about to open the door when Booth stopped her. He jumped out of the car and walked over to her side. He opened the door and offered her his hand to help her gracefully out of the car. Temperance rolled her eyes but accepted his help anyway.
"You're being unprofessional again."
"Being a gentleman is not being unprofessional. My mother has raised me well." He offered her his arm. "Plus I was a gentleman with you long before we were a couple." She hesitantly looked at his arm. "Even independent magnificent women like you deserve to be treated to their value, Temperance." She sighed and put her hand on his arm. "That's my girl. Let's go, sweetheart." He covered her hand with his own.
Temperance wrinkled her nose. "I think I prefer Bones."
---°---
Booth took two glasses of champagne off a nearby tray. He gave one to Temperance. As he sipped his drink, he scanned the room. Every big chief of the FBI was present. Just a moment ago he had seen his boss, Cullen with his wife. No sight of Agent Zellar so far. He inwardly cringed at the thought. It was hard enough to concentrate with Bones at his side; he didn't need some obnoxious agent in the neighbourhood to test his concentration even more. He glanced at his companion. If I had known she owned such a dress, I would've asked her sooner to come with me to these FBI things.
"What do you think so far, Bones?"
"It's nice here. I just saw Cullen. He ignored me." Temperance sipped her drink as she watched Booth's amused expression.
Booth chuckled. Bones always worked on Cullen's nerves. He didn't know why, though. "Let's just say he doesn't know how to handle you. You make him want to pull out his hair."
"But he hardly has hair." she stated.
"Exactly." Booth grinned at her.
Temperance shook her head and returned to observing the people around her. One of the women on her right was wearing a lemon green strapless dress. Unfortunately the colour didn't clash with the bright green eyes of the lady in question. A friend of the lemon lady was wearing a pink dress with a corset shaped like a heart. Temperance raised her eyebrows and took another sip of champagne. She watched the couples sway to a soft melody on the dance floor. She caught sight of a woman who was wearing a tiara covered with diamonds. A tiara, for crying out loud!
"The women here are certainly … interesting … Anthropologically speaking."
"They're all Barbie dolls." Booth growled.
Her eyebrows shot up. She was about to protest against his comment – not every present woman was blond … and didn't he use to prefer blond women? – when someone called out Booth's name.
"Seeley, my man. Over here!"
A large grin appeared on his face. With his hand on her lower back, he guided her towards a small group of what Temperance suspected to be Special Agents and their girlfriends. The contact of his hands made her shiver. The effect he had on her every time he touched her, whether it was intentional or not, fascinated her. She had never experienced such feelings before.
"Hey Bob. Good to see a familiar face here. Hey Lou, thought you weren't coming?"
"It was mandatory." Lou grimaced.
Bob curiously eyed Temperance up and down. "I see you brought some company this year."
"Yeah, meet Dr. Temperance Brennan. She's my partner."
"Since when do you work with a squint?"
Booth sipped his champagne, about to fill Bob in on the details – after all they hadn't seen each other in more than two years. The good man obviously couldn't know how he ended up with a scientist for a partner. A tugging on his arm distracted Booth.
"They don't look like Barbie dolls, Booth." Temperance stated, pointing at Bob and Lou's girlfriends. The two couples simultaneously raised their eyebrows.
Booth nearly choked in his drink. "That's because they aren't, Bones."
"Well, she's certainly something." Lou replied, half chuckling at Temperance's blunt statement. "Where did you find her?"
"Museum." Booth answered.
Bob's girlfriend extended her hand towards Temperance. "Nice to meet you. I'm Alicia. This is Mary, she's with Lou."
Temperance shook her hand. "Nice to meet you too. About what I said … I'm …"
Mary leaned in and whispered: "They do look like Barbie's, don't they? With all their expensive perfumes and French manicures …"
Alicia joined her friend. "Yeah, we don't like 'em."
"Then why are you here?" Temperance questioned.
"We're here with our partners." Mary explained.
"Who happen to be our boyfriends." the other woman continued.
Temperance's eyes became as big as saucers. "Your partners are your boyfriends?"
"Well, yeah. Aren't you and Seeley a couple?" Alicia furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Because I could've sworn …"
Temperance felt a blush creep up her neck. She shrugged her shoulders to avoid giving an answer. She didn't know whether she was ready to confirm out loud that she was in a relationship with Seeley Booth, her partner.
"Not every partnership leads to a relationship." Temperance tried. "It is not uncommon for a male to work together with a female and focus strictly on doing their jobs. Not every male or female wants to jump his or her partner's bones." she reasoned, underlining her last words with quotation marks.
"Partners end up in a relationship, sooner or later." Both Alicia and Mary shook their heads. Alicia went on. "It's the adrenaline. With every rush, you feel closer to your partner than to anyone else. It's a common phenomenon. Partners understand their mutual desire for danger. They both crave that rush of adrenaline. No-one else is able to comprehend that."
"So whether partners like it or not, they end up together." Temperance slowly spoke. "It's bound to happen."
Mary and Alicia nodded. Temperance frowned as she tried to comprehend what the two women had just said to her. It was bound to happen. Seeley and I were bound to happen …
"But your theory isn't flawless. There are hundreds of examples of partners who work together but aren't in a relationship."
"We're not saying that everyone who works together ends up as a couple. We've only noticed that working partners tend to understand each other better. The chemistry between them is of a different kind. It's more … let's say … explosive."
We certainly have explosive chemistry. Temperance thought. But she still couldn't believe their theory. It's absurd, completely ridiculous! If their theory is true then Angela and Hodgins, for example, would be a perfect couple! And I really don't see them together. It's absurd!
Her thoughts were interrupted by a discreet cough. Temperance turned around to find Special Agent Zellar standing behind her. He gave her a lopsided grin.
"Good evening, Temperance."
She quirked her eyebrows at the use of her first name. Somehow it didn't sound right.
"Good evening, Agent Zellar."
"Call me Charlie."
Booth appeared on her side. "Evening, Zellar."
"Booth." Charlie Zellar acknowledged his presence with a nod of his head. "How is the case going?"
"It's going just fine."
"Excuse me, gentlemen." Booth and Zellar turned around. An elderly man with slightly greying hair, brown eyes and an impeccable suit was smiling at them. "I couldn't help but notice this fine specimen standing with you. Mind if I take her for a dance?" The man gestured at Brennan.
Temperance raised her eyebrows again. "I'm standing right here. I can hear you."
"I'm sorry, dear. Would you like to dance?"
"Actually, she was about to …"
"Booth … be professional." Temperance hissed. "I'd love to, sir."
Booth watched her walk away with the elderly man. He didn't know his name but he had heard of his reputation. The man was known for hitting on younger women, only to dump them the morning after. Simmer down, Seeley. Let's play along. Remember Angela's advice. He took a deep breath. Keep things professional. She'll tire of it soon enough. But he couldn't help but feel the jealousy stir in his stomach when he saw the elderly agent drape his hand around Temperance's waist to pull her closer.
---°---
More than half an hour later Temperance was still dancing. And she wasn't enjoying herself. For the past forty-five minutes, she had been juggled around between at least five FBI agents. First that Thompson-guy, then a certain Quinton, followed by Morison who had to hand her over to Pickering – or something like that. And now she was dancing with, if she remembered correctly, Mark Warren. Her feet and head hurt. The latter from all the pointless conversations she had endured. Every single one of her dance partners had treated her like a twit. A smile tugged at her lips. If only Booth could hear my thoughts. He'd probably say something like: "Excellent use of the word." But Booth wasn't there. Her smile faded as she re-adjusted Warren's hand for the twelfth time in two minutes. Apart from treating her like some dumb woman, he didn't know how to dance. His hands always wandered lower than they were supposed to with these kind of dances.
"I'm an FBI agent."
Temperance gritted her teeth. Great, another attempt at conversation. "I know. We're at an FBI ball."
"I have a gun. A big one." the man tried again.
"Of course. You're an agent. Agents are obliged to carry a gun."
"I even have handcuffs."
She didn't bother to respond. Does he even know I have a PhD? I'm a Doctor for Pete's sake! Does he think I got my PhD from a gumball machine? Warren's hands once again slid lower on her back. That closed the door for Temperance. With a polite smile she took a step backwards. That's it. I haven't studied all those years to be treated like an idiot now. She excused herself and walked over to Booth, who was standing at a small table, a plate full of appetizers before him.
"Care for an appetizer, Bones?"
"Thank God, someone who knows a four syllable word!" she growled.
"Was it that horrible?" Booth asked her, barely containing his chuckle. Angela's plan seems to be working.
Tempe sent him a death glare. This made Booth grin even more. He raised his hands in defence.
"No need to glare at me, Tempe. You were the one who wanted to keep everything work related on a professional level."
"That doesn't mean you have to let me dance with every imbecile of an agent!" she spat. "My feet are sore and my head is spinning. I'm done with dancing tonight."
"Hey," Booth protested. "you haven't even danced with me yet!"
"Are you sure you can dance? Because your colleagues were terrible. One of them kept stepping on my toes and the rest didn't know where to keep their hands."
"Remember our dance in that country bar." It was enough to release all her hidden memories. Temperance remembered how she had bumped into his chest, how he had held her, and most of all, how he had twirled her around only to dip her backwards afterwards.
"Alright, Seeley. Let's go."
He narrowed his eyes. "You shouldn't say my name if you wish to keep things strictly business. It makes one's mind produce inappropriate thoughts." He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the dance floor.
Agent Zellar saw where they were heading to. Time to intervene. He smoothed back his hair and weaved through the crowd towards the couple.
"Agent Booth, mind if I take Tempe here for a little spin around the floor?"
Both Booth and Brennan cringed at the words spoken by Zellar. Temperance because he had called her Tempe, something only her closest friends were allowed to call her. And Special Agent Charlie Zellar definitely wasn't a close friend. Booth clenched his free fist. That guy is way too forward. Temperance squeezed his hand and gave him a re-assuring smile. Right, keep things professional. This is the ultimate test, Seeley. He smiled back.
"One dance, Zellar. Then I get to twirl my partner around."
Zellar grinned from ear to ear as he grabbed Brennan's hand and dragged her along with him. He came to a stop somewhere between the shuffling couples on the dance floor. He put his hand on her lower back and took her hand in his other hand. Temperance hesitantly placed her other hand on his upper arm. Soon enough they were swaying to the music.
---°---
Booth watched them dance. He put his hands in his pockets. Seeing the woman he loved in the arms of another man and not being able to do something about it was everything except easy. He had to refrain himself from storming towards the couple to tear them apart. Bones is mine, damn it! He felt a hand on his shoulder.
"It's not easy to share your partner, is it?"
He glanced sideways at Cullen, his boss. He shook his head.
"I've been through the same." Booth raised his eyebrows. "With my wife, Helen. We used to be partners. Until we went undercover together. When I saw her dance with someone else, I felt something snap. I wanted to do nothing more than to beat the crap out of that guy but I had to control myself, or I would've blown our cover." Cullen paused. "I asked her to marry me as soon as the mission was completed. We ended our partnership the day I slid that ring around her finger. My jealousy would've gotten us killed otherwise."
They both gazed at Brennan and Zellar for a moment. Then Booth cleared his throat. "Are you saying Dr. Brennan and I should stop being partners?"
"Hell no!" Cullen quickly responded. "You're one of the most dynamic teams the Federal Bureau has seen in a long time. You two have an incredible case history." Cullen squeezed Booth's shoulder. "All I'm saying is that I don't mind you two being together. You don't have to worry about the Bureau splitting you up."
"Thank you, sir." Booth smiled. He's giving us his blessing.
---°---
"You are an extraordinary woman, Temperance."
She ignored him. Where's Booth? She scanned the room. She saw him standing at Cullen's side, watching her. She felt her heart skip a beat. Even from a distance he could set her skin on fire with a simple look. A shiver ran down her spine, which involuntarily made Zellar smirk with satisfaction. Temperance cocked an eyebrow. Great, now he thinks he's making me shiver. She studied his face. Most women would find him attractive. Only she didn't. His eyes and hair weren't brown. He didn't have the same smile as Booth. And the way he treated her, like he owned her, made her want to vomit.
"Nice dress." he commented. "It looks sexy on you. But then again, you just are sexy."
She eyed his hair. "Did you have your hair cut?"
"Yeah, looks nice, doesn't it?" He flashed her a charm smile.
Temperance frowned. Is it me or does he have the same haircut as Seeley? And did he just try to imitate Seeley's charm smile? The words spilled from her lips before she could withhold herself. "Stop imitating Booth."
Zellar was stunned for a moment. "What did you just say?"
---°---
Booth and Cullen heard Temperance's words. As did every couple standing near them. They all stopped moving to turn to Brennan and Zellar.
"Speaking of your partner, I think she's done it again. I swear to God, Seeley, I don't know how you keep up with her. Since I've met her, I thank God every day that my Helen isn't like her. It would drive me crazy."
"She drives me up the walls sometimes as well, sir. But I don't mind." Booth smiled at him. "It makes my life more interesting."
Cullen returned the smile. "Go calm her down, Seeley. Before she makes a scene."
"I think it's too late for that, sir." Booth sighed but moved towards the couple nonetheless.
---°---
"You heard me." Temperance snapped. "Stop imitating Booth. Stop smiling like him. Stop touching me like he does." She poked his chest. "I'm not yours."
Zellar's face flushed with anger. "Now listen to me, Tempe …"
"Don't call me Tempe!" she practically shouted.
"I'll call you whatever I want, Tempe. You've been seducing me all night. Don't think I didn't notice your furtive smiles in my direction. And that dress? Admit it, Tempe, you wore it just to tease me."
"Don't … call … me … Tempe!" Temperance growled.
"Hey Bones, what's the problem here?" Booth appeared on Brennan's side. He placed a comforting hand on her lower back. "Is this man giving you trouble?" Temperance felt her anger subsiding. She glanced around. Everybody was watching them. She slowly shook her head.
"No Booth, it's fine."
"Good. Then I'd like to have a dance with you." He glanced at Zellar. "If you don't mind, Agent Zellar."
The other man mumbled a curse, turned around and stormed off towards the exit. Booth gave Temperance a lazy smile and took her in his arms. Temperance slid her hand around his neck. They started moving to the music. As did the other couples around them.
"You didn't have to fight my battle, Booth."
"I wasn't. I was only trying to avoid a scene that would look unprofessional."
Temperance rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say, Booth."
They continued swaying to the music. Temperance relaxed in his arms. For the first time that night, she felt at ease on the dance floor.
---°---
He pressed her against the front door, kissing her hard on the mouth. She gripped his hair and trailed his lips with her tongue. He slid his arms up her legs and under her dress, coming to a stop on her bum. His fingers felt the lace material of a small piece of underwear.
"Lace." he groaned.
"What?" she panted.
"You're wearing lace panties." He lifted her up so she could wrap her legs around his waist. "I love lace." He pressed his mouth against hers again.
She removed his tie and opened his shirt. One of his hands crept from her thigh to her back, caressing every square inch of skin on its way. It drove her crazy. Her hands groped at his chest. Her legs tightened around his waist, as if she wanted to drag him inside of her already. His hand fumbled at her underwear. He rotated his hips a bit and she involuntarily jerked against him. In the distance a door opened and closed. It was enough to startle them out of their sexual frenzy for a moment. She dragged her lips away from his. They locked eyes.
"Would you like to come inside?"
"More than anything in the world."
Temperance reached down to turn the doorknob. Booth quickly carried her inside and slammed the door. In the hallway a faint sound of ripping fabric and a long moan could be heard.