Okay, finally, an update. Life is…crazy. I first want to say thank you to everyone being understanding of my break. You guys are all awesome. I also need to thank musicnlyrics (that's right, I thanked you again. :-P Hahaha), harper83, mendenbar, thorteso and my brother for their help/input on this (and other stories). I should have thanked them before and I didn't. But thank you. Also this is up now and not the middle of next week because my mom made a point of giving me the time and space to write this. So thanks Mama!
Okay, enough from me. Here it is. Thoughts are welcomed just please don't be mean. Also, B*B*B*B means flashbacks.
Chapter 11
The red digits on the black clock change right before Brennan's somber eyes. Another minute has gone by, leaving only two hours until the alarm sounds and she rises from Booth's arms for the last time for the next few months. Very gently her thumb moves over her ring, the smooth metal warm from her skin. Calling herself silly, she admits that she's going to miss having it on her finger, instead it will hang on a chain from her neck to protect it while she works. Her first inclination was to give it to Hank to hold until her return but she quickly changed her mind. Booth gave it to her and would place more meaning in that action than she intended; she doesn't want to make anything harder for him, she's hurting him enough already.
Her movements restricted by Booth's tight embrace, she rolls over gently as to not wake him. Expecting to find the familiar sight of his handsome sleeping face, Brennan is surprised to see his eyes are open, gazing at her. There is no hint of sleep on his face and she's almost positive he's been awake as long as she has. They stare at each other, re-memorizing every dip and curve.
Hundreds of words are exchanged without even a sigh to break the silence. Booth's arm is still around her and he tightens his hold, as if to cement their bodies together. Placing her hand on his cheek, Brennan leans in to capture his lips.
Booth meets her halfway, instantly deepening the kiss with slow sensual strokes of his tongue. Brennan moans, her fingers threading through his hair only to clutch tightly as his warm palm glides over her breast. With a firm squeeze to the soft mound under his hand Booth shifts to lean over her, her leg wrapping around his waist.
Their lovemaking the night before had been hot and fierce with despair hinting around the edges, both filled with thoughts of what will be missing in the coming months. But this is a direct contrast to that. Instead of demanding kisses and rough hands, there are softly meeting lips and gentle touches. Where the room was filled with grunts of possessive yells of 'more', it is now filled with quiet gasps and sighs. The worries and premature longing are temporarily gone; each thought focused solely on the other and the wonderful sensations as they tumble around the bed.
Brennan arches her back, eyes rolling back in ecstasy as his hot mouth settles at her breast, a hand delving between her thighs. Her nails rake over the smooth muscle of his back, her other hand sliding past his love bite covered chest to stroke his throbbing shaft. At her touch Booth instantly breaks away from her chest, claiming her mouth instead. Their hands entwine as Booth connects them with a deep thrust, swallowing her moan.
Breaths short, Brennan breaks her lips away, freeing her limbs simply to cling to him tightly. Above her closed eyes Booth watches her face, leaning on his arms as he savors every shudder running through both their bodies. He leans down to gently suck her bottom lip and her eyes open languidly, the blue pools glazed and darkened by pleasure. Drowning in that gaze, Booth starts to quicken his movements, bringing Brennan with him towards the ultimate peak.
"Seeley!" she cries as they explode together, her fingers leaving little crescents on his back.
Booth kisses her shoulder as his heart slows, one hand running over Brennan's thigh in a calming caress. Still panting he rolls off, bringing her with him to snuggle into his side. Brennan leans over him, balancing herself on his chest. Her face is flushed from her passion and her eyes are as bright as her smile. Her hair cradling their faces, she leans down to kiss him lovingly. Booth raises his hands to brush back her hair, holding her face close after the short kiss. Slowly everything comes back to them, both knowing they only have a few hours left.
Booth wraps his arms around her tightly, settling her head under his chin and Brennan lets him.
B*B*B*B
"Would you like anything to drink, miss?"
"What?" distracted from her thoughts, Brennan looks up at the bubbly blonde.
"Would you like some soda or water?" the flight attendant asks kindly. Having been in this career for a few years she has learned to recognize that glazed distracted look: the blue eyed woman has left someone she loves.
"Water, please. Thank you."
Receiving the small bottle with a halfhearted smile of thanks, Brennan turns back towards the minuscule window. The warm glow of sun shifts through the thick sprinkle of clouds, the sky a backdrop of the clearest blue Brennan has ever seen. Soft voices float around her, idle chitchat that holds no interest to her. As she sips the cool water slips down her tight throat, pushing back the tears she keeps reminding herself she has no reason to shed.
With a shake of her head to dispel the unwanted emotions, she reaches down to her feet for her carryon bag, intending to reread her list of duties for the dig. The brown bag is filled almost bursting thanks to her caring, over-protective fiancé. Multiple boxes of raisins, bottles of water, pretzels, bananas and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich fight for space along with two thick folders inside the bag bought specially for this trip. In her quest for her folder her hands bump across the gifts given to her by the Hodgins couple. As if the little box and laminated cards were jewels, she pulls them out and smiles down at them fondly.
B*B*B*B
"Here you go, ma'am. Have a nice trip."
"Thank you," Brennan takes her passport and airline ticket from the extremely bored looking airport worker. She steps out of line to see Stires waiting for her a few steps away from the security check.
"Ready, Tempe?" he asks with an expectant grin, body tilted to the side by the weight of his carry-on bag. "We don't want to miss our flight."
"Yes. Um," her eyes travel past her professor to the gathering of her makeshift family and she doesn't even pause her steps as she continues walking, speaking over her shoulder. "I'll be a moment, Michael."
"You had me worried there for a second, Bren," Angela teases, though the barely controlled tears in her eyes betray her playful smile. "Thought you were going to leave us without a last goodbye."
"Well, you should have a little more faith in me," Brennan smiles, slipping her bag off her shoulders and onto a nearby seat.
Zack is the first to step forward, his hair badly in need of a new haircut and framing his still cherubic face. "This Eco-warrior look works for you."
Brennan glances at her best friend, knowing that the compliment originates from her rather than the young man in front of her. "Thank you, Zack."
"Will you give me updates on what you find?" Zack requests eagerly. "Only if you're allowed, of course."
"Absolutely." With surprisingly little awkwardness Brennan steps forward and gives him a hug. "I'll miss you Zack."
"I'll miss you too."
Zack steps back after the short hug, placing his hands in his pockets. Hodgins steps up next, looking a little anxious. In his hands are lamented cards on a metal ring that he flips through quickly as he speaks intently.
"Okay I made you this chart of all the poisonous reptiles and insects," he says seriously, concern radiating from his blue eyes. "What they look like, how to avoid them and what to do if you get stung or bitten."
Brennan takes the cards from the man who has been a brother to her for five years, smiling softly. "Thank you, Jack. I love you too."
"Wow," Hodgins says with wide eyes, laughing slightly. His friend just tilts her head so he nods, moving forward to hug her tightly. "Don't skimp on that repellant. I'll send more when you need it."
"Okay, Jack, come on," Angela says as she moves close, urging her husband away. "Stires is starting to look a little antsy."
"He can wait," Hodgins, Booth and Hank all say irritably; Brennan and Angela chuckle.
Angela faces her best friend, her metaphoric sister, and holds out small box. "Here. Open it on the plane."
"Ok. Thank you," Brennan takes it with a curious frown. "What is it?"
"Something to help pass the time on your flight. Or tune out any overly talkative professors," the artist smiles with an eyebrow lift.
"Ok," she smiles, gladly stepping into the hug and holding tightly. "Send me pictures of the baby bump progression."
"Try and stop me," Angela chuckles. "Also expect at least weekly wedding suggestions. I still kind of wish you'd let me get a head start on that for you."
"Sorry," Brennan laughs lightly.
Angela pulls back, holding the other woman by the shoulders, her damp eyes serious. "Take care of yourself."
"Always." With a final shoulder squeeze Angela steps aside and Brennan has a clear view of two pairs of similar brown eyes.
B*B*B*B
A body sinks into the spot next to her and she looks over. Stires settles comfortably in his seat, turning his head to smile at his student. He sighs in slight irritation at her slightly sad and lost eyes but hides it well. In a few days he'll use those emotions to finally get the voluptuous Temperance Brennan in his bed. He sees what she has in her hands and gestures towards them with his head, curious.
"What do you have?"
Brennan shrugs, stuffing the cards from Hodgins back into her bag and opening the box from Angela. "Gifts. From my friends."
"That's nice. Well, have you had a chance to look over the dig information?"
"Yes. I am…fully informed," Brennan says distractedly, looking down at the black iPod in her hands. Stires is clearly speaking to her but she ignores him, instead scrolls through the songs uploaded on her new iPod. Her smile grows as she continues through and she associates each song with a memory.
Mambo No. 5
Thuggish Ruggish Road
Sharp Dressed Man
Somebody to Love
Everything
Wannabe
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
"Tempe?"
Brennan looks up, dropping her silly grin as Stires frowns at her.
"I'm sorry. I'm…tired. I didn't get much sleep last night," she says with tight lips, not knowing how easily he sees through her lie. "What were you saying?"
Michael opens his mouth but the refreshment- bearing flight attendant has returned. While ordering a drink distracts him, Brennan puts in the ear buds and faces the window, settling comfortably in her seat as Cyndi Lauper belts out her anthem. She feels Michael shift next to her and risks a small glance out of the corner of her eye. He has his own earphones on and his head is tilted back, eyes closed. She knows she should feel guilty and disappointed in her lack of professional discipline but right at this moment she can't. Maybe she wasn't lying as she thought when she said she was tired.
The opening riff of a very familiar song drags forth the brilliant visual of Booth. As Foreigner sings in her ears of having fever of 103 Brennan's left hand, which feels so much lighter than it did only an hour before, reaches up to twist the metal chain hanging from her neck. This is the first time the chain has ever been worn by her though she has seen it everyday for almost five years.
B*B*B*B
Hank Booth smiles as Brennan takes a step towards him, holding out his arms.
"Come here, sweetheart." As his sturdy arms surround her Brennan closes her eyes, her senses soaking in as much of him as they can. "No crying. You'll be back before you know it."
Pulling away he holds her by the upper arms, his gaze tender and despite his previous command, watery. "I'm very proud of you, do you know that? Very proud."
She smiles and accepts his kiss to her cheek. Over his shoulder her eyes search through the passing crowd around her, hope pouring out. Even as Hank and the rest move aside to give some aspect of privacy she looks out, disappointment taking the place of hope.
"Russ probably didn't get the message, Bones," Booth says softly, standing close with his hands in his pockets. "He would be here if he did. He loves you."
"Yeah," she sighs, turning her attention to Booth. "Will…will you tell him…?"
"Yeah," Booth nods, brushing her cheek softly with the back of his hand.
She looks into his eyes and thoughts of her brother fades away. There is only them, only him and how much she loves. Not able to find the words to express what she feels so strongly she collides into him, her arms latching on to his warm body as tightly as she can. She concentrates on his heart beating against hers, of his lips kissing her head, so gently, showing how precious she is to him. She soaks up every detail, making it last, as it is the last embrace they will share for months.
"I want to get married in November," she says softly, moving so their faces are only inches apart. "Doesn't have to be this year but…November. Outside, with lots of trees."
"Okay," Booth smiles slightly, brushing her nose with his. "We'll become Mr. and Mrs. Booth under falling November leaves."
"I still haven't decided if I'm taking your name yet," Brennan says with a face, earning a chuckle and a whisper of a kiss.
"Doesn't matter. Bones, I…I got you something here." Eyes serious and almost pleading Booth pulls something out of his pocket. "I need you to wear it for me, ok?"
He holds up it up and Brennan blinks, brow creased. "It's your St. Christopher medallion."
"Yeah. Patron Saint of Travelers," Booth nods, looking down at the old metal for second. "It kept me safe. I'm counting on it doing the same for you."
"Okay," she agrees, smiling at his very obvious surprise. "What?"
"I just expected to have to persuade you a little more," he admits, not hiding his astonishment at all. "I mean, you don't believe in God and Heaven, let alone Saints."
"No I don't," she says definitely, looking into his eyes. "But you do."
He accepts her reasoning with a small smile. He places it over her head himself, following the path of her shoulders and arms down to her hands. Their fingers interlace, his gaze again intense with seriousness and worry.
"Listen Bones, you…you really got to be careful in that jungle, okay?"
"Booth, I'll be fine," she assures him. "I…I have to go."
"Okay. Come here."
Keeping one hand clenched with hers, Booth presses her back to hold her close. Their foreheads touch for a long moment; eyes closed before his lips find hers. Very slowly, savoring every second he deepens the kiss. She inhales his scent, just as he does hers, and tears rush forward into her throat. Her grip on his hands tightens almost painfully and their kiss is broken by her gasp. Eyes now open she presses her lips firmly to his, her free hand smoothing over his cheek.
"I love you," she says strongly.
"I know," Booth nods, somehow working up a smile, bringing up their joined hands for a quick kiss. "I love you, too."
With a sigh she turns around to her bag. Slipping it on her shoulder she smiles around at those who have bid her goodbye. She looks into Booth's chocolate eyes, for once executing a perfect whisper.
"Four months."
"Four months," he echoes just as softly.
She walks over to Stires, who silently leads the way into the security check line. Unable to resist Brennan looks back once more, straight into Booth's eyes. He smiles once more, giving a small wave that she returns. And with that, she turns around.
B*B*B*B
"Hot blooded! You're making me sing! Hot-blooded! For your sweet, sweet thing."
As the song fades out, Brennan slips the tip of her finger into her engagement ring hanging from the chain. She had placed it there shortly after take-off, when Michael had gone to the restroom. It is there that it will stay until she returns, safe from the dirt, rock and ancient remains. She has had it for such a short time but still her finger misses the weight. Feeling tears she shakes her head to dispel them. She must push her emotions back, to be professional. The song sounding through her ears is beautiful Irish flute and closing her eyes she allows the melody to soothe her.
Day one. One hundred and twenty left.
