Chapter 14

Wednesday

12:12 AM

With the sun shining brightly above him, Booth rolled down his car window to let in some fresh air. The temperature was lingering just above seventy. It was one of those perfect days. Booth made a mental note to leave work early, grab Brennan, and spend some time outside while they could. There wouldn't be too many nice days left before the cold weather hit. Of course Booth knew he would only be able to get out of work early if he could get his errand done quickly and get back to work in time to finish everything he needed to do. He still had to look over the most recent report Hodgins had sent him about the maggots found on the first body found in the woods, not to mention he had a call to make to check a suspect's alibi. Even though he knew he had a lot to do, he needed to run his errand. It was important to him.

Booth pulled off the highway and, after a few more minutes of driving, he turned onto a densely populated side street. Booth pulled his car in front of the familiar apartment building. It was run-down with peeling paint and an overgrown lawn. Every time Booth saw it, it looked worse. Somehow, though, it was incredibly appropriate for who lived there.

Booth put the car in park and turned off the engine. He glanced up to look at the third story window. The window was open. That was a good sign. Booth hadn't bothered to call so he didn't even know if who he was looking for was even there. Booth took a deep breath. Even with the cool air coming in from the open window, he was beginning to sweat. He didn't know why he was so nervous.

As Booth reached for the door handle to open the door, his cell phone rang. He dug into his jacket pocket and took out his phone. He looked at the caller ID and smiled.

"Bones?" he said, drawing out her name.

"I have some new evidence on our case."

"Oh?"

"Based on the trajectory of the shots, we have determined that the shooter of our second body was between five foot nine and five foot eleven, which may narrow down your list of suspects," Brennan said.

"That will be useful."

"Angela has also created a reconstruction of the shooting. The shot came from several hundred yards away and considering the denseness of the trees, we are most likely looking at a hunting accident. Sweets suggested that the person who pulled the trigger most likely did not know the victim. Based on the bullets found in the body, Hodgins has determined that the weapon was a Marlin M444 5-shot rifle. I…"

"What are you wearing?" Booth interrupted with a smirk on his face. There was something about squint talk that never failed to excite him. And whenever Brennan talked about guns, it made him even more excited.

"What?"

"What are you wearing?"

"I don't see how that's relevant."

"Come on, Bones, just play along."

"You saw me this morning before I left for work. Logically, you should be able to conclude that I am wearing the same thing."

"Are you wearing your lab coat? Or one of those blue jumpsuits?"

"Why would I be wearing my jumpsuit when I am sitting in my office? You know I only wear those to crime scenes to keep from contaminating the evidence and to keep myself from getting…"

"You're no fun, you know that, Bones?"

"What part of this is fun?"

"Never mind."

"Would you like me to send you the reports or should I bring them to the diner when we meet for lunch?"

Booth looked down at his watch. He had been so all-consumed with the errand he needed to run, he had completely forgotten about their lunch plans.

"E-mail them to me," Booth answered.

A car drove by blasting loud rap music. Booth tried to quickly roll up his window, but he wasn't fast enough. He was supposed to be sitting at his desk working. He only hoped Brennan hadn't heard the noise through the phone.

"What was that?"

"What was what?" Booth asked.

"That noise. It sounded like music. Where are you, Booth?"
"Uh…nowhere."

"Are you at work?"

"Ah…" Booth couldn't think of what to tell her. He was never a good liar when it came to her.

"Because it doesn't sound like you're in your office."

"I'm not."

"Then where are you?"

"I'm…ah…driving."

"Isn't it a little early to be heading to the diner? I thought we said we'd meet at one."

"We did," Booth said. He sighed. "Look, Bones, I'm not on my way to the diner. I'm sorry, but I'm not going to be able to make it to lunch."

"Did you get a lead on the case?"

"Not exactly."

"What's going on?"

"I'll…I'll tell you tonight." Booth only hoped he would have good news to tell her. "Speaking of tonight, I was thinking it's such a nice day that we could sightsee."

"Sightsee?"

"Yeah, you know grab some bad food from some bad street vendor and take a walk around the monuments after work."

"Sightseeing implies that you are seeing something that you don't see often. We see the monuments every day, Booth."

"Not on a night like this. Come on, it's a beautiful day."

"We're in the middle of a case."

"That doesn't mean we can't take a few hours off to enjoy ourselves."

"Although I agree that we do deserve a night off, why would you want to spend that night off eating food that you described as being bad?"

"Because eating bad food is part of the fun of DC. Come on, Bones. It'll be fun. What do you say?"

"Although I don't see how what you have described as being fun, I will accompany you."

"Good. I'll take a look at your reports and swing by the Jeffersonian to pick you up later."

"Are you sure you don't need my help with whatever you're doing, Booth?"

"No. I'll see you later. I love you, Bones."

Booth hung up the phone and put it back in his pocket. He couldn't help but start processing some of the information Brennan had given him. They had already run a list of hunters who had permits for the area. Booth made a note to go back through the list and take off anyone who wasn't between five foot nine and five foot eleven. He sat in the car for nearly five minutes going over the new evidence when he remembered why he was sitting in the car in the first place.

With his palms beginning to sweat once more, Booth opened the door and got out of the car. He walked up the broken cement walkway to the front door. He stopped at the door and looked at the six different last names next to the door with a doorbell below each name. He hit the correct one and waited.

"Yeah?"

Booth heard the shout. He backed up a few steps and looked up at the open third story window. Brennan's father was poking his head out the window, looking at Booth.

"Hey Max," Booth said.

"Booth, what a surprise. Is Temperance with you?"

"No."

"Is she ok?" Max asked with panic in his voice.

"She's fine."

"Are you here to arrest me? Because I assure you, whatever you think I've done, I didn't do it."

"I'm not here to arrest you, Max. Can we talk?"

"Sure. I'd…ah…buzz you up, but it's broken." Max poked his head back in the room and looked around. He looked back out the window at Booth. "I'll come down there."

Max disappeared. Booth knew his apartment was most likely a mess and that's why he didn't invite Booth up. He couldn't understand how a father and daughter could be so different. Booth stood with his hands on his hips, waiting for Max, trying to keep his breathing under control. Within a minute, the door opened and Max appeared. Booth reached out and shook his hand.

"I know I should have called but I was in the neighborhood so I thought I'd drop by," Booth said.

"In the neighborhood?"

"Well, about twenty miles from the neighborhood."

"You ok, Booth? You seem nervous."

"Everything's fine."

"You're sure Temperance is ok?"

"She's fine, Max. I just talked to her."

"So, why the visit? Not that I'm not happy to see you, Booth, but when you stop by to see me unannounced, it makes me think you're trying to charge me with some crime."

"I told you I'm not here to arrest you. I…I have something to ask you."

"Ok, shoot."

Booth took a moment to compose his thoughts. He had practiced what he was going to say, but suddenly couldn't remember any of it. No matter how old he was, talking to his girlfriend's father was never an easy thing.

"You know I love Bones very much," he finally said.

"Yeah, took you two long enough to figure that out."

"Why does everyone always bring that up?"

"Because it's the truth. Temperance had to come close to death for you two to…"

"I get it," Booth said, cutting him off. He did not like to think about the fact that he almost lost her. "I love Bones. I would do anything for her. I'd kill for her. I'd die for her.

"I know that."

"I came here to ask you…I…I would like your permission to marry your daughter."

Max raised his eyebrows, completely shocked. Booth expected him to say something. Instead, Max began laughing out loud. He put his hand on Booth's shoulder.

"Good luck with that, son," he said through his continued laughter.

"That's it? That's all you have to say?"

"I know my daughter, Booth. As much as it pains a father to say it, my daughter is not the marrying kind. You wasted a trip out here. I know you and Temperance love each other. I'm as happy as anyone that you two are together, but as I said...good luck."

Max began walking back towards the apartment building, still chuckling.

"She already said yes," Booth said.

Max stopped dead and turned around.

"What?"

"I already asked her and she said yes."

"My Temperance?" Booth nodded. "You proposed to Temperance and she said yes?"

"Yes."

Max shook his head in disbelief. "Wow. My daughter, getting married. I can't believe it." As the information sunk in, Max wiped a tear from his eyes. He looked down at the ground, trying to hide his emotions from Booth. It took a lot to make Max cry. He was a hardened man, but thinking about seeing his daughter walk down the aisle brought tears to his eyes.

"Does that mean I have your permission?" Booth asked.

Max collected himself and looked back up at Booth.

"Yes, of course. Of course you do. But why…why did you come here to ask my permission if you already asked her?" Max asked.

"Because I knew if I asked you first and Bones found out, she'd use one of her kung-fu moves on me and break my nose."

Max nodded. "You know her well."

"Yes, I do."

Max outstretched his right hand. Booth shook his hand.

"You're a good man, Booth. I couldn't have asked for anyone better for my daughter. I'm happy for you both."

"Thank you." Booth glanced down at his watch. "I…ah…I gotta get back to work. We're in the middle of this big case."

"Of course. I know we haven't always seen eye to eye, but I wanted to say thanks. Thank you for coming here to…ask me. It means a lot."

Booth nodded. "You're welcome." Booth began to walk towards his car.

"Oh, and Booth?" Booth turned. "If you hurt her, I'll kill you."

"I wouldn't expect anything less."

Booth got into his car, smiling.

7:41 PM

The sun was gone by the time Booth and Brennan strolled past the Washington Monument. The temperature was still holding in the mid sixties, making it cool, but comfortable. Booth shoved the last bite of his foot long hotdog into his mouth. Brennan rolled her eyes at him. She picked at her half-eaten salad, not really interested in finishing it.

"I can't believe you picked a salad," Booth said.

"I don't eat meat."

"Yeah, but a salad from a street vendor? Who does that?"

"I don't know why we couldn't go to a restaurant for dinner."

"Because it's DC and it's a beautiful night. You don't go to a restaurant on a nice night."

"That doesn't make sense."

"You're right, but I don't care."

Booth pressed his lips against hers. He let himself indulge in it for a minute before pulling away. It felt good kissing her in public. They continued to walk. Brennan threw the rest of her salad away in a nearby garbage. Booth reached for her hand. They walked together towards the Lincoln Memorial.

"So, are you ever going to tell me where you were today?" Brennan asked.

Booth nodded. He knew it was time to tell her the truth.

"I went to see your father."

"What? Why? You don't think he had anything to do with our case, do you because my father hasn't…"

Booth stopped walking. He took her other hand in his.

"No, Bones. I don't suspect your father of anything. I went there to ask him something."

"Ask him what?"

"I went there to ask him for his permission to marry you. I know you don't believe in tradition and I know the whole significance behind a man asking his potential fiance's father his permission to marry is probably sexist and old-fashioned, but I needed to do this, Bones. Even though you already said yes, I needed to know that I had his blessing."

"And did he give it to you?"

"Yes."

"Good."

Brennan continued to walk the familiar path towards the Lincoln Memorial. Booth was right, it was a perfect night for a walk. Stunned, Booth stood still for a minute. Her reaction wasn't exactly what he had expected. He ran to catch up with her.

"That's it? That's all you're going to say."

"I may not understand all the traditions associated with marriage, Booth, but this was obviously important to you. Therefore, I am glad he approved."

"Me too."

"What would you have done if he hadn't approved?"

"What?"

"If my father hadn't given you his blessing. What would you have done?"

"I hadn't really thought about it. I knew he'd say yes."

"You couldn't have known that."

"Yes I did."

"How?"

"Because from the moment I met your father, he wanted us to get together. Your father loves me."

"You've arrested my father on several occasions. I don't think he loves you."

"You're right. Do you love me?" He asked.

"Why are you asking me a question you already know the answer to?"

"Because I like to hear you say it."

Brennan stopped. She turned to face Booth.

"You know I love you."

"Good."

"Do you love me?"

"Why are you asking me a question you already know the answer to?" Booth teased.

"Because I like to hear you say it."

He leaned in close to her. His lips were barely inches from hers. "I love you."

Brennan pulled on the lapels of his shirt and kissed him hard. He reciprocated with equal ferocity. They were standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial, lost in each other. Brennan's hand twisted in Booth's hair. His hand traveled down her back.

"Get a room," somebody mumbled as he passed by.

Slowly, they pulled apart. Brennan's cheeks were flushed, but she had a big smile on her face.

"What? Why are you smiling?" Booth asked.

"Because I know what that person meant."

"Oh yeah?"

"He believes we are in an inappropriate place to be sharing such physical intimacy and that we should go somewhere where no one else can see us."

"That is correct."

"Do you know how I knew what he meant?" Booth didn't answer. "Don't you remember, Booth?"

Booth nodded. "I remember." He looked back at the memorial. "We were standing right there. I told you I loved you."

"And I told you that I was willing to take the risk to be your partner."

"And then we kissed," Booth said.

"And then we kissed," Brennan repeated.

"And somebody told us to get a room."

"I wasn't ready then for that, but I do believe I am more than ready now."

"Oh yeah?"

Brennan pressed her lips against his once more. Booth wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Yes. Let's get a room, Booth."

"As you wish."

He practically devoured her, no longer cared about the beautiful night or the sights of DC. All he cared about was the woman in his arms and getting her home before they both exploded.

Author's Note: Ok, so this chapter was totally unplanned. I've had this story finished for a while now, but when I went to go back and re-read what I thought was going to be chapter 14, I realized that the story was missing something. So, I decided to add a totally new chapter and this was the result. In case you didn't know (or remember), the last scene was in reference to the second to last chapter from My Girl. I hope you liked it. Chapter 15 should be up soon!