Disclaimer: They're not mine; I just borrowed them for some super writing fun! I promise to return them when I'm finished. No infringement intended.

When I saw Bones get up and start heading for the door, my only conscious thought was to stop her. I was afraid, more than anything that she was going to disappear again. That was the last thing I wanted. Why had I been so stupid and inquired about the reasoning for asking my son that question? For a fleeting moment, a part of me secretly hoped that she asked him because she had changed her mind on the idea of getting married someday. Another, more rational part of my brain told me that it may have been her trying to find out if my son would accept her into our lives in a more intimate way.

"Booth, I'm tired. I really should go home and get some rest. It's been a long day." She was trying to escape, but I wasn't going to let her.

"Please, Temperance… at least sit and talk to me for a few minutes before you go. I wasn't trying to upset you with my question." I gave her an apologetic smile.

"I know. It's just…" She sighed and walked back to the couch to sit down. Plopping herself down on the sofa she continued, "Part of me was afraid that if we explored a relationship, Parker wouldn't approve. He's your son, and he's your first priority. If he didn't approve of a relationship between us, then how could things work between us? Parker surprised me by asking…"

I put my finger over her lips to quiet her. "I know what he asked you. I was standing in the doorway. I understand now, no need to explain any further." I flashed her my most charming smile. "Now, what's this 'school thing' you told Parker you were going to talk to me about?"

"Oh… he informed me at lunch this afternoon that he wishes to remain at his current school. He'd be so devastated if he lost all his friends and had to make new ones. So, I promised him I'd talk to you about it, but ultimately the decision was yours."

I brushed a strand of stray hair behind her ear. "It's kind of far to have to take him every day."

"I know, I could help out with that if you'd like… I mean I have plenty of money I could pay for…"

I interrupted her, "No… Bones, I'm not even going to accept money or anything like that from you."

She smiled at me. "Well, another option would be for you to move closer to his school." I contemplated this for a moment. Moving closer to his school would consequently move me closer to Bones' apartment. A grin spread across my face. "What?" She asked and arched her eyebrow at me.

"Nothing, Bones. I'll consider it. For now he'll remain there since it's so close to the end of the school year, but I'll have to think on it over the summer and see if I can come up with any other ideas." I pulled her back up to stand in front of me, and then pulled her into my arms. I buried my face into her hair at her neck. "Thanks… for everything. I loved seeing the bonding between the two of you today. The two most important people in my life deserve a special bond with each other."

"I'm just glad I could help keep his mind off things." I felt her kiss the top of my head as she pulled away.

"We really need to talk about things… about us…" I wasn't sure what I was doing; I didn't really plan anything out on how I was going to talk to her. One thing was for sure, there was an elephant in the room, and it needed to be addressed. "Where do we stand?"

She looked down at her hands and said in almost a whisper, "I don't know, Booth. All of these emotions are so new to me, I'm not sure I'm capable of handling this situation in the proper manner. As I told you before you left… I can't change. I don't know how."

I lifted her chin, urging her to look at me. "Bones, that is the furthest thing from the truth. You have changed so much in the time I've known you. You're starting to catch onto a lot of the pop culture I've been exposing you to. I've seen so many changes in the way you address people. And your skills with children have certainly improved. Today was a perfect example. Besides, Parker loves you to death."

"But I'm not dying…" I shook my head at her. "Oh, you don't mean literally… but how do you know he loves me as much as your phrase implies?" She looked at me questioningly.

"Because, Bones, that much was evident. The way he responded when you asked him if he'd approve of us getting married, expressed that and more." I couldn't take it anymore… I was a gambler, I couldn't help it. It was something I had wanted to do ever since I saw her at the reflecting pool when we returned home from our journeys. I pulled her face to me and kissed her with all the love and passion that existed within me. I was shocked when she didn't pull away, but responded to my kiss with her own passion. I was even more surprised when I felt her arms snake up around my neck to pull me closer. I smiled into the kiss and wrapped my arms around her and held her tightly to me. After a moment of our heated kissing, I had to pull away to catch my breath. That was the most earth-shattering experience of my life. The feel of her soft lips on mine was enough to drive me mad.

She looked at me, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. I gazed back at her expectantly. Waiting for her reaction to what I had just done. I felt the corners of my mouth turn up into a smile when she flashed me a bashful smile of her own.

A/N: I had way too much fun with this chapter, as you can tell… . Your patience in my heart breaking plot twists has paid it's reward! I hope you all enjoyed the first peek into what things may turn out like for them! PLEASE I really want LOTS of review on this chapter! Love it or hate it? Are there any unanswered questions thus far that I should address? Are there anymore elephants in the room? *ninjas*