Wicked Games Pt 2

Every time we have to say goodbye

I'm counting down until we say hello

Every touch is like the strongest drug

I don't know how much longer I can go

I never had something that I can't walk away from

But, girl, my self-control's so paralysed

When it comes to you, no, I ain't got no patience

There's something 'bout you girl I just can't fight

"Hi Sid," Brennan greeted the owner of Wong Fu's as she and Booth walked through the door. Their karaoke session in the car had broken the tension between them, improving both their moods. Booth was still humming 'Hot Blooded' under his breath as he walked into the restaurant.

Wong Fu's was a traditional Chinese restaurant with red lanterns hanging from the ceiling and Chinese writing covering the wall.

"Hey Tempe, how's it going?" Sid asked as he showed them to a booth.

"Can't complain, Sid," Brennan answered as she threw her jacket over the back of the booth before sliding in.

"I'll be back with your starters soon," Sid said as he disappeared into the kitchen.

Booth raised his brows, looking at Brennan. "Am I not allowed to look at the menu?"

Brennan laughed and shook her head, leaning her elbows on the table. "Nope. Sid has a special power, he knows what you want to eat."

Booth was sceptical about this. The guy barely even looked in his direction, how could he possibly know what Booth wants to eat? "Are you trying to poison me Bones?"

Brennan laughed again, Booth had never heard her laugh that much before. She wasn't someone who laughed a lot and he realised that he liked the sound of her laughter.

"I'm not trying to poison you. If I wanted to kill you I would have already. Just trust me on this."

Booth leaned back, still not entirely convinced, but he would trust her.

"So how does he do it?" Booth asked as Bones rearranged the salt and pepper shakers on the table.

"Do what?" She asked, looking up at him.

"Know what you want to eat."

"It's his super power," Bones shrugged. She wasn't normally someone who believed in superpowers, but she's seen what Sid could do. He always brought her what she was craving. Sometimes he brought her something she didn't even know she wanted. He knew his customers, and he knew what they liked. She stopped trying to look for a logical explanation a long time ago.

"If you could have any super power, what would it be?" Booth asked as a waitress put two beers on the table. He cracked one open, handing it to Bones before cracking the second one for himself.

Bones but her bottom lip, a small crease appearing between her eyes as she thought about. "Any super power I want?" She asked with a raised brow.

"Go crazy," Booth encouraged her, leaning back and watching her. He couldn't help but notice the small details about her, like how her skin glowed underneath the lanterns or how her hair fell down her shoulders. The red dress had stunned him, he wasn't expecting it, but he wouldn't be a man if he didn't admit that she was a damn attractive woman.

"I would like to be the president of the united states," she said matter-of-factly.

"What?" Booth was shocked by her answer. "That's not a superpower Bones."

"Of course it is," she countered. "The president has a lot of power."

"Come on Bones, a super power is like being super fast or having laser eyes or something like that," Booth argued, wondering what went on in her mind that made her think being president was a superpower.

"The president can protect tigers Booth," she shrugged as if that answer proved that the president was a superhero. "What he says, goes. I think that's a pretty valuable superpower to have."

There was no arguing with Bones. Booth just shook his head and chuckled. "So you have a thing for tigers then?"

"Tigers are beautiful creatures, Booth."

"Just like you." It slipped out before he could stop it. His mouth was functioning without consent from his brain. Her cheeks reddened and she looked down, a small smile spreading across her lips. Booth opened and closed his mouth like a goldfish, not sure if he should apologise for his compliment or just go with it. Luckily Sid saved the day by coming by with their starters. Booth perked up, he had almost forgotten how hungry he was. Now he just hoped that Sid's superpower worked.

Sid placed two plates of wontons on the table before disappearing back into the kitchen. Booth's mouth hung open for the second time that night.

"How did he know?" He was burning to know. He had been thinking about wontons since they walked in. "That's incredible."

"I told you, Sid has superpowers," Bones said as she grabbed a plate and a pair of chopsticks, digging in.

"I can't wait for the main course." Booth enjoyed his food, not as much as Aubrey, but he still enjoyed it.

"It should be interesting to see what he brings us," Brennan agreed as she took a bite of her wontons. She liked Wong Fu's because she didn't need to tell Sid her eating preferences. It was also a familiar place, somewhere she was comfortable. She didn't want to put too much pressure on Booth or herself by going someplace fancy. This wasn't a date, after all. They were just two friends getting dinner.

"This is great," Booth said as shovelled the wontons in. Brennan watched him as he ate, taking him in. She had seen so many sides of him — the lover, the businessman, the friend — in such a short time. She wondered how many other sides he was hiding. She hated talking about the past, it was behind her and there was no use in dwelling on it, but she wanted to know everything about this man sitting opposite her. She wanted to know where he grew up, what his favourite sandwich was, where he went to school. It was the small details that made people unique.

"Bones?" Booth was looking at her, chopsticks paused in mid air.

"Sorry," she apologised, realising that she may have been staring at him for too long. "Got lost in thought."

"What were you thinking about?" He inquired, finishing the last of his wontons.

She looked at him again, an uncertain look on her face. She understood people, to some extent. She didn't understand their emotions, but she understood their actions. Humans always behaved the same way. There was a pattern to their existence, primal urges were coded into their DNA. The need to succeed, to be accepted by society, to mate and have children, all of those things were programmed into humanity. He was a guarded man, which meant there was something in his past that made him put up walls. She knew this from experience, as her walls were almost as high as his.

"Have you ever been in love, Booth?" she asked, her head tilted to the side.

"That's an odd question." He took another sip of his beer, finishing it and indicating to the waitress to bring another round. Bones finished her wontons, pushing the plate away.

"Not really, I'm trying to get to know you."

"I think we know each other quite well," he winked at her and she couldn't help but shake her head at him.

"Physically, but not emotionally."

Booth didn't want to bring up Hannah or Rebecca, not while he was in the company of a woman who made him forget about both, but he knew he had to make an effort. She wanted to be friends, and he had to admit, so did he. Sometimes you had to give a little of yourself before you could get something back.

"I've been in love twice," Booth admitted. The waitress came by to clear the table and set down two new beers. "Both times it turned out I was wrong," his voice turned bitter on the last word.

"What happened?" she asked softly, not sure if he would tell her. It was clearly hard for him to open up, and she had the sneaking suspicion that both of those women broke his heart.

"I wanted to get married, they didn't. End of story," he shrugged, taking a swing of the beer. "What about you Bones? Ever loved anyone?"

She shrugged, playing with the label on the beer bottle. "I don't believe in love. People are temporary, why make permanent promises you know you're going to break?"

"You don't think there's someone out there who you're supposed to spend your life with?" Booth asked as he leaned across the table, his brown eyes looked black in the dim lighting.

"No, because one morning they'll wake up and decide they don't love you anymore. Why put yourself through that?" Brennan leaned across the table as well, her face a few inches away from his. Her eyes were like a storm, but Booth knew that beyond the storm were deep waters.

"Not everyone is your parents, Bones."

She shouldn't have been surprised that he knew about that. She couldn't erase police reports and newspaper articles.

"It's not about my parents."

Booth opened his mouth to say something else, but Sid came by again, putting their main course down.

"That's amazing," Booth marvelled. In front of him was a large bowl of Gong Bao Chicken. He had been craving chicken since yesterday and Sid had delivered. "I like this place, maybe I should get into the restaurant business."

Brennan kicked him under the table, giving him a pointed look.

"Ouch," he said automatically, though he hardly felt anything. "I'm kidding Bones."

"I'm just saying, leave Sid in peace," she started on her tofu, trying to ignore the shock that went through her when she kicked Booth. They were like magnets, they attracted each other, yet when they got too close one always pushed the other one away.

"Contrary to popular belief, I'm not a monster Bones," he told her as he took a bite of his chicken.

"I never thought you were Booth."

Hurt people hurt people. Angela had told her that once. She thought it applied perfectly to Booth.

"How can you still believe in love even after being in love twice and having it fail?" She was genuinely curious about it. How could he still be so open to love even after it hurt him?

"I just keep telling myself that they weren't the one."

"Your optimism is astounding."

"It's not optimism, it's faith."

Brennan snorted, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "You believe in God?" Brennan believed only in what she could see and what she could prove.

"Yes, I do Bones. I take it you don't?"

She shook her head. "It's just a myth, Booth. There's no such thing as a God. It's just a myth made up by humanity to make them feel less alone in the darkness."

Booth raised a brow. He respected other people's beliefs. Not everyone believed in God, and not everyone believed in God the way that he did, but the bitterness in Bones' tone made him think there was something more to her disbelief.

"Why don't you believe in God? Forget science and humanity. Why don't you believe?"

"Because if there were such a thing as a loving and merciful God, then he would have brought my parents back when I asked him to." She sat back, the pain visible on her face for a moment before she composed herself. She didn't mean to tell him that. It was too intimate, too personal. She had never told anyone that she spent weeks praying to God, asking him to just bring her mommy and daddy back. After she was put in the fourth foster home she gave up. Her parents weren't coming back and God was not going to help her. She had to help herself, so that's what she's been doing ever since.

Brennan had knocked the air out of Booth. He was not expecting that, and he wanted nothing more than to just pull her close to him. He knew how it felt to lose faith, he knew how it felt when it didn't seem like God was there for him. His face portrayed understanding, not pity, and for that Brennan was grateful.

"It was a long time ago Booth," she said softly, picking up her beer and taking a swing.

"I'm sorry, Bones."

"Don't be."

Alright, big guy, we should get you a taxi," Angela helped Sweets out onto the curb. She was impressed by the amount of alcohol he could take, but everyone reached their limits. Dinner was fun and she found that she really liked Sweets. He was young but easy to get along with and very bright. All she managed to get out of him was that he was madly in love with a woman who wouldn't even give him the time of day. She got nothing on Booth, so her mission failed, but at least she had fun.

"That was some potent wine," Sweets half slurred as he leaned against a lamp post, pressing his head against something cool. Wine was always his downfall. He could take the hard stuff, vodka, tequila, whatever, he would leave on his feet and not on his knees, but wine did funny things to him. He knew what Angela was doing, of course. She was completely out of his league and obviously in love with the curly haired bartender from The Lab — although she was slow to admit it. He knew she was fishing for information on Booth. It wasn't the first time a woman had tried to get to Booth through him. Alcohol made him talk a lot, but luckily it was a lot of nonsense. Still, he had fun with Angela.

She flagged a taxi down for him, holding the door open.

"You know, you're a really good actress," Sweets told her as he walked over to the taxi, holding on to the door for support.

"I am?" She asked, a puzzled look on her face.

Sweets nodded. "For a second I thought you weren't fishing for information on Booth."

Her face fell and her mouth dropped open. "You knew what I was doing?" She knew that Sweets was smart, but she didn't know he had ESP. She thought she was being subtle enough that he wouldn't notice, but apparently, she was wrong.

"Yes, it's not my first rodeo, you know," he gave her a sloppy wink and she couldn't help but laugh. "You did it really well, though," Sweets added as he swayed a little.

"Well, kudos to you for surviving that," she smiled.

"Something tells me you were holding back a bit," Sweets raised an eyebrow at her. Angela shrugged, putting Sweets' car keys into his breast pocket. She was not about to let him drive home. He could come back tomorrow to get his car and she would take a taxi back to the club.

"Where did you get that degree in psychology Dr Sweets?"

"Same place you got that degree in sarcasm Dr Montenegro."

He was right of course, she was holding back. She would have flirted much more aggressively, touched his arm, rubbed his leg under the table, hell maybe she would have slept with him, but she just didn't have the heart.

"It's because of Curly, right?" Sweets asked as he sat down. Angela closed the door behind him, paying the cab driver for the trip back to his hotel. He rolled down the window, leaning out.

"It's not because of Curl— I mean Hodgins." She shook her head as the cab started to pull away.

"Do you want my advice?" Sweets asked.

"Not really!" Angela called back, giving him a wave.

"Just tell him you love him!" Sweets called as the taxi rounded a corner and disappeared. Angela laughed, shaking her head and pocketing her hands.

It wasn't a bad night and she had fun with Sweets. Angela could see why Booth employed him, he was smart and observant. She walked back to Sweets' car, making sure the meter was fed until the next morning. She didn't want the car getting towed. She flagged down a taxi, getting in.

At first, she hesitated, did she really want to go back to The Lab now? It was a little past ten, things would not be in full swing yet. If she didn't go back to The Lab Hodgins would probably assume that she went home with Sweets. She had half a mind to let him suffer, but in the end, she couldn't hurt Hodgins like that.

"The Lab please," she told the driver before sitting back. Was Sweets right? Should she just tell Hodgins?

I gave him an opening, what more does he want? She asked herself as the road flew by. No, she would not tell him how she felt. He walked away, she was not about to run after him. Angela Montenegro did not run after men.

"You served?" Brennan asked as she ate the last of her ice cream. Things had gotten a little intense during the main course, but Booth had broken the tension by showing her a novelty pen he got at a convention. If you clicked the pen, the lady's clothes disappeared, and if you clicked it again they reappeared. Brennan had laughed so hard beer almost came out of her nose. Booth liked a woman who could laugh at a dirty joke or picture. They talked about a few things here and there, how Booth was raised by his grandfather and how Brennan met Angela at school. Eventually, they got to Booth's time in the army.

He nodded, finishing his third beer. "Three tours in Iraq."

"What did you do in the army?"

"That's classified Bones," he smirked at her, giving her a wink. He did not want to get into his days as a sniper right now, not when she was actually starting to like him. It was easy being with her, they argued, they laughed, she challenged him. She was a brilliant woman and anyone would be lucky to have her.

"That's not fair." He could have sworn she pouted, but it could have just been a trick of the light.

"Not tonight Bones," he told her, looking at his watch. The restaurant was almost empty and it was nearing eleven. They spent the whole evening talking, which was a good step in the right direction. They could be friends, it was indeed possible, and that prospect made Booth smile. "We should get going, it's getting late."

Brennan agreed. The fatigue of the day was gaining on her and she suppressed a yawn. She had a great night and was happy to discover that she and Booth had things in common other than being good in bed.

Booth picked up the cheque before Brennan could protest, and honestly, she was too tired to argue.

"Now I owe you two dinners Booth," she mumbled as he held his hand for her to take.

"I'm sure my wallet can handle it Bones," he couldn't help but notice how easily her hand fit into his. He helped her out of the booth and to her feet. He grabbed her jacket, holding it out for her to get into. He waved goodbye to Sid, his hand on her lower back as they walked out of the restaurant. Brennan's skin tingled, feeling the warmth of his hand against her back. The attraction was there, it was always there, but when he touched her it sparked. She couldn't help but lean into him as they walked to the car. He opened the door for her and she slid in, buckling up.

The drive back to her apartment passed in comfortable silence. The whole week had drained her. She couldn't remember the last time she had gotten a proper night's sleep. She was supposed to go back to The Lab, but she just didn't have it in her anymore. She was too tired to get behind the bar, they would just have to manage without her for tonight.

Booth looked over at her, smiling slightly as she watched her sleep. She had nodded off without any warning, her head leaning against the headrest. She looked so peaceful in her sleep. All her defences fell away. Booth admired the curve of her cheeks, they way her eyelashes framed her eyes. Her skin looked like honey in the passing streetlights and he had to tell himself to keep his eyes on the road. She was so beautiful that it hurt. She was beautiful and intelligent and funny and she wanted to be president just to save the tigers. He didn't know what to do with himself anymore. Know that he knew her better he just couldn't stay away. He reached over, pushing a strand of hair out of her face. He pulled up to her apartment, getting out and walking over to her side.

"Bones," Booth's fingers were gently tracing her cheek. She opened her eyes, looking up into warm chocolate brown ones. She sat up straight, not understanding why she was so groggy.

"Did I fall asleep?" She asked him. She could have sworn she just blinked and suddenly they were in front of her apartment.

Booth chuckled, helping her out of the car. "Yes, you did. It was nice to finally have some peace and quiet," he teased her as he closed the door behind her.

"Shut up Booth," she said, her mind not able to come up with a witty comeback. She fished her keys out of her jacket, unlocking the front door. She turned around, her breath catching in her throat when she came face to face with Booth. He was standing way too close to her, his eyes looking right through her.

"That's the best you could come up with?" He asked softly, the corner of his mouth pulled up into a smile.

He was a handsome man, but she didn't see his physical features anymore. She saw someone she could confide in, someone she could be safe with, and it scared the crap out of her.

"Goodnight Booth." Her voice was barely a whisper as she stood on the tips of her toes to kiss his cheek. She lingered a few seconds too long, reaching behind her and opening the door. She stepped inside, closing it behind her and leaning against it.

She let out a breath, her heart beating so hard in her chest she was afraid it was going to crack a rib.

What was Booth doing to her? Why couldn't she just stay away from him?

She stood against the door, taking a few deep breaths as her heart and her head fought a bloody battle.

Oh, who are we kidding? She thought to herself, her heart winning once again. She turned around, grabbing the door handle and pulling the door open.

Her heart leapt when she saw him. He was standing exactly where she left him, his hands in his pockets and his head bent down.

It snapped up when he heard the door open, his eyes meeting hers. They were on fire, telling her everything she needed to know without using words. He walked into her apartment, closing the door behind her before walking right up to her. There was no hesitation, just the fire that was always between them. His hands cupped her face as he lowered his head down to hers. His lips caught hers in a slow, burning kiss that made her toes curl. She melted into him, the only thought in her mind was how good it felt to be in his arms again. She had been craving it since he left her office that afternoon and she was glad that he felt the same.

His lips moved with hers, slow and rough and filled with so many unspoken things. Her hands went to his shoulders, pushing his jacket off. There was no rush this time, just a slow burning fire that consumed both of them.

"Bones…" he breathed against her lips, pulling back slightly to look at her. She opened her eyes, looking up at him. What were they doing?

"Come on," she stepped back, holding her hand out for him to take.

He took it without hesitation, following her into her bedroom. He didn't get a very good look at her room the last time he was here. It was barer than the rest of the house.

"Unzip me?" She asked, lifting her hair up. He stepped closer to her, zipping down the red dress and leaving a trail of kisses down her bare back. A sigh escaped her lips as her head fell back. Booth pushed the dress to the floor, his lips on her bare shoulder.

"Closet?" He asked and she nodded. He headed for the closet, opening it up and grabbing an oversized t-shirt from the top of the pile. He walked back to her, pulling the shirt over her head. She turned around, leaning up on her toes and kissing him again. Her hands went to his belt, undoing it before pushing his pants down. Booth kicked off his shoes, keeping his socks on, and kicking off his pants as well. Brennan helped him get out of his shirt, throwing it to the side before leaving a few kisses on his chest.

She turned around, climbing into bed. Booth followed her, climbing in next to her before pulling her into him. He buried his face in her neck as she switched off the lights, forgetting everything but the woman in his arms for the next few hours.

Don't hate me. Uni really has me by the balls, and I promise you will have an update every week, just don't expect one every day, cause I gotta study. Hope you guys liked it, there were a few ways this chapter could go, but I think the end was really powerful. Let me know what you think!