Disclaimer: I do not own Bones.
Brennan sighed when Booth insisted on walking her to her apartment. She stood with her hands on her hips as he did a quick inspection to be sure Davis had not left any surprises. "Satisfied yet?"
"Bones, that nut job knew where you lived and you haven't been here in almost 48 hours. I just wanted to be sure you'd be safe." Booth couldn't help but smile. She was back to fighting with him. Always a good sign.
"What are you smiling about?"
"Nothing. You're just back to being you."
Brennan rolled her eyes. "See you Monday Booth."
"Breakfast at the diner?"
"Yep."
"See you then." Booth poked his head before Brennan had a chance to close it "Don't forget to lock the deadbolt."
Brennan put her palm on his forehead and pushed him out the door. Knowing he was listening in the hallway she made sure to throw the deadbolt. Turning around with a sigh she surveyed her apartment. Nothing had changed yet it seemed empty, colder somehow. You wanted to stay with Booth. Where had that thought come from? She mentally chided herself for such a ridiculous fantasy. After unpacking the small suitcase Brennan decided a long hot bath was definitely in order. She started the water then returned to her bedroom to change out of her clothes. After lighting a few candles and turning on the stereo Brennan slipped into the warm bath. Sighing in contentment she rested her head against the back of the tub, allowing the warm water to ease some of the tension from her body. She tried going over the case in her mind, wanting to determine if she could have picked up on anything earlier. Maybe something that would have saved Angel but her brain would not cooperate. Whenever she closed her eyes the only thing replaying in her memory was the night with Booth. How supportive, caring and plain wonderful he had been. Really no different than at any other time since she'd known him. Booth had taught her so much about people. She may never have gotten her family back if not for him. He opened her eyes to a world outside of the lab, beyond skeletons and death. Seeing him or even thinking about him cause a peculiar feeling to spread through her chest. There were times when he was in danger or when she thought he was dead that his absence cause an actual, physical pain. She didn't have a name for it. You love him. Where had that thought come from? I don't believe in love. That's only because you've never been in love before. Have I lost my mind? I'm sitting in the bathtub arguing with my subconscious. But maybe…I think I do. I think I love Booth. Now what?
No one could accuse Dr. Temperance Brennan of being passive. Once she decided on a course of action, good luck to anyone in her way. That was why, hours after her bathroom epiphany, she knocked on Booth's front door.
Booth groaned. Maybe if he ignored the knocking at his front door whoever it was would simply go away. He rolled over in bed, pulling a pillow up over his head. The knocking grew more insistent. He threw off the covers and sprung up out of bed. Whoever was knocking on his door at 1 in the morning would just have to deal with him opening the door in boxers. He checked the peephole, surprised and worried to see Bones standing on the other side. Without another thought to his attire he swung open the door.
"Bones are you okay?" concern evident in his voice.
Brennan stared in stunned silence for several seconds before answering. I knew he kept himself in good shape but wow…get a grip! "I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Oh I don't know. Maybe because you're knocking on my door at 1 in the morning?"
Brennan's face went blank. Stupid, stupid you didn't bother to check the time!? "I'm sorry…I didn't think. I'll talk to you later Booth." Brennan turned to go but Booth grabbed her arm and pulled her inside. He shut the door behind her.
"Bones it's okay you startled me is all." Booth wiped a hand down his face, coming more awake. "Go ahead into the living room. I'm going to grab a t-shirt." Booth was slipping a t-shirt over his head as he walked towards the living room "What's up Bones?"
"I needed to talk to you about something. It couldn't wait until Monday."
Her obvious nervousness started to worry him. "Did something happen after I left?"
Oh what a question! She thought to herself. "Not exactly. I was taking a bath…" she began.
Booth had a difficult time concentrating on the words coming out of her mouth. He couldn't quite move past the "taking a bath" and images of Bones, naked, in a bathtub were not what he needed right now. Suddenly something she said brought him crashing back to reality. The words were so softly spoken he wasn't sure he heard correctly. "I'm sorry Bones. Could you say that again?"
"I…uh…I said that…I may… that is I think…I think I love you." There. She'd said it. For the first time since she started speaking she managed to look at Booth. Even being a novice at reading people it was clear she had shocked him. "How do you feel?"
"You don't believe in love." Idiot! That's all you can think of to say? Tell her you love her too! Before she freaks and runs out the door.
"Yea, well the thing is…I was…I may have…"
"You were wrong?"
"I may have jumped to a conclusion." Booth grinned. That was as close to an admission of being wrong he would get out of Bones.
"You mean do I think I love you?" Brennan nodded. Booth stood, trying to appear thoughtful of the question. She was sitting on the arm of his sofa and at this moment Booth wished he weren't standing. It had turned in to quite the shocking night. "Then I would have to say no, I don't think so." Very quickly she stood and started to move away from him. Booth was much faster and pinned her back to her seat. "I know. Absolutely. I love you." He pulled her tight against him and kissed her.
Too breathless to continue Booth pulled back "Do you still think you love me?"
Brennan bit down on her lower lip to keep from smiling "It's a hypothesis I've been working on. I'm certain that a physical demonstration would solidify my findings."
Booth laughed as he allowed her to lead him towards his own room. At the doorway he stopped her. Wrapping his arms around her waist he kissed her again before saying "As long as we understand each other. This is not about biological urges or a release of dopamine. Right?" His manner was playful but Brennan understood the seriousness underneath.
Her blue eyes sparkled as she looked up at him "Absolutely."