No, this isn't the last chapter - there will be one more after this. So, enjoy, and I hope you like it!

EVE

Watching scientists scuttle about was like watching ants carry food back to their home – it was chaos, but somehow, everything got done. Booth strode among the Blue-Coats, deftly avoiding collisions with a few over-zealous interns. Man, it never looks like this at the office…thank God. Thoughtfully, he propped a very old-looking spear back against the wall, saving it from a damaging trip to the floor. Seeley Booth, Super Agent to the rescue…

When he finally reached her door, he paused, leaning against the jamb as he so often did. Temperance-watching seemed to be his favorite new hobby. He laughed at himself, recognizing the weakness, but embracing it all the same. I may be completely gone, but at least I have her now. Thank God… When it became evident that she was completely absorbed in her work, he decided to interrupt. "I really hope you're done…"

She looked up quickly, caught unaware. "Booth!" Gone were the blank expressions, the guarded demeanor. When she saw him, she glowed, and her eyes sparked happily. Haphazardly tapping computer keys, she closed the file and leaned back, smiling at him. "Where have you been? It's already seven-thirty; I've been waiting for you."

Thinking to himself that it was a damn shame that the Jeffersonian wasn't empty right now, he enjoyed her open response. It was amazing, what a few months of being together – really together - had done for her She didn't even care who might see her reaction to him. "Oh really?" He lifted one brow, adding just enough innuendo that she colored slightly.

"Not like that, Booth!" When his face fell, she smiled again and waved her hand, gesturing to him. "Come in, I have the results on the case file you gave me." He sat, and she thumbed through the manila folder on the top of her pile. "As you initially suspected, we confirmed the deceased is indeed Evelynne Walstone, age 75."

He sighed impatiently. "Bones, I told you that was who it was. We found her in her own house, after all. The only reason we're even investigating this is at the request of The Department of Defense. Apparently, some bigwig at DOD is Mrs. Walstone's son, and he pulled some strings to get the FBI involved. It's pretty much a no-brainer of a case." He saw the familiar – and occasionally dreaded – obstinate look on her face, and rolled his eyes. "What?"

She adopted her best lecturing tone, knowing her superior manner would annoy him. She just couldn't resist. "Booth, you should know by now not to assume anything. It could have been anyone in that house."

"Except it wasn't, was it?" A large and very irritating grin spread on his face.

She pursed her lips and frowned at him. "Not this time. Cause of death was –"

"A fall, right? We found her at the bottom of the stairs."

"No, the fall was not fatal." Unable to help herself, she smirked at him. At his impatient glare, she relented. "Based on Dr. Saroyan's examination of the remaining tissue, victim suffered a massive heart attack, which caused her to lose consciousness, at which time she fell, causing the secondary injuries. She would have expired within minutes."

"Any idea how long she's been dead?"

"Based on the extent of decomposition, the victim most likely died at least two months ago. Our official report will list death due to natural causes." She flipped the file closed, placing it in her outbox. "Do you have to report to them tonight?"

"It's not mine to report, actually. Mr. Walstone is a friend of Cullen's, so I'll just call Cullen on the way home and fill him in – he wanted to talk to the guy personally." He clapped his hands together, abruptly closing the subject. "So – we can get out of here? ' Cause I am starving! What do you want to eat – Chinese? Italian?"

"Booth, I have so much work to do. I can't just leave…" She saw that her plea was not swaying him, and tried another tactic. "If I go home now, I'll never be able to relax. I'll keep thinking about work..." She broke off and stared at him. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

A confident chuckle rumbled up from his chest, and he smiled, easily, broadly, as he settled back comfortably in his seat. "Oh, I think I'll be able to help you relax, Bones." His eyes narrowed. "Shall I tell you how?"

Suddenly, the room seemed overly warm, and she just barely resisted fanning herself. A familiar clutching feeling started in her stomach. "Booth!" Hoping to throw him off-balance, she planted her hands on her desk and, standing, leaned forward. A very female feeling of satisfaction hit her as she watched his gaze drop, intensify. "Don't be silly. I have to get a couple files done, and I should be able to leave after that. I'll need another hour – Booth, are you listening?" His eyes rose to hers, and she fought a smile as she realized that her provocative movement had completely distracted him. "You weren't even listening to me!"

"Well, what do you expect, when you wear all those low-cut blousy things?" He held his hands out in front of him, mimicking the shape of an hourglass. "'Cause, you know, you're built like a –"

Her eyes widened. "Booth!" Unable to outmaneuver him verbally, she crossed her arms and stuck her tongue out at him in frustration.

Although his eyes fired greedily, he remained unfazed. He pinned her with a sizzling, direct stare and smiled slowly. "Don't stick your tongue out unless you're planning on using it."

Her entire body vibrated; she couldn't control it. She began to breathe more quickly. "You shouldn't say things like that at work."

He smiled wider at her breathless words. "Oh? Why not?"

"Because anyone could walk in! What would they think?" She glanced at the door, half expecting to see the entire lab staff eavesdropping.

"Well, I imagine they'd think that we're romantically involved – which we are, so what's the problem? It's not like it's a secret anymore…" He sat back, greatly enjoying the fact that he'd completely flustered her. It was not easy to flummox Temperance Brennan.

Her heart was thumping erratically, shooting blood straight to her cheeks. She exhaled shakily, searching desperately for her normally calm demeanor. "I know, but…well, it's just not something you should say in the workplace. It's not professional."

"So, come with me, and I'll say it to you again – and more. I promise…" Letting his body language do the talking, he watched her tremble, then drop back into her chair. "Changing your mind, Bones?" The nerves and heat kept swirling in her eyes until he began to be affected. "You keep looking at me that way, we're gonna have a problem."

"What? Why?" Her stomach was trembling at the tone in his voice, the promise in his eyes. One look – one look from him, and she was reduced to a quivering mess.

"Well, I imagine there are certain things that shouldn't be done in the workplace, either." Outrageously pleased, he watched the awareness settle on her face, saw her pulse throb in her throat. He prayed she didn't actually have a lot of work to do, or he'd be on his way home to take a really long, really cold shower. "So, whatta ya say – are you coming with me now?"

That report for Cam isn't due until Monday – I could come in on Sunday and finish it. And that seminar for the students at GWU isn't happening for another three weeks. I could start writing the lecture next week, I suppose…"Well…I don't know..."

"Oh, but see, if you don't come home, you won't get to see what I bought you. Too bad." He saw he had her complete attention now, and ruthlessly continued to play what he considered his trump card. "It occurred to me that we've been seeing each other for six months as of today. So, I got you a little something to mark the occasion." That's got her interest…let's see what she does now. His penchant for giving her trinkets was something he knew he'd always have, but he could see that he'd caught her completely off-guard.

"Oh, Booth – you didn't have to do that." She paused for a moment. Oh, I love his little gifts…I wonder what it is? Almost against her will, she spoke again. "What did you get me?" She knew even before the words left her mouth that it wasn't going to be that easy.

"No no, you have to come with me if you want it. Them's the rules…." He waited patiently as she fidgeted, shuffled papers, squirmed, looked at her calendar. Looked at him. Watching her struggle with herself was extremely entertaining. He knew that if she really did have too much work, she'd stay for at least another hour. If, however, she was just blowing smoke, then…

"Give me twenty minutes."

He smiled. "You've got ten. Hurry up, Temperance."

She hastily shut down her computer and closed up her office, all the time conscious of his eyes on her. She was so attuned to him, so could almost tell what he was thinking as she scurried about, straightening up. Flipping off the lights, she turned to find him standing close, a wicked look in his eyes. "Booth…"

Before she could utter another word his lips were on hers, and he pressed her firmly against the wall, knowing they were hidden from the rest of the lab. His hands roamed, seeking out her softest parts until he knew if they didn't leave, he really was going to have a problem. Reluctantly he eased back, but almost grabbed her again at the dazed expression in her eyes when they finally opened. "That was eleven minutes, Temperance." When she only stared at him, blinking, his jaw clenched as he fought off the urge to take her on the spot. Buncha squints right outside, Seeley – keep it in your pants. "Are you ready?"

"Um, yes – yes, let's go." She grabbed his hand when he reached for her, and followed him to the door. "Oh, Booth?" When he glanced back questioningly, she continued. "I have something for you, too." At the hot look he gave her she only smiled.

"Are you gonna wear that?" he asked, indicating her coat.

"No, it's not that cold today. Why?"

"Here, I'll hold it." He plucked it out of her hands, folding it over his arm as they left her office. He caught her eye and shrugged, smiling sheepishly. "Don't ask, Bones. Just don't ask."

Not the end. Yet.