This is just a short chapter sorry but I didn't want you to think I had forgotten about you. Hope you like the little twists and turns so far. Just a couple more sketched out in my notebook for you to enjoy. Then I will have to find some new inspiration. But first things first. I promised you a Christmas present….

Chapter 14

Bones was still sitting at her desk, losing the battle to keep her mind on the files in front of her, when she heard footsteps approaching and someone enter her office. She knew it was Booth without needing to look up. He walked to her desk and placed a bag of takeout in front of her.

"I was going to call past your place, but something told me you would still be here," he told her, flashing her a wide smile.

"Angela has gone home for the day Booth," she replied abruptly.

"And this is a problem?" he asked, not immediately catching her meaning.

"Not a problem, no." she clarified. "But since you had gone to the trouble of bringing me dinner I felt that it was appropriate to warn you that she was not here to witness your chivalrous acts."

"Ah, but it isn't an act Bones," he told her. Noticing her tense up he continued, "We are partners Bones. We look out for each other. And I know how you get so caught up in what you are doing that you forget to eat. So me being the incredible guy that I am, thought that I would bring you some food."

Bones didn't respond immediately. For a moment she had thought he was going to say something else. She had hoped he was going to say something else. But clearly she was alone in wishing this could be more than a game. She snapped herself back to reality and forced herself to stammer a response. "I'm sorry, you're right. You are an incredible partner. And this isn't the first time you have thoughtfully provided me with sustenance at times I have been distracted by other matters."

Something was off with her. Walking around the desk to stand behind her let his hands rest on her shoulder. Feeling the warmth of his hands through her jacket she tried to force herself to relax. "What's up Bones?" he asked. "Is this about the case?"

She shook her head. "No. I'm fine. Sorry for being short with you. I guess I just have a lot on my plate at the moment."

She didn't continue and he knew better than to push. She would tell him what was bothering her when she was ready. Instead, he leant over her shoulder, reaching for the chopsticks and placing them in her hand. "Well eat up then Bones," he told her, "Much easier to think with a fully tummy."

She nodded, thanking him and dug in to the food in front of her. He took one of the boxes from the bag and grabbed a set of chopsticks before flopping on the couch and digging in himself. They chatted more comfortably as they ate. He updated her on his investigations and she brought him up to speed with the developments from the physical evidence. By the time they had finished sharing information the Thai had been well and truly devoured. After making her promise that she would go home and get some rest at some stage he wished her goodnight and left her to return her attention to her work.

He drove home deep in thought, trying to interpret her behaviour. He didn't like any of the explanations he could come up with however. He sighed to himself. It looked like the only opportunity he had to be more than 'just partners' with her lay well outside the realms of reality. He would just have to enjoy this week, as once Angela was in on the game he was not likely to get another chance.

As the week continued he took every opportunity to play up their 'relationship'. Any audience provided an excuse to wrap his arm around her waist or plant a quick kiss on her cheek. He was enjoying himself, and surprising, she seemed to be also. She even caught him off guard when she initiated a hug upon seeing him Friday morning and added to her greeting by kissing him on the lips. "All set for our date tonight?" she asked him.

"Sure am," he responded with a smile. "Pick you up at seven?"

"You don't have to do that," she assured him, "It is out of your way. I can meet you there."

"Bones," he replied, in mock horror. "It is a date. I am picking you up. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I made you find your own way to dinner? You will ruin my reputation."

She laughed, agreeing. "Well I certainly wouldn't want to ruin your reputation, so it looks like I will see you at seven."

She stood in front of her closet later that day agonising over what to wear. Conscious of the fact that they couldn't continue their act forever she wanted to leave a lasting impression. She eventually selected a black silk dress with a low cut back and high split. It was a little more daring than what she tended to favour, but as far as getting her partners attention she was fairly sure this would suffice, even if it was only for one evening.

She took her time in the shower, enjoying the feel of the hot water rushing over her before drying off and starting to get ready. She twisted her hair up, securing it behind her head and took extra care applying her makeup. She was just stepping into the dress when she heard Booth knock at the door. Reaching for the zipper at her back, she couldn't quite manipulate it in the direction required to secure the dress. She was still fumbling with it when she heard Booth knock a second time, slightly louder this time. Finally getting the zipper up, she checked herself in the mirror before racing for the door.

"Sorry," she told him sheepishly. "I spent a little longer under the shower than I had budgeted for."

"It was worth it," he told her cheekily. "Wow. If that is the result you can spend as long as you like under the shower."

She hit him playfully. "Don't tease." She told him. "Just let me put some shoes on and grab my purse and then we are good to go."

"I wasn't teasing," he thought to himself, admiring the sight as she scurried from the room, the black fabric clinging gently to her very shapely backside. Wow didn't even come close to describing it. She looked amazing tonight. He took a seat on her couch and his mind took liberties to run away once again.

She returned to the room swiftly, this time in a pair of killer black heels with a small clutch under her arm and he was no less affected by her second entrance than his first sight of her. Failing to form sentences he accepted the hand she offered to help him off the couch and followed her meekly to the door of her apartment. Was it too much to ask that this night never end?

Bones navigated as Booth drove and they were soon nearing their destination. Beyond directions however their trip had been made largely in silence, with neither party wanting to bring up their largely unspoken agreement that tonight they would let Angela in on their secret. Brennan knew that her behaviour was irrational. It wasn't like he was simply going to forget that they were just playing and let this continue indefinitely. In spite of this she could not bring herself to be the one to raise the topic.

Booth too chose to say nothing. She had gotten them into this mess. She could get them out of it as he was damn sure he was powerless to with her looking the way she did at the moment. And so they arrived at their destination, neither knowing what the other was thinking, and neither knowing how their evening was going to play out.

Booth parked the SUV and made his way around to the passenger side, opening the door for Brennan and offering her his hand to assist her out of the vehicle. She took it without protest, giving him a smile and surprising him once again. She had been full of surprises lately. He slipped his arm through hers as they made their way towards the restaurant.

Not surprising was the fact that they had arrived before Hodgins and Angela, so they sat down and ordered drinks and waited for their friends to arrive.

TBC

And I am sorry, but you will just have to wait for them to arrive also as I need my sleep. If I can get the ideas for my next story to join the queue and let me finish this one I should hopefully have the next chapter up soon. Not too long to go on this story. Hope you are enjoying it. Please let me know either way or if you have any suggestions! Ta muchly!