AN- Okay guys, here it is-the date, part two. It seems like most of you thought I did okay on the first part, I can only hope you like this one as much. My goal was to make it romantic, but not too sappy… original and fitting with the characters. Let me know if I succeeded.

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Chapter 14

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Brennan began to wonder what Booth could possibly have planned as he gave the cab driver an address in a rather sketchy part of town. She was already on alert when he'd suggested dropping the SUV at her place and opting for alternate transportation. She started to voice her concern when it dawned on her exactly where they were. Up ahead on the right was the bar where they'd gone during their very first case.

Her suspicions where confirmed when the cab stopped in front of the building. However, she noticed that the place had changed a bit in the past seven or eight years. The seedy pool hall seemed to have been replaced by a seedy blues club.

"The nostalgia is just coincidence," Booth whispered into her ear, pulling her close to his side as the cab drove away. "But I do have to tell you that I'm thrilled to know that the next time you leave this place in the back of a cab, I'm gonna be right next to you."

She couldn't help but smile at the look on his face, but she didn't respond in words. Instead, she leaned in and placed a soft and quick kiss against his lips.

"I wanted to take you dancing," he said. "And a buddy of mine recommended this club. He said the run-down appearance is part of the appeal."

She looked from her date to the front of the building and then back to Booth again.

"I guess we'll have to take his word for that," she said with a chuckle.

He laughed along with her.

"I hear ya, Bones," he said. "But he said not to be fooled by the exterior. Wanna give it a try?"

"Why not?" she asked, shoulders shrugged. "We're here. And if I recall, the dark and somewhat shabby ambiance of the interior was part of the appeal the last time we were here."

Although it had caused him countless hours of frustration and worry over the years, he had to admit that her adventurous streak was one of the things he loved the most about her. He shook his head, smiling widely as he took her hand and they walked up to the front door of the dive bar.

He paid the cover charge and held her hand a little tighter as she followed him into the club. It was dark and crowded and the patrons were bathed in dim blue light courtesy of the neon that lined the top of the black painted walls. It wasn't exactly the dark, smoky bar out of a Mickey Spillane novel that he had imagined… but he knew it wouldn't be because of the District's smoking ban.

They stopped at the bar and ordered drinks before making their way to a small table in the corner near the stage. Booth was impressed that they'd found a table, but his excitement was short-lived when he realized there was only one chair.

"You take it, Bones," he said.

She shook her head and although it was dark, he could almost feel the way she was looking at him. He would describe the look as 'predatory.'

"Bones, please," he said. "I'm trying to be a gentleman here."

"Sit down, Booth," she ordered, and make no mistake about it…it was definitely an order. She placed her hand on his shoulder and guided him into the chair. She took his beer bottle from his hand and set it on the table next to where she'd set hers and then made herself comfortable on his lap.

Now, that's what I'm talking about, Booth thought. He hadn't predicted this particular scenario, but he had intended to have Bones in his arms tonight.

She nuzzled against his neck as they sat back and enjoyed the music. He sipped his beer with one hand while rubbing soft circles on her back with the other.

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Booth held Brennan close against his chest as they swayed to the music. He was definitely going to have to do something for Schadler for recommending this place. It had turned out to be the perfect venue for their date.

He was enjoying the feel of having his partner in his arms, and they were both enjoying the music. The band was extremely good, and his friend had been right… the perceived seediness of the place had definitely lent itself to the ambiance.

Booth found himself feeling somewhat nostalgic; spending the evening of their first "real" date in the same place they had spent what some would consider their actual first date.

The band was winding down and the bartender called last call.

"I don't know about you," Brennan whispered in his ear, her breath against his skin giving him a sensation of warmth that spread through his whole body. "But suddenly, I'd really like a shot of tequila."

A grin spread across his face as he stepped back and took her hand. Without words, he led her over the bar where shots of tequila were ordered.

"You're not going to fire me this time, are you?" Her eyes were sparkling as she asked, leaning against the bar as she raised a shot glass to her lips.

"Not a chance," he replied, his eyes never leaving hers as they simultaneously took their shots.

They sat at the bar, waiting as the remaining customers began milling toward the door. After a short while, Booth helped his date with her wrap and they made their way out the front door.

They walked outside into a beautiful, clear night. The light of a nearly full moon cast a silver glow over the dark street. The couple stood facing each other as Brennan stepped into Booth's embrace.

Neither of them could say who made the first move, but soon they were engaged in a hungry kiss. Soon, the need for oxygen presented itself and they pulled apart… just enough to catch their breaths. She looked up into his eyes as she spoke.

"Booth?"

Unable to speak, he nodded gently.

"I think this is going somewhere," she said with a smile.

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"Ahem."

The cab driver cleared his throat. This couple seemed a little classier than the ones he usually had to kick out of the back of his car around this time of night, and this address was one of the swankier ones he'd been to in a while. He had tried to be discreet and offer them a modicum of privacy, but he had also been drawn to them in a funny way. He wanted to know their story.

He had heard one of them mention a first date, but he had to have been mistaken. He'd seen a lot of couples in the back of his car over the years, and this was no first date. These two were more like the couples who were celebrating a long and happy union… an anniversary, maybe… but not a first date.

He glanced again in the rearview mirror.

"We're here, folks," he said, smiling.

He watched as the couple pulled back, gently resting their foreheads together. The man whispered something in his lady's ear, bringing a bright smile to her face. He opened the door and got out, offering her his hand as she climbed out behind him.

"Thanks, buddy," the man said, leaning in the window. He handed the driver some cash, nearly twice the amount that read on the meter.

"No," the driver said. "Thank you. Have a good night."

He watched as the couple walked from the cab and up to the front door of the loft building. They were leaning against each other and the man's hand rested protectively against the woman's back.

Yep, he'd seen a lot of couples in his time, and these two were soulmates if he'd ever seen any.

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They arrived at the front door and Brennan reached out to open it.

"Wait," Booth said.

"What?"

"Just wait," he said gently. "I'm not ready for this night to end yet."

"I know," she answered, "and neither am I. That's why I want to go upstairs," she added with a grin and a raised eyebrow.

"Bones, we are not having sex tonight," he told her.

"What?" she asked. "Why not?"

"First date," he said, leaning in to kiss her forehead. "Remember?"

"Oh, right," she replied. "Traditional dating rituals. So does that mean we're subscribing to the Third Date Rule?"

"Third Date Rule?" he asked, trying to sound confused. Of course he knew about the Third Date Rule, he was just surprised that she did.

"Yes," she answered. "I've been researching modern dating rituals in the Western world, particularly in the United States. It is generally understood that the man plays the role of the aggressor, and the woman must withhold sex until the third date. It is generally understood that when a couple reaches the third date, they will engage in sexual intercourse."

He just shook his head and smiled. Now there's my Bones, he thought.

"So are we?" she asked.

"Are we what?"

"Subscribing to the Third Date Rule?"

He sighed.

"I don't know, Bones," he said. "Let's just play it by ear, okay?"

"I've upset you," she said, sadly.

"No," he answered, taking her hand. "I'm not upset. I just don't want to talk about rules and agendas and when it's time to have sex. When we are ready to make love," he said, "we'll both know it."

"Okay," she answered, still not quite ready to believe she hadn't ruined their lovely evening.

"Tonight," he said, "I'm going to walk you to your door, and I'm going thank you for a perfect evening and then I'm going to kiss you goodnight. After that, I'm going to wait for you to go in to your apartment and lock the door behind you before I turn and come back here to get in my truck and go home."

"Okay," she said again, this time looking in to his eyes.

"But I'm not ready to do that just yet," he told her.

"Booth," she said, "It's three o'clock in the morning, what else can we do?"

"Do you want to go for a walk?" he asked, pausing to look down at her shoes. "If you're uncomfortable, I'll understand."

"I'm fine, Booth," she replied. "There's a little park around the corner," she suggested.

"Sounds good," he said, offering her his arm.

She leaned against him as they walked along the sidewalk toward the park. She led him to the entrance to the small neighborhood park, which was really more of a garden. He loved the way she leaned into him as they walked under the vine covered archway over the wrought iron gate.

"Wow," he said, glancing around the beautiful little plot of land. "I didn't know there were places like this in the city."

"It is lovely, isn't it?" she replied. "I guess it is a well-kept secret, I would be surprised if anyone outside of the neighborhood knew about it. It's kind of our own little oasis. I often come here when I want to get away and think. Come with me," she said, taking his hand and leading him down a moonlit path.

She took him through a maze of rose bushes to a dark corner of the garden. She sat down on a stone bench at the base of a weeping willow tree.

Lacing her fingers with his, she gently squeezed his hand.

"Thank you, Booth," she said.

"No," he replied, "thank you, for bringing me here. This place is amazing, Bones."

She smiled, enjoying the fact that sharing something so personal to her actually meant something to him.

"You're welcome," she replied softly, "but I meant thank you for this whole evening. It's been wonderful."

"I'm glad you thought so," he said, gently rubbing her hand with both of his. "It was important, and I wanted it to be special for you."

"It was," she answered. "But you should know by now that any time I spend with you is special, particularly when we are able to be alone."

"I do know," he said. "And I agree."

He brought their joined hands to his lips.

"I loved the restaurant," she said. "And the club…" She paused, dreamily recalling the hours they'd spent in each other's arms at the blues club.

"It was great, wasn't it?" he replied, thinking of the feel of her sitting on his lap… holding her in his arms on the dance floor… He felt a warm flush over his body when he recalled their impromptu make-out session at their dark corner table.

"But I think that this might be my favorite part of the evening," she told him, leaning against him.

They sat this way for a long time, just quietly enjoying the company and the beautiful evening… neither of them wanting to break the spell and bring it to an end.

"If we stay much longer," his low gravely voice broke the silence, "we can watch the sun rise."

She smiled, thinking that wasn't such a bad idea but knowing that it couldn't come to be.

"We should go," she said.

"I don't want to," he said.

"Neither do I," she told him. "But you've got to pick up Parker in a few hours… you should go home and get some sleep."

He knew she was right. His son was always a ball of energy when he picked him up on Saturday mornings, and he was sure today wouldn't be any different.

"You're right," he conceded.

"I usually am," she replied with a smile.

"Let's go, genius," he said, standing and offering her his hand.

They walked quietly back to her apartment building and as promised, he walked her to her door.

"I had a great time tonight, Bones," he said as she took out her key. "Thank you."

"It was a lovely first date, Booth," she agreed. "Thank you for taking such care to plan it."

"You're welcome," he said. "It was a great first date, wasn't it? Really great for a last first date."

He waited a moment while she puzzled through exactly what he'd said. He smiled when he caught the twinkle of understanding in her eye. At that moment, he fell in love with her all over again.

He leaned in and captured her lips with his. He smiled into the kiss as he heard her moan softly. The kiss continued until they could no longer share one breath.

"Goodnight, Bones," he said softly.

"Goodnight, Booth," she replied, as she walked into her apartment and leaned against the door jamb. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

"You mean later today?" he asked with a smile. "Yeah, just try and keep me away…"

"Why would I keep you away, Booth?" she asked, interrupting. "If I had my way, you'd be staying…"

"It's just a saying, Bones," he replied, his smile widening. "Parker and I are going to the skate park around lunch time. You're welcome to come along if you want to."

"I think I'd like that," she said.

"Great," he replied. "I'll call you."

They stood for another few long silent moments, looking into each other's eyes.

"If I don't leave now, Bones," he said. "I'm never going to."

"Goodnight, Booth," she said, smiling and wondering if there had been another day that found her smiling so much.

"Goodnight, Bones."

He leaned in again, this time for a quick, chaste kiss. And then, without a word he turned away. He waited for a moment and she knew he was waiting for her to close and lock the door so she complied.

Booth couldn't remember a time when he'd felt better as he walked down the stairs and out to his SUV.

He wasn't naïve enough to think that life with Bones would always be sunshine and roses, but they'd had a pretty great first date- and since he was a betting man, he'd bet that boded well for a happy future.