25. Weekend Away

The next several months proceeded in a blur. Booth and Brennan's relationship was no picnic. Their professional partnership was complex and took a lot of work to maintain. They didn't expect their personal, romantic relationship to be any different. They didn't feel the need to follow any of the normal progressions that many couples take. They discovered that their original partnership was deeper than most couples could even dream of. Finally crossing the line had turned out to be a completely natural step.

Booth had been very adamant about taking it slowly since he feared that her flight instinct would kick in. Brennan usually had been the one to initiate any significant milestone. So it came as a shock to her when he suggested that they take a long weekend trip away together. Away from the city. Away from the lab. Away from the bureau. Away from anything but each other.

He was pleasantly surprised to see how easily she agreed to the trip. She had never relented so easily when someone suggests that she take a vacation. As soon as he got her approval, he quickly made reservations at a resort in the mountains in Virginia. Not since he had taken Parker to Disneyworld had he been so excited about a vacation.

It was now the Wednesday before their trip. With an obvious bounce in his step, Booth reached the Jeffersonian platform where Angela was perched on a stool with her artist's sketch pad. She had a knowing look on her face as she addressed Booth.

"So G-man, you excited for your bid weekend?"

His eyes twinkled as he answered her. "Oh, you have no idea."

She snickered at his response. "I think I can imagine." Her eyes focused on him a little more. "This is a big step for you two. First trip away together. You worried at all?"

He put his hands in his pockets and leaned back to contemplate his thoughts. "I'm definitely not worried about myself. I never thought I would be in this place, but I am more than ready to continue going forward." This didn't surprise Angela at all. Between the two partners, Booth would always be the rock for Brennan.

Angela smirked at him. "Well we were never really worried about you. What about Brennan?"

Booth's eyes shifted to Brennan's office. "Bones…she hasn't reached this stage in many of her relationships. I think she really wants that deeper commitment. She hasn't been holding back because I haven't given her any indication that I'm leaving. We haven't hit that first major crisis as a couple yet. That's when we'll really find out where she's at."

"Booth, I'm right here."

Booth turned to see his beautiful partner standing at the top of the stairs, one hand on her hip, on hand holding a file, and a cheeky grin on her face. She noticed his eyes light up as he saw her and his charm smile grew even larger.

"Hiya Bones." She walked teasingly close to him before she passed him to type on a computer. "What are you doing here Booth? It's too early for lunch and you don't seem to contain the urgency usually associated with a new case." Her words seemed slightly harsh, but the tone clearly indicated she was teasing.

He waited for her to turn back around. "Well I just stopped by to talk to my partner. You know…see if she had any good plans this weekend." He gave her a charm smile and a distinct wink.

At the beginning of their newly defined relationship, Brennan had insisted, and Booth had reluctantly agreed, to refrain from showing their personal relationship while they were at work. Since then, Booth had started winking at Brennan to remind her of his affections. AS a result, Brennan's heart fluttered every time he did it and she made certain to send him a smile that was just for him. Angela watched with glee at their exchange; it was a wonderful example of their infamous silent communication.

Brennan finally remembered that Booth had asked her a question and that she was expected to respond. "I seem to recall my boyfriend inviting me on a 'weekend getaway.'"

Angela snickered at their other common method of keeping things professional, speaking in the 3rd person about their dates. Booth was more than happy to keep up pretenses. "Is that right? When was the last time you took off for vacation? He must be pretty special for you to agree to that."

He was in full cocky mode right now. Brennan managed not to roll her eyes in annoyance while Angela held no reservation in doing so. "Well he certainly seems to think so. I admit I have a hard time keeping his ego in line." She crossed her arms in faux defense. "I'm surprised you haven't run a background check on him. You're typically more reticent towards my suitors. You seem to be more relaxed in reference to my protection than usual."

Booth wasn't one to back down while they were bickering; it was one of the main reasons he was attracted to her. "Actually, I would say that I've recently become even more concerned about keeping you safe. It just seems that being in this relationship has been good for you. I only want what's best for my partner."

Just as Brennan was poised to make her rebuttal, Booth's phone rang. Angela didn't miss the flash of disappointment that ran across both their faces.

Booth quickly answered. "Booth…yes Sir…at the Jeffersonian…for paperwork…" Brennan almost believed him. "Yes Sir…I understand…twenty minutes."

Booth sighed as he put his phone away. "Well ladies, it seems I must cut my visit short. Cullen needs to see me."

He looked directly at Brennan. "Dinner tonight?"

"At seven."

"Sounds good."

They held their gaze for a few moments, communicating what they couldn't say at the moment. "Okay, I'm outta here." He started walking down the stairs. Angela figured he forgot she had even been there.

"Bye Studly!"

She was awarded with a deep, generous laugh. "Bye Angela!"

Angela looked at her friend who appeared to be reading a file, but had an unusually large smile on her face. "You're one lucky woman Bren."

She responded without looking up. "I know Ange."

Brennan was sitting in her office, filling out endless paperwork when her phone rang. She grinned when she recognized Booth's number.

"Hey Booth."

He greeted her with a defeated tone. "Hey Bones."

She instantly stiffened at his strained tone. "What's wrong?"

"I'm going to have to miss dinner tonight. Cullen needs me for something."

That excuse was not nearly descriptive enough for her. "Is it a new case? Do you need me to identify a body?"

He quickly responded. "No, no. It's not a case like that. The FBI is trying to finish up a three month, high profile investigation. It should be wrapped up this evening."

Brennan was still slightly confused. "Why does Cullen need you if it isn't your case?"

"Well the lead investigator won't be available, and he needs me to take command."

She sensed he was specifically not saying something. "You're purposefully withholding information from me." She heard him sigh dejectedly, but he didn't explain further. Her eyebrows furrowed together. "Booth…tell me." On the other end of the phone, he smirked gently at her growing intuition.

"You're getting too good at reading me Bones. The lead investigator, Agent Stevens, was shot earlier this morning while he went to question the main suspect. Cullen's been briefing me since I left you this morning. We have to move quickly and it doesn't appear to be an easy task. The target group is pretty volatile and isn't afraid to use serious firepower."

"Oh," was her only response. As she listened, she actually became nauseous as the implications became clear. Booth's gentle voice came over the line.

"Temperance…I didn't want you to worry."

This was the first time he had really been in a dangerous situation since they started dating and Brennan didn't know how to behave. "I logically understand that worrying will not change the outcome, but I suspect I won't be able to refrain from doing so."

It was slightly comforting to him to know she would be worried, that he had someone to worry about him. "I know. I just didn't want to go out without talking to you."

She tried to keep her voice light. "Thanks for telling me. Call me the moment you can."

He steadied his voice as he responded.

"I promise."

She wouldn't wish him luck or send him with a prayer, so she offered what she could. "Be safe. I love you Seeley."

He closed his eyes as her words washed over him.

"I love you too Temperance."

It wasn't the first time they had spoken those words, but as they hung up they couldn't help but think that it might be the last.