25 Relax
Brennan roamed around her apartment for a few minutes after Booth left. She emptied and repacked her travel bag, then wandered aimlessly touching some of her favorite things. A wooden vase gifted to her in Indonesia, a hand-stitched quilt in vibrant, bold colors from Guatemala, a tiny porcelain pig, and a small blue plastic Smurf figurine. The latter two were gifts from Booth. They were small and common, and more precious to her than most of the other things that filled her rooms. The only things more dear were the dolphin keepsakes from her mother and father. It was good to be home.
Brennan broke her contemplative state and climbed into the shower for a long steam. She fully intended to head to work, but the twinge in her ankle made her reconsider. Never one to dally after a decision was made, she called Cam.
"Saroyan," Cam answered.
"Hello, Cam. Booth and I are back in town," Brennan said.
"Hello, Dr. Brennan."
"I was planning to come in this afternoon, but I turned my ankle last night. Unless I'm needed specifically for the Sinclair case, I'm just going to take it easy this afternoon," Brennan told her.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I hope every thing's all right. Booth didn't mention you were injured," Cam said.
"Booth was there?" Brennan asked.
"Yes, he just left actually. We confirmed Sinclair's identity through dental records. The autopsy is finished, and I have Clark cleaning the bones this afternoon. So, please, take the rest of the day. I have a feeling you worked late last night anyway, and the bones won't be clean until tomorrow at least." Cam said.
"Booth knows about the ID?" Brennan asked.
"Yes, Dr. Brennan," Cam said with amusement. "Stay off your ankle as much as possible and keep icing it as needed. Ibuprofen too."
"I will. Thanks, Cam. See you Monday," Brennan said, and then disconnected. On a whim, she dialed another number number saved in her phone labeled "Spa." She didn't frequent the establishment often, but she enjoyed it each time she went. A massage, manicure, and pedicure would feel great and help her pass the time. The receptionist remembered her. She promised they could work her in today and have her out before 6. Brennan thanked her, and called a cab.
Brennan dressed casually in a flowing jewel toned pattern blouse, khakis, and loafers, grabbed her coat and purse, and went downstairs to await her cab.
***
The spa was exactly what she needed. Quiet and relaxing. When she mentioned to her pedicurist, Nancy, that she was going on a date later that night, Nancy convinced Brennan to let them fix her hair and makeup as well. Brennan made sure they understood that it was a casual date, not a formal affair; but beyond that, she let them work. While they worked on her, Brennan's mind worked overtime running scenarios she could use to explain her addiction to Booth, to Booth.
True to their word, even with the addition of hair and makeup, Brennan was home by 6. She extracted a slim envelope from her purse and placed it on the dining table before she went to her closet. She selected a soft light blue cashmere sweater with a wide knit textured, fold-over collar that hugged her shoulders, creating an almost straight neckline. She decided to stick with the khakis and loafers. The sweater's collar didn't lend itself to a necklace, but she chose a pair of sapphire cluster earrings with a single pearl dangling from the cluster of small stones.
Satisfied with her appearance, she dabbed the slightest bit of perfume behind her ears and inside her wrists. Then, she brewed a cup of chamomile tea and sat down to wait for Booth.
***
Booth walked out of the florist carrying a potted plant. He spent nearly 20 minutes figuring out what to buy since the florist had no daffodils. Luckily, they had daisies. He had them artfully placed among the leaves of a live houseplant with waxy variegated leaves. He thought it would look nice on her desk at work. Flowers she likes and a plant to keep. Hopefully, it would appeal to her emotions and her practicality.
Booth pulled up outside of Brennan's building at 6:45. Early, but not too early, he decided. He went back over his plan, picked up the plant, and headed upstairs.
Outside her door, Booth paused to compose himself. "Relax," he thought. "It's Bones. Nothing to be nervous about. You've picked her up hundreds of times before." He took a deep breath, raised his hand, then dropped it. "Yea, but never for a date before," he thought. He shook his head briefly, raised his hand and pressed the buzzer.