A/N: Thank you for reading and reviewing. You guys are awesome.

Good news. I just finished writing the last episode of this wonderful fic. Can you believe it? I can't. I'm kind of sad that this is coming to an end. I don't think I will be writing an epilogue, but I could change my mind. I was thinking about doing a sequel to this, but I'm not sure anymore.

I want to thank Jen (JSQ) for her wonderful beta abilities.

Song "Fountain" by Sara Lov.

All that anyone ever has for you
Are the things you reflect back to them

Don't you wish you could throw your pennies back at them?
Don't you wish you could throw your pennies back at them?
Back at them
At them

Fountain, fountain
We are the same
Fountain, fountain
We are the same

It is so beautiful how you remain

Chapter 26

It was late that same night when Booth's key turned in the lock of Brennan's apartment door. He tiptoed in, and the light shinning from the street illuminated the room enough for him to see the evening's wreckage.

No wonder she was so happy on the phone. He looked at the cloth spread on the floor, the picnic basket, wine glasses and the debris left in the candleholders. "I'm going to make it all up to you, Bones, you will see." He smiled at the thought as he made his way into the bedroom.

Brennan heard him as he undressed. She saw his outline all blurry, still too sleepy to completely register... was she dreaming?

"Booth?"

"Yeah, it's me, am I still welcome?"

"You shouldn't be," she said remembering the awful night. She pushed back her hair and sat up. She was sorry she changed into the long t-shirt.

He sat beside her on the bed, caressing her cheek, "I would have been here if I could, you know that, don't you?"

"I'm not sure what..." his lips told her what she needed to hear.

She turned on the bedside light. He saw the red gown draped carelessly on a chair. He pulled away, leaving her a little breathless. "It looks like I missed out on more than apple pie."

"What's your alibi again?" She teased.

"It was as close to apple pie as I could get, you should try talking in code all the time."

"I do, remember?"

"Yeah, you're a woman..."

"You think a comment like that, along with standing me up is going to get you back into my good graces?" She pouted a little.

He smiled knowing he would have to use all his artillery to win her over. "I'm really sorry. I could try to make it up to you."

"I'm not sure you can."

"Oh, but you have to let me try."

"Uhmmm..." She backed up against the headboard of the bed.

"So, I really messed things up?" His eyes imparted his sorrow.

Her mouth betrayed a touch of a smile. "Not entirely, you are here now, right?" She pretended she was sleepwalking, her arms reached out blindly in front of her.

He let her hands touch his bare chest, "Does it feel like a dream?"

"Ummmm hmmmm..." she said refusing to open her eyes. He kissed her neck, then slid his arms around her waist.

"Now? Still dreaming?"

"Hmmmmmm Ummmmmmmmmm..."

He held her right arm, working his lips towards her elbow. "I suppose this won't do any good since you're sound asleep."

Brennan was shivering with anticipation as she tried to keep up the pretense. She felt her whole body weakening. She bit her lip, trying to regain some control.

He continued, knowing she was working at keeping quiet.

She couldn't handle it anymore. "Booth, this isn't fair." She whispered.

"Any tactical maneuvering is allowed when the stakes are so... soft..." he said tantalizing her elbows even more.

She moaned involuntarily, and she quickly covered it with a cough, trying to be strong. Her defenses collapsed completely as he launched a full attack on her left elbow.

"Okay... okay. I give up, you win... you get..."

"Your good graces?" He questioned, eyes glowing in victory.

"Funny..."

"So...you're not asleep anymore, and this isn't a dream?"

"If it is, don't you dare wake me up..." she laughed, returning all his signs of affection.

X-X-X-X-X-X

After they enjoyed quite a makeup session, they cuddled close together.

"So, all is forgiven?"

"That depends..."

"On what?"

"Who is your favorite person?"

"Oh, that's easy..."

"Really, who?"

"My favorite person was the one on the phone earlier tonight."

"Oh, did Victoria call you too?"

"Bones," he warned.

"I don't understand why it has to be you to help Agent King."

"Bones, of course there are other agents who could help, but I wanted to be the one this time..." His voice was hard, he didn't like the snippy sound in her tone. He could feel the shears clipping at his back.

"Oh, Booth!"

"Oh, Booth what?"

"You mean to tell me you can't see through her..."

"The case is important to me, the victim was a ten year old boy, the same age as Parker. I just want to make sure that whoever did this will pay for it."

"I understand that, but it feels like she's using you, Booth. You are spending more time with her than you did with me when we were just partners... you know before we were exercising."

"I'm not spending that much time with her, Bones."

"I don't want to argue."

"Since when... lately it's all we have been doing..."

"Well... it's a little hard to do anything else when you are otherwise engaged."

"Bones... you know... it's been..." His eyes held hers, a slight suggestion of a smile. "I forgot you get a little testy when you don't exercise."

"Ah..." she straightened up as if to leave, "You want to see testy?" She offered.

"No, I would rather see more of you, tonight."

"It is tonight, and you just did." Would she ever stay mad at him?

"No. Technically it's early morning, so we still have tonight." He argued this one, because he knew he would win.

"You are ruthless." She laughed. "Booth?"

"Yeah?"

"I have been thinking, Olivia and John... it's been three months since we were there. She's due in a few weeks, I want to get them a present, but I'm not sure..."

Three months? Booth grinned. It had been the most remarkable three months of his life. Booth appreciated her thoughtfulness. "I would like to get them something too, do you want to go in together?"

"Yes, it has to be something really..."

"I will leave that part to you." He said trustingly. "Maybe we should wait, just so we are sure, with everything..."

"No, I think we need to be positive about it, hold good thoughts. It will be different this time, after all she's almost full term..."

"I hope so," Booth said gaining comfort from Brennan's strength as always.

"So, you really are coming back tonight?" She rested back against his chest.

"I can't think of any where I would rather be. Besides I do want that apple pie..."

"If you are late again, you will be wearing it," she promised in a deceptively sweet voice.

"I have no doubt." He assured her, kissing her into submission. All thoughts of playing hard to get were long forgotten.

So what if he didn't remember their three month anniversary? It wasn't like her to worry about things like that.

X-X-X-X-X-X

It was the next morning at the lab. Brennan was working at the platform when Victoria walked in. Cam was the only other person there.

"Hi." Victoria said, smiling, that bewitching smile, which made Brennan surer than ever she was a nightmare waiting to happen.

Cam gave her the once over; something really didn't add up about her. Cam smiled politely. "Hello. I didn't realize you and Booth were meeting here this morning."

"Oh, we didn't plan it, I was hoping to find him here; he's not at the Hoover."

"What a surprise," Brennan said under her breath.

"Well, he's not here either," Cam explained, glancing at her watch. "Oh, Dr. Brennan, I've got to get going."

Cam looked doubtfully at both women, knowing there could be a few fur balls lying around when she returned. She left for her appointment leaving Brennan alone with Victoria.

Victoria turned to Brennan; she caught the remark and decided to meet it head on.

"It's hard not being liked by everyone; people look at you, and you can see it in their eyes, like I see it in yours now."

"I don't dislike anything about you," Brennan responded truthfully.

"You think that Booth shouldn't be helping me, I can tell..."

"I try to keep objective when it comes to cases." Brennan tried diplomacy.

"Most woman don't like me, I'm used to it. I think they are jealous."

"It must be tough on you..." Brennan eyebrows rose.

"You know, they are judging me at the Hoover because I'm new and a woman, I don't need anyone else thinking I can't do my job just because Agent Booth is helping me now."

"Agent King, I would never think of you as a weak person because you are a woman." Brennan smiled.

Victoria gazed at Brennan, trying to decipher the intention of her comment.

"Was there something else you needed besides Booth?" Her voice was polite, but her eyes held no warmth.

"Well, he asked me to let him know if I found anything for the case..."

"So, you figured out something important?"

"I'm not sure if it is. I'd like to run it by him, though, just in case."

"I'm not sure when he will be here. Sometimes he shows up without notice, and sometimes he doesn't show up at all, but I will tell him you stopped by. Would you like to leave him a note?"

"It would be better if I saw him in person. I'm sure he would feel the same way," she hinted, wanting to turn the knife a little. She had noticed Brennan's eyes on Booth once too often. Victoria would eliminate any outside interference no matter how minimal it was. It appeared to be a one-sided crush, but she couldn't risk any surprises.

"Booth's been so wonderful to me, I don't know what I would do without his help. He's absolutely the best at what he does."

Brennan would not allow Victoria to have the satisfaction of her reaction to that comment. "Yes, of course he is." She returned to work.

Victoria wondered what that secretive smile implied. She stared at Brennan's bent head for a moment longer, shook her head dismissing the possibility instantly, and then walked out of the lab.

X-X-X-X-X-X

Later that night, they were at Brennan's apartment, giving picnic number two a shot.

They had eaten a wonderful meal and consumed a bottle of wine. Brennan was sitting contently on his lap, cherishing these moments alone.

"Ah, this is great, most relaxing time I've had since..."

"The Crossal Case..." Brennan finished.

"Bones, I thought we agreed no chop talk."

"Chop talk?"

"Yeah, no more of you chopping Victoria into itty bitty pieces."

Brennan muttered. "There's just something about her, and don't pretend you don't see her coming on to you."

"I don't. She's not." He denied hotly, even though he had noticed a little. "Why don't you like her?"

"She's phony, no one is that sweet. Watch out for her Booth, I wouldn't be surprised if she knows how to handle a potato peeler as well as a gun."

"A potato peeler?" He had to ask, trying not to laugh.

"Yeah, I'm sure if she has the chance she will gouge your eyes out, if it suits her purpose. Be careful, she will leave you blindsided."

"Bones, I'm just helping her on the case; you need to stop worrying." He smiled, enjoying this side of Brennan. Her protectiveness towards him was cute.

"I don't think she would…"

Booth kissed her, enjoying the jealously he heard in her voice.

"You were saying?" His eyes challenge her to remember. "Is talking about Victoria all you want to do tonight?"

She smiled shaking her head. "Did you have some other activity in mind?"

"Oh, yeah..."

"Like what?"

Booth whispered in her ear. "Does that sound good to you?"

Her mouth dropped open in surprise and, she tried to discern if he was teasing, "This is a surprise..."

"I have more, want to see?" He led her into the bedroom.

A/N: Thanks for reading. Please let me know what you guys think so far? Still hating Victoria?