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Oooooooooooooo

Tired, Brennan tried to keep from yawning and failed, "I think it's time to retire for the day."

Nodding his head, Brian smiled, "Yeah, you've done a great job Temperance. A really great job. We would have eventually found out cause of death but with you here it was done quicker and much more efficiently."

"Yes, I know." Placing the bones into a container, Brennan sealed it and left it on the table. Walking over to the table near the front of the tent, she reached for her purse only to feel hands touch her left hip and her right breast. Stepping sideways, Brennan pulled away from the attempted embrace of her colleague, "You have no right doing that Brian. I told you I'm not interested in a sexual liaison and I meant it. I'm committed to my marriage and I will not jeopardize it. Touch me again like that and you will regret it."

Stepping closer, Brian pleaded with her, "Don't you remember that summer we lived with each other during that dig in Greece? We were great together. You can't have forgotten that. How will your man know if we renew our relationship? He's across the ocean."

Furious, Brennan retorted, "I will not have sex with you Brian. The past is the past. I love Booth and will not have sex with anyone but him. I think my work here is done." Grabbing her purse, Brennan glared at her former lover, "I don't know what you thought was going to happen when you invited me here on this dig but I am the top in my field and I demand respect. I demand it Brian."

"Fine, Temperance, fine." Disgusted, Brian walked over to the table holding the skeleton and complained, "You used to be logical. Sex was sex and nothing more. I don't know what happened to you but you aren't the woman I used to know. You're . . . you're . . ." Throwing up his hands, he accused her, "You've bought into the rigid rules that society has tried to tie women to for centuries. I can't believe you're adhering to a set of morals like that. It's just . . . it's just wrong."

Sardonically laughing, Brennan shook her head, "I respect my husband, Brian and he respects me. That's what marriage is, its respect. It took me a long time to discover that, but it is true. I used to believe that marriage was just a way for a man to own a woman but I was wrong. It shows the world that you are committed to someone. If you love someone you respect them and honor them and that means you don't have sex with others behind their backs."

Jealous of a man he'd never met, Brian replied, "He must be a hell of a guy if Temperance Brennan is willing to try monogamy."

"He is, Brian." Walking over to the tent flap, she stopped. "He loves me and I love him. It's that simple. . . . I've discovered cause of death and that is what you brought me over to discover. I will make my announcement tomorrow morning and then I will go home. I know I said I would stay for fourteen days but that won't be necessary. . . . You're married, Brian. You didn't think I knew that but I do. Do you have so little respect for your mate that you feel you can have sex with someone else with impunity?"

Snorting, Brian leaned against the table, "She's boring. We don't really have a lot in common."

Disappointed, Brennan shook her head, "I used to admire you, Brian. I can no longer do so. You are doing her a great disservice. You should divorce her if you can't respect her. If you were to talk to her you'd probably find out that she has little respect for you too. Without respect and honor what do you have? Nothing. Booth showed me that."

A sneer on his lips, Brian stood up straight, "Well aren't you just lucky?"

Lifting her chin, Brennan assured him, "Yes I am."

Ooooooooooooooo

Slicing into his piece of pie, Booth heard his phone ring. Picking it up from the table, he accepted the call, "Hey Bones."

I thought I'd call you and let you know I'm coming home.

Surprised, Booth smiled, "Hey that's great." Pausing, he rethought what she said, "Wait, why are you coming home? You've only been gone for nine days not the fourteen you planned on. Are you alright? You aren't sick are you?"

No, Booth, I'm fine. I finished my job earlier than I thought I would. Since I'm no longer needed here I'm coming home.

Relieved, Booth grinned, "Sounds great to me, Bones, really great. When are you coming in? I can pick you up at the airport."

I'm on standby so I don't know when I'll be there. It's tourist season and it's hard to get a seat on any of the overseas flights. They're all fully booked. Don't worry about picking me up at the airport. I'll catch a cab when I get back to the District.

"Okay, but if you get to the airport and want me to pick you up, call me." Fiddling with his fork, Booth asked, "Christine will be happy to see you. She searches for you all the time."

I'll be happy to see her too. I really missed her and you of course.

Chuckling, Booth replied, "Of course. Anyway, I can't wait until you get home. It's been a long nine days. Did you have fun?"

I was here to work Booth not to have fun.

The sudden change of tone in her voice a little disturbing, Booth cautiously asked, "Are you sure you're alright? You sound kind of funny."

No, I'm fine. I'm just tired.

Uncertain, Booth cleared his throat, "Okay. . . I'll see you when you get here. I love you."

I love you too.

The call ending, Booth stared at his phone for a minute. Finally placing it in his jacket pocket, he pulled some bills from his wallet, placed them on the table next to his uneaten pie and left.

Ooooooooooooooo

A sound coming from the hallway, Booth sat up and pulled his revolver from the nightstand. Standing he moved over to the closed door of his bedroom, reaching for the knob when the door opened.

"Booth it's me. You can put your gun away." Opening the door wider, Brennan smiled and then stepped into the room.

Placing his gun down on the dresser, Booth stepped closer to his wife and enveloped her in his arms. Kissing her repeatedly, he murmured, "God, I missed you."

Pressing her lips against his, Brennan rejoiced in the feeling of his lips against hers. Finally admitting that she needed to breathe, she pulled back and stared into his warm chocolate eyes, "I missed you too, Booth."

Laughing, Booth pulled her over to the bed and sat on the edge. Holding her hands in his, he devoured her with his eyes, "This has been the longest nine days ever, Bones."

Removing her hands from his, she peeled off her jacket and tossed it towards the chair near the closet. A broad smile gracing her lips, Brennan replied, "I agree, Booth. You are my home. Wherever you are that is where I wish to be."

Ooooooooooooooo

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