An: Finally here is the next installment of BBShuffle.
If you guys don't know already...I've opened my twitter to the update of my stories. If you go to twitter(dot)com(slash)alexosaurus and follow me you will be spammed with updates on my stories and possible small hints here and there. I'm sorry that this is so 'pitchy' but hey, it's convenient for everyone, since I have school and I feel bad when I'm not posting like I used too.
Go on, prove it, I'd like to see you try.
Convince me that you gave me the world.
I tried and tried but you never opened your eyes.
You stand tall like you've won some kind of award,
But really I've never seen someone so short of a dollar.
If you gave me some more,
But I told you…
If you wanted to be my only one,
If you wanted to see this happen,
Maybe you, you should've tried harder.
If you thought I would leap into your arms every time I would see your face,
Then maybe you, you should've tried harder.
-Should've Tried Harder (Hey Monday)
In school you're taught that character is everything. You learn what attitudes are wrong, and what attitudes are right. You learn that saying 'thank you' when someone does something for you is being polite, and improves your character, and you learn that saying nothing diminishes what you have gained. But, the real world is a whole lot different than sitting in a high school class room listening to your health teacher explaining passionately about the ways of life.
In the real world; character can be masked just like a murder.
At first he seemed as perfect as perfect could get; polite, caring, humble, and very…very attractive. His shining blue eyes and light blonde hair accentuated his Swedish heritage perfectly. He was toned, but not so muscular that he was unable to wear a shirt, and the smile that seemed to part through his perfect lips at almost any given second was completely and utterly contagious.
But even this angelic looking man was another notch in the examples against perfection.
Sure, the beginning of the relationship was great. They did fun things together, talked a lot, and the sex was amazing, but as the time progressed, and they started falling into a more domestic sense of life, she started realizing just how this Special Agent Leif Talman really was.
Seeming to favor that beer be the basis of his body instead of water caused him to practically inhale bottles on top of bottles of Corona until he went through almost two cases a night. He would try and muster up enough strength to move to the door, but usually failed at that and asked her to fetch some more. The first night she agreed; having nothing better to do, but after that it started being a demand and she complied only to get away from him.
His hands glued to every part of her body in the most opportune times; touching her as to promise sexual intercourse that night when she was working on the platform, or discussing a murder scenario with her team. At times she would push him away and that would be the end of it, but most of the time when she shied away from his touch, he pushed himself on her; hissing evilly in her ear to stop trying to get away from him.
She was fed up with her relationship with him, and with a final sigh and glance at the steeled face of her partner, she shoved Talman back and walked from the platform; making her way towards her office with him hot on her heels.
"Tempe," he said; his voice faux with misunderstanding until he was far enough into her office to close the door. "What the hell was that about?"
"I told you before, I prefer that you not be pressed up against me when I'm working," she said; looking dead into his eyes with blood freezing blue eyes that obviously did nothing to affect him.
"And I told you before that you'll have to get over it," Talman sneered; an evil grin breaking across his lips. "You're mine…sweetheart. Besides, it's not like you and Booth aren't cuddled up against each other all the damn time. If your partner can be up your ass 24/7 why can't I?"
Narrowing her eyes, she feigned from asking about his word choice and shook her head. "Leif, you've become quite a…dick lately. I seem to have been wrong in my prior judgment of you, and I believe that we shouldn't see each other anymore."
He released a harsh bark, and stalked toward her; arching his eye brow mockingly. "You think you're going to break up with me? Darling I do the heart breaking."
"The heart is a-"
"Safe the scientific shit," Talman cut off, raising his hand swiftly into the air. "You listen to me. We aren't done-"
"Or," Booth said; leaning his shoulder against the threshold. "You can listen to her and leave."
"Stay out of this Booth," he spat; rolling his eyes dramatically before turning back to Brennan, who kept her face set completely in neutral.
"Leif, I asked you to leave. If you don't want too I'll be happy to have security come in here and remove you," she offered; reaching forward to grasp her phone but gasping when his hand clasped onto her wrist and squeezed hard enough to leave bruises.
"Hey!" Booth growled; grabbing Talman's arm and pushing him away from his partner. He situated himself between Brennan and the obviously angered man; smirking as he straightened and looked down at the agent an inch shorter than he was. "You have no right to put your hands on her like that. I advise that you leave now, or else you'll be rolling out on a gurney."
"You try to be such a tough shit Booth," Talman hissed. "But I doubt you'll even touch me."
"Wanna bet?"
"Sure. I already know you're pussy whipped. She has you wrapped around her little finger. You wouldn't dare to show what kind of 'monster' you are in front of your precious fu-"
"Enough," he stopped; his hand shooting out to latch onto Talman's throat. His shoulders shook in anger, and he couldn't practically feel Brennan's eyes boring into his back as he backed the asshole against the door and tightened his hold on his neck; smirking as his face colored beet red. "This is over. She doesn't want to see you anymore, so your clearance into the lab will be terminated. The security men know your face and if they have any problems you will be arrested for stalking and we both know that Cullen isn't one for stalkers. And in addition…I'll warn you right now…if I find even the smallest hint of a bruise on her wrist…I'll kick your ass, and take you down a notch right in the middle of the bull pen. Am I clear?"
Talman tried speaking, but only croaked out in an attempt to breathe. He panted and the muscles in his throat worked against the vice of Booth's hand; the awkward head nod accompanying the weak 'yes' that repeatedly spilled from his lips.
Booth shoved the agent back, and grabbed the identity card that was clipped to his jacket; nodding to the guard that had migrated in their direction. "Make sure he never steps foot near the Jeffersonian again. If he tries anything, cuff him or shoot him. Whichever is easier."
Handing the card to the security guard; he closed the door behind him and turned back to Brennan. He smiled weakly at her, and moved to stand in front of her; removing the clip board that she had pressed against her chest while rolling up the sleeves of her lab coat and dress shirt. He frowned as he looked at the red slashes across her wrist, and unconsciously he brought her wrist to his lips and turned his eyes to her own. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah," she said weakly; a smile on her lips despite the prior events. "Thanks…for that."
"Are you sure you're alright."
"Booth I'm fine. It's just another jackass that's popped in and out of my life. Nothing particularly new," she muttered; smiling up at the one man who had never once been rude to her. Sure in the beginning they argued and didn't particularly like each other, but he never used her, and was never anything but polite towards her.
"I'm sorry Bones," he whispered; wrapping his arm around her lower back so he could bring her into his arms. She rested her head against his shoulder, and smiled against his skin as he tightened his hold around her and placed a tender kiss to her temple. He rocked them tenderly and brushed his hand down her hair; taking in a deep breath of the smell of her shampoo before he pulled back to look at her. "Will you feel safe going home tonight?"
"I don't know. He's done things like this before. He'll probably try showing up when he thinks you aren't there and I'm all alone."
"Well then it's settled," Booth smiled; bringing his fingers to softly settle on the line of her jaw. "You'll be staying with me tonight."
