Author's Note: Here we are, finally winding down this peyote trip. Don't worry, there will be some chapters on the other side, too. Oh, and I'm not too proud to beg... pleeeeaaase leave a review :)
INT. BOOTH'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Brennan opens the door for Booth who uses both arms to carry
in a sleeping Parker, propped up on his hip. Parker has his
arms around Booth's neck and his head on his shoulder.
BOOTH
(whispered)
Let me get him into bed.
Brennan nods.
BOOTH
Don't leave.
Brennan nods again.
CUT TO:
INT. BOOTH'S LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Brennan sits on the couch. Booth walks in and takes a seat
next to her.
BOOTH
That kid is out.
BRENNAN
He had a busy day.
BOOTH
He likes you.
BRENNAN
The feeling is quite mutual.
Booth's smile is adoring. A beat as we switch into a more surreal, soft camera focus.
BOOTH
Did you think that part'd be hard? Is
that why I had Parker this weekend?
BRENNAN
Yes.
BOOTH
You and Parker are solid, though.
Nothing to worry about.
BRENNAN
I know Parker and I get along, but
chatting with him for a few minutes
here or there versus pushing my way
into the established dynamic-
BOOTH
It's not a push, Bones. You're
invited. The more we do stuff like
this, the easier it'll be. Not just in
here, but, you know, out there.
BRENNAN
Out where? In public?
BOOTH
In the real world. You understand what
I'm talking about, don't ya?
The focus goes all the way into a blur then back.
She sighs.
BRENNAN
Yes.
(beat)
I suppose I have to return soon. I
really don't want to go, though.
He smiles sadly.
BOOTH
Yeah, this is a very, uh, cozy and
comfortable little place we're
building together here, isn't it?
BRENNAN
Disarmingly so.
She looks around as the room flashes and suddenly they are
sitting on the couch in her apartment. They look around then
back at each other.
BOOTH
But it's not going to hold for much
longer.
BRENNAN
I think you're right.
BOOTH
Did you find all the answers you were
looking for?
BRENNAN
I... I'm not sure.
BOOTH
Let me see if I can clarify things a
little bit, hm?
Booth leans in, kissing her. She kisses him back. When they
part, she looks at him carefully.
BRENNAN
This part is very clear.
She moves in to kiss him again, but he pulls back.
BOOTH
Hang on. As much as I'm sure we're
both going to enjoy that stuff... you
know you're going to have to address
all the other stuff first, right? The
proverbial "pachyderm" in the room.
She smiles at his joke, but then gets serious again.
BRENNAN
I know.
BOOTH
It's not going to be like it was here.
This version of me was hesitant, but
that version, the real me, is-
BRENNAN
Obstinate.
BOOTH
Hey, now, take it easy there, Bones,
alright? He's still me; I'm still him.
I respect you, is all. I'm not going
to sleep with you if that's all it's
going to be. I'm gonna want more.
BRENNAN
You want to make love.
BOOTH
Among other things...
BRENNAN
Because you're in love with me.
Booth looks down.
BOOTH
Don't go saying it like it's an
accusation when you bring it up out
there, okay? It's a touchy subject,
you understand?
BRENNAN
But I love you also.
He likes hearing this, but forces a stern face.
BOOTH
And don't go saying that like it's
some conclusion you've drawn after
studying a bunch of evidence.
BRENNAN
But that's exactly what it is.
BOOTH
No. No, Bones. This...
He gestures back and forth between them.
BOOTH
This isn't evidence.
BRENNAN
Then what is it?
BOOTH
What do you mean "what is it?" Right
now what it is... is a fantasy. Your
fantasy, by the way.
BRENNAN
If this is my fantasy, isn't that
evidence of my feelings toward you?
He considers this. She regards him a moment.
BRENNAN
Perhaps you can tell me... what's your
fantasy? Other than me in your hockey
jersey, of course.
He chuckles, a little sad. He sits back against the couch,
folding his arms and looking at her. Man, this woman.
BOOTH
You know my fantasy. You wrote it. And
you read it to me.
BRENNAN
You mean being married?
BOOTH
I mean being... with you.
He smiles.
BOOTH
The whole she-bang. That's my fantasy.
BRENNAN
The whole she-bang?
BOOTH
Being together and everything that
comes with it. That's what I want.
BRENNAN
I want to believe you.
BOOTH
No. You do. You do believe me. You
already did. 'Cause whether you have
or whether you haven't collected any
new evidence while you've been on this
here...
He gestures around, looking for a word.
BRENNAN
Journey.
He nods. He'll take it.
BOOTH
You already had plenty of it piled up
against us, alright? For example, you
know damn well what attraction looks
like. Feels like.
BRENNAN
We're attracted to each other. We've
openly acknowledged that fact.
BOOTH
How far do you think the leap from
attraction to love is for me, Bones?
BRENNAN
However far it is, it's exponentially
farther for me.
BOOTH
Maybe you picked the wrong function
for your regression there.
She laughs.
BRENNAN
You do not know what that means.
He laughs and shrugs.
BOOTH
But you do. And here you are. Totally
open to things like snuggling and
Saturday afternoon hockey games.
Totally open period. You thought you
couldn't do that, but doesn't this
just prove... you really already have?
She frowns. A beat.
BRENNAN
I'm scared, Booth.
He scoots over, putting and arm around her and pulling her
close.
BRENNAN
I'm scared that what you're saying
isn't really true. Scared that it is.
Scared to go back and find out.
BOOTH
You came here for answers. You got
'em. You can wake up now.
BRENNAN
I wanted to see you play hockey next
week. I wanted you come to my lecture.
He smiles and leans over, kissing her on the head.
BOOTH
We got a lifetime for hockey and
lectures and kids and movies.
BRENNAN
And fireworks and symphonies? And
chocolate cake with chocolate ice cream?
This is curious, but Booth smiles. She pulls herself out from
the soft grip of his arm and turns to face him and his
answer.
BOOTH
Whatever we want.
She takes a deep breath, looking very uncertain.
BOOTH
You're just scared, like you said.
Scared to put yourself out there.
Scared you'll hurt me. Scared of
change. Changing yourself. Changing...
us.
She doesn't deny it.
BOOTH
Well, I'm scared, too, you know?
Scared I could be the one to end up
hurting you somehow. Scared you don't
feel the same way. Scared to even say
how I feel.
He shakes his head, looking off.
BRENNAN
What is it? You're thinking of
something specific, aren't you?
He sighs.
BOOTH
You remember when I told you I love
you in an "attagirl" kind of way? Do
you really think that was what
wanted to say to you that night?
She doesn't know the answer.
BOOTH
Well, I can tell you, it's not. I just
suddenly felt terrified. I was asking
too much, too quick.
BRENNAN
(confirming)
I would have been disconcerted to hear
you say anything more than you did.
BOOTH
That's why it has to be you. If I make
the first move... we're done. D.O.A.
No matter how bad I want this, it's
not going to work until you're ready.
She looks over at him, her face brought close to his by her
position. They look at each other for a beat.
BOOTH
The thing is, that me out there, I
don't know any of that. I can see it,
what I want, right there through the
window. Seems like an easy grab. But
I'm overlooking the security system.
BRENNAN
I understand your metaphor.
BOOTH
Do you?
BRENNAN
Yes. I'll have to... turn off the
alarm. I'll need to be the one to...
open the door. From the inside.
Booth smiles and moves in to kiss her gently. With her eyes
closed, she kisses him back for a long and sweet moment.
BOOTH
Swear you'll let me in, Bones?
BRENNAN
I'm going to try.
BOOTH
Try hard.
BRENNAN
It just requires so much outside of my
skill set.
BOOTH
No. Nah. Hm mm. All it requires is one
of your best skills: honesty.
She considers this. A beat.
BRENNAN
What I need is your open heart.
BOOTH
Come up, Bones, don't you know by now?
You already have that. In more ways
than one.
Around them, the apartment dips completely to black then
comes back into view. Booth glances around.
BOOTH
Now, listen, you gotta go back, okay?
She nods, but moves in to kiss him again. We stay on them,
kissing until we...
FLASH TO:
INT. BRENNAN'S APARTMENT - MORNING
Lying on her couch with shoes off and wearing jeans and a
tank top, Brennan opens her eyes.
FADE OUT