Author's Note: We are now merging into episode 5x16 ("The Parts in the Sum of the Whole"). I've definitely stolen the first bit of dialogue directly, but then, of course, she has a different mindset after her peyote dream trance... so things will take a turn from the original. I hope you'll enjoy what Brennan does with what she learned... and Booth's reaction. There will be one more chapter (with Sweets, of course) so be on the lookout for that. If you have a moment, toss a review my way; I'll be so grateful for your feedback!
EXT. FEDERAL TRIANGLE SUBWAY STATION
Booth and Brennan ride up on the escalator, each holding a
copy of Sweets' manuscript.
BOOTH
You know, we're going to have to break
this to Sweets very gently.
BRENNAN
Why? He should be grateful.
BOOTH
He can be grateful later.
BRENNAN
What do you mean?
BOOTH
You know how people are grateful when
you yell "Fire!" But before they're
grateful, they panic and they run into
walls?
BRENNAN
You think Sweets is going to panic and
run into a wall?
A beat as he waits for it to register.
BRENNAN
Metaphorically. Okay, I got it.
BOOTH
I mean, he's not gonna like it.
BRENNAN
If there was a mistake in one of my
books, I'd want to know.
BOOTH
What you call a mistake, Sweets calls
an interpretation.
BRENNAN
Interpretation? No, it's an actual
factual error.
BOOTH
Okay, what exactly do you think you
think we're telling him about?
She flips open the manuscript.
BRENNAN
Page 31, and I quote, "subjects worked
together for the first time in solving
the murder of pregnant congressional
intern Cleo Eller."
BOOTH
Oh, right. Yeah.
(he chuckles)
That's right. We worked that other
case before that.
BRENNAN
What did you think we were going to
talk to him about?
He shrugs, playing it nonchalant.
BOOTH
The whole... love thing?
BRENNAN
Oh.
He stops walking. She doesn't.
BOOTH
"Oh?"
He jogs to catch back up with her. They both continue walking
at a brisk clip.
BOOTH
You mean that part didn't... stand out
to you?
BRENNAN
I suppose I just assumed that as a
pseudo-scientist, Sweets has the right
to interpret the data and draw his own
conclusions.
BOOTH
And you got no opinion on this
particular conclusion?
BRENNAN
The validity of his conclusion and to
what degree he is correct... that's
for us to figure out, not him.
Booth's look is confused. She notices.
BRENNAN
I'm just saying that it's still his
conclusion. It doesn't really matter
if it's wrong or... if it's right.
BOOTH
Well, it would have to be wrong in
this case... right?
BRENNAN
I would assume if you have to ask that
question then, yes, it would have to
be wrong.
(she looks at him uncertainly)
Right?
BOOTH
Um... I don't know, Bones. I'm
confused. You never talk this way. All
indirect like. What are you really
trying to say here, huh?
She looks down.
BRENNAN
I have a lot I'd like to try to say,
actually.
BOOTH
Right now?
BRENNAN
Mm hm. Yes. Right now.
He tries to get a read on her, but she walks on, quickly. He
has to hurry to keep pace.
BOOTH
Okay, alright, well, I, for one, got
no problem making Sweets wait. So...
He takes hold of her arm and slows his walking pace greatly.
She falls into step with him. He releases her, satisfied with
her speed. After a few more seconds, he glances at her as she
walks slowly, but still in silence.
BOOTH
If you got so much to say, you should
probably start talking, hm?
He gently bumps his shoulder into hers. She nods, swallowing.
He picks up on her nervousness.
BOOTH
Hey, I didn't... I didn't really mean
that. You take your time.
She does as they walk another few steps. He puts his hands in
his pockets then takes them out again. He's dying here.
BRENNAN
You remember the other morning, when
you brought me the bagel and coffee?
BOOTH
Oh, you mean Saturday morning? When
you had that good-looking Navajo
doctor dude at your place? Am I
thinking of the right morning?
BRENNAN
Yes, that's the correct morning.
BOOTH
(short)
What about it?
BRENNAN
Dr. Adakai... he was lying when he
said he'd just arrived that morning.
BOOTH
(annoyed)
No kidding?
BRENNAN
He had been there all night.
BOOTH
(hostile)
So you have a new boyfriend? Is that
what you're taking all this time to say?
BRENNAN
No...
They reach a bench and Booth, brooding a bit, needs to take a
seat and a deep breath. Brennan joins him and presses on:
BRENNAN
Dr. Adakai is a Navajo scholar, but
he's also a spiritual guide. He
brought some peyote and-
BOOTH
Peyote? Peyote as in the schedule 1
substance peyote?
She stiles a laugh, amused.
BOOTH
Why is that funny?
BRENNAN
It's just... that was your exact
reaction when I was on my journey.
BOOTH
You mean when you were high on some
desert cactus?
BRENNAN
Eh.
BOOTH
Don't you dare "eh" me on this, okay?
You got high.
BRENNAN
It's more like a trip on LSD or magic
mushrooms, actually.
His jaw tenses.
BOOTH
You can't just go tripping on drugs
without me, Bones. Okay? I should have
been there. If I couldn't have stopped
you, I would have at least kept you safe.
BRENNAN
Interestingly, in my dream, you were
there. And you had a similar reaction.
BOOTH
Hm, how about that? I guess that means
you knew good and well I'd react this
way, and that's why you didn't want me
there.
BRENNAN
No, I didn't want you there because...
She hesitates. He is immediately suspicious.
BRENNAN
When you take this journey, when you
participate in a peyote ritual, it's
important to have a question in mind,
something you want to explore
or understand. The ancestors are then
said to guide you.
BOOTH
Okay, but what does this hocus pocus
mumbo jumbo have to do with-
BRENNAN
You.
BOOTH
Right. What does you exploring a
question in some magical dream land
have to do with me?
BRENNAN
No. I meant the question I wanted to
explore was about you, Booth.
BOOTH
Oh.
He waits, but she doesn't speak.
BOOTH
What, uh... what about me?
BRENNAN
I...
She closes her eyes and reopens them.
BRENNAN
I wanted to know if what you've taught
me about love is real... or... could
be real... to me, anyway.
BOOTH
Wait, so you, a scientist, took a
hallucinogenic drug to ask your
scholar friend's ancestors if you're
ever going to find love?
BRENNAN
No, of course not. Peyote can't tell
the future.
BOOTH
Oh, no, no. Of course not.
(impatient)
Then what can it do?
BRENNAN
It can help the properly guided user
explore and reflect upon their own
thoughts and experiences in a manner
that is impossible in a normal state.
BRENNAN looks off, hesitating. He's at a loss.
BRENNAN
So, you see-
BOOTH
(mumbled to himself)
No, I really don't-
BRENNAN
I didn't do it, as you purported, to
predict whether or not I would find
love, but instead to explore the
possibility that... I... already have.
He turns to her, his arm on the back of the bench. She stares
down at her hands in an unusual moment of uncertainty.
BOOTH
What exactly happened when you took
this drug, Bones? Did it mess you up?
BRENNAN
Because I'm talking about love?
He tilts his head from side to side. He doesn't want to say
it, but...
BOOTH
I mean, yeah, kinda.
She looks into his eyes, looking for help.
BOOTH
(trying to be nice)
Do you want to tell me what happened
in this druggie dream of yours? Maybe
that would be a better place to start
this conversation, hm? Provide a
little context?
BRENNAN
Okay, well... in the euphoric
dreamlike state brought on by
the peyote, I imagined we-you and I-
decided to participate in an
arrangement known as "friends with
benefits." Do you know what that
means?
Booth laughs. Loud. She doesn't.
BOOTH
Wait, you're serious? You know what
that means?
BRENNAN
In actuality, I do, yes. I learned it
from Angela. But in there, I was
unfamiliar so-
BOOTH
In "there?" In your hallucination
dream thing?
BRENNAN
Yes.
BOOTH
In there, you didn't know what
"friends with benefits" meant so...
BRENNAN
So you explained it.
BOOTH
Oh, yeah, I bet I did.
He looks off, uncomfortable. She doesn't speak. He looks back
at her with narrowed eyes.
BOOTH
You know, Bones, if this is just going
to be you telling me about some sex
dream you had about us, you don't need
to do that, okay? I mean, I never have.
BRENNAN
Never had one or never told me?
BOOTH
Mmm hmm. Yeah.
BRENNAN
But, you didn't-
BOOTH
Moving on. Continue.
BRENNAN
Okay, well, it was... satisfying.
BOOTH
Uh huh. Uh huh.
BRENNAN
I thought you wanted me to tell you
what happened.
BOOTH
I did. I do. I just... I hope you're
not trying to bring that out here into
the real world, okay? That whole
"friends with benefits" thing.
Because... I'm not doing that. I
can't. No way, no how.
She laughs.
BRENNAN
You said you'd say that.
Booth starts to speak, but she cuts him off.
BRENNAN
Don't worry. That's not what I'm
asking for.
BOOTH
Good.
He blinks several times, catching up to what she just said.
BRENNAN
I learned such a relationship would be
quite difficult for you. Because you
would want more.
BOOTH
Of course I would want more.
A beat. He looks at her, waiting and curious.
BRENNAN
Sweets said the only reason you did it
was for me. That you would do anything
for me.
BOOTH
You told Sweets about the peyote?
BRENNAN
No, Sweets was... in there.
She taps her index finger to her temple.
BOOTH
Peyote Sweets?
BRENNAN
Yes.
BOOTH
Said I would do anything for you?
BRENNAN
Yes.
BOOTH
But doesn't that just mean you think
that then? Since it's in your head?
BRENNAN
Rationally, I would say the world I
created came from observations,
processed at a subconscious level,
that I reconstructed into the façade
of reality.
BOOTH
That sounded a lot like psychology.
BRENNAN
Making conclusions based on existing
and available evidence is not
psychology. It's deduction.
BOOTH
So you're saying you deducted that I'd
do anything for you?
BRENNAN
Deduced. And, yes. I suppose I did. Is
the conclusion incorrect?
He scoffs, shaking his head.
BOOTH
(irritated)
No, you're right. I would do anything
for you. Anything. Including telling you
"no" when you need to hear it.
Telling you, for example, no, we can't be
(he emphasizes with air quotes)
"friends with benefits."
BRENNAN
I already said: I'm not asking.
BOOTH
Good. Because y-y-you, you know, you
deserve a helluva lot more than that.
Even if you think you don't need i
t. Even if you think you don't want it.
If you actually tried it... I think you'd
like it a whole lot.
BRENNAN
You're using the pronoun "it" quite
carelessly. What is "it?"
BOOTH
More, Bones. All of it. Everything.
The whole she-bang.
BRENNAN
The whole she-bang?
BOOTH
Yeah, it means-
BRENNAN
Being in a relationship with someone.
He chuckles, but it's bitter.
BOOTH
Yeah, being a relationship. With
"someone."
He shakes his head, looking off.
BRENNAN
I want to ask you something, and I
want you to be honest.
BOOTH
(still angry)
Yeah, sure.
BRENNAN
That time you told me you love me in
an "attagirl" kind of way. Is that
really what you wanted to say to me
that night?
He looks back at her, staring in disbelief.
BOOTH
Are we really having this conversation
right now? Why are you asking me that?
He stands and takes a few steps away from her then back. She
also stands. He starts to turn away again.
BRENNAN
Booth?
He turns back to her, fired up.
BOOTH
No, okay? No. That's not what I wanted
to say to you that night, but-
BRENNAN
Okay, good.
He looks at her, confused. He waits. She only looks down.
BOOTH
Are you going to explain why that's
good?
She turns to the side, away from him, taking a few steps.
BRENNAN
I'm sorry. I'm finding this
conversation quite difficult.
Especially this part. And I find that
I am filled with anxiety and...
uncertainty. And I'm not used
to feeling this way.
Booth circles around to face her.
BOOTH
(gently)
If your uncertainty is over me, you
got nothing to worry about, okay?
Whatever you have to say... I'm open
to it. I'm definitely open to it.
She looks at him, still uncertain.
BOOTH
Why don't you tell me more about the
trance dream. Or was it all "benefits"
from there? Hmm?
He smirks suggestively.
BRENNAN
Well... yes... it was quite a lot of
that for awhile, but then you tricked
me into breaking all the rules.
BOOTH
Rules? There were rules?
BRENNAN
Yes.
BOOTH
For example?
BRENNAN
No staying the whole night. No
snuggling. That type of thing.
He scoffs.
BOOTH
Seriously? Those are dumb rules.
Especially since I am an amazing
snuggler. Cuddler, too. And my
spooning? Oh, boy. Off the charts.
She smiles, but it's sad. Something dawns on him.
BOOTH
But I tricked you into breaking the
rules, you said?
BRENNAN
Yes. Well, charmed me, I guess.
BOOTH
And it worked?
BRENNAN
Yes...
He pats his chest and pockets as if looking for a pen.
BOOTH
I'm just thinking I should be taking
notes is all. Sounds like Peyote Booth
was pretty smooth.
BRENNAN
(ignoring him)
Parker was also there.
Booth tilts his head.
BOOTH
My Parker?
BRENNAN
I watched you both play hockey.
BOOTH
This is starting to sound more like my
dream, Bones. Not yours.
She presses her lips together, looking off. He regards her a
moment, running a hand up and down the upper part of her arm.
BOOTH
It's okay. It was just a dream, you
understand? Peyote or not. You said it
was a chance to reflect. Maybe you're
taking it all a little too literally.
BRENNAN
How so?
He takes a step closer to her.
BOOTH
Well, you said you wanted to explore
if what I taught you about love was
right, right? And in the dream, you
kinda maybe fell for me...? I think t
hat's what I'm gathering from both
what you're saying and what you're,
uncharacteristically, not saying.
She looks down then back into his eyes with a small nod.
BOOTH
Maybe it's just a metaphor. Maybe what
you learned is... you do, honest to
God, believe what I believe.
BRENNAN
Which is what?
BOOTH
That love is real.
Her brow furrows.
BOOTH
Or... not.
BRENNAN
It's just... we're operating at
different magnitudes.
BOOTH
I... don't know what means.
BRENNAN
You're trying to be broad to make me
feel more comfortable. In reality,
this is not a metaphor, not a
generalization. This is, quite
specifically, about... us.
He tips his chin down.
BOOTH
Is it, now?
She nods, keeping her eyes locked on his, but she doesn't say
anymore.
BOOTH
Well, then, don't leave me hanging
here, Bones. Keep talking. Please.
BRENNAN
I'm not sure I can continue. You speak
so candidly about your feelings. I
don't know how to do that.
BOOTH
Just... talk from your heart. From
your gut. Channel your inner Booth.
She looks down, inhaling and exhaling slowly.
BRENNAN
What I want to say is... I believe in
giving this a chance.
(she looks up, calmer)
I want to give this a shot.
He stares at her. Then:
BOOTH
You mean us? No, we can't.
Brennan moves in to kiss him.
BOOTH
I could hurt you. I never want to-
BRENNAN
I'm willing to risk it. I'm willing to-
Her lips crash into his, making the point. He kisses her back
for a second, but then steps back and grabs her shoulder.
BOOTH
No. No.
He looks panicked. She is taken off guard by his denial.
BRENNAN
Why? Why?
BOOTH
Not out of nowhere like this. Not
because of peyote. Not before we
clarify some things.
BRENNAN
I'm not asking you to be friends with
benefits. I'm asking you to be-
BOOTH
Don't say it unless you're sure, okay?
Because the definition of insanity is
doing the same thing over and over
again... and expecting a different
outcome.
BRENNAN
Then let's go for a different outcome,
Booth. Just hear me out. Please?
He inhales slowly then nods.
BOOTH
Yeah...
BRENNAN
I know you must think I'm set in my
ways and in my thinking. But I learned
that change is not impossible.
BOOTH
What change are you talking about?
What do you need to change?
BRENNAN
Me.
BOOTH
No.
BRENNAN
I didn't think I could either, but I
did. I can. At least, I think I can.
I'm willing to try. If you-
BOOTH
But I don't want you to change.
BRENNAN
You want our relationship to remain
the same?
BOOTH
No...
They look at each other a long moment. Neither does she.
BOOTH
No, I don't want that, but... the
parts that include you being you...I
never want to lose that. The you parts
are my favorite parts about what we
have.
BRENNAN
Even the me part that would never open
up to certain possibilities?
BOOTH
Well, I guess that depends. What
possibilities are we talking about
here?
BRENNAN
All of them. Everything. The whole...
she-bang.
BOOTH
That is a big door you're throwing
open there, Bones. Huge.
BRENNAN
Yes. And I'd like to invite you to
walk through it. With me. Together.
He's in awe.
BRENNAN
In fact, there are a lot of things I'd
like to experience with you.
Booth's eyes widen in surprise.
BOOTH
This isn't the drugs talking, right?
Like some lingering effect that's
gonna wear off in a few days?
BRENNAN
You mean, like what Sweets told you
about your PET scans?
BOOTH
How the hell do you know about that?
BRENNAN
You told me.
BOOTH
Oh, I definitely did not.
BRENNAN
Well, you talked about it with Sweets.
BOOTH
(pissed)
Oh, great, okay. I'm gonna kill him.
Booth up his fists and turns to walk off. Brennan grabs his
arm and eases him back to their conversation.
BRENNAN
It was in my dream.
BOOTH
That doesn't make sense, Bones. Peyote
Sweets and Peyote Me wouldn't have
known that anymore than you did.
BRENNAN
I know, and I believe we could spend
quite a bit of time picking apart many
elements of my experience that are
thus far inexplicable, but that's not
the point I'm trying to make right
now, Booth.
BOOTH
Then what is the point you're trying
to make right now, Bones?
BRENNAN
I'm just trying to tell you, you don't
need to worry. This feeling... it's
not going to fade. It was here long
before I did the peyote. I just chose
not to process it or name it.
BOOTH
Yeah, okay. That I understand. It took
me being in a coma to process it
and... name it.
He looks at her, stepping closer yet.
BOOTH
Love, by the way. That's what I named
it. That's what I've known since
I woke up. Really, what I've known since
the beginning. What I wanted to say to
you that night when I said that stupid
attagirl thing. A-a-and... you know,
what I felt since our very first kiss.
BRENNAN
Since our first kiss?
BOOTH
Since before that first kiss, even.
That moment in time. That first case.
BRENNAN
Speaking of...
She holds up the manuscript.
BOOTH
Oh, no. Hell no. We're not going to
talk to him until...
He closes all distance between them, kissing her. No pulling
away on either side this time. They kiss for a long and
lovely beat. When they part, it's not far. Booth smiles.
BOOTH
Like that. That's what I felt.
She's speechless.
BOOTH
Say something, Bones.
BRENNAN
Wow.
She lets out a breath. He chuckles. They look at each other
another moment then move back together in a kiss that doesn't
show signs of stopping anytime soon.
FADE OUT