Chapter 2

Brennan was late, she knew that others were waiting for her, but she decided to do something nice for poor Mr. Nigel-Murray or more precisely for his family, because of course, Mr. Nigel-Murray doesn't care anymore, he was dead. But of course, Booth would say, that he was in heaven. At the thought of her partner Brennan's face felt uncharacteristically warm. What happened between them this morning was a long time coming, she knew that, she wanted that.

Feelings and emotions were complicated for her, she didn't always know what she was feeling, but she knew now. All the evidence gathered over the years, all the uneasiness she experienced when Booth was out of her life, brought her to the undeniable conclusion. This what Angela and Booth call love, this what they both tried to explain to her. This power that one person holds over other's mood, peace of mind and metaphorical heart. It was terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. She never, not once, felt anything like that. Of course, she acknowledged how attractive and nice Booth was, but now, thinking back it was always more than that, she just didn't know what and it bothered her for a very long time until she finally faced the facts. Especially for such complicated emotion as love, she needed proof, empirical evidence of what was going on with her, her logical mind needed answers and the only answer she could find that she was in love with him. She avoided this delusion her entire life and now that she had it, she wasn't sure it was a delusion, because after this morning, she never saw anything clearer. He made her happy and she wanted to make him happy.

Brennan looked at the pot flower in her lap and felt uneasy. The last 36 hours were both terrible and wonderful. Indeed, she lost yet another intern, but gained something she never expected. She was now thinking not only about poor Vincent, but about Zack too. It's been years since he was institutionalized, but she still missed him. He was brilliant, rational, almost her intellectual equal, but his choices based purely on rational thought was what ultimately destroyed his life. Well almost, he did risk it all to save Hodgins. That was the all-human flaw, no matter how much you try, no matter how smart you are, sooner or later someone will break your walls. For Brennan the first person was Angela and then Booth. She would do anything for them and now that she and Booth crossed the last line in their relationship, she was overwhelmed.

When she finally arrived, her friends were already standing there around a simple wooden coffin. They sent Vincent good-bye, singing the Lime and the Coconut and went back inside the Jeffersonian, she was holding Booth's elbow and her heart was beating loudly, she just hoped that nobody will notice the shift in their relationship, she did tell Angela what happened last night, but she didn't want to discuss it with anybody else. Besides, she and Booth agreed that they needed talk about their change in a relationship. She dreaded it, she knew she was not good at this, so she hoped that Booth would take the lead on this one, at least for now. Hodgins invited everybody to have a drink, but Brennan didn't feel like going, she looked at Booth who whispered to her ear if she wanted to get out of here, she nodded smiling slightly. They said goodbye to everyone and went to Booth's car.

Everything felt so normal, they were discussing the case and Booth was telling what will happen to Broadsky now that he is in custody. It seemed that nothing has changed, they were still Booth and Brennan, but at the same time, everything was different. She couldn't really explain it, she couldn't even name an emotion she was experiencing right now.

'Do you want a drink?' he asked when they arrived at his place breaking her out of her thoughts. Brennan realized that she was very nervous, she wanted to know if Booth was just as terrified as she was, maybe he changed his mind about what happened between them, regretted it. He did say that he still wanted a committed relationship with her and over the years she learned that Booth would never say something like that unless he meant it, but the fear she always carried with her when it came to relationships, was still there.

Brennan was almost mad at herself for feelings to take over her head, but that what she signed up for that rainy night in the car, willingly accepted that her happiness was now dependent on somebody else too, she wasn't sure she liked this idea, but this is how it was.

'No, I don't, thank you,' she said trying to remain calm. 'What I do want is to discuss the terms and conditions of our new relationship.'

'Graceful as always, Bones, straight to the point. Not very romantic, though.'

'You are the romantic one,' she pointed out almost accusingly. She felt defensive and vulnerable and excited, too many emotions at once, it was hard to think straight.

'That is correct,' he smirked and approached her, his forehead was now almost touching hers. 'I told you this morning, I want 30, 40, 50 years. With you.'

'I remember, but Booth, I need to know what exactly it means. Do you want to have a committed relationship or an open one or maybe…'

'Wow, wow, wait right there. I am definitely not an open relationship kind of guy. What I want is you and me together,' he looked at her seriously and clarified. 'Just the two of us.'

'OK, so are you my boyfriend now?'

'I suppose so,' he smiled and pressed a light kiss to her lips.

'It's a little juvenile though,' she said thoughtfully ignoring his kiss, she still had questions. 'But I guess, I can adapt. What about FBI and Jeffersonian?'

'What about them?' asked Booth kissing her cheek and neck, despite herself Brennan's mind was now focusing on the feel of his warm lips on her skin.

'What will happen to our partnership now that we are in a romantic relationship?'

'Bones, do you really want to discuss it now? In case you haven't noticed I am trying really hard to seduce you here.'

'But we agreed to talk about this!'

Booth groaned loudly and withdrew from Brennan, her body was displeased with the loss of his touch, but her mind won this battle. She needed to know the truth.

'OK, let's talk. Why are you so worried about this? I mean, we are a great team both professionally and,' he licked his lips looking at her from tip to the toe and Brennan felt a new wave of heat, 'personally.'

'I am worried Booth, about how it will affect our work and people around us. I am not good at this, so I need to know what to say and how to act around you from now on,' she looked at him expectedly. His expression changed from explicit lust to something warm and familiar, she saw that look millions of times before and it always brought her comfort. He took her hand kissed it gently.

'We can do whatever you want,' he promised her firmly. 'Go as slowly or as fast as you want. I know how you are and it doesn't matter to me if you want to make a big announcement or to keep just between the two of us for now. I waited for this to happen for so long,' he touched her face gently and smiled. 'Personally, I want to climb the Empire State Building and yell about us, but I guess that's not really your style.'

Brennan couldn't help but smile in return.

'That's your alpha male trait. Did you know that in ancient times, when the alpha male of the tribe…' before she could finish Booth was kissing her.

'Sorry, but I am in no mood for a history lesson. To hell with the tribe, I am just happy,' he said when he broke the kiss. Brennan couldn't help but smile into his lips. 'As for the FBI, we do need to tell them, to make sure it all proper and official if we want to continue working together…'

'I am saying to you now, just so you know, I will not work with any other agent. So if your superiors at the FBI will not accept it, they will lose my assistance with the cases.'

'Noted,' Booth almost laughed. 'I am sure they will accept your terms. And besides, I don't want to work with any other squint kingdom, other than you and your team. As for our friends, I am sure they will get it at some point.'

'I did tell Angela,' she admitted almost shyly.

'Did you now?' he sounded almost amused but not so much surprised.

'Yes, although, I did not share the details of our intercourse, the positions we had or the taste of the bodily fluids…'

'I get it, Bones, thank you,' said Booth rolling his eyes. Brennan grinned.

'I assumed that you would feel more comfortable to discuss sex after we had it,' she shrugged.

'Well, yes, but I am comfortable to discuss it with you, not the gossips you had with your best friend.'

'They were not gossips! I just shared that I enjoyed it very much and…'

'Really? Very much?' Booth tone changed immediately. 'I enjoyed it very much as well and would like to do it again. Soon.'

'Good. And one other thing. I love you,' said Brennan looking straight into Booth's brown eyes.

'What?'.