Chapter 4

Thankfully, it was weekend. Brennan really didn't feel like sharing this new chapter in her life with anybody else yet. It was a little selfish thing that she wanted to have, she wanted Booth all to herself and not to share him with anybody or anything else. Of course, she knew, that sooner or later she and Booth have to go back to real world, but after all their conversations, what happened with Vincent, their new step in a relationship, it was good they could catch a break and just be them. Booth and Brennan, together at last.

On Monday, they agreed to have a talk with Hacker about their partnership, Booth was a little annoyed with it, given that Brennan and Andrew used to date and Brennan was a little annoyed with Booth for being possessive. She knew, of course, that Booth's alpha male tendencies will bring some discomfort into her life, but she was willing to accept it, as long as they wouldn't affect their work and her personal space. But right now, her mind was almost blank, which was a rare occasion for someone like her and the reason was Booth's mouth and tongue and fingers at her entrance. She knew that they would be great at this, she observed before that he would make a skillful and attentive lover, but no fantasy of hers could compared to the real thing. Their first night was filled with unresolved passion and fear and recent loss and it was a little quick, but very satisfying nonetheless. But now that they had all the time in the world it was time for exploration and boy, did they explore. For instance, right now Booth was exploring just how much he can tease her until she comes undone under his touch.

When they were exhausted but giddy, took their showers and went back to bed to catch some sleep, Brennan's mind wouldn't let her rest. Everything was happening so fast. Three days ago, she and Booth were partners, something she knew very well, something they did for a long time and now, the bridge was crossed and even though she never felt happier a part of her wanted to run. This part urged het to escape far away from him, from this inexplicable bond they had, to run from the pain that will come when their relationship will end, because the fact was, no matter how much she loved him, sooner or later it will end, break up, disease, death. Every relationship inevitably ends at some point, the only reason why she stayed, was her recent conclusion that it was worth it. Her proof was already asleep, his big strong arm was wrapped around her waist protectively and she enjoyed it. If it were anybody else, even Sully, she would have tried to move it, to get some space but with Booth it was so easy. She couldn't find a rational explanation for this, she glanced at his handsome face and felt a glimmer of hope. He was definitely worth the risk.

It was early Sunday morning when Brennan heard a call, groaning slightly she picked up her phone completely certain that a new case was about to break into their bubble, judging from Booth's unhappy, alarmed and fully awake face, he was thinking the same.

'Brennan,' she greeted whoever was on the phone.

'Hello, sweetie, did I wake you up?' Brennan heard Angela's voice.

'Yes, it is quite early. Do we have a case?'

'Since when 9:00 am is early for you?' laughed Angela. She wasn't wrong, Brennan was known for working from sunrise till dawn and weekends were not an exception. Except this weekend was. While Brennan was trying to think of an excuse, Angela, as always, understood immediately what was going on. 'Oh my God, you are with Booth, right? I should have known, I am sorry, sweetie, I can call you back later.'

'Who is that?' whispered Booth fighting the yawn.

'It's Angela,' said Brennan blushing slightly, Booth was now stretching, fully naked and unashamed and she found herself distracted. 'What is it, Ange? Are you all right? Are you in labor?'

'Yeah, no, I am fine. Still not in labor, the reason why I am calling you is to invite you and Booth to our place. You know, have some dinner and wine, well you can have wine, I will be drinking herbal tea.'

'I am not sure, Angie, me and Booth didn't have a discussion for today's plans,' she glanced at Booth who was shaking his head vigorously. 'Judging from what I can see now, Booth is not willing to participate in your invitation,' Booth rolled his eyes while Brennan heard Angela's small laugh. Sometimes these social cues were very hard to follow.

'I would imagine so, sweetie, but you should tell him…Well, I kind of made a mistake and told Hodgins about the two of you and now he is basically blackmailing me, either I drag you two for the dinner with us or…'

'Give me that,' said Booth taking Brennan's phone, he clearly heard what Angela was saying and was annoyed. 'Yes, Angela, it's Booth, what the hell? Is Hodgins twelve or something? Yeah, yeah, I get it, it's a big deal, but it's nobody's business,' he sighed. 'Fine, we'll be there,' Angela said something that definitely improved his mood, Booth glanced at her and smiled brightly, Brennan's heart skipped a beat. 'I know, yeah, thanks, I'll see you later. And tell Hodgins that if he doesn't keep it down, I will shoot him. Bye.'

'What is it?' asked Brennan.

'Hodgins is an idiot, that what it is. I am telling you, the constant slime and bugs made Hodgins crazy.'

'I don't understand why anybody would care about the status of our relationship at all,' shrugged Brennan taking Booth's hand into hers. 'I mean, aside from Angela, but she has always been a little too invested into…What?' she asked noticing Booth's little smirk.

'Nothing, it doesn't matter,' he captured her lips and rolled on the top of her. 'If we have to leave the bed for this stupid dinner, we'd better make up for it.'

They were now at Hodgins's door, Booth was holding a bottle of wine and Brennan despite being here dozens of times felt uneasy. She never done this before, a couples' night, that what Booth called it. This ritual for couples to get together and socialize didn't make any sense to Brennan, but she loved Angela and Booth and Hodgins, so she decided to give it a try. The door opened and a beautiful, heavily pregnant woman smiled happily at them.

'Hey, you two!' she kissed Brennan and gave Booth a small hug. 'You are just on time, the dinner is almost ready. I have to warn you, Hodgins is awful tonight and I am apologizing in advance.'

'Yeah, I got it from your phone call,' said Booth. 'Why Hodgins is so weird about this?'

Before Angela could answer, her bouncing husband appeared out of nowhere. He was wearing a flowery apron and a huge smile. Brennan find herself a little bit annoyed with it and couldn't really explain why.

'Hey! Dr. B, Booth, come in! So happy to see you, oh you brought wine how thoughtful of you!'

'Dr Hodgins, are you feeling OK?' she asked him.

'Yes, yes! Totally, completely! It's just you know, we have a couples' night, who would have thought?'

'Honey, keep it down,' said Angela when they entered the room. Booth rolled his eyes, but Hodgins didn't seem to mind. 'They are here and you promised to behave.'

'Yes, right, of course,' he beamed and then hugged first Brennan than Booth. 'You have no idea how long we have been waiting for this to happen…'

'Hodgins, let me stop you right there,' said Booth pushing Hodgins away. 'If you can't behave like a grown up, we are leaving.'

'Sorry, sorry, I am just,' Hodgins was practically bouncing now, he grabbed Booth's hand. 'Congratulations, Booth!'

'Why are you congratulating Booth, Dr Hodgins?' asked Brennan not completely understanding what is going on. 'And why our new relationship is making you all anxious? It's not like it affects you.'

'Are you serious? This is huge, the two of you finally getting together!' Angela smacked his head and Hodgins spoke in calmer voice. 'Yes, of course, Dr. B! I am just happy for you two.'

'I still don't understand…' said Brennan looking back and forth from Angela to Booth.

'It's just we are your friends, sweetie,' said Angela gently. 'And we are both very happy for you and I promise that we will not talk about it at work, right Hodgins?'

'But about Cam and Sweets and others?' asked Hodgins raising his pale eyebrows.

'This is between me and Bones, bug boy! It's none of their concern,' said Booth. He used this voice he usually did when Brennan was saying something inappropriate and now she was starting to understand the implications and felt even more uncomfortable. 'So let's just have a normal dinner and…'

'Really? I thought you of all people would want to celebrate…' began Hodgins and Brennan realized she had enough of it.

'Could you please stop?' she was feeling overwhelmed and confused. 'I don't like this, I don't want to discuss this. This is between me and Booth and your behavior is completely inappropriate, Dr Hodgins! If you are my friend as you claim to be, you will stop this immediately!'

'Bones, are you all right?' asked Booth carefully.

'Yes, I just…I just need some air,' said Brennan and practically ran towards the backdoor, the last thing she heard was Angela's angry voice.

'Way to go, Hodgins, I told you to keep it down…'

Brennan was now outside, the cool air helped, but she still felt like the best thing for her to do right now, was to jump in the car and to drive away, as far as she could, she was one step away from doing exactly that when she heard heavy breathing behind her, she turned and saw Booth's concerned face. He had a familiar expression, the same expression he had when she said 'no' to him, the memories of what happened next, all mistakes and pain grounded her and she knew that she wouldn't run, she can't do it to Booth again, he would never forgive her, instead she took a deep breath and hugged him fiercely. She felt Booth's hands on her waist and a relived sigh, she might be bad at reading other people, but when it came to Booth, it almost felt natural.

'Are you all right, Bones?' asked Booth letting her go.

'Yes…no, I didn't expect this. This is what it's going to be like? People asking all these questions?'

'No, I won't let them, what's ours is ours, remember?'

'Yes, I remember,' she smiled weakly.

'Hey, listen to me, I love you, Bones. And if you don't want to, we don't have to tell anybody else, we don't even have to tell Hacker yet.'

Brennan looked at his symmetrical face, Booth's offer was tempting very tempting, but there was still a big issue.

'No, we have to tell Hacker, I don't want you to get in trouble with the FBI because of me and I told you, I will not work with any other agent, so we need to be straightforward about that with your boss.'

'Fine,' nodded Booth. 'But just so you know, I don't care for any trouble, nothing will stop me from being with you as long as you let me.'

'I forget what a romantic you are sometimes,' Brennan smiled despite herself, Booth's reassuring voice calmed her down, he was her rock of stability in this sometimes very confusing world.

'I am, see, ha, I made you smile! As for Cam, Sweets and others, I promise I will handle it when the time comes.'