Great big thank yous to: LoveShipper, jsboneslover (but Booth loves his job, so I don't think that's possible, he hs Brennan on his side so he should be fine), RobinAngelena, Crash22244 (he learnt his lesson), Lachelle Nepper, 554Laura (pretty hot right?), Brandy, Lauwy, GalaxieGurl(I just watched that episode! Double Trouble in the Panhandle), chanevlovesbones, FaithinBones (yup honesty is best), regbride12 (yup their bond is solid), mendenbar, yoshimi0701.

Completely unplanned but inspired by what GalaxieGurl wrote as a Valentine's Day story for me and written on a whim with minimal edits, this little drabble is meant to be a companion piece to Chapter 5 of her shirtless Booth series, No Shirt in His Sleep. That story's really good, you should check it out if you haven't.

This one's for you GalaxieGurl.

In the Buff

Booth cracked open an eye, then two. It was early yet. Fine-tuned by years of sniper training, his senses quickly awakened and alert, he listened for any noise coming down the hall, signalling the wakening of his offspring. Hearing nothing he relaxed. He glanced over at his sleeping companion, smiling smugly to himself that she was still asleep. He had woke earlier than her. He knew she had grown a habit of waking before him, admiring him as he slept. Not that he was complaining. Her hobby fed his ego, and waking up to her blue eyes intently studying him was an entirely enjoyable experience. She had said he was an alpha-male warrior and he absolutely loved the fact that she admired his physique, as one would admire a work of art. After all he worked hard to keep in tip-top shape, just for her.

When they had gotten together, he knew she was not going to be like any woman he had ever dated. She was strong, independent and never afraid to speak her mind or do what she wanted to. As her partner, he already knew that of her, but when they started to live together, he had found those traits even more attractive. They had both been in excellent shape when they first got together, and sex featured heavily in the early part of their relationship. As such, both found clothes an unnecessary hinderance to their frequent love making. They were not exhibitionists, but why wear clothes only to have to take them off not too long after they had been put back on? And so waking around naked became something they did in the privacy of their apartments, and later on their house. After Christine was born, this luxury was no longer something they could afford. But they found a way.

In the privacy of their own bedroom, just before bed, they would both shed their clothes and fall asleep in the buff, night clothes at arm's length away, in case of emergencies as Booth had put it.

And so this very morning, a rare instance when Booth woke earlier than Brennan, it was his turn to get an eyeful of his slumbering spouse. Her auburn hair was splayed out on her pillow, messy and in disarray, courtesy of their love making the night before. She had a natural beauty and without any make-up this beauty was even more apparent. His eyes was treated to an arousing view of her ample bosom, his gaze traveling down to her abdomen, any further appreciation of her body was obscured by the blanket. But he didn't need any visuals, he knew her body intimately. Her body that had borne two children for him, something that he would always be grateful to her for. After so many years, she still took his breath away. The love he felt for her was warm and all consuming. She was his home, just like he was hers.

He knew he shouldn't wake her, but he couldn't resist. Gently he smoothed a palm slowly down her abdomen, coming to rest just below her belly button. He felt her stir, and was soon staring into his favorite pair of blue eyes.

"Beat you to it." He whispered as he leaned in to brush his lips against hers.

"I can still admire your physique now." Brennan murmured against his lips. "But I think I prefer to touch than to see."

She reached an arm up, her hand cupping the nape of his neck as she pulled him closer to him, their kiss exploding in a fiery passion. She rolled herself on top of him and Booth was again reminded of the benefits of sleeping in the buff.

She was his partner in so many more ways than one. She was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. 30, 40 or 50 years, he knew would love her forever.

I also took some inspiration from Brennan telling Angela about the naked photo of Booth cooking an omelette, she had in her phone in The Memories in the Shallow Grave. Hope you all enjoyed this one.