All disclaimers in chapters 1&2.

(Story Note: Note that Booth didn't open the car door for Temperance in the last chapter.)

Chapter Three- Dinner

Temperance looked out the window as Booth pulled into a spot in the parking lot of Tony's. She hadn't expected Booth to pick such a nice restaurant.

"Tony's?" She asked incredulously.

"Yeah. Is that a problem?" Booth asked.

"No, just wondering why you chose it." Temperance replied as they approached the restaurant.

"I felt like Italian. Work for you?" asked Booth.

"Sure. No complaint."

Booth gave his name to the woman behind the counter and she led them to a table in the back, near a window. Booth pulled out Temperance's chair for her, waiting for her to sit down before sitting down himself, surprising her. Both of them studied their menus in silence, neither really sure of what to say.

A few minutes later, a waitress came to their table and asked if they were ready to order. Booth looked at Temperance, indicating that she should order first.

"I'll have the shrimp linguini please." Temperance handed the waitress her menu.

Booth cleared his throat. "I'll have the chicken parmesan and a bottle of red wine for both of us."

"Both of your orders come with a salad and the soup du jour." The waitress clarified. At their nods, the waitress jotted down their orders and left, leaving Temperance and Booth to another awkward silence.

"So, uh, how's the case going?" Booth broke the silence.

"Slowly. No ID, no hit on the dental records. I'm hoping something in the skeleton will be unique enough for identification." Temperance settled into the shoptalk, thankful for the conversation. They compared notes on the case until their orders arrived. Conversation continued over soup and salad. The pasta arrived afterwards and Booth poured them both some wine.

Halfway through the meal, Booth reached over and speared a shrimp from Temperance's plate and ate it. Temperance watched with a raised eyebrow and an annoyed expression. Seconds later, her fork snaked across the table and stabbed a piece of chicken off Booth's plate. As she chewed, she couldn't help the grin that was spreading across her face. Booth began to grin as well. Soon, they were both laughing.

Still chuckling, Temperance reached for the bottle of wine at the same time as Booth. Their hands met. When she felt his hand brush hers, she drew in a breath, a warm fuzzy, feeling going though her. Booth refilled both their glasses, raising his for a sip. Temperance grabbed her wine glass and took an overly large gulp, hoping he couldn't see the blush she was sure she had, judging by the burn in her cheeks. Catching his amused expression, she scrabbled for an excuse.

"Thirsty." She said lamely.

"I believe water would suit your needs better." Booth said, gesturing towards the glasses of water on the table.

She glared at him over her upraised glass. "Shut up." She took another sip, this time smaller, and set down the glass.

Booth himself hadn't been unaffected. He'd purposefully stolen a shrimp from her plate to provoke her. He'd gotten the smile he was hoping to see. Her laughter was infectious and laughing had released the tension from the case from both of them. He hadn't been prepared for the feelings that assailed him when their hands met though. Feeling her hand, soft and silky, had made his heart race, and truth be told, he'd been a little disappointed when she pulled it away. The flush in her cheeks and the gulp of wine stunned him. She feels the same way! He reveled in the knowledge of this.

Conversation was amicable and light throughout the rest of dinner, and they both avoided talking about what had just happened. After dessert, Booth paid the bill, leaving a generous tip, and they exited the restaurant. Watching the way Temperance's hair shone in the streetlights, Booth's brain shut down.

Reaching the car door and realizing Booth was not on the other side as he should be, Temperance turned around. And found Booth standing barely a foot behind her.

"Booth, what are you doing?" Booth stepped, and Temperance backed up. Her back met the car, and Booth stood well inside her personal space. "Bo-"

The rest of her sentence was drowned out by Booth's lips on hers. Temperance automatically went to free herself, but resistance faded as he continued to kiss her.

Her lips feel soft and warm, He thought. She tastes like honey. Temperance melted into him and they kissed for several minutes more, arms wrapping around each others, tongues exploring. Slowly, reason crept back into Temperance's mind. Breaking off the kiss, she looked into his eyes.

"What are we doing?" She asked.

"Kissing." Booth leaned back in, but she dodged.

"No, I mean, where is this going? Do you actually have feelings for me like I do for you, or…" She broke off and her eyes widened as she realized what she just blurted out.

That got Booth's attention. "You have feeling for me? Really?"

"Well don't get so full of yourself." Temperance retorted.

"I meant that I do have feelings for you, I just didn't know you felt the same way." Booth was in awe.

"Well, I do. But I think we should take this slowly. See where this takes us."

"So, are we dating now, or still friends?" Booth asked, hoping vehemently for the former.

"I think we can date." Temperance grinned shyly.

"Sounds good to me. Let's get you home. It's late and we need sleep." Booth grinned back. They climbed into the car, and Booth drove off.

Temperance practically floated into her apartment. She barely registered getting ready for bed as her mind stayed stuck on their kiss. She fell asleep dreaming of Booth. Booth's night went much the same way.

Their last coherent thought before sleep and dreams claimed them: "Maybe this is love."

The End?

I'm thinking of maybe adding one more chapter of the next and maybe everyone finding out. Hmm…..if inspiration strikes, who knows?

Review! Let me know what you think.