Hope this works - I hate writing dialogue. Note to self - do not write a story based around a phone conversation again!

"Hello?" Temperance said answering her phone as she sat by her desk.

"Hey," a voice whispered on the other end.

A very familiar voice, Temperance thought as she felt her heart begin to pound. "Hey yourself. Why are you whisphering?" Temperance felt a stab of disappointment, "Is this about a case?"

"What? No, I'm in a bookstore." Booth answered, unable to stop the smile spreading across his face as he heard her voice.

"Then why the whispering?" Temperance repeated, her face reflecting her confusion.

"I don't want to disturb people." Booth replied.

"It's a bookstore right?" Temperance queried starting to spin her revolving chair through 30 degrees.

"Yes." Booth said shortly.

"Not a library?"

"No."

"Then I think you can probably talk at something approaching normal volume. I can barely make out what you're saying!" Temperance commented.

"Fine. This better? One two; one two, testing!" Booth spoke normally. How was it possible that they could start arguing before they had even said hello? Had he really wanted to speak to her?

"Perfect."

Silence.

"Booth, you called me... Did you want something? Or can I get back to work?" Temperance was still confused. The 'one two' business hadn't helped.

"Oh, yeah... well...I er... wanted your help. Well, advice I guess..." Booth trailed off, horrified to realise he was starting to blush. Jesus, he felt like he was 13 again, asking his first proper crush on a date. Focus, and breathing wouldn't go amiss. It's just Bones, you work with her all the time. Just not for a week.

"And?" Came the query down the line, "I'm all yours." Temperance's breath hitched as she realised what she had just said. She opened her mouth to clarify, but Booth got in first.

"I need a book." he stated.

"A book?"

"Uh-huh." Booth was nodding in agreement as he answered.

"Umm... okay. Still not seeing where I come in Booth." Temperance was leaning right back into her seat and still revolving it slowly round.

"You write books." Isn't it obvious Booth thought?

"What? The FBI's lousy pay means you can't buy one of my books?" Temperance was definitely not getting this conversation. Booth had to be the least logical person she had ever met.

"No! I don't want one of your books!" Booth answered shortly, feeling affronted. As if he'd ask for a freebie! It took a couple of seconds to register the frosty silence on the other end of the line.

"I see. Well, now we've got it clear that you don't like my books maybe I can get back to work!" Anger and hurt warred for supremacy in Temperance's mind.

Booth buried his face in his free hand shaking his head. Why did he always manage to say the wrong thing with her? Aside from the fact that he did it on purpose half the time because she looked even more beautiful when she was irritated. He grimaced, this was not the time, so not the time for that thought!

"No, I do. Like your books I mean. That's why I'm calling you." Booth said urgently.

"Booth, you - are - not - making - any - sense." Anger and hurt were dissipating, but confusion was certainly making a comeback Temperance decided.

"Temperance, I've read all your books. They're great, but I need something new to read on holiday. I thought you could give me some recommendations." Silence. "You know, as I like what you write. I figured I'd probably like the stuff that you read."

Temperance was blushing, she could feel the warmth spreading through her whole body. Booth liked her books. He wasn't calling about work. Happy, happy thoughts, Temperance's next words were out before her internal censor even registered them, "Oh, right. Okay... Listen, don't buy anything from the store. Come round for dinner tonight and you can take your pick. My house is pretty much wall to wall books." Realisation dawned, did I just say that?

Silence.

"Unless you're busy of course" Temperance hurried on trying to keep the disappointment at Booth's obvious lack of interest out of her voice.

"No, no dinner'd be great. If it's not an inconvenience...?" Booth cut in quickly, forcing himself to speak while his mind whirled.

"No problem at all. It'll be good to..." See you Temperance wanted to say, but gritted the words behind her teeth, "Would 8 be okay? You know how to find my place?"

"Uh-huh. Eight'd be great. See you then, and thanks Temperance."

"See you later, Seeley."

They both pressed 'end call' and stared into space with wide-eyed smiles.

(TBC)