"You're the Best Man because David and I made a deal. His sister is to be one of the Bridesmaids and I got to choose the Best Man. It worked because he doesn't really have anyone to fill that position anyway," Tempe replied, finding his incredulity humorous.
"So you chose me? Why not Russ? Or even Zach?" Booth couldn't help it, he was still confused.
"Booth, you still wear the same suit sizes?" She replied, ignoring the question even she didn't know the answer to.
"Yeah, but what has that got to do with the situation at hand?"
"You need a tux for the wedding and since the rehearsal is tomorrow, you are going to need it. Are you all set with a place to stay?" Tempe was beginning to feel anxious. After all this time, those feelings for Booth hadn't gone away. However, as soon as she recognized them, she pushed them away. After all, she was marrying David, not Booth.
"No, I still need to find a hotel room for the three days that I will be here."
"You can stay with Ange, David, and me in the house. Angela made David move to the other side of the house because she said it was bad luck and what not. There's an empty guest room across from David's temporary room that you can have." Tempe rolled her eyes when she said the part about bad luck and was beginning to think that Booth wouldn't accept the room.
"If you wouldn't mind, that sounds great Bones. Now why don't we leave here and get something to bring to your house for dinner. It is Friday, you know. And your wedding is on Sunday. Not a lot of time to prepare or spend time working in the office all night." Even after the time they had been away from each other, he still knew what she did every night.
Once Booth had been shown the house and settled into his room, the group of four sat down to catch up and eat the dinner that Booth and Tempe had brought home. It was during this time that Booth began to be the brunt of all questioning, especially from Angela. She still swore that David was no good for her best friend and Booth was the only man who had passed Angela's test and gotten the seal of approval.
"So Booth, what have you been up to lately?"
"Not much, just chasing the crooks and torturing the squints."
"How's your son?" David asked, trying to see if Booth had another reason for coming other than that he was the Best Man.
"Parker's fine, but I'm still battling Rebecca for visiting rights." Booth replied, remembering the last conversation he had had with his son before leaving to go to Colorado.
"Hey Buddy," Booth said. "Can I talk to you for a second?"
"Sure, Dad. What's up?" Parker replied, hoping that his dad had brought gifts from his last case.
"You know how I was supposed to have you come over next weekend?"
"Yeah, are you being sent away again?"
"Kind of. You remember Doctor Brennan?" At this he waited for his son to nod. "I'm going to see her get married next weekend, so, I'm going to have you come over this weekend instead."
"Okay, but are you going to bring the Bones Lady back home, Daddy? I really miss her."
"I miss her too, but I don't think she will be coming back for a while."
Booth suddenly became alert to the fact that he had spaced off when he felt Bones pinch him on the arm.
"Jeez, Bones. What did ya do that for?"
"You spaced out and I couldn't think of any other way," Bones replied, grinning with satisfaction as Booth rubbed his arm.
"Anyway," Angela cut in, before things got out of hand. "Have you managed to find yourself a girl yet, sweetie?"
"Ange, do we really need to talk about my love life now?" Booth whined.
"Yes, now spill."
"No, I haven't met anybody since you asked me that question in the email last week."
"Okay, let's save Booth from more interrogation. I believe that it is time for bed, as it is already eleven and we have a rehearsal to attend tomorrow." David interrupted. He was feeling kind of sorry for Booth because of Angela and Tempe's interrogation.
"Alright, I agree. Bones, when did you learn how to make me feel like a suspect we had been chasing?"
"Booth, I don't know wh…" She was cut off by Booth laughing.
"You haven't changed at all Bones. Anyway, I'm gonna go to bed. Goodnight Bones, 'night Ange."
"See you later."
"Goodnight, Booth."
With that, Booth walked up to his room and was just sitting down when he heard talking from across the hall. Booth knew that there wasn't supposed to be any one else on the floor except for him and David. Yet, he could distinctly make out a woman's voice and he knew it wasn't Tempe's.
He snuck across the hall and laid one ear against the door, perhaps Tempe had forgotten to mention that his sister was staying here. It was then that he heard what was being said inside the room.
"Married! What do you mean you're getting married?" It was the female voice again.
"She was beginning to get anxious. We hadn't gone out for a while and I think she was beginning to suspect that something was up. What else was I to do?" The male, David, asked.
"Now she's going to want to spend more time with you and at home. How're we supposed to continue this if she's home all of the time?"
"She's a workaholic. It won't be late until she arrives and we can still use the guest bedroom for our outings, so that if anything is left behind, she won't notice it."
"But I thought you loved me!" The voice whined.
"Yup," Booth thought, "definitely not platonic."
"I do, but in order for us to be able to live a good life I need to set aside some money. For that, I will marry Brennan and I won't tell her about the raise that I got. It'll take about a year for the money to be enough but that's a year I'm willing to wait."
At this, Booth moved away from the door and walked back to his room. How was he going to tell Bones? It had taken all of his self control not to barge in and pummel David. But what could he do about the feelings he was having when he saw Bones? What on Earth would he do?