Thanks for all the reviews - the case is (loosely) based on something that did happen in Wales. Although this chapter is plot-free fluff-zone...
The bitter wind made Temperance gasp as they stepped outside the FBI building. It was even colder than it had been earlier.
"Where are we going to eat?" Booth asked, his voice muffled by the dark blue scarf wrapped around his neck.
"Somewhere close. And warm." she said tugging his arm, "We can decide as we walk, I'm not standing still in this weather."
They walked across the street. The wind was whistling straight into their faces and Booth was sure he could spot a few specks of snow in the glare from the street lights. He had been planning on heading over to Foo Wongs, but the way Temperance's teeth were chattering he decided that the five block walk was a not going to happen. He knew there were a few good restaurants in the smaller streets across the way from the FBI building, although the weren't exactly the sort of place you went for a lunch break or a quick meal after work. Well, that was where they were going to have to go, he thought steering Temperance around a corner and into a side street lined with older buildings. The change of direction offered a bit of shelter from the wind and as they walked along, he spotted a tiny restaurant tucked into the basement just ahead. A warm, welcoming light spilling out of the window onto the courtyard in front.
He touched Bones' shoulder to get her attention, "What about there?" he pointed up the street.
Temperance nodded, "Anywhere that's not out here would be great. You been there before?"
Booth shook his head.
They picked up the pace and were soon peering at the menu on the wall outside. It was an Italian, with a great range of dishes, although it was a bit pricey. They looked at one and other.
"Let's try it." Booth said, "You look at risk of hypothermia."
Temperance huffed, but headed down the steps towards the door, Booth following behind.
Temperance pushed the outer door and studiously ignored the special Valentine's menu circled with little pink hearts, which was pinned to the wall on her left.
As she opened the inner door, she felt a wave of warm air; full of the of scents of garlic and cooking and a low hum of conversation. There was a small lecturn with a diary directly in front of the door. There wasn't much room to stand, but she didn't want to leave Booth out in the chilly entranceway or let the cold air in, so she reached back and grabbed his hand pulling him in close behind her. She felt her temperature rising rapidly as Booth's hand came to rest lightly on her hip and she was acutely aware of his warm body pressed against her back.
She was considering pulling away, when a waiter appeared in front of her.
"Do you have a reservation ma'am?" he asked.
"I'm afraid not, do you have a table available?"
The waiter checked the bookings and nodded, "Yes, we have one table available. Would you follow me?" He picked up two menus and moved off into the dining area.
Following behind, Temperance started to take in some of the details of the restaurant. It had quite a low ceiling, hung with vines and old bottles. The lighting was quite dim, although each table was bathed in a pool of candlelight. Temperance caught her lower lip between her teeth, as she realised that most tables were full and they were nearly all single tables for couples. She wondered what Booth was making of it - it really wasn't the sort of place they would normally go to. She grimaced, I bet this is exactly the sort of place he'd take Tessa.
The waiter arrived at what was evidently their table, tucked away in fairly secluded corner. He lit the candle, and offered to take their coats and Temperance's shopping bags. As the waiter had his hands full, Booth pulled out Temperance's chair and then sat down opposite. The waiter somehow managed to hand over the menus despite the mountain of clothes and shopping he had over one arm and promised to return to take their order shortly.
Booth sat watching Temperance as she studied the menu. He realised that this meal didn't feel like any of the countless times they'd eaten out together on a case. He wondered if it was because he had opened up to her so completely earlier that everything felt different. Whatever the explanation, all he could think about was the way her red-gold hair shone the candle light and how good it felt to be sitting with her in a romantic restaurant. He wished he could see her face to get an idea of what she was thinking, but she hadn't looked up from the menu since she had sat down.
"So have you decided what you're going to eat?" he asked.
Temperance looked up with a start and found herself gazing into Booth's dark brown eyes. She tried to ignore the flutter in her chest as she replied, "Uh... soup, and arrabiata pasta. Things that'll warm me up! How about you?"
Booth looked quickly down at the menu, which he hadn't even opened, "Err, the soup sounds good. Then a steak." He paused for a moment, "Should we order a bottle of wine?"
Temperance found herself nodding without thinking and after a brief look at the wine list, they selected a good Bordeaux.
They sat in silence for a moment, Temperance watching as Booth took off his jacket and hung it over the back of his chair and then rolled up his sleeves revealing his muscular forearms. She knew she shouldn't stare, and certainly shouldn't be speculating about what the rest of his body looked like, but somehow couldn't turn away. The arrival of the waiter provided a welcome distraction.
"Would you like to order some drinks?" he asked.
"Actually I think we're ready to order." Temperance said checking with Booth who nodded. She reeled off their order, which the waiter noted it down, checking how Booth wanted his steak.
Again they lapsed into silence, but Booth had used the arrival of the waiter to gather his scattered wits enough to realise that one of them needed to start a conversation.
"So what're your plans for tomorrow? More shopping? Or is it back to the skeletons?"
Temperance gave a mock glare at his teasing tone, but then shook her head, "No. I have to work on my book." Booth didn't miss the frustrated set to her features as the mention of her book and was about to probe deeper when the waiter returned with their wine.
Booth paused for a moment and the picked up his glass in a toast, "To weekends - and people to share them with."
Temperance felt her face flush and her stomach lurch at his words. Do not read anything into that statement! she repeated to herself, returning the toast automatically.
For his part, Booth was staring into the depths of his glass incredulous that he had actually spoken the second part of his toast aloud. Get a grip! He instructed himself firmly. You are just friends. She is not interested. His last thought brought him up short, forcing him to recognise that he most certainly was interested.
They both took a generous drink and then looked up at one and other shyly and Booth decided that he needed to steer the conversation onto to a safer topic.
"So what's up with the book?" He asked.
"What do you mean?" Temperance replied with a frown.
"Well, when you said that had to work on it tomorrow you didn't sound very enthusiastic and you had that same look you get when I ask you to come away on a case."
"What look?" She demanded.
"You know, the frustrated 'I know it's important, but have all these other things I could be doing' look - usually accompanied by a fixed stare, slight frown and crossed arms." Booth replied with a cheeky grin.
"I do not do that!" She said, crossing her arms.
Booth raised his eyebrows challengingly, but didn't say anything. Temperance opened her mouth to protest again when she realised her arms were crossed. She casually changed position and laced her fingers together in front of her, but sighed as she saw Booth's grin widen, she wasn't fooling anyone, "Don't be mean. I don't make fun of your vacant 'you what' look that you get whenever I try to explain any science to you!"
"Hey don't bring me into this and stop trying to change the subject." Booth said with a grin, he paused and looked more serious, "Please, I've bored you with my problems today. You can tell me about your book."
Temperance picked up her glass and swirled the wine around in it as she started to speak, "It's just that my publishers are hassling me to get it finished, but I've got stuck in the middle because I know that a couple of chapters are not working out." She looked up to see Booth listening intently, "Normally I write the whole thing out in a really rough first draft and then edit, but I can't seem to get on with the rest because I know I'm going to have to completely re-write the earlier sections. If I knew what I wanted to write in place of the other chapters it would be fine, but I don't. It's really frustrating. So tomorrow I have to sit down and sort it out - or at least decide what I am going to change."
Booth looked at her sympathetically, "I amazed that you have time to write anything, the amount of time you spend at the Jeffersonian." Temperance felt herself blush slightly an the honest admiration in Booth's voice.
They continued to talk about her book and how she got into writing until the first course arrived.
"Soup's good." Booth commented and Temperance nodded.
As their dishes were cleared away, Temperance asked, "So what are you going to do tomorrow? Work? Catching up with Tessa?"
Booth looked up quickly, "Why would I be seeing Tessa?"
Temperance was taken aback by his sharp tone, "Well she is your girlfriend..." She trailed off as she saw that he was shaking his head.
"We broke up last month." He said stated simply.
"Oh.. Sorry... I didn't realise." She said in embarrassment.
"Don't worry, it's fine. Things hadn't being going all that well, what with the holiday thing and all. It was a relief really." Booth leant forward suddenly curious, "You were there when Tessa said that she needed more space, yeah?"
Temperance looked blank, and Booth wondered how someone so smart could be so naive about some things, "Temperance, that phrase is code for 'it's over'. She moved all her stuff out the following day."
Temperance mouthed a silent 'Oh' and then started to apologise again, trying to ignore the inner voice that was exulting at Booth's unexpectedly single status.
He waved her apologies away and topped up their glasses.
"So what will you be doing tomorrow?" Temperance asked again.
He shrugged, "Not sure. Maybe catch a bit of the Olympics on TV. I've got a list of decorating chores I need to get on with in the house, but I'll only do those if I get desperate. Hey, I could help you with your book. You know, read through what you've done so far, offer a few tips?" He grinned at her horrified expression, "No?"
The conversation shifted onto their new case as the main courses arrived. They chatted as they ate.
"So, are you going to have a dessert?" Booth asked when they had finished. Temperance shook her head.
"Aw come on, you can't leave me eating one all alone." He wheedled.
"No, I didn't like any of the things on the menu."
"No way - everyone likes Tiramisu!" Booth said in mock horror.
"Not me. Actually there is another reason I don't want a dessert here." She hesitated and then went on, "One of my friends from Europe sent me a present in the mail yesterday - my favourite chocolate cake. I've been looking forward to eating it this evening."
"You get cakes, from Europe, in the mail?" Booth looked surprised.
"Only once a year. Tell you what, come back to my house this evening and I'll let you test it." Temperance's smile was infectious, "Seriously, you'll be converted."
"Okay, deal. I guess we'd better get the bill."
It only took a couple of moments to get waiter's attention. Booth insisted on paying for both of them, "Look, you came out to eat to cheer me up. It's my way of saying thank you."
When the waiter left with his card, he reached across and took her hand, "I really enjoyed myself. Thanks Tempe." Her features lit up at his touch and they found themselves leaning in closer, then the waiter returned with their coats and moment was broken.
It was snowing lightly as they stepped outside. Booth smiled affectionately as Temperance exclaimed in excitement. Her scarf was dangling off one shoulder about to fall off. He reached over and draped it round her, his arm resting gently across her shoulder. When she didn't shrug him off, he took that as tacit agreement even so, he could scarcely believe it when her arm snaked around his waist again as it had in his office. He had to fight the urge to turn her in his arms and kiss her, but he was terrified of pushing things too far.
They walked back towards the main street and hailed a cab.
It was a fairly short journey to Temperance's home. They sat in companionable silence, not quite touching but acutely aware of each other.
When the cab stopped Booth looked at Temperance, "Still offering to share this cake?" He sounded much less sure of himself than normal and Temperance realised that he was worried she was uncomfortable with what had happened earlier.
She smiled reassuringly and choked down her nerves, "Of course. You still up for it?"
Booth nodded, his throat dry - he wasn't sure if they were talking about cake or something else entirely.
He followed Temperance across the road to her door, through the increasingly heavy flurry of snow.
She flicked on the lights revealing a hallway dominated by large bookshelves. It was warm and decorated in bright, cheerful colours. Temperance kicked off her shoes. Booth followed suit and then followed her as she led the way into her living room. Booth was intrigued by the new insights that seeing her home provided. He got the sense that all the little items in the room had some special significance for Temperance.
He settled down on the couch and Temperance said, "I'll make us a drink - no caffeine as you need to get some sleep tonight." She headed off into the kitchen.
Booth relaxed on the comfy couch and could feel his eyes starting to drift shut. He was sitting diagonally taking up most of the space. He wanted to stay awake, but the warmth of the room and a sense of peace from the evening's events took hold.
Temperance walked in five minutes later to find a very tired FBI agent snoring quietly on her couch. She put her hands on her hips, wanting to feel annoyed, but she could only think how cute he looked as sleep eased all the tension out of his face.
She wandered over to him and whispered "Booth? Seeley are you asleep?"
He stirred slightly, seeming to smile as she said his name, but he didn't wake up. She didn't want to disturb him, but she felt bad about leaving him sleeping sitting up. He was sat at quite an angle, so it wasn't too difficult to lift his feet up onto the other end of the couch. He shifted into a more comfortable position and Temperance shook her head. She left the room to grab a couple of blankets from a cupboard upstairs. As she placed the blankets on top of him she couldn't resist brushing his face with her hand and stroking his hair. She snatched her hand back guiltily as he leant into her touch.
She sat in an armchair in the far corner of the room, staring at Booth's sleeping form and trying to work out her feelings for the handsome FBI agent.
(TBC)
