A/N: As always, thank you for reading and particular thanks for all the reviews of the last chapter.
They picked their way through the crowds of people heading towards where Huw's game was just about to get underway.
"How's the hip holding up?" Temperance asked as they strolled along.
Booth glanced down at her and smiled, "Fine. Can't feel a thing. The magic spray did the trick."
"Magic spray?" Temperance repeated with a shake of the head.
"Sure Bones, guaranteed to cure sports injuries. At least temporarily." He qualified.
Temperance couldn't help but smile at the playful look in his eyes and she stretched up to kiss his uninjured cheek. He came to halt and turned his face so that their lips made contact instead. He saw her eyes spring open wide, and he quickly reached across to stroke her jaw line and smooth the hair back from her face.
Almost in spite of herself, Temperance found herself settling into the embrace and she placed one hand on the back of his neck, her fingers raking through his short cropped hair.
Booth's other hand shifted to her waist and pulled her closer. Somewhere at the back of her mind, Temperance wondered what it was about being with Booth that turned her into such an exhibitionist, but the thought was lost as she pressed her body against his and slid one hand down onto his butt.
This time, they paused only because they needed to draw breath. Temperance took a shuddering gulp of air and looked into Booth's eyes shyly.
He looked stunned. Slowly his gaze focused on hers and he brushed her cheek with his finger tips in silent wonderment.
Temperance realised that she was having difficulty catching her breath again, but this time she knew it was the result of her emotional rather than physical reaction to Booth.
Booth watched the emotions play across her features as she began to acknowledge the depth of her feelings. He saw flashes of insecurity and defensiveness, and her desire to avoid being hurt. He held his breath. As he continued to watch and gently touch her face, he saw a new light come into her eyes as she focused on hopeful, happier thoughts.
He watched her reach a decision and smile at him before she caught his hand and held it in hers between their chests. She paused and then spoke quietly, "This is going to take a bit of adjusting to."
He nodded and tightened his grip around her waist, "But it's going to be worth it." He whispered, his lips brushing against her ear.
Her eyes were bright with moisture as she squeezed his hand in acknowledgement.
Booth gently disengaged his hand from hers and enveloped her in a hug. She pressed her cheek into his neck, holding on for dear life. After a few moments they pulled apart, and lacing their fingers together, they continued on their way stealing little glances at one and other as they walked.
The supporters of Huw's team were easy to spot as most of them seemed to be wearing bright red shirts, even little Carys was showing off her own mini-version on under her coat.
"Just in time." Nia said as they joined her on the touchline. She was holding Carys' hand firmly and she smiled ruefully, "She'll be chasing after the ball every time it goes into touch if I don't look out."
After checking that Booth had been given a clean bill of health, she gave a quick run down of the two teams. "Huw's team are the Dragons, all Welsh. Well, Welsh-ish. They're playing in red and right to left this half." She paused, "The opposition are a local side, Anacostia something or another, they're not bad, but not great. Huw's lot should win."
Nia didn't comment on their joined hands or the palpable sense of intimacy between them, but Booth could tell that she was struggling to rein in her curiosity. He knew it was only a matter of time before he was going to face a flood of questions.
The Anacostia side had the kick off, but his first touch of the ball did nothing to calm the nerves of their fly half and he sliced the kick horribly. The ball trickled along the ground without travelling the requisite ten metres, which meant the Dragons had the choice of a scrum or a line out. They went for the scrum, which they won after two resets. After a few passes the ball went loose, the Dragons regained possession, but the player with the ball in hand disappeared into a ruck.
"Scrappy." Booth observed as he pulled his sweater back on.
Nia nodded and then shrugged, "Early days. It should settle down."
Booth smiled at Temperance, who was watching the game closely, "Ready for a test?"
She turned to him looking puzzled, "Huh?"
His smile widened into a grin, "Well, I'm curious as to how much you learnt about the game earlier."
Temperance eyed him challengingly and took a step towards him, "Quite a bit." She pointed towards the pitch, "That's a ruck." She paused, "If the ball doesn't come out soon there'll be a scrum."
Booth dipped his head in acknowledgement.
She winced as two players collided as they jumped for a high ball and then continued, "And it's a very physical game."
They looked at one and other silently for a moment. The game carried on in front of them, but couldn't command their attention.
Booth watched her eyes widen as she looked at him. He didn't want to be at a rugby match. He didn't want to be with his friends. He wanted to be somewhere alone with his beautiful partner - and he wanted to kiss her again. He glanced away at the ground to break the moment and force back a series of ill-considered truths that had come hurtling to the tip of his tongue. No way we are ready for declarations of any sort yet, he chided himself firmly.
To distract himself, he reached out and pulled her towards him, locking his hands behind her back. She smiled up into his eyes.
They both jumped at a sudden vibration and stepped apart slightly. Temperance sighed and pulled her mobile phone out. Booth's forearms were resting lightly on her shoulders, his hands dangling loose.
"Hi Ange." She said as the phone connected. Booth watched her expression flicker as she listened to her friend. Absently, he moved one hand and started to loop her red brown hair around one finger.
Temperance glanced at his hand for a split second and smiled before focusing back on the call.
"Okay, well one o'clock is fine." She paused and tapped Booth's other arm to get his attention. "Where will we be at one?"
Booth thought for a moment, "Pitch five. My next game will be about to start."
"Did you hear that Ange?" Another pause, "Okay. Yes. Just look out for a load of supporters on pitch five in dark blue."Temperance began to laugh slightly, "Yes, there are lots of men, but not they're not all fit." Whatever Angela said next caused her to blush and rush into her goodbyes. "Uh... well...See you later. Bye."
She closed the phone with a snap and shoved it in her pocket. As she stared off into the distance, a little frown line appeared in her brow. Booth could tell she was thinking about seeing Angela and the others later. He was surprised to feel his stomach lurch as he wondered if she'd pull away now that she realised her friends from the lab would be arriving.
"Everything okay?" He asked quietly, still twirling her curls around one finger.
Temperance heard the tension in his voice without really registering the words, her fears about revealing their evolving relationship to her friends dissolved as she recognised similar fears in his eyes. She smiled reassuringly and then sighed in contentment as Booth buried his hand in her hair and pulled her into a searing kiss.