CHAPTER FOUR
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The next day passed in slow motion, and Temperance started to worry if Booth could be avoiding her. She knew it was a stupid thought, why would he? Maybe it was just that she was so used to having him looking over her shoulder when she was trying to concentrate on her job – which he of course made very difficult.
Temperance was alone at the Jeffersonian, but she had things to do before she could go home. Tiredly, she leaned back in her chair, staring at the heap of papers on her desk. Since the night in the elevator she had not been able to get the thoughts of Booth out of her mind, and it was really starting to annoy her.
With a sigh, she leaned her forehead in her hands and closed her eyes. She needed to get a grip! The tiredness eventually got the better of her and she drifted into sleep.
She was working late, and too tired to stay awake, she had fallen asleep by her desk.
Someone was screaming for her, the voice sounded desperate – hurt, and far away.
The voice was clearer now; it was calling her name - Help me! The voice faded away and everything went silent.
A phone call abruptly awoke her.
Her face went pale as she pressed the phone closer to her ear. He couldn't be dead. It had to be a mistake…
"Booth…"
"Don't leave me, I need you…BOOTH!"
Temperance awoke by someone calling her name. She was breathing heavily and her body trembling. As she realized it had only been a dream, she managed to calm down and look up, she met Booth's confused, still amused look.
Temperance almost blushed as she suddenly realized she must had been talking, or more exactly screaming his name, in her sleep.
"I uh… that was a dream," she started.
"I understood that… wanna tell me about it?"
Temperance shook her head, feeling a bit embarrassed. "It was nothing, really…" Why did she always have to do something stupid in Booth's presence?
"You were screaming my name, really loud, and it didn't seem like it was because of something…uh, nice…" Booth gave Bones a teasing look. "Don't tell me it's nothing Bones."
"Really, it was just a bad dream….forget about it," Temperance muttered.
Booth resisted the sudden urge of holding her. When he saw her tremble, he regretted taunting her. He didn't want anything more than to take her in his arms and comfort her. Booth shook his head. How could he think something like that? Had he totally lost it!
Temperance got up from her desk and headed for the door. She stopped in the doorway and looked at her partner.
"It's late," she said. "I should go home, are you coming?"
Booth followed her to her car. He should say something, but what? He didn't even know why he was there. Afraid of his own emotions, he realized he just wanted to see her. He had missed her.
"Bones?" he asked.
"Yes?"
Booth hesitated for a while, and changed his mind just before he did something he'd come to regret later. He saw Bones look at him, questioningly. "Have a good night," he said, turning to walk away. When he'd taken a few steps, he stopped and walked back to her. Why was he such a coward? Would it be so hard to just give her a quick hug? That's what friends do, Booth tried to tell himself. But it wasn't working; he knew there was more than friendship he wanted…
Before he had time to change his mind a second time, he walked up to Temperance and pulled her into a hug. Booth was surprised to realize how much he had missed holding her this close.
Booth forced himself to let go after a while, and when he once again met her look, he was sure she had felt the same thing as he had.
"What was that for?" Temperance finally managed to ask. She was stunned. Why on earth had he done something like that? But she had to admit it, it was nice…
"I just…" Booth voice trailed off as he realized he didn't know the answer to that question himself. "Do you remember what I told you in that elevator? That I'm…" his voice trailed off again and this time Temperance finished his sentence.
"There for me," she said. "Yes I remember…"
"I still mean it… that's why I… uh… hugged you," Booth felt really stupid trying to explain himself to Bones, but he had a feeling he should.
Suddenly Temperance smiled. She was just about to talk, but changed her mind. What should she say? What could she day? She didn't know how to handle the feelings that were welling up inside of her, and it scared her.
"I have to go," she quickly got into her car. "Goodnight Booth," she forced herself to say before she drove off, leaving Booth staring as the car disappeared out of sight. He frowned, did he say something wrong?
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TBC.
I… uh, thought of hurting Booth, actually. Don't say 'no', because I am! I just don't know how, do you have any ideas? Aw, poor Booth, I'm so mean. But it's a good thing if it brings him and Tempe closer together isn't it? Lol! So let me know if you have any ideas!
