(Two Bodies in the Lab)

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I don't own Bones.

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She'd been in his apartment exactly once before and that had been to let Booth know the identity of a bombing victim who was also a suspect at the time. She'd stood in the doorway then, but this time she would be able to see more of his place. Brennan was fascinated because she felt that a person's home usually reflected the person living there and she was very curious about her partner.

The short hallway led into a living room filled with old, but comfortable looking furniture. There were some antiques and though the furniture was old fashioned they looked comfortable. The room was cluttered, but surprisingly neat for a bachelor's apartment. As Booth slowly walked over to the couch, Brennan looked around and noticed the doorway leading into the kitchen. On the opposite living room wall she noticed a doorway leading into what looked like his bedroom. "May I look around?"

Settled on the couch, Booth smiled. "Of course. Since you're my girlfriend I expect you to hang around here at least some of the time . . . oh, since your apartment is kind of messed up from the bomb, where are you staying right now?"

Brennan walked into the kitchen and found it filled with the usual appliances, more antiques and odd things like large cards printed with the number 2 and 6 on the wall along with antique signs and thermometers. "I'm staying in a hotel. The kitchen is heavily damaged and my apartment has a malodorous scent of smoke. I plan to find a new apartment soon, perhaps one with security since the one I was staying in failed to protect you or me."

"Why don't you stay here while you look for a new place?" Booth stared at the back of Brennan's head and saw her freeze. "You don't have to, it was just a suggestion. I have a guest bedroom my son uses when he stays with me. Rebecca . . . that's his mother . . . she lets him stay with me about 4 days during the month. The bed is a full size bed and the closet has a lot of room in it for your stuff. You can stay there. I mean I'm all banged up and we're still getting to know each other and . . ." He stopped talking, afraid he'd said too much already.

Not sure how to react, Brennan stood staring at the stove, trying to think about the situation. She knew that they were supposed to be in a monogamous relationship, of course she did, but she didn't want to move in with Booth. "We're supposed to be showing the world that we're just partners and not in a relationship, Booth. Staying here would destroy our subterfuge about being just friends."

"You're right." Booth hurried to agree with her. He knew he probably had pushed her too fast and he needed to be careful. Brennan was a very independent person and she valued her freedom, he knew that. "I wasn't thinking. Must be the pain killers. They make me goofy."

Relieved, Brennan turned and smiled. "Yes, of course . . . I do plan to keep some of my clothes here and I expect you to keep some of yours at my place. I just think we need to be careful and not let anyone question the nature of our relationship."

Suddenly a little cold, Booth pulled an afghan from the back of the couch, moved his legs up so he was lying in the couch and covered himself. "Yeah, I understand. Like I said, pain medicine makes me dopey."

Brennan moved out of the kitchen and walked across the living room to the bedroom. It was neat and filled with dark solid furniture. It was a sensible, masculine room and she liked it. She spied the bathroom through an open door and moved over to peer in to that room. She was surprised to see an iron claw foot bathtub. The white tile floor was clean and neat and the room was filled with a sink, a toilet and three cabinets. One of the cabinets had a record player on top of it. It amused her to think that Booth listened to records while he bathed.

There was a sliding door on the other side of the bathroom and that led to very short hall. Across from the bathroom was another bedroom and the hall led back into the living room. It was an odd layout, but it was an old building.

Her explorations complete, Brennan moved back into the living room and over to the gold colored recliner. She placed her purse down on the coffee table along with Booth's bag of food from McDonalds and smiled. "You have a lot of interesting things."

Booth smiled. "Yeah, I like old stuff. It reminds me of Pop's house. It's friendly stuff and that stuff is built to last. Not like that flimsy crap they try to sell you now a days."

"I like old things too." Brennan glanced around the room once more. "I like your apartment Booth."

Pleased with the compliment, Booth grinned. "I go to garage sales and flea markets and sometimes to antique stores. I've found some really cool stuff that way."

Brennan nodded her head. "How are you feeling? Would you like a drink of water or juice? You have your food if you're hungry."

Since she was offering, Booth nodded, sat up and leaned his back on the armrest of the couch. "Well, I could use a bottle of water if you're okay getting me one. I have some in the fridge. Thanks . . . help yourself to anything you want in the kitchen . . . When I'm up to it, I need to go shopping since I need to get some food that you like."

As she moved towards the kitchen, Brennan paused. "Nonsense, Booth. I'll go to the store and buy a few things and bring it here. I don't expect you to pay for my food or personal items."

"You're a guest when you're here." Booth frowned. "I want you to be comfortable when you're with me. You just have to tell me what you like and I'll buy it."

Aware that Booth was prideful, Brennan smiled. "Of course, but right now you are not really capable of shopping and I am. I will go shopping in a little while and buy what you need and what I would also like and bring it back here. You may shop when you are well."

She entered the kitchen, opened the fridge and pulled out two bottles of water. While she was at it, she took stock of what was and wasn't in the fridge and then quickly opened and closed cabinet doors to see what food supplies he had. She made a mental note of the things she thought he needed and went back into the living room. After she handed him the water she gave him the bag from McDonalds. "While you eat, I will go to the store. I should be back in about an hour."

After he twisted the cap off of the bottle, he winced from the pain radiating down his arm. He realized that even opening a bottle of water was going to be painful for a while. "Okay . . . since you're going to the store can you bring me back some ice cream . . . chocolate?"

"Of course." Brennan added that to her mental list, picked up her purse and moved towards the front door. "I'll be back Booth."

Once she was gone, Booth stared at the bag of food and sighed. She was so nervous. I hope she doesn't change her mind about us.

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After she came back, Brennan found Booth sitting up on the couch watching television. She smiled at him as she passed him on the way to the kitchen. "Let me put these things up and I'll join you."

While Brennan put away the groceries she'd bought, Booth flipped the television channels until he found a documentary on prairie dogs. He knew she didn't own a television and he wanted to show her that there were other things on television besides cartoons and sports.

Finished, Brennan entered the living room and sat down next to her boyfriend. "Are you in pain?"

"Nah, I'm fine." Booth moved his hand and captured her hand in his. "This is the first time we've really been alone since we've decided to be a couple . . . I'm glad you're here, sitting next to me . . . you want to make out?"

Brennan laughed. "Booth, you have a broken clavicle, cracked ribs, burns and bruises over most of your chest, arms and legs and you're on pain medication. I hardly think it would be wise to make out at this time."

He sighed and squeezed his hand. "Yeah, I guess . . . want to make out anyway?"

Moving so that she closer to him, Brennan smiled. "How about we hold hands for a while? I would hate to hurt you and I would if we make out."

He knew he was being ridiculous, but he wasn't in pain. Thank God for pain medicine. "Well, just so you know, I'm game if you want to. I'm not in any pain right now."

Her eyes sparkling with merriment, Brennan leaned over and carefully kissed him. "It would be better if we don't do anything physical that will aggravate your injuries. If we do, it could prolong your recovery and also prolong the time when we can consummate our relationship."

"Consummate . . . uh, yeah." Booth knew she was blunt, but he hadn't expected that. "When I get better we're going to make love, Bones. You and me are going to become one with the universe."

"And apparently defy physics while we're at it." Brennan shook her head.

Booth shrugged his shoulders and realized that was a mistake. Gasping, he turned pale. Concerned for him, Brennan squeezed his hand. "You mustn't move your arms and shoulders like that Booth. You'll exacerbate your injury . . . you see, making out is out of the question."

His shoulder buzzing with pain, Booth nodded his head. "Yeah, okay. I'm sorry I can't be the boyfriend you need right now."

"Nonsense, Booth." Brennan moved so she was now on the other end of the couch. "You were caught in an explosion that could have easily killed you. You will recover, but it takes time. We have plenty time to have sex. Now lay down and watch television."

He did what she asked. "Are you going to stay with me tonight? You can sleep with me. My bed is pretty big and really comfortable . . . I don't expect us to have sex or anything, but it would be nice to wake up tomorrow next to you."

His hopeful look made her relent. "Alright, but I will have to go back to my hotel room and get a change of clothes early in the morning before I go to the Lab. I've already missed two days of work as it is."

Booth smiled. "Great." It was a start and he knew that's all they needed. She needed to be comfortable with him and he wanted to help her as much as possible.

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