"Then I realised what it took
To tell the difference between thieves and crooks,
A lesson learned by me and you.
'Cos now I'm thinking about a brand new home, the one I've never known,
'Cos now I know that's all I've ever wanted."
'Macy's Day Parade', Green Day
oo00oo
Their meal over, Booth stared across the table at the woman he loved and who he now knew loved him. His heart soaring, he couldn't keep the grin off his face as his eyes drank in every detail of that moment.
She was standing in front of him, the long red dress clinging to every luxurious curve of her lithe body, its colour highlighting the tint of her hair which glimmered in the dim light.
She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen…
A slow smile spreading across slightly parted lips, she offered her hand to him. He took it gratefully, standing up and moving her a short distance away from the table to begin their dance. Booth pulled her in close as he slipped an arm around her waist, their bodies pressed tight against one another as they swayed to the distant music.
He traced the line of her jaw with his finger, her skin warm and silky smooth to his touch. She smiled up at him, her eyes boring deep into his own, seeing more than any woman ever had, seeing all the things he had never dared to share with anyone but her.
My Temperance. Always my Temperance.
Her hand snaked up his back, sending tingles down his spine as her fingers rested on the back of his neck, tickling him slightly. His own hand moved away from her jaw, his fingers tangled in tendrils of auburn hair as he pulled her towards him, her scent intoxicating.
Their lips brushed together, gently, tentatively finding their way. She looked up at him from beneath those thick eyelashes, her breath hot against his cheek as she whispered his name.
"Seeley…"
He smiled at the sound of it on her tongue, the anticipation building in his chest as their noses rubbed together, his lips getting ever closer to hers.
He found his target, their kiss hungry and passionate as he revelled in the taste of her, all strawberries and whipped cream.
Just like I always thought she would taste…
Slowly, they broke their kiss, staring at each other for a moment. She rested her head on his shoulder, listening to the thump of his heart, and they lost themselves in the music together.
But then Booth began to remember why they were here, what it was that had forced them to finally confront their feelings, their fears and doubts.
I have to leave tomorrow. I have to spend the next few months without her.
He pulled her tighter to him, clutching to her as if he was never going to let her go.
And I don't want to. I've only just got her, I've finally broken down all those barriers to really reach her, and now I have to go. Perfect timing as ever, Seeley…
Resting his chin on the top of her head, he couldn't help but sigh. She shifted in his arms, angling her face up to him.
"Are you ok?"
He smiled down at her, laying a lingering kiss on her forehead.
"I've never been happier."
She was still staring at him, waiting for the truth. Eventually he sighed again and shook his head.
"It's just… Tomorrow I have to leave. And all I want is to stay here with you."
Brennan seemed to consider this for a moment and then shrugged, returning her head to its rightful place in the crook of his neck.
"Let's just leave tomorrow till tomorrow."
He frowned in to her hair.
"That doesn't seem very rational or logical."
She tightened her grip around him, squeezing him for a second.
"And what exactly about tonight has been either rational or logical?"
He smiled as he laid a kiss on the crown of her head.
"In my humble opinion, Bones, every last second of it."
They continued dancing, their bodies tangled together as they bathed in candlelight. Slowly, the music faded away to silence but the pair couldn't bear to tear themselves apart just yet. They continued swaying, listening to the music playing in their heads, using the rhythm of their hearts to guide them.
After a few minutes, Booth cleared his throat.
"Doesn't seem like Sid wants to put another CD on."
Brennan glanced up at him with a slight frown, her fingers delicately dancing across the back of his neck and sending bolts of electricity through every inch of his body.
"Is he trying to tell us to leave?"
He smiled as he brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
Bless her, she's still not sure of those subtle signals people send out, always doubting if she's right. But that's what I'm here for, the 'humanising' influence as she once called it…
"And if he was, where would we go?"
She stared off over his shoulder, obviously considering the question thoroughly. Booth's smile just widened.
Always weighing up her options, taking the most logical approach…
Her eyes eventually snapped back on to his and a slow smile spread across her face.
"Well, I guess that's really up to you. You're the one with the car. Angela drove me here."
He nodded slowly.
"But Bones, I guess what I'm asking is… If you want, then we could… Not that I'm… I mean, erm, it's just that…"
He stopped himself, trying to regroup.
Why the hell am I so nervous? I've never been one to get tongue-tied around women. My charm's got me out of all kinds of situations so why is it so hard to invite her back for a cup of coffee?
He blinked rapidly as she just stared at him.
I'm tongue-tied because it's Bones, always Bones. I'm nervous because this time, what happens next actually matters to me. Because it's her…
"I just thought that maybe if you didn't want the evening to end too soon, we could go back to mine and have a nightcap or something. You know, only if you want to?"
She didn't even hesitate, a distinct look in her eye that he'd only ever witnessed briefly before tonight.
"That would be nice, Seeley."
Grinning, he gently placed a finger under her chin, raising her mouth to meet his own. Softly, he just brushed his lips over hers before laying tiny kisses across the length of her mouth and slowly down her neck.
Her breath catching in her throat, he felt her nails scrape across his back, and he used his tongue to trail up to her earlobe in response. Holding her tight, he whispered softly in her ear.
"You've made me the happiest man in the world tonight, Temperance."
He felt her fingers move up his neck, turning his head to face her full on. She was smiling, her eyes burning with barely contained passion.
"And you've made me the happiest woman, Seeley. You always have. When you're not driving me crazy, that is…"
Pulling her closer by the waist so her hips were tight against his, he rubbed his nose against hers before letting his desire take control and greeting her lips with his own.
He was amazed at how every time he kissed her, it seemed so raw and passionate - lustful even - yet it still contained a deep sensitivity that made his heart ache. She had always been a part of him, almost from the first moment they met, immediately gaining his respect. Now, she'd managed to capture his heart too and he felt like every fibre of his being was hers and vice versa.
He felt like he was home.
Breathlessly, they broke apart as Brennan looked up at him from under thick lashes.
"So… Still fancy that nightcap?"
His heart pounding, Booth just nodded. Clutching his hand, she guided him back to the table, retrieving her pashmina and bag. Standing behind her, Booth took the silk garment out of her hands and gently draped it across her smooth shoulders, nuzzling her neck as he did so. With a breathy giggle, she reached one arm up to run her fingers through his hair while using her free hand to whip his jacket off the back of the chair.
Breaking free, Booth slipped on his coat and offered his arm for her to take.
I know she's fiercely independent and hates all that chivalrous stuff, but right now, it just seems like the gentlemanly thing to do…
She linked her arm through his immediately, seemingly without a second thought. Grinning, Booth gently kissed the crown of her head and turned to face the bar.
"Sid?"
His friend appeared with a broad grin, sipping a glass of scotch as he leaned on the bar.
"Enjoyed your meal then?"
Booth grinned right back.
"It was great, thank you."
Brennan smiled at him as she gently squeezed Booth's arm.
"Yes, the whole evening was absolutely beautiful, Sid. Thank you so much."
He shook his head slowly.
"You two lovebirds should be thanking Angela. It was her that arranged all this, not me. You've got a great friend there. Now, go enjoy the rest of your evening. Don't do anything I wouldn't do…"
Booth rolled his eyes.
"Well, that doesn't exactly limit it much, Sid…"
The owner just shrugged with a sheepish grin and disappeared behind the bar, chuckling to himself.
Wandering out in to the parking lot, Booth went to open the door to the SUV to let Brennan in, but she cast him a withering gaze and he returned to the driver's side.
Guess the chivalry part's done with then… That woman sure knows how to keep me on my toes.
Slipping behind the wheel, he turned to face her as she reached for the seatbelt.
"Temperance, I should tell you that Parker's staying with me tonight."
She paused briefly, realisation of what he was implying slowly dawning in her eyes. She smiled up at him and he knew it was genuine.
"Of course. I would never ask you to spend time away from your son, Seeley. He's the most important person in your life. But if it's ok with you, I would still like to come back for a coffee or something."
He smiled as he turned the key in the ignition.
Oh God, how I wish it was the 'or something' part…
"Of course it's ok. You know how much Parker loves you. Smart kid, huh?"
She just smiled as he pulled away from Wong Foos, casually laying a hand on his thigh as he drove. Surprised, he almost swerved into the oncoming lane of traffic, relishing the heat of her hand through his trouser leg.
The rest of the drive passed in a daze, their conversation light as they both considered the evening so far. Personally, Booth was on cloud nine and quickly higher.
Reaching his apartment, he pulled over and turned off the engine.
"Before we go inside, there's something I have to do first."
She gave him a quizzical look.
"What?"
He reached across her to open the glove compartment, pulling Jasper from inside and handing it back to his partner.
"Angela left it with me. I thought you might want your pet back."
Brennan grinned as she took back the toy pig, leaning over to wrap a strong arm around his neck.
"Jasper… He reminds me of you."
Booth arched an eyebrow, a cheeky glint in his eye.
"What, you calling me a pig now? This is your boyfriend you're talking about!"
She blinked rapidly and Booth realised what he'd said, suddenly panicking if it was too early to assign them that label. The enormous grin that sprouted on her face quickly put paid to his fear as she pulled him into a long deep kiss that left his lips tingling long after they had separated.
"We should get inside."
His hand on the small of her back, Booth led her into the building. Entering the lift, he let his arm snake down to rest on her hip, his thumb tracing small circles across the thin material of her dress. He felt her tense under his touch and immediately knew it wasn't from rejection.
She wants the 'or something'… And she's not the only one.
Walking into the apartment, Parker immediately jumped off the couch and raced over to his father, wrapping his arms around his legs and nearly knocking Booth off balance.
"Hey, bub? Did you have a good time with Hodgins and Angela?"
The two scientists rose from the sofa with large smiles as Parker charged back over to them.
"Angela drew me a picture, look!"
He held up the drawing, a beautiful likeness of Hodgins laughing with Parker. Brennan smiled as she gazed at the little boy, once again seeing the distinct resemblance between the father and son.
Angela failed to keep a sly grin off her face and Booth suddenly realised his hand was still on Brennan's hip, the place where Hodgins was very pointedly looking at as he grinned. He slid his hand back round and dropped it to his side, finding Brennan looking up at him, confused. Offering her a tiny shrug, she reached for his hand and let their fingers intertwine. Angela looked like she wanted to burst in to song. Instead, she just grinned and cleared her throat.
"Rebecca called while you were out. Something about arrangements for tomorrow. I said you'd call her back."
He nodded and headed to the phone, his heart heavy with the remembrance that this was the last day he had with the woman he loved and the son he adored. The squints on the other hand…
Hell, who are you kidding? Angela's amazing and Hodgins… Well, men in black theories aside, he's a good guy. Zach can still be annoying as hell sometimes but at least the urge to shoot him has almost gone. Almost…
Picking up the phone, he perched on the table as he dialled his ex's cell number, staring down at the original portrait Angela had drawn still lying where he left it. He read the message again.
Not every dream is unattainable, not every dream is lost. Don't lose yours.
The tone ringing in his ear, he raised his eyes to the gang in front of him with a smile. Hodgins was ruffling Parker's hair as he bounced on the sofa while Angela tried to extract as much gossip as possible from Brennan.
The line connected.
"Hello?"
"Rebecca, it's Seeley. You rang?"
He could hear the smile in her tone when she replied.
"I did indeed. Angela said you were out to dinner with Doctor Brennan. You two finally admitted how you feel then?"
Booth couldn't keep the grin off his face as he watched his partner talking animatedly about the evening, her dress swaying about her and highlighting every alluring curve on her body.
"Yeah, yeah we did."
Rebecca almost giggled at the other end.
"God, you sound all dreamy! And there I was thinking you didn't have the balls…"
He rolled his eyes.
"Thanks, Rebecca, thank you so much."
She sighed.
"I have a suggestion for you. I know you want to see Parker but you've had him all day and you've barely seen Doctor Brennan…"
Booth narrowed his eyes as he listened.
"Yeah, so…?"
"So how about I pick Parker up in about an hour so you can spend some time with the good doctor? You can always drop by before you leave tomorrow to say bye to him properly."
"Are you sure?"
She sighed at the other end of the line.
"Of course I am. You're a wonderful father and Parker knows how much you love him. Now you need to show the woman of your dreams just how much you love her. As I recall, your best way of doing that should definitely not involve our son being anywhere nearby…"
Booth looked from his son to his girlfriend and then back to his son, deliberating his choices.
"Ok, see you in a hour."
"That's my boy, Seeley."
Hanging up, Booth returned to the group to say goodbye to Angela and Hodgins. Although obviously desperate for gossip, the pair knew better than to continue disturbing the happy couple and made a quick retreat, their arms linked as they giggled their way down the corridor.
Settling on the sofa, Booth sat Parker in between himself and Brennan. The adults listened intently as he recited every last exciting detail of his time with the two scientists, giggling at the dramatic telling of his exploits.
Time and time again, Booth found his eyes wandering back to the portrait on the kitchen table, admiring the happiness so evident in the static trio. Returning his gaze to the living room, he smiled. He had that happiness right now.
Not every dream is unattainable, not every dream is lost. I didn't lose mine. I didn't lose her.
I'm home.
oo00oo
Their time together passed far too quickly for Booth's liking and once Rebecca picked up their son with a knowing grin and they were finally alone again, an almost awkward silence descended.
Not quite sure what to do now the rules of their relationship had altered forever, Booth padded in to the kitchen to grab a bottle of wine. Retrieving two glasses from the cupboard, he marched back in to the living room to find Brennan fidgeting in her dress.
Placing the glasses down on the coffee table with an amused smile, he raised an eyebrow at her.
"Everything all right there?"
Brennan smiled slowly.
"I don't think this dress was designed with comfort in mind. Just like these shoes… Of course, pain for the sake of beauty is a long running tradition for both men and women. Anthropologically speaking, it can be traced back to…"
Booth cut her off with a wave of his hand as he handed her a glass of wine.
"If you want to change in to something more comfortable, you know where the bedroom is. Help yourself to whatever you want."
Taking the glass with her, she kissed him on the cheek and disappeared down the corridor.
Leaning back on the sofa, Booth stared up at the ceiling with a blissful smile.
I'm with Temperance and Temperance is with me. Life just doesn't get better than this… It's perfect.
The sound of his partner clearing her throat dragged his gaze back to the doorway leading to the corridor.
Ok, I was wrong… Now everything's perfect…
Brennan was stood in the middle of the entrance, wearing nothing but one of his dress shirts, her hair glimmering in the faint light of the lamps as she laid one arm against the door frame and her used her other hand to beckon him towards her, her eyes glinting dangerously.
Before he even realised he was moving, Booth found himself stood right in front of her, his heart pounding so hard he was scared it was about to burst through his chest. She took a few steps back, still beckoning, her endless athletic legs guiding him down the corridor. He followed, a broad grin spreading across his face as he drew nearer. As soon as he was close, she moved back again, taunting him and daring him to follow. When they reached the door to his bedroom, she let him catch her, letting herself get wrapped up in his muscular arms.
His lips just inches from hers, Booth stopped, pulling his face back a little as a frown creased his features.
"Are you sure?"
She draped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, her eyes hooded with desire.
"I've never been so sure of anything in my life."
She kissed him gently, her smile more open than he had ever seen before.
"I've waited long enough, Seeley. I can't wait a minute more."
He took her face in both hands, kissing her hard and deep as her fingers tore at the buttons of his shirt, both of them backing up toward the bed. Collapsing in a tangled heap, Booth let her roll on top of him, holding down his arms with one hand while she used the other to quickly remove his belt. Sitting astride his legs, she slowly pulled down his trousers before leaning forward to leave a trail of kisses from his navel to his neck.
Breaking his arms free, Booth slid a hand under the shirt, working its way up her back and relishing the feel of her smooth skin under his fingers. Wrapping his other arm round her shoulders, he spun her over as he climbed on top of her, both of them breathing hard and fast, anticipating what was about to happen, what they had yearned for.
Staring up at him, her hair fanning out around her like a halo, Booth felt his heart skip a beat.
This isn't just sex, this isn't just recreational…
He could see the emotion in his eyes reflected in her own, her lips parting in to a sensual smile as she ran a finger down his chest.
This is more than I have ever felt…
Her shirt removed, Booth lowered himself on to her, unable to resist for another second as she pulled his hips toward her, begging him to make her whole.
The act itself was fast and frantic, nails clawing, teeth biting, hands griping, but he managed to hold off until he felt her tighten around him, an ecstatic groan escaping her lips as he felt himself surrender to her.
His arms shaking slightly as he hovered above her, she smiled up at him, a smile that made his whole body tingle.
"That was…"
He grinned, nodding as she gently wiped the perspiration off his brow.
"Absolutely amazing."
She pulled him down to lie on top of her, resting his head against her breast as she gently ran her fingers through his hair, sighing contently.
"Actually, I was going to say that was the first time in my life I ever 'made love' as opposed to just having sex. But you're right, it was absolutely amazing."
He shifted in her arms to get a better look at her. Those familiar features he longed to see every morning seemed softer now, her cheeks tinged red, her eyes hooded.
"Temperance Brennan, I love you. I've always loved you and I always will. This was never going to be just sex."
She smiled, laying a lingering kiss on his forehead.
"I know, and I love you more than I ever loved anyone or anything."
She wrapped her hand around his own, their fingers weaving together as he wiped a single tear from the corner of her eye. Her eyes bright with happiness, she leaned in closer for another kiss.
"Seeley Booth, I'm home. I'm finally home."
A/N: For anyone who found the sex part to be somewhat brief, I should point out that my lovely other half has demanded that I never write anything too... graphic. As he put it, writers write what they know and he doesn't want the whole world to know about our personal lives. Plus, he knows my login details so he'd just delete any offensive bits anyway... Let me know what you think of it. Sorry it was a bit long but I'm too tired to actually do any proper editing...