Author's Note: I've taken an artistic liberty with Brennan's office. I could have sworn that Brennan (at least at one point) had a wooden door & maybe some blinds. That may not be the case now that I look back over screen caps, but I'm keeping it anyways because it's hard to work with so much glass. ;)

Dr. Brennan sits at her desk, staring blankly at the computer monitor. Once again, she holds the small, silver pendant between her fingers, just as she had when Zack startled her moments before. She knows it's irrational to place such strong sentiment in an inanimate object, but the pendant means a lot to her. If she were to be honest with herself, she would acknowledge that the pendant holds as much emotional power over her as her mother's dolphin belt buckle. Of course, this is not something she would admit out loud, but Booth knows her, that she treasures inanimate objects that remind her of better times. Well, not better times, perhaps, but times when things weren't so complicated.

She looks up from her computer screen when she hears the light rapping at her door. A smile graces her face as she sees Booth leaning against the frame. Before announcing his presence, he notices how she holds the pendant; this causes his patented charm smile to appear. Brennan motions him inside, where he practically falls onto the couch, enjoying the slight bounce from the springs. He pats the seat beside him, indicating that he wants her to join him. On her way to the couch, Dr. Brennan closes the door, thinking nothing of what the others would think of such a gesture. On the other side of said door were Angela, Jack, and Zack, all of whom grinned as the door clicked shut.

When Brennan sits down, Booth produces a manila folder with new details on their current case. Every few minutes she unconsciously fingers the silver ornament that adorns her neck. Though she doesn't realize what she is doing, Booth does. He has become enamored with her and how she treats her gift; so much so, in fact, that he is no longer listening to her, just nodding ever so often.

"Booth, are you even listening to me?"

"Yeah," he says, nodding. But his eyes are still drawn to her fingers.

Realizing what is happening she removes her fingers from the necklace and snaps them, drawing him back to reality.

"Oh, sorry; I guess I zoned out there for a minute." Booth says, grinning sheepishly.

Brennan can't help but smile at his lack of concentration on the case.

"What were you thinking about?" She asks, a hint of shyness lacing her voice.

He can't help but stare, really stare, at her this time. She's so unpredictable, so...capricious. Yes, that's definitely a word he would use to describe her.

"Do you really want to know, Bones?" He asks, wondering if she'll take the bait. If anyone but Booth had asked such a facetious question, she would have been inclined to give them a withering stare; however, since he'd piqued her curiosity, she let the comment slide with only a light laugh.

"Yes, Booth, I really want to know."

Her playful smirk made him smile so wide that his cheeks began to hurt.

"I was just thinking about our partnership, and overall relationship. It seems like it was ages ago when we first started working together. Do you remember telling me you were going to scream 'kidnap' if I drove another block?" She nods, and he continues. "We've been through so much over these past two years. From rocking out to Foreigner and playing dress up in Las Vegas, to being blown up and buried alive. And through it all, we've both become stronger, better people. We've only grown closer as friends. In fact, you're one of the best friends I have." He pauses for a moment, considering if he should voice his next thought. "And maybe you're more than my best friend. You've become a part of my family."

Brennan doesn't know what to say to this revelation. Sure, she'd noticed the changes in their relationship. Growing closer was an anthropological inevitability, right? But, to hear it voiced, both excited and frightened her. Like Booth had said months before, there was so much to lose. Out of instinct, or perhaps comfort, Brennan reaches for the pendant.

"But Booth, I'm not part of your family. Parker is your family," she pauses for a moment, attempting to collect her thoughts. "The only family I have is my brother and my father." Her voice breaks as she speaks these words, and she turns her eyes downward. She cannot bear to see the look of sympathy she knows she is going to receive. "And they've left me again."

Booth silently curses her family for abandoning her, not once, but twice. He understands why they left, but it still pisses him off that they could do something like this to her again. Not knowing what else to do, he leans forward, his face close to hers. Gently placing a curled finger beneath her chin, he lifts his hand so that her face is even with his own, their eyes level. A single tear falls.

There is a quiet desperation in her eyes, a silent cry that begs for someone to save her from this big bad world that's threatening to swallow her whole. Without knowing or understanding why, Temperance realizes that Seeley is her salvation.

"Temperance, you are as much a part of my family as Parker is. Family is not all blood and genetics. Family is who you care for, who you love, and who you'd lay your life down for without a moment's hesitation." She looks into his eyes and realizes that he is confessing more than he may have been ready too. "You, Temperance Brennan, are my family."

Booth leans in slightly, afraid that if he leans in farther or faster that he will give the wrong impression of his intentions. He desperately wants to kiss her, just like he did weeks ago outside of the diner; the only difference is that this time, Zack is not there to interrupt the moment. Brennan tilts her head slightly to the right, her eyes closing and lips barely parting. She moves forward, but not enough to close the small gap between them.

Licking his lips, he can feel the heat of her breath against the cool wetness. Closing the small space between them, Booth lightly brushes his lips against hers, his hand caressing her moist cheek. His tongue sweeps slowly across her lips, the taste of her mingling with the salt of her tears. The combination is more intoxicating than anything he's ever experienced.

She is captivated by the feel of his tongue against her lips. The soft caress threatens to swallow her whole, a white hot desire burning deep within. She softly touches the tip of her tongue against his. Her fingers curl around the back of his neck, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss. Booth's fingers become lost in her soft hair, his other hand resting on her hip. Leaning in closer, they begin to fall backwards. His left hand is now flat against the couch for support, while his right supports her back; her hands wrap tightly around his neck, fingers toying with his hair.

She moans softly into his mouth, smiling against his lips at the reaction it elicits. His kisses, soft and yielding, become increasingly hungry and passionate, and she is enjoying every second of it. It's no surprise that Booth curses when a knock sounds at her door.

"Fuck!"

"Easy there, Tiger." She says, a coy smile curling her swollen lips.

"Ha! Ha!" Booth says, winking as he helps her to her feet.

With a slightly defeated sigh, Booth tells his partner that he has to run to the office to finish up some paperwork, but will be back in a few hours. Promising to wait for him, he gives her a quick peck on the cheek before she opens the door, to find Zack waiting on the other side. The recently graduated doctor looks at them both in turn, confusion washing over his features.

"Am I interrupting something, Dr. Brennan?"

"Well, yeah, kind—" Booth begins, but Brennan nudges him in the ribs with her elbow. "Ow, Bones!"

"No, of course not Zack; Booth was just leaving."