Sorry it's taken me so long to update – I know a few of you were quite pissed off. But hey, I'm sorry, but I do have a life! (Contrary to popular belief!!! ) I've been scratching my head, trying to figure out where to go next as far as this story is continued, so I'd really appreciate some suggestions. Don't get me wrong, the lovely little notes of praise are much appreciated, but I'd also love to hear anything y'all think. So, enjoy, even though it is short. Once I figure out exactly where this is going, the next chapter will be much longer. Don't expect anything new in the next week – I'm on vacation!!!! But I'm hoping to gain a little inspiration and put in some writing time, so when I get back I'll post. Thanks!!!

Later That Evening

Brennan lay in bed, curled up under the covers, yawning as she awoke from a deep sleep. She rubbed her eyes and looked around the room, a disappointed look crossing her face when she saw that Booth wasn't there. She sighed and settled back into bed, a thousand thoughts flying around inside her head at once. She decided that what had just happened between them had not been a good idea. She knew that at some point he would leave, having found someone else. But then again, they weren't even in a relationship, so there really wasn't anything keeping him from seeing someone else. She had just fooled herself into thinking that maybe, just maybe, there was something more to their relationship that just their friendship at the workplace, and the platonic relationship they had outside of work. She was just beginning to mull over the events that had transpired earlier that afternoon when the hotel room door opened.

She sat up in bed quickly, clutching the covers to her bare chest. "Booth?" She called.

"Yeah, it's me," he said as he shut the door behind him. He walked into the room, carrying a few bags of what appeared to be take-out food. He sat them on the bed, shed his jeans, shirt, and shoes, and climbed back into bed next to her.

Brennan sat frozen in place, confused about everything that was going on. Booth sensed her anxiety, and took her hands in his.

"Temperance, look at me," he said softly.

Brennan obeyed, but hesitantly.

"Did you think that I had left you?" He asked her. "Tell me honestly."

Brennan nodded slowly. "I just figured that you'd gotten a call or something…I don't know," she replied.

Booth shook his head. "There's no where I'd rather be than right here next to you. I'm sorry I didn't leave a note. I thought you'd be hungry when you woke up, so I just went to grab a bite to eat. I didn't want to wake you, you looked so peaceful and beautiful…I couldn't bring myself to do it. But I promise, I'd never leave you," he assured her.

Brennan nodded. "I know that. But I don't want you to think that just because we had sex that you're forever tied to me. I mean, we both have our own lives, and this isn't going to tie us down. It was just a one time thing, and I shouldn't have thought so much about it. I mean we're both adults, and we're both free to do whatever we want, and see whoever we want. This isn't going to change anything," she told him, afraid that he would think of her as a needy, jealous woman.

Booth smiled. "Are you sure? Because I think it just changed everything. And I welcome that change. In fact, I've wanted it for quite a while. I don't want to be with anyone other than you Temperance, and this afternoon just made me realize that even more," he told her sincerely.

She stared at him for a few moments, studying his face, not saying anything. "I'm not really sure what to say," she replied.

Booth nodded. "I know, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything in the first place. I know it makes you uncomfortable, just forget about it," he told her, moving to get out of bed.

Brennan placed a hand on his arm softly, stopping him from leaving. "Please, don't be. So often in my relationships I haven't even let them reach the point where sentiments and feelings have to be verbally expressed. I normally break it off, maybe on purpose. I'm afraid of commitment, and I know it. I'm afraid that I'm going to fall in love, and that something bad is going to happen and ruin everything. But if I don't let myself fall in love, and I don't ever talk about things like this, I won't have to ever worry," she told him.

Booth nodded. "But if you live your life like that, it's going to be a very lonely life," he replied.

Brennan smiled sadly. "I know. But what we have, our friendship and work relationship, it's good. I enjoy spending time with you, I enjoy us. So I'm going to say something for the very first time, and I'm probably going to fumble it a little bit, so just hear me out. I don't know what I'm supposed to feel, or how I'm supposed to act. But all I know is that whenever I see you, it's like some sort of high, a euphoria washes over me, and I feel happy and excited for no reason. Whenever something happens to me, you're the first person I want to tell. I constantly think about you, and wonder what you would say or think about something. Even though we spend so much time together, it never seems to be enough. I don't know what all of this means, and I'll admit that I'm kind of scared to find out. But I want to, and I'm willing to, with you," she finished softly, looking deep into his eyes.

Booth grinned broadly. "I'm so glad…you have no idea how amazing it is to hear you say all of that. To be honest, I don't know what any of this means either, but I guess we'll just take it one day at a time, and see what happens. There's no pressure; if nothing more transpires out of this, okay, we'll just remain friends and partners. But, if I'm right, I believe we could really make this work…you and me. And I want to make it work, that's all I really want…you," he told her, placing his hand under her chin gently and lifting it up slightly, bringing her face closer to his.

"Okay," Brennan said breathlessly before making the first move and capturing his lips with hers passionately.