Déjà vu Chapter 2
Disclaimer: "BONES" and other related entities are owned, (TM) and © by 20th CENTURY FOX TELEVISION. Some dialogue and cases will be taken from the series, but character interactions will certainly be different (to a degree)
"So what's the hitch?" Temperance asked as they walked through Arlington National Cemetery.
"It's 'what's the sitch,' Bones. As in situation. Anyway, routine landscaping. They dropped a load by the…pond." Booth paused and exchanged a glance with Brennan as déjà vu once more washed over them. "Man, how often is this gonna happen?" Booth complained.
"I only need a bit more data to form a hypothesis," Brennan pointed out.
"Like what, Bones?" Booth said.
"So far the déjà vu has occurred at the airport and when I've said certain things. Things that we both feel I say all the time, like 'don't call me Bones.' And don't, by the way."
"Don't what?" Booth asked, looking smugly amused at the stink-eye Brennan shot in his direction. She sighed and shook her head in exasperation.
"I think I'm going to hate, today," she muttered to herself. "Anyway, as I was saying, I think it may happen when things we are 'familiar with' occur. Though I don't understand how that relates to this situation," she added with a frown. Booth nodded as the pair approached the medico-legal lab truck where Zach was setting up. "Hi Zach," Temperance said.
Zach glanced at the anthropologist blankly for a moment before speaking.
"This eco-warrior look works for you," he said. Brennan and Booth grimaced and held their heads.
"This has got to stop," Booth muttered. Temperance nodded in agreement, but waived off Zach's inquisitive look.
"Booth, remember my assistant? Zach Addy," she said. Booth nodded, the alien familiarity he felt making him feel awkward.
"Yeah, I remember. Listen Zach, uhm…" he trailed off and glanced at Temperance helplessly, who immediately grasped the cause of his unease.
"Zach," she forestalled as her assistant opened his mouth, "Guatemala was fine, I need water readings and temperature readings from the ground, okay?" He nodded and began walking off.
"Right away, Dr. Brennan."
"Bones, this is gonna drive me crazy," Booth said and gestured at his head. Temperance pursed her lips and sighed softly.
"I know, but until we can figure out what is going on, it's best to proceed as normal. Perhaps such feelings could prove useful, such as with ourselves?" she said. Booth made a soft noise of agreement and gently steered his partner toward the awaiting boat with a hand to the base of her back.
"People will think that's strange, you know," Temperance said softly.
"What's strange?" Booth asked.
"How comfortable we are with each other. It's not natural for two people, who were so adversarial the last time they met, to be so…comfortable," she finished lamely. Booth smirked, but discretely removed his hand when he spotted the odd look on Zach's face.
"That kid's already on to us," he said. Temperance glanced at Zach quickly, just catching him returning back to collecting samples.
"He is highly intelligent, though not particularly familiar with interpersonal relations," she admitted. "But he will certainly deduce that our…um…" she floundered, searching for the right word.
"Dynamic?" Booth suggested.
"Yes, our dynamic has changed. There was a great deal of hostility last time," Temperance said as they carefully clambered into the boat.
"Yeah, true. But still, he's weird," Booth said.
"He's very intelligent and has excellent reasoning skills," Temperance defended flatly.
"Okay, sheesh, bite of my head why don't ya?" Booth said. Temperance glared, but eventually just rolled her eyes, aware now that her new partner just was used to different sorts of people. "Wow, I was expecting you to say something," Booth said with a smile as they moved out into the pond.
"I will if you want," Temperance said, giving him a pointed look.
"Shutting up now," Booth said as he hurriedly opened the surveillance equipment and connected it to the waterproof monitor.
"What am I supposed to be looking for?" Temperance said.
"It's like pornography, you'll know it when you see it," Booth said absently, looking up when Temperance echoed him word for word. "Okay, stop doing that," he said.
"I can't help it," Temperance snapped, crossing her arms defensively. Booth sighed and scrubbed at his face wearily, feeling stressed.
"I know, it's just…creepy," he said.
"You've said that several times today," Temperance said, her tone deliberately light.
"Doesn't make it less true though," Booth said with a wan smile. Agreeing, Temperance remained silent and turned her eyes to the screen, which currently displayed several speciments of pond life and dim water. After several silent minutes of searching, the camera located the decomposed remains.
"Bingo baby," Temperance murmured. Booth bit off his response as the hairs on his neck rose.
"Gimme a break!" he whined. "Can't we go five minutes without feeling nauseous?"
"Maybe you're pregnant," Temperance teased. "Are your nipples overly sensitive and swollen?"
"Oh my god! You did not just say that! What is it with you and talking about nipples and teats?" Booth growled. Temperance gave him a dimpled smile of amusement, realising that she hadn't, but it would be something she'd say had she the opportunity.
"Teats?" she asked mischievously, her blue eyes twinkling.
"Moving on," Booth muttered, "let's just get Ms. Eller out of the pond and…?" he stared at the monitor numbly as he registered the words that came out of his mouth. "Bones, did I just…?"
"Yes," Temperance said, "yes you did. And I know you're right, it is Cleo Eller. That worries me. We have no way of knowing if we are correct, but I already know that we will be." She stared into Booth's deep brown eyes worriedly. "Booth…what does this mean?"
"I think we need to tell someone," Booth said, "this has gone past weird, past creepy and straight into the Twilight Zone with a heavy dose of what the fuck thrown in for good measure." Temperance nodded, her own thoughts suddenly kicked back into high gear as her mind teased out a possible answer to their questions. However, considering the possibility it might be a correct hypothesis, she in no way wanted to contemplate what it might mean.
"Let's just get her out," Temperance said, her tone grim.
Temperance barely needed to glance at the skeleton laid out on the tarp to make an identification, and her resulting verbal confirmation of the remains' physical characteristics after only moments left Zach staring at her in open mouthed astonishment.
"I can see I have a long way to go in order to reach your level of ability, Dr. Brennan," the younger man said, obviously highly impressed. Temperance exchanged a significant glance with Booth above her assistant's head before speaking.
"Don't doubt yourself Zach. I just happen to have…extensive experience. It's something you will gain as time goes by. You're a very talented assistant." Zach gave a pleased smile and continued snapping pictures as Temperance moved closer to Booth. "Booth, I know this. I know how she died, why her face is staved in, who-"
"Whoa, Bones, cool your jets, okay?" Booth interrupted. "I know, I know the same things you do! What we got to do now, Bones, is check the evidence. Right?" he asked. Temperance nodded, tiredly rubbing the bridge of her nose.
"You're right, I'm sorry. Follow the evidence and do not form foregone conclusions based off of conjecture. Or prescience," she added bitterly. A gentle, but heavy hand on her shoulder made her look up at Booth curiously.
"This is screwing with both of us, Bones," Booth said gently, "but we're still investigators. Or scientists, in your case," he added. "C'mon we both need a break. Let's get some coffee," Booth suggested. Nodding, Temperance crossed to Zach and gave him a few orders before returning to her partner.
"Your forensics lab can take the plastic and the chicken wire; we'll take the rest, okay?"
"Right. Now let's get some coffee, my head's gonna explode," Booth said. Brennan smiled as they walked through the sunshine back to the SUV.
The drive to the diner had been quiet; both of them lost in deep thought as Booth mechanically navigated the roads, stops and turns. Finally he pulled up on the street adjacent to the Royal Diner and turned to his partner.
"You okay?" Booth asked. Temperance offered an odd half smile, half grimace.
"I guess so. I feel like I'm…drifting," she said. Booth nodded as they exited the car and began walking the short distance to the main doors.
"Yeah, I get what you mean. Weird feeling," he added, holding the door open for Temperance as she entered.
"I feel I should point out how patronising that is, but it wouldn't do much good, would it?" Temperance said.
"Not really. Can I get two coffees here?" Booth said to the waitress as they sat down. "One with cream and sugar, one black, two sugars." The waitress nodded and moved off. "What?" Booth said, finally catching the look Temperance was giving him.
"I really, really want this to be over. There is no possible explanation for this and I'm close to becoming irrational."
"You know what, Bones? Irrational sounds real good right now. Getting drunk sounds better, but that'll have to wait 'til later," Booth said
"Why? I'm all for professional integrity, but this is so far from normal I think we can be excused just once," Temperance said.
"Let's just finish our coffee, okay, Bones?" Booth said. He sat back and rubbed his eyes tiredly. "At least the headache is gone," he pointed out. Temperance nodded in full agreement, briefly nodding her thanks to the waitress as she delivered their coffees before taking a sip and giving a soft groan of contentment.
"Good coffee," she said, prompting Booth to sample his own cup.
"Mmm…they do good stuff here," he said. Silence descended again, the two of them greedily draining their cups until nothing remained. "So…you really want to get steamed in the middle of the day?" Booth asked.
"We've earned it. Let me just call into the lab and let Angela know. She'll go spare if I don't." Booth grinned, looked faintly confused, and then massaged his head in quick succession.
"Hurry up. I need to get drunk," he said darkly. Temperance nodded and pulled out her phone. Two rings later, and Angela picked up the phone.
"Angela Montenegro," she said.
"Hey Ange," Temperance said.
"Sweetie! What happened at the airport?" Angela asked eagerly.
"I'll tell you later, it's a long, long story. And right now I really just want to get drunk. So I am. I won't be in the rest of the day. Just get Zach to have a look at the bones and have Hodgins analyse the particulates. I'll look over everything tomorrow, okay?"
"Wait, wait. Back up. You're blowing off work to get drunk? Since when? And tell me what did it so I can do it again!" Angela said.
"Like I said, it's a long story. I'll tell you tomorrow," Temperance said
"Do you want company?" Angela asked, the note of obvious hope in her voice making Temperance smile.
"No, it's covered. See you tomorrow!" Temperance said, ringing off just as the very loud exclamation of surprise came from the tiny speaker. Booth looked highly amused, his brown eyes twinkling madly.
"That was mean," he said as they rose. Temperance smirked and shook her head.
"No, she'll enjoy the conjecture as much as if I told her who I really was with. Besides, she'll be dying to know tomorrow."
"Won't that be a pain if you have a hangover?" Booth asked, once more opening the door of the SUV for his partner and blithely ignoring her scathing look as he did so.
"It's worth it," Temperance said, looking a little vindictive.
"Bones! How deliciously evil of you," Booth teased. Temperance gave in to a momentary impulse and stuck her tongue out at the FBI Agent, who laughed and started the large car.
"Next stop," he began.
"Wong Fu's!" Temperance completed with a cheer.
Ten minutes later and they sat at the bar of Wong Fu's, waiting for the barman and owner to come over. He smiled when he caught sight of Seeley and made his way over.
"Hey, Seeley, who's your friend? Gotta say this, she's tall," he said. Booth smiled as he mounted the barstool and sat down.
"Sid, this is Dr. Temperance Brennan," he said. Temperance gracefully duplicated his motion and nodded politely at Sid.
"The sign says Wong Foo's," she said. Sid grinned.
"Family name changed at Ellis Island," he explained, then glanced curiously at Booth. "You're not normally here this early. Lunch was two hours ago. You want food?" Booth shook his head.
"Nope, just a bottle of Jack. It's been a weird-ass day and we're going to get toasted."
"At three o'clock?" Sid said, looking surprised.
"You've not had our day," Temperance said flatly, her expression one of long suffering patience about to be lost.
"Right. Bottle o' Jack, coming up. I'll get you something to drink," Sid added to Temperance, who frowned in annoyance as he walked away.
"But I didn't order," she muttered. Booth looked amused.
"It's his thing. You don't order, he just brings you what you want," he explained. Temperance nodded, once again conflicted at her easy acceptance.
"I hope it's strong," she muttered. Booth pulled the bottle of Jack Daniels that Sid had placed before him with a tumbler closer and poured himself a glass.
"It will be," he placated. True to form, Sid arrived with a bottle of thirty percent proof vodka and a carton of orange juice, droplets of water beginning to condense upon its side.
"Voila," he said, placing it before the anthropologist with a flourish. Temperance gave him a grateful smile as he poured her a generous glass and slid it over.
"Thanks, Sid," she said. The owner of Wong Foo's waved away her thanks and walked off, humming a tune under his breath. The anthropologist looked at her drink for several seconds, feeling her partner's eyes on her all the while, then tipped it back and swallowed the entire glass.
"Steady on, Bones!" Booth said, "we've got all day!" Temperance glared and refilled her glass stubbornly.
"I can't get drunk quick enough," she said. Booth rolled his eyes and knocked back his own glass, smacking his tongue at the harsh taste of the alcohol and the hot burning feel as it slid down his throat.
"Fine, just let me catch up," Booth said, tilting his refilled glass toward hers. "Bottoms up, Bones," he said. The pair clinked glasses and downed their second drink together. "We'll be hammered in ten," Booth joked. Temperance disagreed and shook her head.
"Less, lunch was two hours ago, remember. And I only had airline food," she muttered and made a wretched face. Booth laughed, already feeling the pleasant buzz from the alcohol.
"I think you're right, Bones. I'm already buzzed."
"I'm disappointed, Booth. A man of your stature and body mass should be able to handle alcohol much better than that!" Temperance said. Booth frowned.
"Are you calling me a lightweight, Bones?" he asked.
"But you're not light weight. In fact I estimate you are fairly heavy, given that your body structure indicates you are well muscled," Temperance said. Booth snorted into his drink, prompting a round of spluttering as he attempted to stop laughing and coughing at the same time.
"Lightweight is a term for someone who handles alcohol badly, Bones," Booth said after he recovered. He shook his head and failed miserably at suppressing a fond smile, his increasingly inebriated state putting him in a jovial mood. He took another pull from his glass, draining the amber liquid and tilting the bottle before him to get some more, absently taking note that Brennan had foregone the orange juice for straight vodka.
"That's my Bones," he murmured to himself and took another drink.
"What? Your Bones, Booth?" Temperance asked archly, her brows raised in slightly overacted surprise. Booth stared at her blankly, realising he hadn't been as quiet as he thought.
"Uh…"
"Very intelligent, Booth," Temperance said, now looking amused as she took a small shot of vodka. "You don't own me, Buster," she added blithely, wagging her finger in his direction. Booth laughed again.
"Buster?" he gasped out between laughs. "You said 'buster!'" Temperance looked piqued at his amusement and poked him in the chest.
"Yeah? So? I can call you buster if I want to, Buster," she deliberately enunciated, poking him all the while. Booth frowned and rubbed his abused chest.
"Hey, no poking!" he whined, "or I'll poke you!" Brennan raised her brows at his comment, her vivid blue eyes mercurially sparkling with amusement.
"Oh you will, will you?" she said, downing another shot of vodka. Booth blushed as he caught his accidental double entendre and covered it with a heroic swallow of whiskey. Temperance laughed at his embarrassment. "Aw, that's so cute! The big, bad FBI agent is shy!"
"I'm not shy, Bones, just prudent!" Booth defended, sulking on his stool.
"Prude," Temperance teased softly around her glass, pleasantly buzzed by the alcohol.
"I am so not a prude, Bones," Booth said before having more whiskey.
"You're hiding behind you whiskley," Temperance pointed out. Like many drunk people around the world, Seeley Booth found her slight slur hilarious, and desperately clamped down on his urge to howl with laughter in her face. He succeeded for the most part, but turned red and made strangled sniggering noises behind his hand. "Don't laugh at me!" Temperance said, slapping him on the arm to display her displeasure. "It'snot my fault I'm drunk," she reasoned.
Her second slur made Booth loose control and he hunched over the bar, shaking with laughter.
"I'm, I'm sorry, Bones," he gasped, "but it's so funny! Go on, say a big word, like uh…metalargals."
"That's not a word, Booth. it's metatarseles…um," Temperance blushed at her error, and Booth sniggered as he raised his glass, the pleasant flush of inebriation spread across his cheeks.
"Awesome, Bones," he said and took a swig. Temperance reddened further, but felt pleased at his praise, so gently pushed his shoulder.
"Oh shut up," she groused. From down the bar, Sid watched with amusement, as well as a smidgen of trepidation. He knew Booth had a girlfriend, he had even brought her to the bar once, but he had never seen the FBI agent this relaxed and happy before. It was a recipe for either trouble or the most rewarding experience for any man and woman, besides sex, he added to himself.
"I think we're drunk, Bones," Booth said, eyeing his slightly blurry glass with conviction. Temperance nodded exaggeratedly in agreement.
"Yup. Told you it'd be less than five min'ts," she said. Booth nudged her with his shoulder and gave her a wide grin.
"That's cute," he said. Temperance looked at him in clueless confusion.
"What is?" she asked.
"When you slur," Booth said, pointing at her with his finger over his glass. She gently pushed it aside and gave him a pointed look, her eyes lidded.
"I don't slur," she said, "I mispronounce." Her stern act was ruined by the grin that tugged at her lips every few seconds. Booth grinned and held up his hands and glass.
"My mistake," he said. Temperance nodded victoriously, looking smug, and eyed the half-full bottle of vodka.
"I'm bored of vodka. Do you have South American Eroule?" she said to Sid, who shook his head. "Damn. I want some," she muttered.
"Where are you gonna get that, Bones?" Booth asked.
"I have a stash at my place," Temperance said in response.
"Oh. What's it like?" Booth said. Temperance gave him a wicked smile that made his eyes widen.
"Strong," she said. "Too strong for you," she sang mockingly. Booth sat up straighter at the blatant challenge.
"Nothing's too strong for Seeley Booth!" he said. "I'm the man!" He thumped his chest for emphasis and made macho poses that made Temperance giggle briefly before she smothered them.
"You certainly are," she mumbled, eyeing his defined pecks. "Well if you think you can handle it then fine, I'll allow you to follow me home," Temperance announced airily. Booth stared at her, open mouthed.
"Allow?" he said. "You'll allow me to follow you home?" Temperance nodded and deliberately sashayed her way toward the door.
"Yus," she said seriously. Booth laughed and dropped several bills on the counter before jogging after his partner, a distinct waver in his step.
Outside, Temperance was frowning and digging through her purse.
"What up, Bones?" Booth said, perching his chin on her shoulder. Absently Temperance smacked him in the face before answering.
"Looking for my cell," she muttered. "Need a cab."
"Oh yeah," Booth said, gingerly rubbing his abused nose. "What's with you and hitting, that is so not fair."
"It's only your adh'rance to pop'lar stuff that keeps you from doing it back," Temperance said, her eyes widening as she found the aim of her search. "Got it!" Quickly she flipped it open and dialled the number of a taxi cab company and ordered a taxi.
"Popular stuff, eh, Bones?" Booth teased, an easy grin settling across his face as he nudged Temperance with his shoulder. She swatted at him in retaliation, missing when he stepped forward into her space. "Missed," he said, his grin going full force. Slightly unnerved at his close proximity, Temperance turned pink and put her hands on his chest.
"Back off, Mr Man," she threatened, "or I'll kick your ass!" Privately she wondered if she really would hit him, but he obviously believed her, as he moved away quickly, holding his hands up in surrender. "Wuss," she said, to take the sting out of the threat. Booth laughed guiltly.
"You hit like a man," he said by way of explanation and laughed at her outraged expression.
"Take that back!" Temperance said.
"What, thacha hit like a man? Whass wrong, Bones? Don't like being the tough nut?" Booth laughed, drunkenly dodging her angry swipes.
"You make me sound mannish!" Temperance whined, "I'm justa strong, ind'pendant woman!" Booth stopped and caught his partner in his arms. She stared at him curiously when he smiled warmly at her.
"Yeah, you are, Bones. You're as far from mannish as a girl could be," he said.
"Woman," Temperance corrected, "I'ma woman." She punctuated her point by prodding Booth's chest.
"You're obsessed with my chest," Booth teased as he let her go.
"Am not," Temperance denied.
"You keep touching it," Booth said with a grin.
"'Snot why I do it," she said, making Booth chuckle again. Her head pleasantly fuzzy from the alcohol, Temperance returned to prodding Booth's chest. "Good definition tho," she conceded, switching from prodding to squeezing.
"Bones, you're groping me," Booth laughed, watching her hand disappear as if it were on fire. "And cab's here," he added.
"Finally. To the booze!" Temperance announced, her mind filled with thoughts of her stash at home. Booth followed her lazily, relieved to be free of the oppressive sense of déjà vu that had clouded their day. He slipped in beside his partner on the back seat, who giggled as his bulk bumped into her and tipped her over into the window.
He sighed happily as he gently pulled her upright and slung an arm around her shoulders.
"This is the life, eh, Bones?" he said. "Free from weird-ass déjà vu!" Temperance returned his smile and settled herself against him, absently tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.
"No more déjà vu," she agreed. "'S good. Can't be drunk all the time tho, Booth," she pointed out. Booth frowned as the same thing occurred to him.
"Better enjoy it while we can, then," he said, eliciting another nod from his partner. "So really, what's this stuff like?" Booth asked, referring to the drink Brennan had promised resided in her apartment.
"Strong. And syrupy. 'S very nice," Temperance said with a smile. Booth looked pleased.
"I like syrup. Does it go on pancakes?" he asked.
"Dunno. We can make some if you want. I have batter," Temperance added as they pulled up outside her apartment building.
"Cool, let's try it first. Don't wanna ruin any pancakes," Booth said as he helped his partner out of the car after paying the driver. Surprisingly, she didn't comment on his help, though that may have been to do with her wobbling noticeably when she stood up.
"Right," she said, walking into the building and calling the elevator. "usually take the stairs," Temperance said idly, "can't be both'rd now." Booth snickered and slung his arm around her shoulders again, in part to steady himself. Temperance glanced at his arm and debated about saying something before giving up. He smelled far too nice and was warm, anyway.
The elevator announced its arrival with a jaunty bell and the doors opened, allowing the duo to walk unsteadily into the hallway and along to Temperance's apartment.
"Bet I know which one it is," Booth said. Temperance rolled her eyes.
"Of course you know, 't's why we're drunk, Booth," she said. Booth pouted playfully, his arm still slung over her shoulder, but felt pleased with himself. since they had gotten in the elevator, Brennan's hand had lightly settled around his waist and still hadn't moved. For some reason, Booth felt inordinately pleased with this, though his current fuzzy thoughts put paid to the reason why.
"Home sweet home," Temperance said as she unlocked her front door and let the two of them in.
"Nice place, Bones!" Booth said, looking around the tastefully decorated apartment filled with all sorts of artefacts and books. Temperance rolled her eyes as she dropped off her keys, purse and coat and moved to the kitchen. "I mean it!" Booth called, following after. "Wow, nice kitchen too…but…I hate your fridge." Temperance wrinkled her brow in puzzlement.
"Why?" she asked. Booth shrugged, giving the large appliance the evil eye.
"It's evil," he said at last. Temperance laughed as she reached for two shot glasses.
"A fridge can't be evil, Booth, it'sa friiidge," she said, mockingly. Booth merely looked disgruntled, then spotted something on the counter.
"What's this?" he said, picking up the discarded motor magazine. Temperance made a disgusted face and went back to digging out the bottle of booze she was looking for.
"'T's m' old boyfriend's," she muttered. "Asshole," she grunted as explanation at Booth's curious look. He nodded.
"Bad break-up?" he asked, taking the offered glass and sniffing it experimentally. Temperance shrugged.
"Fought all the time. Psychologist," she said, and made another face. "I hate psychology," she complained. Booth laughed and returned to his shot.
"Smells fruity," he said, taking an experimental sip. "Ooh, plummy!" Temperance giggled.
"Plummy 'snot a word, Booth" she said.
"Says the lady saying snot," Booth replied with a lazy grin. Temperance poked her tongue out and downed her shot, causing him to mirror her. "Ooh, warm," he said, and eyed the magazine again, thinking it looked vaguely interesting.
"Don't you dare," Temperance warned, waggling her finger at him dangerously. Booth attempted to look innocent, succeeding in merely looking like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
"Wouldn't think 'f it!" he protested. "Hey, you have a TV! I thought you didn't have a TV!"
"I don't, it's Peter's," Temperance said as she gave the television a dirty look.
"Oh. I know how that goes, stuff appearing in your apartment, I mean," Booth said.
"Yeah? You got a grrlfriend?" Temperance asked, rolling the 'r's in a manner she thought teasing. Booth found it sexy instead, and tugged at his shirt collar.
"Yeah, name's…um…" he squinted, suddenly realising he couldn't recall his girlfriend's name. "Oh man," he muttered, feeling embarrassed when Temperance began to laugh. "Oh shut up, Bones," he grumbled. "Oh! Tessa! Her name's Tessa. She's a lawyer," he added. Temperance looked amused as she poured them both another shot.
"At least you remembered," she said. "You like her?" she asked, and Booth detected a faint edge to her voice.
"Not really," he answered without thinking. "Er…" he paused, suddenly realising that he really didn't care either way, where Tessa was concerned. "Hmmm…not a good sign," he muttered to himself.
"Does she know?" Temperance asked. Booth looked at her honestly curious face and detected no hint of maliciousness that he might have expected from some other woman. He smiled. Not his Bones, she was straightforward to a tee.
"No. think I might have to call't off tho," he said. A moment more of contemplation, and he pulled out his phone.
"Booth, not over the phone!" Temperance said, looking appalled. Booth glared, feeling insulted.
"'M not gonna break up with her over the phone, Bones! Jus' gonna call her," he said, and hit the speed dial. Tessa picked up after a few rings.
"Hi Seeley!" she chirped, severely grating on his nerves.
"Hi Tessa," he muttered. "Listen, gonna have ta cancel dinner, somethin' came up." He downed another shot, which Temperance dutifully refilled alongside her own. Booth abruptly realised he was well on his way to being severely hammered as the room tilted alarmingly.
"Seeley, are you drunk?" Tessa asked, sounding shocked.
"Yup," he replied.
"What in God's name made you get drunk in the middle of the afternoon!?" Tessa asked. Booth glared aimlessly at the air, feeling angry that he appeared to have to justify his predicament. Bones wouldn't make me do that, he thought to himself.
"Shit day," he muttered. Temperance suddenly looked surprised and lurched to her feet, banging her shin on the coffee table as she did so.
"Ow!" she exclaimed.
"Who was that?" Tessa asked sharply. Booth winced, realising how this would look.
"'S m' partner," he said, "Bones."
"The anthropologist?" Tessa asked, sounding very upset.
"Um…yeah. She's m' new partner," Booth explained. "Today," he added.
"Just today?" Tessa asked.
"No, no. I mean since today."
"And you're getting drunk with her in the middle of the afternoon," Tessa stated, her voice flat. Booth thought about the possible responses he could give, but felt honesty was the best policy.
"Yup. 'S been a shit day," he explained again.
"Well you have fun with your new partner," Tessa spat, "don't expect to see me again. Asshole!" The phone went dead and Booth looked at it dumbly.
"That went well," he said to the empty room, Temperance having staggered off to the bathroom a moment prior. She returned after another minute, looking sheepish.
"Sorry," she said as she plopped down at the other end of the sofa. Booth waved her apology off.
"Nah, 's bound to happen eventually. She got the wrong impression tho," he said as he poured them both another shot. "Let's get shit-faced," he said, "'t's been a shit day."
"No shit," Temperance agreed, knocking back her shot. Booth laughed at her language, then lurched to his feet.
"Need s'me music," he muttered and marched determinedly toward her hi-fi system and cd collection. He perused it thoughtfully, squinting at the many strange names. "Where is it?" he muttered, half aware he was actually looking for something in particular. "Yes! Awesome!" he hooted as he pulled out the Foreigner cd. He waved it in Temperance's direction, and she grinned, realising what he held.
"Yeah! Put it on!" she cheered, rising to her feet unsteadily and skipping over. Booth paused to consider that, amused that the normally reserved scientist actually skipped when drunk. He laughed as he popped the disc in, skipping to one particular track and whooping when the strains of 'Hot Blooded' began to blare around the apartment.
The pair of them began to dance, wiggling and jiving cheerfully as one or the other occasionally poured shots, pausing only to down them before hopping around again, loudly singing the song entirely out of tune and finding it hilarious. The song repeated twice before they collapsed on the sofa, breathless from laughing, singing and jumping around, both tangled up in the other and perfectly happy about it.
"Hey, Booth?" Temperance said, her head resting upon his broad chest.
"Mmm?" he responded.
"This is nice," she said. Booth grinned and squeezed her in response.
"Yeah. Hey, Bones?"
"Mmm?"
"We're smashed," he said with a laugh. She giggled and they untangled themselves, managing to land ungracefully on the floor with identical looks of surprise on their faces that lasted only a moment before they collapsed into gales of laughter. Booth found the bottle and looked at it's nearly full state. "Gotta change that. Hey!" Booth suddenly exclaimed, "Pancakes!"
Temperance looked thrilled.
"Yes! 'Ma hungry!" she said. They struggled upright and darted for the kitchen, both vying to get there first in order to make the pancakes. Neither won, arriving at the same time and grabbing the pancake batter from the cupboard at the same time. "No fair!" Temperance complained. "'S my house!"
"'Partmend," Booth corrected smugly, using his superior strength to gain the upper hand and hold the mix above his head. Temperance jumped twice, doing interesting things to her chest right before Booth's eyes, then fixed him with a mischievous look and grabbed his groin. "Bones!" Booth squawked, dropping the batter. She gave him a smug look and sauntered victoriously over to her stove.
