Déjà Vu Chapter 8
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!
As soon as they entered the club, a wall of sound washed over them, bringing with it the combined smells of everything within: the sweet smell of liquors, the deep yeasty scent of beer, sweat, arousal and the thousands of different perfumes and colognes of the patrons. Booth darted his eyes around, suddenly aware it had been a long time since he had really been in a proper club. Bars were his normal hangout.
"What's the matter, Booth? You look a little tense!" Temperance called, her voice pitched to carry over the noise. Booth grumbled to himself and moved closer, very aware of just how much skin his partner was revealing.
"I'm fine!" he insisted. Her eyes twinkled with amusement at his obvious discomfort.
"Been a while, huh?" she said. Booth didn't miss the double entendre and fixed her with an annoyed look.
"Bones," he warned, moving in closer so his words communicated their full meaning. Temperance allowed her eyes to drop closed as his warm breath tickled her neck, a small grin tugging at her glossed lips. It was fun teasing him, she decided, especially when he teased her back. It was a challenge, and she freely admitted challenges were very stimulating.
"Yes, Booth?" she replied, fluttering her eyelashes innocently. He looked unconvinced and gave her a pointed look. Temperance laughed, whirling away and moving toward the bar. It was time to get the evening underway.
"Hey, Bones! Wait up!" Booth called, struggling his way through the crowd that seemed to part like the red sea before his partner and close up right behind. A small part of his mind wondered if this is how the pharaoh felt and he chuckled, finally catching up to his partner and placing a hand on her bare back. The feel of her smooth, silky skin beneath his hand distracted him and he found his thumb gently caressing her flesh without thought.
Temperance shivered slightly at the feel of Booth's hand on her back, but found herself enjoying the moment as she waited to be served, her body swaying to the forceful, energetic beat that pounded through her body. She pondered analysing the anthropological meanings behind the music, but forgot all about it when she glanced at her partner and saw him resting an elbow upon the counter, his head tilting up and down in time with the beat, dark eyes intense and carefree.
She realised he was talking to her and shook herself, silently admonishing her inability to concentrate on anything for more than a few moments at a time. A moment later and she sighed, realising the main point of their venture was to relax and enjoy herself.
"Hey, Bones! You okay?" Booth asked, his brow creasing in concern. Temperance nodded and leaned in closer.
"I'm fine! I'm trying not to over analyse," she admitted, looking sheepish. Booth looked surprised, but smiled.
"Wow! I gotta say, Bones, I'm impressed!" his attention diverted to the pretty barmaid and he gave her a charming smile. "Beer and a vodka orange, please!" he said. The girl nodded, her gaze lingering not on the handsome agent, but on Temperance's chest. Booth raised an eyebrow and glanced at his partner to see if she had noticed. She had, and was giving the barmaid a faintly amused look. Wow.
"Thank you," she said when the barmaid handed them their drinks. The barmaid winked and sauntered off, but Booth could only stare at his partner is something akin to shock. Had she been subtly flirting with the barmaid? "No, Booth, I wasn't flirting with the barmaid," Temperance said, poking him admonishingly in the chest. Booth boggled, and then wondered if he had said it out loud. "And no, you didn't say it out loud!" she giggled.
"The hell, Bones? When did you become a mind reader?" he demanded. She smirked and wagged a finger at him as she took a sip of her drink.
"The scientific probability to read minds if a myth, Booth. It's impossible," she said. "I just know you, that's all," she explained with a smile. He chuckled and took a deep swig of his beer, mentally noting it was already half empty.
"I guess you do, Bones," he said. Swiftly their drinks disappeared. "Ready for me to sweep you off your feet?" he asked, waggling his eyebrows comically. Temperance laughed and gave him a playful shove.
"Like I said earlier: you wish!" she said, turning around and weaving her way onto the dance floor. Booth growled as he once again got stuck in the crowd and found his partner being accosted by several overeager guys on the dance floor.
"Beat it!" he snapped, tugging her hand to spin her into his arms effortlessly. They glared, but did as instructed, slinking off into the crowd.
"That wasn't necessary, Booth," Temperance said, frowning at him in annoyance. He shrugged.
"How am I supposed to wow you with my dancing if you're dancing with someone else?" he reasoned. She blinked and tilted her head as they began to dance to the steady R&B beat.
"That actually sounded suspiciously like logic!" she teased. He snorted.
"Shut up and dance, Bones!" he ordered. The music was energetic and heady, and they both began dancing, Booth notably more awkward than his partner. After a minute of attempting not to make a fool of himself, he growled and realised that he felt awkward because he had to dance with her. "This is ridiculous," he muttered, watching as she easily gyrated to the music. She was a great dancer, and it annoyed him immensely. "Right, game on, Seeley," he urged himself. His mind switched gears as he deliberately forgot he was dancing with his partner and concentrated more on dancing as if she were a woman he was hot for. That was how he did his best moves, after all.
Suddenly they were pressed up against one another, their hips joined as they gyrated rhythmically to the bass, the smooth crooning of the singer urging Booth's movements as he grasped Temperance around the waist and shoulders, smoothly dipping her and then rising to spin her out to arms length. She looked surprised, but not annoyed, and gleefully fell back into step with him when their bodies pressed together again.
"I was wondering when you'd actually start dancing!" she said loudly. "That chicken bobbing you were doing was annoying!"
"Chicken bobbing!?" Booth exclaimed. "I'll show you chicken bobbing!"
"Finally!" she replied. Booth began undulating their bodies together, his hand holding her forehead pressed to his own. She obviously had her own ideas, as the fiery gleam in her eyes told him just before she slipped from his grasp, turned around and ground her rear into his groin for a moment before whirling behind his back. Booth felt his nostrils flare as her unique scent filled his nose and monopolised his senses.
Temperance revelled in the music, allowing her body to move without conscious thought to the music. Idly, she wondered what it was that was playing, and made a note to look up the lyrics when she got home before she shook the thoughts away and continued dancing. She ran her hands down her partner's back and then around to his front, caressing the underlying muscle with her fingers as she swayed against his body. His hands weren't idle, smoothing over her hips seductively until he caught her hand and spun the pair of them around until they faced each other.
"So what do you think of my dancing now, Bones?" he asked as their bodies moulded together. Her eyes blazed with a fierce, visceral enjoyment in response, her face intense and passionate as they danced nose to nose.
"You're not bad," she conceded breathlessly after he brought her up from another low tip, secretly enjoying how close his face got to her unblemished, silky skin. He hugged her to him after pulling her in from a pirouette and raised an eyebrow mockingly.
"Not bad? Is that all?" he said. She smirked and slithered out of his grasp to slide between his legs and up his back in a single, sinuous movement that left his head spinning as her breath whispered over his ear.
"Yes, not bad," she repeated. Both were oblivious to the wide berth the rest of the dance floor were giving them, completely intent on each other as they battled for dominance.
"Fine, I'll prove I'm better than you," he ground out, clutching her body and hefting her into the air to sling her around his body. All he could hear was the music, the frantic pounding of his heart and her excited breaths that puffed against his skin each time she drew close.
Temperance pulled on her experiences in Italy to roll with the motion, easily trusting Booth not to let her go as she completed the move and span away, his hand clutched in her own. She let it go and stalked purposefully toward him, pushing him back with her presence until he stopped and met her nose to nose again.
"Let's see what you've got, Agent Booth," she teased. They span together, and she fell into another dip again, marvelling at how sturdy his arms felt beneath her own. "You like dips?" she smirked, lifting her legs up to balance herself on his hip and caress his face before she slid down his leg and sprang to her feet. "Or is it just my breasts you're after?" she called.
Booth growled and pulled her close again, feeling her hand flatten against his chest and squeeze.
"You're the one who's groping me, Bones," he laughed. They both felt the song come to an end and paused, feeling tired from their exertions. Then the club erupted into cheers and catcalls that made them glance around self-consciously. The entire club had formed a ring to watch them dance together.
They flushed and gave awkward smiles before fleeing to the bar and ordering themselves several drinks.
"I think it's time to get blitzed," Temperance admitted, grasping her second vodka orange in a row. Booth nodded, downing his beer and slamming it onto the bar.
"Yeah, I think so too. And you need to admit I'm a better dancer than you are," he added. Temperance rolled her eyes and signalled the barmaid for another drink.
"Not likely," she muttered.
"Oh come on, Bones! I was leading the entire time!" Booth complained.
"No you weren't! We danced together, Booth. Both of us were leading!" Temperance explained, knocking back another drink swiftly. Booth signalled the barmaid for some whiskey and settled his elbows on the bar.
"Whatever you say, Bones," he said dryly. They shared competitive smirks and gently knocked their glasses together. They spent the next few minutes in an easy silence, subconsciously leaning on each other as they turned to observe the club around them. Occasionally they would share a look and smile easily at each other, finally finding something that didn't force them to feel a continual never ending cycle of déjà vu. "Hey, Bones," Booth began.
"Yeah?" Temperance replied.
"Feel like dancing some more?" he asked. She nodded and finished her drink before leading him back onto the dance floor. They were a little more subdued this time, sticking close to the other as song after song played through, sharing happy smiles and short bursts of laughter whenever the other did something awkward caused by their increasing inebriation.
On their third break to the bar, Booth realised that since their first dance, they hadn't stopped physically touching each other, evidenced by the way Temperance's shoulder rested on his own.
"Better go to the bathroom," he said, nodding toward it in indication. She nodded and stood up, wobbling slightly. He steadied her and they shared another laugh as they made their way to their respective bathrooms, exchanging quick grins before turning away and disappearing.
They met up after a few minutes; both sporting annoyed expressions that melted into more smiles when they made eye contact.
"More drinks?" Temperance suggested. Booth tilted his head and thought about his wallet.
"Not got much more cash," he admitted. She pouted in disappointment. "You still got that saucy stuff?" he asked. She giggled.
"Saucy, huh? Yeah I got my saucy stuff," she teased. He rolled his eyes and directed her to begin winding their way to the exit.
"Yeah, you love your sauce," he joked, and then yelped when he felt a hand pinch his buttocks.
"Ah, jus' as firm as I thought," Temperance said.
"Bones!" Booth hissed. "No pinching my ass!" she gave him an arch look.
"I'll pinch if I want," she stated, pinching him again.
"Pinch me, I pinch you!" he snapped, pinching her in return. She squealed and he began laughing at the overly feminine sound.
The air outside was cool, making Temperance shiver as she rubbed her arms. She felt Booth move up behind her and wrap his arms around her torso, enveloping her in his warmth and scent.
"Tanks," she said idly. His chest jumped slightly as he muffled a laugh and she twisted to glare sideways at him. "Don' laugh at me," she said, digging her elbow into his stomach meaningfully. He rolled his eyes and briefly lifted a hand to signal a cab over.
"Yes, Bones," he said, sounding like a long-suffering husband.
"You're mocking me," she said, frowning at him cutely. He grinned and hugged her closer, resting his chin on the crook of her neck.
"Maybe," he said. She made a soft sound of protest at his admission, but leant her head against his own.
"Mean," she muttered. His smile still in place, Booth nudged her cheek with his nose.
"Evil," he responded. She made a sound similar to an unhappy cat and he chuckled softly.
"How'm I evil?" she asked, sounding confused. "I catch bad guys."
"Not evil, evil," Booth said, "you're…girly evil." The noise came again, and Booth decided he rather liked it.
"Whass 'girly evil?'" Temperance demanded, making little quotations in the air.
"You tease me," Booth grumbled into her neck. He began noticing just how much softer the skin of her neck was and sniffed it curiously. She giggled and squirmed against him.
"Stop that," she said. He grinned and took a deliberately deep sniff just beneath her jaw bone. She shrieked in laughter and her squirming intensified. "No! Tickles!" she giggled.
"Mmm…sorry, Bones. Smells nice!" Booth muttered. The taxi arrived and he opened the door with one hand, keeping himself moulded to her body. She didn't seem to mind and giggled as he manoeuvred them into the back seat. "Ticklish, Bones?" Booth asked, allowing his fingers to dance along her ribs. Her resulting squeal was worthy of Angela and he blinked, momentarily deafened. "Ow."
He noticed the driver grinning at him from the front seat and grinned back before giving Temperance's address. She sat across his lap, looking fairly content to remain as long as he didn't tickle her, her blue eyes languidly taking in the scenery out the back window while she rested her chin on his shoulder. He grinned evilly and sniffed her again, making her laugh.
"Booth, stop! It tickles!" she protested and drew back. He pouted.
"You love it," he said. She sighed and leant against him again.
"You keep sayin' that," she murmured.
"Makes it true," he replied, staring up at the ceiling of the cab. She gave a throaty chuckle before they lapsed into comfortable silence for the remainder of the journey.
When the cab arrived at her apartment complex, she handed him her purse to grab some money for the driver before hopping out of the car and waiting for him to emerge.
"Got my keys," she explained at his curious look. He nodded and returned her purse as they entered the building, exchanging laughs every time one of them wobbled drunkenly.
"Hey, Bones," Booth said as they waited for the elevator.
"Yeah?" she replied.
"We should do this more often," he said. She grinned and poked him in the chest.
"You jus' wanna dance with me more so you c'n get better," she teased. He glared in mock outrage.
"Hey these moves are smooth," he said, doing a little dance and drawing out the last word as he did so. Temperance burst out laughing and leaned against the wall to support herself as she struggled to stay upright. "What's so funny?" he demanded.
"The, the hip wiggle!" she gasped, lapsing back into hysterical giggles. "'S like Travolta! Oh god!" she finally gave up standing and slid down the wall, laughing all the while. Booth felt torn between amusement that she knew about Travolta and pure outrage that she was laughing at his sexy wiggle.
"Stop laughing at my hip wiggle!" he demanded. Her laughter, which had tapered off slightly, renewed again. Booth pouted and hauled her upright as the elevator opened, supporting her through her fit until she rested against him, her breath hitching every so often, a bright smile on her lips. "So you think I'm funny, huh?" he said wryly. Her eyes were dazzling and happy as she nodded.
"Yup! You," she said, jabbing his chest again, "think you're a reg'lar Casanova." Booth smirked as the doors opened and they staggered into the hall.
"'Snot my fault if I'm irr'sist'ble to the ladies," he boasted. She snorted as she pulled out her apartment keys.
"I c'n res'st you," she announced, poking her tongue out as the door opened. "Woops!" Booth watched as she leant against the open door, which fell open under her weight, tipping her onto the floor. His arms darted out and she made an odd sound as he caught her and cradled her in his arms.
"Well, you seem to be falling for me," he teased, his face stretched in a roguish grin. She slapped him playfully on the shoulder and tottered in the direction of the kitchen when he set her back on her feet. After a rueful chuckle and an appreciative glance at her disappearing rear end, he closed the front door gently and followed, finding her standing on her bare tip-toes and trying to reach an unopened bottle.
When she heard him enter, Temperance turned her most adorable, pleading look against her partner.
"Booth!" she called plaintively, wiggling her still upraised digits which were just out of reach of her target. His face smug, Booth sauntered over and gave the bottle a cocky look.
"Hang on there, Bones. This'll be easy," he said. So saying, he picked her up around the waist and lifted her within reaching distance, ignoring her surprised squawk and the subsequent rain of slaps that began falling on his skull. "Are you gonna get th' bottle or bludgeon me to death?" he muttered, his face pressed to her rear. There was a pause, and she giggled.
"Seeley's a pervert," she sang cheerfully. He was so surprised he nearly dropped her, managing to lower her back to her feet at the last moment.
"What the hell, Bones! I'm no perv!" he protested. She took a swig of the liqueur and wagged a finger at him.
"Yes you are," she insisted. "Men 're anthop'logic'ly hardwired to perv on girls. You were sniffing me all night," she said, a knowing glint in her eye. Booth turned pink and leaned back on the counter top.
"You didn't stop me," he replied, flustered. She giggled and leaned on his chest, her blue eyes blinking at him innocently.
"Aww," she cooed, "it's okay. I'm jus' irr'sist'ble," she said, echoing his previous boast. He sighed and filched the bottle from her hands.
"I need this more'n you," he said reasonably. She giggled and headed for her couch, giving him an occasional smile over her shoulder. Unable to stay morose, he gave up moping and followed her, taking the occasional swig from the bottle. "Shouldn't we get glasses?" he asked, feeling a warm burn start in his belly as the alcohol settled. She smiled and shook her head, her curls bouncing around her head.
"Nah. You can pretend you're kissing me easier if we share th' bottle," she said. Booth choked and began coughing, sending Temperance into gales of laughter. When he calmed down and before he could speak, she laid her head on his lap and gazed up at him affectionately. "'S nice," she sighed. Booth nodded mutely and handed her back the bottle after seeing her demanding fingers wiggling for it.
"True," he said. They sat in silence for a few minutes until she spoke up again.
"Booth?" she said. He glanced down at her.
"Yeah?"
"You won't leave, will you?" she asked. Her eyes were serious now, and she clutched the bottle tightly in her hands. Booth ran his fingers through a lock of her hair and smiled down at her softly.
"Nah, I ain't goin' nowhere," he murmured. "Gotta stick together, hey?" her smile was blinding as she snuggled up to him.
"Thanks," she muttered into his stomach. He laughed.
"You're more fun when you're smashed anyway," he said. An eye peeked up at him curiously through auburn waves. "The guys are all rowdy," he explained. "It gets boring. Plus you're prettier," he added with a grin. She laughed and offered him the bottle again. "I have more fun with you anyway," he muttered to himself.
"Why'sat?" she asked. He shrugged.
"Dunno. Just do. Pity you don' like sports," he commiserated. She gave a throaty chuckle.
"Who said I don't? It'sa modern vers'n of battle," she said. "Lotsa sweaty men," she laughed. Booth frowned.
"You talkin' 'bout wrestlin'?" he asked. She shook her head, making him jump. "Hey! Careful!" he cautioned. Her eyes twinkled and Booth had a sudden sinking feeling that made him hurriedly place the bottle on her coffee table. "Bones, no!" he called as she began wiggling her head in his groin. "Stop it! Temperance, please!" She stopped and pouted up at him.
"No fair," she muttered, "you played the name card." He gently removed her from his lap and scooted further away.
"You get grabby," he explained. "I don't want your mouth near there," he added. She pouted again.
"What you don' like my mouth?" she asked.
"I am so not answering that," he replied. A wolfish smile appeared on her face that made his eyes widen comically. "Bones," he warned as she got onto her hands and knees. "Temperance?" he asked. She looked ready to pounce. "Oh hell no," he muttered, leaping to his feet and vaulting over her nearby chair just as she lunged for him.
"Come back!" she demanded, hopping up and tugging her dress off. "Stupid dress," she muttered before dashing off in hot pursuit.
"Bones leave me alone!" Booth shouted. "The hell is wrong with you, woman!?" He darted into her room and tried hiding in her massive closet. He heard her laugh devilishly and peeked out, only to jerk back as he saw her in her underwear. "Oh Christ," he muttered, fervently crossing himself. this was a side of his partner he definitely had not expected. "Maybe I should draw the line for her? No crossing the line," he muttered. The door opened and Temperance grinned victoriously. "Um…mercy?" Booth tried.
"C'mere!" Temperance said gleefully. Booth squawked in protest and shortly found himself flipped onto the floor and writhing weakly.
"No! tickles! Stop! Please! Mercy! MERCY!" he howled. Temperance blew a raspberry and disappeared into her closet. Booth sighed and took the time to gather his breath until his partner re-emerged in a t-shirt and cut-off denim shorts. "Wow, small shorts, Bones," he commented, levering himself up onto his elbows. She pushed him back down with a hand to his face as she sauntered past. "Hey!" he protested.
"Pervert!" she sang. "Having bad thoughts, Agent Booth? Thought you'd get lucky?" Booth spluttered.
"No!" he called, following after her. "I was not! And you shouldn't run around in your underwear, anyway! There's a line," he began, emerging into the lounge. A pillow to his face cut him off.
"Oh shut up 'bout the line," Temperance groused. "Stupid line's no fun anyway." Booth mentally agreed before he could stop himself.
"That's not the point!" he said, settling himself on the couch next to her. She regarded him levelly, her face scrunched in an annoyed expression.
"'T is the point, Booth. You wanna put rules on our friendship," she said. Booth blinked and tried to come up with something to say, only coming up with his initial reaction, which in hindsight didn't really make much sense. "See? Even he," Temperance poked his head, "agrees with me. So shut up and give me my drink," she ordered imperiously. Booth chuckled and passed her the bottle. He leant back and propped his elbow on the back of the couch.
"Pity I'm not 's smart 's you," he reasoned. She gave him a winsome smile before smacking him about the head. "Ow! What the hell, Bones!?" he exclaimed. She poked him in the chest pointedly.
"You're smart here," she said evenly. "'Snot your job to be smart here," she tapped her own head. "That's my job. You wouldn't take my job would ya?" she asked. Booth chuckled and slung his arm around her shoulders.
"Nah, Bones. I wouldn't take your job. I'd be crap at it," he added. She nodded in agreement.
"Yup."
"That's not nice, Bones," he said. She smirked and downed another swig from the bottle.
"Shut up 'n' drink, Seeley," she ordered.
"Yes ma'am," he replied. She hit him. "Ow! What the hell? Stop hitting me!" he demanded.
"Don' call me ma'am," she drawled.
"Yes, Bones," he said with a smirk. Temperance considered for a moment before hitting him again.
"Ow! Are you gonna hit me for everything?" he whined. She smiled.
"Yup!"
"This is abuse," Booth muttered, flinching when her hand moved in his direction. She gave a low chuckle and threaded her hands in his hair instead.
"Wuss," she teased. Booth sighed and snatched the bottle again.
"We can't even watch anything," he said.
"Got a TV in the bedroom," Temperance said, her eyes lidded and amused.
"Hell no, I'm not going in there!" Booth said.
"Why not?" she asked.
"I'd be bound and gagged under your bed inside ten minutes," he groused. She laughed loudly in response and leaned in close, her lips tracing his earlobe gently.
"Only if you asked me to," she giggled. Booth swallowed and lowered the bottle over his waist.
"Let's talk about something else!" he squeaked. Temperance sniggered and lay her head on his shoulder.
"When d'you have Parker?" she asked. Booth felt a smile tug at his lips at the thought of his son and rested his cheek in his partner's hair.
"Next weekend," he murmured. "An' when did I tell you his name?" he asked. She slapped his chest half-heartedly.
"Idiot," she snorted. "Take a guess." He blinked and then nodded in acceptance.
"Oh right," he said. "We still have to get you a new refrigerator," he added. He felt her cheeks twitch on his shoulder as she fought a smile.
"You loathe my fridge," she said. He nodded.
"Yeah. I really, really do. Can I pick the new one?" he asked. She nodded.
"Okay. No clear ones," she said. "Won' go with the décor," she added. Booth threaded a hand into her hair and took a deep, satisfied breath of her, mentally tallying her different scents.
Strawberries, raspberries, apple, sandalwood, honey? Huh, he thought. He heard her give a throaty chuckle.
"No perving," she said.
"You sniff me," he replied evenly. She shrugged.
"Girls get away with it," she said. He laughed.
"That's BS," he said. "If I can't do it, neither can you."
"Fine," she muttered. "Perv away." She snuggled closer and nibbled on his shoulder.
"You're nibbling," Booth said.
"Shut up," she replied, "Can if I want to." Booth rolled his eyes and gave up.
"Music?" he offered. She made an agreeing sound and clambered over the back of the couch toward her hi-fi, humming a song to herself. "Play something cool!" he said, "None of that weird stuff!" the pillow he had dropped when he caught it bounced off of the back of his head. He ignored it and sat with a smile on his face. Soon the stereo began pumping out a complicated guitar riff and his head swivelled.
"Guns 'n' Roses? Sweet!" He hopped up and began banging his head to the music, strumming an imaginary air guitar.
"My hero," Temperance commented wryly, making him flush awkwardly. After a short pause he ignored her and carried on, lost in his own world. He carried on for two more songs before he realised she had perched on the arm of her couch and was watching him, her face flushed from alcohol and eyes bright and twinkling.
"What?" he said, giving her a sheepish grin. She shook her head and allowed herself to topple sideways onto the cushions, landing with her head propped on her hand.
"'M hungry," she muttered, her face twisting into a frown. Booth rubbed his stomach as it made a dangerous growl of agreement.
"Me too," he said. Leaving the stereo playing, they headed for her kitchen and began rummaging in the cupboards. "Bones, don't you have any real food?" Booth complained bitterly after finding yet another healthy alternative food dish. She glared and pulled out a bar of cheese from the fridge before heading toward the nearest cupboard to retrieve some pasta. Booth's eyes lit up. "Mac 'n' Cheese!" he crowed, scooping his partner up into his arms and twirling her around. "Awesome!" She laughed and shook her head.
"Put me down, Booth. 'M already drunk. Don't wanna burn myself 'cause you made me dizzy." Booth looked contrite and busied himself with pulling out a cheese grater and bowl from her cupboards.
"Makin' myself useful," he said, upon spotting her raised eyebrows. She grinned.
"'Bout time," she teased, grabbing the rest of the ingredients from the cupboards.
Twenty minutes later, Booth shovelled the meal into his mouth as fast as he was able.
"Slow down, Booth," Temperance admonished, pouring them a glass of white wine. Booth eyed it mistrustfully, but eventually acceded to her pointed look and took a tentative sip.
"Hey, not bad," he mumbled before letting out a belch. Temperance wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Sorry," Booth said.
"Pig," she muttered, daintily taking another bite from her portion. Booth stuck his tongue out and inhaled the rest.
"Yum," he pronounced, rubbing his stomach happily. Temperance smiled and covered a yawn. "Tired, Bones?" he asked. She nodded, brushing a lock of hair over her ear.
"Mmm. Don' wanna sleep though," she said. "'M havin' fun." Another yawn ruined the sleepy smile that spread across her face. Booth chuckled and took away her half-eaten plate, stowing it in the fridge before returning and scooping her up. her arms automatically curled around his neck when she buried her face in his throat.
"Time f' bed, Bones," Booth murmured as he trundled down her hallway. Temperance made a sleepy sound of acknowledgement as he entered her room and began setting her down on the bed. He ran into a problem however, when she refused to let go. "Leggo, Bones," Booth muttered, tugging on her arms gently. Her mouth curled into an impish smile and she shook her head.
"Nope," she said. Booth sighed and picked her up again, shifting his partner closer to the centre of the large double bed.
"You're a pain, Bones," he said with a grin. She snuggled closer to his body and sighed.
"Yup," she answered softly, nuzzling against his throat.
"Wouldn't have y' any other way," he added. Her response was an indistinct whisper halfway between a chuckle and a sigh. "Night, Bones," Booth said. She hummed again and pressed a soft kiss to his throat that made his heart speed up. He took a deep draw on her scent once more before cuddling her close and dropping a kiss to the crown of her head. He was asleep within two minutes.
