Sorry I'm a naughty writer leaving you all in the lurch, but now I'm back and I know where I want to take this fic! Better read and find out…

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She was nervous. That was the only way she could describe the way she felt as Booth reached across the table and took her gently shaking hand.

When he had arrived at her door, only a half an hour earlier, he had offered her a single daffodil as he bent to kiss her lightly on the lips. Booth had told her how beautiful she looked and she had replied, in earnest, how handsome he was.

She was wearing a dark green, A-line dress with a single ruffled cross-shoulder strap. The fabric clung snugly to her form, which Temperance was happy to accentuate since in the coming weeks she would begin to show.

When he had knocked on her door, she had forced herself to take several deep-calming breaths before opening it. Booth was wearing crisp black pants and a light blue dress shirt. No tie, no jacket. He was handsome, and in that brief moment she forgot she was nervous. But now as she sat across from him in the dimly lit restaurant… she felt it all again, but now it was even stronger.

"This is nice." Booth said warmly, stroking her hand with his thumb.

She nodded. "I've heard excellent reviews about this restaurant. I believe the chef studied under a very prestigious culinary expert."

Booth smiled softly. "I meant that it was nice to be here with you."

Temperance blushed as she smiled. "I agree. I find that being in this type of romantic situation with you makes me both excited and nervous."

"Nervous?" He asked, his voice betrayed some of his shock. "Why would you be nervous, Bones?" Booth squeezed her hand gently.

"Of course I'm nervous, Seeley." The sound of her saying his name made his body feel warm with pleasure. "This is something I've never experienced before."

"Sure you have Bones." He laughed, disbelievingly. "I even interrupted a date you had in a restaurant fairly similar to this one."

She wrinkled her nose, not quite enjoying that memory as much as he did. "Well, yes I have had dates like this. However the feelings associated with this date are much different."

"How so?" He urged her, trying to hide his knowing smile.

"Well…" She thought. "I often wondered during these dates if it would lead to sexual intercourse. Then I would consider if the person was a strong enough candidate for intellectually stimulating conversation as well as sexually gratifying experiences."

"Someone you would want to date?" Booth offered, knowing those were her major guidelines for a qualified partner.

"Yes, or merely if they could be secured as a safe, standby sexual partner." She finished.

"Standby?" Booth asked, curiously.

She smiled. "It's an expression I have heard Angela use in regards to the sexual partners whose numbers I have kept."

He scowled at that thought. "So how is this different then?"

Temperance released a large puff of air. "Well, we have already had sexual intercourse for one example…" she paused, thinking for moment. "Although I suppose that is still a question I find myself asking."

"Not tonight, Temperance." He warned.

She nodded. "Right. So that part is the same. However, I find that our relationship- although not clearly defined, is…" Temperance bit her lip as she thought of the right words, "on a separate level from any previous relationships."

"Because of the pregnancy?" Booth tried to clarify.

"No, actually." Her lips quirked into a small smile as she spoke. "It's because, my feelings for you are already established."

Booth moved himself closer to her so that he could touch his hand to her cheek. "And what feelings are those Bones?"

Well," her voice lowered to a whisper. "I have spent more time with you prior to this date than I have with other men prior to those first dates. Therefore we have established a bond of trust and affection that is unique not only to our length of acquaintance but also to us as Seeley and Temperance."

He pulled back, somewhat shocked. "Bones, did you just say that our relationship is special?"

"I believe I did." She smiled. "I'm nervous… but it's less about me wondering where this is going and more about knowing that it is going somewhere big."

Booth leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers tenderly. "I couldn't have said it better myself."

She pressed a final chaste kiss to his lips. "What about you, Booth? Aren't you nervous at all?"

He sat back in his chair. "You know, not even the tiniest bit."

"I don't believe you." She laughed, "I've noticed that you tend to be on edge whenever you go on dates or are with a woman romantically."

"But you are not every other woman, Temperance." His words were sincere and the depth of his feelings shown in his eyes. "I feel a sort of stillness with you."

She frowned. "You're afraid to move?"

Booth laughed, "No. I meant that, when I'm with you I feel like everything is right. There's nothing to worry about because when I'm with you I can do anything."

Temperance smiled tenderly. "You always see the positive aspects in a situation. I'm worried about us and the pregnancy. I wish I could have your outlook, it's one of the things I love most about you."

She didn't realize what she had said. She had come so close to saying 'I love you'. Booth wondered quickly if he should comment, but he let it slide for now not wanting to push her too far. "That's why we're in this together Bones. I'll help you keep things positive."

Her lips quirked into a questioning frown. "And how will I contribute? Besides being the incubator for this embryo."

Booth shook his head. "First, you are not an 'incubator'. You are a beautiful woman and mother of my child. And second," he leant closer to her, stroking his thumb against her cheek. "You are giving me my dreams, Temperance."

He was about to make a slow approach to her lips when her hands reached up and pulled his face to hers. He smiled into her lips as their kiss deepened.

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"Are you alright, Bones?" Booth asked with a worried expression as they walked up the stairs towards her apartment.

She laughed. "Yes Booth, I'm just so full."

As she reached the landing at the top of the stairs, she paused for a deep breath. "And you're only going to get slower." He laughed.

Temperance frowned. "Maybe I should consider relocating before the baby comes."

"Relocating?" Booth spoke with a hint of shock. "Where are you going to go with my baby?"

It was her turn to laugh again. "I was thinking maybe with you."

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her hair. "I'm honored Temperance, but I think Parker would be devastated at the loss of you pool. Plus we can't fit two adults and two children into my apartment." He turned and faced her as they reached her door. "Perhaps we can discuss getting a place of our own."

She smiled as she reached up on her tiptoes. "I would like that very much." Her words faded away as her lips reached his.

As their kiss deepened, Booth released a groan as he pulled her away slightly. "This is where I say goodnight Temperance."

She frowned and instantly her eyes felt wet. It didn't make sense that she should react this strongly. She knew Booth wasn't mad at her; he was just being a gentlemen. But she couldn't help it as a few tears fell from her eyes.

"Do you have to?" She asked quietly.

Booth ran a hand of his hair. His expression was one of pain as if choosing either option could tear him apart. "Bones." He caressed her cheek.

"I promise, I'll be good." He had to smile at the way she sounded like a child. "I'm too exhausted to have intercourse, anyway. But I find that I don't want our night to end. You could just hold me?"

He smiled as he took her keys from her hand and unlocked the door. "Alright, it was going to kill me to walk away anyway."

Her smile was wide as she bounced into her apartment. "Come on in then."

Booth rolled his eyes with a smile. "Exhausted, right." He mumbled. Booth closed the door behind him as he watched her walk down the hallway. As she walked, she kicked off each heel and then began working on the zipper at the back of the dress. He smiled as she disappeared into her bedroom, "Do you want anything to drink?"

"Sure." She passed in front of the door to reach her pajamas, in only her bra and panties. "Just a glass of water, please. Then hurry up to bed, okay?"

It was so domestic, especially for her. "Okay, honey." He moved through her kitchen with ease, after eight years he knew her place as well as his own. Soon they would be thinking about a place that was for the two of them. Booth kicked off his shoes by the door and flicked the light switch with his elbow. He carried the two glasses down the hall, watching her shadow move around the bedroom.

When he entered, she was perched on the edge of her bed rubbing lotion over her arms, legs and belly. She smiled as she watched him enter the room and kick the door closed. "I heard that you know."

"Yes, dear." He kissed the top of her head as he leant down to place her glass on the bedside table.

"Will you please get into bed?" She asked as she climbed beneath the covers. Booth nodded and pulled back the covers. "Booth, you can take off your clothes." She laughed and rolled over to face him.

Booth blushed slightly as he began to unbutton his shirt. "Geez, Bones. You make me feel like a piece of meat."

Her hand rubbed her taught abdomen absentmindedly. "Rationally we are made up of 'meat' just like any animal that is eaten for their meat."

His face wrinkled in disgust. "Thanks Bones." Booth stripped himself of his shirt, pants and socks until he was left in his undershirt and boxers.

She lifted the covers to let him slide in, revealing a free glimpse of her silk nightgown and even silkier legs. Booth climbed in beside her and wrapped an arm around her stomach as she turned her back into him. "You're more than just a piece of meat, Seeley."

"Mmm," he sighed into her hair. "I'm glad you think so, Temperance."

She reached forward and pulled the switch on the light, bathing them in darkness. "You're much more."

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Hope you like for now. I'm getting anxious to get to the climax in the story. It's going to be a little out there but it'll be good I think. Keep reading and reviewing!