Thanks for the reviews everyone! =] I know a lot of you wanted Brennan to run off to California for Booth, but to me it just doesn't seem very Brennan-ish. So I hope you like this next chapter anyway!
Chapter Three!
The day seemed dreary, even though the sun was shining and it was a lovely eighty-five degrees outside. Barely a cloud in the sky, yet it was dark and gloomy. As Booth drove home from the airport, attempting to listen to the blaring radio, his mind wandered back to that night. "I love you over pie. Brilliant. You want milk in your coffee, or some 'I love you'?" He frowned when an old country love song came on, and quickly switched stations. But another one blared through the speakers.
I can't hide the way I feel about you anymore
I can't hold the hurt inside, keep the pain out of my eyes anymore
My tears no longer waiting...my resistance ain't that strong
My mind keeps recreating a life with you alone
And I'm tired of pretending that I don't love you anymore
Booth glared at the road, angry at what seemed like the entire world. He was angry and frustrated. Today was his last day of holding the cards. He had the chance to apologize, to put things back to the way they were. But as much as he wanted Bones back, as much as he needed their banter, their jokes, their shared life lessons, he couldn't do it. He refused to take back the truth again. He'd thought a lot on his 'vacation' and had come to the conclusion that even if it meant losing her, he had to show her he was an honest man, and that when he said something he didn't go back on it. So tomorrow he would make the life changing call. It would be over, and he could move on.
He tried lying to himself, but he knew it wasn't true. He could never stop loving her, much less forget about her.
He turned the engine off and sighed loudly. He grabbed his bag and started towards his apartment. Lost in thought, he didn't notice the light on under the door, nor the smell of something wafting his way.
"Booth!"
Seeley froze, nearly dropping his bag. There, standing in plain view, was Temperance Brennan. It appeared she was baking something. Upon taking a whiff he decided it smelled like pie. Apple pie, to be exact. It excited him, yet angered him.
"Damn it Bones, when I lock my door it means nobody's allowed in or out without my permission. It's an invasion of privacy to just break into my house."
Her face dropped, and suddenly he felt a little bad. A knot in his stomach tightened, and he ran a hand through his hair.
"I'm sorry if I'm offending you by being here, but I had to talk to you-"
"I don't want to talk to you."
Those words, spoken so softly, were the coldest things she'd ever heard him say. A sharp pain traveled from her gut to her heart, making her whimper softly. It made her feel vulnerable, weak, yet it also made her feel human.
"We need to talk Booth. Communication is a healthy part of-"
"If you think you need to make excuses for that night, forget it. I don't need to hear it." He walked into his bedroom, dropping his bag on the floor on the way to his dresser. After removing the smelly one, he pulled out a clean shirt and yanked it over his head. He turned around to find her standing in his doorway, looking similar to a lost child. She tried hard to cover her emotions, but occasionally, in a situation she couldn't handle, it would all shine through.
"Booth." She whispered, afraid. "I'm sorry. But we have to talk."
"No," he said in frustration, "You have to talk. I have nothing to say."
Temperance swallowed, her anxiousness building quickly. "Can we at least sit down?" Booth grumbled, but agreed. No matter how angry or disappointed he was in her, he couldn't seem to deny her. He collapsed on his couch and crossed his arms, staring at her as she took a seat across from him. "Booth, I was wrong." She took a breath, gaining courage. "When we kissed, I wanted to experience what you call 'love making'. I didn't understand that you… Loved me." She looked him in the eye, ready for whatever he threw her way. "I didn't want to hurt you – I wanted you to be the one to show me what love making is. Why you feel the way you do about it. I didn't understand why I made you upset." She frowned. "But I have discovered, after much thought, that maybe what I feel for you has been 'love' all along, and I just didn't know what it was. But I feel you may be right in saying that love comes first, and chemistry follows."
She watched with apprehension, seeing all the emotions displayed on his face ever-so briefly. He was skilled, she gave him that. But his answer sank her hopes.
"I don't want a pity fuck."
"No, Booth, that's not what I'm saying."
His face showed his obvious frustration. He was about to get up when she took the chance before him, rising and walking over to him. She looked down at him. "I don't want to fuck you." She challenged him with her eyes. "I want to make love to the man that I love."
Booth's reaction was hard to read, and for a brief second it frightened her. Finally, after what seemed like minutes of silence, he responded.
"Making love doesn't just happen, Bones. You have to want it, need it. You have to feel the mood and flow with it."
She blushed, a little embarrassed. "I just want you to know I love you."
Booth frowned. "Prove it." Inside he knew it was wrong, to make this longer than it had to be, but he didn't want to be hurt again. His emotions were already going haywire, and his heart was fluttering. He kept a cold exterior, but inside he was melting with the hope that what she was saying was true, that she really did love him in return.
Temperance's eyes flitted from his dark orbs to his full lips. Then she knew. She sat next to him on the couch, took his face into her delicate hands, stroking his jaw, and kissed him tenderly. It was soft, gentle. Something that embraced what she was feeling. He slowly began to move his lips against hers and, soon enough, they were engaged in a beautiful, full kiss. It was breathtaking, it was loving, it was proof. All that Seeley needed. He ran his fingers through her hair gently, kissing back with a gentle need. He opened his mouth to hers, and he tasted her. Intoxicating; A specific mixture like no other he'd experienced. Vanilla mixed with apples. While Temperance's hands wrapped around his neck, Booth lifted her onto his lap, deciding not to break the kiss. Their tastes mixed, and Temperance ran her hands down his arms slowly, enjoying the feel of his smooth skin under her probing hands. When the need for air grew to be desperate, they broke the kiss.
Seeley panted lightly, looking into Temperance's eyes. They were glazed over slightly, cloudy orbs of blue with a slight tint of green. Her lips were parted seductively, unintentionally. She gazed back at him with bare honesty.
"I love you Booth." She kept the slight distance between them so she could see his beautiful brown eyes. "I love you." She paused. "I wasn't sure I believed in love but… You made me believe."
Booth chuckled. "You realize how corny that sounds, don't you?"
"Corny? What does this have to do with vegetables?"
Booth grinned slightly and shook his head in amusement. "No, corny. It means… It's been used a lot before, it's not original. Lame. Stuff like that."
Bones frowned. "So this is a joke?"
Booth shook his head. "It's always lost with you. But I guess that's one of the things I love about you. I do love you Bones. Just… Making love, it takes time. It's an experience you want to be special, a bonding thing you could say."
"But we 'bond' every day. Don't we? We share opinions and stories; That can be defined as 'bonding', especially in today's social groups."
"Not that kind of bonding Bones." He struggled to find the words to explain it. "You know, I think it's just something you have to understand on your own." Temperance stood, looking at him. Booth looked back, wondering why she was staring. "What?"
"I'm making a pie."
"Yeah, so Bones?" He paused. "Why are you making a pie? You hate pies."
"Yes," she stated. "But you don't."
"So… You're making a pie for me?"
She frowned. "It's apple, I know you get that most of the time at the diner, so I figured it was your favorite. I have never baked a pie before but I followed the recipe and can conclude it should turn out fine." He looked up at her, slightly confused and a little proud. "I promise I won't break into your house again; I don't want to invade your privacy."
"Bones, relax." She frowned at him until he pulled her back down and hugged her, rubbing small circles into her back. "With the way things are going, I might as well give you a key! I don't want to keep barging into your house, you should barge into mine sometimes. Just don't get rid of my tv." He joked.
She gave him a soft look. "Perhaps you could show me why watching the television is so interesting." Booth grinned, his face practically glowing. Temperance stood up and began to walk away.
"Hey, where 'ya going Bones?" He stood up to follow her.
"I told you – I'm making you a pie and I don't want it to burn." She took the pie out of the small oven and set it down gently. Booth, feeling mischievous, took a bit of the spare crust dough and tossed it at Temperance's back. It hit her between the shoulders and she turned around, a look of disbelief on her face.
"You didn't."
"I did." Booth grinned as he took another piece of dough. He tossed it at her shoulder, and it hit square on. Temperance grinned and ran for the dough, grabbing a handful quickly and running across the kitchen. Booth swiftly grabbed a handful and threw it across the room; Temperance dodged and tossed some at him, bits and pieces flying every which-way. Booth caught a piece and threw it right back, chuckling as it landed in her hair. She mock-gasped and threw another piece at him, and when it hit his cheek, let out a loud laugh. Booth ran across the room, scooting over the table and pinning her to the wall.
And suddenly a shiver crawled it's way up her back. Suddenly… she didn't feel alone. Suddenly, as he took her hands in his and kissed her softly, she discovered what her kind of love was.
End Chapter Threeeee! Ookay so that was a little corny, I admit. But I think it fit. =] I was considering adding a fourth chapter, but I've decided that if I do write one, it will be a separate story from this one. So if you liked this story, look out for a sort of epilogue in a separate story. I'd love to hear what your thoughts are on this last chapter. Thank you for all your wonderful advice and reviews! And by the advice of a wonderful reviewer, I will be looking for a beta reader for my next story. Thank you all again!