Disclaimer: Bones is property of FOX, Hart Hanson and Kathy Reichs

Author's note: by popular demand I present you with the follow-up to Confidante. I hope it lives up to your expectations…

Spoilers: I wish…

Confident

Booth leaned against the doorframe of Brennan's office. She sat behind her computer and looked at him questioningly, expecting him to say something. However, facing her, he stood completely tongue-tied. While his stride over to her office had been confident, he felt that feeling slowly washing away now that she was staring back at him with those piercing blue eyes of hers. All his fears returned to the surface and Booth gulped as he realized that Angela's plan fit into the category of being easier said than done. Especially since the artist had been the one to do the talking and he was supposed to be the one carrying it out. Talk about a fair division of labor.

"Booth?" Brennan started, as her normally very talkative partner still hadn't said anything. "Do we have a case?"

Booth shook his head, then coughed. "No." His vocal chords still seemed to work.

He pushed himself away from the doorframe and walked further into her office. He sat down on her couch and looked at her for a moment, then decided they were too far apart for what he was about to do. He stood up again and made his way over to her desk, sitting down across from her. Better, but not good enough. Once again, he pushed himself out of his seat as Brennan watched his every move amusingly.

"What's going on, Booth?"

Standing before her, he first crossed his arms, then uncrossed them again and shoved his hands into his pockets instead. Fingering the poker chip inside, he decided to keep them there for the time being as he finally explained his presence to her. "Well, there's something I need to tell you and something I need to do…"

Brennan waited for him to elaborate on that, but, again, he kept his silence. Realizing this might take a while, she turned back to her computer to save the document she had been working on, then closed it. She folded her hands and looked at her partner, giving him her full attention.

"I guess I should start with the vocal part," he finally continued.

"Vocal is good if you need to tell me something."

"Right."

Brennan smiled, she had never seen him this way. He looked nervous to her and had no clue why. After all, that was his department. Suddenly, her smile turned into a frown. Maybe he had come to give her bad news. Perhaps something regarding her father. Or her brother. Or…

"Did something happen? My father, is he…"

"No, no," Booth quickly interjected before she could finish her sentence. "Nothing like that."

"Then what? Obviously you're nervous about something. You're tense and fidgeting, less talkative than normal. Those symptoms indicate nervousness."

Booth took his hands out of his pockets again, reached over and put his right hand on top of her folded ones. He looked her in the eyes. "I just had a talk with Angela. It was quite an eye-opener, actually. And, well, I think that I should tell you something," he said and cleared his throat. "About how I feel."

"How you feel about what?"

Booth gave her hands a slight squeeze. "About you."

"Oh."

A light blush appeared on Brennan's cheeks and she didn't know where to look as Booth made his way around her desk. Still holding her hands in his, he helped her to stand up. He smiled at her and when she cautiously returned the gesture, he found some of his earlier confidence back.

"I was advised it'd be best if I told you with a kiss," he continued and immediately discovered that being somewhat cryptic made telling her slightly less terrifying.

Brennan, however, frowned. "Is Caroline Julian trying to blackmail us again?"

Booth looked at her incredulously, wondering if she really didn't have a clue. "No…"

"Then what does it mean?"

Booth had to smile a little at hearing her frequently used expression. Then, he decided not to explain with words, but show her with feelings. He brought one of his hands up to her face and placed it gently on her cheek, running the pad of his thumb over the smooth skin. He proceeded by bringing her face closer to his own and then connected their lips in a kiss. He purposefully started it soft and slow, giving her time to get over the initial shock. When it had worn off and she began to respond to the kiss, a flood of relief surged through his body. Angela had been right, so far. She was definitely kissing him back.

Booth couldn't help but think it felt so good to be holding her. To kiss her. To have her kiss him back. Without an audience. And when she moved a hand to his neck, resting it there after pulling him even closer to her, he felt like he was going to explode. There was so much more going on than just the kiss. He could feel the electrifying warmth of her body against his own. The feeling of her hair brushing against the side of his face. The intoxicating scent of her. It all had his emotions stirring and he understood that his whole existence had come down to this moment with her. There were no thoughts of anything before this enchanting moment. No thoughts of what would be when reality would come crashing back into their senses. For now, there were no thoughts. There was only her.

Breathlessly, they pulled back from the kiss. Booth opened his eyes and studied the expression on her face. He thought he recognized hints of fear, confusion and desire in her eyes. He hoped he had at least identified that last one right.

"What does this mean?" Brennan repeated her earlier question, her breathing heavy and her heart racing.

Time to be brave and finally tell her, Booth thought to himself. Once again, he lifted his hand up to softly caress her cheek. He amorously smiled at her. "It means that I love you."

Now Brennan was the silent one of the partners and Booth couldn't take it. He needed to know if she reciprocated his feelings.

"Please say something," he said softly. And please let Angela be right.

"We just kissed and you told me you love me," Brennan summed up, not only to say something—anything—and break the slightly uncomfortable silence, but also in order to try clearing up the many voices in her head. It wasn't often that her heart and mind were talking at the same time and they were all screaming different things at her, confusing her. There's a line partners shouldn't cross... Give in to your feelings… This is not rational… He's a good kisser… We can't get involved… He'll leave me, too… He's the only man I've ever trusted…

Booth couldn't help but smile at her reply. It was so typically her. He knew she had to process what had just happed, so he went along with her. "Yes, your observation is quite right. What conclusion do you draw from that?"

"My finding is that…" Brennan started, but paused to smile when realization dawned on her. Not only was he the only man she had ever trusted, he was the only man she trusted enough to let herself fall in love with. If she wasn't already there. Indeed, the thought struck her that she had fallen and the landing had been soft. If possible, her smile widened even more. "I find it's best if I told you with a kiss."

Before Booth could even react to her statement, he felt her soft lips press onto his already. Closing his eyes, he experienced everything all over again—the sweetness, the thrill, the intoxication and, above all, the maximum attainment of his wildest dreams and fantasies. It wasn't just her. It wasn't him. It was them, because they fit. Perfectly. And the only reason he pulled back was for lack of oxygen.

"So, what does that mean?" he asked her with a grin.

"Stealing my line, huh?" she laughed, but then turned serious and took hold of his hand, just like he had done earlier. "It means that I love you, too."

And with that last sentence Seeley Booth's confidence was fully restored.

I'd love to hear what you think of this second (and last) part!