Chapter 1

"Well, Dr. Brennan, would you care to commence?"

Bones paused. She was on very unfamiliar ground. She was in her own bedroom, nude, and standing before Seeley Booth, who was also nude. None of that was unfamiliar to her, but his request - that she set aside her normal persona and practices and instead behave as if she was in her laboratory. And that the bodies in question were thoroughly deceased, not alive and all too responsive. And especially not hers and Seeley's.

She closed her eyes for a second, imagining the lab, the lights, and - most importantly - her lab coat. She held that image in her mind as she opened them. And with a decisive gesture, she took the hand-held voice recorder out of the nightstand and turned it on, then set it beside the bed.

"The procedure in question is for two subjects to engage in sexual intercourse, concluding in orgasm for both participants - preferably simultaneously. Further, the procedure should be verbally documented, in detail. In consideration for that requirement, the subjects have agreed to forego customary oral stimulation to facilitate the verbalizing."

That last bit had been a bit of a sticking point. Temperance was exceptionally proud of her oral abilities, and equally fond of Seeley's. But she had to agree that it would be difficult to describe what was going on around a mouthful of genitalia.

Seeley was startled. He'd toyed with the idea of recording the session, but hadn't dared broach the idea. "Dr. Brennan - the recorder? Are you certain you want to record this?"
"If this is to be as properly scientific procedure as possible, it is a necessity. At the conclusion, we can easily erase it."

"Is that really proper, Dr. Brennan?"

"I don't think 'proper' is an appropriate term in this context, Agent Booth, but it is the approved scientific method."

"Dr. Brennan, was that a pun?"

Temperance smiled. "I believe so. Was it a good one?"

"In this context, it would be considered a 'groaner' - which is usually high praise for a pun. Now, please continue."

"The first subject is a white male, late thirties, well-nourished and in superb physical condition. Minimal body hair. There are numerous scars and injuries consistent with a career in the military and law enforcement. Early estimates would place height at about 185 centimeters and weight at about 85 kilograms."

"What would that be in standard English measurements?"

"Just over six feet tall, 180 pounds."

"Very good, Dr. Brennan. Please continue. Anything else worth noting?"

"There are also signs of moderate sexual arousal."

"Please elaborate."

"The pupils are slightly dilated, breathing is accelerated, pulse is raised, and the genitalia are demonstrating arousal. More specifically, the penis is partially erect and the testes are drawn up closer to the body."

"Excellent. And yourself, Dr. Brennan?"

"Excuse me?"

"Could you describe your own appearance and state?"

"Um... white female, 175 centimeters and 58 kilograms. Well-nourished, excellent physical condition, with few physical scars or injuries. Also showing some signs of sexual arousal - pupil dilation, increased respiration and heart rate, some flushing of the upper torso, erect nipples, and increased vaginal lubrication."

"So, Dr. Brennan, with the preliminaries finished, should we move to the bed and begin the procedure?"

"That would be..." she smiled again, "proper."