A couple days went by and, although Brennan was loath to admit it, Booth's scheme was working like a dream. Dr. Williams had been keeping a professional distance between himself and the object of his affections and was reduced to a quivering bundle of nerves whenever Booth so much as entered the room. While he continued to cast longing glances her way and allowed the occasional sigh to escape his lips, he never made another attempt at soliciting her company for dinner.
Lately though, he had been appearing somewhat suspicious. She had noticed him at times, slyly spying on her and Booth or suddenly appearing out of nowhere as though attempting to catch them red handed at so heinous a crime as trying to steal a few minutes together. One night when they were finishing up some paperwork, getting ready to call it a day, Booth heard a noise and from the corner of his eye saw Williams lurking a few feet away from Brennan's office door. This guy was the definition of creepy thought Booth and he made up his mind again never to leave Bones alone at the Jeffersonian again.
Booth grinned to himself, deciding to take full advantage of this opportunity. He slowly walked up behind her and placed a soft kiss on her neck. She tensed up, but he whispered in her ear.
"Just go with me, he's right outside."
Brennan relaxed somewhat and turned to face him, allowing him to place his arms around her waist.
"Great job on the case Baby," said Booth loud enough for Williams to hear, using an endearment that he knew would garner him a swift blow on any other occasion. "You're a genius you know that?"
"So you say," managed Brennan who seemed to lose track of all but his arms around her waist as she felt her face begin to heat up.
"What do you say to dinner?" he asked huskily.
Brennan could only nod.
Booth glanced down at her flushed face and shining blue eyes before deciding that now was a good time to take his life into his hands. He leaned down and softly kissed her. But before she could respond he pulled away, linked his fingers with hers and pulled her towards the door. They smiled at each other when they heard a door slam on the other side of the lab and proceeded to the front entrance with their hands still clasped.
Brennan knew that Booth had been extremely eager to put his plan into action, but part of her wondered at the fact that he was way more than adequately filling his job description and enjoying it much more than she thought was healthy.
Later that week she stood over a microscope on the platform, contemplating these new developments, when she felt a strong pair of arms wrap around her waist. Case in point. Booth was having way too much fun with this role playing.
"How's my girl doing this morning?" asked Booth with a cheeky grin.
Brennan allowed herself a moment's enjoyment of the warm feeling that built up in her stomach whenever he showed her this kind of affection, pretend or otherwise, before pulling away and turning to face him.
She gave him a look. "I don't see Williams anywhere Booth, you don't need to be putting on an act when there's no audience."
"Oh there's an audience all right," she heard an annoyed voice state behind her and Booth watched her eyes widen in horror.
Brennan whirled around to come face to face with Angela who had a bewildered expression on her face.
"Please tell me what I just witnessed, because I am beyond confused at this moment. Why did Booth have his arms around your waste, and even more puzzling, why the hell did you remove them? And what about an audience?" Angela tapped her foot impatiently as she looked expectantly at Brennan. "You really have some explaining to do Bren."
Brennan sighed in resignation before turning to Booth. "Go keep watch," She ordered him.
"Yes dear," said Booth before dodging her fist and running down the steps.
Brennan rolled her eyes, turned again to face Angela and took a deep breath.
"In brief, Booth offered to help me out of a rather sticky situation. I wanted Dr. Williams to leave me alone and Booth suggested that he pretend to be my boyfriend in order to get him to back off. Simple as that." Brennan stated this so matter-of-factly that Angela could only stare at her.
"There is nothing simple about that sweetie! In fact, there are a number of things that I feel compelled to point out to you about this scheme that go above and beyond complex. Number one: there were numerous other ways to get Williams off your back and you know it. This scheme is very unlike you and I can only conclude that you agreed to it for…..other reasons. Number two: I have a sneaking suspicion that this isn't really acting for Booth; he was enjoying that staged embrace way too much for someone who's only helping out a friend. And number three: you do know how 'romantic comedy' this sounds, don't you?" Angela stated this all so logically that Brennan was rendered speechless which was quite the phenomenon.
For the umpteenth time that week she felt an arm slip possessively around her waist and Booth's warm body press up against her side. Brennan wondered to herself at how natural that familiar pressure had come to feel. She felt a blush rise up her cheeks and was about to say something when she saw Williams making his way into the room. Brennan had to smile at the glare pasted on Booth's face; a distinct 'back off' stare that had taken up almost permanent residence there since they had put his little scheme into action.
Dr. Williams made his way purposefully over to the platform and marched up the steps. For the first time since before the episode in her office that had sent Williams scurrying away like a scared rat she saw a determined look across his squinty features and felt her stomach sink. Booth was indeed glaring at him, but Williams now looked very determined and not in the least bit afraid of the man who could obviously crush him like a bug.
Booth stepped forward as Dr. Williams strode towards Brennan.
"Can we help you?" asked Booth coldly, he didn't like the look on Williams face, not one bit.
"I'd like to speak to Dr. Brennan if you don't mind," declared Williams rather forcefully for a man of such small stature.
"Of course you may," said Brennan, shoving Booth aside and moving toward Williams.
"Dr. Brennan," began Williams, "I may be a socially inept scientist, but I do know a thing or two about human relations. I believe I can safely state that this little game you are playing with Agent Booth is only a ruse meant to throw me off from my attempts to obtain your affections and I can unequivocally state that your bluff has failed."
"How dare you accuse me of deception," said Brennan indignantly. What was another lie when she was becoming such a pro?
Williams now turned to Booth. "Agent Booth, you play your part very well, but I see how Dr. Brennan reacts to your affections. She becomes awkward and nervous; she blushes and makes a conscious effort not to respond to you when you put your arms around her or extend compliments, such as are given by one's lover."
This guy could give Zach a run for his money when it came to tactlessness Angela thought to herself. Being someone who actually knew Temperance Brennan, she interpreted these outward signs much differently than the desperate Doctor. Her best friend was in love.
He continued, "I must therefore conclude, Dr. Brennan that you and Agent Booth are not in an actual physical relationship. I see no marks of love or passion in you and therefore Agent Booth, I am throwing down the gauntlet. I will continue to act towards Dr. Brennan as I see fit and you will have to accept that your threatening glares and menacing stance will do nothing to deter me from my goal."
He turned to walk away until he felt Booth's hand drop heavily onto his shoulder.
"I don't appreciate accusations like that," he said in a low voice. "Now, if you don't mind, I would like you to apologize to Dr. Brennan."
"I already informed you Agent Booth, no amount of your alpha male posturing will induce me to give way. This is a matter of pride and I refuse to be bullied," Dr. Williams wore a glare to match Booth's.
"Booth," began Brennan trying to step between them, "I don't need…"
But Booth was in full "Knight in shining armor" mode now and Brennan's words were lost as he once again demanded an apology from Dr. Williams.
"I will not apologize for being the victim of a gross deception," said Williams self-righteously and suddenly Booth broke.
"You want to see passion?" he demanded.
Angela and Williams were rendered speechless as Booth grabbed Brennan's arm and pulled her into a strong embrace. He gazed into her eyes for a second before crashing his lips down upon hers. Brennan knew this shouldn't be happening, that it was too dangerous, but the way he was moving his lips sensually and persistently over hers left her no other option than to completely fall apart in his arms.
Booth steadied her, but did not remove his lips and Brennan gasped into his mouth when she felt his tongue gently probing her bottom lip. She opened her mouth to him, reminding herself that this was only for the benefit of Dr. Williams and not to read too much into the fact that her hands were now in his hair and they were practically devouring each other in the middle of the Jeffersonian. How could she not respond when he was kissing her with what could be none other than a passionate lust that she knew was mirrored in her own actions. After that she couldn't form a coherent thought and just gave herself over to the intense pleasure that had overtaken her senses.
They broke apart finally and he rested his forehead against hers, momentarily forgetting that they did now, in fact, have an audience.
"That was so hot," said Angela breathlessly.
Brennan was still unable to speak and as Booth turned toward Williams she could only gaze at him and raise her fingertips to gingerly touch her lips. The spell was broken when Booth spoke.
"Enough passion for you bud? Because if you need another demonstration…" Booth began. Angela couldn't help but note the somewhat eager and hopeful expression on his face and the fact that his question seemed more directed at Brennan than Dr. Williams. She sighed with contentment; this was ten times better than any chick flick she'd ever watched!
"No, no," said Dr. Williams who looked about ready to crumple into a heap as he backed toward the stairs. "My apologies Dr. Brennan, Agent Booth, from now on, rest assured that I will never doubt your commitment nor bother you with my persistent attempts to secure your affections. Excuse me." He said and bolted down the steps.
"I think he was going to cry," said Angela.
"We sure showed him," Booth laughed out loud, holding up his hand to Brennan for a high five. His plan was working better than he had expected. She couldn't kiss him like that and not mean it, even she wasn't that good an actress, and he had seen her in action.
Brennan was mortified and bewildered, was he so wholly unaffected that he could just laugh it off as another brilliant part of his plan? She was in way over her head; this had to end, now!
"Booth," she said shakily.
"Yeah Bones," he asked, turning to her and the look of playful affection in his eyes stopped her cold.
"I…." she couldn't finish, but turned and fled the platform.
Booth turned to Angela with an alarmed look.
"What did I do?"
Well, I hope this chapter is to everyone's liking. If it is, give me a shout. If it isn't, give me a shout anyway.
I know I could have given Angela a chapter of her own, but I'm not one who can keep a story going for very long, commitment issues, you know. Then again, maybe you don't. Anyway, I know a lot transpires in this chapter and I really hope it doesn't seem rushed or too crowded. Please let me know what you think and if you have any suggestion, they are always more than welcome!