Temperance twirled once more in the mirror, unable to shake the sneaking suspicion that tonight was going to be disastrous at best. Normally she was not good with clues but if her sudden gagging reflex was any indication, tonight was going to be a night she would rather forget. Glancing over her form she shrugged once before strolling into the living room.

It was just dinner with a friend, what could be so horrible about that? Over the last week she had made it perfectly clear her intentions and Pete agreed. But why couldn't she shake this suspicion? It was just Pete, a puppy dog of a man. He couldn't even harm a fly if he tried.

"You look a little too dressed up for a dinner, babe." A man emerged from the darkness, wrapping his arms firmly around the silk draped figure.

"Well I was told it was a black tie event and well… I just… Mikey…" She sighed, unable to shake the pit growing in her stomach.

"You want to be the prettiest woman there." The man smiled, pulling her tightly toward him on a growl, "I will let you in on a little secret, even if you were in a paper bag, you would still be the prettiest woman there."

"Aww, Mikey, you are just saying that." She blushed, peppering his jaw with soft kisses.

"I may be a little bias but it is the truth." He adamantly chuckled, "Temp, you are one in a million."

"Mikey you just…" Her rant about biases and the truth was cut short at the sound of a singular knock at the door.

"Your chariot awaits my dear." Mikey smiled, "Just know, at the end of the night that dress isn't going to make it past the living room."

Giggling like a child, Temperance stepped forward and in Pete's view. The blood all but pooled at his feet as his jaw dropped. She looked more amazing then he ever thought possible. Sure he had brought her along to rub in his cousin's face but the way her dress hit all her curves so heavenly… damn, he could get used to waking up to her.

"Tempe!" Pete excitedly jumped as the door before him popped all the way open, "You… you… look amazing."

"Pete, this is just…" She strolled out of the apartment and toward the car.

"No, no, no." He interrupted, "Tempe, you don't know how pretty you are. You are… oh my god… Seels won't know what hit him…"

"What was that Pete?" Temperance turned, letting her dress crash up against his suit.

"No… nothing. Ready for a night of fun, Tempe?" Pete smiled; opening the passenger side door and watching as the woman of his dreams slowly slipped in.

"I am sure you cannot dictate my level of enjoyment at this function." Her brow furrowed as he started the engine, "At the very least you could try and alleviate any misfortunes I might have but enjoyment has no relevance."

"Oh, Tempe, you're so silly." Pete laughed, placing his hand firmly on her thigh and playing with the fray of her short dress.

"Pete, I assure you Mikey would not take too kindly to your advances." She scoffed, brushing his hand off her.

"Mikey?" His eyes went wide, "Who's that?"

"My boyfriend, of course." She lightly chuckled as a smile danced across her lips, "The man who opened the door to my apartment. I can show you a picture of us together if you need further proof."

"Oh… right…" He ground out the words. "Him." Just another obstacle in his devotion. An obstacle that will fall quickly. Pete chuckled at the thought. Oh, he had planned this out too damn perfectly.

"See!" She smiled, shoving her phone in front of him, "Don't you think he looks very masculine in those shorts?"

"No, Tempe I don't."

"But you didn't look." She frowned.

"Yes, I didn't. I don't need a constant reminder of…" He trailed off, catching himself just in time, "I just believe you is all, Temperance. You have no reason to lie to me."

"No, I don't." She smiled at the picture as Pete parked.

She watched as he slowly slipped out of the car, sudden smile dancing across his lips and a bounce in his step.

"Ready for a night you won't forget?" He grinned, extending his hand toward her.

"Pete, you cannot…"

"It was just a figure of speech, babe." He smiled, wrapping his arm tightly around her waist, "Ready to dance?"

"I believe so."

"Good."

Walking into the brightly lit hall, Temperance gasped at the sheer magnitude of people. The sea of people seemed to never end. Sure she had been around massive groups of people but the herds of suits flowing as one amazed her.

"Pretty amazing for a government function, huh?" Pete nudged her, pulling her out of her revere.

"Yeah…" She whispered, throat suddenly dry.

"Well you ain't seen anything yet." He smiled, twirling her in the hallway, "The night is still young."

Temperance nodded slowly, letting her eyes scan the many different sects at the party.

"Hey Seels!" Pete called, waving to a man standing in the middle of the crowd in Army Blues.

"Pete." He smiled as he made his way toward the couple, "Glad you could make it."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world, bro." Pete smiled, eyes refusing to leave Temperance.

"And who is this young lady?"

"My date." He beamed, "Temperance Brennan. She's hot, huh?"

"Yes, she is quite stunning." The man before them smiled, eyes twinkling as they ran up and down the stunning figure before him.

"And Temperance, baby, this is my cousin."

Temperance's eyes slowly twinkled up and fell onto the most radiating being she had ever laid eyes on. The man practically oozed comfort and after the uncomfortable drive over she had, she just really needed a hug… a comforting, sexy hug.

"Seeley Booth." The enigma smiled, "I hope you are having a wonderful evening, considering the insanity."

"Oh, yes, of course." She babbled, unable to keep her breathing in rhythm.

"If you need anything, you know where to find me." The man ran his hand down her shoulder as he left, winking in her direction.

"Mr. Booth…" She stuttered, suddenly unable to keep words from flowing.

"Yes… Temperance was it?"

Temperance quickly nodded, suddenly embarrassed at her question.

"I was just wondering… if maybe you could tell me… what exactly this function is for." She rambled, refusing to look up.

"Why don't I just show you?" He smiled.

"But she is…" Pete spoke but it was too late, she was already whisked away and amidst the crowd.

She will pay for that. He glared as he watched intently for his date. She will pay tonight.