Thank you to my endearing beta Naomi, who had to put up with all my errors in this chapter. I'm glad she's fixed them up so this chapter is now perfect. Thank you darling.

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Fingers and Toes

Okay, so Booth told her not to go all out - jeans and a blouse would do just fine. But what woman would listen to a man's advice regarding clothing options? During her lunch break, Brennan had practically dragged Angela to lunch with her to find the perfect dress. After trying on multiple dresses; mostly in the colour of white, which paled her complexion even more than usual, but made her eyes become a smoky, lustful blue; and a couple in a midnight blue, which bought a whole new shade to her eyes in a dark desire, Brennan finally decided on a simple, elegant white one shoulder jersey dress, cut mid thigh. A pair of black Martinez Valero black satin four inch heels would accompany the dress with a simple sapphire necklace bringing a shade of colour to complete it as a whole.

And then things started to go awry.

After lunch, things had come to a complete standstill on their latest case. So she had to spend most of the afternoon going over every minute detailing of the remains to pick up on anything that may lead them to not only cause of death, as all the fractures were sustained postmortem, but also the murderer himself.

o0o

Booth had interviewed the victim's parents, close friend for hours on end and came up with nothing. His anger finally boiling, over at the lack evidence when Hacker decided to confront the FBI Agent in his office, just moments before he was set to leave, albeit he saved his anger for the 24 hour gym just down from 'their' apartment.

"Agent Booth."

"Assistant Director Hacker?" Raising an eyebrow towards his superior, Booth drew a deep breath as he shrugged into his jacket, holstered his gun and shifting his 'Cocky' belt buckle for the final time before leaving his office.

"I've recommended to Director Cullen that you and Temperance each undergo a psychiatric evaluation and consult from Dr. Sweets before we officially reinstate you to work together again." Leaning forward, Booth cringed as Hacker's weight rested on one of the two chairs opposite his desk, his elbows bowing to support his weight.

Huffing, Booth narrowed his eyes, "Bones and I are just fine."

"Agent Booth with all-"

"No, listen to me." Booth's voice had quickly turned into a seethe through gritted teeth, "I know you recommended Agent Perotta for the job at the Jeffersonian. I also happen to know that you personally contacted the branch in Philadelphia upon my return to work in this very office. If you have a problem, you talk to me - not everyone around me, and especially not to Bones."

By the time he'd finished his mini-tirade; his blood was essentially, although impossible under the circumstances, boiling. The anger which fuelled from within had him wishing he had a bottle of scotch in the bottom draw of his desk.

"Agent Booth."

"No. It's after 5PM, so I'm officially off working hours. So if you would like to continue this discussion it will have to wait until Monday. I have a weekend planned." The finality was evident in his voice as Hacker gave a weak nod of the head and skulked out of Booth's office, leaving Booth hunched over his desk chair rolling his eyes in irritation.

Unclenching his jaw after several minutes, Booth reached into his pocket hastily and withdrew his phone and typed a quick message.

Pick you up at 7.30, be ready.

With that, Booth slammed his phone shut, grabbed his keys from the corner of his desk and left his office in a quick flick of the lights and lock of the glass door. He had just enough time to hit the gym for an hour and release his built up anger for the day, shower and change into the clothes he left in his car that morning, before going to pick up Brennan.

o0o

Brennan had received Booth's message over an hour ago and much to her relief she still had an hour to get ready by the time she stepped through her apartment door. She'd timed everything to perfection in the car on the way home, even to the time she'd step through the door and shrug out of her trench coat and dump everything else on the sofa table next to the front door. What she didn't have planned was the sudden urge of needing to urinate. Having a full bladder was a bodily function, but she didn't expect the pressure on her bladder to be quite so intense, that she needed to make a quick sprint towards the bathroom.

And that's when her detailed plan went down the toilet, along with the stream of urine and toilet paper. The red stains on her pristine white panties were evident. Menstruation. She hadn't minded getting her period in the past as it bought a distinct feminine feeling towards her body both physically and mentally. However at this very moment, she regretted even going through puberty.

The next few minutes were a blur in her eyes as tears started rolling down her cheeks and she went to retrieve a tampon from cabinet above the hand basin to stop the bleed. That's when, at that moment her confidence fell away and she no longer felt comfortable in wearing that beautiful, figure hugging white dress.

As the fresh onslaught of tears lulled, Brennan pulled herself from her position on the edge of the bathtub and pushed her way through the door of the bathroom. She then stumbled towards the front door where she had discarded her mobile phone, only to dial one number she knew so very well…

"Sweetie." Angela's voice was angelic as it echoed through the phone line.

"I need your help, I can't wear that dress now," Sniffing, Brennan rubbed her nose and wiped the tear stains from her cheeks, her body collapsing against the opposite wall as her eyes fell shut.

"Why not Brennan?"

"I just can't. Can you be here in 20minutes?"

Brennan heard Angela sigh before yelling out something to Hodgins in the background, "I'll be there sweetie. Just sit tight."

With that, Brennan ended the call and let out a deep breath, her eyes remaining closed.

o0o

Within 20minutes a heavily pregnant Angela was standing in Brennan's apartment threshold with box of tissues under one arm, two large bags grasped in her hands and a small smile which rose on her pursed lips. It was clear her best friend was distressed; her hair which had previously been tucked tightly away from her face, was sitting limply around her striking features and her previously sparkling blue eyes were red rimmed with tears.

"Oh, sweetie," Dropping the bags and tissues on the floor boards, Angela rushed to the side of her friend, who was sitting with her head in her hands on the toilet seat, a tissue bought close to her chin.

"I-I," With her voice ragged from an onslaught of tears infused with a case of the hiccups, Brennan slowly lifted her head to face a sympathetic artist, "I came home and it started."

"I know and it sucks," Angela quickly joined the dots together before they both laughed at her attempt to lighten the mood, "But I think we can find a drop dead gorgeous outfit in that large wardrobe of yours, can't we?"

Nodding, Brennan wiped the tears from her eyes and took several deep breaths in, before releasing again; slowly regaining her composure. She was never one to become overly emotional, but she saw a future with Booth, a future with him and their daughter. As a family. Together.

"Do you know what Booth has planned? He promised me dancing, but that's all I know."

"Yes," Her girlish squeal and mischievous smile and shrug of the shoulders caused Brennan is quirked an eyebrow in confusion and a little embarrassment knowing her friend was acting strange…well, stranger than usual.

"Can you tell me?"

"No."

"Ange," The plead in her voice was evident, but Angela simply shook her head and stood, reaching out a hand to pull Brennan from the toilet lid and enveloping her in a hug.

"Booth did consult me on the date, but only on a few minor details. I don't know anything else, I promise. But I will assure you there is no swimming involved, so you're safe." Breaking from the hug, Angela ran her thumb over a tear stain on Brennan's zygomatic and maxilla bones, a soft smiling pressing on both their lips. "Go take another shower. I'll find some lingerie and hang it on the back of the door. I won't look. I swear."

A genuine smile spread across Brennan's features as she wiped the remaining tears from her crystal orbs, "Thank-you."

"No problem sweetie." Squeezing her best friend's hand, Angela smiled before leaving the bathroom, leaving Brennan to shower and wash away the fallen tears.

o0o

The familiar scent of old spices and leather washed through the apartment at exactly 7:30PM. Knowing that Booth had arrived, Brennan's heart skip a beat as she gave her eyelashes one last coat of mascara and applied a light shade of pink lipstick to her lips. Giving herself the last once over, she sighed and turned away from the bathroom mirror. Stepping out into the lounge, she found Booth standing there cradling a bouquet of daffodils and daisies.

"For you," Passing the flowers over, Booth smiled as Brennan wrapped her fingers around them, bringing her face in close to the arrangement to smell and admire the selection of her favourite flowers. She had to admit, the daffodils were the brightest yellow she had seen all season and the array of white and orange daisies were mesmerizing to say the least.

"They're beautiful Booth," Looking up from the bouquet, she smiled, moving towards the kitchen to find a vase to put them in.

"As are you," He followed her through the kitchen threshold, leaning up against the wall and shoving his hands in his pockets. The purple tunic dress with sleeves to just above her elbows and cut off just below her waist was banded together under her breasts with a large black wrap around belt that not only illuminated her breasts, but also her hips. Black leggings covered the ivory skin on her slender legs with flat black suede boots her footwear of choice. But her outfit wouldn't be complete without one of her chunky necklaces – a purple and black glass bead ensemble dangled fittingly around her neck.

Brennan had to admit, what she and Angela had managed to find in the back of her wardrobe was breath taking to say the least. Many outfits she had only worn once or twice, mostly due to her book promotions, while others she'd worn till the seams had started to split. They never found an item of clothing in between. Brennan had to admit if she liked something, she would wear that outfit a numerous amount of times, as she felt comfortable.

Brushing back past Booth, Brennan placed the vase in the middle of the kitchen table, smiling generously at the array before turning back to Booth giving him the once over; dark wash denim jeans, obvious new, and a light blue dress shirt folded up on the arms to give it a casual look and to round out the outfit a pair of black and white checkered Dunlop slip-on volleys.

"Can you tell me where we're going?" She asked as they headed out the front door, she let Booth lock the door behind them, before stepping out into the middle of the corridor on the way towards the elevator.

"You'll find out in due course," Winking, he placed his all too familiar hand on the small of her back and lead her down towards the elevator, sneaking glances to her in quick successions, as he realised, he finally felt at home.

o0o

They'd only been on the road for 20 minutes when Booth turned to Brennan, smiled, then spoke, "Cover your eyes."

"W-Why?" Was her only answer, turning to face Booth directly in the eye, trying to work out his motives for getting her to do such a ridiculous, childish task.

"Because I said so. Now cover your eyes."

Sighing, Brennan pulled her hands up over her eyes, feeling remotely stupid and slightly belittled, "I still don't understand why putting my hands over my eyes would be any different from simply closing them."

This time it was Booth's turn to sigh, as he focused back on the road, honking the horn at the car in front of him who suddenly put on the breaks, "Because it builds more anticipation."

"Are we going somewhere illegal?" She asked peering over to him through opened fingers, she even giggled a little when he caught her peeking.

"No."

"Are we going to a restaurant?"

"No."

"Are we going somewhere you would call 'romantic'?"

"Geez woman, what's with the twenty questions?" His abrupt throaty laughter reassured Brennan he was only joking and he reassured her further, as he saw the trepidation plainly on her face behind her hands, by reaching over and giving her thigh a squeeze.

"You've been on a lot of dates as have I; so there was a lot of pressure in finding the perfect one, but I think I've found it," Smiling, Booth pulled into a deserted car park and pulled the keys from the ignition, "Now keep your eyes covered."

She did as asked and before too long Booth was helping her from his vehicle, his large calloused hands covering her eyes as he guided her along a path, a sense of fear coursing through both their bodies. The fear for Booth was Brennan becoming scared of his 'romantic' gesture and wonder if she would appreciate the effort he'd put into planning this date, right down to every minute detail. For Brennan, the fear was in having to put all her trust into Booth. She had in the past and most of the times he'd come out on top, but there was those few underlying times that her trust in him had failed. It bought on a whole new lot of apprehension and trust issues she needed to work through. But despite both their fears, they felt comfortable in each other. They both felt as if this was the start of something. One single date could change the dynamics of their relationship – for better or worse.

o0o

"Open." Releasing his hands from her face and trailing them down to her hips, Booth smiled at the candlelit table before him. He had to pull a few strings, promise some things, mostly signed copies of Brennan's book, but ultimately…he was happy in how everything turned out. This would be one date Brennan had never been on and hopefully it would be a date she would tell for years to come, if she was that sort of person, which she were not, however Booth could hope.

"Booth," She was truly lost for words as he twirled lightly in a circle, admiring the United States Botanic Garden Conservatory in all its nighttime glory. They were in the Garden Court, just south of the north entrance, with the stars and moon glowing from above.

"We can eat then take a walk around, or walk around then eat. Your choice," His words were soft in her ear as he pulling her in close, his lips brushing past the outer shell of her ear and pressing gentle kiss against her hair, which was in tumbles down her shoulders.

"I think I would like to walk," She hummed pleasantly as Booth meshed one of his palms around hers, tangling his fingers with hers as they started down the path towards the West Gallery.

Booth had the entire Conservatory already mapped out; they would start with the outer planes of the complex, walking through the West Gallery, which housed 'Plants of Culture' and demonstrated how plants provide livelihood, meaning, therapy, ornamentation, tools, symbols and other enrichments to people's everyday lives. They would then walk through the Rare and Endangered Species, where a changing exhibit of many rare, threatened, and endangered plants was currently on display - an array of orchids and other tropical plants. Continuing down path they would enter the Plant Exploration that highlights plant discoveries in the wild and in the laboratory. Come next, is the Orchids exhibit in the South of the Conservatory, where 200 orchids are on display at any given time. They kept following the path and wound end up with the Medicinal Plants, an exhibit which explores the origin of plant medicine and displays a collection of medicinal plants from all over the world. Walking west along the path, the couple come to a T-intersection, where they could choose to cross into the core of the Conservatory or keep walking where they would then reach the World Desert, a display which is filled with succulents, grasses, scrubs and other flowering desert plants. In the South-West corner they entered Hawaii, a collection of plants native to Hawaii, where several species have adapted to live in the specialized conditions of the remote to the volcanic islands. The Garden Primeval was next on Booth's highly extended map of the Conservatory, where a reconstructed Jurassic landscape permanently stands with a variety of ferns and other ancient plant groups that have survived over 150million years. Plant Adaptation is next in the pathways and shows some of the fascinating adaptations that have evolved in the plant world. They concluded in the East Gallery, before rounding out back in the Garden Court which features economics and ethno-botanical plants – those used in products that provide our fibers, food, beverages, cosmetics, wood, spices and others; but the Garden Court also contributes a beautiful scenery from the colorful foliage – the perfect surrounding for their meal.

o0o

It took them over an hour and half to round out the outskirts of the Botanic Garden Conservatory, but when they finished back seated at their candlelight dinner, both Brennan and Booth couldn't wipe the elated smiles from their euphoric faces.

"That was truly amazing Booth," Her smile only broadened as Booth, always the gentleman, pulled her chair out for her and rounded the table to take a seat himself, "Thank-you for this wonderful date."

"The night's not over yet Dr. Brennan. I acutely remember promising you dancing," His face burst out into a lighthearted laugh; the popping of the champagne bringing a laugh from Brennan's bubbly form.

"It may be the end of the date Agent Booth, if we don't eat soon," As if on cue Brennan's stomach let out a longing grumble.

Laughing, Booth finished pouring their glasses of champagne, before setting the bottle in the wine cooler, "Okay, okay. I had to ask Angela for dinner ideas, but I've managed to compile a selection of your favourite foods."

Lifting the large stainless steel cloche, Booth marveled in the reaction Brennan gave at the sight of a platter of different foods; strawberries, blueberries, mango and pineapple pieces, deep fried tofu, gherkins, green and red pickled onions and asparagus and goat cheese bruschetta.

Letting out a sincere laugh, Brennan couldn't help but smile innocently over to Booth, noting that there was nothing except the fruit that he would eat, "Thank-you."

"Nice wine, good company, a few laughs. What more could I ask for?" Booth shrugged, twirling the champagne flute between his fingers, leaning it forward to clink together with Brennan's.

"Food you actually enjoy," Brennan suggested with a crisp smirk as she bought the flute towards her lips and let the rather expensive, not that Booth would ever admit, champagne sparkle its way down her esophagus.

"Good thing I was arranging the dessert then, isn't it," He teased, wiggling an eyebrow for added affect.

"You know I don't like my fruit cooked," Her usual crystal blue orbs had turned into a new shade of aquamarine, a glint of liquid forming in their corner, making them glisten against the tea light candles scattered around their dinner.

"It isn't a fruit pie, nowhere near it in fact," His smile dropped into one of tenderness, while a lone hand reached across to squeeze hers, the other grasping at a strawberry before reaching out and feeding it across to her, her lips slightly parted in a waiting anticipation.

Brennan was never one to verbalize her personal life or feelings unless coaxed, so it made Booth pause when he heard the reverberating 'mmm' come from Brennan as her tongue darted out only roll over her lips which savored the last tastes of the delectable fruit she'd just been given.

They finished eating dinner and another bottle of champagne with effortless conversations, mostly revolving around Parker and Amelia, but the lightheartedness in it all bought laughter and happiness from both. The dessert which followed was definitely what made Brennan's night; the look upon her features seemed to enhance the millions of aligned stars adjacent from the full crescent moon glowing through the skylight mixed in with the tea light candles scattered around their dinner table that was pure heaven. As was their dessert – a rich vegetarian cookies and cream cheesecake; all compliment with lashes of whipped cream for Booth, and, not to be forgotten, Booth had provided a dollop of vanilla yoghurt for Brennan's serving.

They each made sure they were definitely finished before pushing their plates forward to the centre of the table, as Booth leant forward and clinked his glass with Brennan's before draining the last of the gold liquid, tilting his head slightly to the side as he watched Brennan do the same; his eyes tracing her in fascination.

"Would you like to finish your private tour of the Conservatory?" Booth asked as his lips twisted into a smile while he dropped the wine flute onto the crisp white tablecloth.

Nodding, Brennan returned Booth's simple smile, "That would be acceptable."

Giving a hearty chuckle from deep in his chest, Booth pushed his chair back, listening to the scrape against the concrete beneath as he stepped out from the table and behind Brennan, pulling her chair out and offering an arm, two compelling acts of chivalry not going unnoticed by Brennan, but she accepted them in full grace.

They followed the path on the west side of the Garden Court, past the shallow pool in the centre of the path on either side and turned left into the Southern Exposure exhibit, a display which showcases a micro-climate garden featuring North American plants native to the Southeast, the Southwest and Mexico. They continued along the path into the Jungle, displaying a tropical rainforest which has overtaken an abandoned plantation; the grand dome which rises 93feet includes a mezzanine level from which they viewed the majestic jungle canopy. Brennan and Booth, hand in hand, finished in the Children's Garden, an area where children can play in a garden and learn informally about plants.

"Parker and Amelia would love the kid's garden," Booth commented, pulling out Brennan's seat once again as they concluded their private tour of the Garden Conservatory.

Tilting her head in agreement, Brennan clasped her wine flute between her fingers, dipping it towards Booth to be refilled, "Hodgins would also appreciate what we've just experienced."

Pouring a new bottle of chilled champagne into the two glasses, Booth exchanged a mischievous smirk and a wink, as an idle chatter came between them and they continued enjoying their evening together.

o0o

Booth had excused himself to use the men's room, but when the soft lyrics of jazz music started to filter through the Conservatory's speakers, Brennan knew it was only an excuse.

"Care to dance Temperance?" The whimsical note in his voice was endearing as Booth came into view over her shoulder, his hand extended so that she only needed to grasp onto it to be pulled into his fiery embrace.

"It would be my pleasure Seeley," It takes two to Tango, so Brennan felt it was right that two could play the name game. Smiling adoringly up into Booth's orbs, Brennan latched her hand in his, easing into a stance, easing into the circle of his arms and slipping her own around Booth's frame, one draping to the nape of the neck, the other tracing his Latissmus Dorsi muscles, her head resting on the crook of his neck, as they swayed gently to the cadence of soft jazz.

The explosion of her perfume hit him first as his hands descended on the small of her back, both thumbs running small patterns beneath the fabric as his fingers dared to rise over the arch of her behind. Nevertheless with the repeated rehearsal of Saints, Booth managed to keep his hands and other parts of his anatomy in place and intact.

"I would like to spend some time with Amelia," The words were hushed when she spoke into his frame. The hand which had been previously on Booth's nape now centered over his heart, a finger nail digging lightly into his shirt and therefore his pectoral below.

"I know." Was his only reply, keeping the line of their conjoined bodies while the music tenderly played around them, the track changing to another but the consistency of their moves stayed the same throughout.

"Is Sunday alright? I would like to work tomorrow, if possible." Letting out a heavy sigh, Brennan lifted her head until she could see his brown orbs looking down into her own blues, "This case is very frustrating, we didn't make any more headway after you left this afternoon."

"We'll go to brunch," Love and affection was evident in his voice and then his lips pressed to Brennan's forehead, lingering in their place long after the kiss has been given.

"Is my father looking after Amelia again?"

Brennan watched as Booth nodded, his eyes joining in the same small smile as his lips, "Yeah; she loves her Grandpa."

"I hope see will come to love me in time as well." Letting another sigh reverberate through her body, Brennan came to rest her head on Booth's shoulder once more.

"She already does, she asks about her mummy all the time," Booth had stilled their movement by the time he'd spoken the words, pulling her out of his embrace as his hands slid over to her hips and bringing them face-to-face, just inches apart; "Mia loves you. You love her. There is only more love to be gained, Temperance."

He watched as a faint smile washed upon Brennan's features, her eyes regaining their little spark as he closed the distance between them and melted into a heaven scent kiss. There was no tongue – there was no need for tongue. The sweet innocence of the kiss blossoming into a new dynamic that neither would refuse any longer; their promises would hold and the adventure into the unknown would either make or break their future. Their kiss all but sealed the journey that they would take together rather than alone in hope that they'd find each other in the end. This, they knew, would end together, for the better instead of the worse. Their everlasting friendship would hold the boundaries and their daughter would hold the future, a future of hope and togetherness. The family neither received growing up they would make together.

They made their silent pact and pledge right there dancing under the stars and sealing it all with a shattering kiss that meant so much.

Post A/N: This was the last chapter in the journey of Fingers and Toes, an epilogue will follow in the next day or two.