Ch. 3: No Longer A Question

They were now the only two people left in the Jeffersonian, just him and her.

Booth rubbed the back of his neck with his right hand, the ends of his hair still damp from the snow. He cleared his throat. "So, uh…Bones what are your plans for Christmas then?"

Brennan slung her bag over her shoulder. "Well, I really do have to finish editing my book and there's a new King Tut documentary I've been wanting to see. So…"

Booth nodded, and Brennan noticed the slight disappointment on his face.

"So you finally gave in and bought a TV, huh?"

"No actually my Dad gave it to me for Christmas, he..." her voice trailed off, not finishing the explanation.

"Well, that's nice Bones. I guess I won't stand in your way any longer. Enjoy your book and mummy and everything." Booth, with a twinkle in his eye, gave her one last charm smile. "Merry Christmas Bones!", and then he turned to leave.

Brennan felt her heart constrict in her chest, words balanced on the tip of her tongue, bouncing up and down as if on a diving board, longing to take that plunge! "Booth wait."

And there they were, those two little words, falling through the air....What have I done? Did I really just say that? They had jumped without looking for a landing, would they be cushioned by the water or just slam head on into the cement, breaking into a million little pieces?

Booth stopped in his tracks, inwardly rejoicing. Thank you God, I really wasn't looking forward to spending another Christmas watching pre-recorded hockey games and eating a bowl of Spaghetti-Os. He turned on his heels, trying to contain his excitement. "Yeah Bones?"

Evidently her words had managed to steer clear of that painful cement death and landed, be it with a pretty big splash, in the water. She fumbled for the right words, as if trying to reach the surface for air. She cleared her throat. "Would you like to come over for dinner? I mean it won't be much, but I have a TV now, and..."

Smiling, Booth stopped her with his words, before she could retract her offer. "I'd love to Bones."

"Great." A good dive, scary, but good!

Booth motioned with his arm to the door, that unmistakable twinkle still shining in those big, brown eyes.

Oh, those eyes!

"Shall we?"

Brennan nodded with a small smile. Moving forward, she felt his hand once again resting on the small of her back, guiding her through the doorway.

With each passing day, this motion was becoming more and more common. The old Brennan would have felt enormously uncomfortable at such an intimate touch, quickly removing Booth's hand only to comment on the fact that such a perusal was just a way for an alpha male to assert his dominance over the female. Wherein Booth would release one of his all too common sighs, raise his eyes to the heavens, shake his head, and frustratingly utter, "Whatever Bones", successfully putting an end to her latest rant until he made his next "alpha-male"mistake.

But now...mmm, she sighed...something had changed. What once felt awkward and overprotective, now felt comfortable, cozy, and just so right. Like two pieces of a puzzle, they fit together...perfectly.

"Better button your coat there Bones."

"What? Oh, right."

As she fastened her last button, she quickly found Booth's arm around her, his gloved hand resting upon her shoulder. "Let's brave that cold Bones."

Brennan let out a small chuckle.

They slowly made their way to the exit, not yet ready to trade the Jeffersonian's warmth for the winter cold.

"Wait! We should be going the other way, I always park my car underneath."

"I picked you up today Bones, remember?"

Brennan shook her head, "Oh right, sorry."

There was that alpha male thing again! Old, independent Brennan wouldn't have allowed that, but new, accepting Brennan was starting to learn that a partnership was all about give and take.

"Thanks for inviting me Bones, and you know what, I am going to cook you dinner!" he uttered with the cockiest of smiles. Finally, a perfect reason to test my new cooking skills!

"Oh really? Since when do you cook Booth?" Wow, he's learned to cook! He really is a "constant surprise"!

"Hey, six weeks off is plenty of time to manage a dish or two. Plus, Gordon Gordon gave me a few..uh..tips." He squeezed her closer to him, "Granted, I'm no Bobby Flay, but..."

"Who?"

"Bobby Flay, Bones. You know, Food Network, The Iron Chef. "

Brennan just started at him blankly. "There's a chef made of iron? How is that is possible?"

Booth just rolled his eyes and then said with a laugh, "Oh Bones, you never cease to amaze me."

They had finally reached the exit. Quickly they glanced at each other and then at the doors before them. Just a few inches of glass stood between them and that familiar cold.

"Ready Bones?"

"Ready."

Always the gentleman, Booth released her from his comforting grasp to hold open the door.

Brennan made her way out into the night, breathing in the cold crisp air, painful and refreshing at the same time. The snow was beginning to fall around her. She looked around the vast parking lot, Booth's car the lone hold out upon this otherwise frozen tundra. It always surprised her how Booth, a man normally so protective of his vehicle, was willing to park in the Jeffersonian's above ground lot, exposing his car to the elements instead of just driving the extra few feet to park underground. Oh Booth, you never cease to amaze me either! She shook her head, smiling to herself, and then looked up into the night sky. The sky was pitch black, no stars or moon were visible, just numerous snowflakes falling, each fighting for the opportunity to kiss her fair face. She closed her eyes and stuck out her tongue. She giggled inside for allowing herself to participate in such a childish indulgence. She almost couldn't remember the last time she had tasted a snowflake. Her mind began to wander, losing herself in the moment, she could hear someone faintly calling her name.

"Temperance..." They said it again, "Temperance...sweetheart, come inside, you going to catch a cold." She realized it was her mother, standing in the doorway of their home. She turned to look at her and opened her mouth, but for some reason, was unable to speak. She just stood there in silence, the snow silently falling. Her mother, enveloped in the soft glow of the interior lights, looked almost like an angel. Young Temperance allowed her gaze to remain a few moments before wandering to the home's exterior. Like a beacon in the night, the house shone brightly against the black sky, covered in a seemingly endless maze of multi-colored lights. Electric candles glowed softly in each window, and the unmistakable smell of pine invaded her nose as she eyed the balsam garland with its big red bow that Max had hung along their porch's roof. Oh, how her father loved Christmas! "Honey, you're mother's right, you should really come inside. Besides, if you don't hurry, Russ is going to drink all of your mother's special hot chocolate." Hearing this new voice, her gaze returned to the doorway. She saw her father standing there, favorite Christmas mug in hand. His arm was gently wrapped about her mother's shoulders as he gave her a gentle peck on the cheek and then turned to smile at his little girl. Temperance remained in place just staring at her parents, a wide grin spreading across her face. I love you Mom and Dad!

A single tear escaped Brennan's eyes and cascaded slowly down her cheek.

Pulling on his gloves, Booth turned to see Brennan with her head back, tongue outstretched, and eyes closed. He smiled to himself, feeling so honored to catch this rare glimpse of a vulnerable, childlike Brennan. This is better than any Christmas gift I could ever imagine! She looked so peaceful, so content, so beautiful as the snow fell around her. If only he could capture this moment and put somewhere for safe keeping, to pull it out anytime he needed to smile.

"Beep, beep!" The familiar sound of Booth's automatic remote, unlocking the Sequoia broke the spell. Brennan slowly floated back to Earth, lowering her chin, opening her eyes, and raising a hand to wipe her cheek free of that fugitive tear. She realized Booth was standing beside her. Well, I guess he saw that?! She turned to look at him. He noticed the snowflakes that clung to her eyelashes, each one yearning for a last look at that beautiful face before melting away. And there was new pinkness in her cheeks brought on by the cold. Her eyes, always the most beautiful blue, somehow looked even bluer, if that's possible, against the night's dark backdrop.

"You okay Bones?" I saw it.

He saw it.

She shot him a quick smile, "I'm fine Booth."He's knows I'm lying.

"Yeah." I know she's lying.

Knowing now was not the time to press for further information, Booth began heading towards the car when he noticed Brennan wasn't following. He turned back.

"Bones, you coming?" He saw her looking in her bag and rummaging through her coat pockets. "What's wrong?"

"My glove. I only have one of my gloves. I must have dropped it in my office or something."

"Here." Booth removed his left glove, placing it in his pocket. Then he held out his hand, "Take my hand. I'll keep you warm."

Brennan hesitated, but obligingly placed her right hand in his. A perfect fit!

She felt her pulse quicken, a smile tugged at her lips. She had held Booth's hand before: in the hospital as he entered surgery, that day in the diner when he tried to comfort her after fighting with Angela, but this...this felt different, good different. She felt the cold melting away as he gently squeezed her hand. Booth, ever the protector, could somehow keep even the cold at bay with just one hand.

As he continued to squeeze her hand, Booth's last pangs of sadness dissolved, and he could feel his heart swelling in his chest. Such a perfect fit!

"Better Bones?" Raising his eye brows, he smiled at her.

She nodded happily. Much better!

And so ends another chapter! Hope you're still enjoying it! Thanks again for all of your fantabulous reviews!!! Bones fans rock!!! :)