Thank you again so much for all the great reviews :D
...and for the summary suggestion ;) I might use it, but if someone else has a suggestion I'll consider those too.
I'd like the summary to somehow explain that the first 9 chapters (lol sorry 1 more to go) are not actually about the dates :P
Please keep reviewing, it means so much to me, especially these days when I'm feeling really low :(
10 Dates - Chapter 9
When Temperance got up Saturday morning, she decided to clean every inch of her apartment. She had to do something to take her mind off Booth and cleaning was the first thing that came to mind. She started in the kitchen, emptying out all the cupboards and wiping down the shelves. The fridge and freezer were emptied too and cleaned thoroughly. When she was done, every surface was shining and a fresh, clean smell surrounded her. Three hours later the same could be said about every room in her apartment. She fell exhausted on her couch. She had managed to concentrate on the cleaning instead of Booth, but now that she sat alone, in silence, everything came back.
Frustrated, Temperance stood up and went to her bedroom. She had to keep moving or she would wallow in self pity forever. A run would be good, she thought. Exercise would be a good way to get rid of her frustration. She quickly dressed in sweat pants, a tank top and her running shoes. Before leaving the apartment she remembered to bring a bottle of water.
She walked briskly to a park nearby, warming up her muscles. When she reached the park she started jogging slowly. It was a beautiful day. People were out enjoying the weather. At a play ground nearby she could hear the sounds of laughter coming from happy children running around playing tag or sliding down the slides. The parents stood together chatting while keeping an eye on the kids.
There were lots of people exercising like herself, jogging at a comfortable pace or running fast, pacing themselves. She went past a little lake, where people were enjoying the view of the sun glistening in the water. Some were sitting on blankets on the hill sloping down towards the lake. Many had brought picnics and were now tugging in to their food.
Temperance began to run faster. The glimpses into happy family lives made her think about the family she had lost. She didn't want to remember. She was doing fine on her own, she tried to convince herself. She ran faster and faster, pushing herself until her lungs hurt, screaming for air.
She finally stopped and collapsed in the grass. Lying on her back she looked up in the sky. It was clear blue, almost turquoise, with only a few see through fluffy clouds. When her pulse had returned to normal, she stood up and looked around. What now? She asked herself. Not coming up with an answer she started walking home.
She was walking up the stairs to her apartment, looking through her bag for her keys, when she heard a voice ahead.
"Temperance Brennan! Where have you been?" The voice was coming from an angry looking Angela standing, hands on hips, in front of her door.
Temperance took a deep breath and sighed. She didn't answer, just went to unlock her door, and went inside. Angela followed close behind her. What was she doing here? She loved her friend dearly, but she didn't need a bad tempered Angela just now.
She had stopped still, lost in her thoughts when she suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning around she saw Angela looking at her, all of her anger disappeared.
"Sweety, you can't keep avoiding him forever" Angela said gently and pulled Temperance towards the couch.
They sat down next to each other in silence. Angela's hand reached for hers and squeezed it gently before talking.
"Tempe, Booth called me last night. He told me about your bet."
Temperance head flung up in surprise.
"He WHAT?" She asked and stood up to pace back and forth, "He had no right to do that! That was between him and me!" She was yelling now, and she had to fight to keep her tears back.
"But Tempe, the man didn't know what to do!" Angela shouted back, "You keep pushing him away and he asked for my help" Angela paused for a moment, watching Temperance take in her words before continuing, "You're lucky he's still trying."
As soon as the words had left her mouth Angela realised she might have been too harsh. Temperance started trembling and soon she was sobbing, hiding her face in her hands.
Angela went to her and pulled her in a hug.
"I'm sorry, Tempe, I know it's not what you wanted to hear, but it's the truth" She whispered soothingly to her friend, "If you keep pushing him away, you'll just end up loosing him."
Temperance hugged her friend back and soon her sobs quietened.
"I don't want to loose him, Ange, I don't" She whispered.