HIGHLAND WEDDING

CHAPTER 3

The silence in the car was deafening. Booth thought of and discarded one topic after another, then glanced over at Brennan. She was watching the passing scenery, humming along with the song on the radio. Evidently the silence wasn't bothering her, so he relaxed, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel as they waited for the light to change.

"That was a beautiful wedding," Brennan finally offered.

Booth glanced at her and smiled, relieved that she had lit on a safe subject. "Yes, it was very nice. Ian and Chloe looked very happy." Silence again as she returned his smile and looked out the window again. Unfortunately, his relief was not going to last.

"Totally unnecessary, of course," she said, knowing she was starting something, but unable to stop herself.

Okay, here we go, Booth thought. "Bones, you may not believe in the institution of marriage, but thank God you're in the minority. There are a lot of people out there who are very happily married." He looked at her over his sunglasses. The stubborn look was back. What was it about car rides that always made her want to argue with him? He looked back at the road.

"Really? Name one couple that is happily married," she demanded, certain he wouldn't be able to. She was wrong.

"Cullen and his wife have been happily married nearly twenty years," he stated triumphantly. "And my parents, they've been very happy for forty two years."

"I'm just saying, the divorce rate being what it is, I don't understand why people are so anxious to get married. Why do they need a ceremony and a piece of paper in order to make a commitment?"

Booth sighed and rubbed the spot between his brows. "What does it matter to you?" he asked curiously. "Nobody's trying to tell you that you have to get married. These days it's socially acceptable for couples to live together," he said reasonably.

"Precisely. Cohabitation is socially acceptable, so why get married?" she argued.

Booth was remembering the silence before this discussion with fondness. "Are you saying you could never see yourself getting married?" he asked before he could stop himself. Way to keep the argument going, Booth. Sheesh!

"I doubt it. I don't need a piece of paper to prove to some man that I love him, nor do I need some antiquated ceremony to make a commitment. When I'm ready, we will cohabitate," she stated firmly.

Don't say it, Booth, the voice in his head was saying, but he chose to ignore it. "What if the guy wants to get married? What if he's a marrying kinda guy, not a cohabitation kinda guy?"

Brennan folded her arms stubbornly. "If he loved me, he'd have to accept my terms. I won't be forced into getting married." Glancing at his profile, she hoped he understood what she was saying.

Booth sighed, frustrated. "Can we just agree to disagree and change the subject? I really don't think we're getting anywhere with this discussion."

Brennan shrugged and looked out the window again. "Fine with me." Silence fell once more, leaving Booth to think over what she had said. 'I wonder if I could change her mind about marriage…' Whoa, where did THAT come from?

They finally arrived at her apartment. Booth got out of the vehicle as she did and she looked at him inquiringly. "Uh, could I use your bathroom? Too much punch," he offered lamely.

"Sure," she replied and led the way.

After he finished in the bathroom, he found her in the kitchen pulling some frozen chicken breasts out of the freezer. She turned as he stopped in the doorway. "I'm going to make chow mein for dinner. Want to stay?" she asked casually as she handed him a glass of iced tea.

He thought of the lonely dinner waiting for him back at his place. Her offer was a lot more attractive. "Sounds great. I'm gonna go put some music on, okay?"

"Okay," she agreed, pulling a wok out of a cupboard.

Her music selection hadn't improved much since the last time he'd been over, but he did find a Robert Palmer CD. He popped it in and smiled as 'Addicted to Love' started playing. He wandered over to her bookshelves and started perusing the titles. Not much had changed there either. He sat on the couch and sipped his tea. Wonderful smells were emanating from the kitchen and his stomach rumbled in response. Leaning back, willing himself to relax, he tried to wait patiently.

"It's almost ready," Brennan called from the kitchen. "Why don't you set the table?"

He rolled to his feet and walked into the kitchen. His fingers brushed hers as he took the plates and flatware from her hands. Her startled gaze met his and he smiled as a blush crawled up her face. She turned away quickly and he went to set the table, feeling strangely happy.

Conversation as they ate was light, centered mainly around the squints and Parker. Booth looked up several times to find her looking at him with a serious look on her face. He could tell the wheels were turning in that brilliant mind of hers and wondered when she was going to share her thoughts.

She picked up their plates as Booth got up and gathered their glasses to take them to the sink. Their hands bumped as they both reached to turn on the faucet. They both laughed nervously, the current running between them almost a palpable thing.

"I'll wash if you'll rinse," he offered, and she smiled.

"Okay," she accepted and pulled a dishtowel from a drawer. They finished in no time and Booth came up behind her as she reached to put the glasses in the cupboard. When she turned she was startled to find he was very close. Booth looked deeply into her confused crystal blue eyes.

"Thank you for a delicious dinner," he said softly. He trapped her against the counter by putting his hands on either side of her. Brennan didn't know what to do with her own hands, so she put them on his forearms.

"You're welcome," she managed to say, trying to tear her gaze away from the warm intimacy in his eyes. He dropped his gaze to her lips and she licked them nervously, making them that much more attractive to him. Locking gazes with her once more, he moved closer until his body was flush with hers. Then he was moving in for a kiss and Brennan panicked. Pushing his arm aside, she moved to the other side of the kitchen, breathing like she had run a marathon. Her hormones were clamoring for her to take what he was offering, but her mind was putting up a fight. She put up a hand in a 'stop' gesture when he made a move toward her again.

"Wait! Just hold on a minute. Let me think," she demanded. Drawing a deep breath, she dared to look at him. Major mistake. He was watching her closely. Oh, why does he have to be so--so hot, as Angela would say. She smothered a groan and pressed a hand to her midsection. "This is a bad idea, a really bad idea, Booth."

Booth took a step toward her and then another when she remained mute. "We've been dancing around this for a long time, Temperance," he said, the deep timbre of his voice sending thrills racing along her nerve endings. "I keep telling myself it's a bad idea too, but I can't shake this. I want to make love to you," he finished simply. Brennan closed her eyes, but opened them when she felt his nearness. Her mouth went dry as she looked up at him and saw the desire in his eyes.

Suddenly a tear slipped from her eyes and Booth groaned and caught her close to his heart. She allowed herself a blissful moment in his arms, then pushed him away a little so she could look him in the eye.

"I love being your partner, Booth," she began, her voice cracking. "I'm afraid if we become lovers, it's going to change everything, and I don't want that."

"Of course it's going to change everything. Life is about change. Don't live in fear of change," he whispered, his gaze certain. He waited.

Brennan closed her eyes, savoring his closeness. Finally she opened her eyes and smiled a little. Pulling his head down, she gave him her answer in her kiss. Her tongue danced with his and she moaned as her own desire rose to meet his. Booth's senses reeled and his heart sang as he gathered her closer, reveling in the feel of her in his arms at last. They had wasted so much time.

She broke off the kiss at last and stroked a hand down his cheek. Taking his hand, she led him to the bedroom and began removing his plaid as he unzipped her dress. Soon they lay entwined on the bed, neither of them in a hurry. They had all night to explore the length and depth and breadth of their love.