Disclaimer: I don't own Bones or anything to do with it, including any characters or places mentioned. I earn nothing for writing this. It's just for fun.

Chapter Three

Booth immediately spotted the girls' at the group's usual table and naturally went straight over.

"Agent Booth" Sweets warned, but he could tell it was too late.

"Heya Bones," he Booth smiled, sliding into the seat next to Angela. "Hey Angela, how're you today?" It was taking a lot of concentration for him to act as if nothing had happened the night before. Sweets had advised him not to mention things until Bones was ready to talk about it. Just to make sure, Sweets took the seat next to her rather than leave him alone. It wasn't that he didn't trust Booth to do what was best for his friend; he just knew that Booth didn't value his opinions to be of high authority. It didn't take a genius to figure out that he was analysing the pair's every move.

"I'm good thanks Booth. We can't stay long I'm afraid, I need Bren to help me do a facial reconstruction."

"It's true," Brennan added "some of the skull is still in fragments."

"Oh, I see."

This excuse was a genuine one. Angela knew better than to use an excuse that was a lie. Brennan would have taken her literally, told her that whatever she said needed to be done didn't in fact need doing at all and blown their cover.

"In fact, we should probably go now," Brennan added, "this work is really quite urgent."

"Oh, already?" Booth asked, unable to hide the disappointment in his voice and eyes. Still, if he knew Bones as well as he hoped he did, he knew it was pointless to argue.

Oh, screw it he thought. "Hey, Bones can I have a quick word with you over there before you go?" He asked, jerking his head towards the other side of the room. She said nothing in reply, but followed anyway, shooting Angela a worried look.

"What is it Booth?" She asked as soon as they were out of ear-shot.

"We need to talk."

"If this is about work Booth then go ahead but I do not wish to discuss personal matters in a public arena."

He'd seen this coming "Let me drive you back to the lab then, we can talk on the way."

"Booth," she sighed trying her best to sound adamant, "I came to lunch with Angela because she asked me to. Therefore given your excellent people skills you should know better than anyone that it would be rude of me not to return to work with her. See, I'm learning from you Booth, you should be proud of yourself."

For a moment the man before her stood in a stunned silence.

"Yes, you're right Bones. It'd be rude of you to do that. I shouldn't have asked you, I'm sorry." He thought for a moment, "Hey, Bones, can we meet up after work then? I could come to your place so that we can discuss things on your turf. That way if you don't like what I'm saying you can throw me out at any time and we can pretend it never happened."

He could tell his partner was not convinced, "If it makes you feel any better about doing it Sweets said I shouldn't talk to you until you were ready." When she didn't answer he could tell that she wasn't yet convinced. He turned and began to walk away.

"Booth, wait!" Brennan called. "You know I never believe what Sweets says is correct. After, all psychology is not a real science."

"That's true" he agreed enthusiastically, seeing his chance. "So I guess me asking you if I can come over to your place after work is going against what Sweets said, and I know how much you like to do that..." he added, giving her his best mischievous grin.

Despite herself Brenan returned his grin. "In which case Booth, I think you should indeed come over tonight. Say around eight I? I really do enjoy winding Sweets up." She threw her head back and laughed that deep-throated, hearty laugh that Booth loved so much.

"Sounds awesome, Bones. Shall I bring some take-away as you didn't get to eat any yesterday?"

"That sounds very fun Booth. I look forward to seeing you at eight, although you will be approximately half-an-hour late. You always are. Now, I really do have to go and finish reconstructing that skull for Angela so she can attempt to give it a face." She moved away and left Booth standing at the till and walked out of the Diner arm-in-arm with her best friend.

Sweets shot the agent a look that made it clear that he did not approve of what had just happened. However, Booth couldn't care less.

It was five-to-eight and Brennan was nervous although she had no idea why. It's just another night-in with Booth, she reassured herself, He's bringing Thai food and you're going to watch TV like always. That's why you went to the effort of taking it out of the cupboard and plugging it in again. You only do that when he's here. No need to get metaphorically wound-up.

She was lying to herself and she knew it. Although the evidence suggested that Booth wanted to discuss what happened, she still hoped he wouldn't. He would most likely tell her things that she didn't want to hear, and perhaps a few things she did not believe either. She just hoped that he had taught her enough about people skills that she could tell him she did not agree with his opinions without offending him. She had just finished straightening the sofa cushions when there was a knock at the door. As expected, it was Booth.

"Hello, Booth, come on in." She said a-little-too-brightly and stepped back to allow him to enter. As he brushed past her the brunette couldn't help but notice how appealing he smelled, more so than usual. This caused her to pay greater attention to his appearance. This was also more pleasing than usual. He was wearing a black shirt which she always approved highly of, especially when he left an extra button open to showcase his excellently toned muscles.

For a few moments, the two friends stood in a silence that was neither companionable nor awkward. Booth was the first to break it: "You ready to eat, Bones?"

"Yes, I find that I am very hungry," she nodded, "Would you like to eat at the table or in front of the TV; that cop show you like from the 70s is on."

"As much as I do love that show, do you mind if we eat at the table so we can talk."

Brennan did mind, she minded a lot but did not protest. The pair ceased communication temporarily once more as they began their meal. For the second time, Booth spoke first: "Look Bones, about yesterday..." he began through mouthfuls of food, "I'm sorry that you found out how I feel the way you did, but in truth, I'm glad you know now" he admitted. He took great care not to use the L-word.

Baby Steps Booth. You're grateful she's let you here at all. Don't blow it by taking the conversation too fast.

"Booth, while I am very flattered that you love me, I care for you a lot but I am not yet sure that I am ready to love you back. However, I will admit that thanks to you I am beginning to see that it may be worthwhile spending your life with just one person. I am just not ready to make that change to my lifestyle yet. You know how much change scares me."

The man's eyes softened in a way that usually only happened when he was with Parker, "I know, Bones, and I understand; I really do. You've had quite a shock, I get that, and I also know how scared you get. So, I've had an idea, you'll think it's stupid though..." he trailed off.

"Tell me anyway Booth." She insisted "Especially if you think it would help the situation. Please."

Tread carefully, Booth "Well...I was thinking that if you're starting to think that devoting your life to one person, then why not let me try proving to you that it is?" His words were coming faster now, "I am not saying that you have to love me back start a proper relationship and we don't have to have sex nor do anything intimate like that. All I am asking you to let me treat you like I would treat any other woman I was in a loving relationship to show you that the fun times and commitment that you get from that person is worth all the hard times. Let's face it; we've had our fair share of those, especially recently." He exhaled and continued, afraid if he shut up now he would never finish what he wanted to say.

"C'mon Bones, take a chance, not on me, but on love itself. So that, next time you do love someone, even if it isn't me, you don't push them away like you did with Sully."

He sat back into his seat, indicating he was finished. Bones remained mute a while longer. It didn't fail to register with him that this was the first time he had ever known his partner not to have an instant opinion on something. The gambler in him was willing to bet that this meant part of her could see his point. The sound of her laughter proved him wrong.

"Your idea is completely illogical Booth. I think you know that."

"I know Bones, but I'm listening to my gut again and it's telling me to do this. My intentions are noble I swear. I just want to teach you how to let your guard down to other people. I love you Temperance Brennan, and right now the only thing that upsets me more than not being able to be with you is the thought of you growing old alone."

Something in the young woman's exterior softened. That was one of the nicest things that anyone had said to her in a long time.

"Booth...do you think that this experiment could help you try and determine if you're feelings for me are true?"

"Maybe; I don't know. Please, just let me try." No reply. "Just give me a week, Bones. No more, no less. I need this just as much as you do." Damn it, Booth! You just pushed this too far. She's never going to...

"Okay."

He almost choked, and then realised he had nothing in his mouth to choke on. "Pardon?"

"Okay Booth. I think doing this will help you. Not only will doing this help you realise that your feelings for me will not last, but I can help you remember the things you have forgotten because of your coma. You do need this, even though I am not sure I do. However, I will take a chance, Booth, not on love, but for you, because right now, you need it. You need me."