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 Eight

Her home had been transformed. White fairy lights had been strung around everything so they glittered like stars. Candles were burning too, some scented, some not. The smell of jasmine mingled with the smell of home cooking; vegetable soup and nut roast. Coldplay played softly in the background adding to the relaxed atmosphere. Something stirred deep in her stomach; this is what it had felt like to coming back from school when she was a child; being part of a family, having a place in life and feeling at home. It was only now she realised that she had forgotten how it felt, and only now that she realised she'd missed this feeling more than she had missed her parents.

"Do you like it?" Asked Booth, his voice floating through the air like the fragrances she could not see. Hearing it here in this setting seemed like the most natural thing in the world as if it were just another thread of what made the place perfect. "I know you always told me that you liked to star gaze with your dad eating meals round the table with your family when you were a kind. I was going to give you an actual star, but you know, I'm not quite that good, but don't go telling anyone."

"Well, thank you Booth. The symbolism is still nice and your food smells really nice."

"Hey, don't mention it, Bones. There's more though." He said coming to stand in his usual place next to her elbow. "I thought I'd run you a hot bath so you can relax a bit. Don't worry, I don't expect to share it with you or anything, I just know you won't try and help if you're busy in there."

"It would be nice to freshen up a bit. I'll go if you're sure you don't need me for anything?"

"Just wait 'till you see it Bones, you won't want to get out." Curious, she put down her things and padded to go see.

There were more candles in the bathroom and possibly more bubbles than water in the bath. On the cabinet next to it she found a glass of wine, chocolates and her new copy of new scientist. She was grateful that the room was ensuite so that she would not shatter the tranquil mood y running across the flat in her towel to get her clothes.

Slipping into the water, she let its heat embrace her and felt her muscle tension she had not been aware of before drain from body. By the time she consumed everything he had left out for her, reading material including, she felt too comfortable to move. She wondered why she would have not taken the time out to do this if she had not been told to. It had been very enjoyable and something she would much like to repeat.

It was about another ten minutes before she dragged herself from the water to get some clothes. For some reason, she felt like wearing something nice tonight even though it would only be worn for a couple of hours at most. In the end she chose a light green cotton dress that stopped at her knees and her usual chunky necklace. She went back into the kitchen as Booth was serving up their first course.

"Oh Bones, you didn't have to go to a special effort just for me." He declared with an embarrassed smile.

"I didn't," she explained "what makes you think I did?"

"You just look really nice that's all." He try to sound dismissive, "Take a seat Bones, one fully vegetarian three-course meal for both of us" he gushed and began to pour the wine.

"But you never eat vegetarian."

"Well, I thought I would tonight. Because you worry about your health and because you ask me too."

"Ah," she smiled.

Two courses in and Brennan was feeling stuffed. "I really don't think I can eat chocolate cake."

"Oh please Bones," his eyes begged as he rose to fetch it, "I made this myself and it's really important to me that you try some, even if it's just a few bites."

She sighed, she never could resist him when he looked at her like that, "Okay, just a small piece."

Not wanting to annoy her, he gave her a tiny sliver and cut a larger one for himself. He sat back down opposite her and watched the reaction as she tasted it. She took another mouthful very quickly and savoured this one on her tongue."This cake tastes oddly familiar although I don't really eat cake. It tastes...like my mother's."

Booth grinned "That's because it is your mother's, well her recipe at least. I got your father to email me it earlier, but the other's came from a book.

"Oh, Booth. That is really kind of your to try and recreate my family life for me tonight. It makes me feel very happy. I had forgotten how good my mother's cake tastes; maybe that is why I don't really eat it anymore. May I please have more?"

"Of course, Bones, I'll even leave the leftovers for you."

Not long after they had eaten, she fell asleep on the couch. She awoke in the middle of the night wrapped in a blanket. Booth had blown out all the candles and taken away the lights. The flat was now bare again and back to its usual plain appearance. It felt now like something was missing. It felt empty. It felt lifeless. She found that she missed Seeley Booth.