She shot a glance at Goodman. "I cannot be partnered with him." She stated simply, and exited the platform. Booth followed after her, and caught up to her just as she was about to take the stairs to the lounge.
"Hey wait! Bre….Nerd…." He groaned, running his hand through his hair. "Bones!" He blurted out, grinning triumphantly at his new name for her.
She turned around sharply and crossed her arms. "That's the best you can come up with?! How about Dr. Brennan! Show a little respect!" She said, and turned, moving briskly up the stairs.
"Can you just…listen for two seconds?!" He said with frustration, as he followed her to the couch where she sat down heavily.
"I'm listening." She said, her tone defensive.
He stood in front of her, his hands shoved in his pockets. A bright red belt buckle with the word 'Cocky' in bold print, caught her eye. She rolled her eyes, and looked up at his face.
"We were kids. I'm not the same guy I used to be. And clearly you're not the same girl you used to be either!"
She scoffed. "How do you know? I'm still the same person, I just have a doctorate!"
"And breasts…" He mumbled, and then snapped his mouth shut when he saw the storm clouds gather in her eyes.
"What did you just say?!" She said, standing up.
"…I said…I'm impressed!" He said, biting the inside of his lip as he looked off into the distance at nothing in particular.
She shifted her weight to one foot, contemplating what he had just said. She decided to let it go for now.
"I have to go." She said, and headed in the direction of the stairs.
"Bones, wait!"
She turned around. "Don't call me Bones!"
He sighed, tilting his head to the side as he looked at her. He knew that expression well. She was looking more familiar to him by the second.
"Do you want to get some pie?"
She looked at him sideways, a little shocked by his question and even more shocked by the fact that she wanted to say yes.