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Here's the second chapter. Hope you like :)

After leaving the Hoover, Booth decided to take a walk to clear his head. Leaving his SUV parked by the Mall, he gave up control and let his legs carry him in whatever direction they wanted him to go. He was a big believer in fate and subliminal messages from the universe, so after passing by the third floral shop, he paused and took a few steps back. Now standing in front of the large display window, he peered through the glass.

The door opened and a petite red-haired woman stepped out of the store. She looked at the man and smiled. He seemed like a nice man, looking to buy something special for his love or maybe a date, but she could tell he needed an extra push. "We're having a sale, sir. All arrangements are 50% off with the purchase of a stuffed animal, and a fraction of the proceeds will go to one of the orphanages in the area."

He turned his head and looked at the woman. "Oh, I'm not—."

The woman proceeded to water the flowers out front, studying the man with curiosity and amusement. "Can I help you with anything?"

He shook his head. "No, thanks."

"If you change your mind, you know where to find me," she said and then disappeared inside the store.

He watched her through the window and shrugged, deciding it didn't hurt to take a look around. He pulled open the door, a bell signaling his entrance into the store.

When she heard the bell, the woman, who was now behind the counter, looked up from the bouquet she was arranging. Seeing the man from outside, she smiled. "Are you looking for anything in particular? We have a great selection of roses."

"She likes daffodils and daisies," he said, the words just popping out. What? "I mean, no, I'm just looking."

"Well, look around. Let me know if you need any help. I'm Marcy, by the way."

He nodded. Even though he had no business being in there, he couldn't make himself leave. You said you wanted to prove to her how much you l—care about her, didn't you? I doubt those pricks she has a habit of dating have ever sent her flowers. Every woman loves flowers, right? But Bones is different. She's not like every other woman. That's why you love her. "Would you shut up already? I don't love Bones."

The woman looked up, startled. "Excuse me?"

He swallowed. "Uh, nothing." I have got to get out of here. He turned and headed for the door.

"Have a nice day, sir."

He nodded and practically ran from the store.

Booth had gone back to his office after his impromptu walk around D.C. earlier that afternoon and burned through the paperwork he kept putting off and putting off. With nothing else requiring his time, he left work early. His plan was to head home, shower, and put on some sweats and a t-shirt. Once comfy, he would crack open a cold beer, sit in front of the television, and flip through the channels until he found something remotely interesting. Instead, though, he wound up back in front of that floral shop. It was just his luck, too, that the same woman he met on his first visit was outside.

"You're back," Marcy exclaimed, wiping her dirty, gloved hands on her apron.

"So are you."

"Oh, I never leave. This is my baby. I live up there," she pointed to the apartment above the store. "Go on inside, I'll just be another minute. Josie's in the back if you have any pressing questions."

He nodded and walked through the open door leading into the shop, getting hit by a potent cloud of sweet-smelling perfume. Unlike earlier, he took the time to check out the selection.

"Are you interested in our promotion?" Marcy asked when she entered the store.

He turned and raised an eyebrow. "Promotion?"

"Yeah. 50% off all arrangements with the purchase of a stuffed animal."

"Oh, right, uh, maybe."

"You said your wife liked daffodils and daisies, right?"

"She's not my wife," he was quick to correct.

"Your girlfriend, my mistake."

"She's not my girlfriend."

"Date?"

He shook his head. "No."

"Well, she's a very lucky woman then." She smiled and went behind the counter.

"Do you think flowers would send her the wrong message?" He didn't know why, but he liked this woman and felt he could talk to her about this.

She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose and brushed her hair out of her face. "Depends. What message are you trying to send her?"

"We work together, we're partners. We've got to be 100% on our game or people get hurt. She was recently, uh, dumped, and she seems a little," he swallowed, "down right now. She means a lot to me. We're friends, maybe even best friends. I want her to know someone cares."

She nodded. "And that someone is you."

"Yeah. So now that you know what I'm trying to say, would getting her flowers send her the wrong message? You know, would she think, um, I have feelings for her?"

"Is she the kind of person to find hidden meanings in everything?"

He shook his head. "No, she's a literal person. She pretty much takes things at face value."

"Then I'd say you're safe, but for what it's worth, I don't buy that you don't have those kinds of feelings for her."

He glared at the woman. "Who asked you?"

"No one, just putting my two scents in." She shrugged. "Why don't you go check out the collection of stuffed animals and I'll go get started on your arrangement."

"But I didn't tell you what I wanted or if I even wanted anything."

"You said she likes daffodils and daisies and this is your second time in this store today, so you're obviously here for a reason. I'll be in the back. Call if you need anything." Before he had a chance to offer up a rebuttal, she was already gone.

He sighed and trekked over to the rack of stuffed animals. The store had everything from traditional teddy bears to scarily realistic plush bunnies to weird stuffed lizard-like things. As he browsed, one in particular caught his eye. He didn't expect to find it since it wasn't a common stuffed animal. He picked it up and held it in his hands.

"Interesting choice. I figured you'd choose a teddy bear."

He whipped around and saw Marcy smiling at him. He swallowed, glancing down at the stuffed animal. "She likes pigs."

"My niece loves them; that's why I carry them in the store." She paused. "You're going to participate in the promotion, then?"

He shrugged. "I guess so." He padded over to the counter and placed the pig down.

"Josie's just finishing up. Now, let's talk messages."

He was about to object and tell her that he didn't have unpartnerly feelings for his partner, but then she held up a small card and a pen. He shook his head at his own stupidity and nodded.

"How is your handwriting?"

"It's pretty good, people can read it."

She handed him the card and pen and smiled. "Put it in this envelope when you're done."

He took the pen and stared at the blank card. He had no idea what to write. Maybe he'd just send the flowers and call it a day. Then how would she know they were from you, genius? I'll just deliver them myself. Yeah, because that doesn't send the wrong message, Pal. I really have got to stop talking to myself. Shaking his head, he gripped the pen tightly and let out a breath. It took him a while, but he finally found something to say and took the time to write it legibly.

Marcy emerged from the back with the arrangement and took the card from him, placing it inside. She adjusted the ribbon around the vase and placed the pig in a small box. She moved to the register and punched in the numbers. "Your total is $82.63, but since I like you, I'll drop it down to $75."

He blinked and handed over his credit card. After he signed the receipt and pocketed the customer-copy, he looked at Marcy. "Can you deliver this to the Jeffersonian Institute?"

"Sure can. What is the recipient's name?" she asked, making a small note.

"Temperance Brennan."

She smiled. "Let me know how she likes the flowers."

"I will."

"Have a nice day. We do arrangements for weddings too," she called to him as he walked through the door.