Author's note: A reviewer suggested I put character thoughts in italics. Now doing that, and will repair Chapter One when I get a chance. Also I know this chapter is a little short. But it just seemed right. Thanks for all the great feedback. Keep the reviews coming.

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Brennan took the rubberband off her wrist and pulled her hair back into a tight ponytail. Booth was on his way up to her office and she didn't want to appear too sexy, with long flowing brown hair and glowing complexion when she saw him. Last night didn't exactly go as planned and she was nervous about seeing him. What if he acted funny, or she let on how shaken she was? Shaken by what, she thought? How amazing it was? How, after he left, her body cried out for more until she was almost in tears? That was certainly something that had never happened to her before with any other lover. Sure, she had wanted a second go-around with other men, but had never craved it more than she had last night. It's probably just because I couldn't have it, she thought to herself. It was forbidden, therefore more attractive. She took in a big breath and released it in a gust. Yes, that's it. This made her feel much better. She felt like she could face him again.

But when he appeared in her doorway a moment later, her resolve crumbled immediately as if it was a thing made out of tissue paper. He was dressed in his regulation black suit with white shirt and black tie, which always brought to her mind the detectives from 1950's TV shows. She had always recognized that he was handsome and very manly but today, towering in the doorway, he looked different. More dangerous.

He was clearly nervous as well, looking at her apprehensively as if he was preparing himself for a hard slap on the face.

"Can you close the door?" she asked softly.

He closed it and stood there awkwardly.

She began. "Last night was a little unexpectedly, um..." she paused unsure of how to finish, "intimate. This was probably due to letting human emotions that are normally derive from sexual experience cloud our judgement and actions."

Booth narrowed his eyes. "What?" She could tell he was already impatient with what he called 'squint speak'.

She continued, "It is normal and to be expected, but frankly, might be damaging to our friendship if we continue." The words rushed out all in one breath.

"But?" he asked, sensing she had something else to say.

"But" she said hesitantly, "I still think you are the ideal candidate to procreate with, and if you are up for it, I'm willing to try once more." She stood taller, throwing her shoulders back. "I'm still ovulating. I took my temperature this morning, so if you'd like, we can try again tonight." She felt shy, like a teenager asking a boy to dance, instead of a grown woman asking her friend to have sex with her.

Booth's mouth dropped open.

"Except..., " she said.

"Except?" he repeated, his mouth closing into a hard line, sensing an important caveat.

"Only if you think we can do this without emotional attachment."

His face grew stony and his eyes unreadable. "I told you I was in all the way, so tonight would be fine. What time?"

"Eight?" she squeaked out.

"Fine," he said through gritted teeth. "Look," he said softening, "I also hope this isn't going to affect our relationship, our friendship. We'll try again tonight, and if it doesn't work..." he trailed off unable to say the words.

She nodded solemnly. "Ok," she said. Then, trying to brighten the mood and change the subject, said, "Where are we on the Tatum case?"

He took a moment as if trying to decide he could put all that had happened between them aside for a moment. He drew in a ragged breath and arranged his features back into a professional mask. "We haven't gotten far. Ballistics has the gun registered to a guy named Jake Perry..."

He continued talking and Brennan tried to pay attention, but her mind was already on the evening yet to come. It was imperative that she remain as impassive tonight as possible. Booth was an emotional creature, whereas she was not. He thought the concept of love really existed.

She had to protect his heart.