TITLE: Bones – The Heart Knows What The Heart Wants.

AUTHOR: D M Harper

SUMMARY: How does Doctor Temperance Brennan cope with Agent Booth's absence?

RATING: M Contains sexual content between two female characters. (Be Warned)

DISCLAIMER: This story is written for entertainment only and no profit is obtained. No copyright infringement is indented to 20th Century Fox Television or creators Hart Hanson and Kathy Reichs. All original characters remain my property.

Chapter 8

Martie squealed loudly with delight at the Tyrannosaurus Rex display and grabbed Temperance's hand, "Ooh he is so big."

"Yes he is sweetie. He was known as the king of the dinosaurs."

Alex watched the two interact and grinned when the brunette picked her daughter up and moved closer to the exhibit. Alex thought she'd never seen the Anthropologist look so serene and the joy emitting from her melted the blonde's heart.

She leaned in and kissed Martie's head and without hesitation, pecked Temperance of the cheek, "Are you two ready for some lunch."

"Yes momma," replied an enthusiastic Martie. "I'm hungry."

"Okay, let's find somewhere to eat,' suggested Alex.

The trio found a vacant table in the café and Alex went to the counter to place their order. She returned to find Martie and Temperance deep in conversation discussing the prowess of the Sellosaurus they had just passed by. Sitting down, she adjusted Martie's booster chair then listened to the chatter.

It was another three hours before the threesome left the museum and Alex offered to drive Temperance home.

"Better yet, how about you come home with us and I cook dinner? It's the least I can do in return for such a wonderful day."

"That is acceptable."

Twenty minutes later, Alex carried a sleeping Martie to her room while Temperance poured two glasses of water.

Alex walked into the kitchen and took the offered drink, "Thanks, poor Martie couldn't keep her eyes open the last five minutes. I think you wore her out."

"I had a lot of fun."

"So did I. Would you like to sit out on the porch?"

"Sure Alex."

Going outside, the pair sat side by side on the swing chair and Temperance confessed, "I will miss working with you. I have found it most enjoyable."

"I'll miss the team and you. I was wondering if you'd care to have dinner with Martie and me next Saturday night."

"I'd like that very much."

"Martie talks about you all the time, you seem to have made quite the impression on her."

"I can say the same about her."

"So how's your latest book going?"

"I've nearly finished and am hoping to work on it tomorrow."

"I better hurry up and start reading them."

"I'll have my publisher organise a complete set and I'll even autograph them for you."

"No, it's okay. I'll buy them and contribute to the Doctor Brennan retirement fund."

Temperance laughed then finished her drink.

"I bet you are looking forward to Booth's return."

"Although I have missed Booth, he will overload me with movies and pictures of his vacation with Parker."

"If you need rescuing, give me a call," offered Alex with a sly grin.

"I may hold you to that Alex."

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. I received a phone call from Special Agent Gibbs informing me the team closed the Ellison case."

"That was considerate of him to call."

"It was, and apparently Ellison's best friend Jed Waylon was the killer. The pair had an argument when Waylon confessed to being the mystery man Ellison's wife was having an affair with. Ellison lost it when he realised his best friend was the cause of his divorce."

"But why did the friend shoot him?"

"He did it to keep Ellison from going to his Commanding Officer and reporting him for unbecoming behaviour, which would have been his third strike. Waylon ambushed Ellison, knocked him out then drove him to the abandoned building. Once he shot him, he set the place on fire to destroy the evidence."

Temperance frowned, "It is way too easy for people to kill without the slightest ounce of remorse."

"Yes unfortunately."

"It's a sad comment on society."

"I couldn't agree more."

Looking up, Temperance noted, "It is very relaxing out here."

"This is where I come to think."

"Does Martie have knowledge of her mother?"

"Yes, when she asked who the person was in the photos, I told her. I want her to grow up knowing about her mother. I have a stack of home movies with Martina and Martie asks to watch them every once in a while."

"Does she understand?"

"She does in some way, but I think it will make more sense as she gets older."

"She is very intelligent Alex and I believe she gets that from you."

Alex giggled, "Many would disagree, but thank you. Would you like a beer or wine?"

"No thank you, I am fine."

"I'll go in and make a start on dinner."

"I will give you a hand."

For the next three Saturdays, Temperance was a dinner guest at Alex's. She chatted about the cases she was investigating with Booth while Alex talked about her work. The two women fell into a comfortable routine of calling each other during the week and grew closer as friends.