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 9

On June 25th, Alex was called into Deputy Director Winslow's office and informed she was required to travel to Wichita, Kansas the following morning for trial preparation on a case she had participated in twelve weeks earlier. She was due to give evidence on Tuesday 30th and would be staying in Wichita until her obligation to the U.S. Attorney's Office was concluded.

That night, Alex called Temperance and cancelled their pre-scheduled dinner. After packing, she took Martie to her parents to save waking her daughter early the next morning.

Agent Tanner studied her statement during the two hour and fifteen minute flight and once she landed, grabbed a taxi to the State Attorney's Office. The day was spent going over the evidence she had collected at the defendant's apartment and answering possible questions regarding her testimony.

By the time Alex crawled into her hotel bed, she was mentally exhausted, but perked up considerably when Temperance phoned her.

"Hello Brennan."

"Hey Tanner, how's Wichita?"

"Same old, same old, how are you doing?"

"Tired, I just got home."

"Tough case then?"

"Yes, a partial skeleton just came in this morning and we barely have enough fragments to work with. It's a painstakingly slow process."

"That's not good."

"You sound tired too?"

"I am, it was a long day of reading and answering copious questions."

"I should let you sleep."

"No, I'm fine Tempe."

"I received a dinner date invite for tomorrow."

Alex's heart sank and her voice faltered, "Oh ... that will be ... good for you."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah just fine, is it anyone I know?" Alex was silently hoping it wasn't Booth or Hacker.

"It's your mother."

"Say what?"

"Your mother called the Institute and tracked me down. She invited me to dinner on behalf of Martie."

Alex laughed with sheer relief, "That little minx."

"She's adorable and I'm looking forward to meeting your father."

"Good luck, he will question you the entire time."

"I'm sure I can handle the situation."

"I have complete faith in you Tempe."

"Do you?"

"Of course I do."

"That's nice to know Alex."

"You're a good friend Tempe."

Temperance snapped, "Yes, so I have been told. I'll let you go to sleep, goodnight."

She was gone before Alex could reply. "Oh you god damn idiot," she chided as she closed her phone.

Over the past six weeks Alex had been happy with the relaxed friendship she had built with the doctor, but she knew a desire to deepen that relationship was simmering underneath their association. She couldn't fool herself by denying her attraction for Temperance, but was still reluctant to give into those feelings.

Turning off the lamp, Alex struggled to find sleep and ended up reaching for her phone.

"Hello Alexandra, is everything okay?"

"Everything is fine mom, how are you and dad?"

"We're both good, so is the munchkin."

"I believe she got you to ask Temperance to dinner."

"She did and went on about how Tem makes you laugh and smile."

"Good lord, that child is way beyond her years."

Veronica laughed, "She's just happy for you."

"I know mom."

"So when are you going to pull your finger out and ask Temperance out on a real date?"

"I wish it was that simple."

"Alexandra, the woman has been patient long enough."

"I realise that mom, but I'm not ready."

"It's been four years honey, let go."

Alex started to weep, "I can't say goodbye yet."

"I miss her too, but Martina would not want you to be alone."

"I'm not alone, I have an excellent family."

"You are only thirty-five and deserve to find love again."

Choking back the tears, Alex stated, "I love my wife."

"Oh honey, I am not disputing that, but please don't throw away this opportunity to have Temperance love you."

"Mom, I think you are jumping the gun a little. I've only known Tempe for two months and it's too soon to talk about love."

"That is not what I meant."

"Then explain it."

"You are not cheating on Martina just because someone shows an interest in you."

With raised hackles, Alex snapped, "I just can't shut off my emotions because you say so mom."

"I give up, goodnight Alexandra and don't forget to call your daughter in the morning." Veronica ended the call abruptly.

Alex shut her phone, turned off the light and grumbled in the dark, "Great, I've managed to piss off two people in one night. Way to go dickhead."