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 13

"Alex, do you have a minute?" inquired Supervisory Special Agent in Charge Martin Newman as the blonde approached the lifts.

"Yes sir."

"You've probably heard the office chitchat that you will relieve in my job while I am on leave?"

"Yes sir, I have heard."

"For once the talk is correct. You will be taking over for me from the 27th of this month until August 23rd."

"Thank you sir, I appreciate the opportunity at a leadership role."

"You are welcome Alex and your leadership abilities have always been top class. See you first thing in the morning and we'll go over your duties then."

"Yes sir."

Racing home, Alex smothered Martie with hugs and kisses before greeting her parents. "So did the munchkin behave?"

Martie grabbed her mother around the leg, "Momma, you ask that every time you come home."

Alex ruffled her daughter's hair, "That's because you have Grandma and Grandpa wrapped around your little finger and get up to mischief when I am not here."

Martie giggled, "You are funny momma. Can we go home now?"

"Yes we can, now kiss Pa and Ma goodbye."

Two minutes later, Martie was in the bathtub and Alex was sitting on the edge supervising, "Don't forget behind your ears."

"No momma. Is Tem visiting us soon?"

"Why do you ask munchkin?

"I like her, she is fun."

"I like her too and she's having dinner with us tonight."

"Goodie!" exclaimed Martie before blowing some bubbles at Alex.

"You want to help me cook?"

"Yes, I'm clean now."

"Okay baby, pull out the plug." Alex grabbed a towel from the rack and wrapped it around Martie, "So what did you get up to today?"

"Ma took me shopping for new shoes."

"New shoes?"

Martie giggled as Alex tickled her, "My sneakers broke."

"How did that happen?"

"Uhm, I jumped out of the cubby house. My shoe got caught and broke."

"Did you hurt yourself?"

"No momma, I rolled like you showed me."

"That's a good girl, but be careful when you are up high baby."

Martie hugged Alex around the shoulder, "I will, love you."

"I love you too and you are all dry, so time for your PJs."

Martie reached up and took hold of her pyjama top off the counter.

Alex watched until she was done dressing, "Come on, you can find the vegetables."

"Are they lost momma?" quipped Martie with a grin.

"You hang out with Pa too much, that's a terrible joke."

"Yeah, but you love me and Pa."

"I certainly do munchkin," responded Alex as she picked Martie up.

Martie nuzzled into her neck, "I missed you momma."

Alex's eyes welled with tears, "I missed you more." She adored these times with her daughter and marvelled at the bond they shared.

Twenty minutes passed before there was a knock on the door and Martie squealed, "Tem, she's here momma."

Alex picked Martie up off the stool, "We better let her in then."

Walking to the entrance hall, Alex opened the door and Martie yelled, "TEM!"

"Hello there Martie," answered Temperance as she hugged the child. She turned her head and kissed Alex on the cheek, "Hi Alex."

"Hello Tempe, it's good to see you."

"Kiss momma," suggested Martie from her position between the two women.

Alex leaned in and kissed Temperance's cheek.

Martie giggled then kissed the brunette.

"Dinner is ready, come on through." Alex put Martie down and the child ran into the kitchen.

Temperance gripped Alex's hand, "You look good."

"So do you and I really did miss you."

Temperance's blue eyes glistened, "I missed you too and I am famished."

Alex gulped, "Oh good god so am I."

"We'll discuss that later sweetie."

The pair walked hand in hand into the kitchen to find Martie up on the stool in front of the sink.

"I helped momma cook," she announced proudly.

"You're very talented," said Temperance.

"I can write the alphabet."

"You will have to show me later."

"Goodie."

The oven timer buzzed and Alex served dinner.

After eating Martie took Temperance by the hand and led her to the bedroom.

Alex washed the dishes then went into her bedroom. She sat down on the bed and opened the top bedside table drawer. Withdrawing a jewel box, she opened it then slid the gold wedding band off her finger. Placing the ring inside, Alex closed it and returned it to the drawer.

She slowly slid the drawer shut then stood up. "Goodbye Martina, I will always love you," whispered Alex while heading to Martie's room.

Temperance looked up from the small desk and noted the sadness on Alex's features, "Martie is showing me her numbers."

Alex leaned up against the doorjamb, "Where are you up to munchkin?"

"Thirty one momma."

"Okay, stop at forty then it's time for bed."

"Yes momma. Can you read me a story Tem?"

"I'd like that."

"Goodie."

Alex smiled at her daughter and wondered where she had heard the word "goodie". It seemed to be her word of the day. She waited for Martie to finish up before stepping into the room and turning on the night light. "Okay baby, go brush your teeth."

Martie packed up her pencils and paper then went to the bathroom.

Temperance got to her feet and encircled Alex's waist with her arms, "Martie is very well advanced for her age."

"My parents and I try to teach her as much as she can take in. I want her to have a head start with school. She seems to take pleasure in learning."

"She is very particular with her lettering."

"I'm afraid she may be a perfectionist," jested Alex.

Temperance pecked Alex on the neck, "There is nothing wrong with that, but I have the feeling you will keep her grounded."

"I hope so and you better choose a book before she gets back."

Temperance let go and moved to the bookcase.

After a quick scan of the titles, she chose a book on the history of Dinosaurs.

"That's her favourite, you chose well."

"Lucky guess," countered Temperance with a smirk.

Martie bounced into the room then jumped onto the double bed. Climbing under the covers she settled in the centre and said, "Ready, momma on the right and Tem on the left please."

Once the two women were in position, Martie slipped an arm around each of their elbows.

Temperance opened the book and began to read out aloud.

Within five minutes, Alex whispered, "You can stop Tempe, she's asleep."

Closing the book, Temperance looked down at the sleeping child, "That was easy."

"She had a big day, now for the tricky part." Alex gently moved Martie's arm and got off the bed.

Temperance mirrored Alex's actions then watched as Alex moved Martie down the mattress. Pulling the comforter up, she turned off the light and held out her left hand to Temperance, "Would you like some coffee?"

"No thanks, I won't sleep later if I drink anymore."

Walking to the living room, Alex turned to look at Temperance, "You are really good with Martie."

"She is a joy to be around Alex. You and your parents have done a marvellous job of raising her."

"Thank you, but I think she raises herself most days."

Temperance smiled, "So tell me why you missed me."

"I was reminded it was time to finally let go of my past and not let the chance of finding love again pass me by."

"That sounds like something Angela would say."

"My mother told me to let you in."

"And you agree with her?"

"Yes I do. While I was away, I had time to reassess how I feel about you."

"You said you had confused feelings."

"That was true, but all I have thought about the past few weeks is how you make me feel."

"Tell me how you feel," asked Temperance while looking into shiny blue eyes.

"You make me laugh with your subtle humour. You cause my heart to beat faster when I see you and when we are apart, my heart aches."

"Oh Alex, I feel the same things. It's been hard not to touch you all these weeks, especially when I know how good you feel."

"Tempe, you could never be a one night stand. I want you to stay the night and be with me. I want more than just friendship with you."

"I have waited patiently to hear you say that."

"Then wait no more." Alex cupped Temperance face, "I want you Tempe."

Their lips met in a fiery kiss that lasted for a long time and when the couple pulled apart, Alex said, "I'll secure the house and meet you in the bedroom."

Temperance nodded silently and untangled herself from Alex's arms.

Alex swiftly turned off the lights and secured doors. Setting the alarm, she went to her bedroom and found Temperance sitting on the side of the bed. Alex walked up to her, "Tempe, nothing has to happen tonight, we can just go to sleep. I'll be satisfied with just having you here. I'll grab you some sleepwear."

Reaching out, Temperance gripped Alex's left hand, "I've got all these emotions running through me. I've wanted to be intimate with you so many times, but now that the opportunity is here, I am hesitant."

"It's all right. We can slow things down and sleep." Alex went to the chest of drawers and retrieved two sets of tee shirts and boxers. She handed a pair to Temperance, "I'll go use the other bathroom. Everything you need will be in the top drawer." She left and closed the door.

Temperance went into the ensuite and prepared for bed. She was under the covers when Alex returned a short time later.

Alex turned off the lights and climbed in beside her.

Temperance waited a moment then asked, "Were you upset before because you took off your wedding ring?"

"Yes, but just for a moment. I gather that is why you have mixed emotions."

"Yes, I don't want you to regret your decision. I think you need more time."

"Okay, goodnight Tempe." Alex rolled over onto her side and tried not to cry.

"Night," whispered Temperance.

Alex woke early and eased out of bed. After a quick shower, she dressed for work in a navy blue pants suit with a white buttoned shirt. Checking on Martie, she found her sound asleep then went to the front door to turn off the alarm.

Her mother opened the door, "Morning, I see Temperance stayed the night."

"Yes, but nothing happened. I've got an early start, so I'm off. Tempe's alarm will go off in an hour. Can you tell her I'll call later? Give munchkin a kiss for me, bye."

"See you this afternoon."