A.N: I own nothing of Bones!
CHAPTER 22- COUPLE NIGHT
" Mr. And Mrs. Smith, Ange? Why you girls have this fixation with Brad Pitt anyway?" Booth seated by Bones side in order to examine the DVD box carefully, shaking his head slightly as gazing at Hodgins for some support. Brennan just gave them her normal I don´t know what that means look, having no a idea about what the movie was.
" because hello, he is yummy! I thought that Bren here could use some nice view and fun, you know? But what you are complaining? It´s a completely democratic movie. It was actually why Jack agreed to rent it too. You guys can ogle at Angelina Jolie, we girls can enjoy Brad Pitt´s butt. It´s only fair. Plus, it´s a nice movie." Angela seemed more electrical than ever, and little Booth knew that it was because this night, she was decided to watch and learn everything about her favorite non couple in the world. All she wanted to do was to see their dynamics and calculate exactly how much time longer it would take for them to crack.
" Don´t give me this look, G-man. At least she didn´t rent "Steel magnolias" or something Equally cheesy and girly." Hodgins raised his hands in self defense as Booth just sighed and decided to go with it. Hodgins was right, it could be worse. He watched as his Bones read the movie description, amused by her contempt expression as finishing.
" Secret married agents, Ange? Why you people keep making me watch silly movies instead of something slightly more productive? Something that could actually add something to cultural knowledge. Booth keeps putting movies with speaking animals and so, and now it´s about guns and explosions. I´m not sure I can take this." But if she was really sincere with herself, she would admit that she was indeed having a good time with the talking animals and so. She couldn´t even remember the last time in her life she did something with the single purpose of amusement. But then again, part of her couldn´t help but feel slightly guilty about doing nothing really productive. She had gotten used to do everything always with a defined purpose, to work and study in a daily basis. And now, there she was, lying in Booth´s couch or bed every single minute of the day, letting people decide what she was supposed to do. I feel as I could become a damsel in distress anytime soon by now. Booth would certainly love this with his alpha male tendencies. Ange just placed an arm around her shoulders as handing Hodgins the DVD to be started.
" Don´t worry about culture, sweetey. We´ll watch "Pride and prejudice" next time if it makes you feel any better. I can´t wait to see Mr. Darcy in action. That in man is the definition of bossy and hot. I wouldn´t mind being Elisabeth bennet at all, you know." Brennan just rolled her eyes at Ange´s antics about such a classic, not that she had ever watched the movie. But the book was a great companion at he r teen years. She had always a soft spot for Jane Austen.
" Fine. But I can´t promise I will like this one. Although this Brad Pitt person is amazingly well bone structured." She huffed and leaned against the couch, feeling Booth´s warmth by her side as Ange moved a little to stay nearer Hodgins. Booth just smiled at her as the trailers started, wishing he could stay with his Bones the same way as Angela and Hodgins were. Cuddled against each other, hands entwined and silly smiles across their faces.
" Do you need anything, Bones? Popcorn maybe?" He tried to lure her, but she just twisted her nose with a grossed expression.
" Ugh. No food, thank you." He knew better than insisting, and conformed himself with just staying by her side as the movie started and she got engrossed with the TV. At least she seemed to be having some fun, indeed.
The minutes passed quickly, with Brennan occasionally saying something about the incoherence of some scenes and so, until finally resting into a comfortable silence. Booth surveyed the people in the room, imagining how it would look like to the rest of the world if they were to be seen. Maybe two happy couples enjoying a nice night together. He certainly liked this line of view. And somewhere inside him, he realizes that it´s not too far from happening. Somehow he sees that his Bones is as ready as he is. He knows now that it´s only a matter of time for them to take the first step. A step that already took too long, if you ask him. She feels her shuddering by his side as fidgeting, menacing to get up, and he places a strong hand stopping her from doing gives him an outraged look, but he does not go back.
" What is it, Bones?" Just by touching at her, he knows. She is feverish again, and probably cold. Ange presses the pause bottom silently, and Temperance suddenly feels cornered. More watched than ever.
" I´ll just go grab a blanket or something. The night is a little cold." But even the thought of getting up makes her feel suddenly tired, as if all her energy was drained. Probably because she was stubborn and refused to take a nap in the afternoon, like Booth kindly suggested. But she wanted to contradict him today, to show that she w as doing better and better. She was decided to be strong and awake. And now, she was statring to pay the price for her little rebellion. Booth seemed to read all of this as if she was an open book.
" I´ll go get it for you. And the thermometer. Just relax and keep watching the movie with those two. I need to stretch anyway. Really, Bones. It´s no sacrifice, stop giving me this look." He gets up before she can go against it, pacing fastly to the bedroom to fetch everything she needs, wishing for Brennan to be a little less self sufficient. Not that he didn´t love her independent self. It was part of her, and it was part of what made her so special. But she needed to learn that it was ok to rely on someone at least from time to time. That she could always rely on him, everytime. He came back to find the movie still paused waiting for him, and his Bones curled in a ball talking about the Jeffersonian with Hodgins and Angela. More likely, interrogating them about that damn place, her inabilitie to forget about her work obvious as Ange tried to diverge the subject and elbowed Jack while he answered something about a case.
" Ouch, Ange. Stop hitting me, I´m merely answering some innocent questions. You know dr. B, she will never leave us alone if we don´t humor her. Sorry, dr. B." Angela just rolled her eyes at her boyfriend as Booth seated again and immediately put the thermometer at his Bones mouth, making her shut up on purpose. That woman really needed to lighten up a little bit.
" Ok, work related things forbidden from now on, thank you very much. If you start fretting about the institute I´ll admit you into the hospital, temperance. That´s a promise." She shot daggers at him, but Seeley Booth couldn´t care less. All he wanted was for Temperance Brennan to be fine again.
" I´ll agree with stud on this one. Sorry, sweetie, but you do need to relax and rest. Or else you´re not getting better. No talking about the Jeffersonian." The thermometer beeped and she immediately yanked it from her mouth, squinting her eyes at the numbers as speaking bitterly.
" I don´t see what the big problem is. I´m merely trying to catch up, it´s not like I´m doing any further effort, not that I wouldn´t like it. Booth, I´m looking at it!" her voice was full with indignation as Booth just grabbed the thermometer from her fingers to take a look at it himself, satisfied to see that the fever was no longer dangerously high.
" Great. It seems I wont have to put you under cold water again anytime soon. This is great, honey." He barely noticed his last words until Angela melted in a "Awww" and Hodgins smiled broadly, as Bones fingers pinched him slightly, her expression absolutely mortified. " Oh, c´mon you guys. It was totally innocent. Let it go. Please." Something in his voice must have been very convincing, for Both Angela and Hodgins got a grip and made a poker face. How could he possibly know that Angela Montenegro was perfectly aware of the exact degree of intimacy they were sharing? How could he ever know she had proof, and more than that, she knew both of them too well not to realize?
Silently, Booth started the movie again and put the blanket carefully around his Bones, his arm embracing her shoulders lightly, leaning there for a minute more than what was necessary. But he couldn´t help himself when it came about touching Temperance Brennan. It was just too damn good.
Angela rested her eyes in the couple by her side, happy to see that, after a few awkward moments, they were getting more and more closer, until Bren´s head was resting slightly by Booth´s shoulder. It didn´t take long for him to pass his arm around her making her snuggle happily at him, the blanket now covering them both as their legs and arms laced. She ha d to suppress the urge to say something and spoil the moment, but oh, she wished those fools would just give up with the brave façades and admit what it was crystal clear: They no longer could keep their hands away from each other.oooh, I´ll need to have another girl talk with Bren as soon as possible. It´s time for her to finally catch up with reality. Darn, they look perfect together. Aaww, and now she is nodding off. How sweet is that? Angela nudged Jack with discretion, pointing carefully Booth and Brennan watching as her own man melted in a smile that matched hers. Now, they looked like, indeed, like two happy couples enjoying a movie. And there was nothing more right than that, thought Angela.
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Booth closed the door to a smiling Angela and Hodgins, with the distinct impression that they knew more than they should. Ange was definitely winking at him, and Jack seemed ready to say something like I told you so. He played dumb and ignored it, just smiling back as they waved their goodbyes . He turned to look at his Bones, which was quiet and still silent at the sofa, his smile immediately enlarging by the view. There she was, his always so self sufficient and active girl with a sleepy face cuddled against a blanket, her head resting where just a few minutes ago was his shoulder.
" Alone, at last." The minute she said it, she wanted to bit her tongue and take it back, even though she meant it. She was eager to be alone with Booth, a thing that she was staring to appreciate more and more. Their quiet moments,their secretive smiles, their companionship. Not that she didn´t appreciate the company of Angela and Hodgins. She really did. It was fun to seat with them and watch TV. But oh, to be with Booth was so much easier and comfortable. Despite her desire to fake strength, she also knew it was all right if she didn´t. She knew Booth would understand both ways, and do his best to support her. She realized that his eyes seemed to spark with pleasure at her words, and couldn´t help but feel amazed by the power of his smile over her. It was like the sun started shining, and she felt unbelievable silly by just thinking something like that. It looked like a sweet romance movie, and she wasn´t by any means a romantic. She was a practical woman. At least, that was what she kept repeating to herself. " I think I´m going to bed." She didn´t want to admit it, but the day had worn her out. It was annoying, really, to feel so weak by just going to a doctor´s appointment and then not sleeping in the afternoon. She just hoped Booth wouldn´t tease about it. He had insisted on her nap. She was the one who refused vehemently, telling him that she wasn´t physically deprived. But she kind of felt that way right now. She got up in a jolt, as if trying to prove to Booth and herself that she was fine, and felt immediately sorry for her actions. A wave of dizziness took over her, the world spinning as her stomach also started to complain with that damn nausea which didn´t seen keen to leave her alone. " Damn it." She whispered to herself , feeling immediately his arms supporting her, letting her lean against him and taking all her weight.
" Easy now, Bones. Here, let´s take a seat again." His voice was soft and his hands careful, as if he was holding the most precious thing in the world. She fought the wave of emotion that menaced to come. No way she was also turning into a sentimental, she thought. But Booth made it all seem so easy and deprived of shame. As if she could be anyone, do anything, and he would still be there and say it was all ok. She took a deep breathe ,slowly letting the air come out as her head rested in the back of the couch, feeling his fingers squeezing hers.
" feeling any better? Jeez, you´re pale like a ghost. You shouldn´t get up so fast, temperance." He tried to sound chiding, but ended up just sounding concerned. That woman was freaking impossible. When she was finally showing some improvement, she just had to try to prove herself and push her over the limits. He understood why she did it, he really did. But still, he wasn´t happy about it. Why did she need to be strong all the time.
" Damn it. Damn it. I hate these medications. I swear I´ll stop them, I´ll stop this stupid antibiotics in order to feel human again. I´ll just stop it all and go back to the institute, where I belong, and then you´ll also have some peace. You wont have to babysit me." She knew she probably sounded childish, but heck, she was frustrated beyond belief. She wasn´t a person to be taken care. But Booth just shook his head at her words, and she knew there was no way to win. Booth was as strong headed as herself.
" You know I´m not letting this happen, Bones. You´re doing everything by the book. I know it upsets and irritates you, but you don´t get to choose on this one, sorry." He avoided the patronizing tone in his voice, knowing it was only going to anger her more. " C´mon, I´ll get you into bed. There´s still a little time to wait until the time of your meds. Which you are taking, I´ll make sure of that." He didn´t try to carry her this time, knowing that it would just annoy her, instead passing an arm around her waist to give her some support, walking slowly at her pace. He could see she was angry, and he couldn´t blame her. He knew he was going to freak out if it was him in her place, not able to keep his normal routine, his independence. Booth decided it was best not to push her. His Bones was going to talk when she was ready to do so. So, he just helped her to lay down and offered no resistance when she pulled him with her, lying down by her side, his eyes set on the clock to make sure the right time of the medicines didn´t pass. In no time he r head was resting on his chest, his hands playing with her hair as she just snuggled closer and closed her eyes. It was exactly what she needed right now. No words, just his contact. It was extremely soothing, she thought.
" I could get used to it, you know." Once again, her tongue from hell made it´s presence, and she felt the heat rising down her cheeks as well as his fingers freezing in her head.
Booth felt as if his heart had skipped a beat. Was his Bones the one saying that? Admiting what was on his mind for so long? His fingers stopped it´s ministrations over her hair, and he looked for something smart to say; there was nothing.
" really?" He wanted to kick himself for not being able to elaborate it better , to say something deep and intelligent. But heck, never in his life he thought he would hear these words from temperance Brennan.
Brennan was struggling with the words herself, still scolding with her own brain for it´s lack of care, letting such an intimate thought to be verbalized. Things that perhaps would be better if remained unsaid. Things that would mess their lives for sure. But hey, what was life without a little danger?
" maybe." Her mouth was again faster than her reason, but somehow she didn´t feel as angry with her as she would some time ago.
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He woke up to the insistent sound of his doorbell, looking to the clock to see that it was already 9 AM and yes, he was still happily asleep with temperance Brennan in his arms. He watched as she fidgeted in her sleep, opening her eyes to the offending noise, her nose twisting in a sign of despise. Before she tried to get up he got out of the bedroom going t o the door, asking himself who in hell was by his place at this time. Maybe Angela managed to get out of the work and came to keep Temperance company. He opened the door without even bothering to look by the peephole, something that he would regret for a long time in his life. Because there, in front of his still sleepy being, stood Max Keenan with a murderous look at his face. And before he could do or say anything, the was Bones appearing down the corridor, a curious look at her face as Max´s eyes seemed to pop out of his face. And that´s when Booth remembered that Brennan was wearing nothing more than his clothes.
Oh man.
TBC…
Sorry for the short chapter, guys…I´ll make it up on the next one! Tell me what you think!