A/N: OK, this is one of the last chapters of house of horrors :( but I 'm happy I have gotten so far, I'm really proud of this story and it was a great journey to make with you guys ;)
Small warning the next chapter is going to be M-rated...
Anyway enjoy! R&R

Chapter 19 : The perfect evening

With a content smile I looked at my mirror image after applying the last bit of blush to my face.

Self-consciously I smoothed down my dark navy blue skirt and took a final glance in the mirror. My hair was neatly pulled back and twisted in a loose bun that was held by a crystal pin and a little smokey make-up was applied on my face. A knock rang through my apartment as I slipped on my black high heels and grabbed my clutch purse, opening the door to a very handsome looking Seeley Booth.

"Booth." He answered his phone swiftly after only three rings.

"Booth, it's me. Brennan." I replied a little hesitant.

A short snort could be heard over the line and I wondered what he found so amusing.

"I know, Bones. Cell phone has this thing called caller-ID, remember?" He asked with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"Yes of course I do, not only for my excellent memory but I have it myself. But I didn't call you discuss advanced cell phone technologic. I'm calling to inform you that we'll be going out on a date tonight. I made reservations for us in a restaurant. Could you pick me up around 6.30?"

I could hear him shock slightly, before couching and trying to form a reply.

"Yeah sure, I mean… Yes but ahh… will you please give me some more notice next time and try to be a little more subtle, Bones."

"I don't do subtle, Booth. You should know by now that I don't see any use in giving cryptic hints."

"You know what, 6.30 is fine." He chuckled. "I'll see you then."

"Booth, is something wrong?" I asked him as he blinked rapidly at the sound of my voice.

"What..No! Everything is great, I mean, look at you!" He replied, obviously enthusiastic about my appearance and before I knew he had pressed his lips against mine, enveloping in a gentle and sensual kiss.

"Reservation. " I mumbled quietly against his lips, trying to ignore the fluttering feeling in my stomach his kiss had ignite.

"Okay," Booth said, parting our lips, "let's go, we don't want to be late." He winked at me, "Who knows when you'll invite me to dinner again? I might as well enjoy it." He pressed his lips briefly to my cheek, while his hand rested on my lower back, standing close to me. I liked the closeness and was relieved by the fact that my behavior hadn't ruined the way he felt about me, but it was doing nothing for my nerves, which increased to wreak havoc on my insides.

"Yes," I spoke up, glad my voice sounded calm and composed, "let's go."

As we arrived at the restaurant, I took a deep breath, trying to calm my raging nerves as I carefully looked up at my partner, doing my very best to gauge his reaction.

"The 1789? Bones do you know how expensive this place is?" Booth asked as we made our way out of the car and swiftly inside, handing over our coats as one of the waiters led us towards a table that was somewhat deserted from the rest.

"I can afford it, Booth. My novels are in the best-seller list for over weeks now and judging from what my accountant said, I could-"

"I don't care if you can afford this or not..Sheez, Temperance. Why did you choose this place in the first place?"

"Angela told me Hodgins had taken her here once, she said it was , by her definition 'the most romantic night of her life', and I guess- I just wanted to try that too." I admitted, as I bit my lip nervously, quickly scrambling to get a hold of the menu that were placed on the table by our waiter.

"Oh, Bones... You don't need to be in an expensive restaurant to have a romantic evening. All you need is the person you care about, and Temperance, I'm right here. You're right, the romantic atmosphere in this restaurant will probably help the mood, but I think," he placed his hand over mine as he leaned in a little closer, making my heart beat a little faster, "that an evening with you, snuggled up together on the couch watching a forensic documentary on National Geographic or whatsoever, eating take out, would be just as romantic as coming here." He squeezed my hand as he looked right into my eyes, "As long as I have you with me, I couldn't want more."

The nervous feeling in my stomach returned with even greater force, and I quickly pulled my hand back and opened my menu, hiding behind it. My hands were shaking and I quickly decided to rest the menu on the table, so Booth wouldn't be able to notice the shaking and thereby my nervousness. As I glanced over the top of my menu, I saw him studying his menu with interest. I envied his ability to be so calm, while I was a nervous wreck. "Bones," he mumbled quietly, without raising his eyes from the menu. "What are you staring at?" Startled that he had noticed my staring, I could feel a blush creeping up my cheek and I once again hid behind the menu, wondering how the hell he had noticed my careful glances. "Nothing. I'm simply trying to determine what to eat, just like you are, Booth." I could hear a small chuckle, before Booth whispered softly, "Then look at the menu, Bones, instead of me."

I rolled my eyes at his behavior, but an easy smile claimed my lips. It felt good to laugh, to bicker with Booth, to do the things I had taken for granted before.

Soon our wine was brought and our orders were taken and while taking a sip, I let my eyes wander over Booth's form, my thoughts roaming freely.

He was such a great man with a lion heart, a quality I had rarely seen. And that quality also often brought him into trouble and yet he kept risking his own life over mine to do everything in his might to save the ones he loved over and over again. A lump formed in my throat and I swallowed it with difficulty. He loved me.

Somehow that discovery brought me to tear up and with a small smile I looked up at the man sitting opposite of me. Immediately when he noticed the shimmer of tears in my eyes he reached out and brushed by hand.

"Temperance?" He asked concerned, his hand now leaving mine and coming up to cup my face. "Are you alright?" Nodding , a bright smile formed through my tears as I brushed them away with the back of my hand.

"Yes, very." I replied, my smile continuing to widen and I slowly leaned over the table, hesitating for a small moment before brushing my lips against his, starting a gentle and modest kiss, minding our surroundings. "I'm feeling very delighted, that's all."

We shared a flirtatious glance for some moments when suddenly we were pulled back to reality by a coughing waiter who was holding our food and we leaned back, letting him serve it.

Slowly we dug in, enjoying our meal over some meaningful glances and playful smiles I felt myself getting more and more at ease as time passed.

"This is really good." Booth said, pointing towards his food and I snickered gently at his quite childlike behavior.

"Well, it's supposed to be, Booth. This restaurant has been rated with five stars, I would find it quite disturbing if the food wasn't as good as the reviews said."

"Why do you always have to be so snippy?" Booth asked with a playful laugh.

"I am not snippy," I retorted. "I was merely stating a fact. I don't see how that could be categorized as 'snippy'."

He didn't reply but with a he shook his head laughingly in what I guess was disbelieve and we continued our dinner in a comfortable silence, which I broke several minutes later when we were both finished.

"Do you want some dessert?" I asked, reaching over for the dessert menu, when suddenly he placed his hand over mine, stopping my movements and caught my gaze as I looked up.

"Not really," Booth said, the path of his thumb caressing my knuckles softly. "I'm quite full right now and actually some fresh air sounds great right now."

I nodded in agreement and called the waiter over, who cleaned our places and offered us the check for which I quickly slipped him my credit card before Booth could protest and in minutes we walked back into the fresh air, sighing as it hit our skin.

"It is rather beautiful tonight." I commented as we walked towards the car, surrounded by a bright and sparkling sky above.

"You did a great job, Temperance." Booth said and I turned to look at him quizzically as we reached the car. "It was a very enjoyable and romantic evening." He continued, walking me backwards until my back hit the cold metal of the car. My breath hitched slightly at the contact and Booth used the advantage to envelop me in a kiss. What started as something sweet and innocent, quickly grew more serious and our lips opened for each other, tongues starting a passionate battle.

Moments later, when we broke apart , I saw Booth gazing at me, his normal brown eyes a slight darker hint."

"I'll drive you back to your place." I said, unable to think of something else under his intense stare, reaching inside my purse to grab my keys.

"Bones," He halted me for a moment. "I – I want you to know that I love you."

Smiling softly, I leaned up for a brief kiss before walking over to the driver's side.

"I know I replied.", a small knot of nervousness forming again s we drove off.

After a couple of minutes I halted the car, having arrived at Booth's building and I looked over at the passenger's side were my partner sat.

"Thank you." He said, leaning closer to my side and closing the gap between our lips, kissing me tenderly.

"Mind to join me upstairs?" I heard him whisper against my lips and in all excitement I could feel myself agree before we slowly got out of the car and moved upstairs, into the warmth of his apartment.

Once inside, I turned away from the closed door and into Booth's embrace, sighing as I rested my head in the crook of his neck and inhaled his comforting scent.

'This was perfect.' I mused.

(-End Chapter 19-)