Thanks again to any reviewers! Here's the next chapter. Slightly shorter than usual, but still, I hope you like it :]

"Booth!" a voice boomed from across the bustling hotel lobby.

I turned to face the source of the noise and spotted a towering figure of a man, almost bear-like in build. His close cropped hair was a deep black and he sauntered over to me with each step oozing confidence. The buzzing crowd that had gathered in the small lobby parted for him like the sea in wake of a galleon.

A huge grin stretched across my face and I replied "Mark! The man of the hour."

He returned my grin with an easy going smile of his own that reached up to his rather prominent ears, his brown eyes shining. When he reached me he clasped a hand on my shoulder and pulled me into a crushing embrace. We exchanged a couple of hard handed back slaps and parted. Now, that was a guy hug. If Bones ever found out, I don't think I could show my face round the Jeffersonian lab again. Angela would be a menace.

I shuddered off the embarrassing thought and said, "How you been, Mark?"

"Never better." He answered promptly, and I could tell he meant it.

"How's Julie? Stressing out yet?"

He laughed. "She's…busy. But otherwise fantastic." He arched an eyebrow at me. "It's been too long Booth. How's life treating you? You found a woman to make a decent man of you yet?"

I groaned lightly through a smile and shook my head. "Not yet man."

He frowned slightly and asked, "What about that partner of yours? The one you're constantly buzzing around."

"Wha- I do not buzz, okay? And no, Bones and I, we're just partners."

He snorted but couldn't quite manage to keep the smile of his face that I assumed had been pretty much permanent these last few days. "Hey man," his voice dropped a bit, and I suddenly the conversation fell into a more serious tone. "I wanted to call you before you got here, but what with all these last minute details and everything, I got a bit sidetracked." He hesitated a moment, as if unsure how to say whatever was on his mind. "I know this must be a bit hard for you, but it's what both of us always dreamed of doing, you know. I didn't think until I sent you the invite. Sorry man. "

My insides dropped slightly and I felt my mouth go dry. "No Mark, don't be, seriously. It's no problem. This is your day, yours and Julies. I'm just honoured to be here."

His expression relaxed a bit and he said "Thanks Booth. But honestly, if you need anything-"

"I'm fine." I cut him off, trying to plaster the smile back on my face that had felt so natural only a moment ago. I let out a quick laugh. "It's your wedding day, and you're worried about me?" I shook my head. "I thought I'd be the one having to keep you breathing evenly this weekend."

His grin returned in full force. "You're a good man Booth." He checked his watch and bit his lip unconsciously. "Look, I've got to go. The soon to be parents-in-law are set to arrive any minute, and I got to meet and greet. You'll find your room okay?"

"Yes, Mom. I've already checked in."

He rolled his eyes and started back towards the front desk. "See you in a bit Booth. Starting early tonight: we're going out on the town!"

"I know. Good luck."

Mark shot me a wide eyed panic expression over a massive beaming smile and hurried out of sight.

I checked my key-card. Room 306. Slowly I made my way over to the elevator and headed in silence up to the third floor. I didn't feel like dancing to the monotonous elevator music.

I passed through a non-descript corridor and into my room. It wasn't exactly a five star suite, but it sure as hell was better than anything the Bureau ever stumped up for.

I threw my bag onto the double bed and checked the mini bar. Forget the extortionate prices, I needed a drink. Unscrewing the cap off a mini bottle of Jack Daniels I made my way over to the window and leant against the wall.

Last time I'd been back here was undercover. I'd been Tony out for a fight, an FBI agent out to catch a murderer. That was all I'd had to think about: the case. It was all I'd allowed myself to think about, (with one small exception). All the same, I hadn't been me.

I took another swig and rested my head against the cool glass.

I stood that way for a while, taking it all in. After my breath had misted the glass too badly for me to be able to see clearly anymore, I lethargically jerked myself off the wall and set the now empty bottle on the bedside table. I turned my back on the shining lights of Vegas yet again and grabbed a towel. By the time I got out of the shower, the window had completely steamed up, and only the blurring outlines of neon shone through.

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