CHAPTER. Chapter 8. Grilling and Poolside

DISCLAIMER. There are many things I own, but Bones is not one of them. All characters belong to Kathy Reichs, Hart Hanson and FOX.

The sunlight screamed out loud at us as we strolled along the stone-tiled path to Hodgins' front door. Today was a marvelous day to have a barbeque, especially one poolside. The mercury had risen up to a sizzling thirty-eight degrees Celsius (A/N: I'm Canadian, I use Celsius and not Fahrenheit), including the humidity. Odd. It's autumn, mid-September to be exact.

Surprisingly, I haven't been to Hodgins' house before, even though I have known him for years. His front yard was the size of a football field with the grass nicely mowed. Bushes and flowers were along the sides of the path with a giant oak tree in the middle of the lushes green grass.

"Look! Bones! A tire swing!" Booth suddenly exclaimed. His hand grasped mine slightly tighter.

He looks so adorable when he is excited. Hmm. He's like Parker. Now I know where Parker's genes mostly come from. Hehe.

"Yes. I see it," I replied to his comment with a smile.

"If only Parker could come." His face fell.

"Why did Rebecca take him back?" I asked.

"Parker got grounded for getting into a fight with one of his classmates when his classmate was bullying his best friend, Sandy." He shook his head with a sigh.

"Hm. Remind you of anyone I know?" I said with a grin and looked at him.

We arrived on the porch and Booth rang the doorbell.

"No..." He began, but finally caught on. Slow Seeley. "Me?" He pointed at himself.

"Yes, you. You kickout anyone who would even try touching me," I smirked.

He turned to face me, as we waited for someone to open the door. He removed his hand from mine and wrapped both arms around my waist. "It's knockout Bones, not kickout. And fine. Maybe I do, but that's because I don't want other people touching my Bones," he replied, his head coming dangerously close to mine. "Only I get to touch you because I am your boyfriend and partner." He leaned forward and pressed his soft lips to mine.

God, Seeley, what you do to me, you have no idea.

The kiss continued softly.

"Dude! That is HOT!" I heard Hodgins say.

We broke apart and looked at Angela and Hodgins, who were standing at the doorway. I felt blush lingering on my cheeks.

"You two can't keep your lips away from each other, can you?" Angela said with a grin. She walked and stood next to me.

"Hey. It's not my fault my girlfriend is a hot, beautiful, sexy, world-class forensics anthropologist and bestselling author!" he laughed and kissed my cheek.

My face was probably in the shade of ketchup right now, as Angela nudged me gently, a grin still present on her face.

Hodgins followed Booth's laughter as he guided us inside.

I found Booth's hand again and slipped into it. My head rested on his shoulder, while we followed Angela and Jack to the backyard. He looked down at me, with an expression I couldn't read.

Is he surprised by my action? Maybe I should lift my head back up.

I started lifting my head back up, when he whispered, "No. Keep your head on my shoulder. I like it that way." He placed a gentle peck on my lips, and looked back down the hallway we were walking. I sighed.

Hodgins explained where everything was along the way. Bathroom. Kitchen.

How far is the backyard door? This hallway seems to be endless.

"So Hodgins, how far is the backyard door?" Booth asked, like he had just read my mind.

"We're here."

Hodgins opened the sliding doors revealing a large swimming pool with a diving board, a large patio the size of a regular backyard, a few trees, flowers, chairs and a grill. Cam and Zack (A/N: I know Zack is not a cast regular anymore, but still. I love him too much to not include him...) were already there sitting in patio chairs.

"Wow, Hodgins. Nice yard!" Booth said in awe. I was speechless myself. It's not everyday you see something like this.

"Yes, that's what I said too the first time I came here," Angela voiced.

"Hey Cam and Zack," I said to them.

"Hello Dr. Brennan," they both replied, a few seconds after each other.

"You know you guys can call me Brennan or Temperance you know. You don't need to be formal with me." I pointed a finger at Zack. "Especially you Zack. You've known me for a while now."

"Okay, Dr. Brennan, I mean Brennan," Zack replied. Camille just nodded with a smile.

She doesn't seem to be frustrated with my relationship with Booth anymore. That's a good sign.

Well, duh, Brennan, it's been a month. She can't hold onto a grudge for so long.

"I'll go help Hodgins set up the grill, I'll be right back okay?" Booth said into my ear.

"Okay. Angela looks like she wants to talk to me anyways." I replied, quickly glancing at Angela, before looking at Booth.

"Okay, have fun!" He gave me a quick peck on the lips, before going off to Hodgins.

I glanced back at Angela. She was waving me over with a look of concern sketched onto her face. What was she so worried about?

I strided over, making sure not to trip on lawn chairs and such.

When I reached her, she pulled me by the hand into the house and closed the door.

"What's wrong Angela?" I was worried about her for being worried. That sounds awkward.

"Did you bring the bikini you bought?" She was biting her bottom lip.

What? "Is this why you look so worried?" My mouth went into a opened mouth smile, following a chuckle.

"Um. Yes..." I cocked my eyebrow. "That was stupid for me to ask, wasn't it?" she asked with a laugh.

"No, it's fine Ang." I was turning to leave for the bathroom. "I'm going to go change, don't tell Booth where I am." Before turning the knob, I added," I want it to be a surprise." I grinned and went into the bathroom.

Five minutes later, I walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around my body, covering the bikini. It seemed embarassing to have all my co-workers seeing me half-naked, especially Zack and Cam. Zack because he is well, Zack. And Cam because we're still not that close.

I pushed the sliding door open and stepped outside to the intense heat. The towel made it even hotter. I closed the door behind me.

I scanned the backyard for Booth and noticed that he was already swimming around in the pool.

Wasn't he supposed to be helping Hodgins with the grill?

Does that really matter Brennan?

He spotted me and our eyes met. He had a cute grin on his face. Like always.

"Are you going to come in Bones?" he called, as he climbed out of the pool. He started walking towards me.

"Um..." Cam and Zack are right over there. Jack too. I don't mind Angela, but the other three are there. I bit my lower lip.

Before I knew it, he was standing right in front of me. "You do know how to swim, right?"

"Of course I do. I can probably beat you. But--" He took off my towel, revealing the bikini.

I suddenly lost my voice. He was staring. Heck, everyone was staring at me.

Then, I heard a deafening squeal, a whistle, and a "WOW."

I could feel heat radiating from Booth as he came closer. "You look so amazingly hot, Temperance." His lips gently brushing my ear.

He pulled back and looked me up and down.

I could feel my cheeks burning. They were definitely the colour of ripe strawberries.

"Sweetie! You look so hot! I told you so!" Angela exclaimed, running over.

"Um...Thanks Angela." I blushed even harder.

"So you were saying you can beat me huh?" he smirked.

End of Chapter 8.

Free gift?: A gigantic pool to push Booth into. LOL
Reviews?: Can get you free steaks, burgers...The whole barbeque meal...