Hi guys - I'm sorry, I know that you all want the Hannah/Booth fight scene. It will come in its own time, I promise. But I don't want my story to be like others where everything happens all at once. It will come, bear with me! Chapter 8 coming on very very soon after this one. It's sounding really good.

Thank you for all my loyal followers and reviewers - you are amazing, and I write this for you guys

Xx G

7. Serves

After a very uncomfortable two hours spent watching programmes on television or reading, the two partners tidied themselves for dinner.

Brennan went to her room and tousled her hair, pinning back her fringe. She couldn't be bothered to straighten it, and was almost shocked that she had neglected to blow dry her hair earlier.

For now, her soft brown locks curled into gentle half-ringlets at the end. After applying a touch of makeup in the bathroom, she was summoned.

"It's quarter to," Booth informed her, forcing a small smile.

Nodding, Brennan stepped out into the small hallway and slipped on her black flats before reaching out for her lapis lazuli pendant with the thick gold chain.

"Could you please...?" She motioned to her bare neck.

Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed, Booth collected the necklace from her dresser and gently rested it down at the base of her throat. When his hands brushed her skin, she flushed prettily.

He didn't miss that.

When it was clasped securely, his warm hands lingered a moment longer than what was probably necessary. For a long time they stared into each other's eyes, reflected in the mirror.

"Booth," Brennan whispered regretfully, the agony clear in her voice. "We should go."

He nodded understandably and stood back, giving her space.

-~B&B~-

They walked to the main homestead quietly, only with the occasional comment on the stunning scenery.

Booth observed the weather, worriedly admitting that a storm was on the way, and that the evidence could be compromised at the crime scene. Brennan hummed vague responses and stared at her feet, or the opposite direction to her companion.

Joshua Stephen Blake met them at the front door of his home, although noticeably irritated upon seeing the beautiful woman had company. Very good looking, male company.

"Mr Blake, I would like to introduce to you my associate Seeley Booth." Brennan smiled gracefully an extended her hand, to which was received with a feathery brush of Joshua's lips to her palm. "You wouldn't mind if he joined us, would you?" she added in question.

"Anything for you, darling."

Booth cringed. Darling? He had met her twice. What right did he have to call her that?

They entered a very classically designed foyer, where they met an elegant woman who identified herself as Joshua's wife.

The dinner that they were promptly served, quarter of an hour later, proved to be just as high class as the rest of Blake Winery and Estate.

Three courses...fine dining...Booth was grateful for his suit attire. He was grateful for choosing his polished lace-up smarts, over his lesser shoes.

But the original intention behind choosing his smart shoes hadn't been to impress; at least not the wealthy property owner.

"So what is your occupation, Mr Booth?" Mrs Blake asked during their main course.

"I'm a Special Agent of the FBI."

"Is that so? Well I must say that it is quite the honour to have such a man eating with us," Blake replied, eyes solely on an unsuspecting Brennan. "What do you do?"

"Booth and I are partners – he's the cop, I'm the scientist – we solve murders," Brennan answered proudly, subconsciously patting Booth's hand. "He is the best; I am very lucky."

"Thanks Bones," Booth murmured lowly, feeling like he didn't deserve her praise.

"Sure." She offered a tentative smile.

Blake cleared his throat. "Dessert?"

The meals were finished, and Brennan stood, excusing herself to powder her nose.

Booth frowned. She hadn't brought anything to powder her nose with. He excused himself too, and discovered her in the small hall bathroom.

"What are you doing?" Her voice was high-toned with surprise.

"How can you powder your nose with no powder?" Booth asked quickly.

"Are we going to ask them a few questions?" Brennan asked in reply, utterly ignoring his question.

"How can we ask them a few questions when we have no idea who's missing?"

Brennan looked guilty.

"What is it?" Booth demanded, a little warily. "What do you know, that you didn't tell me?"

"I have an ID on the victim."

"You what?"

"I-"

"Yeah, I heard, Bones." He ran a hand through his hair. "I'm your partner, and I expect you to tell me those things!"

"I know, but I thought Hacker would have-"

"Dammit Brennan."

"I'm sorry," she amended quietly. "Booth. I just didn't think about it."

He softened at her defeated apology.

"No, I'm sorry too...for ah, snapping at you. Did you want to tell me about our Vic?"

She inhaled deeply before beginning. "His name is Evan Rushmore. He is supposed to be touring in DC for a music gig. No known family. Not married. Angela was able to match his skull with a picture that the FBI had on record. As it turns out, Mr Rushmore was involved in a car accident due to intoxication. I don't know how he missed out on being punished properly, but he did lose his license."

Booth nodded thoughtfully. "So what is his connection with Blake winery...or even still...does he have a connection?"

Brennan shrugged. "Anybody's guess." She fiddled with a lock of hair. "I think that it would be wise for us to return to dinner; they might become slightly suspicious," she added.

"Well that's the last thing we need," Booth agreed, opening the door. "After you, Madame."

They rejoined their hosts.

"Did you get lost, Temperance darling?"

Booth saw her shrink uncomfortably under the man's boring stare.

"With all due respect, Mr Blake, I find that name call too informal. Dr Brennan would be more appropriately suited, if you would, please." Brennan sat up even more stiffly.

"A challenge," Blake declared, leaning towards her. "I must become part of your more intimate circle."

Booth flickered a pity glance towards the bastard's lovely wife. She was pretty and young – definitely almost nine or ten years his junior. He wondered how often she was cheated on.

Jealousy boiled furiously in his stomach, as Blake leaned into a very flushed Brennan. Booth found his hand itching to strike him.

At last, dessert had been devoured, and Blake offered tea and coffee. Booth began to protest, but Brennan silenced him and accepted the invitation.

Hot beverage in hand, she glanced at him once through her lashes, before turning to Blake.

"This might seem light a random question, but my good friend Evan Rushmore has passed through here a few times – have you had him here for dinner?" she asked him nonchalantly.

For a moment, the severe change in the man's expression flickered strangely, and Brennan thought that he wasn't gong to answer.

"I met the fellow a couple of times, yes. And his wife Mary, too."

"He has a wife?" Brennan blurted before she could stop herself.

Records held by the FBI hadn't shown of him having a wife.

The Blake's regarded her very strangely.

"Tempe and I haven't seen him in ages – he's an old friend. We heard that he was doing a gig in DC, and he'd always talked about how much he loved coming here," Booth explained quickly. "When the hell did he get hitched? Bastard never told us!" He received a grateful smile from Brennan and a sweetly-mouthed 'thank you'.

"He got married in Vegas a little while back. Apparently they've been trying to get a divorce, and she's making it real messy. I know what the bloke is going through though; tough nuts to crack, woman are."

"I disagree with that, Mr Blake." Booth's eyes hardened.

"Woman are only hard to understand if you can't handle them," Brennan supported. "Booth knows how. He is wonderful with people. He really knows how to pick them."

"So what is it you really want to talk about?" Blake asked suddenly, forthcoming. He brought his hands onto the table. "I'm a wise businessman. You don't honestly think that I wouldn't suspect you two portraying something fishy - I can read my players."

"I discovered human remains on the premises this morning," Brennan told him, in exactly the same blunt tone that he had used on her. She was not going to do this man any favours. "Evidence indicates that it was a murder. You would do your best to tell us what we want to know, or this could become far more difficult than it already has to be."

Booth stared at this confident Brennan in stunned silence. He had always known that she wasn't afraid to stand up and fight, but he hadn't seen this side of her since...before his brain tumour.

Mr Blake nodded. "Then I will take the far more difficult road. I will get my lawyer to contact you."

Booth huffed an annoyed sigh; he had hoped that this man wouldn't be so tight. After all, he had been trying to get into Brennan's pants all night.

"I think that it is time for us to leave," Brennan announced, touching Booth's arm encouragingly. "Thank you very much for a beautiful dinner." She turned to her partner. "Booth?"

He nodded. "Yeah...thanks." He stood and helped Brennan to her feet. "We'll be in touch." He made sure to deliver Blake a hard stare. He didn't like him.

"Well that was a fail," Booth stated as they re-entered the foyer upon their departure. "He won't open up any time soon without a lawyer, and an army of other suits."

"It wasn't a complete loss," Brennan supplied quietly. "We did find out some very valuable information; the man was struggling to win a divorce with his Vegas wife."

"True." He swung the front door open.

They were suddenly hit by a gust of stormy wind that they had utterly missed during their dinner. Although it was only eight, the sky had blackened threateningly, and the forecast storm appeared to be making a statement; it was here.

"What did I tell you?" Booth said as they stepped outside of the warm house. "Rain. Storm."

Brennan made a short sound of disapproval before placing a foot out to walk. She was restrained by a strong arm.

"What do you think you are doing?" Booth gave her a hard stare.

"I'm going back to my lodge," she replied innocently, going to step out again.

"No, no, no. We are not going out in this weather."

"Do you see any other way for us to get back?"

"Us?"

"With this storm Booth, I won't have you driving on the roads at night. Stay the night. We'll head back to the lodge now."

He didn't stop her. She walked straight out into the rain, set at a quickened pace.

He followed.

"Bones, this is crazy!" he shouted above the heavy volume of the storm. "And dangerous – come on, we'll find another way to get back."

"It's fine Booth; we've already started walking now."

He complied, having no other choice. He knew that she would be too stubborn to go back now. Water began to seep into his good shoes, but he tried to ignore that.

After minutes of tormented silence, and both with thoughts flying ecstatically through their minds, Booth pulled Brennan to a halt near the silhouette of her little chalet, unable to bear the emotional torment any longer.

He had to know.

"Bones, why didn't you write to me?"

Yay!...Where do you think this is heading everyone? :O

I'll post again soon! :D :D

Reviews greatly appreciated, my wonderful readers. Tell me what YOU want!

Xx G