Sorry for the delay - between not being able to log on for three days, and my job driving me nuts, it took me longer to update. I appreciate your patience - I hope I have adequately thanked you!

THE BET

"This is the worst call ever." Staring gloomily out the window, Booth shivered and tried to ignore the water pooling in his shoes. "Remind me again why we do this?"

"To catch the bad guys." Her voice drifted forward from the back seat as she fought with her soaked jumpsuit. "We do it to catch the bad guys." She stopped for a moment, just long enough to grab his rucksack and toss it to the front seat. "You should change, too – you're just as wet as I am." A chill swept over her as she finally freed an arm. "Is the heat working yet?"

"It's on," he replied in a defeatist, singsong voice, "and it's warm, but it doesn't seem to be helping at all." He cranked it up one more notch to maximum, abruptly deciding he didn't like the truck's cavernous interior. Glancing hatefully at the bag on the front seat, he reluctantly relented, knowing he'd probably wind up catching some crazy cold if he didn't get into dry clothes. Yep, definitely the worst call ever.

The rain hadn't let up, and had even worsened by the time they reached the crime scene. FBI techs were scurrying madly about, trying to salvage what evidence they could before it washed away, but the ancillary agents had hightailed it the minute he and Bones had arrived, leaving him to secure the entire scene and control the techs. He scowled irritably. He'd be chewing some asses out when he got back to the office – if he ever got back to the office. His frown melted away as a stray thought invaded his head, and he smiled momentarily. He'd had a hard time keeping Bones from killing the techs when she saw their lack of organization under pressure. She'd waded in among them, barking out orders in between the peals of thunder like his old drill sergeant back in El Paso. She'd even resorted to physical means, grabbing and tugging some of the more squirrely techs who were nervous because of the lightning. He had to admit, the storm was pretty bad – even he hadn't wanted to be out in it. But Bones hadn't flinched, standing straight and tall, almost as if daring the lightning to hit her.

Of course, it hadn't, and now they were finally done, the last of the tech rats having deserted the proverbial sinking ship long ago. They were wet through, though, and knew they'd have to change before heading back to the lab, or risk freezing solid. Rather than head all the way south through the city to one of their places to change, they'd opted to change at the scene, as they had many times before. Much quicker, and more practical. If you weren't a 190 pound man trying to change out of drenched clothes in the driver's seat. Hissing as his elbow once again banged the door, he finally managed to pry off his jacket and shirt, tossing them disgustedly on the passenger-side floor. "I don't get paid enough for this." As the thunder cracked sharply, he yanked on his spare t-shirt, thinking testily that it wasn't much warmer than what he'd had on before. "Hell, you don't get paid enough for this."

"We would've been done in half the time if the lab technicians hadn't been so unprofessional. Someone should speak with the FBI about their hiring process. Do any of them even have degrees?"

"Well, yeah, Bones, of course they do. But if you haven't noticed, the weather's just a little rotten right now – not everyone is thrilled to be dodging lightning bolts while they work."

"That's completely absurd. The chances of being struck by lightning are infinitesimal. It's illogical and most definitely not productive to cower at every flicker." She dragged futilely at her hair, attempting a haphazard ponytail. The interior of the truck had warmed slightly, and she began to peel off her blouse, still shivering a bit in reaction.

Pausing in mid-contortion, he threw a frown in her general direction. "Hey! I was one of the irrational, illogical ones ducking out there! I happen to think it's foolish to assume you won't be hit." The laces on his shoes had swollen to twice their normal size, and were resisting all efforts to be loosened. "This is ridiculous. You got some scissors back there?"

Wordlessly she handed him her trauma shears, and studied him curiously as he bent to the task. As she watched him, a unusual expression grew on her face. Her eyes moved from his head to the wet shirt in her hand, and back again. Watching him closely, waiting until he'd managed to free one leg from his soaked slacks, she carefully lobbed the wadded-up material over the passenger seat, where it landed with a thwak on the floor, on top of his discarded jacket. She smiled slyly at his sudden immobility. "Are you done with the scissors, Booth?"

"What? Oh yeah, yeah, I'm done with them. Here." He reached an arm back, returning them without daring to look at her. He'd forgotten, in the frustration of the case, just what changing in the truck would mean. Great. Now he wouldn't be able to get it out of his head. Focus, idiot. You have a death to investigate. He began to work in earnest to free his other leg. The sooner he had them off, the sooner he could get dressed, and then he'd be okay. He wouldn't be thinking about the…In stunned silence, he watched her lacy bra settle gently on the ever-growing heap of clothes to his right. Jesus. Jesus Christ. As prayers went, it was completely sincere, and remarkably fervent. This was bad. Really bad. She was freezing, wet, trying to warm up and dry off, and he was already inside her in his mind. He had to stop, remember that he wanted more than a quick tussle with her. But damn, she was making it hard. Goddamn. Very hard.

He was waiting for it without realizing he was waiting for it, so when her pants sailed onto the pile, he didn't miss a second of their flight. He began to sweat, and started desperately reeling off sniper calculations in his head. He'd just managed to get his body under control right before they arrived on scene, and now it was all going to hell in a hand-basket. Ah, shit. Maybe he'd just pretend not to have noticed what was going on. Really, the fact that she was naked should have no effect on him. They were on the job, investigating a murder. Yeah, he'd play it that way. "You, ah, ready to go, Bones?

"Ready? Yes, I would have to say that I am definitely ready." It was still dark, and this particular scene was isolated. Add in the rain, and they couldn't get a more private place if they tried. It was too good an opportunity to pass up, and she didn't intend to do any such thing.

Oh thank God. "Okay, great, I'll be ready in a minute. Now, we need to stop at my office before we hit the lab –" He choked on the sentence as her narrow, purposeful hands slid along his shoulders, pulling him sideways toward the gap in the center console. "Bones, what's – what the hell –" Her hands slid lower, one nipping under his shirt to rest on his belly, and the other – He moaned a vicious curse as her other hand streaked down to his lap, gripping his already hard length and caressing him firmly.

"You're almost ready, Booth? I'm afraid I have to disagree – I think it's evident that you're ready now." Determined, and more aroused than she'd have thought possible at the sight of him helpless before her, she renewed her efforts, busily torquing him into delirium.

"Holy fuck, Bones!" he gasped, trying to sit up straighter but failing miserably. He leaned backward, protesting even as he angled toward her. "I thought – we were going to – oh God – take our time!"

"You thought we were going to take our time. There's more than one speed, Agent Booth." Giving in to temptation, she inhaled along his jaw, reveling in the aroma. "Mmm, you're right there, I can taste you, right on the tip of my tongue." She dragged her tongue up the muscular length of his neck and was rewarded by his gasps and groans.

"Ah, Christ – Bones, shit – wait –"

"Booth? You can protest all you want, but your body," she finished, rubbing her thumb tortuously over him and smiling as he arched thoughtlessly into her hands, "is telling me something altogether different. I think perhaps you should shut up now." Her other hand slid higher under his shirt, flicking and twisting his nipples until he hissed his pleasure to her. "That's more like it."

He gritted his teeth, fighting to get the words out when all he could manage was breathless curses. "You better be sure you want to do this, or stop now."

"Of course I'm sure – why in the world should I stop?"

Panting, he craned his neck sideways, his hot eyes meeting her knowing stare. "Because you're about to get what you want."

"Well, then." She tightened her grip on him, stroking him firmly up and down, over and over, her voice purring hypnotically. "I must be doing something right."

"You may get more than you expect. More than you can handle."

"I don't know. It seems like I'm 'handling' it just fine. What do you think, Booth?" Heeding the powerful demands of her own body, she sank her teeth into his neck, holding tight even as he surged up violently. "Am I handling it just fine? Or would you prefer that I handle it differently?"

With a wordless snarl, he turned and launched himself into the backseat, grabbing her around the waist and pulling her into the back of the truck. Her triumphant laugh unleashed the beast in him, and he pushed her down, pinning her wrists and hovering over her, his finely tuned senses noting and reveling in the slight widening of her eyes. "How about I handle things for a while?" His eyes shot down her body, taking in his fill of her pale skin and luscious curves. She was flexing her hands and writhing temptingly, but he paid no attention, taking his time until he'd studied her thoroughly. He lifted a brow as he glanced up at her, the fire in his eyes belying his casual tone. "Now now, Bones, be patient. I've waited a long time for this, and I plan on looking." Leaning close, he nuzzled her, his lips brushing over a soft nipple. "Touching." His tongue flicked out, drawing the tip of her breast into his mouth and winning a strangled gasp from her. "Tasting." He chuckled against her damp, heaving body. "Now you get it, don't you?." Still holding her immobile, he moved down her body, kissing and sucking and nibbling her tender flesh, lingering on her quivering stomach, her jerking hips.

"Hurry. Please, hurry, Booth, I need…" She arched back, groaning, as he slid his tongue along the inside of her thigh, tracing lazy circles upward. "Oh god, yes, oh…"

"What, Bones? What was it you said to me last night?" His hot breath searing her skin, he looked up at her, pleased with her desperate state. "Oh, yeah." He rubbed his lips against her. "All you have to do is ask." He cocked his head, looking intently at her. "Come on, Bones. What do you want?"

A flare of lust and anger speared through her, and she narrowed her eyes, her hands clenched into fists as she focused her frustration on him. "Bite me."

"Bones! So rude. Well, since you asked so nicely…" The corner of his mouth lifted in a devilish grin as shock flashed across her face. Before she could utter a word, he nipped firmly at her, soaking up her throaty scream. He spun her into a frenzy with his mouth, swirling his tongue, nibbling persistently, only releasing her hands when she was bucking crazily underneath him.

Her hands flew up, banging against the wall of the truck, then shot to his shoulders, her nails digging into him until she finally found purchase and violently ripped at his shirt. She dragged at it until he relented, freeing himself from the fabric with a quick twist of his shoulders. Free at last to touch, she deliberately, wantonly clawed at him until a fierce growl rumbled forth. "I swear, Booth, if you don't get up here now, I will kick your ass."

Knowing precisely the reaction he would elicit, he laughed indulgently at her. "Feeling a bit violent, are we?" He saw her lips firm, waited for the scowl to twist her features, then acted. Surging forward, he was on top of her and fully sheathed in her before the argument left her mouth. "Ah, shit yes, you're right, that's much better."

She was whimpering in absolute pleasure at the blissful sensation of them joined, finally together. His full weight was on her, his full length in her, and she welcomed it, embraced it as she embraced him, as she wrapped her arms and legs tightly around his body.

Neither moved; neither wanted this moment, this long-awaited moment to pass. After a time, his brown eyes sparked, and he began to shift. But she slowed him, holding him close so he was barely stirring. "I want to take my time, I want this to last…oh, I love the feel of you inside me."

His face and body tightened, and he couldn't prevent his hips from jumping forward. "That's not the kind of thing you should be saying, if you want to stretch this out."

She grinned evilly, an almost maniacal gleam in her eyes. "Funny thing, you talking about me stretching this out." Flexing her hips, she managed to take him in even more completely, her eyes never leaving his. "You're doing a pretty good job all by yourself."

He didn't scream out loud, but the sound echoed in his head as the last of his control evaporated. "Okay, that's it. You better fucking hold on." Without waiting for an answer he began to move, thrusting furiously into her, groaning at the absolutely unreal feelings bombarding him. She was tight and wet and hot, her skin and hair and lips and arms and legs all there for him. Only for him. Then she touched him, her hand snaking down between them. He jerked backward in reaction, forgetting where he was, and cracked his head on the roof of the truck. "Fucking Christ, Goddamn it, that fucking hurt!" His eyes were screwed shut against the pain, and he heard her laughing, actually laughing at him. "Shit…"

Another sexy laugh burst from her lips as she smirked at him. "You're just too big for the back of this vehicle." A sly grin crossed her face, and her hands slid to his waist. "Actually, you're just big, period." Taking advantage of his distraction, she flipped him, squirming on top and swiftly taking him in again. Her satisfied purr echoed musically around them. "Let's see if this is a better fit." Slapping her palms against the roof, she pressed hard, thrilling at his grunt as she sank even further onto him. She took a moment, looking hungrily at him, and then began to rock her hips, moving ever faster against him.

He looked up at her, arms raised high, lip caught between her teeth, cheeks flushed and eyes glittering, and felt his heart drop in his chest. She was so goddamn beautiful – he'd never seen anything as wonderful as her above him. Roughly gripping her hips, he thrust upward until she moaned in delight. Then did it again just because he could. And once again.

She was rocketing back and forth now, fast and hard and everything that took his breath away. Her hands slid from the roof to the foggy window as she leaned forward over him, and he took advantage of her new position, catching one soft, swaying breast in his mouth. He already knew how soft they were. They'd been pressed against him before, the few times they'd hugged each other. He never thought of it at the time, but later, when he was lying sleepless in bed staring at the ceiling – then he remembered, and imagined with a vengeance. No more imagining, he thought, running his tongue over her. He'd never be able to do without this, without her, ever again. His eyes flicked up to her again, holding, holding, freezing the moment.

She'd seen him looking up at her like this so many times in her dreams, and always jolted awake aching for him. She was jolting now, but this was no dream, and this ache was so much better than anything her sleeping mind could ever create. Even as his body plunged and twisted under her, deep inside her, his eyes were nearly motionless, his concentration absolute. He was with her, more than anyone else had ever been. And he watched her like no one else ever had. Every meaningful stare, every merry, twinkling glance, every disapproving look, they had all led to this. His dark, almost frighteningly focused stare drove her to the edge, and her body began to tighten impossibly around him. "Ohgod, oh, yes…"

He could feel it coming; he knew he was close, knew he couldn't hold out any longer. He could tell she was nearing the end, as well. He wanted her lips on his, wanted it badly. "Come here." Curling his fingers around her neck, he pulled her down to him and hammered up into her. Their lips and limbs locked together just as they both erupted, his body stiffening and jerking upward one last, brutal time, her scream as she seized matching his answering shout. Feeling her shudder uncontrollably against him, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her fast to him, dropping a gentle kiss against her temple before closing his eyes and dropping his head to the carpet.

*****

She was shivering. He could feel it. They'd been lying here for some time, neither able to move, and even though the truck was running, buck naked on a cold, rainy night was not an easy way to keep warm. Leaving one arm snugged around her, he reached to the side, garnering her attention as he fished around blindly in the darkness. A rustle, the clatter of items banging together, and finally he had it. The shiny mylar emergency blanket might not be the most romantic bedding, but what it lacked in style it more than made up for in warmth. "Here we go." Wrapping her securely in the silver cover, he gave her rear a loving pat. "That better?"

"Mmm, yes." She smiled, amused. "I thought for a minute you were trying to find your bulletproof vest." Lazily, she stretched and arched against him, enjoying the solid feel of him against her.

Chuckling, he tucked her closer, nuzzling her hair. "I might need one, with you." Suddenly, his mood shifted, and he found himself sobering. "Am I gonna need that vest, Temperance?"

She shifted, propping her elbows on his chest, and regarded him seriously. "Booth, you knew before we were ever involved how I felt. I'm not interested in a long-term relationship. I do enjoy spending time with you, but –" His hand cupped her cheek, and she leaned into it, needing the contact. She needed things to be right between them.

"Listen, it's okay. Don't worry about it. I'm sorry I brought it up right now." The way she'd arched into his caress gave him hope. She wasn't indifferent – their walk at the marina had proven that. He could be patient – he had more than two and a half months to convince her. He had to convince her. Content for the moment, he settled back, pressing her down until she dropped her head onto his chest. "Besides, there's something more important we need to talk about, anyway."

Instantly tense, she hesitated, then spoke. "And what's that?"

"We need to find a better place for this. The Tahoe is nowhere near as comfortable as I'd imagined – and now I have carpet burns in some very unusual places."

Laughing, she relaxed into him, settling comfortably against his side. In peaceful silence they watched the sheets of water sluice down the windows, cutting them off from the outside world. She sighed and closed her eyes, lulled by the feel of his hand stroking her shoulder. Just for a little while. She'd rest for just a few minutes.

"Bones?" He raised his head to look at her, and grinned when he realized she was fast asleep. Echoing her earlier sigh, he allowed himself to clutch her just a little more tightly. Allowed himself to need her just a little bit more. The rain pounded down, lightning flared, and he realized he didn't care at all. Yep – best call ever.

Whew! I guess rainy days aren't really all that bad, after all... Hope you enjoyed it!