Well. It's 5 AM, and I'm just fnishing my latest chapter. With a job that's advancing on 50 hours a week, the middle of the night seems to be the only way I can get it done! Can't see straight, definitely can't type straight, but I'm so happy it's done. Hope you like it, and as always, I love to hear from you.

THE BET

"Oh please, Jack, can't you make this car go faster?"

Alerted by her urgent tone, Hodgins glanced wide-eyed over at Angela, and then quickly back at the road. "Oh, I'm hurrying, believe me, I'm hurrying." Turning into the estate, he ruthlessly gunned the engine, causing his already-overtaxed Mini to whine in protest. "We're almost there."

"Yeah, says you – your driveway is four miles long. I can't wait that long." Deciding she'd had enough, she flung off her seatbelt with a metal clank and threw herself across the seat at him. "Once we get there you can catch up with me."

The soft, warm lips currently attacking his jaw were distracting him greatly, and he fought to keep his eyes from crossing as they rocketed past the tennis courts. "Jesus, Ange, can't you wait two more minutes?"

"I can't, there's no way…those two got me so hot I can't stand it. Hurry up!"

"That's it." The car jerked to a drunken halt in the middle of the driveway, and he shoved open his door, wrapping an arm around her waist and dragging her out after him. He managed to take several wobbly steps before collapsing onto the dewy grass, and Angela quickly straddled him, tearing madly at his shirt. When he heard her giggle, he began to laugh as well, the madness of their actions finally hitting him. "This is ridiculous. Simple proximity to them shouldn't have caused this reaction." Beaming up at her, he drank in the allure of her perfect face surrounded by a perfect framework of stars. "Oh man, it really did, though!"

"I know! They were throwing out major sex vibes to each other - I nearly burst into flames when I was dancing with Booth, my God!" She arched her body and raised her arms to the sky, smiling and tipping her head back. Her hair shook out behind her like a river of shadows, brushing his knees with satiny softness. "Did I mention how much I love your very large and extremely private property?"

"We aim to please, madam…five acres and plenty of attractive and thick shrubberies. We can do whatever we want, wherever we want."

His hands were smoothing their way up her legs, and she smiled in satisfaction when his fingers began inching their way under her skirt. "Mmm…what about Zach?"

He barely paused to answer her as he busily nuzzled her torso. "I told him if he set foot outside after midnight that the dogs would attack."

"What? You don't have any dogs, Jack. Zach knows that."

"I told him I'd buy some, and tell them to attack. Doesn't matter, point was made." He nuzzled her hungrily. "Man, you smell so good…could you believe the two of them tonight? God, I feel like I stuck my finger in a light socket!"

Before he could move or form a thought, she settled herself more securely on him, lapping at his neck like a cat to the cream. When he groaned and shifted under her, she quickly twisted her arms and yanked her dress over her head. "I can think of much better places you could be putting your fingers…"

A low, determined chuckle was his only answer as he rolled her over and set out to find them.

*****

"So, where are we going tonight?"

Startled out of her thoughts by Booth's question, Brennan blinked and glanced at him. "What?"

"Your place or mine? Which way am I going?"

"Oh – yours is fine with me."

A small, slightly calculating smile darkened his face. "Okay." With a quick flick of his wrist he sent the truck left instead of right. He was willing to play along for now. After another few minutes of silence he looked at her again. "You're pretty quiet. Whatcha thinkin' about, Bones?"

"Nothing." Realizing she'd answered too hastily, she elaborated. "Nothing important, really. I was just wondering about Angela and Hodgins."

"What about 'em?"

"They seem so happy." She frowned at the tone in her voice. What was that? She didn't begrudge her friends their happiness. She was glad for them.

"Well, of course they are, Bones. They're in love. Love makes you happy."

She shifted impatiently. "That's what everyone says. But it seems to me that love makes people happy, until it doesn't."

His amused chuckle filtered over to her. "Truer words were never spoken, Bones."

"But that makes no sense." Twisting, she faced him. "It's not rational."

Her tone and body language were clear indicators that she was disturbed by this train of thought. Perhaps a change of subject was in order. Their date had been so perfect he was loathe to end the feeling. And a discussion about emotions and love was sure to put a kink in the works. "Ah, c'mon, let's not get all serious now. Tonight's for fun."

"It is?"

"Well, yeah. Didn't you have fun tonight, Bones?" He began to work his way into a parking space near the corner.

"I wouldn't say I had fun, necessarily..." Contemplating his question, she looked at him and saw the carefully blank expression on his face. Experience had finally taught her that he looked like that when he was disappointed. She sighed inwardly. Yet again, she wasn't making herself understood. Racking her brain, she tried again, picking her words more carefully. "Fun isn't really an accurate word. I didn't laugh a lot, but I did have a very nice time, Booth."

"You did?" He smiled warmly at her. "Good. Me too." He supposed she was right. They'd had a chance to relax a bit at the table with Hodgins and Angela before leaving. But he wouldn't exactly call that look she'd thrown him on the dance floor fun.

They made their way upstairs in companionable silence, leaning close in the dimly-lit elevator, his arm slung casually over her shoulders. He heard a sigh of relief escape her lips when they finally reached his apartment, and he tossed his keys on the kitchen counter, setting his off-duty next to it. Those shoes had to be bothering her – she'd been in them for hours. "Why don't you get more comfortable, Bones? Take whatever clothes you need." He carefully hung his jacket on the hook back in the entryway. "I'm gonna grab some water, I'm thirsty as hell. You want?"

"No, I'm fine, thank you. I'll be back in a minute."

His eyes followed her as she disappeared into the bedroom – watching her going was just as much fun as watching her coming, hah – and he was suddenly reminded of their first date, when she'd changed into her sloppy pajamas afterward. Smiling, he snagged a glass from the cabinet and stood at the sink, absently filling it while he remembered. She could wear his clothes anytime. He liked seeing his shirts and pants and boxers wrapped around her willowy frame. It was almost like he was wrapped around her when she wore his things. God, he was a possessive fool. A happy, possessive fool. Yep, love made you happy, that was for damn sure. And Bones didn't know it, but she was going to stay with him. All night. He'd been fine with hot and fast until now, because he'd wanted her so bad. But it was Saturday night, and now he wanted to explore her, wanted to take his time and show her just how romantic he could be. Wanted to wake up next to her tomorrow morning and make slow, lazy love to her. The click of her heels alerted him to her return, and he frowned at the sound. "What's the matter, couldn't you find –" His mouth hung open when he saw her, and his pulse raged in his ears. She had changed, after all.

She stood in the center of the living room, completely naked, long limbs glimmering in the low light from the table lamp. She slowly paced toward him and he was reminded of a cat. A sinuous pale-eyed mountain lion eyeing up her supper. He couldn't stop looking; couldn't keep his eyes off her, all long legs and white skin and gorgeous breasts. Jesus God. She was still wearing the shoes. The brief memory of the lingerie-clad Bones he'd fantasized about tried to surface, but didn't stand a chance against the reality. As usual, Bones was doing it her way.

"I found exactly what I need, Booth. As a matter of fact, I'm looking at it." A purely feline smile graced her sharp, hungry features as she stalked him.

Her measured, deliberate strides played up the roll of her sinfully beautiful hips and brought her ever closer. He didn't remember backing up but somehow he found himself in the V of the counter with her in front of him. With her heels on she was still of a height with him. Somehow, the fact that their eyes lined up, that their mouths lined up left him feeling as if he was at a distinct disadvantage. Gripping the counter on either side of him, she locked her elbows and levered her upper body forward. Countless times he'd seen that cerulean stare leveled at unfortunate squints and watched them squirm. Damned if he didn't feel like squirming himself. But most likely for a different reason than those lowly interns. He suddenly felt like there were two different people inside him vying for supremacy. One wanting to wrestle her to the floor and take her like a maniac and the other ready to raise his hands and surrender.

"I noticed the way you looked at me when you saw these shoes, and I found that I wanted to continue the experience. From a feminist standpoint, I don't necessarily approve of the sexual stereotype I'm portraying." A small frown came and went, almost unnoticeable. "However, I am, on occasion, willing to engage in role-play in order to enhance the sexual experience." She leaned another inch closer. "And it would be hypocritical to deny how I feel, watching you watch me."

Desperate to fight the urgent needs seeping through the rapidly-widening cracks, determined to maintain some measure of control, he casually held his water between them. It was a pitiful barrier, but it was all he had at this point. And it wasn't going to do him any good. Her lashes lowered, and she looked down at the glass and just as knowingly back up at him. "That's not going to stop me, Booth." She wrapped her hand around his, on the glass, and moved it aside. "That's only going to get me wet, and the truth is," she purred, "I'm already wet."

At her words, his system jolted to red-alert instantly, the situation only worsened when she made quick, rough work of his shirt and tie. The yank and friction of his belt being removed snapped him back to his senses, and he stopped her before she could do more than unbutton his trousers. "Not here."

Much like the cat she'd reminded him of earlier, she remained almost motionless, the quiet tilt of her head her only gesture. "Why not? I do some of my best work in the kitchen."

Jesus, she was trying to kill him. He couldn't let this happen. He wanted more, needed more. "I want you in the bed." Quick as a flash, he reached out to her and jerked her to him. "Now." The sensation of skin on skin was so heady, he knew if they didn't move now, he'd forget his resolve and take her where they stood. Clamping down on his desire, he laced his fingers with hers. "Come with me." At first she resisted him, but after a moment she consented to be drawn along to the bedroom. They stopped next to the bed, and he knew he had to move fast or she'd eat him alive. Before she could discern his intent, he dropped quietly to one knee, his capable fingers circling her fine ankles while easily removing her stilettos. "You don't need these."

Her smile was knowing, and more than a little smug. "Am I making you uncomfortable, Booth?"

Standing up, he leaned in behind her, lifting her silky hair and pressing a soft kiss to the nape of her neck. "The shoes are great. But they're just wrapping. Everyone knows," he breathed into her ear, "that what you really want is the present inside. Lay down on the bed."

Her smile quickly vanishing at his words, she tried to turn to him, but his hands were suddenly quite warm and very firm on her hips, and she was unable to twist into his arms as she wanted. Her frustration with him quickly colored her voice. "You don't always get to be the one who decides, Booth…" She would have continued in the same vein, but his chuckled response vibrated against her back and teased the skin on her arms into goose flesh.

"Neither do you. Sometimes I just know better." Pushing even closer against her, he continued before she could fight with him. "There's more than one speed, Dr. Brennan. Now, lay down."

His use of her words to him from that first night made her stomach clench reflexively. She shivered and leaned back against him, unable to fight the hypnotic lure of his words. At the prompting nudge of his hips she at last stepped to the bed and gracefully dropped onto the mattress, stretching languorously, wantonly under his watchful eyes. Her confident mien faded when he only smiled and shook his head, and her brow creased in confusion.

"Unh-uh. Roll over."

"Booth." Unfamiliar with whatever game he was playing, she stared challengingly at him, her jaw tightened obstinately. When he remained silent, she pressed him further. "Why?"

"Humor me, Bones. Please." His tone was unendingly patient as he braced one strong arm on the bed and leaned over her, mere inches from her face. With his free hand he moved one long finger in a rotating motion. "On. Your. Stomach."

She wanted to argue, but she took one look at his face and her argument dried up before it left her lips. They'd been intimate many times since entering into the bet, but she'd never seen him look like this. Wordlessly she rolled, tucking her arms under the pillow. From her prone position she could tell that he was standing again, but without craning her neck she could only see his hand. The soft brush of fabric against flesh was the only indication that he'd removed the rest of his clothes. She fought the urge to fidget, to twist around and demand to know what he was doing. Standing, hovering over her. Watching her. Her muscles twitched and danced as if his stare was a tangible thing. Finally she felt the mattress dip under his weight, and exhaled with satisfaction and relief. Now things would be normal again. Most likely even more interesting, as he clearly intended to try a new position. She wouldn't have expected it of him, but he was always surprising her. Her smile was interrupted when her lips parted on a gasp at the feel of his knuckles trailing along her spine. Gently down past her shoulder blades and on to the small of her back.

"You have the most beautiful back. So slender, so smooth and graceful, but so strong." His thumbs glided to the sharp narrowing of her waist, to the lovely flare of her hips. Not pushing, but smoothing a leisurely path from spot to favorite spot. "I remember the first time I saw your back naked. It was gorgeous." Slowly, he drew his fingertips up her sides, drinking in her fascinating responses. Responses not heard as much as felt. "You're ridiculously fit, and that's part of the beauty. But in the end it all comes down to bones, doesn't it? It comes down to bones, and Bones."

She wanted to move, wanted to twist and pull him to her, take him into her. But she was trapped in the seductive tangle of his voice and his touch, and was only able to take what he would give her. One lazy finger traveled along the subtle ridges of her spine, leaving her trembling, the pillow fisted tightly in her hands as she struggled for control. His words fell on her skin, soft as the gentle drizzle that had just begun to fall outside the bedroom window.

"You know, when I first met you, calling you Bones was just a subtle way to annoy you, to even the playing field. Now, Bones means you. Just you. It's not an insult anymore. It's your eyes, your hair, your skin. The way you frown." Caught in his own snare, he marveled at the paleness of her skin, the softness of it. The small birthmark he almost missed, it was so faint. The quivering response of her flesh to his seeking fingers. "It's how fierce you were on the course." Unable to stop himself, he leaned over and pressed a soothing kiss to a newly-formed bruise on her shoulder. "You were a warrior out on the course today. You surprised everyone that was there. Everyone but me. I already knew what you could do."

He was slowly driving her insane. She'd never felt like this before, as if she was tied down with invisible rope. She was beyond thinking, trapped by her own body's reactions. She had never been more aware of his power than now, when he withheld it. The raw destructive capabilities of his body were held in check; reined in ruthlessly. The feel of his fingertips along her skin was like the glancing touch of a feather, but it was wreaking havoc on her body, and she struggled against it. Struggled against the part of her that was yearning to give in. Give in to him, and to herself. To what was between them. In an attempt to regain some of the power, she managed a breathless response. "Why don't you lay down with me, Booth, and I'll show you what I can do..."

His large palm on the small of her back continued to hold her in place. She was trying to take control of what was happening to them, like she had several times since they'd been together. He knew it was the intimacy that was making her nervous. But they had a long way to go yet, and he had plenty still to give to her. Bending close again, he dragged his teeth lightly along the delicate curve of her ribs. He smiled as she jolted, gasping. Ah...there. He did it again and won a broken moan from her before she went limp against his hand. "Slow down, Bones. We have all the time we want. And I'm not done playing yet. Don't you want to play with me?"

"What...Booth..." In all of her life, she'd never felt as wanted as she did right now. Did he want her that much? Could anyone want this much? "Booth!" Blindly she writhed at his touch, not knowing if she wanted to pull away or press closer but sure, as sure as she'd ever been of anything in her life that this was nothing that she'd ever felt before.

Her body melted under his caresses like liquid, and she shuddered uncontrollably as he pulled reaction after reaction from her. Even while he seduced her, her acceptance of this moment between them was seducing him. Watching her gradually relax and surrender to the intimacy was the most rewarding experience he'd ever had. The abandonment of her fear because of her trust in him was a precious gift. One he didn't intend to refuse. Skimming his fingers along the sides of her breasts drove a whimper from her, and he knew it was nearly time. A quick flick of his hands flipped her onto her back, and what he saw then made his heart leap.

Her eyes were the color of the sky at sunset, huge and desperate and hazed with tears as she struggled to focus on him. Sobbing gasps wracked her body, and she clutched at his body, her slender hands pressing against him, pulling at him, touching him all over as if she'd never touched him ever before. "Shh, easy..." He dipped to her, kissing her soothingly, worshipping every minute detail of her lips and forehead and cheeks, rubbing his lips through the dampness on her lashes and at her temples. "It's alright, shh..."

She couldn't hold still, couldn't stay in place. The pads of his thumbs grazed across her nipples with a gossamer-light stroke. Something had to move, to shift, or she wouldn't be able to bear it anymore. She rolled her head from side to side, her body rising and falling, her breath heaving recklessly, and then bowed off the bed with a mute wail as the climax seared her body like a burst of ball lightning. Her almost-painful release went on and on, building and burning and spreading inside her until her vision dimmed and her lips began to tingle with numbness. Slowly, so slowly, the haze began to clear, and finally she could see him again. Only him. He was everywhere, seeing her. Knowing her.

She was looking up at him, her eyes wide and lost and searching. Her uninhibited answer to all he'd asked of her had nearly finished him. He was so moved by her openness that for a moment he could do nothing but watch her with amazement and love. "Temperance." His voice was unsteady and his throat tight at what he'd just witnessed. He couldn't have received anything greater from her. She was more exposed and vulnerable now than she'd ever been, and yet she was still here. Thank God she was still here. Tenderly he cupped her cheek in his palm and shifted closer.

Even as she visibly spun down from the high she'd been on, he hovered over her and touched her face with a hand that was shaking even as she was shaking. His lips found hers, and while they kissed he gently parted her legs and pressed deep inside her, sliding easily into her silky softness. Her choked gasp met his desperate moan, and he froze, struggling to gain a shred of control. She was still watching him, still quivering under his hands. "Temperance." He threaded his fingers through her hair, tugging her head back so she stretched and met him more completely. Everything he'd ever hoped for with her, everything he'd ever wanted and dreamed of getting from her. All those hopes and dreams and wishes fell by the wayside, toppled by the awesome reality of her. Moments stretched by while they remained motionless, trapped within each other's bodies, breath tangling, lips touching. Finally his mouth quirked against hers, his head tipped forward and he nuzzled her neck. "This," he rasped in her ear, "is ours."

Yes. This is ours. She stared in a dizzy stupor at the ceiling as he moved inside her, his warm lips whispering in her ear. "Sweet," he murmured. "So sweet." A deep, rasping rumble sounded in his chest when she whimpered and tightened her arms and legs around him, pulling him closer and deeper to her. The sensation of him stroking into her made her blood simmer all over again. Every nerve ending was firing, every inch of skin claimed by his lips or his hands or his body part of a maelstrom of sensation. She swept her own hands down his slick back, thrilling to the feel of his rugged musculature bunching, braced against her, flexing into her. Hers. The feeling grew, despite her efforts. She fought it, tried to ignore it, but it soared up and swamped her. Mine...mine.

He began moving faster, and she surged up to meet him, short, rasping cries bursting from her lips every time he thrust into her. His handsome face tightened into a grimace of pleasure that matched hers, and his arms clutched at her convulsively until they moved as one. Each taking huge, gasping breaths, each intent on drowning the other in sensation, and both praying to hold on long enough. Just long enough. On a long, trembling sigh she locked up in spasm after spasm, her body tightening to an almost impossible degree, her limbs caging him and ripping his groaning release from him in a warm, drenching burst.

Spent, his reserves depleted from the long day and intense lovemaking, he sagged, pinning her to the mattress and pressing a warm, tired kiss to her shoulder. Nothing. Absolutely nothing could be better than this moment right here. Mindful of his larger size, after a moment he rolled, pulling her with him and settling her more comfortably next to him. He could feel her beginning to stir, and he stroked a wide palm down her back, over and over, waiting to see what she would do next. To his surprise, she nestled against his side, her slim, damp body folded tightly to him. The breath he was scarcely aware of holding was quietly released when he realized that she had settled and was no longer moving, and his face relaxed into a beautiful, easy smile.

She passed from satiation to sleep in a matter of minutes. She was clearly exhausted. It was most likely one of the longest and most arduous days she'd been through in a while, and that was saying something. Hell, he was exhausted and he'd done the course before. Exhaustion was good. He allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. If she was awake, she'd be prying herself away from him and shimmying quickly back into her clothes. It was better this way. So much better. No worrying about her going home alone – hell, why lie to himself - no furtive trips to her place after she'd left to make sure she got home okay. No wakeful nights with memories pressing on him like her body had been only moments before. No empty arms and empty bed. No empty, aching heart. She sighed in her sleep and turned more fully into him, and he wrapped his arms more securely around her, relishing the stolen moments. If she actually did wake up and wanted to leave, he wasn't at all sure that he could let her go. His eyes began to droop, and he gladly forfeited his hold on wakefulness, one last thought surfacing as he sank like a stone.

He wasn't sure he could ever let her go.

Okay - I apologize for any typos or other wacky stuff - It's late, and I'm tired! So please ignore any small boo-boos, and please point out any huge problems. I trust you guys! And thanks so much for hanging in there with me - I'm thrilled to all get out that you guys are still reading and reviewing my work. Thanks again!