The Center Chapter 10, a bones fanfic

Several weeks later Angela and Jonathan came into Brennan's office and stopped in front of her desk staring at her. She looked back and forth between them "What?"

Angela smiled, "Bren we decided to much work makes Bren not fun." She continued to look at them her lips held tightly together.

"Angela is right, so we think that it might be a good idea to get you out of here. Tonight happens to be karaoke night at that club again."

"Jonathan Weaver you think you can get me drunk enough to sing again?"

"That is sort of the plan." She smiled sheepishly at her.

"You are impossible."

"I try" He started to gather up her stuff

"Wait, I never said I was going, I have a lot of work to do."

"Bren, they are dead, they won't mind if you go out one night." Angela interjected as she turned her around in her chair and shut her computer down. "We have a limo to take us all, so we don't have to drive home."

"Take us all? Who all is going?"

"Me, Jonathan, Hodgins, Cam, Sweets, Daisy, and you sweetie."

Booth sat in a corner up at the bar people watching. Not even sure why he came, he wasn't even sure he liked this club. Tonight he didn't want to go home to his empty apartment, so he came to have a couple of drinks. He saw them all come in and head for a table in the back. He was in the shadows and they wouldn't see him unless they were looking for him. His eyes were drawn to her; she was in jeans and a t shirt with a blazer over it. A twinge of jealousy went through him like electricity when he saw Jonathan's arm around her shoulder. He drank his shot of Tequila and chased it with a swig of beer.

Once the gang was all sitting around the table and had their drinks, Jonathan pulled Brennan's chair closer to him and put his arm around her, his finger tips stroking her shoulder. Their heads close he was talking to her and Booth watched a large grin fill her face. He wished he could be the one to put that smile on her face. She glanced around the table and then leaned in close to Jonathan and was talking close to his ear, her hand resting on his shoulder, causing a similar grin to appear on his face. When she leaned back Booth could see her eyes sparkling.

Jonathan went up to the bar and ordered several shots to be brought to the table. As he turned he saw Booth and acknowledged him with a nod of his head before heading back for the table. As Jonathan sat down Brennan was laughing and pulling him close to her while she said something to him causing him to laugh. From what Booth could tell it didn't look like Jonathan said anything to her about his presence.

Since no one had quite enough alcohol in them to sing yet, the club had a DJ that kept the music flowing. Jonathan went up to talk to him, while back at the table Angela was telling Cam to just say yes. Cam was questioning why she should say yes, when Jonathan came up behind her and asked her to dance. She looked at Brennan confused and Brennan just grinned at her. Jonathan held out his hand and Cam took it and he led her to the dance floor.

Jonathan had noticed Cam a while ago, but due to his divorce and lack of being ready to put himself back out there, he held back asking her out, it was easier in a group setting. Jonathan had asked for a slow song and the DJ put on 'I Know How He Feels' by Reba.

When I heard that familiar voice,
my heart stopped dead in its tracks.

Brennan was glancing around the bar from her now empty table as everyone except her was on the dance floor. Her eyes came to rest on Booth.

Across the room I could see him there, a ghost from my past.
But he is too caught up to notice me; she must be his new love.
I never dreamed that it would hurt this much, it's just

Hannah had her back to Brennan, and she looked like she was angry with Booth. Booth looked up and his eyes found Brennan's. Even over a month later and she could feel her chest tighten up when their eyes met.

I know how he feels, how warm his touch is. Oh how he feels, how soft his kiss is.
And it cuts right down to the bone, 'cause I let him go.
I know how he cares, how strong his love can be, when he believes it's real.
Oh I've been there, I know how he feels.

Brennan turned her eyes back to the dance floor and watched her friends with a sad smile. Stop staring at him. She thought of how true the words to the song were, as if the song writer had looked inside of her when he wrote the words.

As long as I kept him out of sight, I kept from going out of my mind.
Tried to believe that leaving him was some how justified.
But tonight there's no denying what a love
like his is worth.
He once looked at me the way his looking at her, what a lucky girl

Brennan continued to watch her friends, especially Jonathan and Cam. She could not be happier that they seemed to have a mutual attraction. She caught motion out of the corner of her eye and saw Hannah storm out of the club.

I've been there and I know how he feels
And it's killing me, Oh I know how he feels

Booth sat back on the stool and took another shot and then started to pick at the label on his beer bottle. As the song ended another one came on and her friends stayed out on the dance floor. Brennan chanced another look at Booth and didn't see him, he must have went after Hannah. She looked down at her drink that she was slowly stirring with a straw.

"Dance with me Bones" she jumped at the sound of his voice so close

"Booth I don't…"

"One dance Bones, just one dance" he held out his hand to her. She looked up into his eyes and any resistance melted away, she placed her hand in his. They walked hand in hand to the dance floor and he folded her into his arms as the song began.

How can I convince you what you see is real
Who am I to blame you for doubting what you feel
I was always reachin', you were just a girl I knew
I took for granted the friend I have in you

His right hand rested on the small of her back, her delicate left hand rested on his bicep while her other hand rested on his chest, his left hand wrapped around her wrist. Her head slightly tipped down rested against his cheek. "Survivor always had great love songs." He whispered to her. All she could manage was a slight nod, all of her senses were under attack.

He breathed in her scent, a mixture of her, the lavender in her hair, and her perfume. It was more powerful than hundred proof alcohol, it affected his vision, his ability to breath, walk, or even talk.

He lifted her chin with his finger so he could look into her eyes. "I've missed you Bones." He wanted to kiss her, he knew if he did the feeling would flow though him like electricity, but was afraid of her reaction.

I was living for a dream, loving for a moment
Taking on the world, that was just my style
Now I look into your eyes
I can see forever, the search is over
You were with me all the while

Can we last forever, will we fall apart
At times it's so confusing, these questions of the heart
You followed me through changes and patiently you'd wait
Till I came to my senses through some miracle of fate

She held his gaze, she never flinch, her heart was racing, her breathing was becoming more labored. His face so close to hers she could feel his breath. Her skin was on fire where their bodies connected. She closed her eyes, breaking eye contact with him. Tipping her head back down, she reminded herself he was with Hannah; he belonged to Hannah, not her. She might convince her head of that fact, but her heart muscle didn't care about facts.

I was living for a dream, loving for a moment
Taking on the world, that was just my style
Now I look into your eyes
I can see forever, the search is over
You were with me all the while

Now the miles stretch out behind me
Loves that I have lost
Broken hearts lie victims of the game
Then good luck it finally struck
Like lightning from the blue
Every highway leading me back to you

He slid his arm more firmly around her waist and held her tightly to him.

Now at last I hold you, now all is said and done
The search has come full circle
Our destinies are one

He turned her face to his again and sang to her, hoping he could see the answer he hoped for.

So if you ever loved me
Show me that you give a damn
You'll know for certain
The man I really am

Searching her eyes for his answer, the desire to kiss her was overpowering and he slowly, softly brought his lips to hers. His heart lurched in his chest the second their lips touched. He felt her quick intake of air and her body begin to tremble against his. She tasted so sweet and felt so right. She was his home, she had always been his home.

I was living for a dream, loving for a moment
Taking on the world, that was just my style
Then I touched your hand, I could hear you whisper
The search is over, love was right before my eyes

He broke the kiss as the song ended, but he never let go of her. Their friends were all standing around them frozen in place, unable to move. Realization for Brennan came suddenly and she pushed against Booth to free herself. "Let go of me Booth, this shouldn't have happened. You and Hannah, I'm sorry."

"Bones please, listen."

"Booth" her voice was cracking, "Let. go. of me … please."

He released her. Her eyes were filling with tears as she hurried from the club, Jonathan right behind her. Booth just walked back over to the bar and downed another shot. He leaned against the bar trying to make sense of what just happened. She melted into him; he felt it and he knew she felt it to. He closed his eyes and silently chastised himself for kissing her.

Jonathan caught up with Brennan outside. "Temperance"

"Jonathan I am going home."

"Then let me take you."

"No, you stay with Cam, I will be fine, and I need some time alone." She smiled at him

Angela came out the door with her jacket and purse and Brennan's purse. Brennan gratefully took her purse from Angela, but refused to allow Angela to go home with her. She shooed her back into the club and waved down a taxi.

Booth was staring down at his drink. Jack saw Jonathan heading straight for Booth. "Uh Oh this is not going to end well." The gang bailed out of their seats and quickly covered the distance between them and the two men.

"You just couldn't leave her alone could you?" Booth looked up in time to see Jonathan's fist coming at him and felt it connect with his jaw. Booth staggered backwards, he reached up and felt his jaw, and if he would have had less alcohol he might have agreed that he deserved that. But, alcohol mixed with Alpha male couldn't rationalize anything except the needed to fight. He lunged for Jonathan as Sweets and Hodgins each grabbed an arm and held on. Angela and Cam grabbed onto Jonathan, Daisy jumped between them and held her hands up to each of them, closing her eyes tightly.

"I ought to arrest you for assaulting a federal officer."

"You are not arresting anyone tonight Seeley," Cam snapped at him. "You, in fact, are going to go home and Dr. Hodgins will escort you there."

Booth jerked against Sweets and Hodgins, "Let go of me."

"Only if you promise not to hit or shoot anyone." Hodgins blurted out.

"Only you, if you don't let go." Booth glared at him and Hodgins let go putting his hands up in the classic I am backing off.

"Dr. Hodgins make sure he gets home." Cam stood there and watched them leave the bar and then turned to Jonathan. "And you?" Jonathan looked sheepish. "You realize he could make mince meat out of you? Let me see that hand" She examined it, "Well it will be sore, swollen, and stiff for a few days, but it doesn't appear you broke anything. As a surgeon you really should not hit things."

"I know, I know, he could have pulverized me."

"And would have, if we would not have been here." Cam added.

He smiled at Cam, "I get the picture." She couldn't help herself and smiled back.