Thank you for your continued interest in my story.

I don't own Bones.

Ooooooooooooooooo

Sitting on the couch in the guest bedroom, Brennan explained to Booth what had happened court earlier that day. "Taffet tried to ask for a continuance. She claimed that she didn't have enough time to prepare against the new witness. Judge Carter refused the continuance. The trial started after that. So far, Caroline has given her opening statement and so has Taffet. Caroline then led with Agent Holtz giving testimony about the FBI's role in the case. Taffet tried to have some of it suppressed because you weren't there giving testimony, but Caroline pointed out that you were unable to attend because you'd been shot and you've just been released from the hospital. Hodgins feels that was a tactical error on Taffet's part as she created sympathy for you and therefore the FBI."

Booth agreed and nodded his head. Booth stared at his hand as it clasped his partner's hand and tried to assure her was okay. "Yeah, that was a dumb thing to do . . . She may be a genius and a hell of a prosecutor, but it just shows that she can make mistakes . . . Caroline is the better lawyer anyways. That and the fact that she's up against everyone from the Jeffersonian will be her undoing . . . You'll see."

Clasping his hand tighter, Brennan sighed. "I felt a little disconcerted when I arrived at the hospital and found your room cleaned and you gone. Momentarily, I worried that your condition had worsened."

Embarrassed, Booth leaned over a little to get a better look at her face. "I'm sorry, Bones. I tried to call you, but I kept being sent to voicemail and . . . and Harris was in a hurry to get me out of there. He hates hospitals . . . He says he gets sick every time he steps foot in one."

Looking around the room, Brennan asked him, "Are you comfortable here? This seems like a nice room."

Booth smiled as he glanced at the large bed and matching furniture. "Yeah, this room is nicer than mine. Still I'd rather be home right now . . . Harris and Susan treat me like a sick kid which is pretty weird considering I'm four years older than Harris . . . My breathing is better, did you notice?"

Smiling, Brennan rubbed her thumb across the back of Booth's hand, "Yes I did notice and I'm sure Harris is just concerned about your well being."

A knock on the door caused the couple to turn and watch the door as it was opened by Susan Harris. An impish grin on her face, Susan leaned into the room. "Hey, would you two like something to eat or drink? We have beer . . . not you Booth and cokes, tea, bottled water, lemonade."

Shaking her head, Brennan smiled. "Thank you, but I don't want anything right now."

A little thirsty, Booth held up his hand and smiled. "I'd take some tea if you're going to the kitchen. Don't make a special trip though."

Guffawing, Susan shook her head. "I'm going to make popcorn so no, I'm not making a special trip. You want some popcorn or pie? I still have some of those fresh baked brownies. I made Morris stop eating them just in case you wanted one. He can be so greedy sometimes."

The thought of chocolate made him hungry, so Booth nodded his head. "Brownies sounds great, thanks Susan."

After the door was closed, Brennan remarked, "She seems very nice."

Snorting, Booth returned his gaze back to his partner. "Yeah, she was just trying to catch us making out. She probably thought we were trying to do something I shouldn't."

Feeling a slight blush cross her cheeks, Brennan returned her gaze to their clasped hands. "Well, we may not be officially in a relationship, but I do consider you my boyfriend as well as my partner. I think we can count this as a first date. I'm enjoying being with you, Booth."

Surprised, Booth grinned at her. "Really?"

Nodding her head, Brennan turned her gaze back towards their clasped hands. "Yes, I have given a great deal of thought to our situation. I've known you for a long time and I've always been able to trust you. You've never given me reason not to. I think dating you would help me to overcome my anxieties. If I become more comfortable with our relationship, I might be able to take the last step and start an intimate relationship with you sooner than I thought."

Filled with joy, Booth carefully placed his arm around her shoulder ignoring the pain it caused him. "I know you have a process, Bones. Take all the time you need. I'm not going any where . . . Want to make out? It might relax you."

Not sure that was a good idea, Brennan shook her head. "I don't think you're healthy enough to make out. You just got out of the hospital yesterday."

Chuckling, Booth leaned over and kissed Brennan. "You'd be surprised what I can do . . . my breathing is better . . . I'm doing okay."

"Um, you did tell Susan you wanted brownies and tea, so she'll be back in a few minutes."

Glancing at the door, Booth laughed. "Yeah, well as soon as she brings it then maybe we can lock the door and try for second base."

"Oh, I know what that means." Shaking her head, Brennan gripped his hand tightly. "I don't think you should try to visit second base until you're able to swing the bat."

Guffawing, Booth shook his head. "Alright, you have to tell me where you got that from."

Pleased that she'd surprised him, Brennan leaned over and kissed him. "I'll never tell."

Ooooooooooooooooooo

The next day found her sitting in the courtroom once more, listening to the testimony of Doug Clary as he told how his partnership with the Gravedigger worked. He explained how he became involved with her and why. Curious, Brennan kept her eyes on Heather Taffet as Clary answered Caroline's questions. Noticing that Taffet seemed to be showing little concern about the testimony, Brennan began to go over in her mind all of the forensic evidence they had to present. Confident that it was enough, she returned her gaze to Caroline.

After Caroline was finished with the witness, Taffet merely asked Clary if he'd cut a deal for his testimony. Clary shrugged his shoulders and replied, "Yes."

Smirking, the Gravedigger turned to the jury. "So a paid witness. Someone in trouble for murder testifying against me to get special treatment. Not really trustworthy when a witness is bought and paid for."

Leaning back in his chair, Clary sneered. "Murders I did for you."

Unconcerned, Taffet walked back to her chair and barked out, "Or murders you committed and are trying to stick onto me to get you out of being electrocuted."

Furious, Hodgins leaned closer to Brennan. "Some of the jury agrees with her."

Glancing at the jury, Brennan sighed. "I don't think so, Jack. It is important that you remain professional in court. If you create outbursts or show too much emotion you may prejudice the jury against us. Booth says she's probably going to try to make us lose control in court and make it appear that we have gone after her as a vendetta and have manufactured evidence to bring her to trial. He said that it is important to ignore her and let the jury see that we are just presenting the facts and nothing else."

Surprised, Hodgins flicked his eyes towards Taffet and then back at Brennan. "Damn it, I didn't think of that. I wish Booth was here. We could use someone to help us keep our eye on the ball."

Sighing, Brennan nodded her head. "Yes, he is very good at doing that."

Ooooooooooooooooo

During court recess for lunch, Brennan called Booth. "Doug Clary testified this morning."

Uncertain about his partners tone of voice, Booth asked her, "What's wrong Bones?"

Sitting on a bench outside the courthouse, she watched Hodgins arguing with Angela below on the steps. "I think Hodgins is going to have difficulty remaining calm when he is called as a witness this afternoon. Taffet keeps staring at him and smiling. I think she is trying to use psychology on him. I have tried to remind him how important it is to remain calm, but I don't think he can control his emotions as well as he should. He said that he wished you were here. He thinks you might be a calming influence. After court is recessed this evening, I will come by and see you."

Standing slowly, Booth moved slowly to the guest bedroom. "I'll talk to you later, Bones."

Ooooooooooooooooooooo

Court had reconvened and Cam was testifying about the various autopsies she had performed on Taffet's victims when Brennan felt someone standing next to her. Looking up, Brennan was astounded to find Booth holding on to the back of her bench and frowning at her. "Move over Bones, I need to sit down."

Oooooooooooooooooooo

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