Thanks to all of you who have supported this story. I really appreciate it.
I definitely don't own Bones. Not even a little bit.
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A knock on the door, Brennan stepped into the living room and quickly took stock of the room. Pleased that the catering company had come through as promised, she hurried to the front door and opened it.
Angela, excited to see Brennan, entered the room as soon as the door opened. "Sweetie, Jack and I came a little early just in case you need any help."
Stepping aside, Brennan allowed her guests to enter the apartment. "You didn't have to do that, Angela, everything is taken care of."
Watching Booth enter the room from the kitchen, Hodgins called out to the agent. "Hey man, you're looking good."
Happy to see his friend, Booth gave him a little wave. "Yeah, thanks. You're early."
Shrugging his shoulders, Hodgins pointed to Angela and grinned. Booth understood his meaning and returned his smile and walked back into the kitchen.
Not sure what to do before the party started, Hodgins followed Booth into the room and noticed a young lady wearing black slacks and a white blouse placing hors d'oeuvres on a tray from a card board box resting on the counter. A little hungry, he moved over to where the box was, studied the contents and then removed one. Placing it in his mouth, he chewed it with relish. "I should have eaten dinner, but Angela was in a rush. I'm thirsty, got anything to drink while we wait for the rest of your company?"
Shrugging his shoulders, Booth opened the fridge and removed a beer. Handing it to his friend, Booth closed the fridge door. "Here ya go."
Grateful, Hodgins took the bottle and twisted off the cap. "Thanks." Watching Booth leave the room, he snagged another pastry, smiled at the young woman and then followed the agent into the living room. As he enterered the living room, he saw Booth enter the guest bedroom. Since his wife and Brennan were talkingm, he followed Booth into the room. Curious, he found Booth sitting on a chair near the door with his eyes closed. "Why are you hiding in here?"
Opening his eyes, Booth rubbed his forehead. "I've got a headache. Don't tell Bones. I don't want to screw up her party."
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Jack sighed. "Migraine?"
Not really sure, Booth hoped not. "Nah . . . tension headache I think. I took something."
Nodding his head, Hodgins looked around the room, his eyes taking in the children's toys and books on book shelves and the adult and child's athletic equipment resting in one corner. Pursing his lips, the scientist took in the Captain America sheets on the bed and the matching curtains over the window and suddenly smiled. "Oh my God!"
Startled, Booth opened his eyes. "What . . . what?"
Snorting, Hodgins waved his right hand around. "Dude, this is a child's room. Some of your athletic gear is over there. You've moved in haven't you? This is Parker's room."
Booth leaned his throbbing his head back against the chair and closed his eyes. "I've been living here for weeks genius and I don't have any control over how Bones decorates her guest bedroom."
Not about to take what Booth said at face value, Hodgins stood up and walked over to the closet. Opening it, he studied the children's clothes and adult size FBI jacket, winter coat and several sports shirts hanging in the closet. Closing the door, he turned to look at his friend. "Where are your suits and why are there kids clothes in this closet? If you're living here, where are the rest of your clothes?"
Refusing to open his eyes, Booth grumbled. "Did you ever hear the phrase curiosity killed the cat? You're really asking for trouble, you know that? Especially since my head is killing me."
Hodgins walked back over to the bed and sat down. "Dude, I have eyes. I can't unsee what I'm seeing."
Not answering, Booth licked his lips and shifted in his chair. Feeling Hodgins staring at him, Booth finally opened his eyes. "Look, keep your mouth shut about it for a while. In a couple hours it's not going to matter but right now it does. You spout off too soon and you're going to upset Bones which is going to piss me off . . . Right now, you don't want to do that. Not the way my head is hurting."
"Gotcha." Sympathetic, Hodgins left the room and looked for Brennan. "Hey, Booth has a headache. He said he took something, but he doesn't look good."
Concerned, Brennan walked across the living room and entered the bedroom. Spying Booth in the chair, Brennan knelt down next to it. "Are you alright?"
Opening his eyes, Booth attempted to smile, but failed miserably. "Yeah, it's just a tension headache . . . give me a few minutes. I'll be okay by the time the party starts."
Worried about the headache, Brennan stood up, leaned over and kissed her husband. "Do you want to cancel the party? It won't be a problem."
Opening his eyes, Booth shook his head. "No, absolutely not. I'll be okay, don't worry . . . Just turn off the light and close the door when you leave. I'll be okay in a bit."
She did as he asked, so as she left she flipped off the overhead light. She was certain Booth would tell her if he really was in distress, but she decided to check on him periodically.
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The party underway, Booth finally joined them after feeling the headache lessen. Moving into the living room, he found Brennan standing near the kitchen talking to Caroline. Moving closer, he smiled and patted the prosecutor on her upper arm. "Hey Caroline, glad you could come."
Concerned for her favorite agent, Caroline touched his wrist. "Dr. Brennan said you have a headache."
Shrugging his shoulders, Booth smiled. "Yeah, but it's gone now . . . I see every one made it." Turning towards his wife, Booth leaned closer and whispered. "So you ready or do you want to wait a while?"
Glad he was feeling better, Brennan smiled and linked her arm around his arm. "I believe you're the one who believes it's better to just rip the Band-aid off."
Chuckling, Booth reached into his pants pocket and placed his wedding ring on his left hand. Caroline, inhaling quickly, gasped and then smiled. "Cher', I knew you two would make the right decision."
Glad that their secret was done, Booth walked past Caroline with Brennan beside him. Brennan glancing around the room as she moved with him, smiled at Angela and reached in to her jacket pocket and placed her wedding ring on her left hand.
Angela, observing Booth and Brennan, placed her hands over her mouth and stifled a squeal.
The couple, stepping into the center of the room, faced Deputy Director Cullen and his assistant, Andrew Hacker and smiled. Booth holding up his left hand, spoke to his supervisors and guests. "Ladies and Gentlemen, Bones and I would like to announce our change in marital status . . . We're married." Staring defiantly at Cullen, Booth explained, "Bones' contract is up in a couple of months. When it comes time for her to renew, she will be signing it as Mrs. Seeley Booth."
Lifting her chin, Brennan stared intently at Cullen. "I will of course maintain my professional name for most things, but not for my contract. If you wish to retain my services, you will accept my contract as a married woman and I will continue as Booth's partner. If the FBI cannot accept that condition I will refuse to renew my contract and I will be returning to academia."
Stunned, Sam Cullen moved his gaze from Booth to Brennan and back to Booth. A slow smile spreading across his face, the Deputy Director guffawed and raised his glass of wine towards Caroline. "Fine work, Caroline. You won the bet."
Puzzled, Booth turned to look at Caroline and then back at Cullen. "Wait a minute . . . What . . .?"
Laughing, Cullen sipped some of his wine and interrupted Booth. "Shit, Booth it's about damn time. We practically had to drag you two to the alter. Now, let that be a lesson to you two . . . don't screw with the FBI, we always get what we want and we did. It may take a while, but we are a patient lot."
Confused and a littel uncertain about what was being said, Brennan shook her head. "Are you telling us that you wanted us to get married?"
Shrugging his shoulders, the Deputy Director looked around at the nodding heads of the guests and answered her. "Of course . . . you two are the best partnership we've ever had. We wanted to make sure you would stay partners and this was the best way to do it. Now that you're married, you two can stop the horse shit and we can stop worrying about you two splitting up. It's a win win for all of us."
Clapping his hands, Agent Harris spoke up. "At least if you're going to make cow eyes are your partner it's because she's your wife, you dumb ass."
His cheeks a faint red, Booth placed his arm around Brennan. "Well, Bones, I guess we showed them."
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A/N: Since this story is AU I'm thinking about making a big right turn in the story. If it looks like a bust I will find a natural place to stop the story and end it. You'll have to let me know if you're okay with what I am doing. Thanks