So! Maybe not proofread as many times as I would like, but here it is! First though, I did get a review I would like to address, from Joy Booth saying that she liked that Booth and Bren save each other in the show, and Bren is lacking in heroism in my story. You are absolutely right! =) And I planned it this way on purpose (although it has dragged on longer than intended… oops), because Bren was closed off from Booth in the beginning of the show too. I feel like she is sneaky about being heroic, Booth is more the showman. And I like to think that before the writers destroyed her character circa season 4, Brennan wasn't really aware of how often she helped Booth, and that was what made her a likable character *pointed look at writers*. That being said, chapter 14 will definitely have some 'Brennan in a cape' moments. =)
She moaned in appreciation and fell back against her chair.
"You weren't exaggerating. That was delicious." Seeley let out a sigh of his own.
"I told you, best in the world." He too leaned back, closing his eyes and focusing on breathing around his overly full stomach. Temperance giggled.
"I think you ate too much Seeley. That's not healthy you know." Her tone was reprimanding, but when he cracked an eye to look at her, she was grinning happily in his direction. He smiled back and squeezed her hand, which was still intertwined with his.
"We should probably get some school work done," she suggested half-heartedly. It was clear after a few moments that neither showed any inclination of moving other than Seeley gently sweeping his thumb back and forth over her knuckles. "Seeley…" Her hesitant tone trailed off, and he opened both eyes to look at her fully.
"What is it Temperance?" His thumb swept over her knuckles again and she smiled, shaking her head.
"Don't call me Temperance." She pulled her eyes up to meet his and he grinned back at her.
"What is it Bones?" She frowned at the floor and concern washed over him. "Bones?"
"Seeley… I was… Well, I was just… I was wondering-" She huffed in frustration and turned to face him, eyes full of fire. She yanked their intertwined hands up to eye level. "What is this, Seeley?" He couldn't contain his amusement.
"Phalanges, metacarpals-"
"No!" He grinned at her flustered expression and she rolled her eyes at him. "Although you are correct, and I am extremely proud of you. What I meant, is what are we? Are we- Would you say that we are friends?" She looked at him imploringly and Seeley didn't bother to keep the love out of his eyes. She was adorably determined, jaw set and eyes flashing, like a negative response from him would send her marching, bad ankle and all, out of his house and all 20 miles back to her home. But there was a hint of fear as well, and that she even entertained the thought that the time they had spent together, today especially, could just be a ploy on his part, or that he would decide she was too much or not enough and leave her, cut him deeply. Not that he blamed her, not in the least. He just wanted to find every bastard who had ever looked at her wrong and run their faces into the ground. He couldn't even think of a punishment horrible enough for the monsters she lived with. He quickly pulled his focus back to the girl in front of him, least she read and misunderstand his sudden flash of anger.
"Of course we are friends Bones. I wouldn't risk a lecture about $80,000 in football scholarships for just anyone." Her eyes widened comically at the figure, but he placed his fingers gently over her lips before she could comment. "Don't worry about it Bones. You'll help me get out of it." He smiled, she blushed. "And Bones?" He moved his hand under her chin, tilting her face up slightly. "I want to be so much more than friends." His breath whispered across her cheek just before his lips gently caressed hers.
He lingered for only a moment before pulling back, watching her face carefully as her wide eyes snapped to his.
"Seeley I-"
"Shh!" He placed his fingers on her lips again. "I don't want an answer now Bones. You've had a rough day and I've done a lot of manhandling, which I know you just love." He gave her a sheepish look, and was pleased when her lips quirked up in response. "But I just want you to know, when you're ready, I'll be here." He brought her hand up, running his lips over her knuckles while she watched with a contemplative expression.
"Just so we are clear, are you referring to a sexual relationship?" Seeley was briefly afraid that he inhaled so sharply he had injured his lungs. He did cough several times before speech was possible again, Temperance watching him with mild concern, hand still intertwined with his.
"What? No, Bones! I'm referring to a relationship! You know, boyfriend/girlfriend, holding hands, going to the movies, maybe kissing, that's it!" His panicked face eased a little when her lips lifted again, but she still looked slightly confused.
"But I was under the impression that most of the couples our age who engage in the activities you listed are also sexually active. Sometimes with more than just the person they claim to be in a relationship with, although I'm not sure that their partners know that." She winced.
"Yeah well, there is everyone else, and then there is us. I would never put that kind of pressure on you Bones! Besides, half the time I'm afraid if I even try to hold your hand you'll break my wrist!" His expression remained alarmed as she continued to stare at him with a curious expression on her face.
"So you are a virgin?"
"Geez Bones! I don't think-"
"It's fairly common practice for males to compare their sexual exploits in order to gain respect amongst their peers. As you seem to be highly regarded amongst the Neanderthals you play sports with, I believe it is safe to assume that you have had your fair share of sexual conquests." Her tone was clinical, but Seeley could see the fear lurking in her eyes. He moved his remaining free hand so that both of their hands were intertwined, his thumbs moving in a soothing pattern over her skin.
"I've had… experiences, Bones. I won't lie to you. And yes, I have boasted about them in the past." Her lips twitched downward and his stomach lurched. If he had foreseen them having this conversation, he wouldn't have had that fourth grilled cheese. "But yes Bones, I am a virgin." He saw some of the tension melt from her face, although she maintained her impassive expression, and he allowed himself to relax a little. "And Bones, you need to know that I will never share anything that happens between us with anyone else." Hurt flashed across her eyes and he moved his hand to her cheek. "Not because I'm embarrassed of you. I will happily give you my class ring to wear if you'll have it." He grinned cheekily at her and she rolled her eyes. "But because what's ours, is ours, no one else's. They can't judge what they don't understand." His hand caressed her strong jaw line before moving to run play with the tips of her hair.
She looked down at their clasped hands and was utterly silent for a long time. Seeley's nerves began to wreak havoc on his stomach. He was trying to think of clever was to defuse the situation when she squeezed the hand that was still gripped in hers, his eyes flying to meet hers, her cautious smile doing crazy things to his insides.
"Yes." He felt relief wash over him, before realizing the he had no idea what she was saying yes to.
"Yes what, Bones?" Her smile transformed into a grin and he got the impression she was holding back laughter at his expense.
"Yes, I'll be your girlfriend, and wear that infernally cliché class ring." He was stunned into silence for a second before he let out a woop of joy and leapt from the table, pulling her up into his arms and spinning her around the tiny kitchen, careful to keep her ankle away from anything stationary. She laughed whole heartedly and clung to his chest. "Seeley! Put me down before one of us gets hurt!"
He obliged, slowly lowering her onto her own feet, giving her adequate time to balance both on his arms, his hands resting supportively on her waist, and her remaining uninjured foot. She focused on her feet until she was sure gravity wasn't going to send her plummeting to the floor, then pulled her eyes up to meet Seeley's; Seeley, her boyfriend, who was grinning crookedly at her, warm hands moving in gentle circles on her sides, supportive and soothing.
"That was my first kiss you know," she whispered quietly. His grin remained, but he looked puzzled for a moment before he remembered the light peck he had given. "I feel a little cheated. Aren't first kisses supposed to be magical?" His expression fell and he looked like he had just run over someone's puppy.
"I'm sorry Bones, I didn't think it through, I just wanted to show you that I cared, and I never been very good with words, we have that in common you know." Temperance managed to keep the smile off of her face until his last, hopeful words paired with his guilty expression caused a bubble of laughter to escape her tightly locked lips, a grin bloomed across her face as Seeley's expression grew more and more confused. "What?"
Her hands slid up his arms to his shoulders, careful to keep her balance while she stared up into his curious brown eyes.
"I was teasing." She felt oddly warm when his confused frown melted into a smile. "Magic doesn't actually exist, but I think that if it did, it would always be present when I'm with you." His smile softened while she wrinkled her nose at him. "That was really cheesy; I can't believe you didn't laugh at me!" He did laugh then, and kissed the tip of her nose, but refrained from comment. He was elated to see her so relaxed. "But you know, you are more experienced than me, and girls our age seem to put a high premium on the quality of and experience behind their kisses. Perhaps you would like to educate me Mr. Booth, I hear practice makes perfect." She fluttered her eyelashes like the movie stars in her dad's old black and white films, watching the devilish grin spread across Seeley's face.
"Well, it is only fair; you have been helping me studying biology for weeks." He took a step closer, tightening his arms around her waist and lowering his forehead to hers. "And I know how important it is to you that your homework gets done."
Temperance hummed in response just before his lips tentatively brushes against hers, settling more firmly when her fingers threaded through his hair. She knew biologically that it had something to do with the chemicals her body was producing at the presentation of a potential mate, but she was pleasantly surprised and enraptured by what felt like a current of electricity running through her lips whenever they touched his.
Yay the fluff! Okay so this is the last of my reserves for this story, but hopefully it was sufficiently gooey to keep your spirits up until I can reread this entire story so that I get my timeline back on track! I have a plan, I swear! Wrote it out and everything! I just have to make sure that I don't give anything away too early or contradict myself…. =) I am, however, working on a Mentalist story right now, and it's really easy write out of character when switching back and forth between these two shows, so be patient with me. Points for effort! =D Or reviews, whichever you are more inclined to give ;)