V.

The sun rose seven times to find him in her arms, and seven nights did the stars sparkle, guarding their sleep. He was healing – and not only on the outside. Her presence, her utmost care and affection did more for him than countless doctors or psychologists ever could. Brennan stood by her word; she stood by him.

When he fell asleep in the night, usually her head was tucked under his chin, her arms cradling him. It seemed as if he was constantly touching her – skimming her slender waist, the underside of her full breasts, the soft skin on the insides of her thighs. As she had gotten used to his caresses, her ticklish giggles had subsided, and Booth felt a mutual sting of pleasure and disappointment – pleasure because she responded to his touch in a way that convinced him more than words how much she wanted it; disappointment because her noises had been too cute.

He was still on sick leave, but the red marks on his body had gotten lighter, their anger paled. Unwilling to leave him alone, Brennan had decided to take some days off as well – with her amount of holidays accumulated this shouldn't be a problem. Well, at least theoretically.

Twice the Jeffersonian had called her in, demanding her expertise. The first time she had been helpful but determined to make clear that she wasn't available at the moment; the second time she had been less polite and a lot plainer about her priorities. Brennan was positive that they wouldn't call her another time.

She and Booth had spent a lot of time getting to know each other. It seemed ridiculous considering how long they did already know each other, but there was so much more to discover, so many things to learn.

He only snored when he slept on his back. She had developed a strange affection for reality TV. He used to hum in the shower. She applied hand cream on her feet as well. They both loved to whisper in the night before sleep overcame them.

And of course there were other things... As familiar as Booth and Brennan had always been with each other, they had never allowed sexual attraction to get the best of them. Now there was no need to hide that anymore, and even though they still kept things light for the sake of his injuries, they had gotten significantly closer to each other.

The scent of her breasts and the flavor of her arousal had become the most delicious things in the world for him. Booth was entranced by her throaty moans, her little whimpers, and whenever she exploded under his hands, he felt like the luckiest man on earth.

Brennan had discovered that she loved going down on him. Never having been a huge fan of that activity in the past, she felt nothing but pure gratefulness and joy when he was in her mouth. The velvety skin of his shaft under her tongue, the trust he showed her when his head fell back – eyes closed – in pure blissfulness.

One week ago someone had tried to steal him away from her, had threatened everything that was so precious and important to Brennan. Now she had more than ever. When she had made her decision not to regret anymore, when she had finally listened to the signals, she hadn't known how wonderful it could be.

How perfect he was for her, how much she could make him smile.

Temperance Brennan and Seeley Booth were happy.

-BONES-

"Eh, Babe, is that really necessary? I'm fine. You can see that I am fine. And if you're not convinced, come here and take a closer look."

He tried to dazzle her with his trademark charming smile, but this time Brennan was resolved not to melt like ice in the sunshine. Arguing with him turned out to be quite difficult, though, when he was wearing nothing but jeans, his muscular chest bare to her eyes.

Covering her eyes with her palms in childlike stubbornness, Brennan shook her head vehemently.

"This time you won't wrap me around your little finger because I simply refuse to look at you. You know what the doctor has said and that this appointment is necessary. I don't understand why you are such a baby about it."

"A baby? I'm not a baby, Baby."

"Well, neither am I, nevertheless, you do continue calling me like one. This is the first time the term actually fits. You are whining and pouting like a baby. It's just a doctor's appointment, no torture. Which you have endured with more grace, I suppose. This doesn't make any sense, Booth."

He shrugged, but she couldn't see it.

"I hate hospitals, Bones..."

He almost got her. Almost.

"Booth, let's make a deal."

"A deal? You wanna promise me ice cream or something like that? I'm not interested."

"Well, I thought more about a vacation and sex."

His breath left his lungs on a sharp pant, and she dared removing her hands from her eyes.

"I'm positive the doctor will clear you today. Your skin has healed quite nicely, and there is no reason for us to be overly careful anymore. Let's leave town for a few days, maybe go to the sea. Just relax."

"The sea?" Insecurity washed over his handsome face. "I'm not sure if my body is ready for the beach yet."

She approached him quickly, placing her palms on his shoulders.

"Sorry, Booth... But I'm sure that it will be empty at this time of the year. We don't have to swim. Just take a walk, look at the ocean, spend time together."

His strong arms wrapped around her waist.

"And have sex?"

Brennan raised her head and drowned in his hazelnut brown depths. Passion and love were shining at her with intensity that made her head dizzy, and she had to capture his lips for a hot kiss.

"Yes," she finally husked. "I don't want to wait anymore, and once the doctor has cleared you, there is no reason for us to-"

He cut her off and dragged her to the door.

"Let's go and see the doctor."

She laughed at his sudden impatience.

"I'm glad you changed your mind, but I'd suggest a shirt and shoes."

Looking down at himself, Booth let go of her hand.

"Smart. While I get dressed, do you think you can pull some strings to find us a cozy little hut with sea view?"

"I'll see what I can do."

"Great, let's reap the fringe benefits of your fame, then."

-BONES-

"The fringe benefits of her fame" provided them with a secluded beach house in Ocean Pines, a little town on the East coast. Her publisher owned that house and used to sublet it during the summer months; now in late autumn it stood empty and the man was happy do to his bestselling author a favor.

The doctor's appointment turned out as expected, and Booth and Brennan lost no time packing a few bags full of clothes and groceries in the early afternoon. It was only a three-hours-drive, and they should make it way before dusk.

Booth insisted on driving, and after some weak protest, Brennan resigned herself to her fate and shifted on the passenger's seat to find a comfortable position. She was an excellent driver, but something about steering the big vehicle seemed to give Booth a kick for his masculinity, and with the wisdom of women Brennan decided to let him have this one.

When he had made it out of the crowded city streets, Booth relaxed, and his right hand found hers, clasping it.

"Thanks for this, Bones. I hope you don't mind that I asked you to call in a favor. It's not my style, and be sure that it won't become a habit."

She looked at him in puzzlement.

"Why should I care? It's only natural that you benefit from my success as well. As my... friend? Partner..." She interrupted herself, lost in thoughts for a moment. "Booth, what should I call you now? You are my friend and partner, but you are so much more. 'Boyfriend' sounds weird, though..."

"Fiancé?"

"Nice try. What am I for you?"

He kept silent for a few moments, casting her a sideways glance. When he finally spoke, his voice was hoarse and candid.

"You are my love, the woman I want to see first thing in the morning every single day. You are my sun, my light, my happiness. My girl, my woman, my Bones, my everything."

"Oh, Booth..."

Brennan seemed deeply touched by his words, and Booth was taken aback when she started to laugh a few seconds later.

"Hey, I'm baring my soul to you, and you think it is funny?"

"No," she gasped, "I just thought... hah-aha..." In an attempt to calm herself, Brennan cleared her throat and mustered a serious facial expression. "'Hello Miss Julian, this is Seeley Booth. He is my light.' Hah-aha..."

He grinned, and the sound of her laughter was pearling in the air like music.

"What about 'man', then? Nice, short, male."

She pondered it for a minute before finally nodding.

"Sounds reasonable. I think I can live with that."

"Of course 'husband' would be more expressive..."

He had to tease her one more time, but her laughter subsided.

"Again you mention marriage. Booth, you haven't even slept with me yet. Don't you want to wait until you know all the facts? Maybe I'm a disappointment for you..."

Arching his eyebrows, he turned to her for as long as he dared considering the fact that he was still driving.

"What? Bones, you could never ever be a disappointment, and most certainly not in that area. Are you," he swallowed hard, "do you worry I might be?"

"No! No, of course not. Evidence says that this will be a very satisfying experience."

"Why are you concerned, then? Temperance, you've been there the last week, you've seen what you can do to me."

She shrugged her shoulders helplessly and gnawed her lower lip.

"It's just... nobody has ever wanted me like that. Like you do."

"And as unbelievable as it is, I'm thankful for it. Less competition."

"Booth, there is no competition. You're it for me, you know that, right?"

He smiled.

"I begin to believe you. Please, trust me as well when I tell you that I want you. In every way."

Brennan shifted on her seat until she could look at him fully, resting her head on the cushions.

"Okay."

"You believe me, then?"

"Yes. And okay to the rest as well."

The car squiggled for a heartbeat.

"You want to marry me?"

"Eventually. Ask me again in a few months?"

"And every single day until then. Bones, I don't want to scare you, whenever it is too much, just tell me."

"No, I can adjust." She smiled wistfully. "Adjusting to 'too much' is a lot better than adjusting to nothing at all. And so much more fun."

She saw his face soften, as he remembered the night in the rain as well.

"Honey... I didn't have a choice back then. Hannah trusted me. Saying 'no' to you... it hurt so much."

"Booth, I'm so sorry. When it comes to you I think either too much or not enough. I had a very bad timing."

"Well, mine wasn't that much better. But all's well that ends well, right?"

She laughed breathlessly.

"This is not the end, Booth. This is the only the beginning."

He smiled.

"I love you, Temperance Brennan. Despite your bad timing and everything."

As always her heart ached a little at his words – but in a very, very good way.

-BONES-

She must have drifted off to sleep because when she opened her eyes the next time, Brennan could taste the salt of the ocean on her tongue. The distant rolling of the waves filled her ears, and she found out that the car noises had stopped.

Blinking the sleepy daze away, she turned to the smiling man next to her.

"Booth... we're there? Why didn't you wake me up?"

He lowered his head and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek.

"We just arrived. And besides, you looked so peacefully. You're incredibly cute when you sleep. And so quiet," he teased.

She nudged him playfully.

"Well, thanks."

"Look, Bones. Isn't it lovely? I always feel so small and unimportant faced with the ocean."

Brennan let her eyes wander over the scenery in front of them. The soft hills of the dunes looked as if they were painted; their pale green complemented the mild ocher tone of the sand perfectly. Embedded between them was the ocean itself; a rolling and moving mass of green, azure and gray. The heavy scent of sea tang and salt enriched the air that filled their lungs.

It seemed as if Mother Nature had enfolded their beauty only for them to enjoy. The sky above them looked almost white, some lonely seagulls cutting into the clouds with their soft wings.

"It's beautiful, Booth," she whispered. "So mighty."

"Yes, beautiful," he agreed, but his eyes didn't leave her face for the fraction of a heartbeat.

After a minute of silent contemplation, Brennan turned to him again.

"Shall we?"

"We shall."

The little beach house was in walking distance from their private parking lot, and of course Booth only let her carry the lightest bag. Brennan didn't fight that hard, though, she had come to the realization that arguing with her partner about certain topics was futile. So she settled for enjoying the sand underneath her feet and the feeling of being cared for.

Their accommodation was tiny but neat. It was a single-floor building with just a living room, an adjoining kitchenette, a bathroom and one bedroom. It crossed Brennan's mind that her publisher had simply assumed that one bedroom would be fine, but for once she didn't mind. After all, the man had been right. She was a "one bedroom kind of woman" now.

The changes that had happened during the last week still overwhelmed her somehow, but Brennan had promised herself to never ever miss her chance again, and so she had taken her leap of faith. She couldn't have found a better man than Booth, this much was clear, even after barely a week.

He understood her on a more basic level than anybody else before had ever could. He pushed her whenever she needed to be pushed, he gave her space when she had to figure out things on her own, and he was there to catch her whenever she threatened to fall. Brennan trusted him with all her heart, and most of all... it was fun.

Being with Booth was so much fun.

And even the part of her that was scared the most had been astonished to find out that she seemed to have the same effect on him. Maybe her hesitation had been misplaced; maybe she really could be the one for him as well – the one to make him happy.

After he had carried their bags into the bedroom and stored the groceries in the fridge, Booth turned his attention back to his partner and found her deep in thoughts. A frown appeared on his forehead; she could still throw him off balance majorly when she got all silent and introverted.

"Hey, Baby, did I lose you?"

His voice startled her, but her face softened immediately.

"No, I'm here."

She regarded him with eyes so baby blue and open, and his momentary tension vanished at the meaning behind her words.

Closing the distance to her in two big steps, Booth gathered her in his arms and pulled her close. She was smiling up at him and raised herself onto her tiptoes until their noses touched. With a grin he tilted his head, and their lips met almost on their own.

After a week of kissing her – and seven years of dreaming about it – Booth knew the taste of her mouth just as well as the feeling of her tongue against his own. He had memorized those sensations a long time ago, filed them away in a part of his brain which would only abandon him long after he'd have forgotten his own name, but, still, kissing her had lost nothing of its magic. He doubted it ever could.

The soft noises she made, the perfect weight of her pliant body in his arms, the seductive dance of her tongue, the full curve of her lips against his own – it all blurred in the overwhelming wholeness that was kissing Brennan, and, as always, his heart opened just a tad more for her. If possible.

When they had to break apart, his forehead rested against hers, and he breathed her in.

"You're up for a pick-nick at the beach?" he finally asked.

"Yes, sure. Sandwiches?"

"And wine?"

"Sound like a perfect mix."

-BONES-

When they finally made it to the beach, it was six o' clock, and the wind carried by the ocean was already chilly. Brennan had wrapped herself into a thick woolen cardigan and a huge scarf. Simple jeans and bare feet completed her outfit, and Booth couldn't help but admire her natural beauty.

Her hair was open, her tendrils caressed by the salty sea gusts, dancing in the wind like an autumn tree's leaves. Her former bangs were pinned back, but the wind tugged at the strands and pushed them into her face. She tucked them behind her ears with her tiny hands, laughing breathlessly.

Wearing nothing more that jeans and a shirt, Booth could feel the cool air hitting his skin, but he didn't mind. His healing wounds were tingling at the sensation, but the distant pain only reminded him that he was alive.

Coming to a halt on mutual agreement, Booth lowered their plaid blanket to the sandy surface. He busied himself with unpacking their pick-nick, and when he finally raised his eyes again, he found her standing a few yards away at the waterline. His heart skipped a beat. Brennan and the beach were a surprising match; her silhouette perfected the sight of the ocean. Not that he was anywhere near objective, of course. Booth sighed and rolled his eyes. He was so madly in love with her that she would have looked stunning even in a dumpster, he was sure about that.

Lifting himself slowly, he went in her direction. His approach didn't startle her, and when he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, she leaned back against his solid chest, her hair caressing his face.

Brushing his lips over her temple, Booth simply held her for a while, content with the wordless connection. Her hand found his on her belly, squeezing gently.

"There are so many different colors in the ocean," she finally whispered.

"And I'm sure there is a scientific explanation for that, maybe something about sea tang, the light and the time of day. You don't wanna enlighten me?"

She just shook her head.

"No. There a things in this world that shouldn't be dissected, Booth. I like the emerald shade in the waves the most. What about you?"

"Pale blue," he whispered. "Right there, where the sky touches the surface of the ocean it all blurs into the palest blue ever. It's a color that can lift you to the horizon. If only you believe."

She turned around in his arms, and Booth found himself entranced by another kind of pale blue, as she looked at him.

"I love you, Booth. I'm so glad we're finally here."

"It's like I told you... it all happens eventually."

"All the good stuff, I know," she smiled.

He kissed her lightly.

"You wanna eat now?"

She nodded.

"Yes. Plus a glass of the wine you've talked about earlier."

They made it back to their blanket as mass of limbs and smiles and plopped into the sand. Immediately, his hand snaked around her waist and he rolled her under his body to collect a sweet kiss from her lips. And another one, this time deeper. She widened her legs to accommodate him, and her bare feet played with his own – warm, sunny and sandy.

Bracing on his elbow, Booth used his free hand to brush a few unruly strands of brown silkiness out of her face. Twisting it around his finger before tucking it behind her ear, he enjoyed the simple pleasure of playing with her hair. There was still a part inside of him that couldn't quite grasp that he was allowed to touch her now – and so he had to do it again and again as if to prove it to himself.

She did nothing but smile at him with warm eyes, and her hands caressed his back lightly. The grumbling of her stomach interrupted the closeness of the moment, and Booth chuckled as a flicker of embarrassment clouded her face.

Leaning in, he tickled her cheek with the tip of his nose until she giggled and squirmed underneath him.

"Let's feed you, Bones."

As he disentangled himself from her, Brennan braced her upper body on her underarms and watched him unwrapping the sandwiches. He handed one to her – she murmured a soft "thanks" – and turned his attention to the bottle of wine and their glasses. One more time she wondered how normal and easy it felt. Somehow intimacy had sneaked its way into their relationship, had settled between friendly care and partnership, and what should be awkward and unfamiliar felt nothing but right.

'Husband.' Brennan tested the word on her lips. It was too soon, even after seven years of everything and nothing, but the term had lost the bitter flavor of the archaic meaning she had always associated with it. Faced with the pale October ocean, after a week full of love and laughter, it tasted sweet and promising.

The wine glass dangling in front of her nose tore her out of her musings, and she accepted it thankfully. The glasses clanged as they touched, and a smile was his toast.

She tilted her head to take a first sip, and the rich taste of the wine exploded on her palatal. A content sigh left her lips.

"Good?"

"Yes. Try yourself."

She pointed at the untouched glass in his own hand, but instead he lowered his head to her and traced the shape of her mouth with his tongue. Finally, it slipped between her lips, seeking entrance, and warmth that had nothing to do with the wine spread out in her belly.

"Hmm. Very good, indeed."

Her cheeks were slightly flushed when he pulled away, and he grazed her bottom lip with his thumb, just because.

Her stomach chose that moment to interrupt them again with a low growl.

"Eat, Bones. Your body is interfering with my seduction plan."

Taking a hearty bite of her cucumber sandwich, Brennan chewed with relish. After swallowing it, she nipped at the wine again before turning her face to the equally eating man next to her.

"So you're planning to seduce me?"

"Hmm... maybe?"

"How would you do it?"

He took a while to ponder her question while he savored his sandwich.

"Okay, Bones, I'll tell you how I always imaged to do it before this mess came in between."

She gave him a brief nod of anticipation.

"I always thought I'd take you out for dinner first. You in a lovely dress... me undressing you with my eyes, picturing your soft, creamy skin underneath the expensive thing. Then I'd have asked you to dance with me... my cheek touching yours. You would have been perfect in my arms – just like during your High School reunion. Then I'd have taken you home, and maybe... maybe you'd have invited me in."

His words were full of candor, and sometime during his speech she had forgotten to eat. Her gaze fell to the sandwich in her lap.

"Do you regret the way it has happened instead?" she asked in a low tone.

He reached out to her, cupping her face with infinite tenderness.

"No."

She raised her head again, and found nothing but warmth and affection in his hazelnut orbs.

"There are a lot of 'woulds' in my scenario, and the reality of you is so much better than every dream. Besides, you are an extraordinary woman, and why should things between us start with a normal date? The important part is that things have started at all."

A cute smile flashed on her face.

"I've always imagined that we would argue, and suddenly, before I would have had the change to think, the heat between us would have shifted and you would have pinned me against a wall."

Her confession caught him off guard, and he had to cough.

"Do you regret the way it has happened?"

She shook her head, and the tendrils flew around her face.

"No, never." Her nose wrinkled. "Apart from the fact that you have been hurt, of course. And besides, we are surrounded by a lot of walls every day."

Remembering her sandwich again, Brennan resumed eating, and Booth watched her silently. He was in a relationship with Temperance Brennan! The reality of it dazzled him briefly, and he shook his head to clear his mind. With a low sigh he stretched out on the blanket next to her, his eyes roaming over the rolling ocean one more time. He could feel his heart beating steadily in his chest, and the rhythm mingled with the rushing of the waves.

Booth inhaled deeply, savoring the rich sea-flavored air, and for once in his life no demons were haunting him, no past actions gnawing at his soul with a sense of guilt, no uncertain future bothering him. He had arrived, and a certainty that he hadn't felt since he had been a very little child or since he had held his baby boy for the first time washed over him – the rare feeling that just everything was perfect in his world, that he was at the right place to the very right time.

Shifting his head until he could see the woman sitting next to him, her chin resting on her knees, her dark hair shimmering with a hint of mahogany in the mild evening sun, Booth knew that his peace had nothing to do with this beautiful place but everything with her.

Sensing that her partner was staring at her, Brennan tilted her head and gave him a lazy smile. 'He looks good,' she thought. Relaxed and at ease. Seeing him like this was a rare treat, usually he was on alert, his muscles tensed, shoulders straightened. Right now his handsome face was free of worry lines and dark shadows. His fingers played with the stem of the wine glass absentmindedly, and he emanated calm and... happiness.

"What are you thinking?"

"Nothing. Isn't that wonderful?"

Understanding him fully, she nodded, and her hand reached out to lace with his own. He brushed her knuckles with his thumb before pulling her fingers to his mouth, kissing them. The sleeve of her cardigan had ridden up under the movement, and Booth noticed tiny goosebumps covering her milky skin. Rubbing his stubbly cheek against the exposed flesh, he tried to warm her up, but the caress evoked even more goosebumps.

"You cold?"

"A little," she admitted with a shrug of her shoulders.

"Alright. Let's pack up and go in, then."

They stowed the remains of their meal in his bag with no hurry, and Brennan tried to fold the blanket. It flapped like a sail in the blowing wind, and she completed the task with a breathless laughter on her lips. Once she had managed to wrap it into a neat little package, she turned to Booth again and found him looking at her with a bemused grin playing around his lips.

"Very graceful and too cute."

Sticking out her tongue at him, Brennan surprised him by racing towards the house. Losing no time, Booth chased after her. The sand made it surprisingly difficult, but he wasn't a Ranger for nothing and bet her easily.

As soon as he felt the wooden planks of their veranda underneath his bare feet, Booth dropped the bag and wrapped his arms around her waist, throwing her light weight over his shoulder. She squealed and slapped him with the blanket, but didn't hit hard.

He ignored her playful protest and carried her straight to their bedroom where he threw her onto the bed unceremoniously. Lifting her upper body, Brennan pushed her hair out of her face and eyed him curiously.

"So that's your clever seduction plan?"

"Ah, shut up."

Without further ado he crawled onto the mattress until he covered her body with his and their lips touched. She arched her back and locked her arms behind his neck to pull him closer, and soon everything was forgotten except for the sensation of his mouth on hers. The raspy tip of his tongue encouraged her lips to part, and with a silent moan she welcomed him. He tasted like ocean, wine and Booth – the flavor that she always found in his mouth and that reminded her of home.

His teeth were nibbling her lower lip oh so gently, and his hand tangled in her hair, fingers running through the softness of it. His other palm caressed her cheek in a gesture so full of tenderness that it made her week in her knees. Fortunately, she was already lying, so this wasn't a problem.

Her legs parted languorously and her feet stroked his calves, encouraging him to nestle even deeper between the cradle of her thighs. Leaving her lips, Booth tilted her head and peppered open-mouthed kisses along her jawline, licking the sea salt from her skin. His thumb rubbed that sensitive spot right behind her ear while his mouth traveled lower, lingering on her neck to suck the delicate skin there.

She moaned, and he felt the vibration against his lips.

Her own hands slipped under his shirt and roamed over his smooth and firm sides before tracing feathery patterns on the uneven skin of his back. He didn't jerk at her touch, and Brennan found the courage to follow the shape of his spine with her fingernails.

"Am I hurting you?"

He shook his head and nuzzled the crook of her neck with his face.

"No. You are making me feel."

The gentleness of his answer hit her with unexpected force, and she wrapped her arms tightly around his back. His full weight on her was almost too much, but she needed it for a moment to ground herself. The irony that she felt so free and safe while his heavy body was pinning her down, effectively immobilizing her, wasn't lost on her, but Brennan refused to scrutinize the emotion.

When breathing became an issue, Brennan loosened her iron-hard grip on him, and he supported some of his weight on his left elbow. His right hand brushed her face lovingly, and he asked her wordlessly if everything was okay.

She nodded with a bright shimmer in her eyes, and then her lips found his ear, playing with his lobe. He growled low in his throat when she closed her mouth around it, sucking the tender flesh into her damp warmth. His pelvis was moving on its own accord, grinding against her center with the sweetest friction, and inside of her a swarm of butterflies fluttered with dainty wings.

His hand stroked from her face to her cleavage, and with deft fingers he unbuttoned first her cardigan and then the shirt underneath until the fabric fell apart, revealing flawless skin and dark green lace. He circled the scattered freckles between her breasts with the tip of his finger, as if he was drawing a map of her body.

Her own impatient hands interrupted his reverence as she tugged at his shirt, and for a few seconds he was caught in a tunnel of cotton before they met each other skin to skin.

Brennan followed the shape of his scars – old and new ones – with one careful finger, and for a few seconds she was lost in her own exploration.

"Pretty bad, huh?"

His vulnerable words forced her to search for his eyes.

"Far from it. Warriors of the ancient time used to show their scars with pride because it was visible proof of their braveness. Booth, you are so brave, and I'm dazzled by your strength. You are nothing but beautiful."

His face softened, and he thanked her with a warm smile.

"How come that you always seem to find the right words to comfort me?"

She shrugged underneath him.

"I know who you are, and your wellbeing is so important to me."

"Aw, if I didn't know better I'd say you're in love with me."

She frowned.

"I have told you repeatedly that I'm in love with you, so you do know better."

Chuckling, he dove in for a honeyed kiss.

"I was just fishing, Babe."

"Fishing? Booth, now you lost me."

"Well, what can I do to catch you again?"

Then his palm was on her chest, firmly kneading the soft swell through her bra, and every thought about fishing disappeared from her mind.

"Still, I don't know what that means," she murmured before he undid the front clasp of her bra and his warm lips were on her breasts. He sucked and licked her with just the right amount of pressure, and Brennan marveled how quickly he had learned her body's preferences and responses. His ministrations sent a rush of wetness directly to her lower belly, and in no time her breath was ragged.

"Booth..."

"Hm?"

"Yes..."

During the last week Booth had practiced his new-found methods to reduce his very eloquent, brilliant partner to a puddle of want and monosyllabic answers, and he enjoyed her primal reaction to his caresses more than anything else.

His tongue slid lower to lick the sensitive spot around her bellybutton, and when he met the buttons of her jeans, he placed his head on her flat midsection, his palm cupping her mound through the fabric. He felt heat radiating from her, and his own arousal soared to a higher level.

She ground against his hand without shame, and her wriggles made him throb with unleashed desire for her. Losing no time, he unzipped her jeans and dragged the garment down her long legs. His eyes raised to find hers, and for a moment – right before they crashed into each other with the force of light speed, before her hands were at his belt and his arms behind her back – they lost themselves in baby blue, chocolate brown and every single color in between.

Then everything blurred in a frenzy of passion, and both of them had no idea how it had happened – so fast, eventually, at last – but they were pressed to each other completely naked from head to toe. His arms under her head, her fingers in his hair, his leg between hers, her lips on his throat, his member twitching against her belly, her core dampening his thigh.

Their chests were flush against each other, and whenever his heart skipped a beat, her own stepped in, completing the rhythm. Her warmth was his own, and only the golden tone of his and the lighter shade of her skin gave away where his body ended and hers began.

They rolled around on the bed, kissing feverishly, utterly and hopelessly lost in each other.

Then it was time, and, finally, with a mutual nod of affirmation, he clasped her thigh with his hand, lifting it over his own hip and slid home.

Her breath was leaving her lips on a low whimper as he filled her so perfectly for the very first time, and he stilled on top of her. His soul was bare in his eyes, and she was speechless at the pure beauty she found there.

"Oh, God," he panted, his head falling to her shoulder.

"Yes, oh, fucking yes."

Her legs spread even further, and she wrapped herself around his body as tight as possible. He was buried deep inside of her, not moving yet, but pulsating with heat that warmed her from the inside out.

"Booth..."

Her voice was almost a sob, and he rocked her tenderly, showering her with soft endearments.

"Bones... Temperance..."

He cradled her for another sweet moment, giving her and himself time to grasp the magnitude of their connection. Then his pelvis lifted and he thrust deep into her.

"Yes.."

And again.

She gripped him like a velvet glove, so tight, so made for him, and moisture was pooling behind his eyelids.

"You're mine," he growled.

"Yes," she whispered, "oh yes."

Then he felt a distant pain in his hair roots, as she tugged at his head, searching for his gaze.

"But you're mine as well."

Dark desire mingled with pure emotions, as their eyes bore into each other, and her hands found his buttocks, pushing him into her harder.

A moan escaped his lips, and she drank it from him, as the muscles of his rear end tightened under her hands to stroke her again and again.

Her fingernails dug into his flesh, and he brought his arms under her shoulder blades to crush her to his body in an embrace so powerful that Brennan was afraid that she might shatter into a thousand pieces under his burning touch.

His was pumping in and out of her now, his movements erratic and out of control. The contrast of his ravenous passion and his tender kiss was almost her undone, and Brennan fought hard against the tension in her belly. She wasn't ready to fall yet, she needed more of this, more of him, more of them.

Leaving his mouth, she licked the sweaty pearls from his shoulder, enjoying the fresh, salty flavor of his skin. The scent of their lovemaking enriched the air, and when he lifted her thigh even higher, he hit her in the perfect spot, and her body froze.

Her eyes snapped open, and right then, when she tumbled over the edge, when her body convulsed in spasms so hard she had never experienced before, he found her and fell with her. The contractions of her inner muscles drew him tighter and tighter into an abyss so warm, so tempting that following her was the only sane thing to do – and with a loud howl he spilled himself into her until they both landed in velvet-like blackness...

It took some time before Booth could form a coherent thought again. His nerve-endings were still tingling in the aftermath, and Brennan clung to his body with everything she had. He brushed her lips with heart-crushing tenderness and whispered about love and hope and happiness. She smiled against his mouth, feeling cherished and safe.

They had done it.

Made love, crossed the line, broken the laws of physics. However, the earth was still turning, heaven hadn't fallen apart and the rough salt-breeze was cooling their sweaty bodies. When she finally looked at him – truly and really looked at him – he saw on her face the answers to every question he had ever had, the key to every riddle.

And in the dim evening light, he found the pale blue of the ocean in her eyes.

The End