Flight (Chapter 2)
Title: Flight (Chapter 2)
Author: Gryphin
Characters/Pairings: Booth, Brennan
Word Count: 2,687
Rating: T
Spoilers: None
Author’s Note: The first 2 chapters of this story was previously posted at FF.net and I am now posting Chapters 1-3 here on LJ. This story is very angsty, but it will be an incredible journey for these two that will culminate in a way that will satisfy every fluff reader out there. I promise!
Previous Chapters: Chapter 1
Summary: She's running from whatever it is between them, but will love catch up to her despite her efforts?
Greetings Dr. Brennan,
Attached you will find all of your travel information, including accommodation and transportation arrangements. Please be advised that due to the site’s location within DRC, some extra precautions were necessary. However - as we discussed - the location is within non-hostile boundaries and we don’t expect to have any problems. As you yourself said, the need for small concessions certainly is far outweighed by the sheer enormity of such an incredible site. To say we are pleased that you will be joining us would be a severe understatement!
Please let me know if there is anything else that you require. See you soon!
Dr. Maiba Menseh
Culture, Communication and Media Studies
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa
Brennan read the email, the latest in a series of whirlwind exchanges between herself and Dr. Menseh. She appreciated the efficiency that the other woman demonstrated, enabling her plans to be finalized within a mere four day period.
Four days.
She hadn’t seen or heard from Booth during that time. No new case had brought him to her, and there had been no phone calls exchanged.
She told herself that this was a good thing - that she preferred it this way. It was simple and so much less complicated. There was no need to tiptoe around things unsaid. If it kept up like this, then she might even get to leave without having to worry about how she was going to deal with…whatever it was between Booth and herself.
Of course, she couldn’t - and wouldn’t - just leave without saying something; but the conversation could remain succinct and to the point. A four week sabbatical to a fascinating South African dig site would afford her all of the opportunity required in order to gain some better perspective. A little distance, a little time, and an ancient nomadic culture was exactly what she needed.
Decisions made and plans in place, she got up from her chair and reached for her lab coat. It was Tuesday morning and she left on Friday. There was a lot of work to be done between now and then, and she was determined to make it happen. Her efficient stride carried her to her door while she looked down to button up the blue coat. She only lowered her eyes for a brief moment, but it was enough to miss the person walking into her office. With a shrug of her shoulders to settle the garment in place, she looked up.
And walked right into him.
“Booth!”
“Bones!”
They both spoke at the same time, his hands stretching out to steady her even as she stepped back.
“What are you doing here?” She eyed the door behind him, aggravated to see that his bulk was blocking her escape.
“What am I doing here? It’s Tuesday.” He dropped his hands and raised his eyebrows - looking at her as though she should know the answer to her own question.
It just aggravated her more that he seemed to have remembered something that she had forgotten. For the life of her though, she couldn’t recall having made any plans with Booth for today. “Yes, and I have work to do. So if you’ll excuse me…”
He threw his hands up in exasperation, lifting his eyes to stare at the ceiling. “Tuesday, Bones! Sweets? Tuesdays?”
The horror she felt must not have shown on her face, because he just looked at her, waiting for an answer. How could she have forgotten? They went every week, and today was the day.
“Right. We have to be there by ten.”
He clapped his hands together and stepped further into her office. “Yep, and its 9:30 now, so if we are gonna get there on time, we need to get going.”
She was momentarily rooted to the spot. How could the smell of aftershave be so completely disarming? And was that the tie she had bought him for his birthday? It had little skulls on it. Oh god…
“Bones? Come on. Get your stuff!”
His voice snapped her into action, and she turned to hang her lab coat back up. She grabbed her regular jacket, shrugged it on, and picked up her purse.
“You ready?”
She could only nod, her voice seemingly absent at the moment. As was his custom, he allowed her to proceed him out the door, but he stopped and leaned against the wall while she dug out her keys to lock up. She knew he was watching her - and probably wanted to say something - but he didn’t, and for that she was grateful.
They walked to his car without saying anything, the tension thick and heavy in the air between them. Something had to be done because there was no way Sweets wouldn’t pick up on this. As she slid into the passenger seat, she contemplated what to say. She didn’t want to have to talk about what had happened, but she also didn’t want there to be no communication between them.
As he pulled the SUV out onto the street, he snapped his sunglasses on. It may be December, but it was bright and crisp outside. He drummed three fingers on the top of the steering wheel, waiting impatiently for a light to change.
She was all too aware of his presence in the vehicle with her. How many times had they sat side by side, just like this? By now, she had grown accustomed to the warm affection that she felt toward her partner. If it was mixed with the occasional thrill of sexual tension, then it just kept her job fun and exciting. But this? This all knowing awareness? It was consuming and distracting. How could she work like this without being a liability to the case? As they drove, she continued to hold on to the knowledge that she was leaving soon, and then she could sort all this out. It became a sort of mantra - just get through the next four days.
His voice broke through her inner monologue. “You couldn’t possibly press any closer to the door, Bones.” His eyes broke contact with the road just long enough to cast a careful glance at her. “Don’t you think Sweets is going to notice if you sit like that in his office?”
She looked down at herself and was surprised to see that he was correct. She had picked up enough over the years to be able to understand a little about body language. And hers was sending up some definite red flags.
She took a deep breath and slowly eased herself into a more relaxed and natural position. “Sorry. Is this better?”
Swinging his head to look at her again, he gave a terse nod before turning back to the road. Silence descended once more between them, the occasional drum of Booth’s fingertips sounding like gun fire. Silence used to be comfortable for them. In fact, most of the important things that they “said” to one another was spoken in silence; their own bizarre form of non-verbal communication. But this was very different and the effect was one of discomfort.
Eventually, she got fed up with her own inability to function. This was Booth, her partner and her friend. She knew how to act around him. Surely she could find enough to talk about for the duration of the ride? Adopting a casual air, she relaxed further back in the seat. She could do this.
“How was your weekend?”
His reply was swift and concise. “Fine.”
He didn’t look at her, offer more information, or stop the incessant drumming. Maybe he needed a little more prodding? If only she didn’t feel so completely out of her element here. He was her translator when it came to the emotional aspect of people. Although she could read him better then she could others, she still felt inadequately equipped to analyze his behavior.
“Did you get to see Parker?”
“He stayed the night on Saturday.” Again, no elaboration beyond his quick reply.
She turned in her seat so that she was facing him, noticing with some satisfaction that her movements at least caused him to look her way again. “Booth, you cannot criticize my non-verbal communication and then go on to demonstrate such poor verbal communication. Sweets will notice that just as much, if not more!”
He didn’t respond. He flicked the blinker on, signaling his merge into the left turn lane as he looked back over his shoulder to check his blind spot. As he pulled into the parking lot, she could feel her frustration building. Why wasn’t he talking to her?
“Booth, why are…”
“We’re here.” He cut off her question as he pulled the SUV into a parking spot, threw the gears into park, and switched off the ignition. A quick flick of his wrist had his seatbelt coiling back over his shoulder. As he stepped out onto the pavement and reached to swing his door shut, she fired off another question.
“Why is this such a big deal?”
The door slammed shut just as “deal” left her mouth. For a brief moment, he just stood there - staring straight ahead. When he started moving, it was with an alarming amount of intent. His strides brought him around the vehicle within a few short seconds, where he proceeded to jerk her door open. She barely had time to register what he was doing, let alone get out of his way. Instead, she found herself shrinking back as he pulled his sunglasses off and leaned his body against the truck’s frame.
“What’s the big deal? Are you fucking serious?” His body loomed over hers, his eyes taking on that same intensity that she had been captivated by previously. He rarely ever swore, and especially not at her. For some reason, the fact that he chose now to do so simply added to the overpowering maleness of his presence. She could feel her body reacting violently, her heart rate suddenly rapid and loud in her ears. Her mouth went dry as she clamored for words.
“I…I don’t understand.”
He glared down at her in response. “Of course you don’t.”
Despite the intense heat that had her nearly incapacitated, her pride flared up in response. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He stared hard at her for another agonizingly arousing moment before he answered. “I let you take, take, take. You come whenever you feel like it, and I never ask you any questions.” He reached out one hand, burning her skin where his fingers settled along her jaw. She wanted to pull back into the relative safety of the truck’s interior, but she felt powerless - frozen in place. “I’ve never made any demands of you.”
Somehow, she found her voice. It sounded tremulous at best, but at least it was there. “It’s not like you haven’t enjoyed it just as much as I have.”
He seemed to contemplate that for a moment. “True.” He moved in closer until she could feel the heat of his breath on her face. “I wont deny that you and I are…extremely compatible. But…” And here he paused to move his hand to her chin, capturing her full attention for what he said next. “I think there’s something more than that.”
The words melted into a whisper, his gaze flicking from her eyes down to her lips. With a conflicting sense of anticipation and dread, she realized he was going to kiss her. Not only had she told herself that she was going to abstain from him in order to move on past the attraction she felt, but she had never allowed their physical relationship to manifest anywhere outside of their respective residences.
Suddenly terrified of what it would mean to kiss him here, she turned her face slightly. He stopped his decent towards her mouth only a hair’s breadth away from her skin. He hovered for only a moment before pulling back.
She was afraid to look at him - afraid to see what her rejection had cost them. Would he be even more angry with her now? She glanced hesitantly back up at him, and was shocked to see that his face had hardened into an impervious mask. His eyes had become twin points of steel, his jaw set firmly beneath his equally rigid mouth. For a brief second, she caught a glimpse of the man he had been before she met him. This man had been an Army Ranger - all hard and uncompromising until he had imploded into a self-destructive mess. This man was darker and much more dangerous than the partner she had known for over four years.
Her heart still hammered in her chest as she floundered for what to say next. She did not like feeling as if she was missing something here. Could she really be so lacking in instinct?
He spoke again, this time seemingly to himself. “I figured as much…” Raising his eyes to meet hers, he addressed her directly with a voice as uncompromising as flint. “What exactly are we, Bones?”
Her reply was automatic, years’ worth of repetition bringing the response to her lips. “We’re partners.”
His expression scrunched up as if he’d just tasted something acidic. “Oh please, even you can’t believe that line anymore.”
“But we are partners…”
“You don’t think we’re anything more than that?”
This time, she took a little longer with her answer. What was he looking for her to say? She was being truthful in saying that they were partners. Of course they were also…
“Friends. We’re friends.” Some of the anxiety in her stomach settled because she was pleased to have come up with the right answer. Partners and friends. That’s what they were. So she was surprised when he responded with a bitter laugh.
“Friends. What kind of friends are we then? Friends with benefits?”
She was becoming more and more confused. Why was he upset about being her friend? Could he really not even see her that way anymore? Was he telling her that their friendship was unsalvageable? She could feel tears beginning to prick the corners of her eyes. It seemed like she was always crying around him these days. It was humiliating.
“Friends with benefits?”
“Yeah, you know. The kind of friends that get to sleep together without having any kind of commitment outside of friendship.”
He practically sneered the words out, sounding disgusted with the very idea. Nothing was making sense. She couldn’t even think straight right now. His body was hovering over hers, all coiled strength and male energy. His very presence seemed to be robbing her of her common sense. They were friends…or they weren’t? She didn’t understand. But his explanation of the term seemed to fit them.
Hesitantly, she peered up at him, her brows drawn together in confusion. “That sounds like an accurate description of our current dynamic…”
He stared hard at her, his eyes seemingly burning a path straight through her. She tried desperately to mask whatever it was that was hidden there. Even she didn’t know, and there was no way that she wanted him to find out before her.
Breathe seep - just four more days.
Suddenly he straightened up, snapping his sunglasses back in place. “Yep, Bones. I guess it is.” He stepped back, allowing her the exit that she sought. What was happening here? Obviously, this was just more proof that she needed to get away from him and get her head sorted out. They couldn’t keep going like this. In fact, she was suddenly and keenly overwhelmed by how much she missed them. The way that they used to be.
“Come on, we’re gonna be late.”
His terse tone of voice combined with his stony expression caused tears to once again threaten to fall. Lurching forward, she stepped out of the SUV and around Booth. He shut the door behind her and used the remote to lock the doors.
Ever the gentleman, he ushered her before him. But she couldn’t help but notice that his hand only hovered over her back.
It never made contact.
Author: Gryphin
Characters/Pairings: Booth, Brennan
Word Count: 2,687
Rating: T
Spoilers: None
Author’s Note: The first 2 chapters of this story was previously posted at FF.net and I am now posting Chapters 1-3 here on LJ. This story is very angsty, but it will be an incredible journey for these two that will culminate in a way that will satisfy every fluff reader out there. I promise!
Previous Chapters: Chapter 1
Summary: She's running from whatever it is between them, but will love catch up to her despite her efforts?
Greetings Dr. Brennan,
Attached you will find all of your travel information, including accommodation and transportation arrangements. Please be advised that due to the site’s location within DRC, some extra precautions were necessary. However - as we discussed - the location is within non-hostile boundaries and we don’t expect to have any problems. As you yourself said, the need for small concessions certainly is far outweighed by the sheer enormity of such an incredible site. To say we are pleased that you will be joining us would be a severe understatement!
Please let me know if there is anything else that you require. See you soon!
Dr. Maiba Menseh
Culture, Communication and Media Studies
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa
Brennan read the email, the latest in a series of whirlwind exchanges between herself and Dr. Menseh. She appreciated the efficiency that the other woman demonstrated, enabling her plans to be finalized within a mere four day period.
Four days.
She hadn’t seen or heard from Booth during that time. No new case had brought him to her, and there had been no phone calls exchanged.
She told herself that this was a good thing - that she preferred it this way. It was simple and so much less complicated. There was no need to tiptoe around things unsaid. If it kept up like this, then she might even get to leave without having to worry about how she was going to deal with…whatever it was between Booth and herself.
Of course, she couldn’t - and wouldn’t - just leave without saying something; but the conversation could remain succinct and to the point. A four week sabbatical to a fascinating South African dig site would afford her all of the opportunity required in order to gain some better perspective. A little distance, a little time, and an ancient nomadic culture was exactly what she needed.
Decisions made and plans in place, she got up from her chair and reached for her lab coat. It was Tuesday morning and she left on Friday. There was a lot of work to be done between now and then, and she was determined to make it happen. Her efficient stride carried her to her door while she looked down to button up the blue coat. She only lowered her eyes for a brief moment, but it was enough to miss the person walking into her office. With a shrug of her shoulders to settle the garment in place, she looked up.
And walked right into him.
“Booth!”
“Bones!”
They both spoke at the same time, his hands stretching out to steady her even as she stepped back.
“What are you doing here?” She eyed the door behind him, aggravated to see that his bulk was blocking her escape.
“What am I doing here? It’s Tuesday.” He dropped his hands and raised his eyebrows - looking at her as though she should know the answer to her own question.
It just aggravated her more that he seemed to have remembered something that she had forgotten. For the life of her though, she couldn’t recall having made any plans with Booth for today. “Yes, and I have work to do. So if you’ll excuse me…”
He threw his hands up in exasperation, lifting his eyes to stare at the ceiling. “Tuesday, Bones! Sweets? Tuesdays?”
The horror she felt must not have shown on her face, because he just looked at her, waiting for an answer. How could she have forgotten? They went every week, and today was the day.
“Right. We have to be there by ten.”
He clapped his hands together and stepped further into her office. “Yep, and its 9:30 now, so if we are gonna get there on time, we need to get going.”
She was momentarily rooted to the spot. How could the smell of aftershave be so completely disarming? And was that the tie she had bought him for his birthday? It had little skulls on it. Oh god…
“Bones? Come on. Get your stuff!”
His voice snapped her into action, and she turned to hang her lab coat back up. She grabbed her regular jacket, shrugged it on, and picked up her purse.
“You ready?”
She could only nod, her voice seemingly absent at the moment. As was his custom, he allowed her to proceed him out the door, but he stopped and leaned against the wall while she dug out her keys to lock up. She knew he was watching her - and probably wanted to say something - but he didn’t, and for that she was grateful.
They walked to his car without saying anything, the tension thick and heavy in the air between them. Something had to be done because there was no way Sweets wouldn’t pick up on this. As she slid into the passenger seat, she contemplated what to say. She didn’t want to have to talk about what had happened, but she also didn’t want there to be no communication between them.
As he pulled the SUV out onto the street, he snapped his sunglasses on. It may be December, but it was bright and crisp outside. He drummed three fingers on the top of the steering wheel, waiting impatiently for a light to change.
She was all too aware of his presence in the vehicle with her. How many times had they sat side by side, just like this? By now, she had grown accustomed to the warm affection that she felt toward her partner. If it was mixed with the occasional thrill of sexual tension, then it just kept her job fun and exciting. But this? This all knowing awareness? It was consuming and distracting. How could she work like this without being a liability to the case? As they drove, she continued to hold on to the knowledge that she was leaving soon, and then she could sort all this out. It became a sort of mantra - just get through the next four days.
His voice broke through her inner monologue. “You couldn’t possibly press any closer to the door, Bones.” His eyes broke contact with the road just long enough to cast a careful glance at her. “Don’t you think Sweets is going to notice if you sit like that in his office?”
She looked down at herself and was surprised to see that he was correct. She had picked up enough over the years to be able to understand a little about body language. And hers was sending up some definite red flags.
She took a deep breath and slowly eased herself into a more relaxed and natural position. “Sorry. Is this better?”
Swinging his head to look at her again, he gave a terse nod before turning back to the road. Silence descended once more between them, the occasional drum of Booth’s fingertips sounding like gun fire. Silence used to be comfortable for them. In fact, most of the important things that they “said” to one another was spoken in silence; their own bizarre form of non-verbal communication. But this was very different and the effect was one of discomfort.
Eventually, she got fed up with her own inability to function. This was Booth, her partner and her friend. She knew how to act around him. Surely she could find enough to talk about for the duration of the ride? Adopting a casual air, she relaxed further back in the seat. She could do this.
“How was your weekend?”
His reply was swift and concise. “Fine.”
He didn’t look at her, offer more information, or stop the incessant drumming. Maybe he needed a little more prodding? If only she didn’t feel so completely out of her element here. He was her translator when it came to the emotional aspect of people. Although she could read him better then she could others, she still felt inadequately equipped to analyze his behavior.
“Did you get to see Parker?”
“He stayed the night on Saturday.” Again, no elaboration beyond his quick reply.
She turned in her seat so that she was facing him, noticing with some satisfaction that her movements at least caused him to look her way again. “Booth, you cannot criticize my non-verbal communication and then go on to demonstrate such poor verbal communication. Sweets will notice that just as much, if not more!”
He didn’t respond. He flicked the blinker on, signaling his merge into the left turn lane as he looked back over his shoulder to check his blind spot. As he pulled into the parking lot, she could feel her frustration building. Why wasn’t he talking to her?
“Booth, why are…”
“We’re here.” He cut off her question as he pulled the SUV into a parking spot, threw the gears into park, and switched off the ignition. A quick flick of his wrist had his seatbelt coiling back over his shoulder. As he stepped out onto the pavement and reached to swing his door shut, she fired off another question.
“Why is this such a big deal?”
The door slammed shut just as “deal” left her mouth. For a brief moment, he just stood there - staring straight ahead. When he started moving, it was with an alarming amount of intent. His strides brought him around the vehicle within a few short seconds, where he proceeded to jerk her door open. She barely had time to register what he was doing, let alone get out of his way. Instead, she found herself shrinking back as he pulled his sunglasses off and leaned his body against the truck’s frame.
“What’s the big deal? Are you fucking serious?” His body loomed over hers, his eyes taking on that same intensity that she had been captivated by previously. He rarely ever swore, and especially not at her. For some reason, the fact that he chose now to do so simply added to the overpowering maleness of his presence. She could feel her body reacting violently, her heart rate suddenly rapid and loud in her ears. Her mouth went dry as she clamored for words.
“I…I don’t understand.”
He glared down at her in response. “Of course you don’t.”
Despite the intense heat that had her nearly incapacitated, her pride flared up in response. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He stared hard at her for another agonizingly arousing moment before he answered. “I let you take, take, take. You come whenever you feel like it, and I never ask you any questions.” He reached out one hand, burning her skin where his fingers settled along her jaw. She wanted to pull back into the relative safety of the truck’s interior, but she felt powerless - frozen in place. “I’ve never made any demands of you.”
Somehow, she found her voice. It sounded tremulous at best, but at least it was there. “It’s not like you haven’t enjoyed it just as much as I have.”
He seemed to contemplate that for a moment. “True.” He moved in closer until she could feel the heat of his breath on her face. “I wont deny that you and I are…extremely compatible. But…” And here he paused to move his hand to her chin, capturing her full attention for what he said next. “I think there’s something more than that.”
The words melted into a whisper, his gaze flicking from her eyes down to her lips. With a conflicting sense of anticipation and dread, she realized he was going to kiss her. Not only had she told herself that she was going to abstain from him in order to move on past the attraction she felt, but she had never allowed their physical relationship to manifest anywhere outside of their respective residences.
Suddenly terrified of what it would mean to kiss him here, she turned her face slightly. He stopped his decent towards her mouth only a hair’s breadth away from her skin. He hovered for only a moment before pulling back.
She was afraid to look at him - afraid to see what her rejection had cost them. Would he be even more angry with her now? She glanced hesitantly back up at him, and was shocked to see that his face had hardened into an impervious mask. His eyes had become twin points of steel, his jaw set firmly beneath his equally rigid mouth. For a brief second, she caught a glimpse of the man he had been before she met him. This man had been an Army Ranger - all hard and uncompromising until he had imploded into a self-destructive mess. This man was darker and much more dangerous than the partner she had known for over four years.
Her heart still hammered in her chest as she floundered for what to say next. She did not like feeling as if she was missing something here. Could she really be so lacking in instinct?
He spoke again, this time seemingly to himself. “I figured as much…” Raising his eyes to meet hers, he addressed her directly with a voice as uncompromising as flint. “What exactly are we, Bones?”
Her reply was automatic, years’ worth of repetition bringing the response to her lips. “We’re partners.”
His expression scrunched up as if he’d just tasted something acidic. “Oh please, even you can’t believe that line anymore.”
“But we are partners…”
“You don’t think we’re anything more than that?”
This time, she took a little longer with her answer. What was he looking for her to say? She was being truthful in saying that they were partners. Of course they were also…
“Friends. We’re friends.” Some of the anxiety in her stomach settled because she was pleased to have come up with the right answer. Partners and friends. That’s what they were. So she was surprised when he responded with a bitter laugh.
“Friends. What kind of friends are we then? Friends with benefits?”
She was becoming more and more confused. Why was he upset about being her friend? Could he really not even see her that way anymore? Was he telling her that their friendship was unsalvageable? She could feel tears beginning to prick the corners of her eyes. It seemed like she was always crying around him these days. It was humiliating.
“Friends with benefits?”
“Yeah, you know. The kind of friends that get to sleep together without having any kind of commitment outside of friendship.”
He practically sneered the words out, sounding disgusted with the very idea. Nothing was making sense. She couldn’t even think straight right now. His body was hovering over hers, all coiled strength and male energy. His very presence seemed to be robbing her of her common sense. They were friends…or they weren’t? She didn’t understand. But his explanation of the term seemed to fit them.
Hesitantly, she peered up at him, her brows drawn together in confusion. “That sounds like an accurate description of our current dynamic…”
He stared hard at her, his eyes seemingly burning a path straight through her. She tried desperately to mask whatever it was that was hidden there. Even she didn’t know, and there was no way that she wanted him to find out before her.
Breathe seep - just four more days.
Suddenly he straightened up, snapping his sunglasses back in place. “Yep, Bones. I guess it is.” He stepped back, allowing her the exit that she sought. What was happening here? Obviously, this was just more proof that she needed to get away from him and get her head sorted out. They couldn’t keep going like this. In fact, she was suddenly and keenly overwhelmed by how much she missed them. The way that they used to be.
“Come on, we’re gonna be late.”
His terse tone of voice combined with his stony expression caused tears to once again threaten to fall. Lurching forward, she stepped out of the SUV and around Booth. He shut the door behind her and used the remote to lock the doors.
Ever the gentleman, he ushered her before him. But she couldn’t help but notice that his hand only hovered over her back.
It never made contact.