Bones Fanfic: Stuck In A Moment (17/27)
Title: Stuck In A Moment
Author: biba79
Disclaimer: Characters aren’t mine, they belong to Hart Hanson.
Pairings/Characters: Booth/Brennan
Rating: T
Summary: An event tests Booth and Brennan's relationship. Booth kept telling himself that it would take time, and he needed to be patient. Will they be able to get through it? Future Fic! B/B!
Word Count: 3,162
Spoiler: None
Preview Chapters: One - Two - Three - Four - Five - Six - Seven - Eight - Nine - Ten - Eleven - Twelve - Thirteen - Fourteen - Fifteen - Sixteen
A/N:
Song “Push” By Sarah McLachlan
Every time I look at you the world just melts away
All my troubles all my fears dissolve in your affections
You've seen me at my weakest but you take me as I am
And when I fall you offer me a softer place to land
You stay the course you hold the line you keep it all together
You're the one true thing I know I can believe in
You're all the things that I desire, you save me, you complete me
You're the one true thing I know I can believe
I get mad so easy but you give me room to breathe
No matter what I say or do 'cause you're too good to fight about it
Even when I have to push just to see how far you'll go
You won’t stoop down to battle but you never turn to go
Chapter 17
Brennan hit the erase button on the answering machine viciously. “I just bet you would love to talk to me. We have so much in common. No thanks. I don’t need to have any help from you, Ms. Foster. You want my husband, help yourself. I have no intention of having a sordid fight with you over Booth.” She was angry, but deep down there was some sadness to it as well. She decided she should call a lawyer soon and skip from the separation papers to the divorce papers.
She stormed back to her office where she had been spending most of her time in the last few months. She had transformed it into a studio slowly, and now there were canvases and paints everywhere. She still hadn’t thanked Angela for giving her that first set of supplies. She wasn’t good, especially compared to Angela, but when she sat in front of a canvas, it relaxed her. She sat down on the stool, picked up a brush and continued what she was painting earlier, leaving behind the frustration of Emma Foster and Booth.
X-X-X-X-X-X
Booth was disappointed. He’d had some hope that Brennan would at least accept a phone call from Emma. Two women sharing the loss of a child would be heart-breaking, but therapeutic for both of them. He could see Emma and Brennan becoming good friends. He would even give up his friendship with Emma for Brennan’s well being. She needed Emma more than he did, but he didn’t want to give too much thought to what he would do without her, because he knew she filled a profound need in him too.
He had never been with such a light spirit before. She had no awful personality traits, unless he counted that Pittsburgh Penguins jersey. She was a wonderfully devoted mother, and he knew just by seeing her a little in the classroom, what a patient teacher she was too.
He was always around people who had so much loading them down. There was always heaviness in his life, because of the nature of his job. With Emma, it was not so heavy. She didn’t let the world bring her down, and he needed to learn that from her. He needed to figure out a way to stay out of the darkness that was so close to taking him over sometimes.
X-X-X-X-X-X
Booth had come to the school with a little surprise for Emma. He waited until he heard the dismissal bell and watched the torrent of kids leaving to go home, then he caught her packing up her papers.
“Hey…” His face held a half grin, and his eyes were twinkling a little.
“Hi… what a surprise.” Emma smiled happily.
“Yeah… well… I’m a little last minute… I know.”
“Last minute?” She knew they hadn’t planned to meet today.
“Yeah… you know that concert - the one with that guy whose voice you are so enraptured over? The one you said you had missed the last time he was here, and you were too late when you tried to get tickets this time?”
She gave him an inquisitive look.
He produced two tickets between his fingers.
“Seeley!” She was thrilled. “How did you get those?”
“Well, you know, people owe me some favors.” The thief he bought them from unfortunately didn’t price them that way, but he wouldn’t tell her that. She deserved something good. Maybe he was doing this because if he could, he would have taken the tickets to Brennan just to get one of those smiles out of her. But he couldn’t, because he knew she would slam the door in his face, so why not make Emma smile instead? She had been so good to him.
“You didn’t pay a scalper, did you?” Emma shook her head doubtfully.
Booth shrugged. “I think I owe you a nice evening, and so this is my way of saying thanks for everything you have done for me.”
“Seeley, you don’t owe me anything,” Emma said seriously.
“Yeah, I do. Remember my piss poor attitude on the flat tire night and my horrible timing inviting you to breakfast?”
“I have long since forgiven you for all of those transgressions.” She chuckled.
“Oh really? So, you don’t need these tickets then?” He went to put them back in his pocket.
“I didn’t say that.” She tilted her head appreciatively. “That was very sweet of you, but is it tonight?” She asked thinking of how little time she would have to get a sitter and what in the world would she wear.
“Yeah, it’s tonight at eight o’clock.”
“You were right about the short notice part.”
“But?” He asked smiling anticipating a definite yes.
“But… I would probably be crazy to say no to this.”
“Yeah, I would have to agree with that analysis. After all, I did get them especially to make everything up to you, and you do love his voice.”
She smiled, a little embarrassed at the school girlishness of this crush of hers.
Booth saw the happy twinkle in her eyes, and he knew she had decided. “Okay then, it’s settled. I will be picking you up at seven tonight. We can get some dinner after, that way you won’t be so rushed.”
“Sounds like you really know how to apologize,” she teased.
“Well, it beats getting on my knees, doesn’t it?”
X-X-X-X-X-X
Booth arrived promptly at seven o’clock. He was in a dark blue suit, and he felt strangely nervous waiting for her to answer the door. When she did, he was taken by surprise. He had only seen her in casual clothing and school appropriate attire. Tonight she had her lovely dark curls pinned up softly, and she was wearing a simple but elegant black dress. He grinned, wowed a little, because this was the first time he had really noticed how exotically beautiful she really was.
“Whoa teacher, no sign of chalk dust tonight. You clean up nice.”
“Well, you are always too clean, so I’m not going to say that to you, and chalk is obsolete Seeley. We use wipe off boards now.”
“Oh… okay…. I didn’t know you were going to quiz me. And I will let that too clean remark pass, if you give me some extra credit.”
“Well, let’s see how you do this evening, and I will think about it.” She was being a total imp with him, but she could tell he enjoyed it.
“Is Nick all taken care of?”
She loved that he asked every time, making certain he was not infringing on her mommy time.
“Yes, my sister is an angel.”
“Ah, a sister after my own heart.”
“You would have made a nice big brother.”
“I am a big brother, you know. Jared is younger than me.”
“I meant a big brother to a sister,” Emma said, feeling very little like she was with a big brother now. Her heart was dancing a little too happily, and her skin sighed when he helped her with her wrap. This was the only time she would accept an invitation that smacked of an actual date, she promised herself. She couldn’t afford to pretend that this was more than what it was.
X-X-X-X-X-X
Booth and Emma decided to go out for a drink during intermission. They got their champagne and stood in the lobby for a few moments.
“Thank you so much for getting the tickets, Seeley. I love it, but I can certainly see that this is penance for you.”
“Uh oh, you figured out I’m not the operatic type?”
“Yeah, by about the first cord of the first song.” Emma was grateful he would go out of his way like this for her.
“Well, I promise not to snore from now on.” They both shared a good laugh, unaware of the blasting bomb approaching. They clinked their untouched glasses, smiling as one of them tried to come up with an appropriate toast.
“Here’s to…”
Booth’s arm was suddenly whacked hard. Luckily, he’d had the champagne glass in the other hand. He turned, knowing this whack wasn’t from someone just bumping him by accident - it was a very familiar smacking indeed. His eyes popped as he saw he was quite right.
“What in the hell are you going here, Booth!” Cam was livid. She gave Emma a scathing look. “…With her?” She pointed, forgetting all ideas of polite introduction.
“What are you doing here?” Booth asked, exasperated to have a great evening so instantly and totally screwed up. Since when did Cam attend these kinds of concerts?
“I’m here with your wife. She’s in the restroom with Angela, and she’s going to be coming out any minute. What the hell are you doing here?” Cam shouted under her breath. Only Cam could shout quietly.
“Bones? She’s here?” Booth’s eyes registered shock. He didn’t want to run into her like this. He felt overwhelmed. His eyes went to Emma’s, and then he looked at Cam again, guilt written all over his face.
Cam was holding her hands on both hips, ready to kick him where it hurt. No wonder he had been looking a little less wounded lately... and to think she’d been happy to see it. Well, that wouldn’t last when she took care of him tomorrow. She intended to find out exactly what in the hell was going on with Booth.
Emma saw the alarm on Booth’s face, and she could only imagine what this would do to his already crumbling marriage. No matter how innocent it was, Brennan would see what she wanted to see - grounds to proceed with a divorce.
“It’s okay Seeley - you and I should leave. Temperance won’t have to see us.”
“I…uh… I…” Booth felt horrible.
“Get the hell out! If she sees you here like this, you are going to lose her forever, Booth!” Cam ordered, taking the decision out of his hands. She grabbed their glasses, elbowing him in the back, hoping to God she was getting him out fast enough.
“Okay, I’m going, I’m going.” He agreed, almost glad to be led by two wiser women.
“And I will be talking to you tomorrow.” Cam glared as she watched Booth and Emma scramble out the exit. She couldn’t believe this was happening. Cam and Angela had finally gotten Brennan to get dressed up and out of the house, and she ran into him with little Miss Brown Eyes.
She turned just in time to see Brennan was right outside the restroom door with Angela. There wasn’t any difference in the expression on her face; still the stoic, uninterested Brennan, barely alive and certainly not well. At least she missed Booth and his friend. Cam pasted on a happy smile walking over to her friends and offered what she was sure was Booth’s glass. She had no choice. What other explanation could she give for having the drinks? Brennan took the glass staring at it for a moment. Cam hoped to God she got the right glass to her, because drinking out of the other woman’s glass would be totally humiliating if Brennan knew. Which she didn’t, but if she did... she would never do that to Brennan in a million years.
Brennan gave Cam a funny look then promptly took the glass, pouring it out into a tree. “I’m really not thirsty Cam, but you drink up. It looks like you need it.” Cam did as she was ordered, because she really did need it.
“I guess we should be getting back, it’s going to start soon,” Cam suggested nervously, wishing she had another glass of bubbly.
“Yeah, good idea,” Angela said, knowing something was up, but deciding not to bring it up because of Brennan. She would find out later.
X-X-X-X-X-X
Booth and Emma made it all the way to the car without a word. He was reeling from the idea that he almost bumped smack dab into his wife, and that he had to actually make a run for it to avoid seeing her. The ridiculousness of the whole situation was unbelievable.
“Oh my god. I am so sorry. Bones being here, I had no idea. I swear.” Booth was falling all over himself making yet another apology to poor, unsuspecting Emma.
Emma was a little shaken too. She hadn’t thought of herself as the ‘other woman.’ It was obvious Cam, whoever she was, certainly did. She was blushing, a little humiliated.
“No, no! I should have never have agreed to go…”
“Why? I wanted to take you to something you would enjoy, and you were enjoying it, you said you were. Now you are missing it because of me.” Booth was really upset her night was spoiled. She needed a break too. “I know this was something you were looking forward to…”
“I was, but it’s okay Seeley, I can listen to him anytime… it’s not a big deal… really. Maybe you should just take me home…” She knew he was probably struggling with all kinds of feelings.
“No. I’m not going to let Cam or anyone else wreck this evening even more. I didn’t know she would be there. I didn’t think she was doing much of anything with the others…” He stopped and thought for a second. “…but this is good, right? Her being out is a good sign?” Booth asked hopefully.
“Yeah, it’s very good. It’s nice that she’s going out a little.”
“Yeah…”
“But if she had seen you with me… Booth, we should be more careful. I never really considered, but anyone would think…”
“Oh, Cam’s not anyone. She’s my best friend, and she and I go way back. She looks out for me like this all the time. Cam and Bones kind of butted heads at first, but now they are really good friends too. I think Cam and Angela getting her out was just the help she needed, unfortunately they didn’t see fit to let me in on it.” Booth was exasperated.
“It’s okay. It just seemed like she thought I was some sort of distraction to you, of the cheap and vulgar kind. She seemed pretty upset, Seeley.”
“Emma, it wasn’t you. She was upset with me. She thinks you are some kind of illicit escape for me. She doesn’t know about you. I haven’t told anyone about you, or about our talks.”
“I see. Well, it’s good to know I’m not an illicit escape.” She found the humor, as always.
Booth grinned, because her tone was playful, and he felt the tension in his back easing.
“Hey, do you have a CD of Mr. Wonderful?” He loved that she blushed when he teased her about her crush at the start of the concert.
“Yeah, more than one. Why?”
“I just think we shouldn’t totally let your evening get screwed up because of me…”
“Seeley, it’s okay. You don’t need to do anything else…”
“Yeah. I have done enough, I hear you.”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” she assured him.
“I know, I know. I really want to do something to salvage whatever we can of my good intentions.” He laughed self-deprecatingly.
“Really? Well, what did you have in mind? A nice tar and feathering?” She giggled at his unappreciating look, but she was warming to the idea of not ending the evening on such a sour note. She was a music teacher after all; staying away from sour notes was a must in her life.
“How about some Italian take-out and a bottle of wine?”
“You are not doing bad so far.”
“We can go by your house, pick up that CD and play it while we have a moonlight picnic in the park?” He looked proud of his idea.
“Seeley, I liked it all the way up until you wanted to freeze me in this weather. Are you kidding me?”
He laughed at the picture. “You have a better idea?”
“We get the food and the wine, and we go back to my place…” she offered, holding her breath a little hoping he didn’t get the wrong idea.
“Yeah, that definitely sounds cooler.” He grinned, and they got in the car heading for the closest, best Italian food they could find.
X-X-X-X-X-X
“Mmm… this is really good,” Emma said as they shared a tiramisu for dessert.
“So, have I salvaged the evening a little?” Booth’s eyes scrunched in mock humility.
“Well, on a scale of ten, the first part was a ten, up until intermission anyway. I would have to give the second part a good eight.” She laughed.
“Only an eight? You gave him a ten, and you gave me an eight? That’s hardly extra credit,” Booth whined.
“Well, you have never sung for me, so to be fair, I would have to hear that first to give an honest rating.”
“Sing?” Booth’s eyes went into denial. “No! I think I will settle for that eight.”
“Okay, then you leave me no choice.” She got up, putting on her favorite CD. She sat back down and put up 10 long fingers, smiling blissfully.
“You really like that guy, don’t you?” Booth knew a challenge when he saw one.
“What’s not to like? He’s tall, dark, has wavy hair, gorgeous eyes, and a voice to die for.” She realized she wasn’t thinking of the baritone blaring from the CD at all, and the fact opened her eyes wide.
“I’m sorry you are missing him. I wish there was some way I could make it up to you.”
“Isn’t this what got us here in the first place - you making something up to me?” Emma ribbed him, delighted to see the comical expression she got in return.
“Okay. How about a dance? I won’t sing, don’t ask me, but I will dance.” He stood up and walked over to her.
“Really? You dance?” She seemed surprised.
“Only on your feet,” he quipped back.
They stood tentatively apart then slowly his arm went around her waist and his hand locked with hers.
They moved swaying to the music, getting their rhythm first, and then they relaxed into each other’s care. They let the music move them quietly, enjoying the harmonious wave that propelled their movements.
“This is nice… it has been ages since I danced,” Emma said softly.
“Me too…” He closed his eyes letting the peaceful lifting music penetrate his worn body.
The music stopped, and neither noticed. Emma head rested against his shoulder, and Booth felt his hand around her waist tighten. He didn’t want to let her go just yet. It felt so good to hold her.
Another song began playing, and they stood that way, barely moving to the music. They were just holding one another, content to relax and share a quiet moment.
She felt his heart beating against her breast, and she felt her breath catching as she noticed how wonderful it felt to be so close to him. His touch was so sweet and tender. She couldn’t get over the sensations stirring deep inside, awakening her heart as she basked in his strong, gentle arms. She didn’t want the night to end; she didn’t want to feel his arms leave her body ever. She closed her eyes against facing this incredibly complicated situation. She just wanted to be with him always and forever.
Booth felt the dynamics changing; he felt his platonic feelings for Emma flying out the window. He felt the urge to hold her like this for eternity. He didn’t want the night to end; he didn’t want reality to close in on them. He could stay here, and he would be happy. He wanted to shut out his need to be careful or cautious. He wanted to be right where he was. She made him feel better. He needed this, and he needed her.
Finally the CD stopped. The music died. Slowly Booth and Emma opened their eyes.
“It’s over…” Emma said, looking away. They parted quickly, but there was a totally different feel to their gaze now. Booth felt it, and he knew she felt it too. “Would you like some more wine?” She asked, going quickly to pour it.
“No… I… I should go.” He looked at her half hoping she would say ‘don’t go.’
“Yeah, I didn’t realize how late it was getting…” Emma was nearly breathless as she struggled with her desire to beg him to stay.
“Well…”
“Thank you, it was a lovely evening.”
“An eight?” He smiled hesitantly.
“No. You get a ten.” Emma’s eyes shone brightly with the realization that he was a twenty, an absolute twenty.
“Good Night, Emma.” He couldn’t resist the urge to kiss her. So, he kissed her lightly on the cheek just like before. Only now he wanted very much to kiss her lips. He had to get the hell out of there now, before he did something they might both regret.
A/N: I know some of you guys must hate me, but there is a reason this is happening, so I hope you guys will hang in there for a little while longer. Go on, review or throw tomatoes at me. Either way, I just want to hear what you guys think. Thanks so much for continue reading and reviewing.