Articulation

Disclaimer: Since they aren't mine, I am here writing fanfiction. It's a hobby, okay? I don't get paid for it, therefore it is a hobby. I just spelt 'hobby' wrong three times.

Summary: Brennan said she could be very articulate on paper. Booth thought that was pretty funny.

A/N: Aren't you all so proud of me for updating When Night Falls in Old England pretty much every day? So you won't mind if I slip this little one-shot in between it, will you?

--

Booth walked into his office and saw an envelope on his desk. He picked it up and immediately recognised Brennan's scrawl.

He thumbed the envelope open and pulled out a piece of paper. Sitting down on his chair, he stretched his legs out in front of him and crossed them at the ankle.

Dear Booth,

I don't quite know how to say this, even though I told Angela that I was quite articulate on paper. I know I'm not the most sociable person you have the pleasure of being around often, but lately I guess I've started to notice some things. I don't exactly know why, but I think you might have done it.

I've started to realise when I've said something wrong around you, and the last few days when we were working on the war hero case together I definitely said some things that perhaps I shouldn't have.

I tried to say sorry, I wanted to make up for it. I hurt you and I wanted to make it go away. But I guess you were wrapped up in this case so much that you didn't notice. I understand that, I wasn't hurt by it. You do mean a lot to me, Booth, perhaps more than I let on. I think Detective Harding was right. We are more than partners.

Booth grinned.

I don't know what that means for us, since I've never been in this kind of relationship with anyone before. You're different than anyone else. You don't intrude, and I like that about you. You're always there though, and yes, I do notice when you hold my arm when there are other guys around. I'm not stupid, Booth, you're asserting your alpha male tendencies and telling other people through your body language to keep away.

Booth chuckled, even in writing she had to tell him in big words about what he already knew he was doing.

Why am I telling you this? I think I'm apologising. And...I guess I just wanted you to know.

Brennan.

Booth put down the letter and laced his fingers together, tapping them to his chin. A grin spread across his face. Picking up a pen and a piece of paper, he started to write.

-

Dumping her bag on the sofa in her office, Brennan walked over and sat down at her desk. Moving to swivel on her chair to get a book from behind her, she noticed an envelope on her desk. Picking it up, she turned it over and frowned. That was Booth's handwriting.

She ripped the top off the envelope and pulled out the paper inside.

She remembered the letter she'd recently written him.

Opening up the folded paper she saw one line written in black ink.

Bones, I love you too.

Then she heard a tap on her doorframe. She looked up. Booth was standing there, a giant grin on his face.

He never said he couldn't be articulate either.

--

Just so you know, the 'I love you' was a joke on Booth's part. I originally had it going a bit longer but then thought it was too much of a stretch.

And don't worry, I am now trundling off to continue keeping ahead of myself in writing WNFIOE.