I dedicate this one to dreamingahead. As you might know, she's my beta reader, but a computer crash messed with our plans. Girl, I miss you. To all the others: Sorry for fled commas or mistreated adverbs. I tried my best.

The Real Thing

I.

It was Sunday, and even the stream of cars in the streets of Washington D.C. seemed to be less rushed than usually. The rays of the morning sun were caressing the yellow and red leaves still clinging to the branches of their trees, braving the early autumn chill. A lonesome bird chirped nearby, telling stories about bygone summer days and the green of the grass.

The sunlight revealed the pride of the city's monuments as well as the manifestation of desperation and poverty in some unknown backstreets – and it revealed a man and a woman in tangled sheets, touched by mild light which had crept in through an open window.

The woman was a beauty, the soft tone of her skin a heart-crushing contrast to the darker color of the sheets that were covering her. Her deep brown hair was splayed out on the pillow, framing a face that – yet in sleep – had lost nothing of its elegance. Her chest was heaving under steady breaths, her brown slightly furrowed, as if her mind couldn't even rest in the blissfulness of slumber.

Next to her was a man whose scars were the insignia of a warrior. His skin was bronze, and he was curled around his mate in a manner that spoke of endless care and the deep-rooted need to protect her. He emanated the strength and dominance of someone who knew his place in the world.

Though asleep, their hands were locked, resting between them on the mattress – a visible proof of the connection that held them together.

When one of them finally stirred, it was him. His lids opened, and as soon as his hazelnut eyes noticed the peaceful body beside him and their joined hands, a big smile brightened his handsome face.

It was Sunday, and Seeley Booth had just awoken next to Temperance Brennan.

- BONES -

His hand was numb from holding hers all night, but the mild physical discomfort paled in the light of the joy this simple touch provided. Booth's thumb brushed over her knuckles, as he drank in the sight of his sleeping partner. The pink tone of her cheeks, the silky curve of her long lashes, her slightly parted lips. She looked like an incarnation of innocence and beauty; only the hint of a frown between her brows betrayed the image and gave away the real her.

Booth stretched, and his body felt profoundly rested and satiated. With an adoring smile he remembered the passion of the last night and her opening. She had stayed. She wanted to give this a shot. More than only a shot. She wasn't a gambler, and if she had committed herself to this, it had to be more than only a safe bet in a good game. It had to be real, proven by evidence. He thought of their experiment. Theory and practice had led them to this, to the conclusion that they had something special which was worth being pursued.

A clenching of her fist around his indicated her struggle against the dreams. He turned his attention to her face again, eager not to miss the first glance, and then her lids fluttered, revealing sleep-covered pale blue orbs that meant the world to him.

He smiled.

"Hi, beautiful."

She mew like a little kitten, adjusting her eyes to the sunlight and the reality of the day, and his smile widened at the wrinkles that decorated her cute nose.

"Not much of a morning person, huh?"

She chuckled – her partner's happy mood being somehow contagious.

"Good morning, Booth."

Opening her eyes fully, Brennan couldn't take them of the man next to her anymore. Her gaze followed his strong chest to the curve of his hips, and she disapproved of the blanket that was hiding the rest of his tempting body. Wandering back to his face, her eyes were caught by his own, watching her with a million of different emotions all leading to one big thing.

Brennan leaned closer to his chest, nuzzling his neck with her face, unable to resist the urge to bathe his skin with soft little kisses. Laughing happily at the tickling sensation, Booth wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her on top of him until she was smiling down on him.

He smoothed the unruly strands of her morning hair with his big palms, but the stubborn curls refused to obey and continued falling into her eyes on a will of their own, teasing his face as she bent down to kiss him.

Kiss him like he had never been kissed before.

Her soft lips were whispering of hope, her warm tongue giving a promise. She sought entrance into his mouth as if she had done it a million times on a morning like this, not as if it was new for her to awake in his arms in the light of a new day.

Booth responded her kiss wholeheartedly, and soon his body reacted to the pure pleasure of being so close to her. Gently, he nudged her legs further apart until she was settled directly on top of his swelling hardness. Moaning against his lips, Brennan pressed her midsection against him, and he could feel the heat of her flesh and the fluids her body had started to produce in anticipation.

He groaned, and his hands abandoned her face for her breasts, enjoying the fullness of her in his palms, gently kneading the tender flesh. He felt her fingernails grazing his chest and gasped, as she hit a particularly sensitive spot. Noticing his reaction, Brennan repeated her ministrations until he got impatient and rocked into her from below.

Now it was her turn to gasp, and without further procrastination she supported her weight on her left hand and found his ready shaft with her other one, guiding him to her entrance.

Booth did not wait for her to join them, the moment he felt he was aligned properly, he simply captured her hips and pulled her down onto him.

Her eyes shut at the pleasure of him filling her, and more than one part of her body was stretching to accommodate this man. Brennan hummed in pleasure and threw her head back. His hand came around her waist, saving her from dripping over, and she smiled at him lazily, as she started to rock.

Booth was hypnotized by the sight of his partner riding him, her breasts swaying with her movements, and every rotation of her hips created tingles that spread from his groins into every part of his body until even his phalanges were vibrating.

His arms tightened around her, tugging her down to his chest. Under the lingering scent of their lovemaking he could still smell vanilla and roses – and something that was just her.

"Temperance..."

Her name was a whisper on his lips, and she whimpered, responding to his voice like she was to his hardness inside of her, his arms around her.

They were moving in perfect synchrony, both of them in no haste to reach the peak of passion. He was stroking her so intimately, and with every move of her hips she felt him deeper and impossibly deeper inside of her. She was connected to him on a level so raw that it almost scared her, and when she opened her eyes again, she found the same realization in his brown orbs.

That was what sent her over the edge.

It started as a shiver in her lower belly, and the explosion hit her by surprise with its force. Brennan was coming around him, on top of him, for him. Incoherent sounds left her mouth, and Booth was spellbound by the view of his brilliant partner falling apart in the best way ever.

Because of him.

It took all his willpower not to join her immediately, but he didn't want to miss a second of this, and his stare was glued to her flushed face.

When her eyes finally focused again, Booth sped up, thrusting into her with full force. His need was building fast, and she encouraged him with soft bites along his jaw line, meeting his strokes.

Brennan felt high and deliriously happy. Her limps were weak, but Booth's pleasure was as important to her as her own, and when he finally trembled underneath her, she tightened her grip around him and welcomed his release.

During former sexual encounters she had experienced a lack of interest after her own peak had been reached, but with Booth it was different. She wanted everything he had to give, and although she would never admit it because it contradicted with her self-perception as a strong and independent woman, the idea of Booth's seed inside of her satisfied her more than a simple orgasm ever could.

Using some of her yoga moves, she clenched her pelvic muscles around him, milking him until his buckling slowed down and his breath pattern evened. He groaned in pleasure.

"Ah, Bones..."

"Well, Booth, that was a good morning."

He laughed at her bluntness.

They were still joined, and Booth felt a certain reluctance to leave her warm body, so he started caressing her bare back, and she snuggled into his chest, her weight on top of him the most exquisite burden ever.

"What do you want to do today, Bones? We have a whole day to waste."

"Apart from the breakfast in bed you promised?"

"Yep, apart from that."

He felt the shrug of her shoulders more than he saw it.

"I don't know. It's Sunday, and therefore it would be acceptable to spend the day in a purposeless manner."

"You call lazy Sundays purposeless?"

"Well, there is no goal to reach, no case to solve, so, yes, that sounds pretty purposeless to me."

"But that's not bad, right?"

"I have the feeling it could be very good."

"Hungry, Babe?"

"Mm-hmm, very."

"You wanna stay in bed while I fix something to eat?"

"I insist on it, Booth."

He chuckled, and she felt the vibrations humming in her chest.

"Booth, I like this. You laughing. Me lying on top of you. Being here and making plans to do nothing."

He cupped her chin until he could look into her eyes, and Brennan was surprised by the seriousness in his gaze.

"I'm already getting used to it. Bones," he shifted to create some space between their bodies, "if you're having second thoughts, please tell me before I've gotten too used to it. You're making me so happy, and I fear that the more I get of it, the harder it'll be if you change your mind."

Brennan shook her head.

"Booth, if you believe that I'm capable of this, I'll trust you on that one. I," her voice faltered, "I am happy as well and I don't want to give this up."

He caught her lips in a feather-light kiss.

"Thank you, Temperance. For trying... For everything."

His eyes shimmered, and something inside of her ached at his vulnerability.

"No, Booth. Thank you."

They shared one more sweet smile before Booth rolled over, finally slipping out of her. He tucked her in tenderly and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Any breakfast wishes?"

"Coffee."

"That's a given. And?"

"Everything would be fine for me."

"Then hang on my dear and await your surprise."

Using the space Booth had just vacated, Brennan shifted onto her stomach and buried her nose in his pillow. It smelled like him, and a smile brightened her beautiful face. She heard him whistling in the kitchen, and deep contentment settled over her.

- BONES-

He hadn't simply prepared breakfast for her, he had spoiled her with everything her fridge had to offer. She found pancakes next to toast and fruit salad. The coffee was strong and steamy, the orange juice freshly pressed.

They crumbled without paying much attention to it, and when Booth reached for her, she tasted like maple syrup and sunniness.

"You're sweet, Bones," he murmured against her lips.

"Well, thanks, you look very pleasing yourself."

"No, I mean literally. But of course you're cute as well. Even sweeter than the pancakes, now that I think of it."

Brennan slapped him playfully, but he was quick in catching her hands, and a second later she found herself underneath his solid body. He reached for the maple syrup, but she interrupted him with faked seriousness.

"Booth, you might regret that."

He arched an eyebrow at her but opened the bottle nevertheless.

"Why would that be?"

She gasped, as the first golden droplets made contact with her breast.

"Because I'm the one who has to clean these sheets."

He spread the sugary treat with his forefinger, and immediately her body reacted to his tease.

"There won't be anything on the sheets. Dare?"

His mouth traveled down her collarbone, soon joined by his tongue, as he licked the syrup from her skin. When he tugged one nipple into his mouth, Brennan didn't care about the mess anymore and surrendered herself to his caresses...

Of course they ended up all sticky, and an hour later the two of them were sharing a much needed shower. Her stall was luxurious, but neither of them would have minded a shortage of space.

Brennan enjoyed lathering every inch of her partner's skin with the scented shower gel, her palms mapping his body with her typical concentration. He was hot underneath her fingertips, all muscles and strength, but soft to the touch at the same time. His manhood was as relaxed as every other part of him, resting between his legs in spent satisfaction. She cleaned him with care, savoring the velvety smoothness.

Her new-found familiarity with this intimate side of Booth pleased her in a way she had never experienced before. Brennan cupped his balls gently, measuring their weight. As an anthropologist and an adult woman this part of a man's anatomy was nowhere near new for her, and she couldn't understand her current fascination.

Maybe because this was Booth...

Normally Booth preferred showering alone, but today he could not get enough of the water pearling between her breasts or the darker shade of her wet hair. Without her heels, her clothes and the disguise of her fancy jewelry, Temperance Brennan looked so small, so fragile.

He had never seen her like this.

And he had never experienced her so carefree.

Right now she was touching him as if she had never laid eyes on a naked man before, and if it hadn't been for the hours of passion they had already shared this morning, he would have been hard again. Never before could a woman set him on fire so easily.

Booth reached for the shampoo and rubbed her scalp methodically. Though wet, her hair was still impossibly soft.

His partner was a contradiction, and he found himself enchanted by everything that made her so special. He wanted to have her under a microscope, analyze her just to put the pieces of her back together to enjoy the whole thing – this stunning woman who had for some inexplicable reason agreed to be his.

Soon they were running out of hot water, and she squealed adoringly at the first onslaught of the cold drops. Booth caught some water into his palm to rinse the remaining lather out of her strands, before turning off the spray.

Stepping out of the shower, he grabbed a towel and wrapped her into the huge terrycloth fabric.

She smiled under shivers.

"Thanks."

He couldn't help but pull her into his arms, peppering soft kisses all over her wet face.

"You're so adorable, Bones, I'm lost for words."

"Then don't speak."

Chuckling, he went in search for another towel to dry himself. Doing his bathroom routine next to her felt so normal that it surprised him – he definitely could get used to this.

"Booth, do you need something to shave?"

He turned around to face her.

"If I say 'yes᾽, would you have the right stuff?"

She shrugged.

"Probably not, but I could purchase it if you intend to spend more mornings at my apartment."

He regarded her carefully.

"And that would be OK for you? Sharing your space with me?"

"Although I'm not overly experienced in this area, I assume it comes with the package, right?"

"So you still want the 'package᾽?"

Stepping into the circle of his arms, she embraced him, losing her towel in the process.

"Booth, you have to stop questioning me. I told you that I want this, and I find that I like having you around." She kissed him softly. "Please, trust me."

He relaxed against her.

"Fine, no more scrutinizing, then. Let's get dressed, Lady."

She distant ring tone of his cell interrupted their banter, and Booth hurried away to catch the call. Brennan dried herself and applied some lotion on her skin. She heard him talking in the living room, hoping that no case would interrupt their free day.

Five minutes later she was fully dressed in comfortable pants and a sweater, her hair drying naturally. She didn't bother to put on any make-up, and besides, Booth seemed to like her face bare.

The voice in the living room had stopped, so she assumed that his call had ended and went in search for him.

"Is everything okay, do we have a case?"

Turning around, Booth was taken aback by the sight of his partner. She looked like Sunday – if it was possible for someone to actually look like that.

"No case. Just Rebecca asking if I want to have Parker today."

His face was torn between the desire to spend as much time as possible with his kid and the reluctance to leave her. Taking the decision from him, Brennan simply said,

"That's fine. Go ahead and pick up your son, Booth. If you want, I could join you later."

He crossed the room with three big steps, gathering her in his arms.

"Really? That would be great, Bones!"

His face beamed with delight.

"Really. He is quite an entertaining child, and you shouldn't be in a position to choose between him and me."

Booth wondered how this woman, normally oblivious to interpersonal vibes, could understand him so easily.

"You're awesome, do you know that? Never believe you're not good with people when you're so great with me, Temperance."

His compliment touched her, and she almost blushed.

"What do you want to do with him?"

"The amusement park? He seems to be too old to enjoy the merry-go-round, but he has a soft spot for cotton candy."

"Fine, I'll be there at 3 o'clock to meet you."

It was so easy, and Booth lowered his head to steal a sweet kiss from her willing lips. Her mouth opened in welcome for his caressing tongue, and soon he groaned against her lips, breaking the contact.

"I should get dressed and leave, Bones."

"Given the circumstances, that would be wise. Booth, I really enjoyed last night... and everything else."

Cupping her face gently, he whispered,

"Me too, my dear. I'll see you later?"

She nodded.

"You will."

-BONES-

Brennan spotted the curly haired boy easily. Despite Booth's former statement, Parker seemed to enjoy the merry-go-round. So did Booth, as a matter of fact. She smiled at the sight of her partner on the children's carousel.

A warm cup of coffee in her hand, Brennan approached a nearby bank and took a seat to observe father and son. Her breath was still heavy from her walk, but her chest clang with joy at the sight of Booth.

Although there was a new undertone to it, she realized that she had always been more delighted to see him than one should probably be if the person was just a partner.

Booth was nothing "just" for her. He was... well, he was important.

At the next rotation, the two of them spotted her, waving almost in synchrony, happy grins on their flushed faces. Brennan smiled and waved back without hesitation, demonstrating her belonging to them.

Soon the merry-go-round stopped, and Parker bet his Dad in climbing off his horse, running in her direction.

"Hi, Bones, it's so cool you're here!"

The child surprised her by flinging his arms around her neck, but she responded the hug.

"Hello, Parker, I'm glad to see you as well."

Booth regarded Brennan and his son with a smile full of pride.

"I have to second that, Bones, really 'cool᾽."

He ruffled the boy's hair.

"You want another round, Buddy?"

"Only if Bones joins us. Please?"

Parker was looking at her with pleading puppy eyes that she couldn't resist.

"I haven't done this in years, but why not."

Booth reached out his hand to her, and she accepted it, grateful for the contact. Brennan found that she longed for his touch, and this impulse was new and unfamiliar to her.

Parker looked at the entwined fingers of the two adults silently, and his face was beaming. Booth and Brennan shared a glance, and he cleared his throat.

"Uh, Parker, there is something I'd like to tell you. Bones and I... ahem, well, we..."

Somehow Booth couldn't find the right words to explain the miracle to his child.

"She's your girlfriend, I know."

Two jaws dropped.

"Ahem, yes."

The child nodded.

"That's cool. I've known it for quite a while, Dad, but I'm not mad that you haven't told me earlier."

"Well, Parker, it would have been impossible to tell earlier, it just happened recently."

"Dad, I'm not mad for not telling me, but I could get mad for you lying at me."

Brennan found her voice again.

"Your father is speaking the truth, Parker. There is no way you could have known."

"But I knew, Bones. He always talks about you and looks at you. You're totally his girlfriend."

Leaning towards her partner, Brennan whispered,

"Great, one more person who knew before we did. And he his only a little boy."

"But what do they say about the wisdom of children, Bones?" he uttered between pressed teeth.

The reaction of his son had surprised him deeply, but he was satisfied with the result. Parker was fine with him and Bones being together? The word was a happy place.

The day went by with fun and laughter, and when the autumn chill began to creep into their limbs, the three of them headed to the Diner for some hot chocolate. The little boy was fidgeting around on his chair, bubbling on a sugar high, but Brennan tried to pay attention to his story about a science project at school. Booth admired her way with his child.

He plainly admired her.

His chest was almost bursting with pride, and he was convinced that this had to be the best Sunday ever. Her cheeks possessed a rosy glow, and Booth was sure that they would feel hot in his cold palms. His fingers itched to touch her, but he was relaxing in his seat. A content sigh left his lips, and when Parker had to go to the restroom, Brennan turned to her partner.

"Everything okay? You're very quiet."

He cupped her face gently, pleased to find out that he had been right about the temperature of her skin.

"Everything's just perfect. I'm damn happy, Temperance. Besides, it's quite hard to get between the two of you."

"Am I talking too much? I'm sorry, Booth, I found his science experiment extremely interesting."

He interrupted her with a soft kiss.

"No, please don't apologize. You're wonderful. He totally adores you. So do I, as a matter of fact."

Parker emerged from the bathroom to find his Dad and Bones staring at each other. He held her face in his hand, and they looked as if they were about to kiss. Okay, kissing was gross, but, nevertheless, the boy paused mid-track to give the two of them one more moment. He had always known that the "we're just partners" line couldn't be the whole truth, and he was happy for his father. Plus, Bones was cool, and if he had a chance to spend more time with her, Parker wouldn't complain. Bobbing on the balls of his feet, he decided that this had to be enough time and resumed his way to their table. He really wanted to finish his talk with Bones.

An hour later they dropped off a sleeping little boy at his mother's house. Booth was carrying his son, and Brennan followed them with Parker's rucksack. She was wondering how her appearance might look to Rebecca, but the blonde woman simply took her child out of his father's arms and nodded at his partner. Truth be told, Rebecca wasn't particularly surprised to see the three of them together; in her opinion it was about time for Seeley and his partner to stop dancing around each other. From Parker's stories Rebecca had gotten to like the smart scientist and she approved of the influence the other woman had on the kid. Therefore, all that Temperance Brennan would get from her was a thankfully knowing smile, and soon Brennan and Booth were back in his car.

Before she could fasten her seat belt, he had her in his arms and parted her lips with his tongue. His kiss was forceful and demanding with passion he had restrained the whole afternoon. Brennan's insides melted at the attack of his mouth, and she met him stroke for stroke until they were both out of breath. He released her with a final peck to her nose.

"What now, Bones? We need a plan."

She was lost.

"A plan?"

"Yup. Do you want to spend the night with me?"

"Yes, oh yes."

"Your place or mine? Because one of us will be short of fresh clothes in the morning."

"I need to be in the lab early tomorrow."

"However, you're also out of coffee."

"I am?"

"You are. So, your place first to grab some clothes and then to me. Okay?"

"That sounds reasonable."

Booth was already setting the car in motion. Having her in his apartment couldn't happen fast enough.