Disclaimer: I own nothing. Just for fun.
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Confusion and longing had defined most of the last few months. Some days, Booth almost felt like his old self, until he'd suddenly be faced with a random absence of knowledge. He had the feeling he should know certain things, but they were just gone. When he'd confided in her about his memory gaps, Bones had told him to call her. To his surprise, and, let's face it, delight, Bones knew many things about him. She's been paying attention, Booth realized. He figured it could just be explained by her sharp attention to detail, but he preferred to think that she wanted to know those things. And, maybe on some level, to show him that she knew them. It was one of the things that helped him get through the days, and the horrible, lonely nights.
During the day, Booth could cope with the physical side of his recovery, which had gone remarkably well. It was the nights, when he'd lay awake in his bed, and just ache. Not so much a physical ailment, as one of the soul. He wasn't sure how to describe what the ache represented. Loss? Maybe. Unrequited love? Probably. The longing eased a little, from time to time, with a look, a touch, a soft word or gesture - but it would always return. Lately, though, those looks and touches seemed to happen more often. Not by his instigation - this was all from Bones. Booth was sure of it, because he'd been extra careful not to do anything that might scare her away. There was also the matter of the conversation he'd had with Gordon-Gordon. When Booth had lamented the fact that Bones wasn't in love with him, Gordon-Gordon had not agreed with him. Instead, he'd encouraged hope and patience. Booth couldn't help but wonder if Gordon-Gordon had seen something in Bones, just as he'd seen it in Booth. Booth decided to follow Gordon-Gordon's instructions and allow that tiny shred of hope. That, combined with the psychic's assurance that everything would work out eventually, allowed Booth to consider that the ache might someday go away.
Patience, on the other hand... Booth knew that this was key. Even before Gordon-Gordon's suggestion, Booth recognized that caution was required. Brennan exuded sexual confidence, but rarely became emotionally involved with her lovers. Booth knew enough of Bones' past to know that she put up the protective barrier to avoid any sense of loss when a relationship ended. Both Cam and Sweets had warned him against breaking through Bones' shell, and he had no intention of damaging that for her. No, he wanted to stand with her, behind that barrier. He wanted the comfort, the familarity, the love. He missed it so much. And for the promise of that, he'd have unending patience.
Hope and patience. Booth felt slightly more optimistic about the future, and felt the ache ease, if only a little.
The End.
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