The characters of this story are not mine… I'm just borrowing them for a bit and will gladly give them back when I'm finished.
If Only
Summary: Companion piece to "Remember When". Booth's thoughts during the events of that story.
Prologue
I reach out to brush a stray hair from her face and frown as I notice the quivering of my hand. The clean white of the gauze that is wrapped around it marks a stark line where my scraped fingers emerge. True, my hand is injured, but not so badly that it should shake. I know that the trembling is a result of all that has brought me to this place. That my hand is trembling because my whole being is trembling with the aftermath of what has happened. I finish the path and tuck the offending strand behind her ear. She turns her head into the contact, but her eyes remain closed.
'Please open your eyes,' I beg, but she refuses to cooperate.
I long to see their clear blue depths and know that I will remain seated at her side until I do. The heart monitor beeps reassuringly in the background, but it isn't enough. I need her to be more than just alive. I need her to open her eyes… to hold my hand. I need to hear her voice even if the words will hurt. I need her to hear me even if my words will hurt. Simply, I need her. I've always needed her, but I hadn't realized how much until this day.
A/N: A short little preview. The first chapter will follow shortly. Scarlet.