Title: Hold On
Author: ColleenMcPinto
Pairing: Booth/Brennan
Rating: K+
Spoilers: Seasons 1-5 just to be safe.
Summary: A song fic based on Michael Buble's 'Hold On'. It takes place around the Gravedigger trial. Spoilers for 100th ep. And beyond.

Didn't they always say we were the lucky ones?
I guess that we were once
Babe, we were once
But luck will leave you cause
It is a faithless friend
And in the end when life has got you down
You've got someone here that you can wrap your arms around

They've faced everything imaginable together personally and professionally. His death, though fake; His life when doctors tiptoed precariously around him and his brain. Her mother's death, her father's reemergence, arrest and trial. He's seen her life hanging in the balance more times than he'd care to think about. They've stood shoulder to shoulder while he arrested hundreds of criminals because of her amazing science and brain. He's watched her on the witness stand before spouting off scientific mumbo-jumbo that, even after almost 6 years, he still can't really comprehend. But this time it was different.

This time, she's not on the stand as an expert witness. This time, when she gives descriptions, he remembers his own terror when she was missing; he remembers the claustrophobia when he was kidnapped. He remembers holding on to each other at the end of both days, emotions running high and lines getting blurred. He remembers not ever wanting to let go.

So hold on to me tight
Hold on to me tonight
We are stronger here together
Than we could ever be alone
So hold on to me
Don't you ever let me go

There's a thousand ways for things to fall apart
But it's no one's fault
No it's not my fault
Maybe all the plans we made would not work out
But I have no doubt even though it's hard to see
I've got faith in us and I believe in you and me

She stepped off the witness stand. He'd never seen her look so lost. For as long as he's known her, as long as he's loved her, she's been the strong one; even when the world is crashing in around her. She is the queen of compartmentalizing, but this time, it was just too much. Reliving being trapped, reliving finding him, having to face feelings and emotions that just weeks ago she denied. Having to do this all in front of a jury, in front of her family, her friends, her colleagues… and in front of them… the two who really shouldn't be there. Her boyfriend, his boss. His girlfriend. He wonders if they noticed. They had to, he thinks. Her eyes never left his the whole interrogation. He was the one she sought out when they recessed. Not her boyfriend. Not her father, or her brother, or her best friend, or even the man who was trapped with her. Only him. It was only ever him. They both knew it. They just didn't know why it took so long to figure it out.

So hold on to me tight
Hold on, I promise it'll be alright
Cause it's you and me together
And baby all we've got is time
So hold on to me, hold on to me tonight

There's so many dreams that we have given up
Take a look at all we've got
And with this kind of love
What we've got here is enough

They crash into each other, an unstoppable force. This was not a guy hug. Those had stopped a long time ago. They never really were guy hugs after all. They clung to each other, held each other like they never had before. All the people in the courthouse breezeway melting away. It was just them. It was always just them. He doesn't know how long they held each other, but when they break apart the hall is basically empty. Her father is standing there waiting, he tells them they'll hear closing statements and the verdict tomorrow. Her father offers to drive her home, but she declines. She'd rather be with him right now.

He vaguely wonders where her boyfriend… his boss… and his girlfriend went. Then decides he doesn't really care. They must have seen them holding on in the hallway. They must have always known they were just stand-ins until he and she opened their eyes. He wishes they could have broken the news to them another way, but things with her never really went as planned.

They are in his truck. He asks where she wants to go. She doesn't care. He asks if she wants to call the others and meet for drinks. She says no, she wants to be just them right now. He says they are always just them, the others are just third wheels. She doesn't know what that means, but she just wants to be alone with him. Not that way, though. Not yet. They go to the diner and get some carry out. She offers her place to eat. She doesn't want to be in a crowd anymore.

They walk up the stairs silently. They've walked up the stairs hundreds, probably thousands of times before, but this time is different. They are different even though no words have been spoken. They eat in mostly silence. They talk a little about the trial and what they think will happen, but they don't talk about what happened earlier. She finally asks about Andrew and Catherine. He says he doesn't know where they went, but he doesn't think they'll be calling for dinner anytime soon. She gives him a small smile, but he can tell she's drained physically and emotionally. He stands and clears their plates. She says he doesn't have to. He does anyway. It's habit. It's them. They are back. Then they look at each other and it's awkward again. They're gone. He lowers his eyes and says he should probably get going. Court will be back in session early. He makes his way to the door, his hand is on the doorknob and then he hears it.

"Booth, wait."

He turns and looks at her. She flies into his arms and whispers in his ear.

"Will you hold me tonight?"


So hold on to me tight
Hold on, I promise it'll be alright
Cause we are stronger here together
Then we could ever be alone
Just hold on to me
Don't you ever let me go
Hold on to me, it's gonna be alright
Hold on to me tonight
They always say we were the lucky ones