A/N: This is my first attempt at fanfic but I have previously posted this story to another site where I got some really positive feedback. I decided that maybe it was time to quit lurking around here and post myself. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Brennan hadn't been sleeping well. It had been exactly one year since she had been kidnapped by the Grave Digger and although she was usually able to keep her emotions in check, she had started to have nightmares about her kidnapping. Flashes of memories, all too vivid, laced with visions of him watching her, waiting for her. She would awake in a panic, her pulse racing, sweat dripping down her back. She could never get back to sleep after that. It had been days since she had gotten a full night's sleep and the fact was beginning to wear on her face and in her eyes.

"Sweetie, it's after 8 you should really think about going home," Angela said walking into her friend's office. Brennan was at her desk, face buried in her hands. "Are you alright?" Angela asked, the concern apparent in her voice.

"I'm fine. I just need some sleep." Brennan responded. She didn't want to go into the details with Angela. She knew that would only make her more worried.

"Even more proof that you should go home."

"I can't, Ange, I've got a ton of work to do."

"Sweetie, are you sure you're okay?" Angela knew Brennan better than anyone and she sensed that there was something more going on here.

"Really, I'm fine. Look, I promise I'll only be another hour, maybe two."

"Okay, but if you need to talk…"

"I know. Thanks Ange," Brennan said as she rubbed her eyes, trying to regain focus. "I should get back to work."

Angela knew that was her cue to leave. She stopped in the door way, throwing one more glance at her friend. She knew there was something more going on here, but she also knew not to push it with Brennan. As she walked back to her office she passed Booth in the hallway.

"Hey, you know where Bones is?" He asked.

"Yeah, she's in her office. Hey, see if you can get her to go home and get some rest, will you?" Angela hoped that maybe if Brennan wouldn't listen to her, she would at least listen to her partner.

"Um…okay." Booth responded, his curiosity intrigued by Angela's comments.

"Knock, knock," Booth said as he rapped on the door frame to announce his presence.

"Hey, what are you doing here, it's kind of late." Brennan said, looking up from her desk.

"Funny, I was just going to say the same thing to you." Booth could tell immediately by looking at her that Brennan was exhausted. She looked as though she hadn't slept in days. "You feeling alright, Bones?"

"I'm fine. Why does everyone keep asking me that?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that you look like you just got hit with a ton of bricks."

"Gee thanks. You really know how to make a woman feel good about herself," Brennan retorted snidely.

"Sorry. It's just that you look like you could use some sleep."

"I really could," she muttered under her breath, shaking her head.

Booth moved across the room and took a seat opposite Brennan. Catching her words, he placed a hand on her arm. "Hey, Bones, if there's anything you want to talk about, you know I'm here."

"It's nothing, Booth." She was trying her hardest to stay strong but his proximity was overwhelming and looking into his eyes she started to feel the tears well up in her own.

"It's not nothing, Bones, we're partners, you have to trust me." Booth's voice was barely above a whisper now as he leaned in even closer, making sure to hold her gaze.

Brennan knew she had lost the fight when the first tear spilled down her cheek. As she brought her hand to her cheek to wipe away the tear she looked away. She couldn't look at him when she spoke. "It's the Grave Digger," she whispered. "I can't stop thinking about that night. I can't sleep. I just keep seeing it over and over again. He's still out there Booth."

Booth stood up, without saying a word, walked around the desk and pulled her up into an embrace. For once she let herself relax completely in his arms as he tightened his grip around her and stroked her hair.

"I'm sorry, Bones. I should have known." Booth said as he took a step back and placed his hand on her face, stroking her soft skin with his thumb.

She was silent for a long while before she finally moved to the couch and sat down. Booth followed her lead and took a seat beside her, searching her eyes, unsure of what to say or do. He had never seen her this vulnerable and he didn't want to make the wrong move.

Finally she spoke, "I keep having these nightmares. Sometimes they are nothing more than bad memories. But other times I can see him, feel him watching me. Logically, I know the dreams are a result of stress from the anniversary of the kidnapping, but for the first time I can't seem to separate my emotions from the situation, which in some ways scares me more."

Booth couldn't help but be amazed by her strength. She really is the most incredible woman I've ever met. Not knowing what to say, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, bringing her closer to him. She laid her head on his shoulder and he in turn laid his cheek on her forehead. "This feels…safe," she whispered."

"Bones, I'm sorry that I couldn't protect you," Booth started as he turned towards his partner, pushing a strand of her auburn hair from her face and tucking it behind her ear. "I felt so helpless myself. I'm not sure you'll ever know how hard it was for me, knowing I couldn't do anything for you, knowing that I let you down. If anything had happened to you I don't know if I could have forgiven myself. Bones, I just want you to know that I care about you more than you will ever know….Bones?" Booth chuckled as he realized that his partner was fast asleep, her head still on his shoulder.

Booth didn't have the heart to wake her. He knew how much she needed this sleep. He just pulled her closer and smoothed her hair, "I love you, Bones," he whispered, knowing she couldn't hear him. He gently kissed her forehead and leaned further into the couch as sleep settled on him as well.

"Bren, please don't tell me you stayed hear all night," Angela called as she walked into her friend's office. Angela had noticed when she arrived that Brennan's lights were on in her office. She told me she was going to leave, but I bet she's asleep at her desk

Angela was not prepared for what she found when she walked into Brennan's office. There on the couch were Brennan and Booth sleeping soundly, Booth spooning Brennan, with his arm around her waist, his face nuzzled into her neck. Brennan had her fingers entwined with his, almost as if to make sure he wouldn't let go. They had found this position, unconsciously, sometime in the middle of the night and had stayed that way for the remainder. Brennan, feeling secure in his arms, was finally able to sleep the whole night through.

Angela covered her mouth with her hand to stop herself from squealing with joy. No way these two are ever going to live this one down, she thought as she pulled her camera phone from her pocket. After snapping a few incriminating photos she snuck back out of the office. She wanted to make sure that they woke up on their own account. She couldn't wait to hear them try to explain themselves out of this one.

Please R & R, it really makes my day :)