Author's Note: So I know that this sort of thing has been done, but I really hope that the way I'm doing it will be different. Basically, this story is set four years into the future. Assuming that something happened several months after the now infamous kiss (aka, about now or so...), Booth and Brennan decided to pursue a relationship. I don't want to spoil the story for you, so I'll just leave it at that.
This first chapter is to just set up the basis of the story, so we won't really get into the actual story too much until the next one.
PLEASE READ: 'kay, so I started this a few weeks before the finale. Actually, I've been working on this for a few months now in between stories as I've wanted to have several chapters before actually posting. Therefore, "The Pain in the Heart" (better known as the season three finale, or the one that made Zack Gormogon's apprentice)...will not apply here. If that bothers you, I apologize. I've included Zack in this some because, well...I love him. And also because he's one of the squints, regardless of what they made him out to be in the end.--And, can I say that I'm actually glad they went back and explained that he didn't actually kill anybody, but Zack being...himself, construed it that way?
But basically...ignore the Zack being a killer's helper guy thing, 'kay?
Disclaimer: No, I don't own Bones. Trust me, if I did, you probably wouldn't be reading this fic, but seeing an alternate story playing on your screens. So please, don't sue.
"The vertebral fractures suggest that the victim was pushed harshly against a hard surface. The cracked fourth and fifth vertebrae could mean that he was shoved into a container approximately the size of-"
"Slow down, Zack." Booth warned, stopping the anthropologist mid-sentence. He offered a shrug, because in truth, he felt guilty. The guy was trying to do his job, and on a normal basis, Booth wouldn't have minded all that much. Finding the killers of the victims the Jeffersonian was given was still part of his job, but he wouldn't be the first to admit the fact that it wasn't the same without her. He swallowed, stuffing a hand inside his jacket pocket.
"Booth?" Angela asked, waving a hand in front of his face to wake him from his reverie. She smiled sadly, feeling a tinge of the same distraction. Clearing her throat, she knew the investigation wouldn't get any further if they stopped to reminisce. "Okay, so is there anything from the dirt samples?"
Her comment had been directed at Hodgins, who was quick to reply. "Actually, the material is common in parts of Eastern Illinois. Hard yet moist, it's perfect for farming crops."
"Okay..." Booth said, at first not knowing what it meant. "Wait, the victim's father? He took a trip to St. Louis last month. It wouldn't be that far of a leap..."
The conversation continued as the team speculated. Angela would have possible scenarios soon, but knew that the configurations would take a while. She suggested that everyone go to lunch, but wasn't surprised when she was met with almost complete refusal. "Suit yourselves, then." She said as she grabbed her coat. "Sure that you don't want me to bring something back?"
"It depends on where you're going, Ange." Hodgins said as he stood near to the examination table.
"Booth?" She called as she was about to walk off of the platform. "Are you staying or coming?"
He shrugged as he adjusted his jacket. He had a while before the squints came to any complete conclusions, so he opted to go with her.
At the diner, Angela noted the quiet air that hung around him. She didn't have to guess why, because the whole morning was occupied with thoughts of the day one year before. "You don't have to be all dark and broody, you know."
Booth looked up in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"Booth..." Angela called, this time her voice softening. "Everyone knows what today is, okay? So you don't have to go through trying to act all official about it. No one expects you to be at the top of your game so just slow down."
He shook his head, caught between wanting to tell her she was right and praying to God that she wasn't. "Are you going?" Booth asked with a hint of fear in his voice. He hated sounding vulnerable and weak, but when it came to the woman he loved, it didn't matter.
"Yes, of course. Hodgins, too. We're all going to be there Booth, don't worry." Angela reassured him.
"But what if-" Booth began, resting his face against his opened hand. "-I mean, there's a chance. I'm very aware of that. I still don't get why she had to make all of these stipulations, but they're legally binding. If it was up to me, I wouldn't do it."
"You're not doing it," Angela protested. "the doctor is. Look, I know that it'll be hard waiting to find whether or not she's gonna make it. But we both know and love her, we know how much of a fighter she is. The doctor says that she's been responding a little better now, so there's an even greater possibility that she could make it through this."
"There's always a chance, Ange." Booth replied, his voice faltering. "Parker...he had a dream last night."
"About what?" Angela inquired, almost afraid of the answer. Reaching down, she ate a fry while she eyed Booth carefully. Whatever it was, she felt that it couldn't have left that happy of a feeling.
Closing his eyes, Booth nodded. "He said that...he told me she was at the end of this hallway. She was telling him that everything would be okay, and to take care of me." He paused, laughing a little. "Leave it to Temperance to be worried about me even in a dream. Anyway, the lights started flickering, and when they finally came back on, she was gone. Parker said he started calling her name, looking in all the rooms. But no matter where he looked, she couldn't be found."
Angela sighed, reaching out to give his arm a squeeze. "You two have been through so much these past few years. I mean, it seemed like everything was normal after the Steward case, but then it just-" She stopped, shaking her head. No one needed to tell Booth. He relived the horrific scene every night in his sleep.
-One Year Before-
"All I'm saying Booth, is that it's scientifically impossible for radiation to completely exit your body. With half lives, the amount gets sliced in half in completely equal time increments, but there will never be just nothing."
Booth's grip tightened on the steering wheel. They were on their way to dinner, and the last thing he'd wanted to hear her speaking about was the case they had been working on. "So you're saying the vic was killed by the radiation in his system."
"Not entirely." Temperance countered. "In his field of work, he was exposed to radiation every day. However, the amount of radiation would have decreased due to the fact that he retired three years ago."
"Temperance, do we really have to get into this?" Booth asked, sounding more annoyed than he liked to. "It's just...we're on our way to a nice dinner. It's the first time we've been alone on a Saturday since forever. Just sit back and have a little fun, Bones."
"Fun?" Temperance asked, crossing her arms. "I thought your idea of fun was getting the kitchen dirty with Parker at six-thirty in the morning to make pancakes."
"No, see, that's different." He replied as the SUV stopped at the light. "I was hoping there could be...well, you know...grown up fun."
The sparkle that gleamed in his eye was enough to make her to shudder. Two years. Two years, and she still hadn't gotten over the thrill of what it felt like when her husband looked at her. "The light is green."
"Fine." Booth sighed, clearly annoyed at the fact that the moment was broken. Pulling the car forward, Booth felt an arm suddenly grappling at his chest.
"Booth, look out!"
A pick-up truck barreling towards the passenger side door. The sound of metal crunching. The shattering of glass. Somewhere, a scream. In the split second before the darkness captured him, it registered that the scream had come from his wife.
"Booth, your phone." Angela spoke, breaking him from the walk down memory lane.
Sighing, he opened it without looking. "Booth."
"Agent Booth, this is Doctor Weston. I realize that I'm calling you early, but-"
"Doctor Weston, no it's...fine." Booth said, straightening up immediately.
"Is something wrong?" Angela whispered from across the table.
He shrugged before turning his attention back to the doctor. "What can I do for you? Is there anything specific I need to bring to the hospital this afternoon?"
"Actually, that's the thing. I was performing an examination on your wife this morning, and she's-" The doctor paused as he checked his watch. "We won't need to pull Temperance off of the system."
"What?" Booth asked, sounding out of breath. For a moment, he felt his stomach dip, and a sick feeling take over. "Please, Doc-"
"No, Agent Booth. I'm afraid you've misuderstood what I said. Temperance...she's awake."
Eyes widening in surprise, Booth locked his with Angela's across the table. "What? Is she-I mean, could I-"
"Not yet, my team is still in with her performing the necessary tests to ensure that she has indeed come back to full conciousness. She's not completely back, but it's already evident that she's getting there." Doctor Weston said, knowing he had just handed the agent one of the best gifts he could have ever given.
"That's still the best news I've heard all year. Thank you, Doctor Weston." Booth nodded, unable to wipe the look off his face. "You have no idea."
"I'm afraid that I do." He countered with a slight laugh. "It's not exactly a secret as to how many nights you've spent here in Doctor Brennan-Booth's room, Agent Booth. I do have one thing to warn you about, though."
His heart sank for the second time just as he watched Angela whipping out her own phone in a frantic attempt to alert the rest of the team. "What's that?"
"Memory loss is common among comatose patients. I realize that you've waited a year for this to happen, but it's entirely possible that she might not remember certain things or people. As much as I'm sure you all are ready to come and see her, I suggest that you hold the youngest ones-" Doctor Weston said, referring to Parker. "-away until your wife makes a better recovery."
Booth nodded, though he tried desperately to deny the fact that his Temperance would forget anybody. "Thank you, Doctor."
Angela hung up her phone after having called the lab. "I just spoke with Cam. She's relaying the message to everyone. Booth, this is it." The happiness in her voice dropped as she saw the look on his face. "The day that we were waiting for. Booth? Why is it that you look like you just lost your best friend?"
Sighing, Booth knew that there was no point in hiding it from her. "Because according to Doctor Weston, chances are that I may have."