FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS
Dr. Temperance Brennan sat at her computer poring over every bit of information she could find on chronic myelogenous leukemia. Time may have been an imposed construct on her reality, but at that moment she wished she had more of it.
Her heart rate sped up as she heard the familiar footfalls outside her office door. She made no effort to disguise her nervous expression or red-rimmed eyes.
"Any luck finding my father?" she asked with the last ounce of hope in her voice.
"Last reports had him crossing the Canadian border a couple of months ago." Booth looked down at his shoes knowing he'd disappointed her. "I'm sorry, Bones."
The now-familiar tears fell from her eyes once again. "What am I going to do, Booth? He's all I have left."
In two quick strides, he knelt in front of her chair and took her cold hands into his. "Whatever I can do, Bones. Let me know."
Temperance sniffled and nodded at her friend. "Thank you."
He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and brought her body close to his in a gentle embrace. "It's gonna be okay. You'll figure out a way. You always do." He rubbed her back soothingly and her breathing calmed.
"Booth?" she mumbled against his now-moist shoulder.
"Yeah?"
"Could you maybe say a prayer?"
"Sure, Bones." He released her from the hug and pulled back to look into her eyes. "Russ is gonna be fine. He's got you. Leukemia doesn't stand a chance against your superpowers."
For the first time since hearing about her brother's illness, Tempe smiled a real genuine smile. At that moment she realized that her partner had the same faith in her that she had in him. Over time, they had come to understand what each was truly capable of.
And together, anything was possible.
