Little Girl Lost.

A/N : This is my first fan fic, and as of right now I have no idea how long it will be. Just going to run with the idea and see what happens. . It's set post 'Santa In The Slush.'. B&B fluff right from the word go, but as I have no clue as to where the story will end up going, I have no idea how much.

Disclaimer : I do not own any of the character in this story...yada yada yada...Can't help wishing though...

Added Notes : I've decided to re-write...I wasn't happy with the way things stood with the first draft of this story...the overall idea remains, but hopefully it'll flow better...Thanks to the people who helped me see what I was doing.

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(Part One- 'Cherry Pie and Steamboats.').

The restaurant was packed to the rafters, it was after all a saturday night. Glasses clinked, people were deep in conversation all around him, but Seeley Booth was in his own world. His date was talking, but he couldn't hear her. There was someone else on his mind, and as the might drew on it was becoming as crystal clear as the night sky that had taken his full attention.

"Seeley?" Josie slid her hand over the table, linking her fingers around his with a smooth ease that scared him.

Booth looked at their hands, and then up at Josie. Sure, she was gorgeous. She had long blond hair, and a body that could have been carved out of smooth cool marble. But it wasn't right, she wasn't right. And as he sat there, semi listening to her go on and on about how great it must be being an agent, the truth was becoming stark reality. He watched her mouth as she spoke, her whole face becoming impish as she became animated. This wasn't right, but he knew he had to stick it out. He had to let his head win the battle with his heart.

What did she say? he thought, as his gaze drifted over her shoulder once more, Come on Seeley, this is the first date you've been on in a very long time my friend. Concentrate.

He couldn't help letting his mind drift. What was she doing right now?. She had to be working. He'd finish up here and he'd go over to the lab. Closing his eyes for a split second, Booth pictured her. He could see her sitting alone in her office, just the files about some WW1 veteran for company.

Josie looked at Seeley, as he looked over her shoulder at the night sky beyond the restaurant windows. He was somewhere else in his mind, with someone else. A faint smile danced momentarily on his lips, fading as quickly as it had developed. His eyes told a story of missing someone. It was a feeling she had felt herself so many times before. Seeley Booth was pining. He was so lonely. Never before had Josie seen anyone so alone in a room filled with so many people.

"Seeley, are you okay?" she dared ask him. Seeley jumped, snapped out of the dream that was controlling him.

"Josie," he yawned, "I'm sorry, I'm just so tired."

"She's a very lucky lady Agent Booth." Josie smiled in return.

A broad smile lit up his face as Booth jumped to his feet, he pulled on his jacket, and threw more than enough money to pay for dinner onto the table.

"No," Booth leaned across to his understanding date, "if I could just get through this sickening fear, I could be the luckiest man in the world."

"Go tell her that."

Josie's encouragement flowed across the crowded room as Booth headed for the door. He hadn't even left the restaurant when he dialed her number.

"Brennan."

Just the sound of her voice was the sweet nectar Booth needed right at that moment. He could be shot through the heart, and he's be happy with the sound of her voice ringing in his ears.

"Hey Bones, " he blurted, "where are you? how are you?" Booth knew he was rambling like a demented fool, but there was no way he could stop himself. "I'm hungry Bones, you hungry? I could sure go for some pie about now. You want to get some pie with me Bones?"

"Booth, what's the matter with you?" Bones was laughing. "Um, I'm at my office, I'm fine and yes I would like to get some pie with you. I'll meet you at..."

"No," Booth interrupted , "you stay there Bones. I'll bring the pie to you. "

He hung up without letting her reply. Booth knew that she was furious with him for doing that, and the mere thought of her animated anger made him laugh. His step quickened as he approached his SUV, Bones was waiting for him. As he turned the key in the ignition, the radio burst into life. "Hot Blooded" by Foreigner, Booth had to laugh, that was all too perfect. A vivid memory of them dancing in her apartment was the perfect accompaniment for his drive back across town to the diner, and the Jeffersonian. He sang along to the song as he drove, drumming the beat on the steering wheel in front of him. Seeley Booth was finally going to admit everything , and the closer he got to his new found reason for unadulterated happiness, the more nervous he became. He wasn't going to let it stop him this time though. This time, he was willing to risk losing everything.

It was a full forty five minutes later when he finally arrived at the lab. Now, as Booth stood in the doorway of her office, he was overwhelmed. She was, as he imagined she would be, pouring over files on her computer. The glow of the monitor combined with the amber light of the desk lamp to illuminate her fine features. Booth could have stood there forever, cherry pie and forks in hand, and watched her. What he should do, was cross the office, lift her into his arms and kiss her, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.

"Are we actually going to eat that pie," Bones didn't look up from the computer as she spoke, "or are you just going to stand there and gawk at me all night?"

"I wasn't gawking Bones" Booth let out a nervous laugh, "I was just trying to work out how you can concentrate so hard on work, when there's the prospect of consuming this amazing cherry pie on the horizon."

He placed the pie down on her desk, and plopped into the chair opposite her. Wriggling out of the constraints of his dinner jacket, he loosened his blue tie, and flashed his infamous 'charm smile.'

Temperance clicked off her computer, and looked up at Booth as he squirmed in his seat. He was wearing a black dinner jacket with a crisp, pale blue shirt. His tie, that now hung loosely was navy blue with the tiniest white stars embroidered into the silk. Very conservative for Seeley Booth.

"Well, " she teased, her senses exploding with the sight and smell of him, "don't we look dapper."

Booth bounced out of the chair as if it were on fire. He began pacing the office, and nerves began to bubble in her stomach. He looked so good, she knew what was coming next.

"I...um...I was on a date Bones." he stopped dead in his tracks, right at the spot that haunted her every thought for the past five weeks.

" A date, really, well what are you doing here?" she chocked on the words.

Booth beckoned her to him, smiling as she slowly stood, crossed the office and stopped in front of him.

"I walked out on her Bones," Booth's nerves were all but killing him as he spoke, but he was going to tell her this time. "It didn't feel right. She didn't feel right."

Temperance looked away, and Booth took her face in his hand, slowly, gently urging her to look at him as he spoke.

"Bones, it didn't feel right being there with her...when I wanted nothing more than to be right here with you."

He took hold of her hand, and watched as she wrapped her fingers around his own. This time it looked right, her hand fit so perfectly in his own. Guiding her to the couch, he sat down and kept hold of her hand as she sat next to him. Temperance was silent, she was refusing to look at him, and Booth was petrified that she didn't want him after all. He had been so sure, seen it in her inquisitive gaze every time she had looked at him for a little too long.

"I'm scared Seeley" she finally whispered.

"Of what?" He draped his arm across her shoulders, pulling her into him.

"You," came the monotone reply as she looked him square in the eye. "I mean, I'm scared of what you make me feel. I've never let myself feel this strongly before, and I'm so afraid that you'll let me down, just like everyone else."

"Temperance," Booth slid his hand over her face, swallowing hard as she closed her eyes, and placed her slender fingers over his, "I'm scared too. I swore that I'd never ever let myself fall this hard you know?. You're my responsibility, and it's not logically safe for me to let you in. I'm supposed to protect you, and I can't do that with you being my every waking thought. If something ever happened to you Temperance, I don't know what I'd do. But I can't help what's happening in here."

He placed her hand onto his chest, his heart was racing wildly.

"Bones, I can't handle watching from the outside anymore."

Temperance stood, and walked into the center of the room. Coming to a standstill where the mistletoe had once hung, she grinned broadly. Booth jumped to his feet, and not braking the gaze they held, he crossed to be with her. He pulled her into him, and pointed up at the ceiling.

"You um..you want some gum Bones?"

She slapped his face playfully, trying to stop the tears that were falling down her cheeks. Booth leaned into her, and after gently brushing them away, he softly kissed the spot where each kiss had ended. When it came to finally kissing her, he thought he was going to explode. The kiss began gently, but the hunger he felt every time she smiled at him soon took hold. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed back with just as much ferocity.

The kiss had to eventually stop, so Booth broke it off. He stood there, and looked at her, drinking in every feature. He wanted to remember her at that exact moment forever. When they sat on the couch again, he pulled her into his lap, feeling the most immense comfort when she fell into him.

"So was that enough steamboats? she winked, happily returning the small kiss that came her way.

"That was just the start." Booth replied over the moon that she had wanted him just as much this whole time.

Temperance didn't reply, she just sat there in silence as they both enjoyed the silence of the moment. The phone on her desk rang out, spoiling their time like a loud thunder clap on the brightest of summer afternoons. Sighing she got up and went to answer it before it rang off.

"Brennan" she was about to go mad with whoever was calling.

Booth was now stood behind her, his ams wrapped firmly around her waist as he left a trail of butterfly kisses across her shoulders.

"Tempe" Russ sounded afraid, "It's dad, he's in the hospital."

Her heart raced, Temperance gripped the side of her desk so hard her knuckles were pure white. Her head was spinning so much that if Booth hadn't been holding her at that moment she would have been a heap on the floor.

"I'm on my way Russ. I'll be right there."

At the hospital, Russ Brennan hung up the phone at his father's bedside. He looked to his dad for support, feeling sick at the very thought of the next part of the plan.

"I don't like it anymore than you do son," Max croaked, "but I can't protect your sister from the inside of a cage. "

Russ nodded. He knew what he had to do.

Back at the Jeffersonian, Temperance still had the receiver in her hand. The color had drained from her. Booth took the phone from her and placed it back into the cradle.

"Bones?"

"It's my father Booth." she suddenly fell against him and sobbed hard into his chest. "He's in the hospital."

Booth grabbed his jacket and guided her out of her office, he stopped at the door wrapping her jacket around her. Placing his arm back around her waist, he all but carried Temperance out of the building. They stopped on the steps, and she turned to him.

"I'm so scared Booth."

"I know Bones" he brushed her hair out of her face "I know."

When they got to his car, Booth opened her door and helped her inside. Racing around to the drivers side, he hopped in. Looking at Temperance in that moment, he could see the little girl who had been lost all those years ago. She fought to keep her hidden, but her daddy needed her right now, and he could see the little girl resurfacing. Silently, he opened his arm, and she happily fell against his chest. He tightened his grip on, and kissed the top of her head as they began the short trip to the hospital.

"It's okay Temperance, " he whispered into her hair, "I'll protect you."

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