Because He Loves Her

All day he had been turning over in his mind the events of the day. He had told himself a million times over that he had done the right thing, and that because of his testimony Max Keenan had been released, he was free now… and his daughter was happy. But he still couldn't get a guilty feeling out of his heart like he had betrayed her. He had promised her that he would never betray her and he had done just that. He picked up his phone and hit speed dial 1.

"Dr Brennan," a voice answered.

"Hey, Bones, it's me."

"Hey, what are you doing up at 2:00 in the morning?" Brennan questioned.

"I could ask the same of you. You answered your phone way too quickly to be asleep."

"I had to get some paperwork done for our last case. I put if off during my father's case."

"Bones! You're still at the Jeffersonian? Have you even left work since we left the courthouse?" Booth began to get dressed. He already knew the answer to his question, which meant that she also hadn't eaten since breakfast.

"I'm fine, Booth. I don't need you making sure I get a good night's sleep." Bones reached for her purse. She knew where this was going and that she wasn't going to win this argument.

"Obviously, you do, if you never leave work. Meet me at the diner in 20."

"I will only meet you if you let me come back after we eat," she bargained.

"Fine, but only for a few minutes, and I'm coming to the Jeffersonian with you to make sure you actually leave." There was a click on the line and Brennan left her office with a bright smile on her face.

18 minutes later Booth saw his Bones enter the diner. She looked gorgeous, even if she looked exhausted and worn out. But then he always thought she was beautiful.

As soon as she sat down they began they usual banter. Soon they reached the topic of her father's trial.

"You know Bones, that was a pretty good thing you did there today." Booth looked into Brennan's eyes.

"It wasn't me. You're the one who testified." Brennan said as she traced the table pattern. "I just gave the idea of an alternative suspect."



Booth cringed. Why did she have to make it his fault? "I still wish you hadn't done that though."

Bones looked angered. "Why, Booth, you told me to do the heart thing? It's not like you were incriminating yourself."

"Because," Booth paused, wondering if he should bring up this subject, "Because, that was the hardest thing I've ever had to do."

He looked up and saw Brennan gazing at him with a misunderstanding look on her face. "That can't be possible. You've been through so much; war, torture. Why would this have been the hardest thing you've ever had to do?"

"Because," Booth leaned across the table and gave her a soft kiss. Bones resisted at first, but relaxed into the kiss. They finally came up for air, realizing they were the entertainment of the whole diner.

"Because what, Booth?"

"Because, Temperance… I'm in love you." And with that they both leaned into they're second kiss which was stronger than the first.

They leaned they're heads together as Bones said, "I think," she paused. Was she really ready for this? "I love you too."

Seeley Booth got a goofing grin on his face and began to kiss her again.

"I should get back to my paperwork." Temperance broke the kiss. "And you said you would come with me."

"You're thinking about paperwork now?" Booth whined and put on his best puppy dog smile.

"Some things never change, Booth." She said as she rose to go. "Are you coming?"

Booth jumped up and grabbed her hand and gave her another quick kiss. They walked out of the diner together, hand in hand into the cool night air.