AN: Because I need closure and I can't sleep. That's why.

Fat Pam was standing in the back of the dimly lit bar calling his name several times before he reacted, not wanting to tear his eyes from his singing beauty. Reluctantly he turned in his chair only to be met by the cold stare of Fat Pam. "This is for us," she grunted, pulling a handgun from her bag and aiming squarely at Brennan. Without a thought, Booth stood between the two women, causing a sharp pain in his chest. He had been shot. Instantly his partner was kneeling over him, applying pressure to his wound as they both noticed Pam cocking the gun again and aiming at Brennan. He wanted to call out to his partner, to protect her again, but he was too weak already. He heard another shot ring through the bar and prayed with all his might that Brennan had been the one to pull the trigger. His prayers were answered as he heard all of Pam's weight crash to the floor and Brennan was leaning over him once more. He was aware of her calling his name, pleading with whatever forces of nature could help her save him. He was aware of Hodgins giving orders and people staring in shock. He was aware of the cold feeling washing over his body, surely a result of blood loss. He was aware of Brennan's raw emotions as she tried to stop the bleeding. Then he was aware of nothing.

- - -

Her heels clacking against the tiled floor in the hospital created the only sound in the surgery waiting area. Brennan had asserted herself into the situation when the paramedics told her she was not allowed to ride along in the ambulance. She rode along anyway. Now she felt alone thought she was surrounded by silent faces. Her colleagues sat with ashen faces and watched her pacing, breaking the silence that had been going on for hours. Rationally Brennan knew that they had been at the hospital for only a few hours, but emotionally she felt they had been there for several days. She continued to walk the length of the small room. She couldn't look at any of her friends, though they meant well. Looking into their faces would be like looking into a reflection of her own doubts and worries. The other two women in the room were already crying, and Zach was visibly upset. She and Hodgins remained strong on the exterior.

On her nine thousandth rotation around the room and doctor in scrubs came into the dimly lit room. Five pairs of eyes met the doctor's gaze. The doctor looked down at his chart.

"You're here for Seeley Booth?" he stated rather than asked. Five heads nodded in the affirmative. "Which of you is Temperance Brennan?" Four sets of eyes resettled on Brennan as she put her hand in the air. "You're listed as his medical proxy, and I need to speak with you in private." Brennan could only nod as she followed the doctor out of the room and into and office.

"Is he alright?" she managed to ask with a weak voice.

"Seeley will be fine in due time. There was only slight damage to his lung, he has two broken ribs, and the bullet was lodged in a posterior rib near the spine. We've repaired his lung and removed the bullet. After a few days of observation here he should be fine to go home, where he will be on bed rest. I trust you will be there to take care of him?"

"Absolutely. Thank you, doctor. When may he have visitors?"

"Tomorrow. Technically, later today. I'd advise you go home and get a shower and a nap. Visiting hours begin at nine, and he will only be allowed one visitor at a time."

"Thank you again." Brennan excused herself and found her way back the waiting room full of nervous friends. As she suspected, all eyes were immediately on her.

"Sweetie?" Angela probed gently.

"He'll be fine. There was minimal but expected damage. He was lucky. He can have one visitor at a time starting at nine in the morning." All four chairs groaned as the adults vacated them. Silently they made their way to the parking garage before Brennan realized she had come by way of ambulance. Looking at Angela, the artist told her she, Zach, and Hodgins would take her back to her car. Mechanically Brennan made the journey home, where she stripped off her clothes and took the hottest shower her water heater would allow. Only then did she allow herself to cry.

Steam rose from her pink skin as she made her way into her bedroom and collapsed onto her bed. A glance at her alarm clock told her she had four and a half hours until she could see Booth. She grabbed her bedside phone and left Cam a voicemail at the Jeffersonian telling her that she would be unable to come to work that day. Then she reset her alarm and fell asleep.

- - -

By 8:30 Brennan was sitting in the hospital's main waiting area watching the second hand on her watch slowly rotate around the clock's face. Finally the time arrived and she made her way to Booth's room. She entered quietly, as not to wake him. He sat propped up on pillows. His skin was pale, and the bruises scattered around his bare flesh were noticeable. He was still asleep. Quietly, Brennan pulled a chair up to his bedside and took his hand in his. It seemed a little bit cold as she ran her fingers along the flesh on either side of his IV line. She let out an involuntary shudder. What seemed like days later, he opened his eyes.

"Booth!" she said, almost shocked.

"Bones," he muttered.

"I was so worried. You have no idea how worried I was. Seeing you like that, I just…" she trailed off, her voice full of emotion. "I worried."

"Bones," he mumbled again. He could see the unshed tears in her eyes. "I meant to tell you," he paused.

"It's alright, you don't have to tell me now."

"No. I meant to tell you that you are a good singer. Cyndi Lauper would be proud." He attempted to give her his charm smile, but it came across a little weak. Still, it had an effect on Brennan. Tears spilled from her eyes as she began to chuckle.

"You don't have to tell me that, Booth; you're not my mother."

"I know. That's how you know that you are a good singer. I don't have to lie." She smiled at him genuinely.

"I'm just so glad that you're going to be alright."

AN: Now I can sleep. Sweets apologizes for not showing up. He had and appointment with a neurotic gentleman the next morning that he could not break. Mostly, he's a new character and I forgot to write him in. Oops. Anyway, review pretty pretty please.