"Booth?" Angela called out, while walking around the platform. She'd noticed his SUV outside so she figured he was here. She heard a noise coming from Brennan's office and ran.
"Booth," she said again, finding him curled up on the couch, Jasper the pig in his hand. His face was wet with sweat. His eyes were closed, one blackened from the fight with Russ earlier. She was about to leave, thinking he was asleep, when he spoke.
"How is she Angela?" he said, voice raspy. "Did she wake up?" He sat up, the pig still firmly in his grasp, and looked up at her. She sat on the edge of the couch.
"No, I'm sorry, Booth. She's not awake," Angela said. Booth nodded.
"I guess I should go," Booth said, standing up. "I shouldn't be here." He looked around the room, so full of memories. His heart fell and he was afraid he'd lose the smidge of control he had summoned. Angela got up, but he walked passed her.
"Booth," she called after him, but it was too late. He was already gone. She walked to the steps of the platform and sat down. Suddenly, the realization of all that was happening hit her and she broke down. Hodgins found her wailing moments later. He tried comforting her but she couldn't be comforted. Her best friend in the whole world was dying.
Two nights later, Booth sat in his black SUV, casing the hospital parking area. He saw no cars matching any of the squints, but noticed that Max's car hadn't left since he came two days prior. Summoning courage only an FBI man could, he opened the door and got out. Quickly, he walked into the hospital. He inquired about Brennan's room number and ran up the steps, taking them two at a time, towards ICU.
Once he'd reached the room, he leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. What would happen if he walked in? All he wanted to do was see Bones. Make sure she was okay. Then he could go. The door opened, and Max stepped out. He saw Booth and nodded.
"I'm sorry about Russ," Max said, not meeting Booth's eyes. "He's just upset."
"How is she?" Booth asked, feeling the lump in his throat grow. Max looked at Booth. Sorrow was apparent in his eyes.
"Not good. She has several injuries and was taken into surgery again to stop a bleed. They've given her so many transfusions and still she's not awake," Max replied, leaning up against the wall beside Booth. "Russ and I talk to her all the time. But her brain activity is slowing. The doctors aren't optimistic." Booth felt his eyes burn with unshed tears, felt his heart ache with the guilt he felt.
"I'm so sorry," Booth said, looking at the older man. "I never meant for this…" Max shushed him.
"I don't blame you Agent Booth. It was an accident," Max said, putting his hands on the shoulders of the agent. "You've got to forgive yourself. Tempe would want that." A tear slid down Max's face and he pulled Booth in for a hug. Max's kind words ate at Booth, dissolving some of the guilt he felt. But there was no way Booth could forgive himself for what he'd done, or rather, what he hadn't done, to protect Bones. Max finally ended the hug and smiled at Booth. He'd often thought to himself what a wonderful son-in-law Booth would've made. He sighed and stepped back.
"Let me see if I can get Russ out and then you can go in to see her. I'm sorry, but Russ hasn't changed his opinion of you since you two last spoke," Max said, and Booth nodded. Within a few moments, he saw Max and Russ walk out. Max looked back at Booth and nodded his permission. Bracing himself for the worst, he opened the door.
"Oh Temperance…" he whispered as he sidled up to the bed. He sat down in the chair closest to the bed, still warm from being previously occupied. He grabbed her uninjured hand and held it, stroking it with his free hand. Overcome, he laid his head on her hand and cried. "I'm so sorry this happened…I'm so sorry for getting involved…" The doctor walked in and watched, unnoticed by Booth. He didn't watch the man grieve for his lost love, he watched her brain activity quicken. Quietly, he slipped out as Booth continued to cry.
"I love you Temperance. I love who you are. I love your quirky ways and your good heart. I love how you interact with children. I love how you sometimes don't know what things mean. I love all of you. And I had to tell you, Temperance. I had to make sure you knew."
"Where's the father?" the doctor asked a nurse at the station. She motioned down the hall and the doctor found him in the waiting area. Max saw the seriousness of his expression and jumped up.
"You've got to come with me," he urged, running back down the hall. Bursting through the door, he startled Booth, who jumped up. Russ stormed in and got in Booth's face before Max could pull him aside. Anger and resentment flashed in Russ' eyes and Booth understood it was time to make his exit. Nodding his thanks to Max, he left.
"Dad, what was he doing here?" Russ asked, but the doctor interrupted Max's reply.
"Look," he said, pointing to the monitor. "When I walked in earlier, that man was talking to her and she was responding. Or rather, her brain wave function improved dramatically. Was that her husband?" Max shook his head and Russ looked at the doctor in amazement. Before Max could speak, Russ interjected.
"That MAN is not my sister's husband, boyfriend or lover. But he IS the reason she is injured, in a coma, and dying," Russ said. Max put himself in between the doctor and his son.
"Is this good news?" Max asked; the doctor nodded enthusiastically.
"Thank God," Max replied and went to his daughter's bedside. It was going to get better now, he could feel it.
--
"Mom?" Brennan called, feeling like she'd been walking forever in the fog. "Mom, are you there?" Brennan felt a hand on her shoulder and abruptly turned. Booth stood in front of her, still wearing the suit, his shirt still blood-stained. This time, she had no trouble summoning the anger.
"What are YOU doing here," she yelled. But he didn't reply. He just gazed at her, tears rolling down his cheeks. "Tell me Booth. Was it worth it? Was it worth getting involved in my life?" Booth shook his head and looked at his feet. "TALK TO ME!" Brennan was screaming, inches from Booth's face.
"I love you Bones," he said simply. And then he vanished.
"I'm not finished talking to you, Booth. BOOTH!"
The effect Booth's visit had on Brennan's brain function were, sadly, temporary. By the end of a week, she was declining again, and the doctors were beginning to lose hope. Russ and Max never left Brennan's bedside, hoping against hope that she'd regain consciousness. But the doctors were less and less optimistic each time they came in. Patting his son on the arm, Max got up and went to find the chapel.
Inside, he saw Agent Booth sitting in the front pew. His head was down and he was praying. Max walked quietly up the short aisle and sat down beside him. Booth turned his head and looked at him. Max appeared exhausted. The bags under his eyes could rival his own. His hair was disheveled and he had a week's worth of stubble growth. Booth knew about Brennan's condition, as he was kept up to speed by Angela, who called or came by everyday. That's why he was in the chapel. Praying. They sat there for a while in silence. Finally, Max spoke.
"She's going to be okay," he said, looking at Booth. He noticed the agent looked as though he'd lost ten pounds. Grief was clearly etched on his face. "You know, whether she's here with us, or not, she's going to be okay."
--
Back in the lab, the fog thinned again and Brennan could see her mother. She was dressed differently this time, in jeans and a tee. And she wore the dolphin belt buckle her father had had made.
"Joy. Come sit with me," she said, and Brennan joined her on the steps of the platform. "That guy, Seeley? He seems to be such a nice man, Joy. And he cares a lot for you." Brennan looked at her shoes. "Don't let him down, Joy. Don't leave him." Brennan looked at her mother, confused.
"Am I dying?" Brennan asked, and her mother nodded. "You'll be gone within a few minutes unless you fight for him, Joy. Fight for him!"
Max and Russ watched in horror as the heart monitor flat-lined.
"You've got to fight Joy!"
The doctors and nurses ran in, pushing Max and Russ to the side as they readied the crash cart.
Everything appeared to be going in slow motion. The doctors tried for several minutes to revive her. Let's call it, someone barked.
"Joy, this is it. Do it for Booth! He loves you!! If you don't fight now, you won't have a chance to experience that love."
The doctor looked empathetically at Max and Russ, who broke down in each other's arms. He looked at the clock on the wall and started to call time of death when…beep-beep-beep. The heart monitor came to life. The pulse was slow and faint at first, but with every beat of her heart, it got stronger. The room erupted in cheers. Doctors slapped each other on the back. High-fives were given.
"You did it, Joy. Now, I must leave you.
"But…wait."
I'm always in your heart. I love you…"
Brennan gasped and her eyes flew open. Max and Russ were by her side immediately.
"We thought we lost you," her father was saying. He kissed her on her forehead. Russ just looked at her and cried; a big smile on his face.
"B…" she strained to get the name out.
"What is it honey? Do you need some water? Russ, get that pitcher and pour her some water," Max ordered. Brennan slowly shook her head as much as she was able.
"Wh…Whh…Where's Booth?"