Wow, thank you everyone for your positive reviews. I can't answer the question if Booth's loss of sight is temporary, but I can tell you guys there'll be fluff.

So read on :)

Booth

I'm blind.

For some inexplicable reason, the line from the hymn Amazing Grace plays in my head, was blind but now I see. Will I see again? This has to be some cruel joke. My life was sparred. I survived the surgery but now I'm blind?

I hear Bones gasp as I utter the words I'm afraid to admit, "I can't see."

Maybe this is some side effect to the surgery too, maybe I'll see again in a couple of minutes.

"I'll get Dr Mallory."

So in come the team of doctors and nurses, and they poke and prod at me, test my eyes and send me for an MRI. I don't know how long later when I'm finally allowed to settle back into my hospital bed. Everything is still pitch black to me. Am I to live in this world of darkness forever? What about my job? Bones? Parker?

"I'll get your girlfriend in here before we discuss what's going on with you Mr Booth."

I hear the doctor leave the room. Girlfriend? They think Bones is my girlfriend? I remember my dream and despite my current situation I smile.

I hear footsteps, and a familiar whiff of shampoo mingled with a sweet scent that can only be Bones. I sense Bones moving to stand beside me, then feel her hand slip into mine. I give her hand a gentle squeeze, grateful that she's here.

"Is my loss of sight permanent?"

"The good news is, the scans show that we did in fact remove the tumor completely. Tests on your eyes reveal that there's nothing wrong with them."

"So I can expect to see again?"

"I wish everything was so definite Mr Booth."

"What does this mean?" Bones asks, as eager as me to know for sure.

"Your boyfriend's blindness in my opinion could be a result of the tumor pressing on his optic nerves. We removed the source of pressure on them but they were still damaged by the tumor. Given time they may heal, or it may not. Or this could be another lingering effect of the anesthesia, which also in time may wear off. But I can't say for sure."

Two things strike me. One, Bones didn't protest to me being referred to as her boyfriend. Two, they can't give me a straight answer. I clench my teeth in anger.

"What you're saying is that you have no idea why I can't see and you're not sure if it's permanent."

"I'm afraid you are correct."

For once I hate being right. This is ridiculous. Maybe I should get a second opinion.

"What now?"

"Now we're happy your scans are clear and there's no bleeding in the brain. Your life isn't in danger anymore. We'll watch you for a couple more days, and help you get used to being ambulatory again, used to not being able to see, then you can go home."

"That's it?"

"It's there something we can do about Booth's sight?" Bones' voice betrays her worry.

"Now Dr Brennan? Only time will tell. Other than that, there's really nothing we can do."

"This is bullshit. I could see fine before the surgery!"

"Booth!"

"Mr Booth you need to stay calm we don't want to elevate your blood pressure. Your brain is still healing. We don't want any increase in your intracranial pressure."

What? I'm not understanding this.

"An increase in pressure inside your skull isn't good for you right now. We don't want any bleeding inside."

I feel Bones' hand on my arm, "Booth you need to try to calm down."

I take a breath in an attempt to calm myself.

"I'll leave you two alone now. Tomorrow, we'll work on trying to get you to eat something, then be ambulatory and ready to go home."

I hear the doctor leave. I'm frustrated. I can't be blind! This can't be permanent! I have a job, there are no blind FBI agents. I have to work with Bones. Will Bones think less of me now? And Parker? I'm never gonna see him grow up, watch him grow into a young man.

I close my eyes, not that it makes a difference. Everything is pitch black to me.

"Booth."

"Just… leave me alone Bones."

"I'm not letting you do this."

"I just need to be alone Bones."

"No you don't. You heard Dr Mallory, you may get your sight back."

"Yeah? When? Didn't you hear? He isn't sure."

"There's always hope Booth, that's something I've learnt from you."

"That's fine for you to say, you're not the one who's blind!"

"Stop it Booth! You heard the doctor, your brain's still healing, don't get so worked up!"

"Just as well I'd died in the OR."

I suddenly feel a sharp pain in my forearm.

"Did you just pinch me Bones?!"

"Yes, and that's only because I can't punch you in the face." I feel her hot breath on my face, sensing the anger in her voice.

"How dare you Booth? How dare you wish you were dead? After all you've been through? Don't you care about Parker? He's come here everyday asking me when you'll wake up? He didn't give up on you, so don't you dare give up on yourself! And me? I haven't been home since your surgery. You did almost die in the OR Booth, and I thought I'd die if you did."

I feel Bones' ragged breaths on my face. I know she's crying.

"I – I'm sorry Bones."

I'm instantly guilty. I've put this woman through so much. My fake death, being kidnapped by the gravedigger and now this.

"You don't deserve this Bones. You deserve someone better, someone who can make you happy, someone who can take care of you, not some blind guy."

"This is my choice Booth, I'm not leaving you. I don't want to be with any other guy, and I can take care of myself. I don't care if you're blind, or deaf or crippled, you're my partner and I'm not leaving you."

A part of my heart sinks. She's declared her undying devotion to me but not because she loves me, but because of our partnership. Before I went under, in the OR when I looked in her eyes, I swore if I came out if this alive I'd tell her how I feel, make her happy, be the man she deserves. Now I'm not so sure I can.

"You don't have to do this."

"I want to. If I didn't' I wouldn't have stayed by your side all this time."

"I don't know how long this will take, I don't even know if I can work with the FBI again – "

"Save it Booth. I'm here for the long haul."

All this from a woman who doesn't believe in marriage and love? Does this mean she loves me? I don't even dare to think of the possibility.

"I don't know – "

"Let's just take things one step at a time Booth. Baby steps."

"Right."

I'm not sure of anything now, but her optimism is comforting. I can't see it but I can tell she's smiling. The thought of never seeing her beautiful face again sends a stab of pain in my heart.

"You'll see again Booth." Bones says as if reading my mind.

"I hope so."

I hold up my hand and feel hers clasp mine.

"This is… all very overwhelming. Going into surgery, I thought, I'd either end up dead or survive this and things can go on as usual. But now, I'm not so sure. I never expected…"

"I know. I knew this was apossibilty but I just didn't think it'd happen."

"It all feels a little much."

"You will see again Booth."

I'm not sure I'm buying what she's trying to convince me, but I badly want to see again.

"Thanks Bones."

"You're welcome."

"Now I just need you to do me a favor."

"Anything."

"Go home."

"Anything but that."

"I'm fine Bones, apart from the fact that I can't see but there're nurses here. By your own admission you haven't been home in four days. You need rest and food. Don't lie to me I know you haven't eaten much."

"I have been home to shower and change."

"You need to rest Bones. I'm not going anywhere. It's late now."

"Nine. How'd you – "

"I just know. Go home. Please."

My head throbs slightly to the beat of my heart. There's silence, then I feel her leave my side. Did she leave without saying goodbye? Then there's the feeling of her wet finger on my lips.

"They're dry and chaffed." She explains.

I lick my lips. Her actions in the past would have been sensual but right now, I realize I'm desperately thirsty.

"More?"

"Yes."

She makes another few passes over my lips with her wet fingers dipped presumably in a cup of water. I lick my lips hungrily.

"Not too much Booth. Maybe tomorrow I'd ask the doctor if you can drink some water."

"Thank you."

"Now can you please go home?"

I hear her place the cup by my bedside table, then feel the press of her lips on my cheek. A feeling of warmth washes over me.

"I'll be back in the morning."

I hear her leave, the scent of her hair brushing past my nose still lingering. I cling on to it, holding my breath and waiting for a long moment before allowing myself to cry. The first tears slip down my cheeks, and soon I'm crying. The thought of never seeing again is unbearable.

Damn it! I'm Special Agent Seeley Booth, alpha-male, as Bones puts it. I shouldn't be crying like a baby. I'm not sure how long passes but a nurse comes into check on me, and I quickly sniff and try to dry my eyes.

"I know it's difficult, you have to hang in there."

"Thanks." I croak.

"I just administered a sedative, try to get some rest."

The medication works quickly, and I close my eyes and drift off to sleep.

A longer chapter like I promised. Review and tell me what you think.