Thanks to everyone who read the first chapter of this story! I hope you like this next installment. The idea behind this one was: What happens when Dr. Brennan experiences a gut feeling? Enjoy!

December 2011

Brennan sat on their bed and watched as Booth packed a suitcase. Two weeks ago, Cullen had asked him if he would mind participating in a short undercover operation. He would be leaving in three days and he was only supposed to be gone a week, but since they had first heard about the assignment Brennan had felt this incessant gnawing in the pit of her stomach. She dropped her hands and absently rubbed her swollen, seven months pregnant, belly. She had been hoping that the feeling would dissipate but if anything it had just gotten worse. She hated this feeling, it was completely irrational, and there was nothing that annoyed her more than feeling irrational. As she watched him, pack the gnawing was quickly turning to desperation.

Booth was shooting Brennan nervous glances every few minutes as he began to pack. He knew something was bothering her, he'd known in for more than a week, but she refused to say anything about it other than to reassure him that it had nothing to do with the baby. That had made him feel better, but only marginally. He was worried about Brennan, he knew her well enough to know that she was holing herself up in her head and no matter what he did he couldn't seem to reach her.

Booth's quiet sigh snapped Brennan back to reality. As their eyes met he could see the panic that was flying through hers. He dropped the shirt he was holding and went to sit next to her, taking her hand in his, "Talk to me, Bones." His voice was quiet and pleading, and it broke the small thread of control she had left.

She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close as she pressed her face into his chest. "I don't know what's wrong, Booth. I think I'm having what you would describe as a 'gut feeling,' which is totally irrational, but it won't go away." She pulled away to look at him and he noticed the tears beginning to form in her eyes. "It's just getting more persistent the closer you get to leaving."

He was concerned about how distressed she seemed since it was so unlike her. He was about to ask why she didn't mention anything sooner, but he stopped himself. He knew exactly why, no matter how worried she was, she would never do anything that seemed as though she was forcing him to choose her or his career. Of course, that wasn't the way he saw things, and he was going to make damn sure she knew that too.

"Bones," he began seriously, making sure her eyes met his. "If this assignment is making you in any way uncomfortable I won't go."

She was shaking her head before he finished speaking, "I can't tell you to do that, Booth. This assignment is important to your career."

"You are way more important than my career, no matter what. I never want to make you worry. Now more than ever, you're supposed to be avoiding stress, Bones." He gently moved a hand to her stomach and smiled when he felt a kick. "If something about this assignment is upsetting you enough that you're talking about gut feelings I'll call Cullen right now and tell him that I can't go on this assignment."

"You really don't have to do that Booth," she protested, but he cut her off with a kiss.

"I know I don't have to. I know that you would never force me to sit out of an assignment, that's one of the things I love the most about you. I'm choosing to stay here with you and our little peanut in there, because there is no place I'd rather be. I didn't want to go on this trip much anyhow."

She looked at him, seeing the truthfulness in his gaze. "You'll really stay just because it will make me feel better?"

He pulled her back into his arms, "Of course, Bones. Even your most irrational feelings are important to me. Next time something's upsetting you don't be afraid to tell me, even if you think it's silly. Okay?"

She nodded against his chest, "Thank you, Booth."

"Temperance, you never have to thank me for caring, okay?" The use of her first name showed her how serious he was. He kissed the top of her head, "I love you, Bones."

"I love you too, Booth. I've never had anyone who cared so unconditionally about me before."

"Well get used to it babe, 'cause I'm not going anywhere." He smiled, waiting for her response.

"Don't call me that," her voice was stern but she stayed wrapped comfortably in his arms and he knew that the moniker didn't truly bother her, she just protested on principle.

They stayed like that for awhile until he realized that it was getting late and he still had a phone call to make. Cullen wasn't happy, but Booth managed to twist the facts without outright lying. He told his boss that Brennan had been having a strange feeling in her stomach and he didn't want to leave her alone. Cullen happened to have a soft spot for the pair and allowed Booth to back out without any repercussions. Booth thanked him profusely and returned to the bedroom where he and Brennan spent the rest of the night in bed as she allowed him to prove just how much he cares about her.

She was sitting a week later in her office when Booth walked in, a somber expression on his face.

"What's wrong?" She asked as she heaved herself up to join him on the couch.

"The assignment I was supposed to go on went badly, Bones. We lost two really good agents." She wrapped her arm around his shoulder.

"Please don't feel guilty because you weren't there."

He sighed, she knew him too well, "I know I shouldn't, from what I've heard it was doomed from the start. There's nothing I could have done to change it. I just can't help but wonder…"

"Don't Booth, please don't feel guilty. I'm the one who asked you to stay home." She hoped that turning the tables to pin his guilt to herself would have the desired effect.

His eyes went wide in shock, "Bones, this is not your fault, how could it be?"

"It's not your fault either. You need to see that, Booth. You can't save everyone all the time. I'm really glad you weren't there Booth, no matter how selfish that seems. I don't know what I would have done if one of those men had been you. I don't even want to think about raising our little girl without you here."

He saw the conviction in her eyes and the depth of the love he saw in her eyes staggered him. "I couldn't live without you either, Bones. The thing that I feel guiltiest about is how relieved I am that I wasn't there."

Her eyes softened, "You're a good man Booth, and you have such a big heart." Her tone was almost envious, "I love your heart. Our daughter will be very lucky to have you as her daddy."

"Thank you Bones," he pulled her into a hug. "I love your heart too, and all the rest of you. Our daughter is really lucky to have you as a mommy."

"Would you like to go home?" She asked softly, knowing he was still upset. "We can go home; you can call Parker and talk to him for awhile. Then we can call for Thai delivery and curl up on the couch watching some ridiculous movie that you'll insist is a classic that I absolutely must watch."

"Sounds like a good plan, Bones." He paused for a second, "I know just the movie, too."

"What movie?" She asked, glad that he seemed to be cheering up.

"Ferris Bueller's Day Off, it's hilarious, trust me on this one." He smiled at her and she couldn't help but grin back. "And if you play your cards right I'll even give you a foot rub."

"Mmm…" she practically moaned at his suggestion. "You give the best foot rubs, I think it's because your hands are so large and warm. Let's go now, Booth." She stood up and practically dragged him out of the office.