Chapter 2:
The next morning dawned, finding both Booth and Brennan still sleeping peacefully. Brennan had fallen asleep in a nearby chair, with her head resting on the edge of the hospital bed. A sympathetic nurse had covered Brennan's sleeping form with a blanket sometime in the night, and somehow, one of Booth's arms had ended up around her shoulders.
Booth awoke first, still a little disoriented, and began absentmindedly running his fingers through Brennan's hair. To him, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.
Unbeknownst to anyone, Brennan had hardly had a good night's sleep. She awoke in the darkest hours of the night, remembering her own carefully penned words. "You love someone, you open yourself up to suffering." She knew the truth in those words as she sat restless, waiting for Booth to come back to her. And she knew it now more than ever as she sat by his bed, still waiting, his hand in hers.
She awoke to gentle nudging from her partner as a nurse came in with breakfast for two. "Bren, wake up honey." She sat up, still groggy, only to find Booth beaming at her. "Breakfast," he explained, pointing to the nurse carrying the tray. "And remember, you're eating for two now," he added excitedly. The nurse smiled.
She had to tell him. This was going too far. But he was so happy. How could she take that away from him now, when he was in such a fragile state? And she had to admit, she didn't mind Booth's affection. She needed to talk to someone. She needed Angela.
Brennan obligingly ate as much breakfast as she could stomach, and helped Booth with his as well. His hand-eye coordination was slightly off, and his aim sent forkfuls of eggs spiraling down into his lap. He smiled sheepishly as she cleaned him up, and soon drifted back off into a much-needed slumber.
Brennan smiled. It was almost like taking care of a small child, or rather, a big child. She gathered her things to go and meet Angela, stopping for a moment to plant a gentle kiss on Booth's forehead. "I'll be back soon," she whispered. "I love…" she paused, unable to finish. Instead, she kissed his forehead again, softly muttering "Oh Booth."
As she shut the door, he opened his eyes and watched her walk away.
I love you too.