You said you don't know me, you don't even care,
You don't know me, you don't wear my chains...
The drive to Boston took entirely too long for Booth's liking. It didn't help that traffic was heavier than normal. About three hours after rushing out of the Jeffersonian Booth arrived at the Boston coroner's office. Every fiber in his being told him to rush in and sweep her off her feet - but Booth didn't. He knew that the words spoken were going to have to be carefully planned. Bones was a logical person. She would want evidence to prove why it was worth it to her to trust and love him again.
Taking a deep breath Booth got out of the SVU and walked into the lobby. When asked where he was going Booth simply smiled. "I'm going to see Bones." The lab wasn't anything like the Jeffersonian. There was sparse equipment and little space. Instead of the warmth that his workplace projected, it was cold, metallic, and unfriendly. There were only two people in the room, neither of them Bones. The guy looked up from his work, surprised at the intrusion.
"May I help you?"
"Yes. I'm looking for Bones…I mean Dr. Brennan."
The older lady stood up, eyeing the Special Agent carefully. "She's at dinner. Who are you?"
She said I think I'll go to Boston.
I think I'll start a new life.
"Special Agent Seeley Booth," Booth said, flicking his badge open to show them. "Do you know where? It's a very important issue."
The lady shook her head but the guy said something. "She normally eats at a little French café on Locust and Beethoven."
"Thanks."
The next thing that came out of the guy's moth surprised Booth. "You're the reason she left D.C.!"
"Josh!" The woman scolded.
"Yes. But I'm going to be the reason she comes back." With that, Booth left for the restaurant. He found it easily, it only being a block or two from the office. He saw her sitting, eating a sandwich and drinking a coffee. And she looked sad.
"Hiya Bones."
I think I'll start it over, where no one knows my name,
I'll get out of California, I'm tired of the weather,
Her head whipped around so quickly Booth could have sworn he heard a crack. "Booth!" Brennan got up as if to run but he was quicker. He gently grabbed her wrist. "Don't speak. Don't judge. Just listen." They both sat down Booth ready to tell the whole story.
"I'm sorry Bones. I didn't know you would be so upset. In hindsight, I don't know how it could not hurt you. I promised to protect you from everything under the sun. But I didn't protect you from my own stupidity. I thought that when we kissed it meant nothing to you. I thought you were just joking about getting together. And so I started seeing Janice. But she didn't realize what kind of relationship we had. I didn't even understand. When she said, she was sick of being put behind you I had to choose. I didn't want to. But I hoped you wouldn't care. And then, as soon as I made the choice I realized what all of your actions meant. You mean the world to me. And Bones…" He paused, taking her hand. "I love you."
The silence between them was deafening for a short period. "Bones?" Booth asked carefully.
I think I'll get a lover, and fly 'em out to Spain
I think I'll go to Boston
Bones slapped him. "Don't call me Bones."
Before Brennan had a chance to even think of what she said, she was in his arms again. He had come. She had been surprised when he came but she listened to his explanation and she realized something. She just needed him to say sorry to her. Then she would be fine. And then she would return to where she belonged. She would return to him. The hug finally loosened and Booth's brown eyes met hers. Love washed over her and once again she was swept up in the moment. His lips found hers and suddenly everything was okay. She melted into him, letting him support her.
"I love you." He whispered.
"I love you too." She whispered back, for the first time being one-hundred percent honest.
"Bones…" Booth asked a generous smile on his face. "Come back to D.C. with me? The Jeffersonian needs you. And I…" He paused. "I need you."
Sadness filled her eyes as Brennan spoke. "I left Booth. I can't just go running back because you asked me to."
"They thought you were dead. They feared the worst. They haven't hired a replacement. You could just get your old job back."
Brennan shook her head impatiently. "I can't. What happens when you do this again?"
I think that I'm just tired
I think I need a new town, to leave this all behind...
"I won't."
Brennan held up her hand to stop him. "You can't protect me forever. Science says this will happen again. I'm…" Her voice cracked as she looked up at Booth, tears in her eyes. "I'm tired of running." She held onto him, trying to press out the bad memories.
"Someone said that 'experience is the name we give to our mistakes.' Bones I want to forget the past and just live for today."
A long silence filled between them, Booth resting his head gently on hers. "Come home Bones."
Another pause came and she finally answered although her voice was shaky. "Alright Seeley."
I think I need a sunrise, I'm tired of the sunset,
I hear it's nice in the summer, some snow would be nice...
He picked her up and swung her around, the huge grin back on his face. A few hours later, they were reentering the Jeffersonian, hands linked.
"Everyone there is someone…" But before Booth could finish his sentence Angela's scream came out.
"BRENNAN!"
Booth had never seen someone fly so fast towards a stationary target. Brennan stepped out from behind Booth and smiled. And then the lab broke into chaos. A flurry of questions, hugs and clapping ensued until Booth shut them up.
"She's back. Now don't you squints have work to do?"
Everyone laughed.
"Welcome home Bones."
"No more Boston."
"No more Boston." He echoed.
Boston...where no one knows my name..
Author's Note: The song, once again, is the second half of Boston by Augustana. The quote is by Oscar Wilde. I also took a few random thoughts from the Book Just Listen by Sarah Dessen. Now you know what to do. Press that lilac button and leave me a piece of heaven in a review.