Here is my second rendition. Hope you like one or both of them. It truly was an excellent episode, my favorite so far! Have a wonderful weekend all!

~B

My heart ached for her as she told Sweets of her past. Tears had stung at the corners of my eyes. I just wanted to pull her into my arms, reassure her that everything would be ok, that she had someone -me- to care about her. But she insisted that I share a story, so I did. I have to admit though, it wasn't for Sweet's benefit. I just couldn't say no to that look she gave me, her eyes met mine and I melted. I told her, I told her my darkest secret because she needed me to, she asked with those brilliant blue eyes of hers streaked with sadness. But I had to make sure she was ok, I asked her if she was ok but she only replied with a fragile yes as she replaced my handkerchief neatly folded in my pocket, taking the utmost care in folding it. I fought the urge to hold her hand there against my breast pocket and stare deeply into her trembling eyes and tell her that it would be ok. But I missed my chance and Sweets was making some comment that I was ignoring, I wanted out of there as quickly as possible, I wanted to place my hand at the small of her back and usher her out the door and away from Sweets and Gordon and all of their mind games. She didn't need this, it wasn't her way of dealing with things and it made her hurt, I could see it in her eyes. The pain more evident than I had ever seen it and all I wanted to do was erase it, get her mind off of it. But in order to do that, I had to move Sweets; so I hustled him out the door with Brennan's help.

Thank God my apartment was only a few blocks from the Hover building, Sweets was silent in the back seat as was Bones seated next to me, her hands intertwined on her lap. I could see her expression from the corner of my eye as I watched over her, making sure that she would be ok. It was now my job, looking after her. It wasn't a chore but more of an honor, I wasn't blind. And I know that people see it; they say it for crying out loud! The subtle looks we exchanged, or the hand placements like now, as my hand reached across the seat to cover hers, securing them as they slightly trembled.

She was a strong women, no doubt about it. But she let me see a side of her that she hadn't shown anyone else, I could tell. I was the first person she would let see her flawed past, but by no means was she flawed in my eyes. I believe that on some level she knew that and it was the reason she could open up to me, share herself when she needed to. And that is why I am pissed at Gordon and Sweets! She will share her secrets when she god damned well pleases! They need to shut up and mind their own business, when she is ready, she will tell me and I can help her through whatever it may bring with it; but until then, they need to just back off or I'll make them!

I pulled into my apartment complex and parked the SUV, swinging the door open even before pulling the keys from the ignition, which I did so while climbing out. I quickly rounded the car and opened the door for Bones, her eyes still that fragile blue. My hand held hers as she stepped out and then it made its way to what had become its home, at the small of her back. The light contact was enough to calm my nerves, I felt instantly better with her near, it had been that way now for quite some time.

Gordon noticed the tension in the air as we walked inside my apartment but he didn't mention it. Dinner was quick and simple. The food was delicious, Bones had been right; this was better than Stew, although I highly doubt that it had anything to do with the name being in French. After I insisted numerous times that the dishes be left for the morning Gordon offered to take sweets home and they departed caring on some psychological based rant. Bones stood at my side as they left the apartment and I closed the door quietly behind them, locking it. I turned to look at her, she stood with a porcelain delicateness; her eyes blank of expression and her arms wound tightly around her stomach. My hands were clutching the sides of her arms instantly. I ducked my head slightly so that our eyes were at an identical level.

"Bones? Are you ok?" her eyes slowly met mine and her head slowly shook side to side. I couldn't bare it any longer, I pulled her to my chest and wrapped my arms around her tightly. She didn't respond and she didn't cry, she simply let me hold her. And that was what they all saw, he knew it and she knew it. Denying it was just a habit, the truth; however, came out in the little moments like these. They were inseparable.

Loosening my embrace I gently guided her to the couch and sat down, pulling her onto my lap and holding her. She quietly tucked her head at my neck and pulled herself into a fetal position against my chest.

"Booth?"

"Shhh… You don't have to tell me."

"Booth, I'm sorry." That was when I noticed it, the small wet spot accumulating on my white shirt; she was crying. This scared me, I had only seen her cry one other time; in over four years! I gently ran my hand up and down her back trying to sooth her.

"You have nothing to be sorry about Bones, It's ok now. I'm here for you." Leaning my head against hers I felt her sob. It broke my heart in two to see her like this. She silently cried into my chest as I rocked her slightly to and fro. "It wasn't fare Bones, in now way shape or form was it fare, don't analyze it any further, it wasn't your fault."

This caused her to look up at me, tears streaming down her face. Ever so gently I brushed away the trails that they left in their paths. "You're not alone any more Bones, You have me. I'm not going anywhere, I'm here to stay, I'm here for you Temperance."

"I know Booth, I know." She whispered to me in a sincere but weak voice. "But eventually you will leave me, you will have to. If our partnership gets severed… or when you get married." She ducked her head back into my chest sadly.

"Bones, our partnership isn't going anywhere. We are too good together. And even if I did get married to some woman, she would have to know that you our at the top of my priority list, we're family Bones, and we always will be. Parker and You mean more to me than my own life, losing you would take away a part of me."

I felt her smile against my chest, ever so small but beautiful as ever. I held her until she fell asleep. I laid down on the couch pulling her flush against me and pulling a blanket over her. He breathing was deep and even. That night I slept the best I had my entire life, with her by my side I could do anything and be happy.