Temperance was quickly pushed aside as hospital staff worked on Booth rapidly. As if glue had been stuck on the soles of her shoes, she stood frozen. The monotone sound of the flatline pierced her ears. Angela held her hand and escorted her out of the room. She nearly collapsed and if it wasn't for Hodgins, she would have been on the cold linoleum floor.
Flashes of memories rushed through her mind. She knew his line of work would always put him in a perilous position. But, he wasn't shot in the line of duty. He was out with his friends having fun.
A heart was designed for love and it's a fragile thing. One sudden gust of wind and it can be blown away and your life changes forever. Life is full of strange and unwanted surprises. It creeps up suddenly and approaches when you least except it. Love should feel incredible, not painful. She felt her heart was made to be broken. Her dreams were shattered. Her dreams of having a life with Booth would never exist.
To love someone is to take care of them. She would definitely be the one to nurse him back to good health, if he was given a second chance in life. Tears ran rapidly down her face. Memories of their last conversation entered her mind. Booth had called her in the early evening, the night he got shot.
Flashback
"Hey, Bones. Have you eaten yet?"
"No time to eat. I have a deadline on my book."
"Aw, come on. You have to eat, don't you? I'll come by in a few minutes. I'll even pick up dinner and we can also have a few beers."
"Booth! What part of "no" don't you understand? I can't."
"You've got to come out and play sometimes."
"Agent Booth! You do have other friends, don't you? I suggest you go out and play with them."
"I just needed to talk to you about some things, Temperance."
"What things, Booth? What's the urgency? Can't it wait until tomorrow?"
"Yea, sure thing. It can wait. I'll just call some of the guys."
End Of Flashback
He had done exactly that. A night out with the boys and it ended tragically. Temperance blamed herself. If only she had agreed to his invitation of take-out dinner and beers at home. He wouldn't be at this very moment in the hands of a medical team working on him in saving his life. What exactly had he wanted to talk to her about? She questioned herself, hopping he'd be given a chance to tell her.
Booth was always in her head, never having a moment's peace. How awful it must feel to not be with the person you're suppose to be with. She wanted him badly and at times it was just too unbearable for her. When you want someone to love you, you open your heart. She hadn't done that. Now, she was afraid that it would be too late.
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NDE. Near Death Experience. Booth was outside his body looking down and watched the final moments of his life. In that very instance, his spirit, soul left his physical body. He felt peace and joy as he entered a new world to a point of no return. His life passed before him. He came across his deceased loved ones and a few close friends. It seemed like a long period of time, but, it took only several minutes for his soul to also have gotten a preview of his future if he returned. He pondered his choices. He walked towards the moving rapid light, then, slowed down. He stopped. There were those he left behind to consider. There was his son, Parker. And there was Temperance. He heard cries from outside of his room. He turned and there was Bones weeping as Angela hung on to her as they watched from the doorway. Booth needed to go back. His soul needed to return.
He took a step back and slowly turned away. He got a glimpse of his future. Both Parker and Temperance needed him. He quickly returned to his physical body. The monitor beeped slowly back into activity.
Temperance exhaled unaware she had been holding her breath. There were a lot of things she could have gone without. Seeley Booth was not one of them.
TBC - Chapter 4
