The remaining five months went by slowly for Booth and Brennan; Brennan wrote Booth every other day he always wrote back. Some days Brennan's letters were novels in length, some days they were only a few lines, but each one gave Booth comfort that Brennan was okay. With two weeks to go Booth got his departure date, he didn't have time to write Brennan and find out hers; he could only hope he got home before Brennan did. One night just before midnight Swanson came and woke Booth."Sarge, your girl's on the horn, you got 15 minutes."Booth sprinted to HQ and picked up the phone.
"Bones?"
"Yes Booth, it's me."
'"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine I just wanted to tell you my departure date, I didn't think I'd time to communicate it to you using our normal means."
Booth chuckled, "When are you coming home, Bones?"
"June 20th my flight is supposed to land at 11:00."
Booth couldn't believe it, "Bones, I'm coming home on the 20th too; I should be done and free to go by 11:00. I'll buy you a cup of coffee at noon."
"Okay, but I'll buy my own coffee."
"How about I buy yours and you buy mine?'
"That's an acceptable compromise."
Booth grinned as they chatted about Brennan's excavation. Swanson laid a hand on Booth's shoulder, he nodded.
"Bones, I have to go, stay safe. Bye, I love you."
"Bye Booth, I love you too, stay safe."
Booth hung up and almost skipped pack to his bunk. The next few weeks passed slowly, for Booth at times it felt like time had stopped. The morning of the twentieth Booth woke up before anyone else and paced waiting to board the bus to take them across the base to their loved ones. Booth smiled when he saw Jared in the crowd.
'Hey Seeley, it's good to see you again."
"You too Jared, Padme didn't come with you?"
"She's at home with Alexis, you need to come meet you niece, and she misses her uncle Seeley."
"Jared she's two months old, she doesn't know who I am! I'll come see her in a few days and hopefully I'll bring her soon to be aunt Bones with me."
"Good luck, Seeley. Where to?"
"The reflecting pool?"
"Why?"
"It's Bones and I's meeting place."
"She gets back today too?"
"Yeah her flight landed at 11."
"Aw sweet you both got back at the same time!"
"Shut up Jarred!"
"Seriously I'm happy for the two of you, but quit dancing around the 'just partners' bit and go for it. You're more than that; I knew it when Tempe slapped me for calling you a looser. Then she confirmed it when she asked me to risk my job to get you from the psychopath after you got kidnapped."
"Thanks Jared." Booth looked at his watch.
"What time you supposed to meet?"
"Noon."
"You got time, here."Jarred handed Booth his phone."Call the airline and make sure the plane is on time."
Booth made the call.
"So?"
"Wheels down at 11:01 AM."
"We're almost there. I'll take your stuff to your apartment and air it out."
"Thanks."
Jared nodded and ten minutes later the reflecting pool, Booth got out.
"Seeley wait, you going to want to take these." Jarred pulled a dozen daffodils from the backseat.
"How did you?"
"I knew they were her favorite so, I got some on the off chance today was the day. If it wasn't, Padme likes them."
Booth smiled, "Thanks Jarred, I'll see you, Padme, and Alexis in a few days; I need to see Bones and Parker first."
"Okay."
Booth got to the coffee cart and sat down on the bench at 12:00 at 12:04 he saw Brennan in her eco warrior look. Standing he met her half way as soon as they got close Brennan grabbed a hold of Booth, with more strength than he thought she had. Booth stood there holding Brennan tightly, enjoying the moment. After a few moments Booth started to pull away, Brennan clung to him with a death grip."Bones, you don't have to let go, but let's go sit down."
Brennan nodded against his chest and Booth walked them to the bench. Brennan still had her arms around him, but had pulled away enough to look at him."I'm glad you're home Booth."
"I'm glad to be home Bones, I'm glad you're home too. I love you."
"I love you too Booth, Kiss me already!"
"You sure you want a public display?" Booth grinned knowing how Brennan felt about kissing in public.
"Yes, nothing we could get arrested for, but as close as we can get."
They kissed and when the need for air became too pressing, Booth broke the kiss. "Bones promise me you won't go on any more yearlong excavations; I can't not kiss you for a year after that! That was the best kiss I've ever had!"
"I won't go on anymore excavations in less you're with me. Promise me no more deployments."
"I promise. Oh I almost forgot to give you your flowers." Booth handed Brennan the bouquet.
"They are beautiful Booth, thank you."
"You're welcome Bones."
Booth kissed Brennan again and they sat for a little bit, Brennan's head on Booth's chest, and his arm around her.
"Let's go."
"Where?"
"Home."
"Whose home?"
"My apartment's closer and I have my car…"
Booth stood up as Brennan pressed the keys into his hand.
More later
