Days Later.

She was finally back to work. Things were going smoothly; Booth had not yet been cleared for duty, so she and Zack had been working on a backlog of other projects.

The routine of her job settled her. The evaluation, the un-erring science of it all. At least, this worked for her. Her home life was anything but routine these days.

Her biggest shock, so far, was over a subtle thing. Seeing his things so casually strewn all over her bathroom. Razor, comb, toothbrush looking like it all belonged.

She was not sure id she should be angry that he was starting to invade her personal space, or be thrilled that he was so easily invading her space.

Sitting at her computer, she was trying to log her latest findings when a memory snuck up on her.

It was last night. She had been cooking dinner to soothe her nerves. She was at the sink, thinking about Booth. When suddenly there was a stir of air behind her, and then... arms around her. Boxing her into the counter. Muscular arms that a woman could swoon in (if she was prone to such things). She felt his breath on her shoulder, then his chin in the crook of her neck.

"You look amazing doing this, everything smells delicious." She turned her face towards him, giving him an opportunity to get a better grip.

"What are you doing Booth?" Her eyes were guarded, afraid of what his answer might be.

"Just seeing if there was anything left to do, looks like I can set the table, or maybe I figured you needed a hug." A quick grin followed that comment. He let her go, sifting through drawers to get silverware, napkins, plates and glasses.

"You don't need to do things like that. I can do it. Relax."

It hurt him a little to see that look in her eyes. He came back to her and lifted a loosed strand of hair off of her beautiful face. Grazing her cheek with his fingers.

"I know you can do it, Bones; but maybe I want to help... Maybe I want more here..." He slid by her with the settings, a slight smile on his face as he caught the now dumbfounded look he saw on her face. "Are we gonna eat soon, Bones?"


A knock startled Brennan out of her memory. It was Angela.

"Hey sweetie. Thinking good thoughts I hope... maybe about your roomie? Tell me, the pj's; cartoon pants, or just the underwear?"

"Ang, what kind of question is that?"Angela's face lit up. "Does that mean that nudity is an option?"

"My god, is that all you think about? I stay in my room most of the night. I leave him alone, and try to work on the book."

"How's that coming?"

"I've hit a few bumps. It's hard to concentrate knowing that there is someone in my home."

Angela's cell phone beeped. Before walking out, she looked at her best friend. "So let yourself get distracted Bren... it might be fun."

~What does she mean by that? We are partners; I should not be thinking these things. ~

Resolutely, she turned back to her work, formulas and concrete analysis that always added up. No gray areas, no room for conflicting emotions. Black and white, things that made sense.

~Look at her, is she ever not beautiful? ~ Even scowling at her files she was adorable... Booth walked into her office, to familiar with her to knock.

"Hey Bones."

Not looking up, "What do you want Booth? I'm busy."

"Well, I passed my final check up, cleared for active duty now."

She looked up at him as his smile went from ear to ear. The sight filled her heart with an 'irritating girly feeling'.

"What do you say we go out tonight to celebrate? Dinner, maybe, some dancing? Huh-huh, sounds good, right?"

"Booth, I don't know. I'm making good progress here, and I have my book waiting at home."

"You haven't taken a break since we got out of the hospital."

"I haven't needed one."

He walked over to her chair, swung it around so she was facing him. He held the seat still with one hand on the arm rest; he bent over to be face to face with her. When she looked down, he raised her chin with his free hand.

"You need a break Temperance. I'm remembering all kinds of things that people said to me while I was out... You and I definitely need a break from work to talk. Alone."

His knees almost buckled when he saw a shiver of fear and a sheen of tears reach her eyes.

A knock at the door had him ready to hurt someone.

Cam took perverse pleasure in seeing him back away from Brennan.

"Anymore finished files for Dr. Goodman? I'm on my way to a meeting with him now."

"Yes, here are a few more. Zack is almost done with another one as well."

"Well, Booth, I must say that you being out of the field has gotten Dr. Brennan through some of her back projects. But did I hear you are cleared for field work again? Congratulations. We should celebrate... tonight?"

Booth was looking down into big, slate gray eyes. Eyes that were waiting for him to go on without her.

"I have plans already tonight, Cam, but thanks." He let go of the chair and went toward the door, head down, shoulders hunched. Just wondering how to get past whatever, or whoever, had hurt the woman he could now admit to himself he loved.


That night, he walked up to her home slowly. Maybe he should think about going back to his place. ~I don't think so; we have things to work out first. ~

The living area was quiet. She left a light on for him. Didn't look like she had eaten though.

~Probably got absorbed in her work. I'll give her ten minutes, and then I am interrupting her. ~

He walked to "his" room, making as much noise as he could, so she would know he was there.

~Shower first; wash that moving thought right down the drain. ~

Her bedroom door was still shut when he came out. He could see a crack of light under the door. He opened it slowly.

She was stretched out in an easy chair. Old t-shirt and yoga pants. The shirt was one he had given her last year. The laptop was turned on, she had been working, but now the screen saver was going crazy. He could not believe his luck... she was sleeping.

He quietly walked over to her, gently caressed her face "Sweet dreams Temperance." He pulled a blanket over her, bent down to kiss her smooth forehead and whispered, "I heard a lot of things, and I mean this; I love you. And for tonight you can feel that... and trust me. I would never hurt you, but I think we owe it to ourselves to see what we could have together. I would never hurt you, and I am never leaving you."

He turned the light off, turned to leave the room. Something made him look back at her once more.

A sweet, angelic smile had blossomed on her face. Full of sleep, and dreams; she knew he was there.


It had been two weeks. Booth had moved back to his apartment. No new threats against her. A new tension could be sensed between them; well, not a new tension per say, but there was a definite increase.

Their work together was great. Efficient, not affected by these new distractions.

~Who am I kidding? ~

There were moments she could feel him watching her, with a sharp intensity that defied analysis (not that she did not try). Her body's response to those moments was unreal. Her insides knotted up, and bottomed out. Her head was light, spinning in new dimensions. Lances of need, desire, love, and a hint of lust shot through her entire body whenever he stared at her like that. Her only release, and defense to this, was to stare right back. The first time she returned that deep, brown eyed stare... the emotions showing in her eyes had him staggering back.

Their usual banter in the lab, or at crime scenes, was more one sided now. He was trying to being her back to him, but she was confused. What used to come so easily was now full of double meanings and innuendos.

Brennan resorted to try avoiding him. Of course, the only time she could pull that off was off duty hours. She kept turning down his dinner invitations. Tried to build up emotional barriers between them, but one glance had those crumbling down.

Angela was no help. "Honey, go out with him. Forget the lab, the crime scenes, your father... everything. Just concentrate on him and you, see where you end up."

"Ang, it's not that easy. I never wanted this. I can't sleep; I have to force myself to eat. Every part of my apartment... I can feel him there. So I come here, and that doesn't work either..." Hysterics were starting to surface. "I need to get out of here... Excuse me, Ang. I've got to see Dr. Goodman."

With that, she was up and out of the office, blue lab coat flapping around her.

~What just happened? Goodman won't send her anywhere now. The FBI cases are to important for our image here. Sorry sweetie, there is no running out on this one. ~