Digging Your Own Grave

Chapter Four:

Hey guys! Sorry about the long time between updates. I've been a bit blank on this story. Its not up to my usual standard and for that I apologise. On top of all that, I had 3 major assignments due on Friday for uni so its been crazy study a-go-go! Enjoy this chapter. I'll try and update again soon! Remember I don't own them, I just play from time to time. Read and Review! I'm desperate for feedback!

Booth kicked back on his sofa, his feet propping up on his coffee table. The Knicks were playing the Lakers on TV, he had a nice cold beer in his hand and his stomach was full of great Thai. So what was bothering Special Agent Seeley Booth?

The woman that was yet to make an exit from his bathroom.

The rigmarole at the hospital had left Booth drained and twitchy. He hated hospitals with a passion. And he hated having someone he cared about being in hospital even more. But where Bones was concerned, he was always worried. She had an annoying knack of getting into trouble and putting herself in dangerous situations.

Once all the paper work had been filled in, medicines given and Doctor Temperance Brennan had been thoroughly warned by the ER doctor, custody had been handed over to Booth. The first thing he did was hug Bones. He couldn't help himself. She seemed to accept his momentarily lapse of professionalism and hugged him back. When it became awkward, Booth had stepped back and allowed Bones some privacy to dress into her dirt stained clothes.

They hadn't spoken much in the car. Booth glanced at Bones several times. She was drifting in and out of consciousness. The drugs seemed to still be making her groggy. The sooner he got her into a bed the better. And he had to admit to himself that he was longing for sleep. The pressure, the tension of the day, the thought that Bones and Hodgins were probably dead, it had all culminated to make for one very exhausted FBI agent.

They had reached his apartment, Booth only just managing to stop himself from carrying Bones. Instead, he woke her with a gentle shake. They'd eaten, had a couple of drinks, avoided talking about what had happened. Afterwards Bones had asked to use the shower and Booth dug out some clothes for her to sleep in.

And she'd been in there for a good half an hour. Booth was concerned. He put his feet on the floor, placing his beer on the coffee table and leant forward. He could feel the muscles in his shoulders protest at his movement. It had been a long day. He really just wanted to strip and crawl into bed.

Pushing that thought aside he made his way down the hall to the bathroom. The lights were on but the shower wasn't running. Knocking gently, he called out.

"Bones?" He waited, not wanting to barge in if there was nothing wrong. Then he heard it. A soft sobbing from inside the bathroom. Without a second thought he opened the door.

Before him was a sight that made him physically hurt. Bones was sitting on the floor, her back propped against wall, crying. She looked tiny, exhausted, and vulnerable. Booth paused, trying to figure out his next move. All he wanted was to wrap her in his arms, but if he did that, and she didn't want it, he was likely to end up with a black eye.

"Bones?" He asked again, gently. He took a step closer before crouching down to be at eye level with her. "Temperance?" His voice was hoarse as he saw her tearstained face. His heart melted, seeing her there, red and blotchy, looking so human. She never allowed anyone to see her like that.

He took her in, swathed in his boxers and t shirt. They were huge on her but looked gorgeous none the less.

"Talk to me, Bones." He placed a tentative hand on her knee. Bones raised her eyes to his. She didn't speak but her eyes spoke volumes to Booth. He nodded, once, and stood. Bending he picked her up, eliciting a sound of surprise from Bones, and carried her into his bedroom.

Depositing her on the bed he turned and opened his drawers, pulling out clean boxers and a beater.

"I'll be back in a second, Bones. You get in. I'm not letting you be alone." He didn't wait to see if she was following his instructions.

When he returned Bones was indeed wrapped up in his blankets. Booth tried to control the wave of arousal that raced through him at the vision of Temperance Brennan in his bed. He pushed those feelings down; way down. Now wasn't the time for that.

He climbed in beside her, pushing his pillow up under his head.

"You ok?" he asked. He immediately mentally slapped himself. Of course she wasn't ok. "Look, Bones, you can talk to me." He turned to his side, facing her, and reached out to touch her arm. He wanted to bring her back from that dark place she was retreating to.

"I couldn't do anything." Her voice was soft; he almost couldn't hear her. Booth stroked her arm encouragingly. "It was dark. And Hodgins was hurt. And I couldn't do anything. I was so scared." She sounded angry with herself. Like she thought that being scared in a near death situation was a weakness.

"Bones," He raised his hand to stroke her face gently. "Temperance. Its completely normal to be scared. You'd been kidnapped. Electrocuted. You were buried underground. I'd be more worried if you hadn't been scared."

"I don't get scared, Booth. I look at the situation logically and find a solution." She paused, a lone tear rolling down her cheek. "But this time there was no solution. I thought of everything I could and there was nothing to get us out of there. We would have died down there." The reality of it seemed to hit her hard. Her own mortality was finally sinking in. Booth didn't know whether to feel relieved or concerned of the fall out. It had been a long time coming that Bones realised she wasn't immortal.

"You didn't die down there Bones. We got there in time. We saved you." His voice was firm, urging her to listen. His hand tilted her chin so she was facing him.

"I could have died, Booth." Her eyes were wide, exhausted, scared.

"But you didn't."

"But I could have." Booth frowned. She seemed to still be stuck in that car. Her mind not yet willing to let it go. He did the only thing that seemed fitting in this situation. He pulled her to him, hugging her close. Rolling onto his back he pulled her against his chest, allowing his warmth to surround her.

Bones allowed herself to be hugged. She melted into Booth and tucked her face into his chest. She felt her self starting to relax into him. She finally felt the fear of the day subside. This was Booth. He was safe. He protected her (although she would never admit that to him).

"You're going to be fine, Bones. I'm here with you. Trust me. No one is going to hurt you." He placed a gentle kiss on her hair. Bones sniffed and pulled back to look him in the eye.

"You cant promise that, Booth. There are too many variables for you to possibly make an accurate-" She was stopped mid sentence by Booth's finger on her lips.

"Bones, go to sleep. You've had a big day." He gave her a reassuring smile. "I'll be right here. Just close your eyes. You need to get some rest."

"Booth, I'd be quite alright sleeping on the couch." Bones' tone was half joking, but she made no move to leave.

"Bones," Booth gave her a crooked smile.

"Yes Booth?"

"Shut up."

And for once she did.