At least 10 minutes had passed before she finally pulled back. I instantly missed the feel of her in my arms but I did not say anything.
"Thank you," she said.
"No, thank you. Thank you for helping me."
We both stood up in front of one another.
"Do you want to watch TV or a movie or something?"
She nodded, "Sure."
We walked into the living room and flipped through a few channels until we settled on one.
"I would like to help you recover as much as I can if that's okay with you," she said which caused me to smile.
"I would really appreciate that."
She leaned her head on my shoulder and I leaned my head onto hers.
"You were and still are my best friend, Booth."
"Thanks, Bones. You're mine too."
She smiled and I put my arm around her. A few minutes later, I heard her breathing calm and noticed that she had fallen asleep. I picked her up and put her in my bed. I left the room and walked into the kitchen. I grabbed a bottle of alcohol and stared at it. Should I do this? The woman I have loved for longer than I can even remember was hurt by my drinking but staring at this bottle only made it harder to decide. I would no doubt always choose Bones over alcohol, every time, but she was with another guy. She would eventually have to leave and get married, and I would go back to my old ways. Aren't I just ahead of the curve?
I walked to my room with the bottle and leaned against the door frame. I watched her sleep. She was flawless, even in her sleep. She was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. She looked so peaceful while sleeping and it took everything I had not to walk over and wrap my arms around her, wanting never to let go.
I then walked back to the kitchen and poured the contents of the bottle down the drain. My addiction was not going to get the best of me while she was there, for real and ready to help me. It was not going to be easy and I knew that, but I was not going to give in that easily.