This story will deviate a little from canon in that Brennan does not leave for Guatemala straight after Booth is released from hospital.

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Walking briskly out of the hospital, Brennan hears the young, spritely voice of Dr Sweets calling from the vicinity of the café and turns with a frustrated eye-roll to see him waving her over, "Dr Brennan! Dr Brennan, come have a seat. I'll shout you a coffee."

She tries to turn him down, "That won't be necessary Sweets, I've got to get to the mall before close."

He shakes his head with a slight pout, "Oh come on, just a quick coffee stop won't kill you… and I'm just about to go see Agent Booth, maybe you could give me an update on how he's going?"

Without the energy to argue and in need of a caffeine hit, she gives in, sitting down with a sigh after ordering a coffee, "Well, he's a great deal better than yesterday… a little less confused. His oncologist has suggested that he'll be ready to be discharged tomorrow so I've got an extensive list of preparations that need to be made before I take him back to his apartment."

"Oh, so you'll be organising his after care?"

"Of course. Jared and Padme are abroad, Cam has come down with influenza and, Hank… well, after he almost burnt Booth's apartment down I didn't feel comfortable accepting his offer of help though I did say he was welcome to stay. I've got three weeks approved leave and months owing should anything unforeseen occur with Booth's recovery."

Sweets nods in agreement, "Well, you know I could take some time off and look after him. I'm a doctor after all."

She smirks in amusement over her coffee cup, "A psychologist, Sweets - hardly an advantageous doctorate for a care giver."

Placing her cup on the table, Brennan shakes her head, "No, I have extensively researched postoperative requirements and have compiled a comprehensive schedule of duties and necessities. There are many risks associated with craniotomies and tumor resection… I know what to look out for and what action to take if something goes wrong."

"I understand… you want the best for him, I get it." With his lips pursed, he prods cautiously, "You see, Dr Brennan, I'm just concerned about the intensity and suddenness of his feelings for you and how they may have an impact on you given that they will most certainly fade over time. I'm simply worried that it may be a bit too much of an emotional burden for you to bear given your feelings for Agent Booth."

Tears of embarrassment spring involuntarily as the bluntness of his words hit her. The whole coma dream ordeal has forced her to metaphorically bare her soul. Everything she'd written was so very private yet, now, it's as if her deepest, most foolish and whimsical desires have been hung up for all to see. She clears her throat and forges on, "What I feel or do not feel for Booth is completely irrelevant Sweets. I am, by all accounts and purposes the most suited person able to offer him the postoperative care that he needs to heal comfortably and without complication."

She composes herself and sits back in her seat wearily, "I've seen his PET scans, Sweets. It is very clear, comparing the pre and postoperative images that the sections of the brain relating to romantic love were latent until his coma dream at which point they became obviously aroused. I 'm under no illusion that his apparent romantic feelings for me will last any longer than any other of the short term side effects associated with his surgery and I am perfectly fine with that."

Sweets contemplates her explanation and makes a mental note to request copies of his PET scans, "That's an interesting observation Dr Brennan. I'm glad that you are aware of the inevitability of the situation. I just want you to be clear that I am here, as a friend who understands you and Booth, to help you process your thoughts and feelings through this emotionally trying time."

Too mentally drained to argue and honestly a little grateful to have someone who understands her feelings without mockery (even if she refuses, point blank to admit them aloud), Brennan smiles, "Thanks Sweets. I appreciate your concern. I am certain that I won't need your assistance but I will keep it in mind nonetheless."

Draining her cup and placing it on the table, she stands, "With that, I must get going. I have quite a lot to accomplish by tomorrow."

He smiles politely, "Okay, well, take care and remember - I'm only a phone call away."

"That… is an inaccurate descriptor but I appreciate the sentiment just the same. Thank you."

Walking away, Brennan wonders, not for the first time, if she truly has what it takes to keep it together enough until Booth's more amorous side effects fade away as promised… not for the first time, and certainly not for the last time, she silently wishes that they don't.

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