Disclaimer: Don't own Bones.

A/n: Not too long or smutty, but hopefully sweet. Hope you're enjoying these firsts. Make sure to stop by pal Dispatch's thread and let her know if you are!

House of Reason

He knew where to find her. Of course he did.

It didn't surprise Booth that she was still in her office. But finding a dim office and his partner stretched across her couch and fast asleep was a bit of a shock. Never in almost seven years had he seen her do anything else in that office other than work.

It was late. The lab deserted so late on a Friday. He should wake her up and take her home. But she looked so peaceful, he hesitated. He knew—because he'd been sleeping right next to her for almost three weeks now—that she still wasn't sleeping well.

He crouched next to the couch, placing a hand on the armrest for balance. Her chest moved up and down softly and he knew he wasn't going to wake her. This was the most peaceful sleep she'd had in weeks. No nightmares, no small sobs, no tossing and turning.

Sitting down on the floor, back to the sofa, he stretched his legs in front of him and waited.

Brennan woke up, knuckled her eyes. She felt surprisingly rested. Groggily, she sat up and noticed a dark head leaning against the edge of her couch. "Booth?"

He smiled sleepily. "Hey."

"What are you doing?"

"Waiting for you, sleepyhead."

"What?" Her feet swung down, her brows drew together. "What time is it?" Booth just shrugged and Brennan leaned forward to catch the light coming from her desk lamp on her wristwatch. "Booth, it's almost eleven! Why didn't you wake me?"

He gave another shrug and pressed his forehead against her knee. "Your back will hurt tomorrow." Brennan frowned even as her hand automatically stroked through his hair. "Why didn't you just wake me, Booth?" she asked again.

He sighed. "You needed the sleep." Without looking, he knew she'd tensed up. Reaching up, he tugged on her hand. "C'mere." Thankfully, she slid from the couch to sit beside him on the floor without argument and he put an arm around her shoulders, drawing her close. "You've barely slept in weeks."

Hand to his chest, she shifted to pull away, but his arm didn't budge. "Booth …"

"Bones …" Gently, his knuckles brushed her cheek. "C'mon. Don't shut me out." Even in the poor light, Booth saw the struggle across her face. "We're past that, aren't we?"

Her forehead dropped to his shoulder. "Yes." He cupped her nape beneath her hair and her eyes closed in pleasure. "I've been having disturbing dreams. Sometimes they don't even make sense, but it makes it hard to get a restful night's sleep."

"I know." He kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry."

"Have I been waking you up during the night, as well?" Her head raised from his shoulder with a frown. "Of course, I have," she answered her own question. "Perhaps we shouldn't sleep in the same bed until my sleep patterns have stabilized."

"I'm going to pretend you didn't say that."

"It would be logical," she said, but her voice lacked conviction.

"Forget it." He cupped her chin and kissed her. "Going to bed with you. Waking up with you. That's non-negotiable."

"That's irrational," she murmured, but her lips smiled under his because she liked sleeping with him too. "Though, I will admit, I would find it unpleasant as well if we were no longer sharing a bed."

Booth smiled. It had only been three weeks, but he'd known he never wanted to wake up without her again after the first night. "It'll get better," he promised and palmed her hips, helping her straddle his lap, making it easier to smooth his hands over her back. "And I'll hold you every night until it does."

She buried her head against his neck. "Okay," she agreed huskily.

He hugged her tightly and she kissed him hard. Once and then again. And then her hands were flying over him in a frenzy, pulling up his shirt. They were both half-naked before Booth realized that they were on the floor of her office.

"Bones," he choked out the word. "We're …we—"

"It's fine," she whispered against his lips. "It's fine, Booth. Make love to me."

The answer to that request was always going to be yes. He rolled her under him, kissing every inch of skin he could reach. Her cheeks, the hollow of her throat, the curves of her breasts over the cup of her bra. She touched him lovingly too, in a curious mix of passion and reverence.

When he was inside her, her legs wrapped around his waist, holding him close. Palms braced on the floor, he rose above her and Brennan framed his face in her hands. "I love you, Booth."

His eyes glittered. She'd yet to say those words out loud, but in her house of reason, she offered them to him without a second thought.

-x-

If you missed the super smut, worry not. There will be more smut in the next ones!