Bones didn't go back to the hospital; she went home and slept for about five hours. Though she didn't want to admit it, she was scared and didn't want to hear the results. It was stupid, Booth was probably scared out of his mind and wasn't sure what was going on.

Around five in the afternoon of that day, she drove back to the hospital. "I'm looking for Seeley Booth's room," Bones said to a nurse at the front desk. She typed a few things in and stood up to lead her.

They stopped before a room. "He had to be intubated and still is. Mr. Booth woke up and managed to extubate himself so we were forced to lightly restrain him. If he starts gagging or choking just try to calm him down."

"Thank you," Bones mumbled and then opened the door. The sight was a bit scary, like one of those horror movies she usually refused to watch. Booth's face was pale, his arms were tied to the bed with restraints, his head was covered in gauze, there was a tube protruding from his mouth, and a feeding tube coming from his nose. "Oh no," she mumbled to herself as she walked forward to the side of the bed. His eyes were only open halfway, but she could see the fear and confusion. Temperance reached over and put her hand in his, "I'm so sorry, Booth, I should have been here earlier." He squeezed her hand weakly. "You're awake, odd are increased that you will be extubated soon," she said in her own way. Temperance sat down in a chair, but still kept hold of his hand. A tear slipped down his cheek and she quickly brushed it away. "Don't cry, it'll be out soon," she tried, awkwardly, to soothe him. He spread her fingers out so that her palm was flat and then began tracing letters. A…..W…..F…..U…..L. "Hopefully it will be out soon, try to get some sleep," she suggested. Booth took her hand tightly again and his eyes began closing, one last squeeze and his grip loosened.

She watched him for hours, refusing to sleep in case something happened. He woke up once, but she rubbed circles into the back of his hand and he fell asleep again. A nurse came in a while after that and had him wake up.

"I've just got to suction out your mouth," she explained and then began to stick the plastic thing in his mouth. Booth started to gag and pull against the restraints.

Temperance began rubbing his arm, "It's okay, Booth, just try to calm down." He gagged again and the nurse pulled the plastic thing out.

"You're all set," she smiled a bit and left them alone.

Booth gagged once more, but quit pulling against the restraints. "You're okay now," Temperance murmured, "it's okay." She began rubbing circles into the back of his hand and he fell asleep again.

-)(-

Things were like this for three more days until Temperance had the scare of her life. Booth was sleeping, nothing had changed, but he was paler. Bones was watching him sleep, still much afraid of going to sleep herself. Beep… Her eyes widened and she looked to Booth, he didn't look any different, but she thought she was losing him. Quickly, tears coming from her eyes, she pressed the emergency call button. A nurse came running in, but then smiled.

"Why are you smiling?! Do something!" Temperance shouted at her, causing Booth's eyes to open.

"Honey, call down," the nurse soothed, "this is good, he's breathing on his own."

Temperance looked over to Booth and saw his eyes open; she leaned in and kissed his forehead gently. She brushed the tears away from her cheek and nodded. "So, what now?"

"Well, I'll call another nurse in and we'll get the ventilator out," she smiled to Bones and went and brought back another nurse. They suctioned out Booth's mouth, making him gag and pull against the restraints again. "We're going to remove the tube now," the nurse explained and then waited until he exhaled to slowly pull out the piece of plastic. Booth coughed and gagged as the other nurse put an oxygen mask over his mouth. They set to removing the restraints that Booth was pulling again next. Everything was taken care of within five minutes and they removed the mask and left.

"Bones…" Booth croaked, his eyes only half open, as he managed to sit up halfway. He reached a hand out and weakly pulled her forward to him. Temperance surprisingly understood what he wanted and wrapped her arms around him as she sat on the bed. She didn't know what to say, so she just held him and rubbed his back. She knew he would never let his 'strong man' persona break, but when she pulled back, his eyes were shinning. Booth pulled her back close to him. "Stay with me," he whispered.

"I'm right here, Booth, I don't have anywhere else to be." He nodded against her chest and she could tell he was falling asleep. "Close your eyes," she whispered. She helped him lay back against the bed, but he kept a tight hold of her hand. "You're safe," she began murmuring pleasantries to try to get him to sleep, "I'm not going anywhere. You're safe. I'm here." Booth seemed to relax some and his eyes closed. After she was sure he was asleep, she made a quick phone call and then returned back.

-)(-

"You're doing great, Seeley!" A nurse had a big, bright smile plastered onto her face. After another day of Booth just sleeping, the hospital decided that it was time for him to get up and move around. There seemed to be a small problem, Booth was having difficulties walking. Temperance was on one side and then nurse was on the other. They had only gone about ten steps, but Booth was winded. A few more steps and Booth sat slowly bad down on the bed. "Much of your muscle mass has deteriorated in a short time, but you should be up on your own in no time," Bones was sure this was meant to be assuring, but by the look on Booth's face, it was not in the slightest. She left after checking his IV and making sure he didn't need anything.

He sighed and rubbed gently on his forehead. They had removed the bandages the day before, finally showing the angry red, stitched up incision and a bald head. "Did she mention when I was getting out of here?" He asked while continuing to rub his forehead. Neither of them had discussed his moment of weakness after the intubation tube came out.

Bones nodded, "Yes, she mentioned that you may leave in two or three days with the help of a wheelchair."

Booth groaned, "Great."

-)(-

They released him two days later when he was able to walk at least ten steps on his own; anything else could be accessed with the wheelchair. Brennan drove him home; Booth had also received a small dose of chemotherapy so he was quiet and sick looking.

-)(-

"Easy," Temperance mumbled as she helped Booth to sit down on the couch. Booth groaned and she wrapped a blanket around his shoulders. She picked up a picture of him and Parker after he was settled, "This is a nice one." They were laughing and Booth's face was half covered in ice cream that she assumed Parker had pushed into her face.

"Gosh, I really miss him right now," Booth commented longingly.

Temperance smiled, "If you're up for it, I have a surprise for you."

Booth smiled just a bit at her happiness and had to find out what it was about. "I'm up for it as long as I can stay here on this couch."

"Of course," she smiled and went to his front door. Opening the door, she revealed Rebecca and Parker. Rebecca's initial response was shock at Booth's weakened appearance, but it was quickly replaced with a smile.

"Dad!" Parker cried out with joy, causing Booth to wince and Rebecca to put a hand on her son's shoulder. Bones stepped aside to let them in and she heard Rebecca mumbling to Parker and was sure Booth heard her too.

"Now be careful, daddy's fragile."

Booth's face was lit up despite his sickly appearance. "Come here, buddy, I'm alright."

Parker came to sit beside him, "What happened to your head?"

Booth's smile fell a bit, but not much. "I'm sick, buddy, but I'll be okay." Bones had an urge to say that could be wrong, but she held back and realized she was probably intruding.

"Um, I'm needed at the lab. Call me if you need anything," she smiled and before anyone could protest, Bones made her way back to the Jeffersonian.

Sorry it took so long! I've been really busy. Anyways, I hope you like it! R&R please!