Open your eyes
Chapter 6 – My Knight in Shining Armour
Thanks much to everybody who reviewed, your reviews left me grinning like an idiot. And yes, I know, mean cliffhanger, but hello? Booth to the rescue! The medical information may not be entirely accurate (duh, I'm not a doctor), but bear with me, OK?
Disclaimer – I own this plot. Otherwise, nada.
Booth sprinted to the kitchen, threw open the door and raced to his partners side. Brennan was curled in a ball on the floor, barely concealing her whimpers of pain. Pools of steaming water and a broken kettle surrounded her. Her skin was red raw and parts were already beginning to blister. When she saw Booth come in, she tried to put on a brave face, but gave up after a few seconds. Brennan closed her eyes. When she spoke, her voice was taut with agony. "Booth…it really hurts…" she moaned.
Booth's heart leapt to his throat at the sight of his partner in so much pain. "Ssh Bones, I know it hurts, but I'll make it better, don't worry." Booth murmured soothingly. For once, Brennan didn't have a scathing remark about being patronising, and that worried Booth all the more.
Brennan tried to get to her feet, but her legs buckled, and she stumbled over the remains of the kettle. She swallowed back a scream of pain as she looked at her partner. "Could you give me a hand?" she said, with a tight smile.
Booth quickly held out his hand for Brennan. She grabbed it, and Booth pulled her up to a standing position. Brennan winced slightly at the hot water pooling round her ankles. "You want me to carry you?" Booth asked gently. Brennan looked down at the floor and nodded. She didn't want to admit it, but the pain was agonising.
Booth swiftly lifted Brennan up into his arms and carried her down the hall to the bathroom. He really was concerned now. It's not like Bones to be so submissive.
Inside the bathroom, Booth sat Brennan on the edge of the bath while he quickly turned on the shower and set it to cold. He glanced quickly over at his partner. Her eyes were closed again, and she had bitten her lip so hard it had begun to bleed. Silently, Booth guided Brennan into the shower and, after a moment's hesitation, stepped in beside her.
Brennan yelped as the cold water pelted her already sore skin. All attempts at maintaining her composure left her as she pressed herself against Booth, whimpering.
Booth looked down at his partner. She looked as if she was trying to find relief from her pain in him, and he wasn't sure if he knew how to give it. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him. "Temperance," he said quickly, "You need to take your dress off."
She nodded and tried in vain to undo the row of clasps running down the back of her dress.
"Here, let me," said Booth, swiftly unhooking the fastenings. "Ok," he continued, "This is gonna hurt, but I'll be as gentle as possible."
Brennan nodded again, and clenched her hands into fists. Slowly, Booth began to peel the silk away from her skin and was horrified to see how badly scalded Brennan had been. The skin was frighteningly red, and scorchingly hot to the touch.
Brennan dug her nails hard into the palms of her hands. The pain was excruciating. Booth saw the agonised look on her face, and paused, watching in despair as a single tear coursed down her cheek. "I'm so sorry, Temperance," he whispered, voice thick with unshed tears.
Brennan opened her eyes and looked at her partner. "It's okay," she said quietly. "Keep going. I'm fine."
As gently as possible, Booth pulled the dress down to Brennan's waist, trying to block out her almost imperceptible winces of pain. Quickly grabbing a washcloth, he soaked it under the shower and pressed it to one of the reddest areas of Brennan's back. He heard her sigh in relief as the cold water soothed her hot skin. Booth repeated the process, moving the cloth to cover different parts of skin, until the whole of Brennan's back had faded in colour from angry red to deep pink.
Brennan turned to face her partner. "I seem to be playing damsel in distress today," she said with a weak smile. Booth could tell she was only half joking and a bit embarrassed. Then, without warning, Brennan threw her arms around Booth's neck. Carefully, he returned the hug, very aware of her back. Brennan looked up at him, and he saw her eyes were sparkling with tears.
"What's wrong?" Booth asked in alarm. "Are you hurt, Bones?"
"No," she replied, with a small smile. "I was just thinking."
"About what?"
"Nothing really." Brennan replied, trying to sound casual and not pulling it off too well. I was thinking that it's strange that every time I get hurt, you're always there to help me. Hey, if I'm a damsel in distress, I guess you're my knight – in FBI standard issue body armour.
A/N – Yeah, I know, not great. But whatever, read and review, ok?