A/N: So for my first FanFiction, I'm having a blast. Don't know much about your community and rules and the only beta I've ever had was a fish. Don't know how that would help me write better though….

Disclaimer: I do not own Bones. If you try to sue me I'll sic my crazy smart lawyer friends on you.

Chapter 7 The Revelation

Brennan exited the hospital room mere seconds after Rebecca entered to find her son sitting next to the very pretty doctor reading a story. She practically knocked Booth over in her haste and again embarassed as he steadied her arm asking, "are you all right Bones?"

"Yes, I'm fine," she stressed, scolding herself for turning into a bumbling fool every time Booth was around. Booth decided to ignore her redding cheeks and mention to Rebecca they were going for a walk. Surprisingly, Temperance allowed him to lead her out of the ward, his hand on the small of her back. They found a small garden between two of the larger buildings and found it was empty. Together they sat on a bench without speaking, without needing to.

Tenatively Temperance reached for his hand, clasping it between her own. Her touch did not seem to register with the agent.

What am I doing here? Temperance asked herself, feeling her hand grow clammy. Predictably, she answered herself logically. I'm sitting in a garden, holding hands with Booth waiting until I can go back to see Parker. Temperance shock her head slightly. She'd never said in that television interview that she didn't like children, she'd just didn't want them herself. Why? She asked herself, not for the first time. They're complicated, life is complicated. I can't even keep a goldfish alive. But deep down, under the excuses and anthropological reasoning, Brennan knew. It's not keep them alive that's the problem. I can feed and clothe myself without trouble. It's that they rely on you for so much more than that.

Booth was lost in his own thoughts. Foremost wondering what Rebecca had said to send Temperance flying into the hallway, into his arms. Maybe I should thank her, he thought with a smirk. He already knew from her short message from the cabin that she blamed him for Parker's hospital visit. He couldn't tell Bones that, why it hurt so bad to see Parker suffer. She'd just be logical and tell him it wasn't his fault. No matter what, it's my job to protect my son. From all things dangerous, even cancer. Here I can catch killers and keep my partner from getting herself killed but didn't even notice that my son was in pain, was suffering. I should have known. Booth grit his teeth, determined never to fail Parker again.

That's exactly the problem, thought Brennan as if reading his thoughts, you can't protect them from everything. You can't promise you'll never leave them. Even without being a convict on the run, you can't promise your children you won't let them down. She frowned, hoping Booth couldn't interpret the intense conversation she'd had with herself. I can't turn into my parents. I can't put another human being through my childhood, I won't do it.

Booth sighed, turning his head to catch Brennan's eye. He raised an eyebrow, she nodded. Wordlessly they headed back to the Pediatric ward.

That afternoon Parker's doctor returned with the test results and determinations. Rebecca was sitting with Parker reading a book when the doctor met Booth and Temperance in the hall. Without entirely knowing why, Temperance reached for Booth's hand, squeezing it until her knuckles turned white.

Fear, is holding me here.

"Common in young children, especially so active…"


Bravery, my neighbor, moved away.

"…monitor his diet more carefully…"

If the world was crumbling down, I don't wanna be alone.

Booth held on to Temperance as if he were drowning. As if his son were slipping away. But the doctor's word reassured him. "…A simple case of asthma…. compounded by a bit of anemia….. released within a day…. no long term side effects, needs an inhaler…" The words were no longer important, Rebecca would also hear the instructions and ensure they were carried out. His son would be okay. Booth was flying.

Long after the doctor left to deliver the news to Parker and Rebecca, Booth continued to hold on to Temperance, now in a close hug leaning against the nurse's station.

Holding my breath tight, trying to keep my head on right.

And then, when the worries from Parker's mysterious symptoms had faded, replaced by relief and unadultered joy, Booth knew. The only reason he'd held on, through the fight, through every fight, was for her. He'd die for his son, he already knew that. He'd accepted sometime in the night that if Parker needed his bone marrow he'd give it. If it meant quitting the Bureau to take him to the doctor, he'd do it. But sometime, in the morning, he accepted he'd do it for her too. To have her there with him as he fought for his son, it was the way he wanted to raise Parker. With her.

Booth's internal monologue paused, interrupted by a sob coming from Temperance who had buried her head in Booth's chest after hearing the good news. Booth could feel her body shake and felt the tears dampen his shirt. He held her tighter, steering her into a empty nearby waiting room. Sweeping aside books and toys, he sat down on a sofa, pulling her with him. He rubbed her back, trying to sooth her, stop her crying. Soon Temperance pulled away, wiping the tears from her eyes with her hand.

"Here" Booth handed her a box of tissue from the end table. "Thanks," murmured Temperance, wiping her eyes and blowing her nose.

Booth thought she looked beautiful. Her hair was ruffled from their embrace, her curls had long given way to a wavy mess of auburn locks. Her eyes were puffy and reminded him of when she found him in the hall, distraught over Parker's collapse.

"What's wrong? Parker's gonna be okay. He'll be back to Frisbee Golf in a week."

"I don't know what that means." Booth hung his head to hide his grin. Things were getting back to normal.

"Everything will be fine, Bones, I promise."

Temperance shook her head, trying to make sense of the ocean of emotions flooding her mind, threatening to pull her under their tide. Pull it together, Temperance! After a few more deep breaths she carefully analyzed her reaction.

"If anything happened to Parker, you'd be so hurt," she began hesitantly.

"Yeah, but he'll be okay. You heard the doctor."

"But, Booth! What if something else happens to him? Then to you!" Temperance searched for the meaning she was trying to convey and failed.

"Bones, are you worried about me donating bone marrow? The doctor said it's not cancer. He just needs an inhaler." Booth was genuinely confused. He tried to understand but she was so cryptic.

"No. I'm worried about….about us." Temperance stared at her hands and began to cry softly.

"Bones….Bones….Temperance! What are you talking about?" There's an us! He thought excitedly. Booth reached for her hands but she pulled one back to wipe her tears again.

"I'm sorry Booth, I'm so selfish, I should go." Temperance stood but Booth's strong hands forced her to sit again. He reached out gently and raised her chin with his thumb. With the lightest of touches he brushed the tears from her cheeks.

"Tell me. Don't analyze it. Don't worry. Just tell me." He requested simply.

Temperance sighed and lept into the ocean before her. "If something bad happened to Parker, you'd leave. You wouldn't be able to work these cases. We find bodies, bodies of children sometimes. You couldn't do that again, not if Parker….and I need you. I need your help. Your gut. Your gun. You. I couldn't do what I do without you and then I don't know what I'd do because I….I have nothing else. Even my books. I could do those either." She was rambling now, but held his gaze.

Her inner scientist was screaming That's illogical. Of course I could work with other agents. I don't need Booth's gut all I need are bones and I'll find the truth. And I'm a strong, independent woman who can still kick ass when I need to, I don't need a gun. And my books are not based on real people or cases, they're fictious. Brennan's oft ignored emotional inner voice fought back. But who would come for me with broken ribs when I'm about to be attacked by dogs? Who else would dig for me when I'm buried alive?

"Booth, I need you to dig for me." His eyes, which had conveyed compassion, were briefly confused. Then her meaning sunk in.

"Oh, Temperance." He pulled her back into her chest, rubbing her back with his hand. "I'm not going to leave you." He sighed. "Everything we do, all the murders we solve, we do to protect kids like Parker. That's what keeps me going. I need to keep working. With you. To protect Parker."

"But, if something happened to Parker…" Temperance couldn't finish the thought.

She didn't need to. "Temperance, if I lost Parker," God forbid! "I'd still have you. And you will always have me."

"But.." the inner scientist fought back.

"No buts. There are two really good things in my life right now. Two things that never let me down. Parker and you." Booth raised her chin again to look into her eyes. "Parker can never do anything to lose my love or support. And you, you have always been there for me and I will always be there for you."

"That's not true, or logical. We've only really known each other a few years and even then you didn't really like 'squints' and you won't let me have a gun….and how do you know you'll be there for me, things happen, the bureau transfers agents and-"

"Temperance?" Booth interrupted.

"Yes?"

"Shut up." And Booth closed the space between them, his lips grazing hers lightly and then with more passion then he'd felt in a long time. Caught up in the sensations of her sweet lips, her scent, he didn't think of her reaction. Until he felt her hand running through his hair, pulling him closer to her, deepening the kiss. And then he knew, no matter what…

And you just want me to stay, here.
So I'm just gonna stay, here

Dozens of thoughts flooded Booth's mind. He was relieved that Parker would be okay. He was grateful that Temperance was there with him. He was excited about this new step in their relationship. But he couldn't resist teasing his Bones.

"Bones?" He held her tightly in the dark room, his hands gently tugging at her hair.

"Don't call me Bones." Her tone was unfriendly, unwielding.

Silence.

"Temperance?"

"Yes, Seeley?" Sweet as honey. He smiled.

"Did it ever occur to you that I was digging for Hodgins?" He winced before the hit to his arm landed. "Seriously! Bon- Temperance, you've got one serious ego! We've got to fix that." This time the hit landed squarely on the back of his head.

"Ow. Really, I was just looking out for the Jeffersonian. If Hodgins died during a case his family probably won't donate all that money and-" He was cut off by her lips against his but not offended in the slightest.

A/N: finally! Right? So I'm not done yet….next is the revelation about what landed Parker in the hospital (besides the asthma) and, as promised, another scene on a couch. Please review, it makes me write nice, long chapters.