Booth arrived home just as Brennan and Christine were doing a puzzle on the floor of the living room. Booth walked up and scooped up Christine into his arms.

"How's my little genius doing?" Christine giggled in response. Booth sat her on his hip and looked to Brennan. "Sorry I missed dinner, I had a ton of paperwork."

Brennan smiled weakly and tried to disguise her voice to sound nonchalant. "Thats okay, I got your text. Do you want to put Christine to bed? Her teeth are already brushed and she had a bath." Booth nodded and carried a babbling Christine upstairs.

Things were clearly stiff between them. Brennan knew she should take the advice that Angela had given her as she was leaving the lab, to talk to Booth and figure out where he was coming from, but the wound was still fresh. She didn't know if she could have a serious conversation with Booth without bursting into tears.

She commanded herself to just breathe.

Right from the start you were a thief

You stole my heart

And I, your willing victim

I let you see the parts of me

That weren't all that pretty

And with every touch you fixed them

Brennan knew she need him badly. He was her rock. When she was unsure of things, he talked it out with her. If she was feeling badly, he knew just what to do to fix it.

When Christine and her had been on the run she had been miserable without him. But this, this was worse. He was right there in front of her, and she needed him. But instead they were both acting as if nothing was wrong.

Brennan was hesitant to be the first one to talk- really talk. She was afraid. Afraid of rejection, afraid of Booth's explanation. Most of all she was afraid that what Angela had said to her was wrong. There must be something else going on. But what if there wasn't? What if Booth simply didn't think they should get married?

Brennan wished she could be inside Booth's head and get the answers she needed.

I'm sorry I don't understand where all of this is coming from

I thought that we were fine

Your head is running wild again

My dear we still have everything

And it's all in your mind

Brennan went to bed early, slipping under the covers and hoping she could fall asleep and escape her brain for a few hours. Sleeping on the couch this morning had allowed her a bit of rest, but even when he slept she had vivid dreams full of sorrow and pain.

It was no use. She tossed and turned, not being able to rest. She considering getting up to go talk to Booth, but had no idea how she might start.

Finally Booth came into the room and crawled into the other side of the bed. He rolled over towards Brennan. Brennan kept her eyes closed, although she knew that he knew she was not sleeping.

Booth placed a hand on her hip and kissed her softly. "I love you, Bones." He whispered near her ear.

Brennan couldn't help it. Her body's automatic reaction to Booth's touch was to lean in. Her chest ached with conflict between wanting to forget about everything and be close to Booth, and knowing that still nothing had been resolved. Brennan opened her eyes for a moment, and found Booth's deep brown ones looking straight into hers.

This time, Brennan kissed Booth, her hand coming to rest on the back of his head as she took in the familiarity of his lips on hers. It served as her response to him. It was quick yet meaningful and said all it needed to say. We can't stay like this much longer. I need you.

Brennan turned her head towards Booth, her lower lip starting to tremble with the start of a breakdown. Booth placed his thumb lightly on her lips, "Goodnight."

You've been having real bad dreams, oh oh

You used to lie so close to me, oh oh

There's nothing more than empty sheets

Between our love, our love


Thanks for reading, and thanks to everyone who has been reviewing- please continue! It means a lot!

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