AN: I would like to thank everyone that has stuck with this story. I apologize profusely for the ridiculous wait; I just lost the will to write and my inspiration. I would be furious with me if I was all of you, but I hope you all aren't too angry. I can't guarantee anything right now; in fact, I was thinking this wouldn't be a bad final chapter. Let me know if you want me to continue this story, and I'll try.

Also, thank you for all the positive reviews and feedback. I really appreciate them, they were what finally inspired me to crank this out at midnight.

They walked in companionable silence. That was what she loved about their friendship, they didn't need constant chatter. Their regular conversations were fraught with hidden meanings and subtexts, they didn't need anymore of it. It seemed as if he could read her. He always knew when she felt like talking and when she didn't. He was aware that she was not one for idle conversation and meaningless dialogues. She didn't need to change for him, he accepted her as she was, without question or criticism or conditions.

When they reached his house, he gave her a boost onto the porch roof. He followed her up, then crawled silently to what she assumed was his window. He opened it slowly and cautiously, listening for the slightest noise from inside the dark house. When it was up as far as it could go, he motioned for her to go inside first. She rolled her eyes at his chivalry and carefully ducked into his bedroom. He came in after her and shut the window while she looked around.

His bedroom was moderately messy, but not dirty or disastrous. A few shirts hung out of his hamper, his bed was hastily made, and papers and folders were scattered on his desk in piles. He watched her taking in her surroundings with an amused smile on his face. She didn't need to know that he had tidied up a bit earlier that day, for what seemed like no reason. He himself didn't know why, but it just occurred to him that maybe someone bit see his room soon and that he should spruce it up a little.

She met his eyes, her expression questioned his amused smirk.

"I was expecting worse. This will do, I suppose," she said with mock disdain.

"I am so very glad that my quarters are sufficient for the great Lady Temperance," he answered in the same sarcastic tone. He gave an exaggerated bow, which she almost laughed at before he read her expression and instinctively put his hand over her mouth to keep her from making a sound. She froze, her eyes wide in surprise, while his hand stayed glued to the soft skin of her face.

His fingers brushed against her cheek, making her shudder. Brennan involuntarily stepped closer, but Booth didn't notice because his eyes were fixed on hers. He took a small step forward too, decreasing the space between them naught but a few meager inches. The air between them was filled with tension, the hairs on his arms standing on end. He gulped slightly, before moving his hand away from her mouth and fully onto her cheekbone. The tips of his long fingers brushed her ear, and she shuddered again, this time almost against his body. She closed the space between them, their shirts meeting, his leg between hers. Her head tilted back to maintain their eye contact. They stood frozen once again.

Suddenly, without any warning, she crossed the divide and her lips met his.

His mouth moved against hers as his hand remained still against her skin. His lips, she realized, were a reflection of his personality. Gentle, giving, but at the same time insistent and demanding. She found her arms wrapped around him but couldn't recall telling them to move. Deep brown and soulful blue hid behind closed lids as their eyes finally shut, giving in to the perfection of the moment.

As the need for oxygen became apparent, she cursed the lung capacity of human beings. The air particles once again filled the space between their faces.

Her eyes, still closed in contentment, suddenly flew open.

He read the tension in her embrace, and his eyes opened as well. He waited patiently. He knew she needed to say something, and that it was important.

She hesitated for a moment before whispering, "I'm afraid."

"Why?" Here it comes, he thought, the 'we-can't-do-this' speech. His heart went from sixty to zero in five seconds flat as he waited for the expected line.

"Because I didn't want to stop," she admitted. He felt a warmth in his chest spreading out to the end of his limbs. When it reached his face, the corners of his mouth came up in a broad grin. He loved how she always managed to surprise him.

"Me neither," he told her. Now it was her turn to smile shyly up at him. He could see her wheels turning though, at an alarming rate. That wasn't all she had to say. As she worked out her thoughts (in all of three seconds), the smile faded from her face and morphed into a serious expression.

"Booth," she began, "I wouldn't be able to live with myself if we tried and failed and it was my fault." Her insecurity shone in her eyes before she turned them to the floor.

"I wouldn't let that happen, Bones." She looked back up. "I won't let us fail. And I don't think we will anyway. I think this is gonna work. I think we're best friends, and that's why it's gonna work."

"But love is just a temporary emotion that can't –"

"Not my love Bones. Not my love for you." Her eyes were wide in astonishment, boring into his. Is it true? they seemed to ask.

"Our friendship, Booth, is too important. You are too important. I…I can't lose you. And if we try, I'm going to lose you. I can't hurt you. I can't inflict myself upon you," She insisted, tears accumulating and falling as she spoke. "I'm not capable of love, Booth, either giving or receiving." He looked at her incredulously.

"Of course you can love, Bones. You love Ange, don't you, and your friends? And I know you'd never admit it, but you love your parents and your brother even though they left. And they didn't leave because you aren't lovable, Bones. I love you, and I'll bet that they loved you, too. Ange loves you," he reminded her. More tears fell. She embraced him, tight, once again, too emotional to speak. Minutes passed, and he worried that she might outright reject him. Finally, she pulled back, her emotions reigned in a bit.

"I believe you, Booth. You were right. Upon further observation, I have come to the conclusion that the confusing thing I feel for you is love," she stated. He was elated.

"Care to share how you got that, Bones? Why the sudden change of heart?"

"Well, what I felt was too strong to be called affection, and to be any other emotion besides love and hate, because they are the strongest emotions. And I know I don't hate you, I could never hate you, so by process of elimination, I came to love."

"Ahh, yes, it's all clear to me now," he joked. His blossoming smile was contagious, and she found herself grinning too. She decided she liked the feeling of reciprocated love.

"I love you," she said spontaneously. He smiled even wider.

"And I love you."