Again, the sounds were the first thing she noticed when she slipped into consciousness. There was the very dull sound of the heart monitor, the sounds of the nurses checking her vitals, the sound of the feet walking around the room, the sound of the curtain being pulled back into place, and of course, the sound of the snoring man who was leaning against her arm. She had heard at one point, the nurse asking him if he would like something more comfortable to sit on, and he had claimed he didn't. He said he wasn't very tired, but of course as soon as she had left, she could hear the chair shuffle closer to her bed.

It could have been getting lighter outside or not, or maybe it was still dark outside, but she felt his head rest on the sheets for a moment, his hand in hers as he settled his cheek against it. She could feel the light stubble on his skin, the 'weekend' look always worked for Booth, and she imagined that she might protest, if he had ever suggested facial hair. She liked his face the way it was, smooth and soft, and his smile was almost childlike, it made her feel younger and more alive, so she was very certain she would protest. She could feel her face scrunch up, as she tried to stop herself from thinking of him, but when he was this close, how could she not think of him.

He was wearing that cheap cologne that she had told him that she didn't like, the cologne that he never wore around her, but would use on odd occasions as if he were trying to get rid of it, or as she would tease him 'drive women away'. She sighed, maybe it was intentional, maybe not, but she sighed and thought of what had brought him here in the first place. He had seen her run. He had seen her in the restaurant and had seen her run.

She suddenly felt warmth in her cheeks.

Embarrassment? Why was she embarrassed? It had happened hours earlier, hours and yet… when she thought of him seeing her fleeing that restaurant, it made her feel embarrassed, mortified, so small and transparent. It wasn't for the hundred other people that were in the restaurant, only him… only he made her feel this way. She kept her eyes closed, and the movement near her hand was obviously the movement of someone who was awake. She tried to think if she had moved her hand, perhaps made him stir, but she remained absolutely still as he sat up, a rough and rattling sigh escaped his lips.

He sounded upset, angry perhaps? He was probably angry with her, and she was the only one to blame for it. It was her fault, and…

"Stop, Bones." His voice startled her. She didn't open her eyes, but she could feel his burning into her skin. He was watching her so intently, so intensely, it was almost as if he could see her battling in her mind. "Stop fighting with yourself." He said softly. "You are a very strong woman, but I don't think you are going to be able to just sweep this under the rug. You're going to have to deal with this, Bones… so just… stop. Just stop."

She remained still, not moving, barely breathing.

"I know you can hear me, you can hear me. You trust me."

I trust him.

"It's not a question. I know it's true."

I know.

"Even if you can't hear me… right now, I need to tell you. You need help, Bones… I want to help you."

Does he know I'm awake?

"You act like you don't know why I refused to leave you here. I understand that. It's not like I have ever told you how I feel about you..." His sigh was full of need. "Okay, so I told you… and I qualified it, because you got this… horrified look on your face when I told you the truth… God, I'm babbling." He whispered. "I love you, Temperance. We started out as partners, it turned into friendship, and somehow in the middle of the hunt for murderers, the discovery of lost family, and the celebratory drinks… Somewhere in the middle of all of that, I fell in love with you." His voice was so low, and so filled with emotion, and as she lay there listening to the sincerity in his words, she tried to determine whether or not he knew she was conscious, that she was awake, that she was listening to his words. She waited to see if there would be more, and he did not disappoint. After a moment, she felt soft fingertips rolling beneath the hair that had settled on her temple, pushing her hair from her face. "I know that you know the truth, you have to know the truth. There is no way that you are that socially inept, Bones… there's no way that you don't see it, don't feel it. You know that I would do anything for you, absolutely anything. I love you… and I'm stupid for not telling you." He whispered. She felt a very light, tender kiss on her forehead. "I just want to know why you did this, Bones. I just want to know why… I need to know why."

She moved slightly, wondering if he'd continue if he thought she was awake. He pulled his hand away from her slowly and watched her for a second. When she had run the night before, she thought she was running away from something. When he stopped speaking, knowing she was awake, she was sure that he was running too. However, what really happened was not what she expected, and when her eyes opened, his were there as if he were expecting it. The next moments were filled with something that she hadn't expected. He did something so irrational, something daring and exciting, something surprising and different, something freeing.

With his eyes on hers.

With her eyes on his.

Together.

He spoke.

"I love you."