Chapter Eight:


A/N: Last chapter before epilogue. Think of it as the last five minutes of an episode, where they pick some awesome random song that totally fits Booth and Brennan. In this case the song is: 'Strong Enough' by Sheryl Crow. The lyrics will be randomly dispersed throughout the chapter, in italics. They do not belong to me; they belong to Sheryl Crow and the publishers and producers of the song. So again: Please don't sue me.


God, I feel like hell tonight.
Tears of rage I cannot fight
I'd be the last to help you understand.
Are you strong enough to be my man?
My man.

She didn't know how long they stood in her doorway, him holding her, telling her that everything was going to be okay. The sweet murmurs of his voice and its rumble in his chest slowly faded along with her tears.

Nothing's true and nothing's right.
So let me be alone tonight.
'Cause you can't change the way I am.
Are you strong enough to be my man?

Eventually, she asked him if he knew about her father, and he responded with a solemn yes.

"How long have you known?" she whispered.

"Since a few hours before I went home."

"He came and talked to you at the hospital?"

"Yeah, Bones. He did. Listen, I want to talk to you about something…"

His tone made her think one thought. She voiced this aloud. "Don't leave."

Lie to me.
I promise, I'll believe.
Lie to me,
But please don't leave.
Don't leave.

"Bones, I won't leave. I love you."

I have a face I cannot show.
I make the rules up as I go.
It's try and love me if you can.
Are you strong enough to be my man?
My man.

She nearly fainted. She gave him a look of shock, and what looked like disbelief. But, she didn't mean it like that; she was trying to figure out what to say next.

He was waiting for her response. She threw herself back into the safety of his arms.

Are you strong enough,
To be my man.
Are you strong enough,
To be my man.
Are you strong enough,
To be my man.

"I love you, too." She whispered. He rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head. It reminded her of when she was younger and her father would do the same thing.

She felt so safe right then. Like nothing in the world could hurt her.

When I've shown you that I just don't care,
When I'm throwing punches in the air,
When I'm broken down and I can't stand,
Will you be man enough to be my man?

The two then looked in each others eyes and shared a kiss so sweet and gentle and passionate all at the same time, Brennan considered launching a scientific study of it. A second and third kiss followed, with a fourth kiss not far behind.

They felt as though they were encased in a cocoon of bliss. Brennan eventually broke off the kiss. "Booth," she said. "I'm tired."

He wordlessly picked her up, and carried her to her bedroom. Laying her on the bed, he asked, "Comfy?"

"Very." She smiled, her eyes closed. She patted the other side of the bed expectantly.

Booth, powerless against the woman, laid down beside her, took her in his arms, and drifted into a content sleep.

Lie to me.
I promise, I'll believe.
Lie to me,
But please don't leave.

A/N: We all know he's strong enough right? Good.