Disclaimer: I don't own Bones

Temperance sat on her couch. The house she lived in now is ten times bigger than any apartment she could have ever even dreamed of getting when living in DC, yet somehow her thoughts kept traveling back to that old apartment. She had so many memories in that apartment, Booth bringing Thai food late at night, comforting her when she felt broken, and eventually where they made love late at night. No- she had to stop thinking about him. She has thought about him more in the past few hours than she had in 20 years. It's completely irrational to go crazy over a man she left 20 years ago just because their son was so close to finding him. No, she takes that back, it is rational to fear what the outcome could be if Ryan and Booth found out about each other.

She let out a low groan. She felt sick. She hadn't felt this way since she was pregnant with Ryan, and she didn't like it. Was this what guilt felt like? It had to be, there was no other logical explanation for the feeling in her gut.

She began to drift off to sleep; soon she heard the faint sound of keys rattling in the door. Within a few seconds, Dalton walked in carrying a sack of groceries.

He dropped the sack when he saw Temperance lying on the couch with her eyes closed. She had to be sick. It was only 3:30 and she was napping- Dr. Brennan did not do that. Despite it being Saturday, she would always work until 6 at the earliest. Seeing her not working let him know that something was seriously wrong.

He moved over to where she was laying and snuggled against her. He wrapped his arms around her body and brought his lips to her neck. "Is everything all right baby?"

Temperance felt the muscular arms wrap around her, and the soft lips caress her neck. "Booth," she groaned moving towards him. Suddenly, she felt the body around her stiffen. She opened her eyes and saw not Booth, but Dalton sitting there, hurt plastered on his face.

"Dalton," she said suddenly, embarrassed by her slip, "I haven't been feeling good, and I was dreaming, and-"

Dalton smiled; he loved the way she rambled when she was nervous. "It's ok. I understand."

Tears formed at Temperance's eyes. How did she ever end up with a man as wonderful and caring as Dalton, especially since what she did to Booth?

Dalton slipped his hands around her waist. "Tempe," he asked softly, "do you love me?"

Temperance was shocked at Dalton's words. She didn't know how to respond. She cared about him but love- "Dalton," she said slowly, trying to pick out the right thing to say, "Love is an imposed construct that humans-" she stopped at the hint of humor in Dalton's eyes. "What?"

"Tempe," he began, "I know your views on love, and I not saying you're wrong-" he stopped, thinking about where to take this next. "I just think you are capable of loving. And I love you, and I want to marry you."

Temperance gasped at these words. Did Dalton Ryder just propose to her?

Temperance and Booth sat on the couch in her apartment cuddling. Booth planted little kisses all over her neck and growled in a low voice, "you are an amazing lover."

Temperance smiled and placed her arms around Booth's neck. "you know," she said factually, "We have been seeing each other for quite a while now, I think it might be time we let everyone know about us."

Booth was shocked. He had wanted to tell everyone the first day, but it was her that placed a restraint on him doing that. "Are you serious?" He asked her.

She just nodded, "They are bound to find out sooner or later, so we might as well make it sooner rather than later."

He gave her a big toothy grin. He had been waiting for the ok from her for months now, now finally the whole world would know that Temperance Brennan was his. "Good timing," he said in a low voice, "If we would have waited much longer someone would have walked in on us stripping-"

She punched his arm playfully and squealed, "Booth, stop that."

He settled back into the couch and once again wrapped his arms around her as she nuzzled her head into his chest. They sat in silence for a few moment. They tended to do that, stay silent, while they both pondered the situation they were both in. Booth was the one to break the silence. "Do you love me?" He asked hopefully.

Temperance was shocked by the question. Before she was able to even think she felt herself giving the same old excuse she had always used, "Booth, love is an imposed construct humans use to control their emotions. It's just a mixture of chemicals in the brain."

Booth put his mouth against her ear and whispered, "you and I know that is a load of shit," he murmured into her ear. "I think we both know that you love me."

Temperance smiled, "I care about you Booth," she said slowly, trying not to say the wrong thing, "if love were true I can say it's a good probability I'd love you. Right now the chemicals in my head are giving me a really good feeling, and if that's what you consider love, fine, Booth, I love you."

It wasn't the confession he expected, but for Bones, this was admitting she loved him. Booth pulled her body towards his and kissed her on the lips. He pulled away from her abruptly, "We should get married!"

Temperance looked at him in shock. Did Booth just propose to her?

"Come on Bones, I love you, and the chemicals in your head are mixing around, so we should make it official.

Temperance stared at Booth. She was not expecting this. For a moment she was going to say yes. Then she remembered the anthropological reason for marriage. More importantly, she remembered the pain she experienced when someone she cared about left her. No, things were fine just the way they were. She shouldn't change things by marriage. Marriage! Terrified by the thought, Temperance got up, grabbed her keys and ran out the door, leaving Booth looking shocked behind on the couch.

"Temperance?" Dalton said, snapping her back into reality. "Did you hear what I said? I think you should marry me."

Temperance gulped. Her brain told her to run, but there was no way she was going to put someone she cared about through that again. A week after Booth's proposal, she had found out she was pregnant. Two days later she was on a plane to Wyoming; a place where she could start over. No, she was not going to run this time. "Dalton," she said, a hint of sadness in her voice. Dalton's face fell at the sound of her voice. "I can't," she said quietly, "marry you that is."

Dalton shook his head, not understanding, "can I ask you why?"

Temperance felt a stab in her chest at the thought of causing someone she cared of this much pain. "Dalton, I'm just not capable of falling in love."

Dalton nodded, trying to understand. "I will respect that; respect you." He looked at the love of his life in the eyes, "This won't change anything between us, will it?" he asked, hopeful.

Temperance hugged Dalton, "No, it won't change a thing.

As the two of them embraced Temperance thought back to the words she said, about her not being capable of loving. It wasn't completely true. She subconsciously knew that she was capable of loving. However, she also knew that the only man she could ever love, she left without a word 20 years ago.

First off, I realize my chapters are short. I am a senior in high school, I have schoolwork to do as well. (Even though 90% of the time I'll push it off until the next morning) Anyways, short chapters work for me. Second, I would appreciate reviews. It's what gets me through the 8 hours of hell called school! By now I know who will be the first one to discover Brennan and Ryan's relationship. It will happen in another few chapters. I am still open to subplot ideas, and if anyone wants to guess who will learn about Ryan's background, I'd be humored to read what you think. So I will end this soliloquy with one word: Review!