Chapter nine
Another week passed by, and when a new day and a new week started I was beginning to think that this would never end. I felt better but the nausea was still there, and the stomach-ache Dr. Green had warned about was slowly driving me crazy. There was nothing to do about it, and the daily refill of my medicine didn't make it any better either.
But there was a light at the end of this tunnel - I was allowed to go home, on one condition; that I got someone to stay with me. I was sure Dr. Green didn't trust me enough to let me stay on my own, considering I had escaped and managed to reinjure myself in the fight with the redhead. And of course I had hit him in the eye. Surely, that didn't place me on the list of favorite patients.
None the less, I was going home, and I was actually able to ignore the nausea for a while as I got dressed. I was too happy to let it bring me down now. The tiredness tainted the happiness though, and as I had managed to get jeans and the shirt on I was exhausted.
A nurse was offering me a wheelchair, but I told her I didn't need it, instead I enjoyed the feel of Bones' arm tightly wrapped around my waist as we left the room together.
Sitting in Bones' car I suddenly felt nervous.
She glanced at me, and I could see her face reflected my feelings.
"Do you want to stay at my place?" she finally asked. "We could stop by yours and get some of your stuff," she had averted her eyes and looked straight ahead as she spoke. "Or we could go to your place… together."
I realized this was something we probably should have decided before leaving the hospital.
"Uh I… I don't know Bones…" I said. "Hey I don't really need…"
She cut me off, knowing exactly what I was getting at. "Yes you do. You promised the doctor you wouldn't be alone," she said. "Okay, you're coming with me," she decided at last.
XxxxX
Lying in Bones' sofa with her on the floor next to me felt strange. I wanted to sit up, but I was just too tired. I could barely raise an arm.
"Can I get you anything?" she asked.
I shook my head no. All I wanted right now was to rest. Stopping by my place earlier and packing some of my things had exhausted me. Smiling weakly at her, I couldn't help but appreciate everything she'd done for me, even though I couldn't shake the awkwardness.
She reached out touching my face. "Are you sure you're feeling ok?" she asked for about the seventh time. "You don't look so good."
"I'm fine Bones, just tired," I repeated the words I had told her all seven times before. I wasn't sure they were the truth though. I didn't feel all that great, but I didn't want her to know.
None of us spoke in a while; she had turned and was staring off into space. I watched her carefully. "Bones?" I asked. There was no answer. I wasn't sure she had even heard me. Reaching out, I lay a hand on her shoulder. She jumped, startled by my touch.
"Sorry," I whispered. "I didn't mean to scare you."
She turned and smiled at me. "I'm just being silly," she mumbled. I tried shaking my head which wasn't an easy maneuver lying down.
"What did he do to you Bones?" I whispered, watching her flinch at my words. Shifting so I was lying on my side, I looked at her before continuing. "You can tell me."
She looked down and it took a long time before she turned her eyes back on me. As she did, I could see tears brimming in them. She blinked rapidly, trying desperately to not cry.
Fear shot through me then. I was no longer sure I even wanted to hear it. "Temperance?" I whispered. "Don't tell me he…" my voice broke. There was no way I could even bring myself to say the word.
She seemed to know what I was thinking though, and she shook her head. "No, he didn't rape me if that's what you wondered… he just…he…" her voice trailed off.
I let out a breath I wasn't even aware of holding. "Give me your hand." She looked puzzled, but did as I said. I took it in mine and squeezed it. I smiled, speaking in a soft voice. "You can tell me now."
She frowned. "What, you think holding my hand will make it easier?"
I nodded and she snorted. But she smiled too. Then she sighed, taking a deep breath before starting to talk.
When she was done, a few tears were rolling down her cheeks. I wanted to wipe them away, but didn't want to let go of her hand.
"I'm sorry Bones," I whispered instead. "I'm sorry I couldn't come to you sooner."
"It's not your fault, don't be sorry," she whispered back. She sniveled then, wiping her eyes dry with her free hand. "I'm so stupid," she muttered. "This is nothing… I've been captive before and nearly killed… I shouldn't be so…"
I shushed her. She looked at me with big sad eyes.
"Baby," I whispered, surprising both of us by the choice of word. "You're not stupid. Come here."
I started to pull her up and realized pretty soon she was helping me, making the task easy for me. I couldn't help but smile. Even when she was upset she thought of me first. She didn't want me to strain myself too much and literally crawled up onto the couch to curl up next to me, just to keep me from having to drag her up.
Thankful that the sofa was wide enough for both of us, I wrapped one arm around her and pulled her close, her back pressed against my front.
She didn't say anything more, and I didn't push her into talking. Instead I held her, hoping she knew that I was there for her whenever she needed me.
The redhead had survived the fall with a cracked skull. He was going to be fine though. I almost wished he wouldn't. Because it would mean that someday he would be out there again, and who knew whether he'd try to kidnap Bones again. I couldn't stand the thought of him as much as looking at her ever again. Knowing now what he had done, made me wish I had killed him when I'd had a chance. I had promised myself that I wouldn't let anyone hurt her again, and though he hadn't exactly harmed her, he had still hurt her. Abused her, mentally and sexually. Though nothing major, at least what Bones had told me, but still enough to make me want to put a bullet through his brain. Just thinking of him touching her, kissing her against her will disgusted me; filled me with so much anger.
"I know what you're thinking," she suddenly said.
I snorted. "I doubt that."
"You're angry with him; I can feel your tense muscles."
"I'm not just angry Bones, I… I want to kill him," I confessed.
She surprised me with a soft laugh. Then she shifted, or tried, it wasn't easy turning around without actually falling off the couch. But she managed, and finally ended up on her side, facing me. I held on to her, afraid she would fall.
"Hey," I whispered and smiled. She was so close to me, I could feel her breath against my skin, smell the scent of shampoo in her hair.
She smiled back. "You're always the alpha male; always want to protect your women."
I couldn't help but smile, amused by her words. Only there was one flaw. "Women?" I asked. "Bones, there is only one woman for me. You know I meant it when I… uh said I love you."
"You were barely conscious," she whispered, remembering. I nodded. "But I knew what I was saying. I meant every word."
She nodded. "So did I," she said at last.
I smiled at that, letting my hand run through her hair. She looked at me and our eyes met. I slowly closed the tiny gap there was between us wanting to kiss her. But I stopped abruptly and pulled my head back.
"What is it?" she asked, puzzled.
I stared at her, frowning. "I'm sorry," I whispered. "It's too soon, after what he…" I was just as abruptly cut off.
"Don't!" she almost snapped. "Don't tell me what I should and shouldn't feel."
This time I was the one staring. I was shocked.
Next time she spoke, her voice was softer. "I trust you Booth; probably no other man at the time, but I do trust you. So don't tell me that it's too soon. It's way too late," she blurted and I kept on staring, not believing my ears.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
We leaned in simultaneously. The kiss was soft and sweet and I wanted it to go on forever. Kissing Bones made me forget everything else. The tiredness, the nausea and all the pain, nothing mattered at that moment. Nothing but her.
XxxxX
TBC
