"You know Booth that statement could've been taken as very suggestive," Brennan said as he helped her into the main hotel room and into the bed.
"I was hoping you wouldn't notice that," Booth flushed.
"I notice everything," she said matter-of-factly, "I'm very observant."
"I've noticed," he chuckled.
He helped her sit up against the pillows as her body was overcome with harsh coughs that left her rubbing her throat. When she had finished coughing and could once again breathe without taking gasping breaths, Booth was waiting by her beside with a carefully measured out spoonful of the cough suppressant he had purchased at the pharmacy.
"I'm not really sure that that is necessary Booth," she said eyeing the spoonful of red liquid warily.
"I think it's entirely necessary," Booth said holding the spoon closer to her, "It'll help with your cough and soothe your throat at the same time."
"I don't usually rely on pharmaceuticals," she told him.
"Well that's because you usually don't get sick now isn't it," he said, his eyes glittering to let her know he was joking.
"On occasion I have fallen victim to a disturbance of the pain-sensitive structures around my brain which I have combated without the aid of any pharmaceutical aids," she told him.
"I'm not even going to pretend I know what you're talking about and just ask you to trust me on this one okay," he said brandishing the spoon in her direction.
Their eyes met and even though he knew she would refute that it was physically impossible, he was sure he saw trust shining brightly from her crystal blue eyes. Nodding she took the spoon from him and swallowed the medicine with a grimace before handing him back the empty spoon.
"That did not taste good," she said taking the glass of water he handed her.
"It will be worth it I promise," he said turning to the cart of room service he had wheeled over to the bed, "You need to eat something."
"I'm not hungry," she pouted crossing her arms stubbornly across her chest.
"You need to keep your strength up if you're going to fight this flu," he said gathering up a bowl of the oatmeal she liked so much, "Just eat some Bones, it will make me feel better if you do."
She looked at him like she knew he was trying to guilt her into doing what he wanted and he was struck with how perceptive she was when it came to him. She misread other people on a daily basis but when it came to him she seemed to be able to pick up on his facial expressions and tricks he played.
Still pouting she took the offered bowl and spoon from him and once Booth was sure that she was eating he went in search of the bag of his earlier purchases. Their kiss from earlier still lingered in his mind and he knew they needed to speak about it but she didn't appear bothered by it at the moment and he wanted to wait until he knew she was better and fever wasn't clouding her judgement before they had sort of serious talk.
He found what he was looking for on the couch and pulled out the packet of flu tablets and the bear he had bought for her. He made his way back over to the bed and stopped short when he saw her. The bowl of oatmeal rested on her chest and her hand held limply onto a half full spoon of the brown cereal. Her eyes were half closed and she looked moments away from passing out.
"Bones," he said softly, "You need to finish that before you go to sleep."
"Tired," she grumbled.
"I know you are," Booth said sympathetically, "But it'll help you get better faster."
"'M not sick," she murmured as he took the spoon from her hand and lifted the bowl off her chest.
"Yeah, and I don't have an adorably quirky taste in socks," he chuckled placing the bowl back on the tray. He grabbed two tablets from the packet and poured a glass of orange juice before turning back to face her, "Bones I need you to sit up for a second so you can take these TheraFlu."
With what looked to be a monumental effort Brennan managed to drag her eyes open and sit herself up in the bed. Surprisingly she took the tablets Booth handed to her without protest and swallowed them quickly before slumping back down on the bed.
"I got you this," he said feeling himself blush for what felt the thousandth time that day. He brandished the bear out to her which she took, looking at it in wonder.
"It's a scientist bear," she said incredulously, fingering the bear's lab coat.
"I thought it was fitting," Booth shrugged.
"Why?" she asked, "Why did you buy me this?"
"I thought it might make you feel better," he said.
"How?" she asked drowsily, hugging the bear to her chest.
"Kind of like that," he said smiling as he watched her hugging the bear. It was something so innocent and so un-Brennan that he found himself feeling privileged that he was here to witness it.
"It's soft," she said her eyes slipping closed.
"Wait!" he said loudly making her eyes snap open in surprise, "Sorry Bones but you have to finish this oatmeal."
"Booth, I can't," she all but whined.
Booth was torn. On one hand he wanted to let her sleep, to let her body give in to the exhaustion and cough medicine that was running through her veins but on the other he knew her body needed sustenance if it were ever to begin fighting the illness she had contracted.
"Okay Bones just open up for me alright," he said.
He knew she must've been feeling completely lousy and not completely herself when she allowed him to feed her the remaining oatmeal. She lay with her eyes closed as Booth fed her spoonfuls of the cereal. He managed to get her to eat most of the bowl before her body gave into the exhaustion and medicine completely and she slipped into a deep sleep.
Putting the bowl back on the trolley Booth busied himself with making sure the covers were pulled up around her and that the bear he had given her was tucked firmly under her arm. Once he was sure she was comfortable he laid the back of his hand gently on her forehead and was satisfied that for the moment her temperature had gone down. Booth then took a moment to just stop and take in her sleeping face. In sleep she was relaxed and open and even though her skin was paler than usual she was still the most beautiful woman Booth had ever seen.
Even though they had done it the night before Booth suddenly didn't feel right sharing the bed with her. After he cleaned up the food he ordered for her and eat some of the fruit on the trolley he checked on her again to make sure she was sleeping soundly before taking his bag into the bathroom and having a shower. He realised in the bathroom that they hadn't been in contact with the team back at the Jeffersonian since they had arrived in Florida. Angela would no doubt be worrying and Cam would be wanting to know how soon they would be back.
They were scheduled to fly out as soon as Brennan had identified the body but Booth was nervous about letting her fly in the condition she was in. It would no doubt be an uncomfortable experience for her and he wasn't willing to put her in any situations that would prolong the process getting her better. After he was changed into a pair of sweatpants and tank top he fished his cell phone out of his pants pocket and dialled Cam's familiar number.
"Booth? Are you and Dr. Brennan okay?" she asked, picking up after the second ring.
"We're fine Camille," he said, "Well not fine. Bones has the flu."
"I told her she should have gotten her shot," the pathologist sighed, "How bad is it?"
"It's hitting her pretty hard at the moment," Booth said peeking through the door at his sleeping partner, "She's not used to getting sick but I'm doing my best to help her get better."
"I'm sure you are," she replied knowingly and even though Booth couldn't see her he knew she was smiling.
"We might need to stay here a couple more days," Booth said, "I don't think she should fly right now."
"Of course," Cam said, "Just help her get better, we'll organise flights as soon as she feels up to it."
"Thanks Camille," Booth said, "Oh, and could you tell Angela that everything is fine. I'm sure she's going crazy after not hearing from Bones."
"She is and I will," Cam replied, "Bye Booth."
"Bye Camille," he said flipping his phone shut.
He left the bathroom light on and closed the door almost all the way so that a little light shone out into the main room. Brennan had turned over and was curled up on her side when he stepped out; the bear he had bought was still tucked firmly under her arms. After adjusting her covers and grabbing a pillow for himself Booth switched off the lights and headed over to the couch.
"Night Bones," he said softly into the darkened room before closing his eyes, "Sleep tight."