A.N : I don't own Bones.
Sorry for taking so long to update, but life is busy!
CHAPTER 10- FOR GOOD AND FOR WORSE
Booth got out of the room fast and silently, trying his best not no wake his Bones. The X-ray technician had came a while ago, and had no problem to perform the exam, for Temperance was praticaly asleep, and hardly moved at all. Since then, they've been waiting for the results and the doctor's decision, and it was driving Booth crazy. What was taking so long anyway? His reasonable part kept reminding him that Bones wasn't the only E.R patient at all, and other people needed care as much as his Bones did. But his overly protective side, the one that felt a loop in his stomach every time he realized that Temperance could be in the smallest suffering, would scream at him to go fetch the damn doctor. Hell, get all the hospital staff. But his Bones was actually sleeping right now, and he accepted that as a good sign. Booth suddenly remembered that he had promised to keep Angela and the rest of the team updated, and decided that it was the best time, while Temperance was quiet and apparently good. So, he left the bed carefully and moved a little away of the curtained area, so his voice wouldn't wake her. He didn't have to wait too much time, for Angela answered her phone on the first ring.
" Booth! Thank God, I was starting to be worried sick here. What took you so long? Yes, it's Booth, jack. Go call Cam." Booth could hear the buzz at the lab, which reminded him that it was still working hours. In the end, but still.
" Sorry, Ange. It's just that were many things happening, and Bones was awake until a few minutes ago,so I was with her. In fact Í should still be there and not leave her alone at all, but I knew that I had to call you and I didn't want her to wake up, and…"
"Sweetey. You're babbling. What's wrong with Bren that's making you so nervous? And cut to the chase this time, or you'll give me a heart attack." At the Jeffersonian, Angela Montenegro was starting to feel really nervous, while surveying Hodgins and Cam, who came closer. If something could make Booth that nervous, it had to be serious.
" Sorry, Ange. I'm just worried, really sorry. Listen… We're waiting for an X-ray, but the doctor had already given a diagnosis. She says Bones has pneumonia, in her left lung, and she said something about…" But Angela wasn't listening anymore. In fact, she was busy reproducing the same scene that Booth already had performed when the word pneumonia was pronounced first. She was freaking out, and Seeley could almost see her pacing like crazy, cell phone on the ear and her voice a kind of shrieking sound.
"Pneumonia? Oh my God, Booth. Is it very bad? How much time will she have to stay in there? What else the doctor have said? Is she in a lot of pain? Oh, God, please don't tell me that she's on a breathing machine or something, this is just too disturbing." If Booth himself wasn't so worried, he would have laughed by Ange's reaction, for now, hearing it, he realized how silly and desperate he've sounded earlier. But it seemed that laughter wasn't an option for him today. So, he just took a deep breathe and spoke firmly.
" Angela. Stop a little. Believe me, I've already freaked out for both of us. She's not that bad, really. The doctor said so. Put me on the voice speaking, so Cam can hear me and see if everything that happened so far is right,ok? She'll know for sure." He could almost see Angela nodding to the phone and clicking the buttom, for she didn't say a word.
" Hey, Booth. Cam speaking. I think Ange is in some kind of shock here. But we are all listening. You said that dr. Brennan has pneumonia? What else had the doctor said?"
Seeley Booth felt a wave of affection for Camille saroyan, thanking God for having a doctor friend, specially such a good one as he knew Cam was. She may have been working with the dead for years, but he sure as hell knew her competence to make a living person better. So, he repeated what dr. Crane had explained to him word from word, don't leaving anything out. He finally finished his tale putting in words his worries about his Bones not staying in the hospital, for it still scared him so. What if the doctor was wrong? What if Temperance got worse? He knew he was being a bit unreasonable, but for Bones, he wasn't willing to take any risks. On the other side of the line, Cam listened intently, slightly amused by Booth's excessive worry. He'd better relax a little, or he'll be the one on a hospital bed soon, she thought. Cam used her best calming doctor's voice, looking at Angela to give her reassurance and speaking slowly and clearly so Booth could also hear well and feel reassured.
"Well, it seems that this dr. Crane has got everything under control. And everything she've said, as well as dr. Brennan, is right. She can heal very well at her home, and I honestly believe that it's best for most patients. The stress of staying at the hospital can actually increase the infection by weakening the imunne system. And if dr. Brennan is a class 2 as dr. Crane thinks, and so do I, as matter of fact, she'll definitely benefict of home care, for it will end any risk of possible hospitalar infection. And I promise I'll go at dr. Brennan's place everyday myself to check on her, Lord know that this woman is a peace of work. But really, Booth, you can relax a little. I really believe she'll be fine. Honestly, Ange, stop looking at me like that. Plus, if she goes home, she'll have to compromise to see a doctor, probably this dr. Crane on a three day basis in order to get new blood tests and x-rays and accompany her recovery. So, if at any moment, anyone feels that she's not getting better, hospital it is." A long silence was made after Cam's statements, as everyone was absorving it. Booth actually felt a lot more reassured, and by the sighs he was hearing on the other side of the line, so did Angela.
" Ok, Cam. Fine. I guess you know what you're saying, and so is the other doctor. I just needed assurance from someone that I know that is good. Listen, I really should get back in there, the results must be coming at any minute soon. But just to go faster… Ange, Bones is staying at my place. Don't even try to argue, I've already had this discussion with Temperance. It's my place or a damn hospital room. I want to keep my eye on her 24 hours per day. Can you stop by her place when your work there is done and pick some of her things? So, when Bones is released, everything will be ready, and things will be fast. I'll ask you to drop at my place, if it's not too much. So, you can see her and help me to settle her. I think she'll like to see you guys all, it's an open invitation. But she stays at my place. End of story." Just from the phone, Angela knew that Seeley Booth wouldn't take a no or any discussion about it. If it were other person claiming for Bren's whereabouts while she was sick, Angela would for sure just tell that person to kiss her ass and forget it. Her best friend, her caring. But Angela knew that Booth was the only one she really trusted that would never, ever hurt her friend in any way. Actually, Angela thought that agent hot-stuff was the best thing that had ever happened in Brennan's life, and oh, this was such a great opportunity. The two of them alone in his apartment ? All I have to do is to make sure Bren gets better really, really soon, so she could enjoy her staying at Booth's in a much fun and yummy way… She hadn't even realized she was smiling wickedly until Cam nudged her with an elbow, while covering the cell's speaker so Booth couldn't hear them.
" You have such a dirty mind, Ange. Honestly, the woman is sick!" Cam shook her head, always amazed by Angela's habilities to imagine naught things in every single scenario.
" Well, nothing that a little loving care from studly can't solve. And then, a lot of love and other stuff, if you know what I mean."
" I do, Angela. No need to explain, thank you. But right now, first things first. Hodgins, will you keep this crazy girlfriend of yours in control? If she barges in Booth's place today and starts talking with dr. Brennan about Booth, love and sex at the same sentence, I'm sure she will run for her life. With pneumonia. So… no teasing Brennan for now, right, Ange?" Cam looked so stern that Angela felt actually ashamed, as Hodgins placed an arm around her shoulders.
" I promise to monitor every word that came out of this beautiful mouth, boss. But I would like to suggest that any of you two get back to he phone. I don't think G-man is enjoying the waiting. Or understanding it, for that matter." The two woman looked at the cell startled, as if remembering only now that Booth was, indeed, waiting. Angela grabbed the phone quickly.
" Okay, studly, sorry. I guess I just freaked out and the others were trying to calm me down a bit. But I was listening. Fine, I'll let you have Bren, but you have to promise to take the best care ever. If I think otherwise, you'll be a dead man, and I don't even care if you were the best sniper in the world, I would still manage to make you push daisies. Got it?" Booth actually smiled at this little speech. He wouldn't expect less of Angela.
" Got it, Ange. Don't worry. And you're welcome to visit her as much as you want. Look, I really need to get back…" He was fidgeting more and more, afraid that his Bones would wake up to find herself alone.
"Ok, I'm letting you go. You just call me again when she's released, and I'll be at your apartment with her things in a blink of eyes."
(------------------------------)
Temperance Brennan woke up slowly, feeling her head unusually heavy and her body oddly tired. It was hard to even open her eyes, in fact. Once she managed to do so, she would have jumped immediately if her body didn't scream so strongly against it. She didn't have the slightest clue of where she was. It was a strange bed, a strange place, and nobody was there to explain what the hell was happening. She tried to remember if she was in some kind of accident, but a sudden memory of Booth carrying her inside the hospital emergency snapped at her. And in a rush, all came back, including her horrible day, that damn IV in her arm and the doctor diagnosis. She remembered receiving drugs for her fever and pain, and then the sleepness that took over her body. And Booth. He was there too, she was sure of it. In fact, she was sure that, when she fell asleep, she did it with her head resting by his shoulder. And that was when she started to panic. He was gone. She had scared him for life , probably with all the insane things that had came out of her mouth since she've met him today. Oh my God, I think I actually sang for him. It wasn't a dream. No wonder he left. Despite of all her self control, she felt her eyes stinging with tears. She've ruined the best thing in her life. She probably had said so many stupid things that Booth had finally realized that nothing good could come up of staying near her. She never thought that it would hurt so much, but now that it had happened, she felt like she was drowning or something. All the air seemed to have escaped. She had driven him away. Her partner, her friend, her…she didn't quite had a word for all that Seeley Booth meant to her. Just that he was…Booth. And right now, she realized how much she needed him. The sound of steps coming closer made her try desperately to wipe away the stupid, unwelcome tears that insisted on fall down her cheeks. There was another reason why she hated to fall ill. She would become awfully emotional, and the slightest thing would make her cry. Except that Booth leaving her was not just something, she thought.
Temperance turned to the other side, in order to prevent whoever that was entering the room seeing her current state. If only her shoulders stopped shaking with the effort to suppress the tears and possible hipcups, she might had achieved her goal. Instead, a strong hand rested over her shoulder and made her face the uninvited person. It wasn't just someone, she realized between the blur that the tears made over her eyes.
" Temperance? What's wrong? Why are you crying? Are you in pain? Where's the emergency bottom in this room?" Brennan tried hard to regain her composure while those warm brown eyes prodded into hers, but it was useless, specially because Booth's hands were so caring, and his expression so worried. He hadn't left. She shook her head, trying to say that nothing was wrong with her, at least not physical, despite of the already stated pneumonia. She managed to grab Booth's hands, preventing him of pressing the calling bottom unnecessary. She had everything she needed by now.
" I'm fine. I'm sorry." Thankfully, she wasn't hipcupping, so her voice managed to be understandable. Booth gazed deeply at her, as if trying to decide if she was telling the true. " really, Booth. It's just…I've told you that I become odd when I'm ill. I speak insane and silly things, and I get emotional." Brennan knew that it was time to stop speaking, but then again, her stubborn tongue was in control today, not her brain. " I thought you had left me." Great, temperance. Now, no one will be able to blame him if he indeed leave. Who would want to stay with an irrational, hysteric woman?
" What? Bones? Why in hell I would leave you? I was just calling Angela and telling her what's happening , I've promised her to do so." Booth stared bewilred at his Bones, honestly didn't knowing what to do, except seat once again by her side on the bed and stroke her hair, trying to calm her down. That couldn't be good at all. " Honey, why would I ever go anywhere but here?" She seemed ready to say something, but thought better at the last moment, and averted her eyes. But Seeley Booth wasn't one to be ignored that way. " Temperance. Look at me. What is it? Why on earth would you get this idea?" She tired to pull away, but he was stronger. She darted her eyes to the white curtain, her voice a bare whisper.
" You already left me once." Weren't he listening very carefully, Booth would have failed to hear, for her voice was hardly audible. Bones kept staring at the curtain, her eyes now somewhat dull, her face like stone.
" What? I've never…" And then, it snapped him. He did left her. Not willingly, not knowing, but he did. That damn fake death, when Sweets forgot to tell her that he was in fact, very alive. His Bones had thought that he was never coming back, and once again he felt like punching Lance sweets until he became some kind of flash pulp. How could he've never seen this coming? His Bones had been abandoned several times in the past. And after that episode, of course she would fear that he would do the same eventually.
" I wouldn't blame you, Booth. I wont. Really. I mean, I'm just bothering you here, there's no reason at all for you to stay here with me. Or to stay with me out of work at all, to be true. I'm aware that I'm not a fine company, I'm not funny, I don't know other subjects than science to discuss, I don't know how to deal with people in social occasions, I…" She was shut by two fingers placed firmly down her lips, and a pair of very sweet brown eyes smiling at hers.
" And yet, I think that you're the most interesting woman that I've ever met. Crazy, stubborn and sometimes annoying, but still… the one I want to spend all my time." She tried to speak, but he kept going. " You are not bothering me, you never do. Yes, I'm worried about you right now, but that's not your fault. It's not like you've asked to be sick. But I'm here plainly because of one single thing, and I want you to pay attention on this: I like spending time with you. I like to hear your absurd and anthropological theories, I like to hear you blabbering about everything and anything, I like to laugh when you say some wrong popular expression, I like to hear you trying to prove that you are always right. I. Like. Staying. With. You. Anytime."
For a moment, it seemed that all that existed in the world was the two of them. They stared at each other in utter amazement, and all that Boot could think was that, finally, the true time had come.
"Aaawww, dr. Craig. Look at those two lovebirds." The unmistakable voice of Bones nurse was heard, and in a second Booth was on his feet, his brain a fog, an only thought at it;
" Why do I just know that things will never be the same after this?"
TBC…
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