Disclaimer: Bones and its affiliated characters do not belong to me. I mean no copyright infringement.

Spoilers: Season 6 (Includes Promos and spoilers for future episodes)

Author's Notes: This chapter is written in a different style. It gives bits and pieces of a variety of topics discussed between Booth and Bones. When you see ~Booth&Bones~, time has passed.

I left responses to your reviews at the end! If I missed it, it posted late and I will acknowledge it in the next chapter.

The Trouble in the Triangle

Chapter 10: Talk to Me

"Just talk to me."

Against her better judgment, she gently arranged herself next to him on her side. "About what?"

"Anything but the case." He guided her arm to rest on his chest. She was silent for too long. "What's wrong?" asked Booth.

"I don't know what to talk about. We don't talk anymore."

"Well, it's time we fix that, Bones. It's time."

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

"What would you like to hear?"

"Are you writing another book?"

"You know that I don't share the contents of my books before they're published."

"Yes, but now I'm injured. And you feel sorry for me. You kind of have to."

"Booth!" She propped up on her elbow to look at his face. Just as she suspected, he wore a charming smile. She glared back at him.

"Oh come on, Bones." He gave her his puppy dog smile, again.

"It's not working this time."

"Damn!"

~Booth&Bones~

"I've never thought about it, Booth. Why would I have a favorite case?"

"You have to, Bones. It's like having a favorite color or flower. Or a favorite bone."

Brennan chuckled. "A favorite bone? You think I have a favorite bone?"

"Are you telling me you don't?" Booth was skeptical.

"If I do, it's been an unconscious thought. I'll have to get back to you on that one."

~Booth&Bones~

"Well, you asked me what cases I liked! I liked that case."

"But Bones, the cake eating couple burst into flames. You needed to find a wooden nose," he said incredulously.

She laughed at him. "But that's when I met your Pops. He's very kind. I loved his grilled cheese. Wasn't it rewarding to watch him dance and have a good time?" He began to chuckle and wish he hadn't. "Booth? Are you okay? Do you need pain meds?"

"No. I'm fine. I just will refrain from laughing. So don't be so funny."

"You don't usually find me amusing."

"What would make you think that?"

"Never mind. Are you sure about the meds?"

"I'm sure. I don't want to fall asleep, yet. I like listening to you talk."

"Booth, I don't…"

He interrupted her. "Stop rationalizing it. I'm glad you like Pops, but the case was boring. Think of another one." She sighed dramatically.

~Booth&Bones~

"Yeah. I liked that case, too, Bones. Did the bridge get built, yet?"

"It has two more years. Do you ever wonder what happened to Andy?"

"I've wondered a few times. Have you?"

"A few times."

"Do you ever still think of having a baby?" He felt her stiffen. "Sorry Bones. I didn't mean to get too personal. I was way out of line."

"It's okay, Booth. I don't think it's a matter of what I want. But I will love Angela's baby. She's already calling me an aunt even though it isn't rational. I went with her to her doctor's appointment, yesterday."

"Yeah?" He wished it wasn't so dark. He imagined a sparkle in her eyes as she talked about Angela and her baby. He still felt badly for pretending to be busy the night Angela and Hodgins made their announcement.

"Ange is going to be having a test called an amniocentesis. It detects for a few abnormalities."

"What? Why?"

"It's nothing to worry about Booth. She'll be 35 when she delivers. It's a standard test at her age. Statistically, there isn't a worry. It's not like they have a poor genetic pool."

"How are Angela and Hodgins feeling about it?"

"You know I'm bad at reading people, Booth."

"You do just fine with your friends. You read me like a book."

~Booth&Bones~

"Are you asleep, Booth?"

"No," he whispered. "Not yet. But close."

"Do you want me to talk about something else or let you sleep?"

"I'd love to fall asleep while listening to your voice, but you're probably tired, too."

~Booth&Bones~

"Okay! Now I'm awake. I can't believe you just said that."

Brennan laughed at him. "Despite how open and casual you have become about sex with Hannah, you still can't tolerate me even hinting at it. I don't understand you, Booth."

Booth mumbled something incoherently.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing."

"Booth, you said something. Now tell me."

"No."

"If Hannah can pull secrets out of you, than so can I."

Booth groaned. "Bones…" he whined. "Think about it."

~Booth&Bones~

"I've been doing my best. You've hindered my compartmentalizing abilities, Booth."

"What? How did I do that?"

"By making me give up parts of myself. Do you remember suggesting that to me?"

"Mmm hmm."

"I first noticed it when I thought you died."

"Really?"

"Yeah. And I don't like it. I really am sorry for crying in front of you last week. For saying things I had no right to say."

"Bones…"

"I'm sorry for all the times I ran."

"Bones, I'm just as guilty as you are."

"How?"

"I let you run. No wonder you didn't trust me."

"I trust you implicitly."

"No, Bones. You trust me conditionally. You trust me with your life but not with your heart. And it's not your fault. You've been scarred emotionally… probably as much as I have physically," whispered Booth.

~Booth&Bones~

"I miss Parker," admitted Brennan.

"You just saw him today."

"Technically, yesterday." Booth smiled. "It was different. It certainly wasn't under ideal circumstances."

"I suppose not. When this case is over and Parker is back home, I'd like for you to come with us on our special outing that I promised him."

"It's not my place. I'm not a part of your family anymore."

"That's what you think?"

"Yeah. That's why I've become friends with Hannah. I thought maybe I could still be part of your family, but it hasn't worked."

"What? I don't…"

"Booth, think about it. We don't spend time together other than work. And then we only talk about work. I spend more time with Hannah than I do you." Her voice caught as she kept herself from crying.

"What did I do?" thought Booth. "I've hurt her even more without even realizing it? God, I don't deserve her friendship."

~Booth&Bones~

"God, Bones, I was terrified."

"I knew you would be. I was concerned when Hodgins and I were trapped."

"You were facing death… and you were concerned about me?"

"Yes. You wear your heart on your coat."

"Sleeve, Bones. Wear your heart on your sleeve."

"Right. And so I wrote a letter to you in case I didn't make it."

Booth tucked her hair back behind her ear in an attempt to see her face. "I never knew that. Do you still have it?"

"Yes."

"Will I be able to see it one day?"

"Now that Heather Taffet is out of our lives for good, I'll consider it. But I can't make a promise."

"Did anyone ever rat me out?"

"I don't know what that means."

"Did anyone ever tell you how rude and demanding I was with the squints when we thought you had run out of air?"

"No. How bad did it get?"

"Pretty bad. I'm embarrassed just thinking about it."

~Booth&Bones~

"Do you still have nightmares?"

"Not very often, anymore. Do you?"

"Not very often."

All was silent for a few minutes. "Are you awake?" asked Booth.

"Yeah. But I'm getting sleepy."

"Me too. Thanks for staying, Bones."

"Thank you for asking."

"Always."

"You can't promise that."

"I just did. Don't argue."

"We're good at arguing. It's what we do best."

He chuckled softly. "Ouch."

"Don't laugh."

"Then go to sleep."

"Then stop talking," she countered.

"Okay," he whispered. He leaned over slightly, ignoring the pull on the tube, and kissed the top of her head. He ran his fingers through her hair making her even sleepier.

"Booth?" she whispered.

"I thought we weren't talking."

"Is it alright to love you as a friend?"

Tears instantly sprang to life in his eyes. "Yes," he said in a gruff voice. "If I'm allowed to love you as a friend."

"That's acceptable."

"Good. That makes me happy, Bones. Very happy."

"Don't stop," she said barely awake.

"Don't stop what?"

"Playing with my hair. It feels good."

"Sweet dreams, Bones." But she was already asleep.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Author's Notes: So how did I do with the conversation? Did I deliver on the fluff? Was it too much too soon? I'm not sure yet how they will react in the morning.

Review Responses

Diko (Thanks! I hope you liked the conversation after the cliffhanger!) Boneslover97 (B&B are definitely getting back to where they were. They still have some things to work out, but it's all working out.) SouthunLady (I feel the same way about season 6. I actually skipped all of episode 9 and only watched portions of episode 8, the Brennan episode. And Hannah is for the most part gone from this fanfic. She will make a short appearance later to tie up loose ends.) Animagus-Steph (The fluff will continue as they rebuild their relationship. How did you like the fluff in this chapter? Thanks for the encouragement to keep writing. It means a lot!) Cast14 & ObsessedWithBones3000 (Thanks! This story has me excited and I just had to keep writing.)

PS… I haven't forgotten about my other stories… I promise to get back to them.