Okay, finally! As promised, here is the next chapter, and I hope there is enough fluff for all of you! Sorry, but the smut was getting really hard to write, and I wanted to post the chapter, so you will have to wait for the last chapter, but I promise, you will have the smut!

BBB

The ride to Booth's apartment was spent in silence, Brennan casting furtive glances his way every few minutes, trying to assure herself that he was really there. A few times their eyes met, and she smiled nervously and looked away. She didn't know what to say…she had gone over and over in her head a thousand times exactly what she would say when he made it back, but now that he was here…

She quietly followed behind as he made his way through the lobby and into the elevator. Her eyes once again searched his face as he stood beside her, and her heart broke anew as she took in his haggard appearance. He was thinner, his hair cut short, and his face was drawn and tense, but it was his eyes that drew her…his eyes were haunted. Haunted with the things he had seen and done, and she didn't know how to fix it, to take away that look, and to replace it with the slightly sarcastic, humorous and sometimes childish delight that always seemed to sparkle in their depths.

Booth allowed her to unlock the door to his apartment, then followed her inside. Dropping his bag to the floor, he grabbed her roughly and pulled her into his arms, needing to feel her, to hold her. She went willingly, her arms wrapping around him tightly. The horrors he had dealt with the past few weeks still ran through his mind, and he buried his head in her hair, breathing in her scent, trying to chase away all the demons that plagued him.

Brennan held on to him, feeling his body slowly relax in her arms. Wordlessly, she led him to the sofa, sitting and pulling him down with her. He sat back, and she leaned against him, laying her head down on his chest and once again wrapping her arms around him.

Sighing, Booth closed his eyes and leaned his head back. He was exhausted, physically and mentally, and he felt like he could stay this way forever.

They sat that way, each taking comfort in the others arms, both silent except for the beating of their hearts.

BBB

Booth woke to the warmth of the sunlight bathing his face. Turning his head, he looked down at Brennan, her head resting lightly on his chest, one arm snaked around his back, the other curled up beside her face. He sat there for a few minutes, content with just watching her, and he quietly thanked God that he had been able to keep his promise, and come back to her.

Not wanting to wake her, he gently shifted her weight off him and lay her down on the sofa, wincing at the slight twinge of pain from the recently broken ribs he had suffered at the hands of his captors. She sighed but didn't wake, and he laid the blanket that was lying at the end of the sofa over her. Rising, he grabbed his bag and made his way down the hall and into the bedroom.

BBB

Brennan slowly opened her eyes, a slow feeling of contentment washing over her. She sighed, sitting up and stretching before the memories of the night before came rushing back to her. Seeing Booth in the lab, the relief she had felt; the kiss. Coming back here, and falling asleep in his arms…

She stood suddenly, her contentment turning to fear as she realized she was alone. It couldn't have been a dream… Her heart beating loudly in her chest, Brennan made her way down the hall to his bedroom.

She paused in the doorway. Booth was standing by the bed, his back to her, the box of letters in his hands. "Booth…"

He turned to her, and for once she couldn't read the expression in his deep brown eyes. "I never meant for you to read these."

His words tore at her heart. "They…they sent your things home. Since the letters were addressed to me…" Her voice was soft, but inside, she felt her heart break. "I thought that you wrote them to me…"

"Temperance…" He made his way to her. "I meant everything I wrote to you. I just never wanted you to have to read them." His hand reached up and gently brushed her face. "I…I wanted to tell you in person. To look into your eyes, to see your face when I told you that I love you. To make sure you knew just how much I need you."

Her face softened at his words, and her eyes involuntarily filled with tears. "Booth, I…"

His hand slid down her arm, and he took her hand, slowly pulling her closer. "I never wanted to admit it…these feelings I had for you. For two years, I fought it, denied the attraction that was always there, close to the surface. Then I had to leave, and you came to me…" His voice trailed off.

Brennan looked at him for a moment, then brushed her tears away and moved toward the bedside table. Pulling the drawer open, she reached in and pulled out a leather bound journal. She turned back and wordlessly handed it to him.

"What is this?" Booth looked at her, confusion in his eyes. "I don't understand…"

"I'm not good at this. I…I don't know how to express my feelings…at least not face to face. I'm much better at the written word." She gestured toward the journal. "I wrote it down….everything, since you've been gone. I want you to read it."

"Temperance…"

She shook her head. "I need you to know. I tried to tell you, when I came here that night, the night you left…"

"Shhh." Booth placed his fingers on her lips to silence her. "You don't have to say anything."

Brennan shook her head. "Yes…I do." She turned away, unable to look at him. "I have to say this. I should have said it a long time ago."

Her voice was so quiet, he almost didn't hear the words. "Temperance…"

She took a deep breath, then turned back to him. "I…" She willed the words to come to her, but she just couldn't say them. "This is why I wanted you to read the journal…"

Laying the journal on the bedside table, Booth reached for her once more, pulling her close. "I know," he whispered, lightly touching his lips to hers.

The kiss was soft, sweet, but she felt the love and passion in that gentle kiss. Pulling back slightly, she looked up into his eyes, and in them she found the courage to say the words she never thought she would ever say to anyone again. "I love you," she whispered.

Booth felt his heart soar at her words, and all the pain and anguish of the past ten months were washed away, and all that was left was a feeling of contentment. He opened his mouth to repeat the words back to her, but before he could speak, her lips were on his, her hands sliding up his back and around his neck, pulling him closer, and he lost himself in her arms.

BBB

Okay, sorry to stop there, but as I said, I am having problems with the smut, and I didn't want you to wait any longer….you've all been so wonderfully patient! I have already started the next, and last chapter, and it has smut, so just be patient for a bit longer! I love you all, and thanks so much for all your reviews, it's been awesome, and a bit overwhelming!