He who cannot light a fire knows nothing about love.

- Finnish Proverb

As soon as Angela was gone, Booth paced over to Brennan and placed his hands around her waist, pressing a kiss against her forehead. Brennan's mouth slid into a warm smile and she wrapped her arms around his neck, receiving the kiss that he dusted her lips with readily. "You don't have to be brave all of the time," Booth whispered, rubbing the tips of their noses together.

Brennan's eyes welled up once more and he wiped away the tears that slipped down her face with his thumbs. "There's not much use in moping," Brennan replied quietly, clearing her throat, "though it seems that I haven't been doing much of anything else today." Booth shook his head at her slowly, stroking her cheek.

"You aren't moping, Bones. You're human, believe it or not, and sadness is part of the package that we all come with." Brennan's tears ceased as he proceeded. "You can borrow some of my stripy socks if you like. They always do the trick when I need to brighten up my day." Brennan couldn't help but smile, a shimmer of laughter escaping her, but her expression soon reverted back to one of a solemn nature.

Booth's voice deepened. "Bones, I know that you realise your concerns about Angela and me having a relationship were illogical because of their nature alone, but do you see that it's more than just the principle of it that makes it unthinkable?" Brennan frowned in confusion.

"I don't understand what you are alluding to," Brennan stated, searching Booth's eyes. They were full of comfort and warmth.

"I mean that even if Angela wasn't your best friend, I'd still have no interest in dating her," Booth explained. Brennan felt as if the pressure in her chest was starting to reduce as she listened to his words, daring to hope that at least one person in her life wasn't going to let her down.

"You're the only one that I want, Bones, and if you aren't ready for a relationship right now then I'll wait as long as you need. Nothing is going to make me change my mind about that." Brennan's eyes were once again home to a swelling of droplets and she mentally cursed herself, blaming recent events for the vulnerable side that seemed to be taking over.

Brennan ran the tips of her fingers over his jaw, feeling the light brush of stubble that was beginning to show. She realised then that he probably hadn't been to his apartment since the fire. "Do you think we could have a nap before we eat, Booth? I just want to get a little rest first," she whispered, twining their hands together.

He noticed that she had not yet responded to his statement but he decided not to push her. She would talk about it when she was ready, if that time ever came. "Sure. Do you want me to get dinner started while you get some shut eye?" Brennan shifted her weight between her feet.

"I would prefer it if you came with me. Just in case," Brennan mumbled, averting her gaze. She needed him there to keep the nightmares away. Booth knew that it wasn't the time to tease her about the monsters that might be lurking under her bed, and instead allowed her to escort him down the hall in silence.

She was already dressed in comfortable clothing so for her the transition into bed was easy, whereas Booth had to remove his belt buckle before climbing beneath the covers next to her. He left the customary space between them, brushing the back of his finger delicately along the edge of her burned face. Brennan opened her mouth to speak but then changed her mind, rolling over so that her back was facing him.

Booth sensed that she was retreating once again and he couldn't bear to let her. "Are you sure you want to pass up on the offer of those socks?" Booth smirked, his heart dancing at her expression of happiness as she turned back to him.

"I think I might accept actually," Brennan giggled, clasping a hand over her mouth as the rare sound escaped. Booth waggled his eyebrows at her.

"Your wish is my command." He laughed, pulling himself up and hurrying to find his travel bag. As soon as Booth got up, Brennan felt a pang of loss that she couldn't shake, even though his absence only lasted a few moments. He returned in no time, having located the items in record speed.

Booth threw the socks at Brennan before jumping back onto the mattress, causing Brennan to glare at him. "Your actions are extremely juvenile at times," she protested, though her face gave way to no real signs of annoyance.

Booth poked a finger at her and then waved it in front of her face. "Admit it; you love it when I'm juvenile." Their eyes locked on the word 'love' and Brennan's cheeks tinged pink.

"I will do no such thing," she exclaimed, breaking eye contact as she wiggled her toes into the socks. Once they were on properly she snuggled back into position, seeking refuge in Booth's arms.

He was surprised at her actions but grinned, delighting in the feeling of holding her again. Brennan faced him, running her tongue along her lower lip. "I'm glad that you express no interest in dating Angela," Brennan mumbled. She gripped the fabric of his sweater loosely. "I would hate that."

His smile widened at her confession and he pulled her even closer to him. "Didn't you once tell me that jealousy was a pointless emotion?" His breath sent those familiar shivers whizzing down her spine.

"It seems that I am not completely in control of my feelings," Brennan stated hesitantly. Booth chuckled, rubbing circles along her back.

"Don't worry. It's just the effect that I have on people." He tried to charm smile her but she was having none of it.

"Seeley Booth, would you like me to exit the bed to make room for your overinflated ego?" Brennan muttered crossly. Booth leaned forward and kissed the wrinkle that had appeared on her brow.

"Come on, Bones. You know I'm only kidding. It's not something you need to be ashamed of," Booth informed her, angling her face with a hooked finger to ensure his words were being listened to. "Besides, I think you're kind of cute when your envy is on show." Brennan shook her head at Booth, sighing.

Booth was shocked that she didn't argue against his remark but as he glanced at her face he realised that she was deep in thought. "Hey, Earth to Bones," he teased, snapping his fingers. She was startled out of her reverie and she blushed again.

"Sorry. Did you want something?" Brennan could feel his muscles flexing beneath her fingertips and her breath lodged in her throat.

"Nope, I just don't want you thinking too hard. You'll give yourself a headache." Brennan closed her eyes and then opened them again slowly. She decided to let his disregard for scientific fact slide for the time being.

The hand that was caressing her back stilled for a moment, though Booth did not remove it. "I'm not sure that this is the right time to be telling you this but I think you need to hear it. Please just hear me out and try not to bolt the second I start to speak," Booth requested, his chocolate eyes exposing his fear.

Brennan gulped, if he thought there was a chance that she would run then she assumed this was something important about their relationship. She nodded uncertainly, attempting to disguise the concern that threatened to appear on her features.

"I know you say that human beings aren't designed for monogamy, but that jealousy you felt? That's your heart telling you that it doesn't care about anthropological mumbo jumbo. Don't get me wrong, Bones, I respect what you do unquestionably, but sometimes… sometimes you need to put your heart into overdrive," Booth professed, his heart beating rapidly. His body exuded warmth that was intoxicating to Brennan.

"I meant what I said about being willing to wait, Bones, I'll wait for the rest of my life if that's what it takes. No one else will ever be enough for me, don't you see that? No one else could make me happy. I'm in love with you; I have been since pretty much day one actually. It's okay if you don't feel that way yet, or if the words never come. I love you, and whatever you give will be enough. I don't care if that makes me sound ridiculously sentimental. I just need you to know that to me, you're infallible. That's why this," he paused, leaning forward to press feather light kisses onto Brennan's wound, "might as well be invisible to me."

By the end of the speech, Brennan was trembling in his arms, and though she had remained silent throughout the duration, its ending came with a tidal wave of emotions. Her body folded in his arms and her thin frame was racked with heart-wrenching sobs that made it difficult for Booth to maintain his balance, even though they were both lying down. "You really aren't going to leave?" Brennan sniffed, tears now unabashedly flowing down her face. It sounded as if his words were finally sinking in.

"I'm here to stay, Bones," he assured her. Her arms moved from their location on his torso to the back of his neck and then she was pulling him forward, seizing his lips with hers. They exchanged slow, sweet kisses until her weeping eventually subsided.

"I want to try," she whispered, smiling when she saw the grin that took hold of his face. "This area is not my speciality, however. You may have to be patient in teaching me how to adapt to a relationship format." He felt like the happiest man alive, knowing that his Bones was willing to take a chance with him.

"I don't think you need to worry about that, Bones. After all, you do have a 'disturbingly steep learning curve'." They both laughed and Booth was relieved beyond everything else that she was no longer crying. "How about we actually have a go at that nap now?" Brennan nodded, tucking her head into the groove between his head and shoulder.

Just before sleep consumed both of them, Booth pressed a kiss into Brennan's hair. "We are never going to get around to making dinner," he mumbled, and the smile that Brennan formed at his words lasted until she woke.

A/N: Sorry it took a while, everyone! Things have been really bad at the moment and I'm trying not to cave under the pressure, so writing has to come second I am very sad to say. Even so, I really enjoyed this chapter even if it is completely corny. There are a few more chapters left to go, I don't have the entire story planned and am just taking it as it comes really, though I have an ending in mind. So, it just depends on how things work out as to how long it ends up being.

I do hope you enjoyed the chapter because it is so hard to get the characters right. I think this chapter is very out of character but I love it anyway.

Please review, darlings. I'd really like to hear from you because life sure feels lonely right now.
XXX