He followed the doctor through a few halls to a private room. The doctor opened the door slowly and peaked in.

"Yeah, it looks like she's sleeping right now. But you should go sit with her. She's asked for you every time she's woken up" Booth nodded and the doctor extended her arm, opening the door enough for Booth to walk in and closed it behind her.

Booth stared at her a few feet from the foot of her hospital bed. She looked exhausted. But peaceful, to his surprise. Her heart monitor beeped rhythmically and an IV hung above her. He slowly walked over next to her bed. He pushed some hair out of her face with his finger before kissing her forehead. A tear fell from his eye and hit her cheek. Booth rolled his eyes to himself and wiped it away, which caused her to stir. She shifted slightly, her eyes were still closed

"Where's Booth? I need Booth" She spoke calmly, tired. Booth waited.

She blinked a few times and opened her eyes. She looked up at him, squinting.

"Booth?" she said groggily.

"Hey, beautiful. Welcome back" She smiled as best she could.

"You're here…" She tried to sit up but winced at the pain in her legs.

"No, no. Don't sit up" He pulled up a chair and sat beside her bed and took her hand in both of his. Her eyes were fully open now and they smiled at each other "How do you feel?"

"Better that I'm with you. Better that I can breath. Better that I'm not dead. At least I don't think I am" Booth chuckled.

"You're not" He kissed her hand "I'm sorry, Bones. You shouldn't be lying in this bed right now"

"I'm alive, Booth. That's all that matters. I'm alive and he's dead. We don't have to worry anymore"

"But still"

"But still what?"

"It's my fault. I could have stopped it. I shouldn't have let you drive off alone, I shouldn't have forced you to go to the interrogation… if I hadn't-"

"Stop, Booth" She forced herself to sit up despite Booth's objections. She moved over and gestured Booth to sit beside her.

"You sure?" Booth cocked his eyebrows.

"Please?" She mirrored his expression.

Booth stood up and carefully sat down next to her. She leaned forward, wanting him to put his arm behind her so she could rest against him. He did so, and she fell back. He wrapped his arm around her and gently ran his fingernails up and down her back. She closed her eyes. He put his other hand on her cheek and held her head against his chest, kissing the top of her head. When he removed his hand, she held it.

"Booth, this is not you're fault. Do not tell me it's your fault ever again because it's not. I don't want you to think like that anymore" She spoke seriously.

"But-"

"No, Booth. No buts. No objections. It's not your fault. It's no one's fault but his" Booth inhaled shakily and held her tighter "So what did the doctor tell you?"

"That you're going to be fine. That you're very lucky and that you're very strong. All stuff I already knew" He closed his eyes as well and stroked the top of her hand with his thumb "You just need time to relax and heal" She groaned. Booth chuckled.

"But I don't need much time… I'll be fine, I-"

"Stop, Bones"

"But-"

"No, Bones. No buts. No objections" He shook her very lightly, playfully. They both laughed. He lowered his head and she lifted hers and they brightly smiled at each other. Their smiles weakened at the same time, but never fully disappeared before they kissed each other. They kissed a few dozen times.

"I love you, Bones. I was so afraid I was going to lose you" He sniffled and she clutched his tshirt in her hand when he did. She shifted her head so her forehead was rested against his chest and her hand was parallel to it.

"I was afraid I would never see you again" She spoke through a small cry. Booth wrapped both his arms around her shoulders and back "I was… afraid I would never get the chance to tell you I'm sorry"

"For what?" He chuckled through his crying. What could she possibly be sorry for?

"For everything I've put you through. I was afraid I would never get the chance to say… how much… I love you and how… sorry I am for telling you I need more time. I don't want to waste anymore time"

"Then we won't" He ran his fingers through her hair, still holding her tight with his other arm. They were silent for a few minutes, breathing heavily together, calming away their crying. Brennan shifted her head so her cheek was rested against his chest again.

"What did you think about?" Booth asked randomly.

"What?"

"What did you think about? When you were in that cellar" Brennan was confused.

"Why are you asking me that?"

"Because, Bones. They're the thoughts… The thoughts in a process that changes who we are, what we think about others, how we live our lives"

"You already know"

"Not everything. You know that" Brennan took a minute to think.

"I thought about… I thought about what things would be like. What things would be like if we were together. I mean together, together. With no doubts and real commitment. What our life would be like. I thought about it while he hurt me. About… How I knew you would find me. About my trust and faith in you. It took some of the pain away" Booth felt a tear escape from his eye. The thought and memory of him doing what he did to her kept bringing him down. He exhaled shakily.

"Hey," She shook him a little "Look at me" He looked into her eyes "I'm fine. Please, know that. I'm fine" She spoke softly, comfortingly.

"It just hurts me to know he could hurt you like that and not feel anything. Not care"

"I know, Booth. But I'll be okay. As long as I have you, nothing else matters… I'm safe. I feel safe" He kissed her forehead and then her temple. She laid her head back down "What did you think about? While I was missing"

"When I realized it, I couldn't breath. I didn't know what to think. Later, when we were waiting I thought about what we've already been through. Since we first met. How far we've come. About how much I wanted to hold you and tell you that everything is okay and that I love you… And I got that" They both laughed. She looped her arm under his and back up so her hand rested on his shoulder from behind, hugging him closer to her. They both closed their eyes.

"So… let's just stop all this back and forth. Forget the obstacles. Just be together?"

"I'm down with that" Without opening his eyes, he lowered his head again and rested his forehead against hers and kissed her, more passionately that ever before, putting all his love and affection for her into it, and she did the same.

"Awwwh!" A chorus of voices sang and Brennan and Booth looked up, surprised.

"How long have you guys been here?" Booth asked, not letting go of Brennan.

"Since 'forget the obstacles'" Sweets laughed.

"How are you, Sweetie?" Angela ran up to stand beside the bed and put her hand on Brennan's shoulder.

"My legs hurt a bit, and my back somewhat. But somehow I feel perfect" She looked at Booth and winked. They laughed and Angela kissed her on the cheek.

"Well we all want you to rest as long as you need to. Heal up completely"

"Don't worry, we've already discussed that" Booth chuckled "She's not doing anything until she's 100 percent" Brennan groaned but half-heartedly. She appreciated how much he cared for her. He pecked her once on the lips.

"You two just look incredible together. Even more perfect than I imagined" Angela squealed quietly. Everyone else gathered around the bed and carefully hugged and kissed the couple before the doctor came in.

"All right everyone, visiting hours are over and Doctor Brennan needs her rest. Out, out out" Everyone laughed and waved to Brennan and Booth as they exited.

"Well you two look comfortable," All three of them laughed "Mr. Booth, you're obviously welcome to stay with her if you'd like to"

"I'm not going anywhere" He smiled at Brennan. And the doctor chuckled.

"All righty, then. We'll keep you guys here over night and we'll check her condition tomorrow. I think we'll most likely be able to discharge you tomorrow and, Mr. Booth, I'm leaving her in your care. She needs to stay on bed rest for two days minimum. The bruising and swelling should be almost completely healed by then and it will give the fractures a chance to heal a good amount. If you still can't stand on your own by then, give it another day or two. It would be best for someone to always be at home with her" Booth could sense Brennan cringing.

"Got it, thanks doc" Booth rubbed Brennan's arm and patted it.

"You're a very lucky woman, Doctor Brennan"

"Thank you, I know I am" She smiled and the doctor left "Did you hear all that? Bed rest for up to four days? Someone always taking care of me?" Booth tilted his head at her and widened his eyes.

"Now, Bones, what did we talk about?" She groaned and he laughed.

"It's going to be okay, all right? I'll make it fun for you"

"How so?"

"Well it'll be like a super long slumber party. We'll get to hang out, talk, play games, watch movies, for like… ever" She groaned again but smiled after. She somewhat liked the idea.

"But what about work?"

"I'll call in sick. Or just tell them I'm looking after you. I'm not going to work until you're back to normal" He kissed the side of her head. She closed her eyes "I think you should get some rest now" She sunk deeper into his grasp around her.

"I agree" They were silent and she started to drift off "Booth?" her voice was almost silent.

"Hmm?"

"I love you"

"I love you too, babe"

They both fell asleep quickly.