Adapting

As I opened my eyes I felt much better. No more chest pain. I looked over and saw Sweets, my emotions were confused between relief and disappointment.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better. No more chest pain." My voice was raspy. "Water?"

"Yeah sure." He grabbed a cup with straw and brought it to my mouth. The cool water felt gratifying. "You look much better."

"Thank you." I looked at him, he looked tired almost disheveled. "Are you alright?"

"Tempe...you totally should not be worried about me." I stared at him and he grabbed my hand. "You scared me and I felt bad that I couldn't help more." I smiled at him. It still amazed me how fond I was of him when I once found him to be very irritating.

"You are here. That helps." He smiled at me and laughed. "What?"

"That is exactly what Agent Booth said when we were waiting on news about you." I looked away for a second unsure how to respond to that bit of information. "He is still here. He is in the waiting room." I looked at him surprised. "He didn't think it was a good idea for him to be in here when you woke up in case you were still upset." he paused "Want to talk about it?"

"No. It was just an uncomfortable discussion." Sweets raised an eyebrow and stared at me.

"Seriously! That is all you are going to say...you two are frustrating." He smiled and shook his head. "Do you want me to get him?"

"Yes but I want you here too." Sweets looked surprised, but he went to get Booth. When they walked back in Booth looked relieved and uneasy.

"Bones, you alright?"

"I am fine." I looked at him daring him to continue our previous conversation. Sweets just kept looking between us waiting for us to unleash. I felt like I was in a therapy session. "I have an idea."

"Oook shoot."

"We should have the hospital release information on me and that I have not regained consciousness."

"What?" "Whoa?" Booth and Sweets both yelled.

"It is a perfect solution. Kennedy knows I saw his face. If he knows I survived, but am still unconscious he would try to smoot me out before I can talk."

"Snuff...Bones you mean snuff and no. Hell no!" Booth was angry but he wasn't being rational.

"Tempe that would be very risky, especially since you just had a set back." I shot Sweets a look to back off. "I am only concerned about you."

"I realize that, but this would protect everyone else from retaliation and potentially help us catch him." I stared at Booth. "You know I am correct. You can stay in the room with me. He would more then likely enjoy trying to take you out as well considering you foiled his last plan."

"Gee..thanks Bones." Booth just stared at me. "You have a point but it's too risky. Plus you are awake. There was never a press release about you coming in."

"We can have my publisher leak it. When the press finds out they will more then likely come here and we can have a doctor release a prepared statement by you stating my condition." I waited for Booth to say something and when he didn't I pushed. "I will not have this sitting over me or tormenting my friends. Angela does not need the stress with the baby. Hodgins needs to be around for her. Parker is at risk as well and I cannot live with that. If you don't agree, I will go above you." He looked as though I smacked him.

"Fine, you win." He was mad but I frankly didn't care. My plan was logical. "I will speak with Caroline. Sweets stay here." He turned and left.

"That was harsh." Sweets was shocked by my response. "What just happened there? There was more to that."

"I had to make him see logic. He can't just come back into my life and dictate to me what I can and cannot do."

"He is worried about you. We all are." He paused. "We need you here."

"I am not planning on going anywhere. This will work." I was confident and I knew this would spare my family anymore trauma.

BONESBONESBONESBONES

Sweets fell asleep in the chair next to my bed. I was wide awake, my thoughts running over the conversation with Booth earlier. I wanted to believe him but it petrified me.

"Bones?" Booth startled me. "I spoke with Caroline, she is leaking the information. We gave a statement to the doctor once the press showed. Now we wait."

"Good." I looked over at Sweets. "You should get him out of here to ensure he is safe."

"Sweets?" Booth tapped his shoulder and Sweets jumped up. "Whoa there Sweets, it's just me. You should head over to the Hoover and help Caroline out. I am staying here for the duration."

"Yeah ok..." Sweets rubbed his eyes and straightened his suit. "Call if you need me." His eyes locked with mine and I smiled at him.

"Bones, I am not happy about this but I hope you are right. I have limited who can come in and out of here. We are going to move you to a more secure room with less windows."

"Okay." I had nothing else to say. I was nervous, but I knew this was the correct course of action for everyone.