AN: My thanks to LiTTleMiSSmOOny for reminding me about this awesome song from Tom Cochrane/Rascal Flatts which works so well. Don't get me wrong I like Canada (they're America's hat) but personally like the Rascal Flatts version, if only because 'Cars' is an awesome movie. I tried to tie it in here but just couldn't do it right. Sigh. I have an unhealthy obsession with animated movies. See reference: chapter 3 God is Bigger.
Chapter 21 Life is a Highway
Life's like a road that you travel on
When there's one day here and the next day gone
"Booth! I thought we were past the depressing songs after the hospital." Temperance protested half-heartedly. The upbeat tempo was infectious and she was already smiling as her fingers kept beat on the steering wheel.
Sometimes you bend, sometimes you stand
Sometimes you turn your back to the wind
"Hey now! I'm not criticizing your driving so you leave my song selections alone." Booth reached into his shirt pocket and extracted a pair of sunglasses. Slipping them on he leaned back and sang along.
"There's a world outside ev'ry darkened door
Where blues won't haunt you anymore
Where brave are free and lovers soar
Come ride with me to the distant shore."
"That's only because my driving is perfect." Booth raised a single eyebrow at her statement and kept his mouth shut, still wishing he was well enough to be driving the classic car.
Life is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long
If you're going my way
I wanna drive it all night long
"You do know, Booth, that we're not driving all night long. It's only a few hours to D.C."
"It's a metaphor, Bones. Just roll with it," Booth paused, feeling her confusion, "nevermind. Just enjoy the song, huh?" Temperance maneuvered the Mustang around a truck and sped past a older man in a sedan, all while listening carefully to the lyrics. Booth was keenly aware of the stares Bones was getting from other drivers and that she was blissfully unaware of this fact.
Through all these cities and all these towns
It's in my blood and it's all around
I love you now like I loved you then
This is the road and these are the hands
From Mozambique to those Memphis nights
The Khyber Pass to Vancouver's lights
Waiting for the next verse to start, Booth reached over and let his arm rest behind his partner's shoulder. Temperance jumped slightly at the gesture but soon relaxed as he sang the words, his voice low and deep.
"Knock me down get back up again
You're in my blood
I'm not a lonely man
There's no load I can't hold
Road so rough this I know
I'll be there when the light comes in
Just tell 'em we're survivors."
And the pair drove on, comfortably listening to the song, basking in the warm sun. As they left the coast it heated up and eventually Temperance shedded her sweater. The miles passed and one question plagued Booth's mind. One thing he had to know before they got any further down this road together.
Life is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long
If you're going my way
I wanna drive it all night long
"Why did you leave?" He asked suddenly, without pretense. Temperance froze, struggling to keep her eyes on the road and the increasing traffic.
"When?"
"At the hospital. Right before I woke up. Why did you leave me?" His voice was anguished.
There was a distance between you and I (between you and I)
A misunderstanding once
But now we look it in the eye
"I was leaving because I can't stand to lose you, Booth. I'm not strong enough."
"Bull."
"What?"
"That's bull and you know it." He was watching her carefully, knowing his straightforward approach could backfire. "You're the strongest woman I know. You've survived so much, Temperance. How could you let that defeat you? How could you give up… on me?" Her tears were, for the moment, hidden behind her sunglasses and she gripped the wheel tighter.
"Because I care more about you than the others. The others who have left me." She clarified.
There ain't no load that I can't hold
Road so rough this I know
I'll be there when the light comes in
Just tell 'em we're survivors
"I don't believe you," he challenged, "I know how much you love your parents, Russ." She was shaking her head adamently.
"That's different, Booth. They're my family. The only ones I've ever known, I didn't have a choice loving them. Yes, it hurt. A whole lot. But you… you I chose to care about. There was nothing telling me I had to but I chose to care. And I don't want to lose you." She reiterated.
Life is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long
If you're going my way
I wanna drive it all night long
Booth took a deep sigh, knowing how hard it was for her to admit that.
"Do you have faith in me?" He asked.
"Yes." She replied without pause, recalling her confession to Hodgins when they were buried by the Gravedigger.
"Then know that I'll always come back to you. As long as I have life in my bones, I'll come back to you, Bones."
"Okay." They both sighed heavy sighs, as the chorus repeated for the last time.
Life is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long
If you're going my way
I wanna drive it all night long
Booth could feel the mood was depressed, a problem he needed to remedy quickly. He scrolled through the MP3 player's long list of songs until he found the one he was looking for.
"Bones, I've always wanted to ask you this but remember, I'm injured so no hitting!" Temperance rolled her eyes and waited. She was not disappointed as the first lines of the song began.
She sits alone waiting for suggestions
He's so nervous avoiding all her questions.
END Chapter
AN: Katie's gonna beta the next chapter for me 'cause she's been so helpful she deserves a sneak peak. If you want the next chapter soon, bug her about it.