The room behind him had been quiet for so long, Booth was certain Bones had fallen asleep.

He wished he could do the same, if only for the peace sleep might bring him.

Booth knew he'd made a huge mistake and if Brennan left him, it would be his fault.

Again.

It seemed no matter how hard he tried, he never got it right with her.

His own fears and insecurities were driving a wedge between them this time.

Booth knew his heart rested on the other side of that closed door. She was where he belonged; he was done trying to live his life without her.

So he kept his silent vigil, waiting for any sound, any sign that might indicate she was willing to listen to him.

He heard her get up from her nap and turn the tv on in the room, but she never came to the door. If Booth was still a betting man, he would place money on Bones knowing he was sitting there, waiting for her to come out.

The idea that she skipped dinner bothered him, but he dared not to take her anything. His fear that he wouldn't have the words he needed kept Booth from opening the door.

The television went off after the evening news, both of them too stubborn to make a move to end the stalemate.

After one in the morning, Booth realized he couldn't let this happen again. The night outside the Hoover had been a disaster, a lot of it his own doing. Misunderstandings and failures to say what needed to be said had led to consequences he hadn't expected. There was no way he could allow it a second time.

He was stiff from sitting in one position for so long. It took him several minutes to unknot his muscles so he could even stand.

"Bones," he called through the closed door. He hand was on the knob, his forehead pressed to the cool wood. "Please let me in." It seemed ridiculous to ask her to open a door she couldn't lock, but Booth didn't want to barge in on her either. "I want to explain, but I don't want to do it through the door."

When no response came, Booth finally gave up on being polite and entered the room. Brennan was curled in a ball in the center of the bed, eyes closed.

"Bones," he said again, kneeling behind her and putting a hand on her shoulder. "Will you let me explain?"

Opening her eyes, Brennan looked into his brown ones and immediately started to cry again. "Not now," she whispered, turning away. "I can't talk to you now."

Her rejection stung, but he didn't back away from her. "What's wrong, Bones?" he asked, knowing it was probably him she cried over.

But she kept her back to him, continuing to cry softly.

Because it was all there. The first case when she slapped him, his fake death, her refusal to take a chance that night in front of the Hoover and, of course, Hannah. The blonde, who Brennan decided, was more enemy than friend. And if remembering just one thing had brought her to tears earlier in the week, having everything appear at once was like being hit by a truck.

They'd denied each other; claimed to be only partners when they were so much more. Her heart was open enough for him now and she hoped his was the same.

Desperate, Booth remained kneeling behind her. His hand squeezed her shoulder, offering support without words. "What's going on, Bones? Can you tell me?"

Despite the time of night, Booth could clearly see the shake of her head.

It was too much for Brennan right then. There were no words inside her head, just memories battling to be remembered.

Knowing he was running out of options, he started to talk and hoped she would listen.

"I packed the suitcase because I thought you were leaving, you had already left," he explained. "I thought you were angry with me for reading your list, for not being to explain things…for a lot of things," he said. If he kept going with the list of things she might be angry over, it would be dawn before he finished.

"I don't want you to leave, Bones. I never want you to leave. I am terrified you will walk out that door and I will never have this chance with you again."

Brennan remained with her back to him, but her crying had slowed. Booth took it as a sign she was listening and sat behind her, moving his hand to run it up and down her back.

"Please don't leave," he begged, no longer too proud to do so. "I don't want to be without you anymore. Just stay." He fell silent, not sure what else to say to her. "Please. Just stay."

When there was still no response, Booth rubbed a hand over his face and tried one more time. "I am sorry, Bones. I should have had more faith in myself, in what we have together."

Knowing she needed to say something, anything to him, Brennan took a deep breath. But she wasn't ready to deal with what he was saying to her, and what he still hadn't said. Her head hurt and her emotions were overwhelming her. She knew she needed to tell him, that her memories were back, that she was in love with him, but when she opened her mouth, none of that came out.

"Stay with me, Booth?" she asked.

Not sure if that meant she forgave him, and wondering if that's all she cried over, Booth curled himself in behind her and pulled her against his chest. He was surprised when she relaxed almost bonelessly into him.

"I expect you to unpack my suitcase," she said softly, avoiding everything. And knowing in the end, she would be able to avoid nothing.

She felt the relief rush through his body. "You'll stay?" he asked. Booth knew there was more, but for tonight, he'd give her what she needed. And if holding Bones was it, Booth was more than happy to comply.

Knowing there was a lot that needed to be said in the morning, Brennan gave him the only promise she could at that moment.

"I'll stay."