A/N OK guys, this is the last chapter I have written up. From now on i'll be writing as I go , so i'm not sure when the next one will be up.

As always, let me know what you think :)

Chapter 25

Brennan stared at Booth, taking in the expression on his face. He looked...broken. She raised her hand to cup his cheek and he turned his face into her hand, raising his hand to grip her wrist lightly, as if to ensure her hand didn't move. It didn't escape their notice that they had been in a similar position when they were at the club, but both hoped that this time it ended differently. They stood like that for a few minutes before Booth pulled away. He moved his hand so that it curled around hers and pulled her slowly towards the couch. Brennan sent him a questioning glance but he only smiled sadly in return. He sat down and gave a light tug on her hand, silently asking her to join him.

When they were both settled down, their bodies turned slightly so that they were facing each other, Booth let go of Brennan. He ran a hand through his hair absentmindedly as he tried to figure out where to start.

"Bones I...we...God i don't know!" he burst out in frustration.

"Don't know what?" Brennan asked softly.

Booth turned his tortured gaze to her.

"How to fix this," he waved a hand between them. "Us" he said sadly.

Brennan laid a hand softly onto his knee, causing Booth to glance down at where her hand rested.

"Booth" she began hesitantly "I...I'm sorry too. So sorry. I mean I never...I didn't...I" she paused in frustration, trying to gather her thoughts. She knew she was lacking in the social skills to effectively navigate the coming conversation, but it wasn't going to stop her from trying. She had so much to say to him...she just wasn't sure how.

She started again.

"I'm sorry about tonight...about Andrew..." At the sound of the other man's name Booths gaze flew up to hers, and Brennan took in the way his gaze hardened as he shifted his knee away from her hand slightly. She didn't think he was even aware of the movement but she noticed. "I just...need you to know that...I never should have..." she paused again, and Booth could see she was beginning to get upset at her inability to communicate what she wanted. His gaze softened and this time he placed his hand on her knee, giving it a comforting squeeze.

"I only went out with him because of Lillian!" Brennan burst out in a rush. She looked almost surprised at her own outburst, and refused to meet Booth's eyes. Now she knew their past she understood but...the hurt still lingered. She took a moment to steady herself, and then turned to look at Booth. She was unable to decipher his expression, but thought it looked like...guilt?

"I just...i saw the way you were together. She knew who I was, you'd never mentioned her. Then you made me think that you were...intimate together and I was...I was jealous." Brennan had kept eye contact with Booth, but at that last declaration, she lowered her eyes, almost as if she were ashamed of the emotion.

There was silence between the two, before Brennan felt a slight shift in movement from beside her. She sensed Booth moving closer to her, and then his hand came up to cup her face before turning her head towards him.

"Temperance" he began softly "Temperance, look at me" She gave a soft shake of the head. "Please" he whispered. At the sound of his soft plea Brennan slowly raised her eyes to his, and her breath caught at the intensity in his gaze. "I need you to understand...there is nothing other than friendship between us. She's my oldest friend and I'm sorry...so sorry for making you think otherwise. I was angry with you and it just...it got out of hand and I wish I could take it back...but i can't. Just...please believe me when I say I'm sorry."

Brenna could see the sincerity in his face...she could hear it in his voice, but she still had one more thing she needed to ask.

"Booth...I believe you. I do. We talked and...I now understand. But..." she paused when she saw the look of confusion on his face. "What Booth?"

"You talked?" he questioned. She sent him a hesitant nod. "When?" he asked.

"Just...the day she looked after Parker. She came to see me at the Jeffersonian...I assumed you knew?" Brennan said.

"Nope...that's news to me but, ok...it doesn't really matter now. So you talked and...you understand? What exactly did she say?" Booth queried lightly, but even Brennan could see that he was looking slightly worried.

"Just about her past...your past together...nothing to be so worried about Booth! It helped...it really did but..."

"But?" Booth asked slowly.

"There's just one thing I need to ask...I know it shouldn't bother me but I...need an answer." Brennan stated firmly.

She saw Booth visibly swallow, and decided to get rid of the...elephant in the room. At least she thought it was an elephant...possibly a rhinoceros. She shook her head at the ridiculous thought and went back to her previous though.

"Look Booth it has nothing to do with you two having sex. That doesn't bother me." Brennan said briskly, hoping to get on with what she really wanted to ask.

"It doesn't" Booth said hopefully, but frowned after a moment. "It doesn't? At all?" he said, unsure whether he wanted it to bother her or not.

"Of course not. It was a long time. It would be like you being bothered by every man I've ever had sex with. Ridiculous!" Brennan finished with a smile in his direction, hoping to have ended that conversation.

Booth continued to frown. He couldn't help the dark thought that crossed his mind that he was jealous of every man she'd ever slept with...but he had no intention of letting her know that. He wasn't in the mood for the 'alpha male' lecture. Things were just starting to look up for them...he didn't want to ruin it. He glanced at Brennan to see her staring at him, so he sent her a small smile to indicate she could continue. Brennan was relieved that that conversation was out of the way so she could ask him the one thing that was...worrying her, but now that it came to actually saying it she was unsure how to start. She decided that she'd just stick to her normal brutal honesty.

"Why did you never tell me about Lillian?"

The change in direction threw Booth, and he took a moment to respond.

"Honestly...I don't know. After Lillian left things were...awkward between us. She was still going through some stuff...so was I...the distance was good. And eventually we got back to being 'us'. Not soon after she left...I met you, and we both know how that went. So when I wanted you...when I hated you...I never said anything. When we became friends...when our relationship...deepened...I know I probably should have told you about her. It just...never really crossed my mind. I mean...I didn't think she'd come home. I hoped she would but deep down...I didn't expect her to come back. Ever. So I suppose I didn't feel that I needed to tell you. I didn't think your paths would ever cross and it seemed pointless to tell you about someone you would never meet. And I suppose I thought...you wouldn't want to know."

Brennan had been listening intently to what he was saying, but gave him a confused look at that last sentence.

"Why wouldn't I care? She's important to you so...I would care Booth." She finished softly, slightly hurt that he didn't know this.

"I know you care about me Bones but...you're always saying we're just partners...just friends. I didn't want to tell you and have you...not care. If I told you about her it would be important and I didn't want you to dismiss it...as one of those things that I didn't need to tell you as we're just partners." Booth finished off, and glanced at Brennan to see her reaction.

She stayed silent for a while, thinking over everything Booth had said. She was silent for so long that Booth began to move uneasily, afraid that he had hurt her again. Brennan began to think back over past moments they had had and she began to understand just what he meant. She didn't think she would have responded that way...but she could understand his fear of it.

"I understand Booth." She said softly, causing Booth to smile in relief. Brennan returned his smile but it didn't quite meet her eyes, which Booth noticed.

"Bones? Are you sure?" Booth questioned, moving closer to her.

Brennan nodded.

"I am...I am...I suppose I was just worried."

"About?"

"I thought that maybe...you didn't want us to meet...that you were worried I might embarrass you. Or you were ashamed. I know I'm bad in social situations and after meeting Lillian I can see she is the opposite of me." Brennan spoke quietly, causing Booth to move even closer so he could hear her.

When he fully understood what she was saying, he sat still in shock for a moment, unable to believe what she said. Suddenly, he stood up sharply from the sofa and started to pace...muttering to himself. He was speaking quickly and to himself, meaning Brennan struggled to hear exactly what he was saying.

"I can't believe she...I'd never...she'd never...I should have told...she was right...idiot..." Booth continued to pace and mutter to himself before he turned sharply, and walked back to Brennan, before coming to kneel in front of her, so that he was almost on eye level with her. He clasped her hands in his.

"Bones...God, Bones. I could never be ashamed of you...never! And embarrassed? Yeah you embarrass me sometimes...but I embarrass Parker...Angela embarrasses everyone." He smiled as he said this, and Brennan's lips twitched as she acknowledged the truth of this statement.

"And I'm sorry again Bones...that you would think that..." he paused and just looked at Brennan, causing her to shift uncomfortably. He continued to caress her with his gaze, and lifted one of his hands to tuck a stray bit of hair behind her ear.

"Bones" he began softly. He waited for her eyes to meet his before continuing. "I need to tell you something. Something important that I should have told you a long time ago, and I need you to just listen. I don't want you to respond straight away...just listen. Can you do that for me?" he asked gently.

Brennan saw the utmost seriousness in his eyes and she nodded slowly, knowing that this moment between them was important...just not sure exactly how.

"Bones...Temperance...I love you...I am in love with you and I think...I think that you care for me too. More than you know. And I need you to know that I'm not going anywhere...ever. You're it for me Bones, I can't see past you and I don't want to. You're my future and I'd like to think that I could be yours too." Booth said, watching Brennan intently for any sign of how she was reacting to his declaration...declarations.

Brennan stayed silent and just looked at Booth, taking in the sincerity in his eyes...the sincerity in his voice. She went to speak but Booth cut her off.

"No Bones please...don't say anything. Just think it over. I don't want to rush you ...I know I..."

Booth never got to finish his sentence as he was cut off by a pair of lips landing softly on his mouth. He froze for a moment before returning her kiss gently, getting lost in the feeling of her lips on his. Too soon for Booth's liking Brennan pulled back, and Booth slowly opened his eyes to see her smiling softly at him.

"Booth, I think..." she paused momentarily "I know that you're my future too...it's irrational and illogical but...I know you are. I just...I don't know where we go from here. I've never been this person...I've never been in love before and I'm not sure what to do. And I always know what to do!" She finished off in frustration, her annoyance at herself for her lack of knowledge clear. She glanced at Booth hoping for some clarification on what they did next, and was surprised to see him grinning like a fool at her, looking like he had no idea what she'd just asked.

"You love me?" he asked softly, before his grin widened even further and he stood up pulling her with him. He cupped he face in his hands and stared down at her, allowing all the love he felt to shine through his eyes. "You love me!" he declared ecstatically before pulling her into a tight hug. He clung to her for a moment, before pulling back to look down at her.

"As for the rest of it Bones...it doesn't matter. No one knows what to do...we'll figure it out together. I mean...I'm the heart guy and you're a genius? What can't we do?" he declared happily.

His happiness was infectious, and Brennan couldn't stop the grin that came over her face. She knew that not everything was perfect...that they still had thing to discuss but this...this moment...it made everything else fade into the background. She was brought out of her internal musings by the sound of Booth's voice.

"Stay with me tonight." Booth said quickly. "I mean I'll take the couch, you have my bed. Just stay."

Booth's eyes pleaded with her to agree.

"Booth I'll stay...but you're not sleeping on the couch. Not with your back." Booth went to protest but Brennan silenced him with her next words. "And neither am I. It's a big bed...i'm sure we could sleep comfortably together." Brennan ended her decision with a sexy smirk in Booth's direction.

"Ummm, are you sure that's a good idea Bones?" he spluttered out.

"Of course Booth. Why wouldn't it be?" she asked with a smile.

"Just...no reason Bones...none what so ever." Booth said resignedly, recognizing that look on her face. She wasn't going to take no for an answer.

"Would you have a top I can borrow Booth? Something I could sleep in?" Brennan asked sweetly, enjoying the dumbfounded look on his face.

"Ummm...yeah...sure...I'll just go..." he pointed towards his bedroom "get one for you" he said and went to leave.

"I might as well come with you." Brennan said with a giggle and moved to follow him.

Booth sent her a mock glare, knowing she was enjoying teasing him. He couldn't find it in himself to be annoyed though... he was just glad they were ok again after...everything.

They walked silently towards Booth's room, enjoying the comfortable silence between them. As they entered his room the silence between them altered slightly...neither of them could prevent their eyes from flicking towards the bed as they walked past it. Booth came to a stop in front of his chest of drawers and pulled it open. He searched quickly through a few of his shirts before pulling a plain black one out.

"It's an old one...very big so you should be...properly covered up." He said with an awkward smile.

"I'm not too worried." Brennan said with a smile as she grabbed the top and sauntered into his ensuite to get changed.

Booth waited for the door to close before letting out a heavy sigh.

"It's not you I'm worried about." He mumbled with a wry smile.

While Brennan was getting changed, Booth wandered around his apartment making sure everything was locked up. He re-entered his bedroom just as Brennan was leaving his bathroom and froze at the sight of her. His shirt grazed the top of her legs, leaving him with an unobstructed view of her long, slender legs. His eyes travelled slowly up her body, taking in the way she wore his shirt. His eyes finally made their way to her face, to see her smirking at him.

"See anything you like Booth?" she asked huskily, revelling in the way his eyes had darkened as they travelled her body.

Booth snapped out of his Bones-induced haze and grinned wolfishly at her.

"Always Bones." He said with a wink, and made his way to his bathroom, laughing at the way Brennan's eyes had widened at his bold statement.

When Brennan heard the door closed behind her, she made her way slowly over to his bed. She pulled back his cover and climbed slowly in. She may have given off a very good impression of being comfortable with this situation to Booth but deep down...she was incredibly nervous. They were straying into new territory and she was afraid that one wrong move would ruin everything. She slowly got herself settled, lying back so her head was resting on the pillow. She turned her face slightly and breathed in, smiling as she smelt Booth's familiar scent. She'd deny it if asked, but she found it...comforting. She heard a flush coming from the bathroom, and quickly averted her head so she was lying normally. She glanced towards the bathroom as the door swung open and her eyes widened slightly before narrowing in on Booth as he walked towards the bed. Her eyes took in his bare legs and made their way up to his boxers, widening slightly at the...close fit they made to his body. She dragged her eyes away and brought them to rest on his chest, allowing them to linger before forcing herself to look at his face, hoping her slight detour had gone unnoticed.

Booth's lips had curved up slightly in a smirk in acknowledgement of the way her eyes had caressed his body, but the look in his eyes was serious. Brennan's eyes fell to his arm which was extended towards her, holding something out for her to take.

"You left this in the bathroom" he said softly before dropping what he held onto the bed gently. He then turned and made his way to the other side of the bed, easing himself slowly in.

As he did so Brennan glanced down at the object on her bed, realising it was her dress from the evening. She'd obviously left it in the bathroom when she had changed, but the effect it had had in Booth's mood confused her. She felt him settle in the bed next to her and turned to face him after laying her dress on the floor. She didn't think she'd be wearing it again anytime soon.

"Everything ok, Booth?" she queried softly.

"Yes...no" he said, leaving Brennan even more confused. Booth glanced at her. "I need to ask you one thing...just one. OK?" he asked.

Brennan could see that this was important to him so he nodded her head slowly, sending him a soft smile of encouragement.

"Why did you where that dress? Tonight of all nights." He asked bluntly, looking her straight in the eye.

The question took her by surprise. Of all the things she had expected that hadn't even occurred to her.

"Well...Angela picked it really. She found it in the back of my closet and asked me where I'd got it." She said quietly, unsure of how important her answer was.

"What did you tell her?" he asked quietly.

"That I got it in Vegas with you. That you chose it."

"And she told you to wear it?" Booth asked in surprise. He couldn't imagine Angela would tell her to wear it on a date with Hacker, especially knowing the story behind her.

"Yeah. She said it was perfect. Why? Don't you like it anymore?" Brennan asked, genuinely confused.

"Like it? I love it...but it's our dress Bones. Mine and yours...Tony's and Roxie's...not his" Booth said with a sneer at the end.

"I'm sorry Booth...I am ...I didn't realise...but I wanted...needed to wear it. I didn't wear it to please him...I wore it to please me." Brennan said, looking at Booth to see if he understood. At his blank look she sighed, knowing she wasn't being clear.

"3 years ago...in Vegas...when I wore that dressed...I felt different. Wonderfully different...I could be someone else...someone free...comfortable in her own skin and I wanted to...after our argument I needed to feel that. Can you understand that Booth? It wasn't about you...or Hacker...it was about me. The way you looked at me...the heat that was in your eyes for a moment...I wanted to remember that." She said, willing him to understand.

Booth stayed silent for a moment, taking in her earnest face that was almost begging him to understand. He shifted so that he was closer to her and led back, before glancing back at her. He reached over to grab her arm and slowly brought her closer to him until he had her lying back, nestled against his side.

"I understand Bones. I'm sorry you felt like that but maybe...you won't need it now?" he said softly.

Brennan turned her face up to meet his eyes and smiled softly.

"I won't Booth."

Booth smiled at her confirmation and pulled her tighter against him, his hand resting on her hip.

They lay there in silence for a moment, both of them basking in the joy of being able to be with each other in this way. Booth glanced down at Bones and he smiled, seeing the way her eyes were drooping as she desperately tried to stay awake. He kissed her softly on the head, causing her to glance up and him.

"Goodnight Bones" he whispered.

She smiled sleepily at him and pulled his face towards her, laying a soft kiss on his lips.

"Goodnight Booth."