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December left and made way for the new year and Bones found herself larger than ever. At eight months she could no longer see her feet which was a good thing because they were swollen to twice their size. Her back ached constantly and when she would drift off to sleep at night, the baby would wake up and kick her under the ribs all night and use her bladder as a trampoline all day. In short, Temperance Booth was cranky and tired. Booth tried to be patient and understanding but his wife had a short fuse and it seemed that it took very little to light it.

That's why it was no surprise when the explosion occurred. For months they had been living in newlywed bliss. It was illogical to think that two people could live so close and never have an argument, even their bickering had diminished somewhat since first sharing a bed.

Bones sat on the sofa sorting their mail. The pile included everyday utilities, an anthropology magazine for her and a car magazine for Booth, a letter from Daisy Wick, and an invitation to a dig in Ecuador, scheduled for early in the summer. She read through it and gave a wistful smile. Not thinking anything else about it, she sat it on the end table before she stood to go fold the laundry.

Booth stepped through the door, happy to be done for the day. He walked to the refrigerator and grabbed a beer as he keep his ears open for any sign of his wife. Content after hearing the dryer door slam shut. He carried his beer to the sofa, twisted off the top and hit the power button on the remote. He switched from the documentary channel to the sports channel and took a long sip of his beer. Satisfied that all was well in his world, he sat his beer on the end table and propped his feet on the coffee table. When he reached for his beer again, the letter for the dig fell on the floor. He picked it up and began reading. His pulse kicked up a notch and he felt the bottom of his stomach fall as he continued to read. Bones returned to the room with a basket of folded laundry propped on her hip. She sat it on the sofa and then bent to kiss her husband on his lips. Booth's eyes looked up but he didn't respond to her kiss, confusing Bones.

"Is something wrong Booth?" Bones moved the laundry basket and sat next to him on the sofa, worried that something may have happened. Booth held the letter up accusingly and stared at his wife. Bones let out a sigh, knowing that Booth had assumed the worst.

"No Bones, nothing's wrong, except you left this laying out." Booth said in a sharp tone.

"I see. It isn't what you think." Bones placed her hand on his knee and gave it an affectionate squeeze, wanting to calm Booth before the dam broke, and she knew that given half of a chance, the dam would break because lately he had been breathing too loud, his skin was too hot, his constant hovering so annoying. She focused her thoughts on taking control and not letting her irritation feed his.

"What do I think Bones?" She fought hard not to roll her eyes.

"You think that I'm going away after Christine is born." She stated simply as she took the letter from his grasp.

"I get that it's who you are, but you can't leave while she's just a baby Bones." Bones carefully folded the letter and placed it on the table in front of them, where its glaring presence angered Booth.

"I would hope that you know me better than that Booth." Bones voice was filled with disappointment. Booth took another sip of his beer and gave his wife a thoughtful look.

"What did Daisy have to say?" He said as a way to change the subject, knowing that he had been in the wrong. Bones' ire began to grow.

"I haven't read it yet, probably more about the find on the island. The Maluku project has proven to be a bust and the entire operation has moved there. Jean Paul was quite enthusiastic about it the last time we spoke. Do you think that I'm going to be a bad mother Booth?" A surprised Booth choked on his drink. He had jumped to conclusions, hurt Bones' feelings, and she wasn't going to let it rest. Booth touched her hand with his.

"No I think that you are going to be a great mom. We've been over this." He tried to make her remember their quiet discussions as they lay next to each other in bed.

"Then why did you assume that I would be leaving our daughter when she will be only a few months old." Bones pointed out his accusation and it left his heart pounding. It was his turn to try to diffuse the situation. He chastised himself for being so stupid.

"Bones, come on. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. The letter just threw me I guess." Booth gave her his best smile and his eyes begged for forgiveness, which only angered his easily agitated wife.

"No, you shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. While I admit that in the past, I may have taken an opportunity such as this one, I am hardly the same person now. I've made commitments to you and our daughter." Bones eyes began to water and she hated how close to the surface her emotions were at times. She leveled her gaze with his. "I promised that I wouldn't run again Booth and I think that some part of you doesn't believe me." Booth tried to hold her hand and Bones snatched it away.

"I'm sorry Bones. I…" Bones cut him off with her hand.

"No Booth. I made a commitment to our family when I asked you to marry me, and then again when I left Maluku to move here with you. Do you not think that I meant it?" Booth weighed his words carefully.

"I know you meant it at the time, but Bones, you have always ran. After my surgery, I needed you and you took off for Guatemala. After my funeral, you shut down on me emotionally, which is the same as running. I'm trying here, I want to believe you but sometimes it feels like the other shoe is getting ready to drop. I wish it didn't." Bones stood and put the laundry basket back on her hip.

"I ran from my feelings for you. That night at your apartment I quit running away from you and ran toward you. I don't know what else I could do to prove it to you Booth. I'm here to stay." Bones marched away from the living room and began to shove clothing in their drawers, her temper growing with every mutter under her breath.

Booth rubbed his tired eyes and waited for his wife to cool down a moment before going to her. He had really blundered. Bones was exhausted, uncomfortable and worried enough about becoming a mother and he had just dumped his burdens on her shoulders, he felt like the first class heel that he was. He took a deep breath and rose to his feet. It was time to do what a man does and apologize until she forgave him.

"Bones." He said as he stood in the doorway of their bedroom, watching her throw his silly socks and underwear in the drawers. "Bones, stop. Look at me." Bones stopped in her tracks, willing herself not to show him her tears. Instead, she lowered her head and stared at his bare feet. Booth stepped forward and put his hands on her shoulders trying to pull her into a hug. Bones stepped backwards and shook her head no. Booth's hands went into his pockets. "I shouldn't have said all of that Bones. I know that you love me. I know that you love our daughter." Bones refused to look at him.

"Then why do you think that I will leave?" It came out as a near whisper. The hurt in her voice was plain. Booth sighed heavily.

"Maybe because this is too perfect. This life here, this isn't you and me. What's going to happen when we leave our bubble and go back? What if…" Bones breath caught.

"What if what Booth?"

"What if our bubble bursts and you find that I'm not enough. Alright?" Bones let an incredulous laugh escape.

"What if you're not enough? Booth you are everything. This baby is everything. But what if I'm not enough? What if I'm a horrible parent and leave our daughter just like my mom did me? What if you decide you need someone who understands pop culture, or blonde hair and a perfect figure like that reporter? Do you think that you are the only one with fears Booth? Look who you are talking to. My fears led us to almost being separated for a year. I put my whole life on hold just to be with you in spite of all of that and you still think that I will leave? That I would hurt you that way?" Bones expression exposed her pain. Booth stood astonished, he had spoken without thought or regard to her feelings and that had caused her pain.

"I know that you would never hurt me on purpose. I'm sorry and I overreacted, and I will never ever leave you." He repeated, taking small steps toward her. Just as he was within arm's reach, she stepped back again.

"Are my fears any less legitimate than yours?" Booth stepped to her again but Bones didn't step away, but she didn't accept his embrace either. He enveloped her into a tight hug, but her arms hung limp to her sides.

"Of course not Bones. I just let mine get to me. I saw that letter and I thought that maybe you aren't happy with our life and that you needed to get away. I'm so sorry." He touched her lips against her temple. Bones wanted to give in, to forgive him. "Come on Bones. Please?" He asked.

"Booth, you hurt me. If you want to know something, just ask, don't…don't decide conclusively until you speak with me." Slowly her arms curled around his waist and he knew that she was on the road to forgiveness. He held her even tighter.


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