Author's Note: I really liked writing this chapter despite knowing there are only two after it. Life has been crazy what with the holidays coming and end of semester projects coming together. Anyway, I'd like to thank everyone who has stuck with me on this story despite my sometimes sporadic updates. There's a bit of fluff in this chapter which I for one think is well worth it, so I hope you like reading it too. Thank you also to everyone who reviewed the last chapter (and really everyone who has this entire story). Enjoy!
It wasn't until Friday that Brennan got a chance to go back to Angela's and start packing what she had left behind. Between working on a new novel and completing limbo cases at the lab, her schedule was busy, but it was definitely something she needed to do. She lifted a box onto the bed and moved over to the nightstand, picking up a few of the books she had with her and placing them inside. Hearing someone coughing behind her, Brennan turned to see Angela standing in the doorway with a roll of tape in hand. "Hey, I'm sorry I didn't call or anything. I wanted to get this done as soon as-"
"I didn't come up here to yell at you." Angela laughed as she walked into the room, reaching out to hand Brennan the tape. "I just figured you could use some help."
"I've got everything under control I think," Brennan replied, but she knew what Angela meant. She set the tape on the bed before turning to her friend. "but I could use the company."
Angela smiled as she sat down on the foot of the bed, running a hand over the comforter, and she found it funny how it was possible to feel both happy and sad at the same time. "It was kind of nice having you stay here, you know. Almost like having a sister or something, so you know you're welcome here anytime."
Brennan moved to the dresser and started carefully folding the few items that were still inside. "Thanks, Ange. I know I probably haven't been the easiest guest to have ever stayed here, but I'm glad you offered."
"What are friends for, right?" Angela asked, watching as Brennan placed the clothes into the box, carefully moving aside everything else so they would fit. She caught the expression on Brennan's face as she stared down at her belongings, and she placed a hand over hers.
"I find it funny that I don't recall bringing so many things here, and yet the box is practically full already?" Brennan mused. Shrugging, she surveyed the room, searching for other items that shouldn't be left behind.
Angela stood slowly and walked over to the dresser to pick up the framed photos that were there. Her eyes caught on another object laying on the surface, which she quickly palmed before walking back over to Brennan. Her friend frowned in confusion until she passed her the pictures. "I'm just trying to help. You're going home, Bren, and I don't want you to forget anything."
Brennan placed the photographs in with everything else before the thought even occurred to her. "If you're here, that must mean they're making strides in the case, right?"
"Actually, they are." Angela replied. She turned the object over in her hand, feeling as a sharp point poked the smooth skin of her palm. "Hodgins was going over some particulates found on the suspect's boot when I left. I offered to stay, but I was told that until anything else comes up on my end I was free to go home." She took a deep breath and realized how it probably shouldn't have seemed weird to give what she needed to back to Brennan. In actuality, it wasn't weird so much as right, but given the way Brennan has reacted in the past there was no telling what she would say. Given the fact she had kept it and not given it back to Booth was a sign she had wanted it-at least on some level-and so it made perfect sense she have it back on to wear. "Bren, I found something else over there. I know it's not that big of a deal and you don't consider symbols or tokens of love as important, but-" Angela hesitated, feeling a little ridiculous for doing so, and she held out her hand before dropping what she was holding into Brennan's own hand, curling her fingers so it was safe and secure.
Brennan knew without looking what it was. She opened her hand and stared at the ring that she now vividly remembered wearing. Taking it off while wearing gloves had become a necessity of course, but that was why she had taken to wearing it on the star necklace Parker had given her, which she had began to wear almost every day.
The sound of Angela's phone ringing broke the silence. "Hello?" Her eyes widened upon hearing the person on the other end. "Really?...Okay, well I'll be-" Angela paused, listening intently to the person on the other end. "As long as it's not too damaged, I should be able to retrieve the information. Alright. Thanks, Cam." Angela snapped her phone shut before placing it back into the pocket of her jeans. "They found a damaged flash drive in the suspect's belongings right next to a file containing some information that might link him to the victim. I guess Cam's hope is that there's information on there to seal the deal."
"If there is, I'm sure you will find it." Brennan replied, still balacing the ring between two of her fingertips.
"Are you gonna be okay to finish this by yourself?" Angela asked, her face schooled into a look of apology. She leaned in close for a hug. "Thanks, Bren. I'll see you later."
Brennan watched as Angela left the room, and she found it funny in a way that she was comfortable enough in her home even without her or Hodgins there. The ring felt like a weight in her hand, but it was not a heavy one so much as evidence that something was indeed there. A thought flashed in her mind, hazy at first but slowly unfurling like the clouds would spread in the morning, carefully lifting from the ground below. Smiling, Brennan undid the clasp of her necklace and placed the ring onto the strand, watching as it slid down to sit comfortably next to the star before securing the clasp again. She used the tape to seal the box before heading for the door, happy that things were finally returning to the way they used to be.
It was late afternoon as Booth and Brennan made their way down the hall to Sweets' office. The majority of people had already left, save for a few students who lingered speaking to other teachers in hopes of letting that paper deadline slide by just one day, or asking for grades from the latest test. "We don't have to do this, Booth. I know it's been a long day for you, so if you'd rather reschedule I'm sure Sweets would understand."
Booth stopped walking and grabbed her arm to make sure she did the same. He nodded at a younger man carrying a large stack of folders, a teacher's assistant he assumed, before focusing on Brennan. "I'm fine, Bones. I mean, I've still got a lot of paperwork to do, but this is more important." Booth squeezed her hand and offered a smile. Her hand was trembling so he clasped her hand tighter and brought it to his lips. Thoughts flooded his mind of the last time they had both been in Sweets' office. Kissing her fingers quietly, Booth wanted to reassure her that things would be just fine. "You ready to go?"
Brennan took in a deep breath and steeled herself for what was about to happen. It really wasn't that big of a deal, but considering the way she'd left the last time there was a certain level of -embarrassment to be felt. "As I will ever be."
Nodding, Booth let her hand fall quietly from his and guided her to the door. It was cracked open and he could see Sweets talking on the phone as he knocked on the door.
"Yes, I understand. As long as you e-mail it to me, it will count as on time." Sweets held up a finger that indicated he'd seen them. "Alright, bye." He set the phone back in the cradle before turning and offering a smile. "Please," Sweets said before standing. "I'm sorry the room's a little cluttered; it's nearing the end of the semeter, and I have papers waiting to be graded."
"Are you sure you have time to see us? I don't want to take anything away from your already reqiured duties." Brennan replied, worried that perhaps her needing his help might be a burden. She could feel it as Booth reached out and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, his fingers sliding just that much further south that they traced slowly against the soft skin of her arm.
"No, of course not." Sweets shook his head as he moved his chair out from behind his desk so he could sit across from them. "So, I hear you guys captured the suspect, huh?"
Booth nodded upon realizing the question was directed at him. "Yeah, a few hours ago. Everything will be a bit calmer now, I think."
"What about you?" Sweets asked, noting the way Brennan still seemed hesitant even after they sat down. "How was your day?"
"It was pretty enjoyable; I went over to Angela's this morning to collect my things, so they're sitting at home right now." Brennan replied. She hadn't told Booth what she'd done, but was betting he didn't mind at all. The knee that brushed against hers was confirmation that he didn't.
Sweets raised an eyebrow and crossed his legs. "So everything's going better I take it? You've finally made your decision?"
"I have," Brennan confirmed with a nod. She crossed her legs at the ankles and moved a tendril of hair behind her ear. Drew her bottom lip between her teeth. The clock on the wall clicked by a few seconds without anyone speaking. Apparently, she realized, Sweets was expecting more details. "I'd like to apologize to you for the way I reacted the last time we were all here. Not only was it a bit childish, but I was also acting selfishly. I know you have a busy schedule, and for you to take time out of it to see me is something I shouldn't take lightly."
"Of course, I understand." Sweets replied as he tapped his pen on the edge of his notepad and waited to see how much further she'd go into detail.
"I'm back at home now. I feel that making this decision will prove to be beneficial in terms of recovering the details of my life." Brennan replied calmly. She clasped her hands together loosely and breathed in slowly.
The way she was wording things sounded so horribly formal, but Booth couldn't care less. What mattered was that they were making progress and working towards everything returning to normal. He was thinking of that when he realized Sweets and Brennan were looking at him, apparently expecting an answer to a question he hadn't heard.
"I asked you what your intentions are in terms of her care now. With her living at home with you again, do you think that changes what you'd like your role to be at all?" Sweets asked. He held his breath, because judging by the way Booth suddenly shifted his position there was no real way to tell how he'd react.
"I don't think it's changed." Booth sent Brennan a look and felt pleased when their eyes locked, because he wanted for her to really understand. "I have always been here whenever she needs me-and sometimes even when she doesn't-and that won't change, regardless of where we live." Booth looked back to Sweets for a sense of where to go next, because while he had grown to respect him he felt what happened next should be between Brennan and himself, not Sweets.
"I see. I'm sure Brennan takes comfort in that fact." Sweets nodded in understanding. He wrote something down before focusing back on Brennan and set to moving their session forward. There were a few memory activities; word association, recalling events, and other things he told them they could try at home. Whether they did or not was ultimately up to them, but Sweets wanted to believe after everything they had been through they could make everything work.
Music vibrated the walls around them, lights were dimmed appropriately for the atmosphere, and the faint scents of various alcoholic beverages and colognes. Founding Fathers bar hadn't changed much over the years, aside from a few updates to the scenery and tables that had been replaced. As Booth held the door open for her, Brennan found herself thinking how stepping inside was like taking another step back to regaining who she was. She mentally cringed at the thought. Who she was hadn't changed at all, had it? She'd made significant progress in terms of regaining her memory, so did what she not remember actually count much? There were a few significant life events such as her own wedding as well as her nephew's birth that she couldn't remember or hadn't been a part of at all due to the accident, so it was arguable that maybe things would never be quite right if she didn't get them back.
"Everything okay?" Booth asked before they reached the group. They were going out to celebrate the end of a long week and a hard case with the squints, but if it was too much too soon for her he was willing to turn around for the door.
Brennan smiled with a nod. Booth's hand was a warm reminder as it rested against her hip, his arm wrapped comfortably around her waist, and she knew that no matter what happened she would have him there for her. While she was an independent person, it was a comforting thought just the same. "Yes, I'm fine. Are you sure it's okay I'm here? I actually didn't have anything to do with solving this case."
"Are you kidding, Bones? Why wouldn't it be okay?" Booth laughed the idea off and pulled her closer. "It's been a long time since we've all gotten together. Some drinks, some dancing...it'll do us all good."
Brennan nodded as her eyes scanned the crowd, finally stopping as she spotted Hodgins, Angela, Cam and another man crowded around a large table near the back of the room. She swallowed and stopped, pulling on his wrist to bring his walking to a halt. "Booth?"
"Hmm?" Booth frowned as he turned to face her, feeling wary at the hint of fear in her voice. It all dissipated when he saw the smile that spread slowly across her lips.
Brennan looked down and grabbed his hand, wrapping their fingers tight. "Thank you. I know that the meeting with Sweets today wasn't easy, and I know that I haven't been the best person to deal with. I'm stubborn, but-" Brennan laughed nervously before focusing her attention on him. He was her best friend, the one she had grown to count on over the years, her husband...the word was starting to sound less strange the more she thought about it. When she was growing up, before her parents left, Brennan used to think that she'd find someone she could spend her life with. Of course at the same time she wanted to be smart and successful, but if she could have had both Brennan figured she'd be content. She shrugged her shoulders before leaning in and carefully pressing a kiss to his lips. Tentative, but aware and sure just the same.
The kiss took him a little by surprise and before he had a chance to truly react she was already pulling him toward the group that was waiting, but Booth still couldn't help feeling like maybe they were finally headed somewhere.
