I know that teaser was mean of me and I planned on updating immediately but I had to leave school earlier than I thought! The one day there's no traffic on the highway…I'll try and make this as good as the teaser…

Chapter 29

Pulling up to Brennan's building, Booth turned off the engine and turned to the woman beside him.

"Ready?"

She turned to him with a small, but determined smile.

"Let's go."

His hand found hers again as they walked up the stairs to her apartment. At the door she turned from him and he heard her keys jangling as she fumbled with the lock.

'She's still nervous…'

He reached around her and put his hand on hers to steady it. In the process his face had gotten very close to hers.

"Relax, Bones…it's gonna be fine."

She sighed and leaned into him a bit.

"I'm sorry…"

"You have nothing to apologize for…I understand. I know you, remember."

She relaxed and together they turned the key in the lock. Entering her living room, he gave her several feet of space. He didn't want to crowd her. She headed for the kitchen.

"Do you want something to drink?"

"A beer, if you have it."

She came back with two and handed him one. She started to move around the living room, almost pacing. He needed to slow her down before she grew too panicked.

"Bones."

She stopped and turned to him. He walked toward her and took her hand. He pulled them both toward the couch. He sat her down beside him and turned them to face one another.

"Let's talk about this, OK."

She nodded and left him to speak first.

"I know what I feel for you, Bones. I figured it out not long ago…but I think I always knew there was more between us. The signs were all there. The desire to keep you safe all the time…it was more of a need actually. I knew I was happy when I was with you…happier than when I was with anyone else. I knew that if something ever happened to me…that you were the first person I'd want to see. When something good happens to me, I want you to be the first to know. And I know how jealous I was…with Stires…and David…and Sully. Sully was what finally made me realize just how lost I was without you. Seeing you with him was torture like I've never known in my whole life."

By the end of his speech he could see the tears forming in her eyes.

"I need you Bones…so much it hurts when I'm not with you. And I should've told you sooner. I was just too afraid because I didn't want to run you off. I would've rather loved you without you knowing if it meant I could still see you everyday as just your partner."

"Booth…"

She was fighting to keep the tears at bay. Everything he felt for her washed over her…and it was too much. He loved her. He said it. But was she good enough for him? She didn't think so. She didn't even know what love was. Everything he wanted in life she didn't think she could give him. Marriage…children…a real family. She didn't know how to give him that. She got up and started moved across the room to the window. When she turned she was startled to find him directly behind her.

"Bones…it's your turn."

"Booth…I don't…I don't know…"

He reached up and brushed his fingers over her cheek.

"Shh…just…we'll start with the easy questions, OK? Are you happy when you're with me."

She nodded. "Very…"

He smiled in reassurance. "And do you feel safe with me?"

"Always."

He cradled her cheek in his palm.

"Do you trust me, Bones?"

She leaned into his hand and shut her eyes.

"More than anyone…"

"OK…now this one's gonna be a little harder, OK? You ready?"

The feeling of his hand on her cheek was too distracting so she just nodded.

"Do you want to be with me? And go to wake up with me and go to bed with me? And do everything else in between with me?"

She opened her crystal blue eyes to meet his soulful, brown ones.

"Yes…I really do."

"OK, then…I see no reason why this can't work then."

Her eyes immediately grew wary. In response, so did his.

"Do you…see a reason?"

She moved away from him, leaving them both missing the others presence. She walked to the other side of her couch.

"What if we can't make this work, Booth? What if everything everyone is always sayingabout us is wrong?"

"Bones…"

"What if there's nothing between us? What if there are no 'sparks' or 'fireworks' like people say there should be?"

"Bones!"

He caught her face in his hands and made her look at him. Her eyes were wild and panicked. He stroked her cheeks with his thumbs to soothe her.

"Since you're obviously not going to listen to anything I say…I'll show you."

He dipped his head and, finally, after almost 2 long years, their lips met in their first kiss.

A/N: Not much of a teaser was it? I had a lot of trouble working the rest of the story around that moment and it ended up at the end! I promise the next chapter will be up by tonight. Scout's Honor! Btw…if anyone watched Bones last night, I only have one thing to say…OH…MY…GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I won't say more for fear of revealing anything to those who haven't seen it…