A/N: Ok, I'm back. I've been thinking long and hard about where this is going to end, and if I'm going to do a sequel or not. I haven't made any decisions on either count, so any input from you all would be welcome. My sincere thanks to anyone who's still reading this despite my incredible delays. I'm terrible I know. I'll stop now and just say enjoy!

Chapter 35: Mending

Sunlight shone through the cracks in the blind covering the window in the bedroom in which Brennan lie, bringing her fully awake from a not-so-deep sleep. Turning her head towards the other side of the bed to say good morning to Booth, she frowned upon discovering she was alone. Belatedly, the events of the previous night came back to her and she sighed, casting a glance at the clock. Shouldn't he be back by now? He had promised he'd come back and Angela had said she'd send him back when she'd called last night. Perhaps he was out returning the ring he'd offered her last night. She wasn't sure she wanted him to do that.

She tried to push it to the back of her mind, at least for the moment, and concentrate on getting out of bed without losing her dignity. She certainly hadn't anticipated having difficulties with such mundane things. But she knew one thing; she'd never take the ability to smoothly rise from bed or bend over for granted again. At least she didn't have to hurry; she wasn't due to be in until two. Any earlier and Cam would send her right back home.

Despite the small couch pillows beneath his head, Booth woke with an unpleasant crick in his neck. That, coupled with being alone, memories of last night, and the late time, made this morning one of the worst in his memory. Angela was already gone. Why hadn't she bothered to wake him up? It wasn't like she could forget about him. He was sprawled across the length of her living room. Not exactly easy to miss. He sat up and was relieved to find his clothes, clean and dry, laying out on the couch. The woman was really a lifesaver.

Now, the hard part. Go back to Bones. Easier said than done. But why should it be difficult? He still loved her, more than ever, despite the rejection. No matter what she said, he did understand. She was sticking to her guns, and that was commendable. He wouldn't want her to say yes to him if her heart wasn't all the way into it. She loved him, and that should be enough.

But it wasn't. It just wasn't.

After getting ready and using Angela's phone to make his excuses as to why he was late for work, Booth locked Angela's door behind him and took a cab back home. While walking forever had seemed like a great idea last night, this morning it was the last thing he wanted to do. The sooner he got back, the better.

When Brennan emerged, showered and dressed, from the bedroom, she started, a hand over her heart, at the sight of Booth sitting on her couch.

"Sorry to startle you," he said quietly.

"No problem…hi," she replied, feeling like an idiot. Hi? She shook her head at herself, and came closer to him as he rose from the couch. He expected her to hug him or something to that effect, but she didn't. Instead, her hand dug into his pants pocket, coming up with the ring box.

At her sigh of relief, he shot her a confused look. "What?"

"I thought maybe you had taken it back."

"Not yet."

"Don't," she said evenly. "Just…hang onto it for awhile, ok?"

"I can do that." He took the box from her and put it back in his pocket, taking her hand afterward.

"You're late for work," Brennan informed him.

"I know, so it's no big deal if I'm a little bit later." He led her back to the couch and sat her down, taking the spot next to her. "Last night," he began, thinking before he continued. "It didn't happen the way I wanted it to."

"I thought as much," Brennan interrupted, then clapped a hand over her mouth. "I apologize. Go on, please."

He did. "But, I may have rushed you a bit, and I'm sorry for that. I knew what you thought about the whole…thing, and I shouldn't have expected different, so if I pressured you in any way, I didn't mean to."

"I realize how hard it must have been for you, in front of everyone, and the disappointment you must have…must still feel, well, it must be overwhelming."

"Was that an apology?" he asked with a quirk of his mouth. "Cause if it was, I must've missed it." She met his eyes. That familiar twinkle was in them. There was the Booth she knew.

"It was. Do I need to say the words? Cause I will, if that'll make a difference."

"Try it."

"I'm sorry. Deeply."

"Was that so bad?"

"No." And it hadn't been. Her memory of his reaction to her rejection the previous night had made it simple and painless, no dignity or pride sacrificed. She felt his lips on her forehead and shivered at the chaste contact. "How late can you be?" she managed to ask before those lips found her own.

"I can't stay," was the whispered answer after they broke apart for air. "Olivia's bringing a suspect in for questioning. I can't keep her waiting too long." As if on cue, the cell phone, which Brennan had thoughtfully removed from the charger, rang.

After hanging up, Booth turned to her. "She's got him waiting. I gotta get over there. After I change." He disappeared into the bedroom and returned in record time, seeing Brennan looking ridiculously alone, not bothering to hide her disappointment. He locked eyes with her. "Do we need to talk about this some more? Cause I'm not going in until I know we're ok."

"We're ok. We always were. Are you ok?"

"Hey, I have you, and the little guy, and that's good enough for me." A small part of him disagreed, but he shoved it down. He'd have to take what he could get and maybe Angela was right, maybe she would warm up to the idea of marriage.

"Good. I feel comfortable letting you leave now."

"Oh, do you? You think you could keep me from leaving for work?"

"I know I could."

"Uh huh, sure Bones."

"I'll prove it." She began pulling off her top, only to have Booth stop her before she got too far.

"Fine. But, that's cheating."

"No, it isn't. I simply know the male mind enough to know that baring my breasts would stop you from doing just about anything. It's not my fault that men think with their…"

"I'm gonna stop ya right there Bones."

"But how is that cheating?"

"I'm out the door."

"You haven't even turned the knob yet."

"Have a good day." His hand turned the doorknob and he slowly backed into the outside hallway, smirking at her all the way.

"Wait!"

"What?"

As if he didn't know! "I love you," she said, planting a soft kiss to his mouth before releasing him to the outside world.

"Love you too." With a smile in her direction and a gentle pat to her stomach, he was gone.

"Impossible man." Brennan plopped unceremoniously on the couch and rubbed the spot on her stomach where his hand had been. "You had better be more manageable than your father. Otherwise, I'll go permanently insane trying to keep both of you in line."

After an uninteresting interrogation session, wherein Olivia did most of the questioning, and Booth just stood in the guy's personal space, being intimidating and playing with the box in his pocket, it was time for a not-so-well earned lunch break. Grabbing a sandwich to go, Booth arrived at the Jeffersonian, making for Angela's office, and fighting the strong urge to fling Zach from the platform and into the aquarium of flesh eating beetles that were busily cleaning a skeleton nearby.

Bones wasn't due for a couple of hours, so he could talk to Angela without the huge distraction that was his girlfriend. Wait, huge? He didn't mean that she was huge, it was just an expression. No, she wasn't huge, she was just…big, but in a good, pregnant way, not the other way. He shook his head. He didn't have to justify his own thoughts to himself. Now, if he'd said that aloud, with her within earshot, now that was another story. One he didn't want to think about.

He tapped on the wall next to the open door. "Angela?"

"Hey! Come on in. What are you doing here? Brennan's not going to be in until two."

"I know. I needed to talk to you actually."

"If you're wondering why I didn't wake you up, it's because you looked so adorable, all asleep and drooling. I couldn't possibly wake you up. Plus, Brennan says if you don't wake up on your own or to some kind of sexual activity, you're Oscar the Grouch. I didn't want that."

She spoke so fast, he needed a minute to unravel the trail of words. Once he had, he replied, "Ok, one, I don't drool, all right? Two, how I like to get woken up is personal, and three, she actually said Oscar the Grouch?"

"My words, not hers, but you get it."

"I was wondering why you made me late, but that's not why I'm here. Can I sit?"

"Sure." He took the seat across from her and unwrapped his sandwich, taking a bite before addressing her.

Before he could get a word out, she stopped him with a hand held up. "Uh, how old are we?"

At his puzzled look, she elaborated. "Don't even think about saying a word until you've swallowed. I get enough of men talking with their mouths full just being around Hodgins and Zach."

He swallowed. "Sorry."

"I'm used to it. Now, what's up?" Her eyes suddenly widened. "Did she say 'yes'?!"

"No." Angela's face fell.

"It'll happen." She leaned over and patted his hand where it rested near his sandwich.

"Anyway, I wanted to know if you maybe would want to…be the baby's godmother."

Angela's eyes and mouth widened more than before and she placed a hand over her heart. "Oh, my god. Are you serious?"

"Of course."

"Do you even need to ask?! I will! Yes, yes, yes!!" She leaped out of her chair and crossed to the other side in an instant, engulfing him in a hug so tight, he thought he'd suffocate.

"Uh, Angela?" he asked after a minute of nonstop squeezing.

"What?"

"Gotta breathe here."

"Oh. Right." She released him, and regarded him seriously for a moment. "I would be honored to be the baby's godmother. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Just so you know, my mother was Catholic. It's not the same but…"

"Huh?"

"Well, I mean, I thought a godparent had to be Catholic."

"Bones isn't, and she's the mother, so I guess we're bending the rules a bit."

"You rebel! Is there gonna be a godfather?"

"I was considering Hodgins. After all, you guys brought me back."

"Ugh. As long as I don't have to marry him or anything."

"Nope." A smirk appeared on his face. "Although, I think he likes you."

"Does not." She knew he was saying it to get back at her for all the times she'd embarrassed him.

"If you say so. I gotta get back soon, so if I'm gonna talk to Hodgins, I'd better get goin'. Thanks Angela."

"Pleasure's all mine. I was gonna spoil him anyway, but now I have a legitimate reason." She beamed at him and shooed him to the door.

"Hey Hodgins, got a minute?"

Hodgins glanced up from the microscope, and eyed Booth. "Everything ok?"

Booth nodded. "Just fine."

"Good. You know Brennan's not coming in for awhile yet right?"

"Yea, I needed to ask you something."

Zach appeared in front of him all of a sudden. "Agent Booth, I just wanted to apologize for last night. I had no idea that would happen, and it wasn't my intention for Dr. Brennan to find out, and I sincerely regret my actions."

Again, Booth mentally unraveled Zach's words, uttered with characteristic speed, and tamped down the urge to cause the young man pain. It wasn't done on purpose, and like Angela had said, Zach had awful timing.

"It's fine Zach. I know you didn't mean for it to happen that way."

Satisfied that his apology was accepted, Zach moved back to his work station, leaving the other two to talk.

By the time two rolled around, Booth was safely ensconced in his office going over records, his hand toying with the ring box on his desk when Olivia came breezing in. "I brought you more paper work."

"Just what I always wanted, how'd you know?"

"I have my ways." She dumped the stack with its colorful paper clips in front of him.

"Department's on a budget, but they just can't live without their colored paper clips," he muttered. "Like the plain ones wouldn't work as well."

"They make the dreariness of paper work more cheerful. Or try to anyway."

He gave her a grin and thumbed through the stack, noting that each group was held together by a different color clip. Didn't they ever pull out two of the same color in a row? "If I wanna get home on time, I'd better get started on all this."

"I wish I could help, but I'm not authorized."

"You could forge my signature," Booth looked at her hopefully.

"I dare not. Chicken scratches. You're worse than my doctor."

His mind suddenly left their conversation, and Olivia picked up on it easily enough. "You ok?" No answer. "Hello? Earth to Seeley Booth?" She waved a hand in front of his face and his eyes finally focused on her.

"What?"

"You ok? You zoned out for a second there."

"Everything's catching up with me. Bones is due in a couple of months, and then there's the other business." He averted his eyes when he spoke the second half of the sentence.

Olivia's own eyes narrowed. "What other business?"

Booth recalled Rebecca's words. "Nothing for you to worry about." He'd have to call Rebecca later, update her on what happened after she and Parker left.

Olivia tried to keep up a cheerful tone, despite the hurt she felt at the brush off. "I better go. I'm gonna update my case report."

He raised a hand in farewell, the other hand reaching for the top of the paper stack, three pages held together with a bright red clip. He glared at it as he took it off. "Say something to the office supply people about this if you see them. It just bugs the hell out of me."

"Don't check your email then, if cheerful paper clips bug you," she warned, tossing him a smile before taking her leave. Once her back was turned, the smile vanished. Something happened with him. And it didn't take a genius to know it was something to do with Brennan. Her memory brought forth the image of his desk, where now she could see a small box close to where his hand had lain. The ring box! She'd turned him down! Idiot. What was wrong with that woman?

Once Olivia had mentioned email, Booth couldn't get his mind off of it. His phone had access to email, and he hadn't really used it all that much for that purpose, so why not? He fiddled around with the buttons for awhile and once he was logged on, he noted an email from the office supply head, Jan. He opened it and was greeted with a huge smiley face, blinking happily at him from the phone screen. Chirpy music assailed his ears and a message wishing him a happy day flashed at the bottom of the screen. Didn't these people ever work? Or did they spend their time sending every agent annoying emails and buying unnecessary paper clips?

Going back to his inbox, he saw the one below the smiley message was from Bones. He clicked on it, and read the plain no nonsense type.

Booth,

I just wanted to send you a little message saying hello. I'm bored at work, can you tell? Cam won't let me do anything. I think your son is bored as well; it seems like he's kicking more than usual. I can't imagine there's a lot to do in the womb though, thumb sucking perhaps, and kicking, but not much else. You remember my last ultrasound. He was sucking his thumb and I swear, I thought you were going to cry. I know what you're thinking, that you weren't going to cry, but I saw your eyes get glassy Booth; don't deny it. As I said, I'm very bored. I'm picking an argument with you via email. I'm sure you're busy since you actually get to work, so I'll cut this off. I love you very much.

Bones

He debated between getting down to work and replying. Replying won out, but he promised himself he'd make it short.

Bones,

I'm sorry you're bored. Baby too. But it's for the best, remember that. I wasn't going to cry. There was dust in my eyes and the lighting was bothering me. I have tons of paper work to do, so I'll let you go. I love you too.

Booth

P.S. Does the Jeffersonian use colored paper clips or the plain metal ones? Don't ask.

After sending it, he kept the phone on in case she replied, and started in on the paperwork.

Brennan banged her forehead gently on her desk, groaning softly at the lack of things to do. Within the hour, she'd done her desk work, and now was stuck. She didn't want to go home until she had to, and she wasn't sleepy enough to want to take a nap. At least she was getting up every five minutes, or what felt like it, to visit the ladies room, which meant she was able to move around some. The alert on her computer sounded, letting her know she had an email. She clicked on it and read through it. It was from Booth, but what was the meaning behind that postscript question? How odd. Oh, well, a reply would kill more time.

Booth,

The Jeffersonian uses plain paper clips. They're cheaper and just as good as colored ones. Why? I don't believe for a second that you weren't about to cry. It was a touching moment, so it's nothing to be ashamed of. I forgot to mention in my last email that Angela and Hodgins told me about you asking them to be godparents. I think they are wonderful choices and I knew you would do well in your selection. I hope you're not having too hard a day because I have plans for us tonight. Our bed needs a little warming up after your absence last night. I still have an hour before Cam will make me go home. I think I'll play some solitaire on the computer. Have you ever played? It's ridiculously addictive.

Bones

Ten minutes later, her alert sounded yet again, interrupting her game. Oh well, she was losing anyway.

Bones,

Don't ask about the paper clips. It's complicated. For the final time, I wasn't going to cry. That florescent lighting is terrible. Have fun with your solitaire. I have played. I don't anymore, otherwise I'd never get anything done. Were you coming onto me in your last email? If so, I'm game.

Booth

Brennan shook her head at the screen and exited out of her email account. She moved the mouse to continue her game when her eyes fell upon the disc in her purse. Her latest ultrasound. The one that caused the crying debate. She picked it up and placed into the drive. Her son, tiny thumb in his mouth, appeared on screen. As she watched, she felt tears form at the corners of her eyes. Lighting indeed! He'd almost cried, no doubt about it. She watched a while longer, thinking about all the hopes and dreams she had for the baby. The happiness she wished for him. A childhood filled with wonderful moments, much like those she recalled from her own childhood, before her parents had left.

Parents. Mom and Dad. Together, in love, and happily married. A little nuclear family, normal and traditional. That had been her parents, Russ, and herself. At least as far as she had known at the time. Normal, though, was a relative term. Nowadays, normal could be any number of things. The feeling became stronger the more she watched. She thought of Parker, going back and forth between Rebecca and Booth, moving away, his mother's new fiancé. That wasn't what she wanted for her son. And if marriage would strengthen the bond she and Booth already shared, then it would make sense to go ahead with it. He wanted it, she wanted it…didn't she? She certainly wanted it for the baby. But herself?

After all the years spent speaking out against the institution, could she really go through with it? Yes she could. She was Temperance Brennan. She could do anything Plus, like Dream Angela had said, it was Booth. Marriage to Booth could be a very good thing. And, as had also been discussed in the dream, deep down, a part of her did it. That part of her mind that she didn't listen to. Well, she was going to listen to it now. Brennan nodded resolutely to herself. Yes, she did want this. For herself, for the baby, for Booth, for them. A family. Like her own had been. It would be perfect.

A/N: Ok, I really hope you liked it. Please review if you feel the urge. I appreciate it greatly. Thank you for reading!