Booth's POV

Where did we stand?

Or, more specifically, where were we going to sleep?

So I had professed my undying love to Bones. She said she could change and seemed to be hinting she wanted me to stay around, even though she hadn't made any proclamations herself. She was trying and I was taking her as she was.

But what was this really?

"Booth – I asked which side of the bed you usually sleep on."

She was loading the dishwasher, back to me.

I mean, there was always the chance she wanted to turn me into one of her fuck-buddies. Worse, after almost losing her I thought I might actually go along with the idea.

"Actually, uh, I think I'll just take the couch, Bones."

She stood up abruptly. "What? No. You only recently saw a chiropractor for a realignment, Booth."

"It's the gentlemanly thing to do, Bones," I said.

"You know how I feel about your antiquated notions of chivalry, Booth. I simply refuse to allow you to sleep on my couch. But if your prudishness would really make sleeping in the same bed as me so difficult that you're willing to cripple yourself, then you can have the bed and I'll sleep on the couch."

"No way, Bones! That's the opposite of chivalry."

"This isn't open to negotiation," she said, brushing past me. "I'm going to put my pajamas on now."

She slammed the door to the bathroom.

I sat down on the couch and started unbuttoning my shirt. What was she going to do, pry me off the cushions?

I was kicking off my trousers when I heard Bones emerge from the bathroom. I quickly sat down and whipped the blanket off the back of the couch.

"Get up, Booth," she said. "I want to arrange my blankets."

She came around the side of the couch, carrying a pillow and quilts.

Wearing nothing but an oversized Jeffersonian t-shirt.

"Woah." I snapped the blanket over my crotch. "Hey, there, Bones."

"Get off the couch, Booth."

"No," I said. Cue shit-eating grin.

"You aren't even going to brush your teeth?" she asked, brows raised.

"I'm going to do it," I said, "as soon as you fall asleep."

"Fine," she said, smirking. She dropped her pillow to the floor and started unfolding the blankets. "Then I'll sleep on the floor."

"Aw, come on, Bones, that's completely irrational," I pointed out.

"On the contrary, I surmise that the most effective way to get you off the couch is to put myself in an even more uncomfortable situation. I'm going to use your chivalry against you," she said.

"Nice try, Bones," I said, "but I'm more stubborn than you." I spun so my head was on the armrest.

"I doubt that," she chuckled, folding to the floor.

I shook open her couch throw. "Maybe you forget who you're up against here."

She shimmied down under her comforter. "Yes, I know you're an inveterate gambler. Oh, Booth, could you get the light?"

"Ha. That's clever, Bones."

She groaned and kicked off the covers. I watched her dart over to the switch, tee grazing the edge of her thighs, just a little higher…

She plunged the room into darkness. Her legs glowed milky white in the moonlight as she sprinted back to her nest on the floor.

"You know," she said, "I find myself reminded of Amanda Baker's sleepover party in the seventh grade."

I smiled to myself. "Goodnight, Bones."

"Goodnight, Seeley."

A few moments later she asked, "How's the back, Booth?"

"You're worse than Parker, Bones. Go to sleep."

I heard a muffled chuckle into her pillow.

The next sound I was conscious of was a sort of whimper. I woke up instantly, my ears tuned to such slight noises after many nights propped up with Parker or a rifle in my arms.

The apartment was silent. The fridge kicked on.

Then I heard it again.

It was Bones, breathing fast, voice pressing through her dream.

I rolled off the couch to my knees and shook her shoulder. "Bones – Bones!" Her head tossed. Her neck was exposed, glistening with sweat. "Temperance!" I tried.

She bolted upright, almost hitting me. Her breaths were deep, gasping.

"Bones," I murmured, "it's okay."

I could barely see her eyes glimmering in the night. She turned to look at me and then threw her arms around my neck. I bundled her up close, covers and all. She was quaking.

"Bones, Temperance, it's okay." I smoothed a hand over her mussed hair and she gripped me tighter, knuckles digging into my shoulders. For several minutes she clung to me, breaths hot and fast against my neck.

Finally she said, "You can't take it back, Booth. Don't ever take it back."

"What, Temperance?" I asked.

She pulled back to look at me, though her eyes were just pinpricks of light. "You said – in the motel you said you love me." Her voice was shaking along with her body. "You can't ever take it back, Booth! If you – if you took it back I don't think I could –"

"Hey, I'm not gonna take it back, Temperance," I interrupted. This was an easy fear to assuage. "I'm that guy. I'll always love you."

"Good," she said. "Because I don't think I could do this – life – again without you. I don't think – I do think –"

Her fists rested on my chest.

"What, Bones?" I prompted.

She looked down and bumped her fists against me, as if testing my solidity. "I think I'm in love with you, Booth." Then she lifted her eyes and I saw they were sparkling with tears.

"Oh, Bones." My heart was in my throat. More than I ever hoped for. More than I deserve.

I swept a thumb under her eyes.

"Why are you crying, Bones?" I asked, smiling. "This is – love is a good thing."

"I know I once said I wanted to be able to lose myself in someone else, but I'm just – I'm overwhelmed by my emotions, Booth. I don't know how I'm even going to be able to think rationally amidst the – the joy, the panic, the anxiety…"

"Come on, Temperance," I said, sweeping my arm underneath her knees so I could hold her to my chest. "That's not just love. You need some sleep."

"Don't belittle me, Booth," she said, voice cracking.

I chuckled and pressed a kiss to her hair. "I'm not, Bones. After the past two weeks we both seriously need some sleep."

I stood up with a groan, hefting her weight with me.

"Booth!" she objected. "Your back!"

"Give it a rest, Bones, will ya? You won the argument – we're going to the bedroom."

She was heavy in my arms, but it was a good ache, like being full. She let her head fall against my shoulder and I could've lit up the city with my happiness.

I set her down on the bed and then pulled back the covers. She grabbed my hand and pulled me down. As we settled underneath the blankets I snaked an arm around her back and pulled her onto my chest.

"You're right, the bed is much more comfortable," she mumbled into my shoulder.

"So now I won the argument?" I whispered.

She wrapped her fist under her chin and snuggled closer.

I let out a deep breath – there barely seemed room in my chest what with the happiness and all. Then I closed my eyes and slept.