Disclaimer: I only own the characters not normally seen on the show…

Previously: Brennan was attacked and now Booth's playing Florence Nightingale. A visit from Dr. Long wiped away the traces of another Brennan/Booth argument, and fueled both Booth's hate for the man and Brennan's attraction to him…

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"A guy and a girl can be friends. But sooner or later one will fall for the other. Maybe too early. Maybe too late. But maybe, just maybe forever."

-Unknown

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"How're you feeling today, Sweetie?" Angela asked over the telephone.

"I'm fine," Brennan replied.

"That's good. Has Booth been taking good care of you?"

"Yeah, he's been waiting on me hand and foot all morning," Brennan replied, smiling. She couldn't help remembering waking up at eleven o'clock that morning, to find another room service breakfast by her bed. Booth hadn't let her so much as look at the case files all day. She hadn't fought him, except when it came to him helping her to the bathroom--then she had drawn the line.

The ribs that had been bruised the night before were in much more pain than they had been and for a couple of hours it had been difficult to breathe. Booth had sat by her the entire time. She'd had to hit him a couple of times for attempting to feed her, like she was some sort of invalid. She hated being treated like a rag doll.

"Really? He's been catering to your every whim?" Angela asked. There was something in her voice that Brennan didn't feel entirely comfortable with. She sensed Angela was going in some unknown direction with this and she was slightly afraid as to where that was.

"Angela, what're you thinking?" Brennan inquired hesitantly.

"Nothing…he just hasn't done any favors for you, has he? Maybe relaxed a few tense muscles, you know that sort of thing?"

Temperance was confused, "He offered to give me a massage…"

"Did you accept?"

"No--."

"What!" Angela was in utter shock. Brennan recoiled a little from the phone, "Why not?"

"Because, Ange, it's Booth. And I don't want to be treated like some fragile, porcelain doll."

"Temperance Brennan, a sexy, hunky, totally-into-you guy offered to give you a massage and you turned him down?"

"Yeah…" Brennan was unsure of what to say. She couldn't tell Angela that she had desperately wanted that massage and not just because she was terribly sore from sleeping in the chair earlier that morning.

"I hate you."

Angela's response caught her off-guard, "Why?"

"Because, Temp, you have this great guy--this guy who will give you the world if you give him the chance--and you are--as usual--dragging your feet," Angela explained, a sense of frustration and urgency in her voice.

"And you hate me for this?"

"Yes, Temperance, I do."

"But why?"

"Why! Why! Do I seriously need to repeat my main argument to you? He's a sexy, hunky, amazing, incredible, gorgeous, mouth-watering, caring, sensitive, knight in FBI body armor! That's why!"

"Angela…"

"Bren, honey, I love you, but sometimes, I swear to God, you are the densest woman I have ever known!"

"Hey!"

"Temp, you have this amazing guy, this charming, flirty guy who would die if it meant that he could talk to you for another hour and what do you do? Oh, you flirt, you flaunt, you…well ya know, the other 'f'…with everyone else."

"Angela!"

"I'm not saying you're loose, Bren, I'm just saying, you're relatively inhibition-free when it comes to guys other than Booth; namely, our dear adjective-named friend, Dr. Long."

"Angela, Perry and I haven't slept together."

"Right,…yet. But you will. In fact, you'll probably sleep with the whole of DC before you admit to having any sort of romantically inclined feelings toward Booth."

"Well, yeah, because I have no romantically inclined feelings toward him."

"My God woman! Why must you be in denial! I'm serious, my job is getting incredibly difficult because you two won't admit the attraction."

"I never said I didn't see the attraction. I can see that. Physically, Booth and I are compatible--."

"You did not just say that!" Angela interrupted.

"But emotionally," Brennan continued, "we couldn't be more different."

"And that is what makes you two so perfect for each other. You're compliments. He's your soul-mate, I don't know why you don't believe me on this."

"Maybe because I don't believe in soul-mates?" Brennan offered.

"No, you just don't believe in love."

"What! Angela, that is not true. I believe in love."

"Name one guy, besides Booth, that you've been in love with in the last five years."

"Easy…" Brennan began, "well, there was--…" she struggled to think of a name, but Temperance knew that she wouldn't find one. She hadn't been in love in a long time, probably ever, but that didn't mean that she loved Booth. She was definitely physically attracted to him--she'd figured that one out way back in Aurora, when he had danced with her, and been reminded every moment he'd been in the same room as her since.

Still, to be in love with Booth…well, she have to want to spend every second with him, right? I mean, that's what love was right? The complete need for someone to be with you for at all times of the day. They had to witness every second of your life, every trivial detail, everything that happened to you in the span of your relationship. That was love, wasn't it?

Brennan felt herself getting confused. She didn't like not knowing the answer to a question that plagued her. The biggest bother being the question of where exactly she and Booth stood on the relationship scale. Were they partners? Were they friends? Were they…more?

"Sweetie, you still there?" Angela asked, shaking Brennan away from her thoughts.

"Yeah, sorry, I was thinking."

"About Mr. Right?"

"What? Mr. who?"

"Mr. Right. I.e. your perfect guy. I.e. Booth."

"Angela, please drop it. Booth and I are not sleeping together, we're not dating we've never even kissed, okay, so just forget this strange obsession you have with me and him and move on."

"Fine! Fun ruiner."

"What are you, four? Booth's son seems more intelligent than that sounded."

"Ha!"

"What!"

"You can not even go two seconds without mentioning something about Booth!"

"What're you talking about! Of course I can!"

"I will bet you my favorite necklace, you know, the one you like, with the shells and sea glass, that you cannot go one minute without saying something in reference to Booth. That includes, him, his son, his girlfriends, etc."

"Fine, you're on."

"Starting now," Angela smiled into the receiver, she lifted her arm up so she could keep her eyes on her watch. If Brennan made it past ten seconds, she'd be surprised, "so, what're you doing tonight?"

"I don't know. I didn't really have any plans. I'm not allowed to leave my room, doctor's orders."

"I could count that as a reference, you know; but I'll let you slide. Maybe we should go to dinner? We haven't tried eating at the other restaurant here, the Orchid, we could go there?"

"I don't know, Ange, I'm on bedrest. Booth says--damn it!"

"Ha! I win!" Angela exclaimed. Brennan smacked her forehead with her palm in anger, she really liked that necklace, "You were so close too, Bren, I was getting a little worried."

"Shut up, Angela," Brennan fumed.

"Okay, well, since you're sexy doctor over there is forcing you to stay in bed, I guess Jack and I will have to do something. Maybe we'll go to the Orchid."

"What about Zack?"

"He has another date with Lindsey. Apparently, we didn't scare her off."

"I'm glad he's found someone."

"Me too, except he keeps asking me for advice. You know, what to say, what to order. I told him to get her a Diet Coke, but he forgot, of course, and I was right, she wanted Diet."

"You are intuitive, Ange, I've never doubted your abilities to read people."

"Well, gee, thanks Bren. But sometimes it's a burden, rather than a gift. Sometimes, I just want these people to see what I see. I don't always want to be the medium over here."

"Well, I think you're incredible at it."

"Yeah, too bad you don't listen to me."

"I listen. I don't agree, but I listen. And I use your tips when I'm out on dates, I really do. I like having access to the infinite dating knowledge book that is your mind, Ange."

"Yeah well, this guide book's getting sick of sitting on the sidelines."

"You really need to start dating again, I know you haven't been on a real date since Kirk died. I think you need to, you know, start fresh."

"I don't know, Bren, I think I'm kind of love torn."

"You mean, lovelorn."

"No, I mean torn. I'm completely torn on the whole love situation. I can't decide if I want to get back out there, or if I just want to throw in the towel and say 'forget it'."

"Angela, don't say that! The Angela I know would never say 'give up'. She would fight to the death for love, even if it's not her own. I told you that it is highly improbable that there is just one person for all of us. The world is just too big."

"I know, but sometimes, it feels like there will never be anyone to replace him. I should have given him more."

"Angela, you gave him everything you could. He wanted more, but you couldn't, for whatever reason, give him that; I don't think he ever held it against you."

"I guess…"

"You'll just have to give everything to the next Mr. Right who comes along."

"And you have to give everything to the Mr. Right you have right now. He loves you Temperance, plain and simple."

"I'm glad you're feeling better. Have fun at dinner with Hodgins…speaking of, he could be your next Mr. Right, you never know."

"And Dr. Long could break your heart…"

"You never know. But as they say 'it's better to have loved and lost…'"

"Personally, I'd rather have just been loved, but that's just me."

"Goodbye, Angela."

"Say hi to Booth for me!" Angela said loudly. Brennan shook her head and hung up. She leaned back against the pillows. God, I feel so bad for her, she thought sadly, she'll never forgive herself for what happened to him…maybe Hodgins can help. All she needs is a push in the right direction…

"Hey, Bones!" Brennan looked up, pulled from her thoughts as Booth stalked into the room. He was grinning widely and Brennan narrowed her eyes. Booth stopped and frowned.

"Why are you so happy?" Brennan asked suspiciously.

"No need to worry," Booth replied. Realizing he wasn't in trouble he walked into the room and sat down on the end of the bed. He gazed at his partner, looking less than fragile against the pale pink paint of the walls. She was undoubtedly the most beautiful woman he'd ever laid eyes on.

It wasn't a matter of beauty with Bones, though. She knew she was beautiful…or maybe she didn't. Maybe it was the fact that she didn't think she was beautiful that made Booth see her as so. Maybe it was her naiveté about herself and simple things that made him love even more. Maybe it was simply her. Maybe he just loved her.

The implications of that statement whirled in his mind. It wasn't that surprising. He realized he'd been in love with her for a while now. Possibly since the first time he met her, all those months ago, back in Dr. Goodman's office at the Jeffersonian--that time that she'd gotten burned. He'd known back then that she was going to rock the balance of his world--he didn't think she'd turn it completely upside down.

"You okay, Booth?" Brennan asked, concerned.

"Yeah…" Booth replied slowly, "I think I am."

"Really, because you're scaring me," Brennan replied, her voice tense. Booth looked up from the spot on the floor that he'd been staring at for the past few minutes. His eyes met hers and he smiled.

It was his smile that told her everything was fine with him. At least, it told her that if he wanted to talk about it he'd talk about it later. It was the kind of smile that started in her tiptoes and traveled all the way up to ends of her hair. She felt a chill run up her spine. He didn't smile at her like that often. It was chilling in its depth of emotion. It was emotion that she wasn't ready to experience from him.

"I promise, I'm good," Booth assured her again.

"Good," Brennan nodded as she pulled the covers closer to her chin.

"You need anything?" Booth asked.

"Nope," Brennan replied.

"Okay, well, I'm gonna go down to Honolulu PD and see if Hawthorne found anything on your mystery attacker," Booth said getting to his feet. Brennan felt the lost of warmth almost immediately.

"Have fun," she responded, attempting to mask the desperate need for his body to be close to her.

"Stay here," he walked to the door, "and try to get some rest."

"I know."

"I'm not kidding Bones; you'll never get your strength up if you work yourself back into exhaustion."

"I know, Booth, now get out of here!"

"Sweet dreams!"

"Bye Booth!"

Booth gave her a charming smile before he walked out of the bedroom, leaving Brennan alone with her thoughts. She heard the door to the suite close and she sighed. Now she was completely alone.

She rose from the bed slowly and walked into the lounge carrying what was left of a cup of tea Booth had ordered from room service. She seated herself on the couch and relaxed, closing her eyes.

After a few moments, Brennan heard a faint knock on the door. She opened her eyes and looked at it. She stood and walked to the door. She opened it and found herself staring at Dr. Long.

"Perry!" Brennan said in surprise.

"Temperance! Wow, I expected to find Agent Booth guarding the door. Ouch!" He stepped forward and reached out to touch the bandage on her forehead, but she backed away, "That looks painful."

"Yeah," Brennan replied, "Please, come in." She stepped aside and let him enter before closing the door behind him. She turned and found him watching her; he, unlike Booth, didn't look away when she caught him staring.

"Temperance, I was worried about you," Perry started.

"Well, that's very sweet of you," Brennan answered softly, "Please sit down. I'm afraid I don't have much to offer you. I kind of finished all the room service I got this morning." Brennan sat down on the couch and Long sat down beside her.

"I'm fine anyway. I just wanted to see you. I was so worried. God, when I heard…I swear my heart stopped."

Brennan smiled. See, she thought, I don't understand why Booth doesn't like him. He's so sweet. And obviously handsome. And charming. So why the hell does everyone have such a big problem with him? She mused to herself for a second more before she realized that Perry was staring at her expectantly. She blinked, clearing her head, feeling her cheeks brighten in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"I asked you if you had plans for tonight."

"Oh, oh, no, well, sort of, I think Booth is planning something. He won't let me leave the room, so he said he'd take care of entertainment for tonight. I only sort of know what he was talking about," Temperance recalled, frowning. She hoped Booth hadn't made another sexual innuendo at her expense.

"You know, I don't really like him being around you every second," Long declared.

"Perry, I told you, he's just a friend, and my partner."

"Really? Does he work for the Jeffersonian? Huh?"

"Well, no…"

"And do you work for the FBI?"

"No, but--."

"Then I don't think you two are actually partners."

"Perry, we help each other on cases. It's an…unofficial partnership."

"Yeah, I'll say. And how much of a partner is he willing to be to you Temperance?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Perry turned a little on the couch so he was completely facing her, "It means, Temperance, that if we're going to do this--whatever this is between us--then we can't let other people get in the way."

"I know that Perry," Tempe replied; her voice was a little harder than she's been intending, but she was starting to feel like he didn't trust her, like she was incapable of staying faithful. That was never her problem, but it seemed to be of some of the guys she'd seen in college.

"I'm just a little worried by your, well, your undefined relationship with Agent Booth. It seems like there are no limits on the affection he shows you…or you him…"

"What? There are limits. We aren't friends with benefits, or whatever, Perry, we're just friends."

"I wish I could believe that Temperance," Perry replied stoically, "I want to, Tempe, I really do. I think we could be great together."

"So do I, so I don't see the problem."

"Him. He's the problem. I think that if we keep seeing each other, then perhaps you two should lay off the intimacy a little. Perhaps switch rooms with one of your friends, or ask for a new 'partner' all together."

"Perry," Brennan got to her feet, "I am not going to get rid of Booth just because you're a little jealous. I have no desire to loose one of my friends. I have never sacrificed a friend for a man before, and I don't intend to. I like you Perry. I really like you, but if you can't trust me enough to know that I when I say I don't love Booth that I'm telling the truth, well, then I don't think this is going to work after all."

She walked to the door and opened for him, using her arm to gesture him out. Perry stood and walked over to her. He placed his hand on her cheek. She averted her eyes, not wanting to look at him for fear that she would release the rest of her anger. He didn't leave though. Instead, he brushed his thumb over the apples of her cheeks.

The movement gave her chills. She let her eyes slide up to meet his. The green eyes which had only moments before been filled with jealousy were replaced with glowing green orbs holding within them the strongest apology. He hadn't said anything yet and she'd already forgiven him.

"I didn't mean to stay those things, Temperance. The green monster of jealousy came out and I got lost. I'm sorry. I don't want to you sacrifice your life to make me more comfortable. Relationships take work and acceptance. I'll just have to accept that you and Agent Booth are closer than I would like." He leaned down, his breath warm on her face. She blinked, moving her hand to rest on the one still caressing her cheek.

"Close, but nothing more than friends," Brennan clarified quietly. Her heart paused for a split second before Long closed the miniscule gap between them and kissed her again. Temperance threw her entire self into the kiss. She wrapped her arms around Perry's neck and pulled him closer to her. The logical part of her brain told her to shut the door that she was still leaning against. She told that part to shut up--if anyone wanted to watch, then more power to 'em.

She could feel Perry shift his weight as he started moving her toward the two doors that led to the bedrooms. Mentally, she reminded herself to go into her own room this time--Booth wouldn't be happy if he found out she'd had sex on his sheets--especially if it weren't with him.

She opened her eyes and blinked rapidly. Her head was swimming with memories from every dream she'd ever had about Booth. Every one of Angela's vivid fantasies that Brennan had suffered to listen to. Every one of the heat-charged, tension-filled moments she'd ever encountered with Booth since meeting him. All came spilling back to her brilliant Technicolor.

And she pulled away. Perry hadn't gotten the hint, however, and began kissing her neck. But for some reason, the kisses he left weren't searing into her skin. She couldn't still feel them even after his lips had moved on. What the hell was wrong? She liked Perry. She wanted him. So what the hell was the problem?

She'd been over this. He was charming, handsome, kind, built, sensitive, adorable when he was jealous, and he had the most beautiful brown eyes in the entire world. Green! Green eyes. Perry has green eyes. She didn't even have to rack her brain to know who had brown eyes. It was all too obvious.

God damn it! Why the hell does he always have to get in the way! Brennan questioned miserably. She sighed. Who was she kidding? Booth wasn't the problem here, though God knows she'd rather have blamed him than admit the truth. Dr. Perry Long was a great guy but…there was just no…spark.

She rolled her eyes in frustration, realizing that Perry was attempting to remove her shirt all the while still kissing her neck. She shook her head before placing her hands on his shoulders and gently pushing back. He looked up and frowned.

She still liked his eyes. And she still liked him. She couldn't tell him, after she'd been so adamant against ending the relationship before it started, she couldn't say she didn't really feel anything for him. That would crush him. So, she lied.

"We can't do this right now," she said.

"Why not?" Perry inquired, still holding her around the waist.

"Because Booth will be back anytime now, and I personally, don't want to be caught mid--," she swallowed, "--fun…when he walks in."

"You're right. He'd probably shoot me."

Brennan nodded, "And get away with it too."

"Okay, well, have fun tonight, I have some work to do anyway. I'll call you tomorrow," Perry said, removing his hands from her waist. He didn't move, however, before placing a gentle kiss on her mouth. He pulled away smiling, apparently unaware of the lack of emotion with which she returned the pleasantry.

With one last glance back at her, Perry walked out of the door, leaving Temperance alone leaning against the wall in between hers and Booth's bedrooms. She sighed before moving slowly to the door and closing it. She was paying more attention to the handle and less to the actual door and was surprised when she felt it hit something. The thud and resounding "Ow!" startled her enough to make her look up.

She stepped away from the door, allowing Booth, who was rubbing the bridge of his nose painfully, to enter. He was glaring at her as he felt something warm trail into his fingers. Great, now he was bleeding. He walked into the room, grimacing, as he set the Manila file folder in his hand down on the coffee table and settled on the couch.

Brennan had already rushed into the bathroom to retrieve something to mop up the blood. She returned moments later with a damp washcloth. Letting herself sink beside him, she carefully pulled his hand away and dabbed at the blood flowing freely from his nose.

"Booth, I'm really sorry. I wasn't paying attention--."

"Yeah, I noticed."

"I didn't mean to," Brennan said, giving him a look.

"I bet that's what the guy who invented the Atom Bomb said too, right after dropped it on Hiroshima," Booth replied. Brennan glared as pushed on his nose a little less gently, "Ow! Damn it, Bones!"

"Don't forget I'm the one with my hand on your nose, Booth," Brennan reminded him, smiling devilishly.

"Jeez, first she injures me and then she threatens me. What'll it be next? Huh?"

"If you were nice to me then I wouldn't have to threaten you with bodily harm."

"Well, I wouldn't mind you threatening me bodily, Bones, but I didn't think you were into the whole Dominatrix thing--Ow!"

"If you'd stop moving, it wouldn't hurt so bad," she warned.

"It doesn't hurt 'cause I'm moving, it hurts because you keep squeezing it."

"Oh, stop being such a baby. It's not even broken." The blood had stopped and Brennan pulled away from him, as she got up and went into the bathroom again, Booth pouted and touched his nose gently. Not broken my ass! It's definitely broken. Look I can feel--oh, no, that's supposed to be there. Never mind. It's not broken.

He sighed and leaned back against couch. He'd visited Hawthorne down at the Honolulu PD but the officer and his team hadn't found anything more than Temperance's fingerprints. So much for the big break. Bones got hurt and they didn't even get any DNA for processing. She reentered the lounge without the washcloth and seated herself beside him.

"Did they find anything?" she asked hesitantly.

"Just your fingerprints, nothing else," Booth replied, closing his eyes. He could feel her watching him and fought the urge to crack one of his eyelids opens just to catch her the way she had him. But he restrained, for once, it felt good to be watched.

"You look exhausted," she commented after a minute.

"Yeah, well, protecting you from bad guys is a full-time job, Bones," he answered, keeping his eyes closed.

"I don't need you to protect me, you know," she said softly.

"I know," he finally opened his eyes and met hers, "but sometimes it's nice to pretend to be needed." He smiled sadly.

"I said I didn't need protecting, but I didn't say I didn't need you," Brennan stated quietly. Booth's brow furrowed in shock and confusion as he gazed into Temperance's eyes. She smiled, a smile that didn't imply nor deny anything running through Booth's mind. He gave himself the pleasure of the fleeting belief that perhaps Temperance felt for him what he did for her.

"You need to go away." Booth said suddenly, sitting up. Brennan frowned, hurt shadowed in her eyes; Booth turned and saw the emotion. Desperate to clarify himself, he grabbed both of her hands in his, "No! I didn't mean that. Well, I did, but--wait! Let me start over. I told you this morning I'd take care of this evening, but I want to surprise you."

"So, where am I supposed to go? You've forbidden me to leave the suite."

"Your bedroom! You can stay in your bedroom with the television up really loud. But you can't come out, not until I tell you."

"What if I have to go to the bathroom?"

"Then you'll have to wait."

"Booth!"

"Call me, and I'll--I don't know--blindfold you or something."

He got to his feet and pulled her with him. He was acting like a flustered child as he pushed her toward her bedroom. When they reached the door, she turned on him and gave a look of practicality. He smiled his boyish, charm smile.

"Booth, I don't think--."

"Please, Bones, please let me do this. Please don't ask questions, don't analyze, just be normal…just for tonight…" his eyes were begging and she couldn't help but nod and allow him to push all the way into her room and close the door. She seated herself on the edge of her bed and turned on the TV. She sighed, all right, Booth, you want loud? You got loud. She pressed the volume up so high that it wouldn't move any further and leaned back against the pillows.

(--)

TBC…in Chapter 11: "Candle Light, Candle Bright…"

A/N: You guys have no idea how many times I've rewritten this chapter! Ah! It was driving me insane. I first had this extended bit with Dr. Long, but your reviews changed that. You guys liked him so much that I didn't want to go in that direction anymore, but then I had something completely different here for himand I didn't like it. So I rewrote the entire chapter, including the conversation with Angela, which was geared less toward Brennan and Booth's relationship. Anyway, I am now much more satisfied with this chapter and thus, have posted it, enjoy!