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

Previously: The Squints and Booth have discovered that the first victim was not killed the same way as the others and that Dr. Long may have been involved. As a result of this discovery, Dr. Long attacked both Zack and Dr. Morgan, killing her and injuring him. Now, Booth has ordered that the girls leave the hotel and stay with Officer Hawthorne at his home until they catch Dr. Long…

A/N: Thanks for the info about the quote guys. I find this quite ironic since Booth and Brennan have the whole Mulder/Scully thing going on. Anyway…on with the show!

(--)

"I ran up the door, closed the stairs; said my pajamas, put on my prayers; turned off the bed, and hopped into the light, all because you kissed me goodnight."

-Unknown

(--)

After nearly half an hour of driving the FBI issued SUV pulled onto a small driveway, partially hidden by bushes and trees. A little way down a house came into view. It was only one floor but it seemed spacious enough to fit two people comfortably. There were trees surrounding it with a mid-sized lawn spread out in front of the low porch.

"Are you sure this is okay, Hawthorne?" Brennan asked as they pulled up and stopped the vehicle.

"Of course," he replied jumping out of the SUV and closing the door. He trotted up to the front door and pulled out his keys. Booth followed behind him, Brennan and the others bringing up the rear.

"Lily! Lily, I'm home!" Hawthorne called as he ushered them all inside. A skinny woman walked out of the kitchen and into the foyer. She stopped short when she saw the four extra people standing in her home. She frowned and looked at her husband who was grinning sheepishly.

"Richie?" she asked a warning tone to her voice.

"Honey, remember that case that I was telling you about? And the people from DC?" his wife nodded, "well, they're in a little bit of trouble and have to move out of the hotel, so I offered the guest room for them."

"For all four of them?" she inquired skeptically.

"Uh, no, only these two ladies right here," Hawthorne explained quickly.

Brennan saw the nervous way Hawthorne was shifting his weight back and forth from foot to foot. She smiled and stepped forward extending her hand as she did so, "Hello, Mrs. Hawthorne, I'm Dr. Temperance Brennan. I'm really sorry to impose on your home like this."

"Oh, hello, Dr. Brennan; no, you're not imposing; I just would've liked to know about it," she gave her husband a stony look, "my name is Lily."

"It's nice to meet you. These are a couple of members from my team, Angela Montenegro and Dr. Jack Hodgins." Lily shook hands with both of them before turning to Booth with a raised eyebrow.

"And who is this?"

Brennan didn't answer she simply crossed her arms over her chest, her anger still obvious to everyone. Booth rolled his eyes, but felt something in his chest start to hurt. Brennan was still mad at him, and it wasn't fair. He was only trying to protect her. He didn't want anything bad to happen to her. The fact that she was still ignoring him crushed him.

He held out his hand and smiled to Hawthorne's wife, "Special Agent Seeley Booth, ma'am. And I have to say, thank you so much for letting them stay here."

"Of course."

"Maybe we should get you two set up?" Hawthorne suggested. The girls nodded, "follow me then." He walked a little ways down the hall before taking a right down another hallway. He led them to a wooden door before opening it a revealing a white-painted room. There was a small closet and bed in the corner with white sheets. The room seemed fresh and relaxing. There were large windows that led outside to a small patio and curtains covered them.

"Bren, you can take the bed, I'll sleep on the floor," Angela said.

"You can sleep on the couch, if you'd like Miss Montenegro," Lily stated.

Angela smiled, "Call me Angela, and no thank you. The floor is just fine."

"Well, maybe Richie can try and find you a sleeping bag from the attic."

"Thanks, I'd appreciate that."

"We'll leave you all alone to get settled," Lily said ushering her husband from the room.

"Ange, are you sure you don't want the bed?" Brennan asked.

"Nope, I like the floor. It's cooler."

"Okay…" she turned on her heel to face Booth who was leaning against the door frame. He had his arms crossed, "You can leave now." Her voice was icy and her eyes bore into his, but he didn't blink.

"Oh, hey, I think I'm a little thirsty! How about you Jack?" Angela asked, elbowing him in the ribs.

"Oh, yeah," Hodgins agreed rubbing his side.

"We'll see you guys in a few," Angela pushed Hodgins out of the room.

"I said you can leave now," Brennan repeated with the same tone. Booth, however, didn't comply. He stepped toward her, his arms still crossed over his chest.

"That's not leaving," Brennan snapped as she stepped away from him. She felt her voice crack a little, and she turned away from him. She felt his hand on her arm and he turned her back to face him. His face was still set, but his eyes had softened. She looked up at him and felt her anger dwindle.

"Don't hate me," Booth said softly.

"Why not?" Brennan whispered.

"I'm just trying to protect you."

"Hell of a job you're doing."

Booth frowned sadly. That hurt. Brennan knew she had hurt him. She was probably breaking his heart right that instant but she couldn't stop herself. She was hurting. He was leaving her. She was frightened, though she hated to admit it, and he was leaving her. For once, she wished that she hadn't argued against his alpha-male overprotective behavior all this time. She wished that he didn't think he could leave her and she'd be fine. She wanted to be the damsel.

"Thanks Bones." He let go of her arm and stepped back. He turned away from her and walked to the door.

"Go on, get out! I don't need you!" Brennan called. Booth stopped and turned back to her. He gave her another sad look.

"Goodbye Temperance." He turned away again and stepped through the doorway.

Brennan felt the world shatter around her. He couldn't leave. She didn't want him to go, especially not thinking she hated him. Her head hurt just about as much her heart. She hurried forward and grabbed his upper arm. He turned to look at him, and her emotions spilled out. The question she'd been dying to ask him flooded out of her mouth.

"How can you protect me if you're not even here?"

Booth frowned again, "I thought you wanted me to leave."

"I don't."

"Why didn't you say that?"

"Because, Booth, I--I didn't want you to think I was weak, or something."

"Trust me, Bones, I have never thought of you as weak."

She smiled a little, "I was just frightened, I guess; I felt safe when you were sleeping in the next room. Now…I don't know…"

"Hawthorne will take care of you."

"I know he will. He's a good guy."

"Yeah, he is, and I trust him. Plus, if I'm wrong, I know you'll kick his ass."

"That's a comforting thought."

"That's my girl."

"So, you're gonna go?"

"And you're gonna be all right?"

"Yeah."

"I don't want you to worry."

"I won't."

"Yeah, you will."

"Well, maybe a little." She smiled coyly. He grinned as leaned down to kiss her. She accepted the kiss and strung her arms around his neck. It was the first time they'd kissed since the hotel room but it hadn't lost any of the emotion.

He pulled back reluctantly and let his arms slip from her waist. She stepped away from him, smiling faintly. She took his hand in hers and led him from the room and into the main part of the house where Lily, Hawthorne, Angela and Hodgins were talking.

When they saw the pair, Angela did her best to hide a smile. She pretended to ignore the fact that they were still holding hands and sipped her lemonade quietly. Best leave the lovebirds some time to get adjusted to this before I scare them away from each other, Angela thought.

"Agent Booth, we should be getting you two back to the hotel," Hawthorne said putting down his glass.

"You're right. We don't want to keep you out too late," Booth agreed. He felt Brennan squeeze his hand tighter as Hawthorne headed to the door. He pulled her into a hug and buried his face in her hair. She clung to him, not wanting to let go.

"Be careful," she said softly after a moment.

"You too," he whispered back but he didn't move.

"Hawthorne's waiting," Brennan said her voice still low.

"I know."

"Why aren't you leaving?"

"I don't wanna let go."

Brennan smiled into his shoulder before stepping back and looking into his eyes. She smiled again and dropped his hands. He grinned sheepishly and walked out the door. Brennan turned to find Hodgins and Angela attempting to say goodbye, rather awkwardly.

Hodgins had moved in for a hug but Angela had stuck out her hand for a shake. Realizing this, they both switched positions which resulted in another confusing moment. Hodgins dropped his hand and stepped to her for a hug. After another awkward moment, they stepped apart and Hodgins followed Booth.

Angela sighed in frustration and buried her face in her hands. She flopped down on the couch and placed a pillow over her face before screaming. Brennan sat down beside her and patted her friend's back comfortingly. Lily sat in the chair across from them and smiled.

"Dr. Hodgins seems very interested in you, Angela," Lily stated lightly.

"Yeah, well, I don't know why."

"Because you're amazing," Brennan replied, "and Hodgins' isn't a stupid guy."

"You sure? Because my last boyfriend ended up, well…"

"He loves you because of you, Ange, not because of what's happened to you."

"Since when did you become the poetic one?"

"Since she fell in love," Lily replied. Brennan blushed and looked down at her hands. Angela sat up a little straighter.

"Yeah, that's right. You and Booth finally got your act together. I would like to think I can claim a little something in that."

"You can," Brennan nodded.

"So, when did it happen?"

"Today, in the hotel…we kissed."

"Seems like a lot has progressed from just this afternoon," Lily inquired.

"Oh, well, they've been in love for a long time, they've just been denying their feelings."

"Angela!" Brennan exclaimed.

"What? You have. Admit it."

"You're wrong."

"Oh, so, you haven't been in love with him for months."

"No."

"Liar."

"Am not!"

"Are to!"

"Am not!"

"Are to! You have loved him every single day since you met him."

"No, I haven't been in love with him for that long."

"So you agree? You're in love with him."

Brennan sighed, "Fine, I'm in love with him."

"I knew it!"

"And I knew you had a thing for Hodgins," Brennan poked.

"Not like that's ever gonna happen," Angela said miserably.

"He likes you too, you know."

"How do you know?"

"I may be socially uncoordinated, according to Booth, but I'm not blind!"

"Fine, so he likes me. It still doesn't mean that anything's going to happen."

"What do you say to me all the time? Oh, yeah, nothing's gonna happen if you don't make it happen."

"Coming from the girl whose being denying her feelings for her partner for six months…"

Brennan gave her a look, "Shut up. Look, if you want Hodgins, do something about it."

"Are we in Bizarro World or something?"

"I don't know what that means."

"You're the one dating somebody and I'm the one struggling to get a guy, and you're giving me dating advice."

"I learned from the best."

"Yeah, well, I'm going to bed." Angela got to her feet.

"I think I will too," Lily agreed standing, "you're welcome to stay here Dr. Brennan."

"Oh, thank you, but I think I'll go to bed too." She and Angela walked into the bedroom they were sharing.

Angela unrolled the sleeping bag that Hawthorne had found for her and snuggled inside of it. Brennan pulled off her boots and took off her jacket, setting it on the end of the bed before slipping between the clean white sheets. She sighed contentedly and closed her eyes.

Normally, she would've wished for a dream about Booth, but now, as she smiled to herself, she didn't think any dream could feel as good as actually kissing him. She let her mind wander and felt her breathing slow and her mind calm. The last thing she saw in her mind's eye was the smile he had given her after she had kissed him…

(--)

Hawthorne had driven Booth and Hodgins back to the hotel and then took his leave. The guys had gone up to the room that Booth had shared with Brennan. He let Hodgins sleep in his room while Booth took up the place that Brennan had vacated.

He breathed in the scent of her, still left on the pillows. Oh, yeah, he was definitely in Heaven. His mind slipped quietly through the events of the day. It had been one hell of a day, after all. They'd gone from having absolutely no idea who had killed the girls to have a primary suspect and a plausible idea of how the first murder was committed. Not to mention that fact that he and Bones had gone from an amicable partnership/friendship to way beyond both.

He smiled again. He'd smiled a lot that day. He faltered however, when he thought about Dr. Long and his obvious attraction to Bones. Booth couldn't deny that he was more worried about her than anything else. Damn it, he thought sitting up in bed. He knew wasn't going to get a wink of sleep now that his mind was on this track.

He pulled back the sheets and stood up. He grabbed a tee shirt and slipped it on over his head. He'd left his pants from earlier that day on, so he didn't bother changing them. He walked into the lounge and checked Hodgins' room. The man wasn't there. Booth frowned, he looked around the room and saw Hodgins standing on the balcony.

"I can't sleep," Hodgins said.

"Me neither."

"I'm too worried."

"Me too."

"What if something happens to them?"

"I don't know."

"Me neither."

"I'll call a taxi."

"Good idea."

(--)

Half an hour later, Hodgins and Booth stood outside Hawthorne's house once again. They had said that as soon as they saw that the girls were all right they'd go back to the hotel but they hadn't moved. The taxi driver was getting impatient.

"Are you two going back to the Halekulani, or not?" he asked gruffly. Neither answered. The driver sighed in frustration and drove off down the driveway.

"Oh, look, the taxi's gone," Hodgins stated.

"Guess we can't go back to the hotel, now," Booth agreed.

"Pity."

"Yeah."

"Should we go inside?"

"Well, we can't stand out here all night."

They nodded to one another and walked up to the door. Booth reached up to knock but before his hand hit the door it opened and revealed Hawthorne standing in his bathrobe. He stepped aside and let them enter.

"I was wondering when you two would be back," Hawthorne said. He grinned before walking away, leaving them in the foyer. They heard a door close and assumed that Hawthorne had gone back to bed.

"So…"

"Yeah…"

They walked toward the room that Angela and Brennan were sharing. The door was cracked open a little. Booth pushed it open, peering inside. The girls were both asleep so he opened it all the way, being sure to be quiet. Once inside, Hodgins took a seat on the floor next to Angela and closed his eyes.

Booth closed the door and leaned against it. He told himself he wasn't going to fall asleep but since when had he ever listened to himself when he said that. He felt his lids get heavy but he didn't fight it. He fell asleep staring at Brennan with his head resting on his arm.

(--)

Brennan's eyes flickered open and she thought she was still dreaming. Booth was sitting against the door, fast asleep. She pinched her arm slightly and when it hurt she smiled. She pushed herself into a sitting position and curled her knees up to her chest. It was still early but the sun was already pouring in through the thin white curtains.

After a moment, Booth's eyes cracked open a little. When he realized Bones was watching him, he roused himself awake quickly. He got to his feet and walked over to her side, making sure not to step on Angela and Hodgins, who had gotten into an interesting position while they slept.

Booth sat down beside Brennan on the bed as she leaned against his chest. She sighed, feeling a weight lifting from her chest. This was, in a word, perfect. Here she was, with a gorgeous guy, and not just any gorgeous guy, but with Booth, the guy who she'd been in love with for, if she was really truthful with herself, several months now.

His arm had come around her shoulders and hugged her closer to him. They lay there in silence for a few minutes as she played with the fabric of his tee shirt. He entwined his fingers in her hair. They both sighed.

"Couldn't stay away?" she asked.

"Didn't want to."

"Good answer."

"I thought so."

"Can we do this more often?"

"Do what?"

"This," she used her hand to motion to them lying on the bed.

"This…this we can do forever, Bones."

"Good, I like that plan."

"Me too."

He let himself drift back into sleep. This time he wasn't riddled with the fear that he wouldn't see her when he woke up. He knew she was all right. He'd been stupid to worry. This was Bones, we're talking about, she was a stubborn pain in the ass, and she wouldn't go anywhere if she didn't want to.

(--)

TBC in Chapter 14 "Uh, I don't know the title yet…"

A/N: I hope you guys like this. Sorry these last two chapters have taken so long to put up but I've been busy since school got out. This week I should be able to update more regularly considering I'm not doing anything. Your reviews make me smile, I love it that you guys are predicting what happens next, it's actually given me a LOT of ideas. So don't stop! Thanks!