Okay, here you go - the next part. And then there's only another 3 to go. I'd better get on with the next one, I suppose :-)
Usual disclaimers apply. Enjoy!
Beep. Beep. Beep.
The sound was hypnotic, soothing.
Beep.
"Booth, come on, wake up."
The voice belonged to a woman. She seemed worried about someone. He hoped they woke up soon.
Beep.
"Still no response." A man's voice.
"When will he wake up?" The woman.
"It's impossible to tell, I'm afraid. With this kind of head injury he could wake up any time, or remain in a coma for days."
"But he will be okay?"
"It's too early to tell. I'm sorry."
It sounded bad. Whoever he was, he hoped he would be okay.
Beep. Beep.
"Dr. Casey, I think he moved."
"...involuntary muscle spasm..."
Beep. Beep. That sound was starting to get annoying. He wished they would turn it off.
Beep.
"Booth, it's time to wake up. Squeeze my hand if you can hear me."
There was that voice again. She sounded nice. The man was lucky, whoever he was.
"Booth, please, I love you." Lucky indeed. He hoped that whoever the guy was, he appreciated her. If he had any sense, he would wake up and make her happy.
She sounded like she was crying, and he didn't like that. He could feel a hand in his, soft and warm, and he tried to squeeze it, to give comfort.
"I'm sure I felt him move."
He felt a bright light shine in his eyes, and he flinched away.
"There's some reaction evident."
"Booth, come on, please," the voice pleaded. He felt sorry for her. He wished the guy would wake up, so she would be happy.
Beep. Beep.
"Agent Booth, can you hear me?" This was a different voice, harsher and louder. He didn't like it, and shifted uncomfortably. Where was she?
"Booth, it's me. It's Bones." There she was. He relaxed again. "The boy's safe, Booth. We saved him, between us. He's with his father, and Charlie's in jail. You've got to wake up now, Booth. Please. I love you."
He felt her hand again, warm and comforting on his. She stroked the back of his hand, ran her fingers along his, squeezed his fingernails gently.
But why could he feel it? Was he Booth? Was he the man she had been crying over?
Again he tried to squeeze her hand, and this time she felt it, he could tell, because she immediately leaned closer until he could feel her soft breath on his face.
"Booth?"
He knew suddenly that it was time to wake up. He sent the signal to his eyes, but they failed to respond. He moved his head, restlessly.
"Booth?"
This time, the signal got through, and his eyes flickered open. He could see a shadow leaning over him, and as his eyes adjusted he could make out her face. She was as beautiful as he had imagined. Or should that be remembered?
"Booth, it's Bones. Can you hear me?"
His lips were dry, and when he tried to open his mouth it refused to move. She must have noticed, because she disappeared, and for a moment he felt lost, but she was soon back with a cup. She held a straw to his mouth, and thankfully he sipped at the water.
"Are you back with us?" Her voice still held concern, and he ached for her. He tried to nod his head, but that, too, was slow to respond.
"Doctor! He's awake!"
A man wearing a white coat came into view, and a familiar voice said, "Well, Agent Booth, I'm glad you decided to rejoin us."
"Dr. Casey." Booth's voice wasn't more than a whisper. The doctor looked surprised, but nodded.
"Yes, I'm Dr. Casey. I'm glad you're awake, we've been worried about you."
Booth looked away from him, seeking Bones again with his eyes.
She leaned forward, back into his view. "I'm here, Booth. How are you feeling?"
He tried to speak, licked his lips, then tried again. His voice was stronger this time. "My head hurts."
"Yes, I know. You were hit pretty hard. You have a fractured ulna, as well."
It was only then that Booth became aware that his right arm was encased in plaster. He tried to shift his head, to look down at it, but felt dizzy and lay still. Instead, he looked back at Bones, absorbing every detail of her worried face.
"I'm okay," he whispered to her. "It's okay."
She smiled at him, and squeezed his hand tightly.
"The boy's safe, and back with his dad," she said.
"I know," he nodded. "You told me."
"I did?" Bones looked puzzled. "You could hear what we were saying?" she said suddenly.
He was too weak to say much, but he nodded again.
"That's how you know Dr. Casey's name!" she exclaimed. Then she looked closer at him.
"How much did you hear?"
Booth managed a smile. "I love you too, Bones," he said, before slipping back into sleep.
Please let me know what you think of it - reviews always very welcome. I hope it looked okay - I changed the settings, and I hope it's only in my browser, but if the type was odd, I apologise.