Disclaimer: I don't own Bones, Fox, or anything associated with Bones or Fox. I'm just a poor fanfiction writer who owns the plot.
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From the last chapter:
A few minutes later, when Temperance though Booth had fallen asleep, she stroked his hand. "Don't die on me, Seeley Booth," she murmured.
Booth cracked open an eye and stared at Temperance. "I didn't know you cared."
Temperance lightly swatted Booth's arm. "Of course I care, you cocky, self-righteous ass," she said, tears welling up in her eyes. "Of course I care."
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Booth had drifted off to sleep again, and Temperance was content just to stroke his hand and watch the sunlight outside cast gentle rays on his sleeping face. Her eyes wandered over his body, particularly appreciating the fact that he was shirtless, and the blanket only covered up to his waist. He looks like a Greek god, Temperance thought. My fabulous, incredibly sexy Greek god.
Temperance immediately giggled after that thought, but stopped the moment Booth stirred. However, he just made a muttering sound and lapsed into peaceful silence again. A smile played on Tempe's lips, as she imagined Booth as a Greek god. God status would probably only stoke the flames of his ego higher.
"Even if you're not a Greek god in real life, you're my Greek god," Temperance whispered to Booth.
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At around 9 o'clock, the "squints" filed in for a visit with Booth. Angela chatted quietly with Temperance, Hodgins stole Booth's hospital pudding, and Zach flitted around the sides of the room. All as usual.
There were no new cases for Tempe's team in the lab, so they stayed until noon before farewells were bade. Temperance returned back to her position next to Booth's bed.
Booth floated in and out of consciousness and the world of dreams through most of the afternoon. He gave a few sleepy smiles to Temperance throughout the rest of the day, but never talked much before dozing off again.
It was dusk, when the orange fireball was dipping below the horizon, when Booth opened his eyes again. This time, he seemed more…alert. More sensitive to the movement going around him.
"Bones?" he whispered, his voice cracking.
"I'm here," she said automatically, squeezing his hand. "I'll always be here for you."
"Bones…I need to tell you something." His voice was barely more than a rasp, and Temperance immediately grew concerned.
"Booth, it can wait until you're out of the hospital—"
Booth cut her off. "No. It can't wait. I need to tell you now."
Temperance sighed in defeat. She could never win when Booth got that stubborn gleam in his eyes. "Then go on. But don't tire out yourself."
Booth licked dry lips before starting. "Remember the first time we met? You looked at me as if I were a big, nasty bug. I thought you looked like an annoying prissy know-it-all."
Temperance laughed at the memory. On that day, she hadn't believed that she was going to be working with this cocky FBI agent who never listened to what she said.
Booth went on. "But really, what was running through my mind was how beautiful you were. I had never met a woman before in my life, I thought, that was more beautiful than you…Temperance."
Tempe's heart skipped a beat when he said her given name. No matter how shitty he looked right then, no matter how his voice rasped, her name still sounded incredibly sexy rolling off of his tongue.
"I went out with Tess—hell, Tess even moved in with me. But the whole time, every time I looked at you, I felt a love even greater than I had experienced for anyone else—Rebecca, Tess, anybody."
"I don't know what it is about you, Bones. Your fierce determination, your courage, your adorable obliviousness to the modern world…"
"But Bones—Temperance—the one thing I do know is that ever since I've met you, I've loved you, Temperance Brennan."
Temperance gasped at his confession and her eyes met his chocolate-brown ones. She was utterly speechless…yet felt so much comfort seeing the degree of love expressed in his eyes.
And that was when she knew.
"Bone--Temperance…" Booth rasped out. "Do you…feel the same?"
Tears stung her eyes for the second time in 24 hours, and Temperance clutched Booth's hand as if it were her lifeline. Her green eyes softened, as she quietly murmured: "Yes, I do. I love you too, Seeley Booth."
Booth smiled at her, a warm smile that melted her heart all over again. "I would kiss you at this moment, but as you can see, my whole body hurts like hell and it would be kind of awkward. But Temperance, the moment I get out of this hospital, I promise that I'll give you the most breathtaking kiss ever."
Temperance gave a soft chuckle. "I know you will."
She kept on murmuring sweet nothings to Booth until deep breaths told her that he had lapsed into sleep again. Temperance smiled to no one in particular as she caressed Booth's hand.
She didn't notice someone who also happened to listen in by a crack in the door to their heartfelt confession of love.
And outside of the door, Angela smiled. She knew they would have admitted it to each other in the end.
-fin-
A/N: And so it ends, a fluffy, PWP story. Reviews are always love! –peppermint-kiss234