Chapter Nine

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It was in the middle of the night, and the hospital corridors was empty and dark, Temperance had stayed at Booth's side as she'd promised, and the doctors critical words hadn't made her feel any better. She was exhausted from the lack of sleep and the constant fear. But now Booth had in some miraculous way woken up and she felt so relieved she could hardly keep the tears from falling. Temperance had tried to not keep her hope up, tried to be prepared for the worst, tried to keep herself from getting hurt again, but she'd known deep down inside that she was in way too deep already. If something happened to Booth now she couldn't pretend it wouldn't hurt, because it would hurt her more than she even dared to think about. Booth meant so much to her that it scared the hell out of her…

The surgery had gone well and the tumour was removed before it had spread to other parts of the brain. But later something had gone wrong and the doctors weren't sure if Booth would ever wake up from the coma he'd slipped into. And if he did, there was a huge risk he would be suffering from permanent brain damage.

The doctors' words echoed in Temperance's head as she looked at the man in the bed. He looked so fragile, so weak, so unlike Booth that she hardly recognized him at all.

"Booth?" Temperance whispered his name as if she was afraid her voice would be too much for him. "How are you feeling?"

Booth groaned, slowly turning his head so he could look at her. The pain the movement caused him could clearly be seen in his eyes, and it made Temperance feel even sorrier for him.

"Like I've been hit by a train," he muttered. "What happened?"

"You don't know?"

Booth made an almost invisible shake of his head.

Temperance sighed sadly. "You had a brain tumour, but it's gone now…" she paused. "Booth, it's going to be okay…" Temperance looked at him compassionately. He seemed to be shocked by the news, and who could blame him? "I'm so sorry…" she whispered. Unsure of how to act, Temperance took Booth's hand in his, holding it tightly.

Booth made a little whistle. "Gosh, Bones, how are you taking this? Are you alright?"

Temperance smiled slightly. He was so cute, concerned about her even though he had almost died.

"Don't worry about me, I'm fine," she said. "I'm not the one with the brain tumour Booth." Temperance regretted her choice of words just as they slipped through her lips. Why had she said that? The sad look at Booth's face told her just how much her words seemed to hurt him.

"Does it hurt much?"

Booth was quiet for a while. "Yeah…" he mumbled.

Temperance didn't know what to say. Maybe they were right; maybe she was bad with people. She had no idea of how to act. All she wanted to do was to take his pain away, to hold him and promise him she'd never leave him. But she knew better than that, Temperance Brennan knew better than to open up to someone like that.

Hours passed and Temperance was still sitting next to Booth, she had passed out of exhaustion, leaning against the bed. She still had Booth's hand in a tight hold, as if to make sure he knew she was there for him.

When the first rays of sunlight made their way through the blinds, both were deep asleep.

Angela slipped into the room and when she noticed her best friend, she wasn't sure if she should stay or leave her to sleep. She knew Temperance had been awake more than a week and she needed all the sleep she could get. Angela had managed to drag her out of this room, if only for a quick shower and to pick up some stuff she needed from her apartment. Temperance had refused to leave Booth alone at the hospital, and Angela couldn't help but admire her strength.

Temperance begun to wake up again, she looked at Booth and suddenly she wondered if she had dreamt it all, had he really been awake? Or was it just her subconscious that wanted him to come back? She straightened a little, reaching out her hand to touch Booth's head. Her hand slowly ran through his dark hair, carefully avoiding the cut.

"Booth, Baby?" she whispered, surprising herself by her choice of words. Why the hell had she called him that? That was so not her… Temperance frowned, but didn't think more about it.

"Seeley?" she asked instead, but there was no response. Temperance leaned down and placed a soft kiss on his forehead before she sat down in her chair again.

"Sweetie?" Angela decided it was time to make her presence known. Temperance turned her head, a bit surprised.

"How long have you been here?" she asked.

Angela smiled. "Long enough to hear you call him 'Baby', you really do love him don't you?" Angela smiled a little, seeing her friends face blush.

There was a long silence and Angela was sure she wasn't going to get an answer to that. Not that she needed one, it was so obvious what her friend felt for the FBI agent…

"Yes I do," Temperance suddenly said, she met Angela's stunned stare before she had to look down. Shit! She really shouldn't have said that…

"Oh Sweetie, that's so romantic! Don't get me wrong now. I understand the… uh… situation… but it's in fact really romantic, the woman sits next to the love of her life, just because she loves him so much and don't want him to be alone, weeks passes but she doesn't leave because in her heart she knows that one day they will be together again… and…"

"Angela!" Temperance cut her off. "Please, stop," she said, embarrassed by her friends' little story.

Angela just smiled, knowing she'd been right.

None of the women noticed the smile that appeared on Booth's face as he closed his eyes again. He'd waken up just in time to hear Temperance whisper to him, and then Angela had made sure he didn't get a chance to make himself heard. But right now he didn't need to talk, all he needed was the knowledge that Temperance really did love him, and he was alive!

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TBC.