A/N: Hey readers! I just wanted do a quick shout out to all my commenters, as comments and critics are always welcome and help feed that author :D I also want to thank my readers for following this story thus far! While I've written many stories, this one is near a dear to me as I found Bones at a time in myself were it's characters saved me. So writing a story that features them has been really awesome. Thank you for reading and supporting! Enjoy.
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Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bones or its characters. All credit goes to their rightful owners
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Chapter Nine
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"Hi," Angela said as she approached the bed. She'd whispered the word as if she's was afraid to speak too loud.
"Hey." Brennan let out a surprised chuckle when Angela teared up. "No, hey, don't cry."
"I'm sorry sweetie. I'm just so happy that you are alive and so sad for what you went through and an array of emotions in between."
Brennan waved her over, moving her legs to give Angela a place to sit. Angela sat handing her the teddy bear she'd brought her. "Thanks"
"Are you sure you're okay? Is there anything I can do?"
"Not at the moment and I'm going to be fine." Brennan looked to Booth, who was on the phone, pacing outside her door.
Angela followed her line of sight and smiled. "He's guarding you."
Brennan rolled her eyes, though she was secretly grateful that Booth hasn't left. "He's like a dog and a bone."
"It's, he's like a dog with a bone, sweetie. And you have to admit, it's hot."
"Hmm," the word came out as a soft chuckle. "I should be annoyed. He's been hovering. Worrying. Asking me every ten minutes if I'm okay or if I need anything." She sighed, trying not to let her emotions show. "But I'm glad he's here. He's…I feel safe. With him."
Angela smiled, her eye softening. "You are safe. He will make sure of that." She lowered her voice. "You should have seen him these last two weeks. He was going crazy that you were gone. He had murder in his eyes. Sweetie, he would have burned the world down to find you."
"I believe you. I would do the same thing."
"So. I heard Willis did voices. Messed with you using Booth's voice." Brennan nodded, Making Angela's stomach drop. "God. What is wrong with people?"
"It was a form of control. He got off on it."
"Brennan I," she was tearing up again.
"It's okay, Angela. I'm okay. I promise."
Angela nodded as she cried. "Why am I crying? You should be the one crying."
"Because you have a good heart. It's who you are. And you're pregnant."
"Right," Angela let out a giggle. "We will blame hormones." She looked back as Booth pinched the bridge of his nose. He was on the phone and was looking stressed. "Believe it or not, this is the least miserable he's looked in two weeks."
Brennan looked at him too. He seemed tired. "He won't leave. I know he wants to aid in the search for Willis, and I told him he can go. I'll be fine. But he just says he's fine where he is."
Angela took her hand. "Sweetie, Booth was in hell. He was angry, scared, worried. He's not going to let you out of his sight until Willis is caught. And you should try to accommodate that."
"I'm not helpless, Angela."
"No. You're not. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't be under protection. And Booth is one hot as hell bodyguard." Brennan rolled her eyes. "He needs to do this. For two weeks he felt helpless. He needs to protect you now that he can."
Brennan let out a sigh. "I'm afraid that the longer he's always around, the harder going back to my normal life will be. My life without Booth."
"Hey, I don't think you will ever have life without him."
"You know what I mean."
"I do. But that's something to worry about when the time comes. For now, just take comfort in his presence."
Brennan laid her head back, the pain meds taking effect. She was so tired of sleeping but too tired to fight through it. And she did seem to feel a bit better every time she woke up.
"I'm sorry. I'm having a hard time staying awake." She let out a nervous kind of laugh.
"That's okay. Sleep. I will be back."
She was free. Still sore, and honestly the idea of going home had her stomach aching. She refused to say so and refused to acknowledge the fear. Something horrific happened to her. She knows that. But she wouldn't submit to the fear. She was stronger than that.
Booth took an unexpected turn, pulling her from her thoughts. "Where are we going?"
"My place."
"What? No? Why?"
"Bones, Willis is still out there. He obviously knows where you live. There is no way you are going home while that SOB is free."
"Booth, I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."
"I know you are, and I know you can, but I'm not letting it happen. You can either stay with me or with Angela and Hodgins, but you are not going home when that lunatic knows where you live."
She let out a sigh. He was using that authoritative tone he used when there was no moving him. She could see he wasn't going to budge, and the set of his jaw, and that look on his eye only confirmed that.
"Fine. But the moment he's behind bars, I'm going home." She said it for her own benefit because the idea of staying with Booth had eased that knot that had been forming in her gut at the thought of going home.
"That's fine." He agreed. As if he could actually make her stay.
A few minutes later they were walking into his apartment. Well, she was limping into his apartment. He'd offered to carry her. She'd rolled her eyes at him and limped away with her head held high. He'd laughed. She'd smiled. It was good.
She'd expected Hannah to be here, but they'd walked into a dark room, and she had to ignore the way her skin grew clammy with fear. In the hospital, it was never dark.
She felt Booth lean over, flicking on the lights. "You can take the room." He'd said as he moved past her into the apartment.
"Is Hannah out of town?" She asked as she followed him. She felt a sense of ease envelop her as she took in the familiar surroundings. Why had she expected everything to look different? His apartment smelt the same too, that clean scent mixed with whatever scented candle Booth had at the time. Today it was cinnamon.
"Yeah. Booth put her hospital bag on his bed. "The sheets are fresh. There's a heavier blanket in the closet if you get cold. I asked Angela to go with a few cops to your house to get a few things. So if there's anything in particular you want, let her know. She is supposed to message me when she gets there and when she leaves."
"When is Hannah getting back?" She eyed him when he looked uncomfortable. "Booth?"
"She's not. We broke up."
"Oh." Wait? What! Why? What did that mean? Wait, Woah. So many questions flooded her mind. "What happened?"
"She didn't want to marry me. Ever."
The words came out as of they pained him. "She didn't love you?" That didn't seem right. Hannah did love him. There's no way she couldn't.
"Bones." He groaned, looking uncomfortable.
"What? I'm just trying to understand." Because when she'd been kidnapped, they'd both seemed so happy. So sure. She was confused.
"She does love me." He sat on the bed. "She just doesn't want to get married. And I do."
She doesn't want to get married either. But Booth still wanted to be with her. Would they end up like this? At an impasse? "I don't believe in marriage."
Booth let out a quick laugh as he stood. "I know that. You've made it plenty clear." He pulled clothes out of his top drawer, throwing them into a basket. "You can have this drawer. I'll empty another one of you end up needing more."
"Booth?"
"Yeah?" He turned to her.
"You wanted to be with me at one point. Knowing I wouldn't ever marry."
"I know."
She shook her head, so confused. "Did you think I'd change my mind?"
"No, Bones. I don't think you would. Hoped maybe, but it wouldn't matter either way."
"Then why does it matter that Hannah doesn't want to get married? If you love her, shouldn't that be all that matters?" What was she saying? Was she trying to get them back together?
Seeming slightly exasperated, Booth picked up the basket and headed out of the room. She turned to see him pause and look back at her over his shoulder with an expression she didn't understand. "Because she's not you."
She blinked as he walked away, going into Parker's room. What did that mean?
"What are you doing?" Brennan asked as Angela opened Booth's dresser drawers.
"Snooping. You know, I've never been in his room. It looks exactly as I'd expect it to." She smelled the soap bottle he had sitting on the dresser. "Mm. This smells like him."
"It's his soap so…that makes sense."
"Listen, sweetie. You've got to tell me all the little secrets you learn living with Booth, okay?"
Brennan laughed. "What does that even mean?"
"You know, is he messy? Does he cook? Does he sing in the shower? Which you should totally join him in, by the way."
"Angela." She rolled her eyes as Angela joined her on the bed. "Did you know he broke up with Hannah?"
"Suspected. Hence the shower comment." Her expression shifted, looking more serious. "Did he say what happened?"
"He said she didn't want to marry him and he wasn't okay with that."
"Booth wants that. The whole thing. Love, marriage. Kids."
"But I don't. At least not marriage. When I pointed out to him, that I don't want to ever get married he said he knew that. I asked him why that was okay with him, but Hannah not getting married wasn't. All he said was, she's not you."
Angela's eyes softened as she smiled. "That's so sweet."
"It is? Because I don't know what he means."
"Honey, it means that he loves you so much, that he's willing to let go of the idea of marriage if it means he gets to be with you."
Brennen shook her head. "No, he told me he loved Hannah. When I told him I wanted to give us a go. He said he loved Hannah. That she wasn't a consolation prize. He picked her."
"Yeah. And I think he realized he made a mistake. That he doesn't love her more than you."
Brennan's mind raced as she thought it over. Would he give them a chance now, did she still want to? Would her fear of losing herself in him keep her from him. Wait? He loves her more? Really?
"Hey, don't freak out, okay? You guys have time to figure this out. Just know that he loves you and I believe this will end the way you both want."
"I'm scared."
"I know. But Booth is worth it."
She nodded. She knows he is. Still, that didn't make her any less afraid. But she couldn't not act either. She didn't want to give anyone another chance to come between them. Now wasn't the right time. But soon. She would bring them up soon.
"How is she?" Sweets asked as he popped a fry into his mouth.
"She seems okay. Mostly. She's with Angela now."
"Do you believe that she's okay?"
"Sometimes it seems that way. But I'm not sure she actually is. I think there will be some healing. She's strong, we know that, but even Bones is human."
"You anxious about having her stay with you?"
Booth eyed Sweets. "We aren't in therapy anymore, Sweets."
Sweets put up his hands. "I'm asking as a friend. I'm concerned and want to help."
"No. I'm not anxious about having her stay with me. I want her with me. I'm anxious being away from her, but I have two cops on the door and she's not alone."
"Then why are you here with me instead of there with her?"
"Hannah and I broke up." The words flew from his lips as if he needed to get them out before they killed him.
"Oh... Oh." Sweets replied, emphasizing the second oh. "So? What does this mean?"
"It means I'm no longer with Hannah."
"Okay?" Sweets let out a quick laugh. Booth always hated getting mushy. Unless maybe with Dr. Brennan. "Does that mean you're going to peruse Dr. Brennan?"
Booth sat back in his seat, crossing his arms, then leaned forward onto the table as if he can't get comfortable. "When she's ready, yes. But not until she's ready. I don't want to push her."
"Of course not. And you won't." Sweets paused, watching Booth. "There's something more." It wasn't a question.
"Just anxious to have Willis behind bars, that's all."
"Behind bars? Is that what you really want?"
"What the hell are you suggesting?" He hated when Sweets saw through him. Hated these feelings.
"There is a man out there, who hurt the woman you love. Hey, don't look at me like that. You just admitted that you wanted to still try things with Dr. Brennan. Anyway, Willis is out there and you're struggling between doing what you know is right, and avenging Dr. B."
Booth ground his jaw. "I will put him behind bars."
"That doesn't mean you don't want him dead."
Booth looked down to his half-eaten burger. He did want him dead. And he didn't wish a quick death on him either. He wanted him to hurt the way he'd hurt Bones. He wanted him afraid and begging for his life. And these wants didn't settle well on him. That wasn't who he was. Then again, how many times had he threatened to take a life if that life hurt Bones? Because there wasn't a damn thing he wouldn't do to see her safe.
"Booth, it's okay to feel that way. It's natural. What matters is what you do when you finally catch up to him. That's what matters."
I hope he gives me a reason to kill him. "I will put him behind bars. It's what I do."
Brennan woke with a startled jerk, a small cry escaping her lips. Breathing heavily, she looked around the dark room for a source of light. Any light to prove to herself that she was safe.
The clock on the bedside table. Three forty-five. Okay. She wasn't blindfolded. She was in Booth's bed. Safe.
With a sigh, she rolled out of the bed, going to the bathroom. She was sticky with sweat and needed to wash her face. Once done, she glanced back to the dark room. She didn't like it. Didn't like how she could hardly see anything.
She went out the other door that lead to the living area of the apartment. The living room was lit up with the TV. This was better. And Booth was in this room. Not that she'd admit to anyone that having him next to her made her feel safe.
She didn't understand this sense of security with him. He wasn't Captain America. He couldn't protect her from everything. And yet, she almost believed he could.
She quietly settled on the floor by the couch, leaning against the front of it. She winced, trying to get comfortable. The meds were wearing off, but she wasn't ready for more. They made her groggy. So for now her ribs would ache and her shoulders would burn. And all the other aches and pains would make themselves known.
The TV was on the history channel and she watched some documentary on the proof of Mermaid existence. Obviously, it was a fake documentary, there was no proof of merpeople and the evidence could have all been faked. But still, she enjoyed it for what it was.
The show changed and her eyes drooped. She was exhausted but wasn't ready for sleep. Not quite yet. One more show and then she'd try to go back to sleep.
Booth rustled behind her, and she looked back at him. She was down near his feet, so she could see his face pretty easily. He looked tense. Even in sleep. She reached over to touch him but decided not to.
With a sigh she focused on the show, letting it take her from her thoughts. From the places inside her that still feared she'd wake up and be back in that hell. No. She was here. In Booth's apartment. Safe. She was safe.
Booth woke to the morning light streaming in. It was probably just six in the morning based on the amount of light, but he knew going back to sleep wasn't happening. He needed to check on Bones and make coffee.
What the? He had moved to get up when his feet landed on something that wasn't the floor. Looking down he saw Bones, sleeping.
"Bones?" He moved so he was kneeling beside her. He shook her arm gently. "Bones. Wake up."
She stirred, started to move, and winced. "Ow."
"Yeah, ow. What are you doing sleeping on the floor, Bones?" He watched as her cheeks turned ever so slightly pink. God he loved when she did that. "You okay?"
"Yeah. I just couldn't sleep so I watched tv." She shifted, trying to get herself up, but struggled.
"Here," he stood, helping her off the floor as pain-free as he could, which he knew she hated. "Give it time, Bones. You'll be back to your independence soon."
"Not soon enough," she grumbled.
"Hey, what do you say I make breakfast? I got eggs, toast, bacon for one?"
She laughed and god he loved that sound. Could listen to her laugh for hours. Had been afraid he'd never hear it again. "Is that a yes?"
"Yes. I would love breakfast."
Booth clapped his hands together with a smile. "Great. Let me start with the coffee."
"Jesus!" Brennan yelled in frustration as the cup shattered on the floor. It was late, and she was, once again, having a hard time sleeping.
"Bones? What are you doing?" A sleepy Booth asked as he came running. No doubt to the clashing of the cup and her shout.
"I was trying to make a cup of tea, but my stupid ribs hurt, and when I pulled out the cup, I moved wrong and the pain made me drop the cup. I'm sorry about the cup."
She said all this a bit snappy, but she was so freaking frustrated! Everything hurt. Everything she did hurt.
"It's just a cup, Bones. Don't move. I'll grab the broom."
She nodded as tears stung her eyes. He returned with shoes on his feet and the broom and dustpan. "You okay?" He asked as he cleaned up the mess.
"I'm just so frustrated! Everything I do hurts! And I can't sleep and then I'm stuck here, bored out of my mind. I was mad that I couldn't even make a cup of tea without incident. I can't even shave my freaking legs!" She shook her head, trying to take a calming breath.
"Okay." Booth dumped the broken pieces into the trash before going to her and lifting her onto the counter by the sink. "Don't move." He ordered as if she could even if she wanted to. Her sprained ankle and broken toe would protest. Along with the jarring her ribs would receive.
When he returned, it was with naproxen, her pain meds, a towel, soap, new razor and he pulled water from the fridge.
"I know you don't like the way they make you feel, but take them so you can sleep." He said, handing her one of her pain pills. Apparently, the naproxen was for him. "It's a good thing you're wearing shorts."
"Why?" She eyed the razor.
"I'm going to shave your legs. Unless you have objections?" She shook her head and helped as Booth turned her so her legs were over the sink.
Neither of them spoke as he shaved her legs for her, making sure to not hurt the wounds on her ankles. Nor the cut further up her leg.
Brennan couldn't believe how intimate this was. Nothing about it seemed like it should be, but as he worked, she couldn't stop the butterflies that were set loose in her belly. He was so careful with her, making sure not to cut her or hurt her injuries.
Her heart squeezed as feelings of love flooded her veins and she nearly told him that she loved him. The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she fought them back. She wasn't ready yet. Not yet. But she would say them. Because she did love him.
After her shave, which she was so grateful for, Booth made her a cup of tea after settling her on the couch. She drank her tea as they watched TV.
As the pills started to take effect, she scooted closer to Booth, resting her head on his shoulder. She was going to tell him she should go to bed, but instead, she fell asleep.
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I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks :D
