(After 'The Blackout in the Blizzard')

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Because of several requests, this is a sequel to chapter 199 and 200.

I don't own Bones.

Oooooooooooooooooooooo

They'd been dating for two weeks now and both Booth and Brennan were happy with what was happening with their relationship. So far, it wasn't a physical relationship, but they weren't ready to take that step yet and were comfortable with the pace they were setting for themselves.

Though they had known each other for six years, they knew that there were things they needed to talk about. Brennan had known about the abuse Booth suffered as a child, but now that they were dating he told her more about his past. He talked about his mother running away and leaving her children behind with an abusive drunk. He told her about being rescued by his grandfather and how Hank had taken on the burden of raising his grandsons. She had known some of the story, but the things he told her was horrific and hard to listen to, but it helped her to understand his fear about becoming like his father. She listened to what he had to say and in the end, she placed her hand on his arm and gripped it gently. "You are not your father, Booth. I am not afraid of you and I know you will never hurt me. I know this because I've seen you with Parker and with Hank. Parker is a bright, intelligent, well adjusted child who loves you very much. Hank respects you and loves you. They know who you are and that you are not abusive or someone they should fear."

"Thanks Bones." Booth had wanted Brennan to understand who she was getting involved with. He had kept some of the things in his past hidden, but he couldn't do that now. Not with Brennan. "I worry about my temper, but I keep it under control most of the time and I'd never hurt you. I'd die first."

"I trust you, Booth." And she did. She trusted few people in the world. She could count on one hand the people she could trust with her life and Booth was at the top of her list. She hesitated for a moment then chose to speak about her past too. "You know I was in Foster Care."

Not sure what she was going to say, Booth nodded his head and placed his hand over her hand. He wanted to show her his support and allow her to speak about whatever she needed to talk about.

"When Russ gave me to the state of Illinois I was hurt and confused." For a moment, Brennan remembered just how much she hated her brother at that moment in time and knew that she still didn't forgive him for what he had done to her. She loved him, but like her father, she didn't completely trust him. "My parents had disappeared. The day before Christmas they were in Chicago and a few weeks later their car was found in New Jersey. We didn't know what that meant, but I assumed they had been killed and their car had been stolen. It was the only thing that made sense. Russ . . . Russ gave up on me and I had no one in my life that cared if I lived or died . . . You know I don't understand most people, their actions, their decisions make no sense to me. I was placed with foster families who didn't like me and rejected me. You know about the family that punished me for breaking a dish by locking me up in the trunk of their car . . . When I was rescued, the state gave up placing me with families and placed me in a group home. The couple that ran the home were kind, but they were caring for six other children and they didn't really understand me. They were kind to me, but they didn't like me . . . For a long time I assumed I was unlikable."

"Bones . . ."

She felt his hand squeeze her hand and she knew he wanted to comfort her, but she needed to talk to him and he needed to listen. "Let me talk Booth . . . I was forced to see psychologists while I was in Foster Care and both of them said I had a developmental disorder and offered to treat me, but I hate psychology and I refused to allow them to tinker with me . . . that's what they do, they tinker with your mind and your life . . . I read up on the disorder and I found that there is no cure, just drugs and therapy. I chose to accept who I am . . . that meant that I would have few friends in my life, but I was willing to accept that. The few friends I have gained in my life accept me the way I am and do not try to change me . . . at least not too much. Angela likes to give me advice as do you and Hodgins, but I accept that you are looking out for my best interests. If I find your advice useful, I use it, if not, I ignore it."

Amused, Booth smiled. "Of course you do."

Not sure about his reaction, Brennan stared at Booth for a moment then returned his smile. "Just like you do, Booth. Sometimes you take my advice and sometimes you don't . . . I am at the top of my field, I work with the best people in the forensic sciences and I enjoy my work . . . I have friendships I never thought I would have and I have found someone that . . . I have found someone that I trust to share my life with someday."

Grateful to know someone like Brennan, Booth leaned over and kissed her cheek. "We both had a rough start in life and we've had a few bumps along the way, but I think we're both in a good place right now. I'm here for you, Bones and I know you have my back. I think between us, we can do whatever we want to and we'll succeed."

"Yes, I agree." Releasing his hand, Brennan reached for the bottle of wine sitting on the coffee table and one of the empty glasses. "This is an excellent wine, Booth. You didn't have to bring me a gift, but I appreciate the sentiment."

"Thanks . . . Do you want to make out?" The look on Brennan's face made him laugh. "Not sex Bones, just some kissing . . . a little cuddling. I could use a cuddle right now."

After she placed her glass and the bottle of wine back down on the table, Brennan leaned back against the couch, moving so she was closer to him. "Do you consider me your girlfriend . . . I know we're adults and to call me a girlfriend seems childish, but still . . . what am I to you right now?"

He knew she needed to catalog things and he didn't mind. "I do think you're my girlfriend, but you're also my partner and my friend. How I think of you depends upon what we're doing . . . you're all three ,but I can separate my partner from my girlfriend when we're working."

"Thank you. That makes sense and I will keep that in mind."

Leaning against Brennan, with his arm around her shoulders, Booth felt relaxed and content. He wasn't sure when he had last felt this way, but he knew it had been a long time. "I care if you live or die, Bones. I have for a long time and I always will. Just so you know that."

"I know." Brennan knew that Booth loved her and she loved him. Someday, they would move their relationship to a physical one, but for now, she couldn't think of a time when she had been happier.

Ooooooooooooooo

Angela wasn't sure what was going on between Booth and Brennan but she felt that something was happening. She had noticed that they didn't seem to bicker very much anymore and they were more patient with each other. Something had changed between them at around the time of the blizzard, but it had taken her a few weeks to notice it. The changes were subtle and the only reason she noticed it was because Cam had mentioned the calmness she had noticed between the partners.

"Sweetie, is there something you'd like to tell me?" Angela stood in the doorway staring at Brennan who was typing on her keyboard.

Not sure what her friend was talking about, Brennan stopped typing and looked up. "Not that I'm aware of . . . perhaps you could be more specific."

Stepping into the room, Angela moved over to the chair in front of Brennan's desk and sat down. "Alright . . . you and Booth seem to be getting along pretty well lately. No bickering, no arguments, just unicorns and rainbows."

Slightly confused, Brennan stared at her friend and tried to decipher what she had said. "Unicorns and rainbows? What does that mean?"

"It means that you're friendship with Booth seems sweet and satisfactory . . . like you've come to terms with your relationship." She watched Brennan closely to see how she would react and was disappointed when there was no reaction at all. "Are you and Booth in a relationship?"

"No." Brennan felt she was being truthful since she and Booth weren't in a physical relationship. "Booth and I are just friends . . . He's no longer angry about Hannah's rejection and he has moved on. Perhaps that is what you noticed."

Aware that Brennan rarely lied about anything, Angela felt slightly disappointed. "Maybe that's it . . . Do you think you and Booth will ever become more than friends?"

"Anything is possible, Angela." Brennan hoped that it was more than possible, but she didn't want anyone interfering with her relationship with Booth. At least not until they had decided what that relationship was. "Right now, he is my partner and my friend and that is all I need at the moment."

"Alright, but I think you two should just go to a hotel, rent a room, stay for a week and never leave the bed. There isn't anything to stop you two from getting together. Not anymore." Angela waited for Brennan to respond and was surprised when her friend remained silent. Checking her watch, she stood up. "I have work to do . . . just think about it Brennan. Don't let him hook up with someone else. I don't think I could stand it and neither could you."

Once Angela was out of the room, Brennan leaned back against her chair. "I won't let that happen."

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