After watching tonight's episode, this chapter pretty much wrote itself, cos the episode while totally amazing given the dismal season we've had so far, was too depressing and I was in need of some fluff.
The scene where Booth saved Brennan, and him telling her he believed her was so Boothy, the most Boothy since the season began. And also the fact he followed her cos he was worried about her, I'm happy cos we're seeing traces of the old pre-season 6 Booth back.
So, ok the car scene totally crushed my heart but I expected that. It had to be a role reversal of The Parts in the Sum of the Whole. And while I know some of you probably hate Booth now, come on, the dam has been broken. His words totally conflicted his facial expression to her. It's the beginning of the end for Booth and her-who-should-not-be-named.
Ok sorry back to the story and my usual shout outs to the people who reviewed. amblue36, Tartantrace, horseninja, TemperTemper (nope this is your first review for this story, and might I say I'm honored, I'm a big fan of your work, way before I started writing on BB myself), Cremant (yes Parker is making an appearance and Booth is OOC this season for a reason, see he wasn't meant to be with this H person, so of course he's acting the way he is now), luckywynner86, Kurosaki Ann (of is it Meredith, I'm a little confused), wazo29 (lol, actually I haven't known someone like you mentioned but I haven't thought of the therapist character yet, but unlikely it'll be like you described), melandtom , Nedra1212 (for some reason I kinda like angsty, insecure Booth too), KeepBreathing3, bookwormlady, nertooold54, Pacicos (wow high praise, thanks! And I get the gut feeling this season is going to get better soon), Tango Mike Charlie (well he only said the words in Harbringers and then quickly took I t back when he added "in an atta' girl kinda way"), Ger (how true of all relationships, ups and downs), rmcbuckeye, mrsvartan07, SouthunLady, Mezzo187, (yup happy times for now.. ), aracely6, MMWillow13, mendenbar (clichéd yes I know, but I need me my fluff, and I'd love to hear your take on tonight's episode, so PM me if you like, oh and yes too early for Booth's prognosis, and I kinda liked Hacker in a goofy non-threatening way, I mean there was no way him and Brennan, and oh yeah after tonight's episode, he's definitely still Booth's boss), annpa. All your reviews have overwhelmed me, you've proved me wrong with your overwhelming response, so keep it up!
The morning after their decision to take the next step together felt surprisingly mundane. Booth was still in intensive care and to the unobservant eye nothing seemed to have changed between the two. However, no longer held back by their own fears and insecurities, there were the little touches, shared smiles and the occasional kiss.
Veronica was the only one who had noticed the subtle shift in dynamic between her patient and constant companion. Her only response was that she was confident Booth would heal up faster now.
After a companionable breakfast, Brennan sat on the chair beside Booth, his hand in hers, his finger absently caressing her knuckles. He reveled in touching her, it was like a million years of pent up tension finally allowed to be unleashed. It wasn't only the physical aspect but the lifted burden of now being able to know that he had said everything he had wanted to say no longer needing to be in denial about how he felt about her.
"So what else did you do besides think about me when you were in the Makapoopoo islands?"
Brennan rolled her eyes knowing Booth was saying it wrong to annoy him.
"We dug in the dirt, most of the time. I found Miss Wick's constant chatter more tolerable there. Perhaps it was because we didn't have much company."
"Did you really find anything that wwould put your name on some anthropology journal?"
"To be honest Booth? No."
"Aww Bones."
"No it was worth it. I rather enjoyed getting back to the roots of anthropology. It had been years since I have participated in a dig of this magnitude. But of course you know I thought about you Booth, a lot."
"Yeah I thought about you a lot too."
"Not enough to keep you from finding Hannah."
"Bones." Booth's voice held a warning tone. He didn't want to talk too much about it, but he knew the issue had to be addressed. The elephant in the room had to be dealt with if they were to progress in their relationship.
"I'm sorry. If you don't want to talk about it - "
"Nah. You're right I owe you an explanation." Booth sighed. "
When I got there, I could think of nothing but you. Its like even thought we were thousands of miles apart, my heart couldn't get over you. I really wanted to. I told myself I neede to, to be happy. It was all too much for me, you telling me no, then running off to some remote island. Hannah presented an opportunity for physical release, and I thought if I had to get over you, she was a realistic chance to do so."
"You and Hannah, you had time to engage in sexual intercourse?"
Booth bowed his head. "Yeah. It had been such a long time since I.., you know. I always thought one day I would be able to get through to you and the wait would be worth it. I'm sorry. I should've waited."
"You are a healthy adult male in your prime. I can imagine how hard it was to control your need to satisfy your biological urges. It's perfectly understandable."
"So why was it that every time I had sex with Hannah it felt like I was cheating on you?"
Booth's eyes burned into hers and they shared a moment. She could feel the remorse and sincerity in his gaze.
"It did?" Her voice a whisper.
"Every single time."
"But we weren't in a relationship then."
"Still felt like it."
"I waited for you too. I'm still waiting." Brennan wasn't one to blush easily, but she felt her face turning red.
Booth groaned and threw his head back onto the pillow.
"Did I say something wrong? Are you in pain?" Brennan asked concerned.
"No." Booth shook his head. "Well I'm pretty much in pain every time I move but that's not it. It's just, what you told me, you're making me feel worse. I'm sorry Bones. I really am."
"I don't hold it against you. In fact, I expect the first time we have intercourse to be nothing short of spectacular given my self-imposed celibacy."
Booth groaned again. "Bones, you're so not helping again."
"Why?" She cocked her head slightly and had a confused frown that Booth found adorable.
"Cos Bones, I'm stuck in the hospital, I don't know when I'm getting out of here and despite all this pain I'm feelin' I can't believe you managed to get me aroused by just saying you had been celibate for me for the past…" Booth gestured for her to continue.
"I haven't had intercourse in more than a year, although I do have ways of achieving my own release, although admittedly not as satisfying as – "
"Bones, baby, please stop."
Brennan quirked a smile.
"You've given me a full blown hard on by just talking. Do you realize where we are? What if Veronica walks in?"
"Did you just call me baby?"
It was Booth's turn to smile. "New term of endearment?"
"I much rather prefer Bones."
Booth brought her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "I don't know when but… our first time? I promise we'd be breaking the laws of physics."
"Then I find myself waiting with eager anticipation."
They shared another smile but were then interrupted by said nurse.
Booth cleared his throat. "Uh.. it's not time for a sponge bath is it?"
"Missed my hands on you honey?" Veronica teased. "Or you'd rather Temperance's hands be on you?"
Brennan laughed as she watched Booth turn red.
"Sorry to disappoint. I'm taking you for an MRI, then x-rays."
Brennan's mood shifted from one of playfulness to worry. It was so easy to forget that Booth was still gravely injured during their light banter.
"Was there something wrong with the blood test results?"
"No. It's good news. Dr Casey ordered another round of tests. If they're all clear, Seeley here can go be moved out of Intensive Care."
"That's good right?"
"Yes." Veronica replied.
"Then Parker can come visit." Brennan pointed out.
…
The series of tests all turned out clear and by evening, Booth had been moved out of Intensive Care. The couple celebrated by indulging in pie for him and salad for her from the Royal Diner. Something Brennan had stepped out of the hospital to buy while he had been taken for his tests.
Booth had his first visitor in the form of his long time friend the next morning. Cam's reaction to seeing Booth pull Brennan to him for a kiss on the lips was one of shock then a remark, "I always thought the two of you would get together when you came back anyway. Looks like I was right."
In the afternoon, Angela and Hodgins arrived. Since Cam already knew, Brennan felt it was wise not to keep her best friend in the dark about her new boyfriend so she proceeded to cup his face and kiss him soundly on said boyfriend's lips. Angela's reaction to that was a loud squeal, followed by a series of shushing and then a tight hug to Brennan together with her "I'm sooooo happy for the two of you."
Hodgins had ginned and offered a one word remark of "Dude," to Booth before chuckling, genuinely happy for his friends.
The happy couple had no problems revealing their new status to their friends but Parker was due to arrive after school that day and both was considerably nervous each for their own reasons.
"What if he doesn't like it?" Brennan asked after Angela and Hodgins had left.
"I'm his Dad. I trust that he shouldn't like that I've been wounded in war and now in hospital. What if he thinks differently of me? What if I can't walk normally again and he thinks Brent is cooler than I am."
"Parker is a bright boy and he loves you unconditionally. I highly doubt he'll think lesser of you. He'll understand if you tell him you'll need time to recover. If anything I suspect he would be very happy to have you back."
"Yeah I haven't seen him in months. I'm kinda excited too."
"But that wasn't what I meant. I meant, what if he doesn't like the fact that I'm your new girlfriend?"
"You kidding me Bones? Parker's always adored you. He always tells me how cool you are and how smart you are and he loves your pool. He'll have no problems with us being together."
"Back then I was only Dad's friend. Now I'm Dad's girlfriend."
"Trust me Bones, he'll be fine. We shouldn't keep something like this from him."
"Just like you shouldn't hide the extent of your injuries from him."
Parker arrived with Rebecca, the little boy clearly elated to have his father back.
"Dad!"
"Hey buddy! I've missed you. Look how you've grown!"
Parker ran up to Booth's bed, hesitant at first. "You can hug me Parker just don't squeeze me too hard."
"I've missed you Daddy."
"I know. I missed you too."
"Are you ok? Mom said you were badly wounded in the war. Does it hurt?" Parker pointed to Booth's left leg which was in a cast.
"Yeah it hurts, but don't you worry. It'll get better, just needs some time."
"Did you have to kill people in Afghanistan? Did they try to kill you too?"
"I guess so."
"Mom said you almost died."
"Almost buddy, but no way I'd miss seeing you grow up."
"Are you really ok Daddy?"
"It's gonna take some time, and maybe I won't be able to be the same father you once had but I still love you the same ok?"
"Why won't you be the same?"
"I mean I'm just not sure if – "
"Your father just means some things may change for him but he'll still be your Dad." Rebecca was quick to step in.
Parker momentarily satisfied with his mother's answer, turned to Brennan, closing the distance between them quickly and throwing his arms round her waist, surprising all the adults in the room.
"I missed you too Bones."
"I missed you as well Parker."
Booth smiled at Brennan, offering her a thumbs up.
"How bad is it Seeley?" Rebecca asked, out of Parker's earshot.
Booth shook his head slightly.
Brennan extended her hand to Parker. "I'm going to the cafeteria for some ice cream, you wanna come along? We'll bring some back for your Mom and Dad."
Parker looked to his mother for approval and when Rebecca nodded, Parker grinned. "I'll see you later Dad."
"It's bad." Booth admitted to Rebecca after Parker left with Brennan. "I almost bled to death, and they're not sure if my left leg will be back to normal and if I can walk on my own again. May need crutches or a cane for the rest of my life."
"I'm sorry."
"Listen about Parker – "
"You don't have to worry Seeley. Parker loves you. And I don't think this will affect how he sees you. You'll always be his hero."
"So you're ok with me being like this and still taking him on weekends?"
"Well I have to make sure you can take care of yourself first, but he can still come visit if you have help."
"Just ah yeah about that... there's one more thing. I thought you should know, Bones and I are… we're together now."
"Can't say I'm surprised. I'm relieved. If you were to end up with anybody I suppose I'd rather Dr Brennan than anyone else be his step-mother."
"Really? I mean not that we talked about getting married or anything."
"I know you Seeley. Of course you're thinking about marriage."
"I don't think it'll be so soon anyway, if it does happen."
"I'm happy for you Seeley, really am."
…
In the hospital cafeteria, Parker happily tucked into his strawberry ice cream.
"Did you have fun in Indonesia Bones?"
"Yes. But I missed you and your father."
"I missed the both of you too."
Brennan felt her heart rate increase considerably. She hadn't discussed this prior to Booth but this felt as opportune a time as any.
"Your father and I have something to tell you and while your parents are upstairs I thought perhaps I'd share the news with you."
"Are you and my Dad having a baby?"
Mildly alarmed, Brennan shook her head. "No."
"You're getting married?"
This hadn't crossed Brennan's mind but she knew that deep down inside Booth probably wanted them to get married because that was just him. She hadn't the time to contemplate it in front of the boy.
"No. But you are right, in a way, your father and I are together now."
"Oh, so you're like his girlfriend now."
"Yes." Brennan offered him a cautious smile.
"I thought it was something more serious."
"This is serious, us getting together."
"Are my Dad's injuries serious?"
"Honestly Parker? Yes."
"I like that you're always honest with me. Not like other adults. Can my Dad still walk? Is he gonna be ok?"
"I'm pretty sure he's going to heal satisfactorily from his injuries. He'll walk again, but maybe with the help of walking aids."
"Like a walking stick?"
"Yes. Would that make you think lesser of him? Or love him less?"
"No, why should it? He's still my Dad and I can still have fun with him."
"I appreciate that you're always honest with me too Parker."
Parker grinned. "Can my Dad still swim?"
"I don't see why not. In fact swimming is often prescribed therapy for injuries like this."
"Cool! Then I can use your pool when I come over every weekend when you and Dad live together."
Brennan mused how amazing it was that Parker had everything figured out before the adults had and how he had simplified everything for them. She felt relieved.
"Can I still call you Bones after you and Dad get married?"
The thought of marriage was completely averse to her in the past but she felt herself warming to the thought. Parker had assumed it was going to happen, it was rational to think it just might.
"Of course Parker."
"Last year, I got second in the school science fair cos Gracia Walker cheated. Her Dad totally did her entire project."
"That is cheating."
"This year, you can totally help me right? And I'll win the first prize cos you're a genius. Dad always says you're a genius."
"Sure I'll help you."
"Awesome."
"Let's get the ice cream back to your parents ok?"
...
Sorry for the lack of creativity for this last scene but it was to make up for that Parker and Hannah crap last week. Also it seems like this chapter covered a lot of stuff. I originally stopped the chapter before Parker made an appearance but it felt too short. Adding in the Parker scenes lengthen the chapter more than I intended it to, and it also split the focus of the chapter a little. But both issues of Booth's past with Hannah and Parker's scenes alone made the chapters shorter than I usually write them.
So let me know what you thought of it.