Here I am, months later from my previous update. I don't know where to begin. Things got busy, I got tired, cos let's face it fan fic writing takes up my much needed time for sleep. So anyway here I am, saying that all your reviews didn't go unnoticed, and all your urgings to make me continue this fic didn't go unheeded. I'm sorry for making you guys waiting so long.

I'm forgoing my usual round of thank yous but for everyone who has reviewed, I have read what you said and I thank you for the time taken to let me know what you think.

I debated for days on whether I should start again, and put this next chapter up. Cos this chapter would likely be short, go through less edits and re-writes, and I'm not sure when I have the energy for the chapter after this, but well I guess posting at least one update is better than none. So here we go, picking up right from where we left off.

"Dad, Bones told me everything." Parker came breezing into his father's hospital room.

"Everything?" Booth's eyebrows rose.

"Yeah, About your leg and how she's your girlfriend now."

Booth cast a worried glance at Brennan, then Rebecca.

"And?"

"It's cool Dad. You have nothing to worry about."

"Good to know you feel this way bud." Booth ruffled his son's hair. Rebecca offered a sincere smile.

"I think it's time I got Parker home. It's a school night and I'm sure you need your sleep Seeley."

"Yeah thanks. I'll see you soon Parker."

Booth waited for Parker and Rebecca to leave before reaching for Brennan's hand. He pulled her to him with a smile. "You're amazing Bones."

She smiled shyly at him. "I was worried you'd get mad at me for telling him, but everything worked out."

"Yeah, it did."

Booth spent the couple of days getting his strength up. His appetite improved and he seemed to have regained his spirits. His time spent awake was now considerably longer and the amount of pain medication he required was slowly but surely reduced.

A week after Booth left the Intensive Care Unit, he was introduced to his physical therapist Nick, a big guy, built much like himself. He detailed the plan he had to help Booth get back into shape and help him get back on his feet again. One thing was made clear to Booth and Brennan, it would be a long road to recovery but Nick felt confident Booth would recover well.

Booth was disappointed the initial therapy sessions involved only his upper body, working on muscles he hadn't used in a long time, and getting him used to be in a sitting position in his bed. The dizziness Booth constantly felt whenever he was sitting up subsided and Nick soon felt, much to Booth's delight, that it was time to try getting him to try sitting on a chair.

When the covers were thrown off, Booth took in a breath.

"You ok?" Brennan asked concerned. She had hardly left his side all this time.

"Yeah, I'm just nervous."

"Patience is the key Booth." Nick encouraged. In the week that had passed, Booth had become fast friends with his therapist. "We'll go nice and slow ok?"

"Yeah. Let's do this." Booth clapped his hands together.

"Ok remember what we talked about, put your weight on your right arm."

"Right since, my left is still in a sling."

"Once the clavicle heals up, things would get simpler."

Booth nodded. Brennan offered him an encouraging smile as she took a step back wanting to give Booth space and trusting that Nick knew what he was doing. Inside, she was as nervous, or even more so than Booth.

"Now let's scoot over to the edge of the bed."

Booth moved, every movement sending jolts of pain down his left leg and broken ribs. He winced visibly.

"I'll give you a hand. Like I said once the clavicle heals, it'll be easier." Nick was quick to help Booth move towards the edge, so that Booth didn't have to exert himself too much.

Booth lowered his good right leg experimentally, his right heel touching the floor. He grunted in pain.

"Let me know if you wanna stop." Nick offered.

"I'm good." Booth breathed.

"Ok, deep breath Booth." Nick said as he helped move Booth's badly injured left leg, which was still in a cast from the thigh down, onto the ground to join his right.

The pain that shot down his left leg was excruciating. He leaned heavily on his right arm, perched on the edge of the bed, panting, beads of perspiration already dripping down his face. Booth felt like he might pass out from the pain and his right arm began to tremble from the strain.

"Booth…"

"Not now Bones." Boot gritted out through clenched teeth.

"The blood's flowing down your leg now, it's gonna hurt like I told you." Nick encouraged. "Just take a couple of breaths."

"Just… don't.. touch…."

Brennan couldn't take it, She felt tears threaten to fall as she watched the man she loved struggle under the strain of something as mundane as putting his feet on the ground. She watched his raged breathing, his closed eyes, his face contorted in agony. She simply couldn't take it. She reached out and pushed the button to deliver that extra bit of morphine.

Booth felt the pain ease up and his eyes flew open.

"Bones… what…." He panted.

""I think we've had enough for today." Nick seemingly had agreed with Brennan. "Let's get you back into bed."

Nick helped Booth back onto the bed, allowing him to fall back on the cushion of pillows.

"Don't get discouraged Booth. I've seen some people give up way earlier than you did. It will get better. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Thank you." Brennan added, then focused her attention on Booth.

She waited for his breathing to even, waiting for his pain to become controlled.

"Damn it." Booth muttered, his eyes still closed.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't – "

"If it's too much for you then maybe you shouldn't be here."

Brennan bit back her tears. "You looked like you were in agony. I just.. I'm sorry."

Booth's eyes opened and he regretted his harsh words, noticing her red eyes.

"Bones," his tone softer now. "no, I'm the one who's sorry. It's just… I'm so angry. It's so frustrating. I can't even get out of bed."

He regarded the unsure expression on Brennan's face. "I'm not mad at you Bones. I guess I should have stopped when the pain got too bad, but I was too proud."

He extended a hand, reaching for his girlfriend.

She took his hand, brushing her thumb lightly over his knuckles.

"I hate feeling so weak, I can't even hold my own weight up with my good arm."

"You were severely injured. You almost died Booth."

"Yeah I know."

"You have to be patient. Things can't just go back to normal yet."

"Damn I've been here almost a month Bones."

"A month ago, I wasn't even sure you'd be alive. Whether you'd get out of Intensive Care. Now you're here and you're looking so much better and you're sitting up and we'd get you out of bed soon. Baby steps Booth."

Booth patted the bed, indicating she should sit. Brennan sat down slowly on his right, his good side, and rested her head on Booth's shoulder. She felt his arm snake round her waist, pulling her closer to him.

"I'm sorry I lost it at you."

"No it's.. I'm ok."

"Are you really? Cos this must be hard for you too."

"It is hard, seeing you like this. I know you hate it. But we'll get through this, we always do."

The next couple of days saw progress like Nick and Brennan had predicted. Booth was able to sit perched on the edge of his bed for longer intervals, the pain in his leg easing up a little.

Brennan was able to leave his side for longer periods, seeing that Booth was on the mend. She went to bed alone every night, waiting and hoping for the day she could take Booth home with her.

It was once such evening, when she had been urged by Booth to go home and rest. She had taken his advice, unwinding at home with a glass of red wine and a book. Her peace and quiet was interrupted by the ringing of her cellphone.

She recognized the voice of ICU nurse Veronica. Despite the fact that Booth was no longer under her care, Veronica still visited Booth in his ward when she was off-duty and kept in contact with Brennan.

"Temperance."

"Hey Veronica."

"You need to come to the hospital right away."

That wasn't what Brennan had expected when she picked up her cell. She had thought Veronica had wanted an update on Booth's condition.

"Is Booth ok?" Brennan asked alarmed.

"One of the implants in his leg got infected."

Brennan's heart sank. She mentally chided herself for not noticing the signs earlier. Booth had seemed a little more tired lately. She had chalked it up to physical therapy.

"He's already in surgery, but you can be here when he wakes up."

"He'll be in the ICU?"

"After the surgery, yes. Can't be too careful with our Seeley."

"I'll be right there."

Right okay guys give me the verdict. Believe me I have a plot for this story in my head, just need to find the time and energy to put it into coherent words.

Maybe this 3-week hiatus would give me some time to write. Now off to bed I go.