Disclaimer: I own it all actually- secretly all of BONES belongs to me... No not really... :-P i also dont have a jumprope.. that is just depressing..
Well anywho- this chapter is slightly random, the next chapter should have the bulk of the WHOA factor of this story. And i promise.. it's almost done. :-P hope you like
June 17th
Her next appointment was to find out if it was a boy or girl. This was appointment number 12.
Booth was filled with barely contained excitement. Brennan fed off his zeal; it made her feel juvenile and happy,
The doctor held the 3D sonogram in his hand- eying the results with a practiced eye.
Temperance fought the urge to lean around and try to see the photograph type thing.
The silence was slightly daunting.
"So what is it Doc? Boy or Girl?" Booth was secretly hoping for a girl. He wanted to see how they worked- He had grown up with boys, and had a son of his own. However, girls- they were a complete mystery.
The doctor gently placed the photo where they could see it.
"You have a boy;" He gestured to a spot in the photo. "Do you see here where the baby is sucking his thumb?" They nodded- grinning like proud parents should.
The doctor then pointed to another spot on the photograph.
"And here- where your girl has her hand over her face?"
They nodded again, freezing mid-nod.
"Repeat that please?" Brennan asked, without batting an eyelash.
"Do you see where your son is sucking his thumb?"
Booth sighed- this doctor wasn't as good as he claimed if he was getting confused about the baby's gender.
The doctor continued.
"And where your daughter is rubbing her face?"
Booth looked stunned/confused.
"You're saying our baby is one of those freaky boy/girl things? Not that I wouldn't love it just as much but-"
"Hermaphrodite- Booth our baby is not a hermaphrodite" Bones interjected. "The doctor is trying to tell us that we are having twins."
Then the truth sank in for her too- and her eyes widened.
"Do twins run in your family Dr. Brennan?" The Doctor smiled at the Deer-in-the-headlights look that the father had, and the looks-like-she-just-stuck-a-fork-in-a-toaster look that the mother had
Temperance Brennan really couldn't say, she knew virtually nothing about her family. She should ask her father.
"Oh crap." She muttered suddenly.
"What? What is it Bones?" Booth was at her side- he struggled with where to put his hands- resisting the urge to take her small hands in his.
She looked up at him through her eyelashes- sudden panic on her face
"I haven't told dad."
Max Keenan answered his phone- he was smiling as he answered- his day was perfect so far, a few weeks with Russ and the Girls.
He was just getting back to DC to start work officially at the Jeffersonian.
His perfect day was ending with his daughter calling him.
"Hey honey." He answered- the tension was clear just by her hello. Something was up.
"Hi dad." She replied- "I need to see you."
Max frowned and let himself into his apartment- his apartment. He wanted to chuckle. It was the first time in a long time that he was staying in a legitimate part of town- using a real name.
Being legit takes some getting used to.
But he stuffed those thoughts aside in order to take care of his daughter.
""What's wrong? Are you okay? Is Booth Ok?"
He would have asked about Russ in between her and Booth, but he had just left. And everyone had been fine. Booth was third on his list because nothing shook his Temperance up- Unless it had to do with her family (Biological, and Jeffersonian) or Booth. Something that he found pleasantly intriguing.
The list went
1. Temperance herself
2. Russ
3. Booth
4. The rest of the Jeffersonian
He still didn't know all of their names.
There was Tempe's best friend- the beautiful Ms. Montenegro, then there was the Bug Guy- who had who had almost Married the artist. His name started with an H
A lady who had a history with Booth- who was Temperance's boss. They were friends now- but apparently they had had a rocky start.
Then there was the apprentice that his daughter didn't like to talk about anymore. She had suffered pain over that young man. Pain that she wasn't used to experiencing.
"No- we're both fine." Her voice held no trace of a lie. "I just really need to talk to you- are you home?"
Relief flooded through him.
"Yeah- just got in. Do you need to talk tonight?"
"Yes. Can you- can you meet me at my apartment? We'll be there in a few minutes."
"I'll be there." He said- then stopped. "Who's we?"
"Booth and I." She said shortly. "I'll explain when we get there- see you in a minute. Love you."
"Love you too." Max said, and the line went dead.
He was still surprised that she told him she loved him at the end of every phone conversation. They were a family again- even if they were a family that was healing.
Booth watched Brennan she jumped when the doorbell rang- she was nervous. Very Nervous.
He didn't think he had ever seen Bones nervous. Not like this.
He personally didn't see any reason for her to be nervous, from what he knew of her dad- he was a very understanding man.
He frowned- on second thought- you never knew exactly how Max would react to anything. Booth himself had learned this firsthand several times. Maybe he should be nervous too.
Max Keenan walked through her door- he clearly noticed something was different with his daughter. Booth could tell by the way that he eyed her with scrutiny.
"Hello Booth." He said quietly. The former bank robber's eyes were unreadable- suddenly on him. Booth felt like he was in ninth grade again, and that he had just been asked to solve an algebra problem in front of the class. The FBI guy knew where Bones had gotten her famous "stare"
"Hi Max."
They sat awkwardly across from one another- Brennan looked equally as uncomfortable.
"Dad- I have something to tell you."
Max frowned- or rather his face wrinkled into a more serious expression.
Booth had never seen the man have an unhappy expression; he always looked completely content to take whatever life threw at him.
The FBI agent watched his Bones move her hands aimlessly across her lap- he resisted the urge to hold her hands in his.
To quiet her,
But even with the pregnancy between them- he wasn't sure if she was ready for him to take this kind of control of their relationship.
"I'm, pregnant." There, it was out.
Max's face radiated joy. He hugged his daughter tightly- kissing her cheek.
What she didn't know was that he was assessing the situation while congratulating her.
There were telltale signs of what was going on- Booth was clearly involved with some part of this.
For starters, her partner kept glancing at Temperance- a completely complicated expression on his face. Something was up-
As Max had come in he had noticed differences about both Temperance and her apartment.
He had guessed that she might be pregnant. There was a glow about her that he remembered from when his Christine was pregnant.
Also- there were things that had never been in Temperance's apartment up until this visit,
A pair of man's work shoes by the door- along with a pair of red converses.
Four drawings made by a small child and signed from Parker- to Bones, or To Daddy.
Three case files were lying open on the counter- they all stamped by the FBI.
The television cabinet that he had never seen opened before- was open, and filled with a large plasma screen TV. The largest chair turned toward the TV and there was a large and complicated remote laying to the right of it.
The guest room door was standing open; a suit was hanging on the doorknob. A ridiculously bright tie lay draped over the suit.
Children's books accompanied the scientific and murder mysteries that lined his daughter's shelves. Moreover, a small box was filled to the brim with every toy imaginable for a boy about seven.
The space was still Temperance's- but clearly, she was sharing it now.
Max's quick, smiling eyes turned to Booth as soon as the father finished hugging his daughter.
"I knew that you weren't gay." He said- capturing Booth's hand in his own and smiling.
Both of their mouths dropped open.
"How did you know that Booth was the-"
"You still think I'm gay?"
They answered in unison.
Max laughed-
"Temperance- not a lot gets by your old man. And Booth- I was worried, after you resisted my daughter for three years while there was definitely something between you." His eyebrows waggled. "I had to think you were something."
"Couldn't you just think I was a gentleman?" Booth could not believe that they were having this conversation, in front of Bones.
Max shrugged.
"I guess I liked watching your expression when I asked if you were gay."
Temperance stared at her father and Booth.
"You asked him if he was gay?"
Max nodded.
"I'm not-" Said Booth.
He watched Bones laugh at him- she almost snorted.
"Well apparently not-" She gestured ominously at her slightly protruding stomach.
"Boy or Girl?" Max asked- the excitement full in his voice.
His daughter and her partner grinned at him and each other-
"Both."
Temperance Brennan slid her eyes open- it was almost two in the morning- she was worn out completely.
Telling her father had been easier than she'd thought. He had been overjoyed beyond all of her hopes.
Booth had been calm and doted on her- almost to her embarrassment.
They had called Russ- it was a wonderful phone call although she could tell that he was unsure about the fact that his sister was having a child with an FBI agent.
Temperance knew that Russ had warmed up to her partner over the last year.
Nevertheless, she knew that he wasn't exactly on the best of terms with Booth.
"Twins Tempe?" He had laughed uproariously and they had talked about a past memory when Russ had told Temperance she was an evil twin.
Booth had listened quietly to this private family moment, feeling a bit like he was becoming part of the Brennans.
Something clanged in the kitchen.
Temperance cracked her eyes open.
"What are you doing Booth?"
"I'm hungry-" He replied- his voice was gruff with sleep.
"We didn't have dinner. That's perfectly normal."
"We're outta pie, macaroni and Thai food… No wait- we have some Tom Yam left." Another rumbling as things were moved around in the fridge " and it looks like some… Gai Pad Khing." He pulled a carton covered in condensation out of the fridge."
"That is two weeks old." She said- without looking up.
"So…" He stuck it in the microwave.
"You could just order some new, instead of contracting salmonella or a mold from the expired take-out."
Booth turned and glared at her.
"You just had to ruin it for me didn't you?"
"I just don't want you to get sick."
He yanked the carton out of the microwave and chucked it in the trash.
"Yeah well… that's still no fun… I like eating the slightly expired stuff- it makes me feel… adventurous."
He grinned heroically.
She glanced over the top of her couch.
"Getting shot at and catching criminals doesn't make you feel heroic enough."
It was phrased like a question- but was a statement.
"It's a different heroic Bones- this makes me feel like I'm defying your germs and molds…" He grinned ridiculously which made her grin back. "I feel all manly and… tough."
He yawned and rubbed his puffy eyes.
"Are you hungry?"
Brennan noted his hope that she would be hungry so that he would have a better excuse to leave,
"Yes. I am experiencing hunger pangs. We missed dinner because my father was over."
He nodded. "Great!" He slapped his hands together. "What sounds good?"
"-Anything other than Macaroni and cheese?" He interrupted- and she was amazed that he was able to intercept her thoughts like that.
It was nothing new, it seemed like they shared a mind.
One mind.
Dr. Wyatt had said something of the sort when he had interviewed the two of them
She had immediately dismissed that statement as an unfounded analysis- a prime example of the ridiculous pseudo-science of psychotherapy.
But that had nothing do with her like of the man as a person- Gordon Wyatt was one of the most literal and understandable therapists that she had ever met.
The only one that she would even try to listen to- She could see why Booth had liked him- he was a deep thinker, but still with all the male attributes and presence, that Booth instinctually trusted.
She wished that she could call him now- but he had moved back to England over a year and a half ago and refused to take any more sessions.
There was one person that she could speak to- but she didn't know if she wanted to reveal herself to Sweets.
"Anything you want Booth- I'm just hungry."
His face brightened.
"Okay- let's go- I have an idea."
"It's 2AM, I do not think that anything is open. Except takeout."
He grabbed his keys happily.
"I am so not worried about that. There are tons of takeout places in DC. Come on Bones."
She stood carefully- the weight of the children growing in her uterus was starting to make all movement very deliberate and almost uncomfortable- but not uncomfortable.
There was no scientific way to put it. Every inconvenience was completely worth it- her children were growing inside of her.
Hers and Booths
He held her arm and placed his hand at the small of her back- as usual, as always.
"So how does Italian food strike you?"
She nodded.
"Sounds good- do Italians do takeout?"
"That seems a little racist to me- Italians are no different than any other people…"
She punched him in the arm, hard-
"Geez Bones- I was just joking, being pregnant is really starting to take over."
He mimicked a zombie walk to reiterate "Take over"
"I don't know what that means." Then she prattled off some scientific fact about the release of chemicals and hormones in the brain that causes the changes in a pregnant woman's moods and actions.
If there were a few things that Seeley Booth knew for sure- it was that certain things in life that completely defied science.
Booth nodded sagely in response to her scientific jargon and completely ignored her.
Sometimes he was sure that she acted as if she didn't understand his pop-culture references just to make him act more retarded.
"Bones- no matter what you say, science can't explain the craziness of pregnant women."
"I am not crazy."
Booth helped his partner into the large black Government Issue car.
"Yeah- whatever. Not crazy." He chuckled in the way that said he was being obviously sarcastic.
Brennan stopped talking suddenly- her eyes widened and a hand immediately pressed to her enlarged stomach.
"What? Bones- Temperance, are you alright?" His voice was tight with worry.
"They're moving!" She chirped excitedly- "I can feel them!" She snatched his hand and pressed it to her stomach. "Did you feel that?"
His face went wide with amazement at the touch of life at his fingertips.
"I feel it-" His voice was hushed and reverent- gently following the movement around the womb. They giggled and smiled down at her stomach until the movement stopped.
"I guess they're hungry too." Booth reluctantly removed his hand from her stomach and put the car in drive- moving away from their curb.
"Do you think that we could go for tacos instead?" He glanced at the woman- glowing in his passenger seat.
"Tacos sound great Bones, and I know for a fact- that Taco Bell is open late."
He made a swift and turbulent u-turn- heading through the non-existent traffic and into the night.
"Is it close? I have to pee again…"
Her apartment door thudded open- two bags of Taco bell in one hand and a key in the other. Although the food was addicting, the smell of the Mexican food was atrocious in a closed car even for a person with a regular balanced stomach.
Brennan had thrown up twice and still had to roll the widow down to get rid of the smell- it wasn't a good car ride.
But Booth had born it admirably and had retched along with her. He had even prepared a special bucket for her to be sick in. It had definitely been used.
"Are you feeling any better?" He asked as they walked through her door. She had given him a key one week after he had moved in (amidst her protests) and she had realized that it was a good thing for him to be there. Just in case, she needed someone.
No one else knew that he was staying in her apartment. She was sometimes glad that they didn't know- she and Booth weren't living together in the relationship sense. He was there to take care of her- nothing else.
That could be said of her entire relationship with Booth, He took care of her.
"I'm much better now," She replied smiling, though she looked both green and pale.
He moved to put the food in the fridge.
"What are you doing?"
He shrugged and looked a little embarrassed.
"I can wait to eat if the smell is making you sick- I'll just wait and eat it in the morning. It's really no big deal."
She shook her head vehemently.
"I am feeling fine. In addition, I find that I am rather hungry. Apparently, having a weak stomach is a side effect of pregnancy and it easily passes. I would rather like to eat with you."
Knowing that it would probably kill their stomachs this late at night- he smiled and reopened the bags full of cheesy splendor.
They sat at the table- full and happy.
Booth was lazily tracing patterns into the table with his fingertips and Temperance was writing the next chapter of her book in her head.
"Do you have any ideas for names?" Brennan asked suddenly.
Booth jerked as he came back from whichever fantasy world he had been staying in.
"Why?"
Brennan shrugged and placed her hands on the table- finding a new position that felt more comfortable.
"I was just thinking. And now that we know what the genders are, we could start discussing."
"Oh."
It wasn't the most brilliant reply. But it was 3:30 in the morning and he hadn't slept in a few days.
"So do you have any ideas?"
She watched him suddenly become self-conscious which she found strange and interesting.
"Well, I had one- if it was a girl… You know- and now that we have one of each- but if you don't want to it's ok..."
Temperance sat and waited for him to spit it out. These things couldn't be rushed with him. Clearly, he had put some thought into this.
"I think that the girl should be named Christine." He flushed something that she had only seen once or twice. "You know- after your Mom."
His gaze dropped to the table again.
How could he have read her mind like that?
That was precisely the name that she had been debating ever since she found out that she was going to have a baby, hoping that she would get to honor her mother in a way that she really had never thought about until this had happened.
Then she had thought that Booth might not want to name their child after her mother. He had a family too- maybe it would be better to suggest it as a middle name.
But then this had happened.
Temperance had never felt so happy in her life.
"Thank you." She said- tears in her eyes, she hugged him tightly in one of their classic "guy hugs"
It hadn't been a "guy hug" for Seeley Booth in months. In fact, only the first few had been that innocent and chummy.
None of the hugs that she had instigated had not left him tingling all over from where she had touched him.
He really, truly had tried not to become attached to his partner. She was not his usual type, nor was she the type of woman he attracted. However, the more that they worked together, the more he realized how much he was affected by her.
Not that he would ever let it show.
The most that had happened was when she had surprised him so badly for their mistletoe kiss.
That one had shocked him to no end.
At first, he had been fine. Thinking of this in a completely platonic way.
(As if he would ever use a word, like platonic in the first place…)
This is my partner.
This is my work partner.
There is a line.
This is Temperance Brennan.
This is Bones.
My Bones.
Then he was gone. All coherent thought abandoned him and he had kissed her back in the way that he had wanted to for a long time.
But when she had responded…
There was always an inward sigh when he thought about that moment.
Booth was almost sure that if she hadn't broken it off short- he would have taken her right there. Crushed her up against her office wall and erased his hastily made line… or at least put some whiteout over it.
Thank God in heaven that she had had the sense to pull away.
He had been a little disconcerted and embarrassed when they had separated with a slight pop.
But she seemed just as unsettled when he had finally gotten the nerve up to look at her.
Something was there now- now it was out there. Even if they both completely ignored it.
His Bones released him from the guy hug. The tears were drying up- although she still had the expression that expressed gratitude beyond the normal.
He felt himself get all self-conscious. It was just common sense to him.
He felt the same way if his military record was brought up.
The kind of uncomfortable feeling in his chest when someone recognized what he had done during the war… and the things that he'd done not during the war.
Thankfully, none of the Squints had ever seen his uniform in his closet.
Not that he would ever tell anyone, but his jacket was much heavier than most- his chest was full of medals and honors that no one had ever been able to witness. He kept them on his dress uniform until he had reason to wear it.
He had a box at the bottom of his closet- full of certificates that acclaimed his valor or whatever.
Some of them were so classified that not even his parents knew why he had gotten them- and so to forestall questions, he had just left them unrecognized. It was easier that way, even though sometimes he wanted to yank out the old wooden box and let his old man look through them, especially when his Dad was showing Jared off to the relatives, or their friends Or when his dad was clearly informing him that he thought that Jared was going somewhere with his career.
Those were the times when he wished the wooden box was open for everyone to see.
But that wasn't worth it.
Nothing like that would ever solve anything.
But actually the fact the Brennan hadn't found out about him was surprising.
Cam had asked- and she had been angry when he refused to tell her.
He didn't need the fuss. It was his duty and that is all.
"What do you think about the boy?" He asked- after clearing his throat uncomfortably.
He watched Bones rub her eyes self-consciously.
"I am not sure." She also suddenly found the table fascinating. "I have always liked your first name Seeley."
He wasn't sure if she was reiterating that she liked the name Seeley, or if she was using his first name for the first time since she had met him.
"Nah Bones, you don't have to stick the kid with that name just cause you feel like you owe me for Christine. It wasn't meant for you to feel like that."
He had hated his name when he was young. It was always the girliest guy name that he had ever heard. And he got into countless fights, in school and out, defending his manliness.
What he didn't know, was what his parents were on when they named him.
He figured that his Mom must've been high on pain-killers.
Because seriously, how do you go from Seeley to Jared?
But now he was Okay with it. It was relatively unique- and not many people forgot it once they met him. Besides- women seemed to love it. He grinned inwardly.
Bones' head jerked up in that familiar Brennan stare that he knew so well.
"I don't feel like I owe you." She eyed him straightly. "I have always that your first name was both uncommon and masculine. I know you probably thought I only used your last name because I disliked your first." She shook her head. "That is incorrect. I use your last name because both you and I have always clearly stated that we are just partners. That being said- it is best to keep our relationship more formal by addressing you by your surname."
He grinned suddenly.
"You like Seeley?"
She nodded uncomfortably.
"Yes, I do."
"Do you want to name our son Seeley?"
"It is an option."
He thought about it for a moment.
"Maybe we could think about that one."
They talked for at least a half an hour- Booth was beginning to see the tell-tale signs of weariness in his partners' face.
"You should go to bed Bones." He said- trying to keep the tenderness out of his voice.
He helped her stand- and was confirmed that she was tired because she did not complain about his mothering her.
They both went their separate ways- flipping lights off as they moved toward their beds.
An hour later- Temperance woke from a dream that she couldn't remember- all she knew was that she was terrified- it was bad enough that she woke up with tears in her eyes.
She sat shivering for several seconds. Wanting to call for Booth- but unable to swallow her pride and ask for help.
"You okay Bones?"
There he was, standing carefully in the doorway- just in case she was indecent.
"You can come in." She called
He took one step in the door- filling it with his broad frame.
"I heard you. I sleep really lightly." He tried to explain- almost apologetically.
"It was- it was a dream. I believe that the hormones that have been released because of the pregnancy which are now quite prevalent in my mind are affecting my REM state- causing slight night terrors."
Booth's silhouette shook his head, but didn't look very convinced.
"Uh huh… are you going to be OK?"
She thought for a second- her body reviling at the thought of him leaving. She ignored it.
"I should be fine."
He shook his head again- hearing the finality in her voice.
"Alright- just yell if you need something."
He turned to leave.
"Booth?"
He stopped
"Would you mind staying with me for a little bit?"
Her partner turned slowly.
Looking around for a comfortable place to spend the night.
He spotted an armchair- great… But let's face it. He'd had worse.
"No-" She said quietly as he moved to the chair. "There is no need for you to be uncomfortable. You can sit in the bed." She scooted to the side. Flipping a small lamp on-
"Bones-" He began.
"-Booth. I'm serious. It's a huge bed. I won't be bothered, I promise. It's just- I'm not sure if I can stand being alone in here tonight."
He could hear a need in her voice- a slight tremor that she was clearly attempting to hide seeped through her cold exterior.
Although he had not seen the cold exterior in a long time.
There wasn't fear that something would happen- he could control himself- And his base anthropological urges.
That still irked him; Bones had boiled him down to the brain control of a caveman. She had made it sound like he would go and grab some woman that he was attracted to by the hair, running out to have his way with her.
If he were that easily influenced there would be a certain FBI Agent running out with a Forensic Anthropologist screaming over his shoulder.
He grinned often enough at that thought. He would never tell her about this private fantasy.
He'd had enough trouble when the Librarian Fantasy slipped out.
That had been awkward.
He had allowed himself a small sigh of relief after he'd left the galley.
She'd stared at him in major confusion- looking up into his face with the scowl that informed him that she was thinking deeply about what he was trying to tell her. She was displeased that he was talking about things that she had no interest in.
But thankfully she hadn't gotten it… he was hoping that it wouldn't bother her enough to ask Angela about it… good lord. Then he would never hear the end of it.
That didn't seem nearly as important now.
She was a bit pregnant.
"Are you sure?" He asked.
She gave him a shrewd glance.
"Apparently this irrational fear will not go away- but it seems to slack a bit when you are in the room."
This pleased him in some perverse way- she needed him right now.
He lifted the covers, sliding onto the right side of the bed- his favorite side. She was apparently a leftie sleeper.
So they wouldn't have to worry about that. They both sat- backs against the headboard, sitting at a slight angle so that they could talk.
She had already gotten the bed warm- he was chilled from wandering her house at 5:30 in the morning so the warmth was wonderful.
He noticed the slight rise where her stomach was.
She was showing more than he had thought.
It's because they're twins…
The G-Man was still amazed. It was just beyond anticipation. He would never have dreamed that this could happen.
His training, along with an acute eye for detail when it came to his partner, gave him the unnerving ability to detect her slightest changes in mood.
It had taken him a while- at least the first year or so- to learn her varying moods- but he had done it.
Most people who did not take the time to get to know her thought that she had two moods.
Irritable, and amazingly literal.
This made her both boring and intimidating to many people.
But not now- now he could see that when she put up her toughest façade- she was at her weakest.
Angela had told him that she had reverted to her rock-like self when she had thought he died.
Ang also said that she had never seen her cry during that time- she wouldn't speak to anyone. She would only work.
Kind of a letdown considering the fact that they were partners. She hadn't cried once.
"Why didn't you cry at my funeral?" He asked quietly- amazed at his own audacity. "Or even when I died… they said that you never cried. Didn't you care that I was dead?"
She felt her heart harden at the thought of those days when she thought her partner was dead.
Booth!
She screamed- tears rushing to her eyes and clouding her view,
It had all happened so fast.
They had been having fun.
She was singing- smiling happily at him with a security that she hadn't felt in days, wait- that was a lie. She hadn't felt this happy since her mom was alive.
He was singing along with her, clapping and laughing at her antics, everyone was there. Her family.
They were there to support her- to make fun and crack jokes.
Even Sweets was starting to be inducted into their family of assorted misfits.
A traveling artist that had finally found a place to stay, one of the richest men alive who had found a place where he was just their friend, a student who was too smart for real life, a scientist who was afraid to feel.
Cam and Booth were the only normal ones of their group. It was odd to think about all of them like that. But that was who they were. That was one of the last times that they had all been together, at least happy together.
Brennan hadn't noticed Pam coming in. She was too busy having a wonderful night.
Temperance heard someone scream her partner's name.
That had stopped them all- they had turned at looked at the woman standing near the bar, Booth frowned in confusion then the gun appeared as if from nowhere, pointed at her.
Without thinking- there was nothing that she could do. It was too fast- she stood in absolute shock onstage. The microphone forgotten in her hand.
The gun went off- there was nothing that she could do- then Booth was in front of her. She saw him shudder as the bullet impacted. Then fell to the ground at her feet.
He stared upward in surprise- blood already pouring from his chest.
She knelt next to him- the microphone dropped on the steps- hands pressed onto the open wound that was suddenly gushing blood.
Pam was also in shock, her eyes were wide. She hadn't meant to shoot Seeley- she loved Seeley. He loved her too. It was that Brennan woman- she was drawing them apart.
She was the one that was distracting him- tempting him away from the woman that truly loved him.
But he had delusioned himself into believing that he needed to protect this woman. He had jumped in front of the bullet that was meant for her.
Now he was lying across the steps, his crimson blood all over the steps. He was staring at the ceiling then at her.
That woman was cradling him- tenderly yelling for him to hold on.
He nodded weakly.
This wasn't right. Seeley was HERS.
Temperance watched the woman lift the gun again- Booth lifted slightly- the protection instinct in him would not allow him to rest.
But he felt Bones react- his gun was out of the holster he heard the crack of a bullet.
It sounded farther away than it should.
He saw Pam fall- a flash of red at her throat. She was gone- Bones filled his vision. Her face was a mask of panic and worry.
"Booth, you are going to be OK Booth."
It was all going slightly black- he was starting to pass out. He could feel it.
She was clutching his lapels and yelling for him not to go.
Temperance Brennan paced back and forth outside the O.R.
Booth had been taken in 3 hours ago.
That was the last time that they had spoken to anyone that had news on Booth.
Angela and Hodgins sat nearby. Cam and Zach were also there. Sweets sat off to one side- he had moved when he had gotten a phone call.
He had been speaking tersely into his mobile for the past hour.
They were all in shock. There was nothing that anyone could say that would make things better, another person swathed in scrubs swept out of the O.R.
Temperance assaulted him with questions- he slipped past without giving her any information.
Brennan paced even faster.
If he was in there for a long time that meant that something was wrong. Something had gone badly.
Angela had tried to come and comfort her friend. But Brennan had shrugged her off. Emitting only monosyllabic answers.
She hadn't sat down since they had arrived.
Her face was sullen and completely empty.
No tears- no nothing.
2 Hours later a doctor came slowly out.
His mask was just recently removed- and his eyes were drawn and tired.
It was almost three in the morning.
"Are you the family of Agent Booth?"
Temperance stepped forward immediately.
"I'm Dr. Temperance Brennan- Booth is my partner. May we see him?"
Everyone was standing now.
Everyone except Sweets who had excused himself about an hour ago.
He had said that it was an emergency and to call him if anything came up.
The Doctor's gaze dropped to the floor.
"You might want to sit down."
Brennan stared at him, unmoving.
"When can I see Booth?"
"I am sorry to tell you this Dr. Brennan. But there would complications during the operation. The truth of it is- Seeley Booth passed away about 3 minutes ago. There was nothing else that we could do. I am so sorry for your loss."
Angela watched her friend stand. Stock-still.
The doctor said something else- pressing an unknown article into her hand but she did not react.
He shook his head and walked away.
Angela came up behind her best friend. She had not heard the doctor's words; but she knew, there were already tears in the artist's eyes.
This was completely wrong. Even Zach looked shaken. Feelings flashing along his young face like lines of code across a computer screen.
"Brennan… Sweetie, it's going to be OK." Angela's voice broke; she clung to the anthropologist who was standing like a metal pole.
Angela looked down at her friend's hand- Brennan was also staring blankly at her palm,
In it was a small metal necklace. A medal hung at the end.
On it was the visage of St. Christopher.
"I'm sorry Bones." Booth's voice cut through her memories. She had been sitting for several minutes in silence. "I shouldn't have asked."
She didn't speak for a long time.
"I did cry." She replied after a long pause punctuated by her deep breaths. "I just cried when no one saw me."
She closed the door behind her after convincing Angela that she would be fine alone tonight.
But as soon as the door shut behind her she slid down the door shuddering with grief and unshed tears.
There was nothing for her to do now. Nothing that would take this back.
She clutched the St. Christopher medal until the picture was a deep red imprint on her hand.
This wasn't happening. It couldn't be.
Just hours ago she had been with him, laughing, singing. Making jokes and catching bad guys.
She was still in shock.
It still wasn't real.
It couldn't be.
Nevertheless, her mind went over the scene again and again. The reality sunk in.
He was gone. No Take-backs- no changies- no do-overs
That's when the tears fell. So hot and fast that all she could do was sob, No sound would come, even if she were prone to hysterics no wail or moan would express the dark feelings that overcame her soul.
She shouldn't be acting like this.
Temperance didn't remember how she had gotten into bed. But she did remember waking up all throughout the night- the memories would assail her instantly- she would once again remember that he was dead.
All was changed.
The next morning it rained- ironically enough. She lay- staring out the window at the sky that mocked her so deeply.
It hit her then, he was gone. Nothing would change that. It wasn't as if life wouldn't go on.
She was Dr. Temperance Brennan. Forensic Anthropologist at the Jeffersonian Institute and Medico-Legal Lab.
She had lived before Booth and she would do it again.
The tears dried and her heart hardened with steely resolve.
Everyone she cared about left eventually. That was her lot in life. Why should she be so surprised?
"You did?" He asked- and she hated the surprised sound in his voice.
"Of course I did." She muttered angrily. "You're my partner- you're my friend."
"Angela didn't see you." Booth said quietly.
"Angela was mourning you herself. And I didn't cry after the first night. After that I was angry that you had taken the bullet meant for me."
"You still punched me when you saw me alive. And you punch hard."
"You didn't- Sweets didn't tell me you were alive. I was angry- with good reason."
"I thought you'd be happy."
"I was happy." She said. And he knew that she meant it.
It was good to have these things settled, he hated having her mad at him.
The alarm went off- sounding extra loud in his ears.
It took him a second to realize where he was,
Bone's house
It had been several months since he started staying there. But every morning he had no idea where he was.
Today things were different, for one thing the alarm clock wasn't going off in another room- it was going off less than a foot away from him.
Secondly, the guest room had light blue sheets, whereas these were a deep luscious shade of red.
Thirdly, when he slept in her guest room he had never woken up to Bone's head snuggled up into his chest, her hands firmly ensconced in his shirt, her breath up against his shoulder.
This was definitely different from usual.
"Bones," He whispered gently- his voice a low tone. "Wake up- we have to work."
She moaned- stretching and purring with wakefulness- as soon as she realized where she was… or more importantly, whom she was up against. She pushed away rapidly- her confused morning face making him smile.
"Morning Bones." He said- overly cheerful… this was not good. She shouldn't be messing with him like this.
But she doesn't mean to
It didn't really matter anymore- seemed like everything she did affected him.
That even was before the Vegas trip.
"I must have fallen asleep." He was always apologizing to her, always feeling sorry for feeling for her.
She nodded; a sphinx-like look tinged her face.
"I must have as well." She yawned away, "We didn't get much sleep last night."
He blushed like a stupid teen age boy- feeling like an absolute Neanderthal because of what his mind automatically jumped to when she said that.
He didn't know why talking about relationships around her was so awkward. They were partners; but seriously, she shouldn't be so willing to talk about her romantic life around him like they were best buds.
The phone went off… again.
"Brennan." She tersely barked into the receiver.
He almost grinned; the FBI was rubbing off on her too.
Half a minute later, she replaced the phone on its cradle.
"Who was that?" He asked, glad that he had taken the time to move to the armchair while she was busy on the phone.
"It was Wendell. He says that they have a new body in- and that I am needed as soon as possible." She frowned and yawned. "No more Taco Bell that late ever again."
His phone went off a few seconds later.
It was Wendell.
"Hello Agent Booth." The young man said cheerfully- he was much less afraid of the FBI Agent than he was of Temperance Brennan, let alone a pregnant Brennan.
"We've gotten a-"
"Yeah I know-" Booth interrupted, "Body- I'll be at the Jeffersonian as soon as I can."
Wendell put the phone down;
Booth must have a sixth sense.
So first of all- i am going to start demanding reviews. :-P lol i enjoy them thoroughly.. so review or ELSE.. hehe
Secondly, this next chapter i'm having a lil' trouble getting to flow. So it may be a bit before i upload.. lol so review and i may be inclined to write faster. :-D
Thirdly... Fire in the Ice was a great ep... i just thought i'd throw that in..
Fourthly... my author's note is a bit long- so i'll let you go read another fabulous fanfiction (although not nearly as fabulous as mine :-)