Well I hope you have all been to the dentist lately, cause it is getting all fluffy up in here! Chapter 23 and we are still cruising. I hope you enjoy and let me know your thoughts!!

Disclaimer: So Canada Post finally came through and I got my Booth in a box today, so now I don't have to write about them anymore!! Haha, I WISH!!

Booth nodded at Kasten. "Just give us a few minutes okay, we'll catch up. You got Jones?"

"Sure Booth, take your time. Catch up when you can. I am going to take the rest back to the ranch and call the bureau and the locals, let them know about Kipper."

"Thanks old man."

Kasten turned towards Criss, Cathy and Jones. He grabbed Jones by the cuffs and pushed him forward. Criss wrapped his arm around Cathy and helped her make her way on her twisted ankle. Bones still clung to Booth's chest and he rubbed her back soothingly.

"Hey, it's okay, I'm still here." He whispered in her ear.

"I know, I was just scared. I saw you go over, and I screamed and I didn't hear you, and..." She began to cry quietly into his chest. "I just can't do this Booth. I can't lose you too. Let's just go back, me and you, together."

Booth smiled to himself. Together. "Hey, where is my partner? Where is the tenacious girl that I know. You can't give up now, we are like, a mile from your other aunt. I'm okay Bones. A few scrapes and bruises but I'm okay. We have Jones, and I don't think Kipper is gonna make it, it's kind of hard to swim when unconscious." Booth tipped her chin upwards. "Hey, I'm okay." He pleaded.

"I know." She leaned up and pressed her lips to his. "Just don't scare me like that again."

He bent down and placed another soft kiss on her lips. "I promise. Now let's catch up to the others, we can talk about all this later."

She rose off his lap and extended her hand. He took it and hobbled up off the ground. Other than a few scrapes on his back and face and his muscles being sore, he was no worse for the wear. He knew he didn't need stitches and he just wanted a nice warm shower.

Booth was struggling with how their relationship had changed so much so soon. Could Bones really mean all the things she was saying? Did she want to be together? Could they take this relationship past the safeness and security of just 'partners'? How long would it be before she ran? Although, she hadn't run yet, she had stuck by me through thick and thin, through good times and bad, through betrayal and surprise. We might as well write our vows now, cause if their were two people meant for each other, it was Booth and Bones. Even our names sound good together. Double B, we could open our own investigation agency. Okay, way too much. What do I do? Where do we go? What do I say? I love her, and there is no way I can hurt her.

Bones was having her own battle of wills, but she was too busy watching the changes of his face to think about it too hard. She knew that they had crossed into uncharted territory and although that thought scared her, it excited her more. I can count on him. He is the most steady person in my life, and I can't imagine my life without him. Did I just think that? I need him, I need him in my life always. How did he get so deep into my life? When did I let him past the walls? How did I not notice him getting to me? How can we go back to how it was before? Why would I want to go back to the way it was before? I think it is time to logically take that next step, and who better to take it with, than my best friend and partner.

They both stopped along the trail when they saw the trio in front of them. For them being so lost in their thoughts they failed to notice the great time they were making. Maybe it was just the promise of a nice warm bed and meal that made them double time it. Booth put his hand out to stop her before they reached the group.

"We need to talk." They said in unison. They both smiled and nodded their heads.

"Yes, Booth, we do."

"After dinner?"

"Yes, in our room."

All Booth could do was nod. She was sharing a room. He didn't care what happened next. She specified and he was not going to argue.

After another half mile of walking they came within site of the expansive ranch. There were many outbuildings but the main lodge was exquisite. The rock and wood structure stood tall and regal over the harsh landscape. The yellow grass of the rolling hills gave the perfect backdrop to the dark timber. The numerous outbuildings mostly housed animals, but there was the cookhouse and the employees bunkhouses, there were a few private cabins in the outlying areas. Brennan stopped to drink in the sight before. It was like an oasis. She knew she had another part of her very disfunctional family in that place and she both feared and welcomed her. Booth sensed her excitement and took her hand in his.

"You ready?"

She only nodded in reponse. The six of them made their way down the final hill. When they got to the bottom, Kasten took off with Jones, towards the reception area of the lodge to make his phone calls. Criss turned towards Booth.

"I'm going to want to ask you ALOT of questions when you're ready, but I am glad that I could help whatever, this is." He extended his hand to Booth who took it firmly.

"You deserve answers, and thank you for helping. You go find your girl, and we will catch up with you soon."

As soon as Booth had said those words, they heard a scream that would have stopped anyone in their tracks.

"CRISS!!! OH MY GAWD!! You're okay, you're okay, oh thank the lord!!" Booth saw a tiny little woman running across the drive from the cookhouse. Criss turned with a giant smile on his face and got his arms out just in time to catch his love. "When Daisy came back and you weren't on her, I got so scared, and I didn't know, and I saw your note, but-" Criss crashed his lips onto Donna's just to quiet her. They stayed locked in their embrace longer than Booth thought neccesary.

"They should get a room." Booth said to no-one in particular.

"I'm sure they already have rooms Booth, they do work here."

Booth and Cathy stood there dumbfounded. When Booth started to laugh, Cathy joined him unabashedly.

Criss finally put the petite red-headed firecracker down on the ground and walked over to the trio. "Hey y'all, I would like you to meet the love of my life, Donna. Donna, this is Cathy, Booth, and Bones?" He said unsure of himself.

The three of them all shook Donna's hand and quickly tried to explain the confusion. "I'm Special Agent Seeley Booth and this is my partner, Dr. Temperance Brennan. That is her Aunt Cathy Daniels."

Criss stood completely surprised. "Special Agent?" he repeated.

"Criss, I will explain everything later, I just really need to talk to Kasten and take a shower, I will explain everything."

"Cathy Daniels? Our lead ranch hand is a Charlie Daniels, any relation?" Donna inquired.

"Yes actually, she is my sister. That is why we're all here." Cathy offered quickly.

Donna nodded her head. "Why don't you all use my quarters to get cleaned up and relaxed, I can whip you guys up something to eat and then we can sit down and talk about whatever happened. Charlie should be back in a couple of hours, they got postponed a bit, with Criss' injury."

Cathy figured now would be a good time to check on Kasten. Despite everything that had happened she was starting to think she could like him. Easy on the eyes, good job from which he was about to retire and he loved the outdoors, sounded like the perfect man for her.

"Booth, why don't you take Temperance upstairs and get cleaned up. Those sirens I hear, I am assuming are for Jones, and I will let Kasten know. If they need anything from you, they can at least give you an hour to cool down."

"That would be great Cathy, thank you. Just tell Kasten I will catch up with him in a bit, he can put everyone off for a little while. Donna, thank you for the offer, and I would love to take you up on it. Which bunk house is yours?"

"Actually I have the apartment above the cookhouse, you two just mosey on up there and make yourselves at home. I will go and prepare something fantastic!"

Booth and Bones smiled and nodded their thanks, and trudged up the staircase to the apartment. Booth opened the door and made entry into the cozy little apartment. It was done in beautiful warm tones of greens and soft blues. It was masculine and feminine all at the same time. "Criss must live with her." Booth stated.

Bones stood with her back against the door waiting for Booth to notice that she wasn't with him. It didn't take him long.

"Bones? What's wrong?"

Her eyes were filling with tears. She sniffled and then ran towards him. "Just don't leave me." She pleaded. "Whatever I do to make you run, please don't go." Her tears were coming fast now and she didn't try to stop them. The severity of the situation finally struck the still shocked woman. She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him to her. "I know that I am not an easy person to be with, but Booth, just don't leave."

Booth could not believe his ears. This was not the strong, level headed, logical thinking partner that he had grown to love. This was an unsure, vulnerable and deep feeling woman. He pulled her out of his chest.

"Bones, why would you think I would leave you?"

"Everyone does Booth, and they always leave right when I truly start to care. I am at that point with you Booth." She looked at him like a deer caught in the headlights. "Just don't run, please."

He pulled her tight to his chest and kissed the top of her head. "Bones, I am not a running kind of guy. I will never leave you, ever. Do you understand?"

She nodded against his muscular chest.

"I really need a shower Bones. I have cuts and scrapes that need some tending to, and I need to talk to the boys outside. Stay here and we will talk about it, okay?"

"Okay. Go, shower, I will be here."

Booth stripped off his shirt and made his way into the bathroom. Brennan could hear the water running and Booth stepping into the shower.

"Oh what the h3ll, he might need help." And with that Bones, joined him in his shower.

Well I hope you all liked it, let me hear from ya! Thanks again to all of my loyal readers and possibly some new ones that I pick up along the way! You guys are brilliant!