Notes: I know... finally. It's been a while, and this part is short, but there is more to come! A big thank you to my beta Breanna... you probably wouldn't even have this little chapter if it wasn't for her!

Part IV

"She reminds me of someone."

"Who? Leia?"

"Yeah…"

"Well, maybe you've seen her in something else. Her parents are famous – Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher."

"No… It's not the actress so much as the character."

Suddenly, Booth burst out laughing.

Brennan rolled her eyes. "What now?"

"I know who she reminds you of," he replied, still chuckling.

"Well, are you going to share with the rest of us?"

"She's you, Bones."

She scrunched her nose. "Excuse me?"

"It's clear. You both think you can do everything by yourselves. You never want to admit you need help."

"That's not…" she paused. "Maybe it's because we don't actually need any help. For example, I'd be just fine on my own right now."

Booth feigned injury. "But you wouldn't be having nearly as much fun as you are if I wasn't here."

She had to agree with that one. Not that she'd let him know that. She shrugged. "I think I've had enough with comparisons to fictional characters today. First those Z-File people…"

"X-Files."

"Whatever. Now Leia." She yawned widely.

"Tired?"

She raised her eyebrows. "You think?"

"I see we've returned to being petulant."

She clicked off the TV. "Can we just go to bed now? I've had enough television for a lifetime."

"We?"

"What?"

"You said, 'can we go to bed'."

"I did? No, I didn't. Or did I? I'm starting to feel fuzzy again."

Booth reached out to feel her forehead. "You're still warm. You really should go to bed. Get a good night's sleep."

"Right." She stood and stretched, feeling tension in all of her muscles. "I hate being sick."

"Yeah, I know." He stood behind her and began kneading her shoulders.

"Oh my God," she sighed, half groaning. "That feels so good." She practically melted into him. "It's been far too long since I had…" she stopped abruptly, feeling the warmth of Booth behind her. "Did I say that aloud?"

"Yep." Booth was amazed he could get even that small word out, so distracted was he by Brennan's reaction to his touch.

"Wow." She paused, exhaling deeply. "Vegas?"

He chuckled and worked his fingers further down her back, watching goose bumps form on her arms. He brought his hands to a rest at her hips, and he fought the temptation to wrap his arms completed around her waist. The room suddenly seemed very warm and he wondered if he caught Brennan's fever.

"I think," he began, but his voice stuck. He cleared his throat and took a step back. "Let's try this again." Brennan turned around to face him. "I think I should go."

"I think you're probably right."

"I'll leave you the movies. I know you're just dying to watch the rest."

"Oh, of course," she grinned.

"There's three more after that… but they weren't any good, so I won't make you watch those. But I will quiz you on the rest of the second and all of the third."

Brennan saluted. "Yes, sir."

"Funny, Bones." Booth chuckled. "Funny bones. That was clever."

"Actually, no, it wasn't."

"Should I tuck you in?" Booth asked, raising his eyebrows.

Brennan narrowed her eyes at him. "I think you need to stay out of my bedroom."

"Yeah… yeah. I'm going."

She walked him to the door. "Are you… Do you… I probably won't be up for much tomorrow. It'll be easy for you to con me into watching more movies."

"Alright. It's a date." She raised an eyebrow. "A scheduled meeting?"

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"Glad you're feeling better."

"Yeah, me too."

Booth hesitated a moment and then moved in to give Brennan an awkward hug. He quickly retreated, but she called after him.

"Booth?"

"Yeah," he responded, turning back toward her.

"Thanks."

He gave her his best charm smile, and as a smile spread across her face he leaned in to plant a quick kiss on her lips.

"See you tomorrow," he whispered before he turned around and left.

Brennan raised a hand to her own forehead; fever the last thing on her mind.