I know it's short, but I'll post the next one bright and early tomorrow morning!

Booth held her until the tears stopped, and he felt her breathing slow. He looked down at her, asleep in his arms. He stood up, gently pulling her with him, trying not to wake her. He was still weak, and the dull ache in his chest flared into full fledged pain, but he managed to carry her to the bedroom, and laid her down on the bed. She sighed and turned onto her side, clutching the pillow, as if missing the comfort of his arms. He longed to lay down beside her, to hold her, but he knew that she would be more comfortable when she woke up if she were alone.

He watched her for a moment, then turned and walked out of the room, leaving the door open in case she woke up and needed him. He went to the kitchen, grabbed his pain medication, and downed 2 pills. It was only 3 in the afternoon, but he was exhausted, physically and emotionally. He lay down on the sofa, closed his eyes, and let his thoughts drift. He had known the events in the diner had upset her, but he hadn't realized just how frightened she had been. His heart ached, thinking of her pain, her grief. She had been through so much in her life, she didn't deserve any more pain. She deserved happiness, love, a family. He wanted to give that to her, but he wasn't sure she was willing to take it. He had never known how much was missing in his life until he had met her. Now there was an emptiness in his heart only she could fill. He fell asleep, thinking of her, of them, of what their life could become, if only she would let it.

BBB

Brennan sighed and opened her eyes. The room was dark, the only light coming from the glow of the alarm clock. 1:18 AM. She sat up and looked around. The clock was on the wrong side of the bed, and there was a picture of Parker beside it. Memories flooded back to her. Booth's shirt, torn and bloody, him holding her, their kiss. Oh, God! She felt her face warm with embarrassment. What had she done? She had thrown herself at him, and Booth... He had stopped her, had saved her from herself, from her emotions. Not because he didn't want her, she knew he did. He did it because he knew her, knew what she needed, even when she didn't know herself. That was Booth, and that was exactly why she loved him.

She got up and looked around for her shoes. She had to get out of here. She needed to get away, to think. She was afraid that they couldn't go back now, but she wasn't sure if she could go forward.
She walked out into the living room, slipping past the sofa where he lay sleeping. Reaching the table by the door, she reached for her keys, and felt the paper lying underneath them. She picked it up, reading the words by the light filtering in through the living room window. 'I'll be here when you need me.' She paused, reading the words over and over.

Booth opened his eyes. He had heard come into the room, but he hadn't wanted her to know he was awake. He knew he had to let her go, that she needed to be alone, to think about everything. He had expected her to leave, but she stood by the door, silent, unmoving. "Temperance?"

She was startled by the sound of his voice. "How do you always know?" she whispered, not turning around.

"Know what?"

"Exactly what I need."

He took a deep breath. He wasn't sure this was the time, but he couldn't keep it inside any longer. "Because I love you."

Her breath caught. She closed her eyes, letting the words wash over her. She opened her eyes. "I know" she whispered. Clutching the paper in her hand, she reached over, opened the door, and walked out, slowly closing the door behind her.