A/N: The song I've loosely based this chapter on is by the group Dashboard Confessionals. The song is called, 'The ruined puzzle'. While not a direct translation of the lyrics, it is the sort of mood conveyed by the lyrics and a line from the song that inspired this. I hope you enjoy.

"Bones, where the hell have you been," Booth asked as he stepped into the room. He saw both Angela and Temperance stiffen and look up at him, wondering whether or not he'd heard. This wasn't the time to address the issue. Instead, the fact that she'd been out all night with no way to contact her was the more pressing matter on his mind. "Well, where were you?"

"I just went out for a walk," she sighed. Angela gave a quick squeeze to Tempe's hand before standing. Brennan looked at her with an almost panic in her eyes.

"I'll leave the two of you alone. I'm glad you're safe, sweetie." Angela met Booth's gaze as she left, noticing the slight nod he offered. When the door closed behind Angela, Booth strode over to Temperance.

"Why in hell would you stay out all night in DC? You know how dangerous it can be out there. What would have happened if you'd been hurt?"

"Booth, nothing happened. I'm fine. I just needed to think some things through." Booth placed his hands on her shoulders and looked at her.

"What things, Temperance?" His voice was a whisper, but Tempe couldn't look at him. Her heart pounded at the sound of her name coming from his lips. With a deep breath, she cast her eyes down.

"It doesn't matter, Booth."

"You stay out all night thinking, and it doesn't matter? That seems like some pretty deep contemplation."

"I said it doesn't matter. Please don't press the issue." She pulled away from him and walked to her desk. "Is there anything else, because I have work to do."

"No. You've been up all night, you're tired. You're going home. If you want to write or whatever, then you'll at least be able to sleep."

"Booth…"

"No, no arguing. I'll drive you home. Now get your stuff together and I'll meet you outside." Temperance looked at Booth and slumped her shoulders. He had the determined look he used on suspects. There was no way she'd get out of this one.

"Fine, just give me a few minutes."

"Five. If you aren't out by then, I'm coming in here and carrying you out. Understood?" Brennan nodded and watched Booth leave the office. What's the matter with me? Why can't I just tell him? With a sigh, she began to gather her belongings.

Booth paced outside the office, running a hand through his hair. He'd heard her say she loved him. Granted, it was not directed at him, and she didn't know that he was there, but why couldn't she just say it to him?

"Booth, she didn't tell you, did she?" Angela came to stand next to him. He looked at the artist and offered her a sad smile.

"No, she didn't."

"Just give her time. You know how hard it is for her to admit her feelings."

"I don't understand why. Bones has got to be the most compassionate person I've ever met. She's giving, she defends those she loves, and she genuinely cares for life. How can she not just admit it?"

"Have you told her you love her?"

"No."

"I didn't think so. Booth, don't expect her to be so giving if you aren't willing to give the same. She doesn't want to be hurt, and if she isn't sure how you feel, then she isn't going to commit herself. Besides, you're still with Cam, aren't you?"

"That ended. Let's just say that I realized where my heart stands. I think she already knew."

"I think you're right. Just be careful with her, and she'll come around. I promise."

XxXxX

"Bones, come on, wake up. You're home." Booth gently shook her shoulder to wake her. The anthropologist had fallen asleep as soon as she'd gotten into his vehicle. Temperance opened her eyes slowly and stretched her tired muscles. She moved to grab her belongings, but Booth already had them.

"Booth I can handle those on my own," she yawned as she climbed from the vehicle.

"Yes, I know. Come on; let's get you upstairs and into bed."

"Are you offering to join me?" She looked at Booth when she said it. His eyebrows raised in surprise.

"What? No, I didn't mean it like that, I simply meant…"

"I'm joking Booth, relax." With a shake of her head, and an unexplained heaviness in her chest, she led the way to her apartment. Booth followed her inside, setting her belongings down in the entryway.

"So you are going to sleep, right? I don't have to stay here and make sure you don't escape again?"

"I didn't escape last time, and yes, I'm going to bed." Temperance headed into the bedroom to throw on something more comfortable, yoga pants and a tank top. As she disappeared down the hall, Booth walked around, unsure about whether to leave or not. He wandered over to her bookcase and looked over the items there. While most reading choices were textbook in nature, a few stood out, namely the Jane Austen novels. With a quick glance down the hall, Booth pulled 'Pride and Prejudice' from the bookshelf, then pulled his small notepad from his jacket pocket. After scribbling a note onto the paper, he placed it between pages in the book and set the book down on her coffee table.

"If you don't need anything else, I'm gonna go. I still have to get into the office today." Booth yelled down the hallway. Please ask me to stay, he thought.

"That's fine. I'll see you tomorrow then," she called back to him. "Just lock the door on your way out." That was it. No begging for him to stay, no admissions of love. With a sigh, Booth left the apartment.

Temperance heard the door shut, and for a long moment, held her breath. Once she was sure he'd gone, she let it out, defeated. I really thought he would demand to stay here, she thought. Maybe it's best I didn't tell him. He's never shown any indication that he feels the same way. As a frustrated growl slipped from her lips, she climbed into bed, exhausted from the night before. Once I get some sleep, I'll be able to think through this whole situation clearly. Temperance yawned again, and found herself rapidly drifting off into sleep.

XxXxX

It was night when she finally woke up. At first, she was disoriented, forgetting how she'd gotten into bed, but then she remembered. Booth brought her home for some much needed sleep. Temperance stretched and climbed from bed, making her way down the dark hallway. She was in no mood to work, and decided to read for a little bit to clear her mind.

When she reached the living room, she turned on a light and reached for her copy of 'The History of Jazz'. Lying on top of the book was another. That's funny, she thought, I didn't put this there. Brennan picked up the copy of 'Pride and Prejudice' and looked at it carefully. Pressed between some of the pages was a small note. She pulled the note from the pages, creasing her brow as she read the words on the slip of paper.

Does he ever get the girl?

"Booth," she murmured and stared at the slip of paper for a long time. Did the note mean what she thought it did? It was certainly in his handwriting. Did he want her? Holding the note in her hand, Temperance sat down by a window and looked out into the night. Well Temperance, she thought, does he ever get the girl?