Thanks for the reviews! Sorry for the delay – Christmas kept me busy. Hope you enjoy this chapter. Will try to update tomorrow!

-R-

Chapter 12

Temperance Brennan's eyes were heavy as she swam up from unconsciousness, struggling to open her eyes. She felt heavy, sluggish, as if she were drugged at some point. Confused as to where she was, her curiosity insisted she do whatever it took to open them. After a moment of struggling, she instead concentrated on the sounds and smells surrounding her, which required a lot less effort.

She could hear the distinctive beep of a heart monitor, and she could feel an oxygen sensor on her fingertip. There was a hiss of oxygen, yet she couldn't be sure if she was wearing an oxygen mask or tube.

She was covered to her chest, with what could only be blankets, and lay flat on her back on a firm mattress. A flat, thinly stuffed pillow beneath her head. The scent of the room was very antiseptic, and she could hear the bustle of people, visitors, nurses and doctors in the corridor outside her room.

The only logical conclusion was that she was in the hospital…but why? Was she in some sort of accident?

Temperance searched her memory for some reason for her to be here. The last thing she remembered was leaving the Jeffersonian after working late Friday night. She tried to recall what had happened after that, but was met with nothing. Not a clue, no flashes of memory, not even a hint. It was like her memory was totally wiped clean.

As she lay there trying to sort out her memories and her location in her mind, she thought she heard a sigh, then a rustle of fabric. She strained to listen for more sounds, and was met with more silence. Someone was there with her, yet she couldn't seem to open her eyes, or let anyone know she was awake.

Temperance tried to open her mouth to speak, but it remained stubbornly closed. The taste in her mouth was horrible, much like it tasted like after breathing through her mouth all night. She longed for a glass of water, or something cool to drink, but was powerless to make her thirst known. Frustrated at her lack of body control, she gave up and tried to calm the rising panic she was beginning to feel.

Suddenly, a strong, warm hand enveloped her own. A familiar scent drifted in her direction. Before she could make the connection on the identity of the person in the room, the voice told her who it was.

"Come on Bones…open your eyes…" Booth commanded her, his voice low, yet persistent.

Her heart leapt at his voice, and she tried again with all her might to open her eyes, to talk, to move SOMETHING to let him know she heard him, but again, was unable to. She heard her heart monitor in the room, the pace of her heart beat had increased.

"Bones?" Booth said cautiously, "Can you hear me?" he asked, hope filling his voice

"Okay Bones….just….just stay with me here…I am going to go get the doctor" his warm hand left hers slack, and she could hear his footsteps echo down the corridor, and his voice call out "Doctor? Nurse? Can I get someone in here?"

After a pause, and some commotion outside her room, she could hear someone enter the room to check her vitals. Booth told the other person urgently "I was talking to her and that thing over there increased. That's her heart, right? What does that mean? Is that good? Does that mean she is waking up?" not giving any time for the person to answer, he was asking the questions one after the other impatiently.

"Yes, that is a heart monitor. It is perfectly normal for the heart rate to fluctuate sporadically from time to time. The level of Rohiphnal was close to overdose in her bloodstream. The doctor is uncertain when she will be regaining consciousness Agent Booth" a pause, then a womans voice went on: "If I may say so, you look terrible. You should go home, get some rest. She may awaken during by the time you return. We'll call of course if there is any change" the woman gently advised her partner.

"No. I am not leaving until she wakes up. I am fine. I'll just get some coffee, and you know, wait here. It's no problem" he assured the woman. "Plus I have the uh, vending machine down the hall" he pointed out.

The woman signed and must have left. Temperance was greeted again with silence, and she wondered if Booth was still there, or if he went to go get coffee. Almost as if in answer to her silent question, his warm hand enveloped hers again.

"I am not leaving until you wake up Bones. So you better wake up soon, or it will be me giving you your next sponge bath, and I know you'd be completely embarrassed by that, so come on. I know you're in there..." he trailed off, the humor leaving his voice.

Again, the heart monitor indicated her heart rate increased.

She could feel herself smiling at what he'd just said. He must have seen her smile, because he went on "And you know, you could use a sponge bath to be perfectly honest there Bones…"

She managed to pry her eyes open, and was greeted with a very tired looking Seeley Booth. It looked as if he hadn't shaved or groomed himself in a few days, his clothes rumpled, and circles under his eyes.

He smiled broadly and leaned over and hugged her small frame. "See, I was scared, and I hugged YOU" he reminded her whispering in her ear, his breath tickling her neck. He went on : "See, I knew if I kept nagging, you'd wake up for me" He pulled back and looked at her, his deep brown eyes intense.

"You need anything? Water? Maybe I should call the doctor or…?" he trailed off, waiting for her to answer.

After a moment of struggling, she managed "You are NOT giving me a sponge bath Booth"

He smiled down at her from where he stood at her bedside, relieved to see her awake.

"Well….maybe I'll just assist then…" he said and winked at her

End this chapter