Okay, here it is, what you've all (well most of you) have been waiting for! Thanks so much to everyone for their wonderful reviews, they really make my day!
Booth felt her stir in his arms. He opened his eyes and looked at his watch. 5:45 AM. No wonder he was starving. They had slept through the afternoon, and all night. He glanced down at the woman in his arms. She looked so peaceful, he didn't have the heart to wake her. No matter how hungry he was, or how much he wanted to kiss her. Epps was dead, his son was safe, and he was holding the woman he loved in his arms. He was content. He didn't need anything else. He gently pulled her closer, enjoying the feel of her against him.
Brennan sighed and opened her eyes, becoming instantly aware of his body next to hers. She didn't remember the last time she had felt this content. She lay there, enjoying the feeling of being in his arms. She gradually became aware of his hand, softly stroking her hair. She lifted her head off his chest, and looked up at him. He was looking down at her, and the emotions she saw in his eyes scared her. No one had ever looked at her, Temperance Brennan, that way. She wasn't sure that she deserved it.
"Good morning." Booth brushed a lock of hair out of her eyes.
She sat up, pulling away from him reluctantly. She absently rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "What time is it?"
"6 AM." He smiled at the surprise in her eyes.
"We slept 16 hours?!" She started to get up, wincing at the twinge of pain in her wrist. "We must have been tired. I don't know what I have as far as breakfast goes, but you can help yourself." She turned and looked down at him, sprawled out on the sofa, and she fought the desire to lie back down in his arms. She tore her gaze away from him, and started to walk towards the bedroom. "I'm just going to take a shower."
Booth stood and stretched, his muscles protesting the movement after being in one position for so long. He walked into the kitchen, opening cabinets until he found the coffee, then started hunting for something to make them for breakfast.
Brennan was greeted with delicious smells when she she emerged 20 minutes later. Apparently he had found something in her nearly bare cabinets.
Booth turned to see her, standing in the doorway of the kitchen. She was wearing jeans and a black t-shirt, no shoes, and her hair was damp. She looked rested, relaxed, and sexy as hell. He turned back and flipped another pancake onto the plate, which was already full, and sat it down on the table. He flashed her a smile. "Hungry?"
"Starving." She couldn't help but smile back at him.
"Sit. I'll get the coffee."
"Booth, you don't have to wait on me."
"Of course I do." He pointed to her arm. You can't do much with just your left hand." He gave her a questioning look. "How did you manage to shower with one hand, anyway?"
She made her way to the table, and sat down. "Very carefully." Actually, it had been pretty difficult, and she had been tempted to ask for his help, but she thought that might not have been such a good idea. Although she had come up with quite a few scenerios... Stop it, Tempe! This is not the time to indulge in fantasy!
Booth set the coffee down in front her.
"So, is this another hidden side to you that I haven't seen yet?"
"What, that I can cook?" She nodded. "I've lived alone for a long time, Bones. I can't live on cereal and macaroni and cheese, can I?"
She smiled. "No, but I figured that was what Wong Fu's and the diner were for."
"Bones, Bones. I have many talents. In time, maybe you'll discover all of them."
Brennan felt a shiver run down her spine at his words. Oh, boy. I am sooo in trouble! He was staring at her intently. She quickly dropped her eyes to her plate, and began eating. "Hey, these are really good!"
"Bones, I'm hurt! You sound surprised!" She laughed. It felt so good to see her laugh. She hadn't had much to laugh at these past few months. Except when she had been with Sully. But he didn't want to think about that. He had missed her when she had been with Sully, more than he cared to admit. Now he was gone, and while he missed his friend, he was glad that it was just the two of them again.
They finished eating, bickering lightly back and forth in the comfortable way that they had.
Booth stood and took his plate to the sink. He turned and reached for hers, and she grabbed his hand. He looked down at her, and she rose from her chair. "Booth."
"So, is this where you tell me that everything I said to you yesterday was a reaction to the situation, and that it didn't mean anything? Because if it is, you might as well save your breath."
"No. I don't think that."
"You don't?" He looked at her closely. "Okay, where is Bones, and what did you do with her?" She looked at him strangely. "It's just an expression Bones. It really doesn't sound like you. You always try to rationalize everything, and..."
"Actually, rationally, this kind of makes sense."
"What?!" Booth was totally stunned. She wasn't going to fight this? He thought she would have come up with all sorts of reasons why they shouldn't be together.
"Well, what I mean is, we do get along, I mean most of the time. And we're together almost every day. And, well, we are attracted to each other..." He was standing there, staring at her, with a look of pure disbelief on his face. "Booth, I..., well, I want..." She stopped. If she didn't stop talking, she was going to get herself into trouble. "Oh, what the hell!"
Booth was still trying to make sense of what she was saying, when she closed the distance between them. She put her arms around him, pulling his face down to meet hers, and kissed him. Passion flooded through him, and he brought his arms around her, running his hands up her back, and running his fingers through her hair.
His kiss was lighting a fire within her. She moaned and pulled him closer. He broke the kiss briefly. "Temperance" he whispered. He planted soft kisses down her neck, and she shivered. She reached up and brought his lips back to hers. "I should...probably...go." Each word was followed by a kiss.
"Yes" she agreed, even as she pulled him toward the bedroom. He didn't resist, just allowed himself to be led by her. Her hands slid under his shirt, and her touch sent his pulse racing. Booth pulled back, realizing what they were doing. "Temperance, wait."
She slowly opened her eyes, and tried to catch her breath. "Booth?"
"I don't want this to be about..."
She put a finger to his lips to silence him. "I love you, Booth. That's what it's about. It's not about needing a release, or not wanting to be alone. I love you." She kissed him. "You're the reason. The reason I didn't leave with Sully. The reason that I look forward to life outside of the lab. The reason that I willingly switched places with Parker." She kissed him again. "And I was wrong. It's not rational, and it's not logical. But I think... I think that's why it's so right."
Booth slowly took his hands and cupped her face. "I love you, Temperance." He kissed her softly, then with more passion. He laid her down on the bed and lost himself in loving her.
BBB
Brennan lay in his arms, listening to the rain tapping on the window. She felt as if she could stay here forever. Booth gently stroked her arm, and he heard her sigh with contentment.
"Temperance?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you" he whispered.
She turned her head and looked at him questioningly. "For what?"
"For being you. For giving us a chance." He brushed his knuckles against her cheek. "For what you did for Parker. And for stopping me."
"Booth..."
"You knew I would never be able to live with myself if I killed Epps in cold blood."
"You ended up killing him anyway."
"Yeah. But only because I had to. Not for revenge, not in a fit of anger and hatred." He leaned down and kissed her. "You're my reason too, you know. The reason for everything I do."
She lay her head back down on his chest. "I love you, Booth" she whispered.
"I love you too, Temperance." He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight, not wanting to let her go. It wouldn't be easy, life with her was anything but easy. But that was what made it so right. "We'll make it work." He hadn't realized he had said the words out loud.
"Yes. We will." She closed her eyes, and let the rain lull her into sleep.
The end.
Okay, one more time! Let me know what you thought, I'd love to hear from you!