Chapter 4

Brennan was awake when she heard her door open. She had been sleeping fitfully all afternoon without feeling any better for it. It was probably the pain meds they had given her. She had injured her ribs on another occasion and knew the drugs were helpful at this point in her recovery. She anticipated at least a week of difficulties breathing and moving in any kind of pain-free fashion.

While she drifted in and out of sleep, she thought about her visit with Angela after lunch to the bookstore and the events before the explosion. The last time she had awakened for a few minutes, one of the nurses had been kind enough to check on Anna's condition for her. Accepting as fact that this little girl of only four years of age had communicated with her mother's spirit right there in the store was just too much for Brennan to consider.

As thought provoking as this all was, the little girl's current situation was more important. She knew from her own painful experience what probably awaited Anna if she ended up "in the system" and hoped that Booth would be able to locate family who would take her in and care for her. She could empathize with this child's situation. Her own memories of this time in her life triggered sad tears that escaped and rolled down her cheeks.

"Hey, Bones. Are you ready to go home? How are you doing?" Booth said, as he entered the room carrying a small overnight bag and approached her bed.

"I'm okay, really," she replied. She quickly wiped her tears and tried to give her partner a smile to reassure him she was fine. She knew he had been worried and appreciated his concern. His friendship had become a stabilizing force in her life and she knew she relied on his strength and understanding. She always felt safe and secure with him.

Booth could tell instantly that she clearly wasn't 'okay' at the moment. Oh, he knew her injuries would heal, but right now, she was being bothered by something usurping her energy. She looked like she'd been crying so he chose a gentle approach and hoped it didn't earn him a reaction labeled as condescending.

Angela had submitted her statement with a separate set of extra details just for Booth that weren't required in the official report. She knew Booth would appreciate as much personal information concerning Brennan as possible. He didn't accept the spiritualist world view any more than he knew Brennan did, but with everything he knew about her life, he could easily recognize the potential for problems here.

"The doctor just told me you're cleared to go home. There's one condition, though. I'm staying with you tonight and no arguments!" he said, knowing, of course, at least one was guaranteed with his partner.

"Booth, I…" Brennan said as she attempted half-heartedly to object even though she didn't really want to be alone tonight.

"No, I insist," said Booth.

"Thank you. I appreciate your help," conceded Brennan, looking up to meet his eyes with her own.

"Okay, then," Booth said, a little taken aback that this had been so easy. "I had Angela pick up some suitable clothes for you." He indicated the bag he had brought with him.

"Give me a few minutes to change and we can get going. Umm…Booth, could you help me to that chair over there? I'm feeling dizzy from the medication they gave me," she reluctantly asked, looking up at him.

"Sure, just take it easy," reassured Booth, knowing it had taken a lot for Bones to ask for help. Brennan tried not to be self-conscious about the "oh-so-NOT-fashionable" hospital gown she had been dressed in, as she peeled back the blankets and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. She slowly stood up when suddenly pain nearly took her breath away as an imaginary ice pick seemed to be driven into her side. Caught in a wave of pain and dizziness, she tumbled into Booth's arms as her knees buckled. To catch her balance, she threw her arms around his neck for support as she got her legs back under control. Tears rose to her eyes from the sudden pain.

"Breath slowly, Bones, take your time," he said gently, holding her close and steady. The closeness they shared at that moment reminded him of the mistletoe kiss of a couple of months ago. It took self-control not to blush as he felt heat rise into his face while he looked into Brennan's eyes. He wiped her tears away with his thumb and, after a moment, led her over to a chair.

"I'll wait outside. Call if you need help. I won't be far," Booth said, giving her the necessary privacy to get ready.

Brennan was happy with Angela's choices as she looked through the bag's contents. Being so close to Booth just then had her remembering their mistletoe kiss as well. She had no idea why Caroline had been 'puckish' but she definitely found herself taking mental notes of Booth's participation in their kiss. They hadn't really dealt with that experience but they had been able to avoid that "weird" feeling between each other when they continued working on cases after Christmas. There was an unspoken tenderness without being sappy in their relationship although their discussions could be as heated as ever.

Brennan finished dressing by slipping on the moccasin style shoes that Angela had picked out from her closet. She gathered the rest of her things and left the room, walking with care to hopefully avoid the worst twinges of pain.

"Did you check on Anna's condition?" asked Brennan when she joined Booth at the nearby nurses' station.

"Yes, she has stabilized nicely. Her doctors are pleased with her progress so far but she hasn't awakened yet. They don't seem as worried about the possibility of a coma. Her brain function has remained strong. Did you want to see her before we go?" Booth asked after he passed on the doctor's report.

"Yes, I would. Just for a minute," said Brennan. She took care of the necessary discharge papers and they started their way up to Pediatrics. When they arrived, they discovered Anna had been moved out of ICU and into a semi-private room close to the nurses' station. Booth was relieved to see Anna looking more like a normally sleeping little girl. She still had a couple of monitors attached to her but all things considered, she looked much better. Someone had given her a little teddy bear, tucked near her hand where she could reach it.

Even though she felt awkward, Brennan went up to Anna and gently picked up her uninjured hand. She spoke just a few words of encouragement to get well soon and concluded with the promise to come and see her when she was awake. Brennan gently placed Anna's little hand on the teddy bear. Anna quickly snuggled the bear close to her, mumbled something to herself but stayed asleep. Both reassured by the little girl's prognosis, they left the hospital. On the way to Brennan's apartment, Booth filled Brennan in on the progress of the case so far. They agreed it was frustrating to not know what it was all about.