And now for the grande finale…

XxXxX

And there, in his arms, as they drifted off to sleep; she was his. His wife. His love. His

Bones.

As his eyes closed slowly, heavy with exhaustion, he heard her voice. It was her voice, but not beside him. Somehow it seemed far away.

"Booth…" She called. "Booth can you hear me?"

He tried to tell her that he was just about to fall asleep but his voice came out raspy and barely audible.

"Booth?" She called again.

He smiled lightly as he felt a hand press against his cheek. He felt his own stubble brush against the smooth skin of the hand. Booth tried to open his eyes but the harsh light of the world around him was too much.

"Close the blinds." He heard the voice say to another.

"Alright, sweetie."

Angela? He thought. "What's Angela doing in our room Bones?" The words were labored and choked. Finally able to open his eyes, Booth took in his surroundings. The hospital. Pam Nunan. It all came rushing back in a flood of memories. Had it been a dream, or did Christine Brennan really help him?

"Our room?" Angela smiled suggestively with a raise of her eyebrow.

"Ange, please?" Said Temperance as she turned back to the agent in the hospital bed.

Angela let out a deep sigh. Holding her hands up she said, "Alright, alright. But do everything I would do."

After the artist left Booth looked at the woman who stood a few feet away from his bedside, her arms wrapped around herself.

"Bones," he rasped, reaching a hand out to her. "Come over here and sit."

She let him grab her arm as she moved closer. Reaching the bed she tucked one leg underneath her body and sat beside him. "I killed her Booth."

He nodded. "I know."

"You said it was never easy. Killing someone is never meant to be easy." Her forehead was creased in confusion and pain. She let out a sigh. "Killing her was the easiest thing I've ever had to do."

"Hey," he said, raising her chin with his thumb and finger. "Clearly its not as easy as you thought. I see it in your expression, you wanted to take her life but your having trouble dealing with the fact that you did."

"She could have killed you Booth." She answered sadly, anger edging her voice.

He dropped his hand to hers that rested on her leg. "She wanted to kill you. And she would have."

"She should have." Bones said, beginning to shout as she scooted out of his reach. "Why'd you do that anyway, huh? It was the stupidest thing you've ever done, and I've seen some pretty stupid things from you."

"Hey," he tried to respond but was stopped by her continued rant.

"You have a son who loves you. What do you think he would have gone through if you died? It was bad enough for him not knowing if you were gonna make it. And the team!" She yelled louder now, sliding off the bed and pacing at its foot. "What about them? What would they have done? You know they care about you more than they say, just like you do for them."

"And you?" He asked, his voice finally reaching her ears and stopping her tirade.

She stopped in her tracks then. "What about me?" She asked, her eyes not quite reaching his.

"Yeah, what about you?" He pressed, trying to explore her feelings.

She sighed then, her face exposing the wheels that were turning in her brain. "Well, I-" she fought for the words. "I'd be so lost, Booth. It was hard enough for me not knowing if you'd wake up. And I-" she paused. "I care about you more than I can say."

"Just like I do for you." He finished, reaching his hand out to her once again. "Come lie with me."

This time she didn't hesitate. She waited as he made room for her next to his side. Temperance climbed into the bed and let the man she thought she'd lost wrap his free arm around her shoulders. He placed a kiss to her hair and she savored the feel of it; it's warmth, it's length, and all the hidden meanings it held.

"I had a dream, Bones." He stated slowly. As she looked up at him, he explained further. "I know you find this kind of stuff hokey but… your mom was there. She showed me things; things I hope never come to pass in any way. But also," he paused again and looked at her. "She showed me what my life could have. What our life could have. Together."

She looked up into his eyes, seeing the sincerity in his eyes was proof enough that this dream had held a lot of meaning to him. Suddenly a smile turned the corner of her mouth. "In this life…" she began. "Do we share a room?"

Booth laughed as he pulled her a little closer to him. "I said that out loud didn't I?" She nodded in response. "Well then, I guess you've already gathered a little from my dream."

They sat in silence for a moment, both taking in what was progressing between them. After a few comfortable moments passed between them, she broke the silence. "Booth?"

"Hmm?" He said softly, into her hair.

"Did she say anything?" She turned her body to face him as she spoke. "I mean, anything for you to tell me?"

He looked over her puffy eyes and dirty hair; she must have stayed here this whole time. But still, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. He had been wrong; her beauty surpassed even that of her mothers. "No, she didn't give me anything to tell you." At the disappointed look that crossed her face he started again. "But she told me to take care of you and that if I found someone I could trust, hold onto them."

"And have you?" She asked, her eyes falling to his mouth as she waited for a response.

Before he spoke, he brought his lips down to hers. Completely ignoring the pain he felt in his chest as he did so, Booth kissed her lightly. When there was no air left in his lungs, he rested his forehead against hers. "I'm already hanging onto her. And I promise, I wont let you go."

XxXxX

Sweet enough for your sweet tooth? This could be the end… I like where it is. But I suppose if you all wanted a future epilogue, I've got the idea I just need the encouragement.

Reviews are always welcome.