Booth rapped lightly on the door in front of him. He knew the woman on the other side wouldn't be pleased to see him at this hour of the morning.

"Seeley?" said a groggy and irritated Cam, "It is 6:50 in the morning. I had ten more minutes to sleep before my alarm went off. This had better be important."

"I need the key to Bones' office," Booth said without preamble.

"Why?"

"I broke up with Hannah last night."

"Oh!" Cam said needing no further explanation and retreating to where she kept her purse.

She rooted through her purse for her keys. Once she found them, Cam removed the requested key from the ring.

She held it out to Booth then quickly snatched it back, "What are you planning to do? Don't fill her office with flowers or anything."

Booth laughed, "No. I – I just want to talk to her before there is a whole lab full of people."

Cam nodded and surrendered the key.

Booth gave her a quick peck on the cheek, "Thanks, Cam. I owe you."

"You bet you do," Cam said with a smile, "Go get her, Seeley."

Booth waited nervously in Brennan's office. He glanced at his watch. 7:25. Bones usually came into the office at 7:30, eight at the latest. As he waited, Booth mentally scripted the conversation that he would have with Bones. He knew her so well, yet, he wasn't sure what sort of response to expect from Bones. Booth feared the sins he committed against her were unforgiveable.

While Booth's thoughts raced, Bones walked into her office muttering softly to herself.

"Hey, Bones," Booth said causing a startled Bones to nearly smack into her desk.

"Booth!" she exclaimed, "What are you doing in my office? Do we have a case?"

"Um, no, but I brought coffee," Booth said with a charming smile.

"How did you get in here?" Bones asked casting him a suspicious glance.

"Cam," Booth explained succinctly.

"Cam let you into my office to bring me coffee?"

"Yeah, well, that and to talk," Booth said patting the seat beside him.

Bones approached warily, "Talk about what?"

Booth took a deep breath, "Bones, I owe you an apology."

"You do?" Bones asked.

Booth nodded adamantly, "Yeah, I do. You are my best friend, and I have neglected you since I got back from Afghanistan."

"Booth, it is understandable that you would want to spend time with the individual you have chosen as your mate. It is my understanding that people frequently have decreased contact with their friends when engaged in a committed relationship."

Booth shook his head, "No, that isn't how it should be at all, Bones."

Bones shrugged, "I will defer to your opinion on the subject, and I accept your apology, Booth. I do miss the time we used to spend together."

"Me too, Bones."

"Was that all you had to say?" she asked, "It doesn't seem that conversation warranted breaking into my office."

"Hey! I didn't break it; I had a key."

Bones smiled, "Breaking in with administrative assistance."

Booth chuckled. He hadn't realized exactly how much he missed being the one who put a smile on her face.

"No, that wasn't all. Hannah and I broke up last night."

"Oh, Booth, I'm sorry. With the emphasis that you place on romantic relationships, I am sure this is difficult for you. I know how much you cared for Hannah."

Booth saw an emotion he couldn't qualify flash across her face.

"No, Bones. I broke up with Hannah."

"Why?"

"Hannah deserved someone whose heart was theirs to give away," Booth said softly.

"And your metaphorical heart is not yours to give away?" Bones asked with what seemed like a glimmer of hope in her voice.

"No, it hasn't been for some time."

Bones remained silent, and the conversation Booth had scripted went out the window.

"Bones, last spring when I asked you to give us a shot, I did it all wrong. I put it out there, and when you gave me your reasons, I didn't refute them. I didn't tell you that you do have an open heart. God, Bones, I could give you a thousand examples – attending – an even paying for - funerals for victims, staying by my side during my surgery, offering up yourself as a murder suspect to save your father. Hell, just a month ago, you donned that ridiculous Bone Lady costume because your best friend said it would endear you to her unborn child."

Booth leaned a little closer to her and took her hand, half expecting her to pull it from his grasp. He was pleasantly surprised when she didn't.

Booth ran his fingertips over her knuckles and continued, "And you have changed, Bones. You've changed a lot, but I don't need you to change. I want the woman who is sitting in front of my right now. I should have told you that last year, but instead, I slinked away like a wounded animal. Not this time. This time, Bones, I am going all in."

Bones still hadn't said a word in response, her eyes downcast.

"Bones, last time, I left out something important, something I think you need to hear," Booth tipped her chin up with his finger, forcing her crystal blue eyes to meet his, "I love you, Temperance."

Bones' eyes glistened with tears, "You love me?"

"Oh Bones, I love you with all my heart. I have for a long time and will for a long long time from now."

"But Hannah, you told me that you loved Hannah," Bones countered torn between her fear and desperately wanting the words Booth has just spoken to be true.

Booth shook his head, tears now pricking at the corners of his eyes. Cam had been right. Hannah had been right. How could he have not seen how he was hurting Bones?

"I lied. I cared about Hannah, but I never loved her. I was trying to convince myself that I could move on, like I had told you I would. I was hurt, Bones, but it doesn't excuse the way I acted towards you. I hurt you, and I don't think I can ever forgive myself for that. I just hope I haven't lost your trust."

Bones shook her head, "You haven't, Booth."

Booth smiled and brought his hands up to frame her face, "I will make it up to you, I promise. Bones, I want to be with you, whatever that looks like. If you need time, I'll wait -."

"You don't have to wait," Bones interjected, smiling despite the tears streaming down her face, "I want to be with you too, Booth. I want to give us a shot. Although I have no point of comparison, I am fairly certain that I love you."

Booth laughed, tears pooling in his eyes, "Fairly certain is enough for me, Bones."

Bones laughed in return, drying her tears with her shirt sleeve.

"I feel like I want to kiss you," Booth said before leaning in pressing his lips gently against hers.

This time she didn't push him away. Instead of tensing, her body seemed to melt into his.

Booth had kissed this woman three times before, but this kiss was different. Her lips were still soft, and when their tongues met, she still tasted as sweet as he remembered. This kiss, unlike the others, wasn't borne of lust, need, or desperation; it was a promise between two friends crossing the threshold between friendship and romance. When they broke apart, Bones rested her head on Booth shoulder, while he held her tightly.

"I love you," he whispered in her ear, "I could hold you like this forever."

Bones nodded against his shoulder. For once, she gave no thought to the work that awaited her. The world around them seemed to slip away. There was just the two of them; safe, loved in one another's arms.

Outside the glass walls, a group of friends and curious lab personnel had gathered. Their close friends all wore smiles.

Cam turned to Angela, "Okay, that was worth being woken up early for."

A/N: Okay, so there is going to be one more chapter. After all, no B&B finally getting together story is complete without consummating the relationship, right? So, the next chapter might be T+, but not M. I don't write smut, as I have absolutely no talent for it!

Reviews are greatly appreciated!

In the mean time, I recommend checking out "Prismatic" by only-more-love. It is a well crafted one shot.