A/N: Last Chapter! So sad! Luckily there's three sequels left! The next story, entitled Repercussions, will be up tomorrow so keep a lookout for it! Thanks for all the reviews. I hope you enjoy!

It was getting close to midnight. He had danced with her twice more and both times were perfect. Of course he had to watch her dance with both Hodgins and Zach, the latter being very amusing. Right now she was talking to Cullen and laughing. She looked like she was having a good time. At least people weren't bothering her anymore. He had been privy to some of the stupid questions she received throughout the night and he now realized why she didn't like talking about her book very much.

He thought about what had transpired over the last seven days. He could scarcely believe it. 'Now if we could only tell everyone.' He thought to himself. He understood her hesitation, he was worried himself. Cullen could split them up and Cam…well she could make things difficult. Although it's not like it was an angry breakup or anything. They just stopped sleeping together. They didn't even have a conversation about it.

He allowed himself to look over at her again. She was perfect. He loved all the little oddities about her such as her lack of pop culture awareness. He loved her focus and her drive although she could be too single minded at times.

He loved how she was with Parker. Clearly his son picked up on it too, telling her that he loved her on the phone. He was surprised that Parker said that, but was floored when she had responded, saying she loved him too.

And here they were at the Jeffersonian's New Year's Ball and he couldn't even kiss her at midnight. They would have to watch everyone else and pretend that it was the furthest thing from their minds. They would probably give each other a platonic kiss on the cheek. At least then they could leave and he could show her how he was really feeling all evening.

He sighed and looked around the table. Hodgins and Angela were doing some intense flirting. Zach was talking to one of the lab techs and Cam was on the dance floor with some guy.

He felt a nudge in his side and looked over seeing her and Cullen staring at him.

"What?" he said, confused.

"I was just commenting to Dr. Brennan that you two have solved the most cases compared to the others in the office." Cullen said.

"Really?" he replied. "Well, Dr. Brennan is an excellent partner sir."

"How did you become partners?" Laura asked.

"Bones consulted on one of my cases." He said.

"In which I didn't get credit." She interrupted. "And then when I came back from Guatemala, he put in a hold for questioning request and had Homeland Security attack me."

"I believe you did the attacking." He said. "Besides it got you to work with me right? Of course you blackmailed me then shot the killer with alcohol on your breath."

"He was comprising evidence!" she replied, huffily.

"Anyway" he said, trying not to continue the argument. "We've worked together ever since."

Laura started laughing. "That is priceless." She said.

"What's priceless?" Cam said as she sat down.

"Oh just the story of how Bones and I started working together." He replied.

"Frankly, it's adorable." Laura said.

"Laura, you can't use the word adorable when it comes to the FBI. We do have a reputation to protect." Cullen said, a hint of a smile on his face.

She watched as the waiters put bottles of champagne on the tables.

"It must be getting close to midnight." Cullen said.

"Thank goodness." She muttered.

"You aren't having a good time?" Laura asked.

"No I am." She said. "I've just been up since five am. I had a 200 year old Incan warrior I had to examine. And I didn't get a lot of sleep last night."

"I thought you only did work with the FBI." Laura asked.

"No the cases I do with the FBI are usually in addition to my regular work." She replied.

"That's impressive. I was unaware of that Dr. Brennan." Cullen said.

"It's no big deal." She replied. "I like to work."

"Okay, okay." Hodgins said, interrupting. "I think it's about time we reveal our New Year's resolutions. Let's crack open that champagne!."

"So who starts?" Angela asked, grabbing her champagne. "How about you Cam?"

"I don't usually make New Year's resolutions. But let me see…I resolve to spend one day a week not thinking about the lab." Cam said.

"Ha!" Hodgins replied. "Good luck with that. Well I resolve to spend lots of time with my new girlfriend."

"That's not a resolution!" Angela said. "We see each other at work every day. I guess my resolution is less chocolate?"

"Zach what about you?" Cam said.

"Umm, I would like to live up to my new title." Zach said.

"Dude, you should have resolved to learn how to drive." Hodgins said.

"Leave him alone." Angela said. "What about you Booth?"

"I resolve to work things out with Rebecca so I can see Parker more." Booth replied, not daring to say more for fear that he would blurt what he really wanted to say. 'I resolve to love Temperance Brennan for the rest of my life and protect her and never let her be hurt again.' He said silently to himself.

"That's a good resolution." Angela said.

"Yeah, we will see if it works." He replied. "How about you, Laura?"

"I think I might have to go with Angela on this one. I have a serious chocolate problem." Laura said, laughing.

"Well I will resolve to hide the chocolate from you then." Cullen said.

"What about you Bren?" Angela said, her eyes twinkling.

"I resolve to follow the rules and follow my heart." She said.

"A specific rule?" Zach asked. "Or rules in general?"

"It's something Parker said." Booth replied. "But she won't tell me."

"You're right, I won't." she said, a stubborn look on her face.

"Anyway, here's to all our resolutions and let's hope they come true." Hodgins said, raising his glass. They all did the same and clinked glasses with each other. The music died down and the host stepped up to the microphone.

"Ladies and gents," he said. "There is one minute till midnight. We will begin the countdown shortly." A buzz of excitement was in the air.

She turned to him. This was it. This was the time to tell him what her heart had known since the day they met. Her stomach flip flopped and she could feel her heart pounding.

"Listen, at the restaurant…" she started.

"Don't worry about it." He replied, keeping his voice low so no one would hear. "I didn't mean to say… we are going slow."

"Booth…." She started.

"Temperance, it's okay." He said softly.

"Not it's not." She said loudly. Everyone at the table turned to look at her, but she didn't care.

"It's not okay because…. because…" she sputtered. 'Dammit, why couldn't she form the words?'

"Bones, I…" he said. His voice was drowned out by the host.

"10 seconds….9…..8" the host said.

"Look, just…" he started to say. All eyes were on them now.

"6….5…" the host said.

"No! Listen to me." She said, smacking her hand on the table. "It's….I…I love you." She felt a tear roll down her cheek.

"2….1…" the host shouted.

"I'm in love with you." She said. And with that she cupped his cheeks with her hands and she kissed him.

She didn't hear the cheering when the new year began. She didn't see Cullen's mouth drop or Cam's eyes narrow. She didn't see Hodgins and Zach high five each other , or Angela start crying. However she would hear all about it the next day from a very excited Angela.

When her lips met his, it all floated away. There was only him and her. She snaked her arms around his neck and he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. She could feel the tears on his face as well and they each gripped on to each other, trying to get closer, even though it wasn't physically possible. And in that one moment she knew that she would spend the rest of her life loving him.

The End.