Ephemeral Moments

Ephemeral Moments

Chapter Four – First Breath After Coma

A/N: This one is slightly longer than the others. I could not resist with this chapter. And the end may not be entirely realistic, but I'm not going for that. So deal with it. Now, enjoy! And feel free to leave reviews. They make me happy.

Three months after the accident…

"Bones, come on. Please, wake up. It's not the same without you." Booth murmured, stroking her hand that is in his, lifeless, almost. He knows her heart is beating, but she's not the same Bones.

"This is my fault. If only I had been paying attention. You would still be here, smiling at me, stealing my fries. I miss it." He said, and placed a small kiss on her forehead.

He then lay his head down and prayed…hard. It had been three months, and the doctors said it wasn't looking good for her. But he could never give up hope on her, not until he was sure he had to. His phone vibrated in his pocket, signaling a voicemail.

"I'll be right back." He promised, and went to the lobby to get the voicemail. It was Cullen, so he called him back.

"Sir?" He asked, once he picked up.

"Agent Booth, I just wanted to see how you are holding up."

"I'm alright, Sir." He said as he rubbed his hand over his face, feeling the stubble there.

"I will be back at work in a week."

"How is Dr. Brennan?"

"Honestly, it's not looking good for her. Or so the doctors are saying. They don't have much hope."

"I'm sorry, Booth."

"Thank you, Sir."

"If something happens to her, I would be proud to give her a proper Military funeral."

"Thank you, again, Sir. But she would just want her friends and family. I know she would."

"Alright, but the offer still stands. She will not be forgotten."

"I know, Sir. Goodbye."

"Goodbye." Cullen said, and Booth pocketed the phone and returned to her room.

"Bones…" He said as he sat down softly.

"I don't want you to go. Nobody wants you to go. But if you should decide to do so, know you will not be forgotten. You have touched so many lives." He said, as he lay his head down to sleep…

In his dream…

The doctor walks up to Booth.

"I'm sorry sir. We had to end her life."

"No, I understand. It had been too long. Her brain function was decreasing. It was the right thing."

"It was." The doctor said with a nod, and walked away. Booth placed his head in his hands, but no tears came.

His dream cuts to Rock Creek Cemetery. He walks towards a casket, waiting to be lowered, overlooking a pond. The sun is shining. The casket is alone, but as he stands in front of it, Angela, Hodgins, Zach, and Cam stand near. Booth sets flowers on top of the casket.

"Why does this day have to be so perfect, when you really are gone?" He whispers to the casket. He backs away as the others say some words. He turns around, he can't stand to watch. When he looks in front of him, he sees hundreds of people coming up the hill, each carrying a flower. His emotions let loose then. They are all the people they have given closure to over their three years together. They gather around. Once the casket is lowered into the ground…a line forms and the five of them are approached.

"She will be missed." And "Thank you" was murmured to them as people passed. Lastly, Cullen approached Booth.

"Booth. I'm sorry. I know we cannot replace her."

"No, you can't." He said, and walked to the grave, already covered, the headstone in. He kneels and touches the crumbling dirt.

"Temperance. It's not fair. Why did you have to leave? You had a choice. I know you did. You always have had a choice, even if it wasn't really there, you made it exist. I won't be able to go on without you. I just can't. I miss you too much already. I know you would hate this, but I have dreamt of taking you as my wife, of making love to you, of our children running around. A boy and girl. I wish I could have that, but now I can't. Not ever. Which is why I'm coming after you, soon. Don't say no, you can't. But I am. I love you, and I always want to be with you." He said to her, tears flowing freely now. He looked up and read her headstone out loud.

"Dr. Temperance Joy Brennan. Best doctor, daughter, sister, friend, and partner anyone could ask for. You will not be forgotten." He whispered, stood, and turned away, towards his own future, with her, even if she doesn't believe in heaven.

Back in the hospital room…Booth jolts awake…

"What a dream." He says, and rubs the back of his neck. He stretches and then looks down at Bones. He takes her hand in his again and closes his eyes to pray. Suddenly, he feels a movement against his hand. She's squeezing his hand. His breath seems to stop and his eyes fly open.

"Bones?" He whispers, leaning closer. Her eyes flutter open and she takes a deep breath, inhaling as much air as she can.

Her first breath after coma.

And she locks eyes with Booth and he instantly cries tears of joy.