Sorry there was such a gap… Thanks for all hanging with me.

The Lab

"Sweetie, you can't keep going on like this." Angela sympathized as she walked into Tempe's office to find her best friend sniffling and damp eyed. "It's been over two weeks."

"I'm fine Ange." Tempe replied as she pushed dirty Kleenexes off her desk and into the trashcan.

"Well Booth isn't." Angela plopped down in the chair across from her. "He calls several times a day for a report on you. Plus he looks terrible."

Temperance's face shot up. "You've seen him?"

"Yeah. He looks like he hasn't eaten, shaved or slept in days." Angela smiled to herself as she saw the worry in Tempe's eyes. When Tempe didn't respond Angela stood and continued. "Well I'm heading home. You should too momma."

Tempe smiled slightly. "Night Ange."

Later that night, Tempe walked through the empty parking garage digging through her bag for her keys. As she rounded the back of her car a sickening pain wracked her abdomen. Her bag fell, emptying its contents onto the cement floor. The pain grew, forcing Temperance to collapse to the ground. Tears poured from her icy blue eyes as she reached for her phone and dialed the only number she could think of.

The Hospital

"Someone help!" He cried as he carried her through the doors of the emergency room. A nurse rounded the desk in a hurry, pushing a wheelchair in front of her.

"What happened?" The stout middle-aged woman asked.

"She was leaving work when she felt pains in her abdomen. Can you help her?" Booth asked frantically as he moved quickly along side the chair. Temperance's face was scrunched in agony as she curled into fetal position the best she could with her rounded belly. "It's okay Temperance." Booth grabbed her hand as he spoke. "Everything will be fine."

The rounded a corner heading towards the door when a larger nurse stepped in front of Booth. "I'm sorry sir, but you're going to have to wait out here."

"Booth?" Temperance said weakly as her hand slipped from his.

"It's okay. I'll be right here." He assured as he looked over the nurses shoulder, watching as they rolled her out of sight.

Later

"Mr. Booth." A young woman called as she came around the corner. "You can come back here now."

Booth stood quickly and jogged to where the woman was. He followed into an exam room where Temperance laid, her doctor on a stool beside her. He rushed to her side as soon as he saw her.

"Are you okay? Is the baby okay?" Booth asked quickly as her took her hand in his.

The doctor spoke before Temperance was able to answer. "Agent Booth, it seems that Dr. Brennan here was experiencing what we call quickening."

Booth gave a questioning glance to Temperance. "Booth it means that it was the baby kicking." She explained as she avoided his gaze out of embarrassment.

"That caused her that much pain?" He asked looking to the doctor.

Dr. Jackson smiled. "It seems she has herself a real athlete in there. Anyway I thought we could use this time to do an ultrasound."

The doctor squeezed out the gel onto Tempe's stomach and moved the wand in a circular motion. As she flicked on the screen, a picture appeared and the room was suddenly filled with loud beating.

"What is that?" Temperance asked nervously, squeezing Booth's hand tighter.

Booth smiled down at her. "That's the baby's heartbeat."

"And this" The doctor pointed to the screen. "Is your baby. Temperance would you like to know your baby's sex?"

"No." She said quickly, shaking her head. Her eyes never left the screen.

Doctor Jackson smiled once more. "Alright well, I'll leave and you can change. The nurse just needs to sign your discharge papers once you're ready. Here are some copies of the pictures. And don't forget about our next appointment."

"Thank you doctor." Booth said as he took the black and white photos from the woman. He had held them out from Temperance to see when he noticed she was in tears. "Tempe, what's wrong?" He asked quickly as he sat down on the table beside her.

"I'm so sorry Booth." She sobbed as she covered her face with her small hands.

"Hey now." He said placing his hand on the far side of her belly. "None of that was your fault. I should have told you about that and about how it had been over."

Temperance shook her head to stop him. "No." She sniffed. "I'm sorry I pushed all this on you. You shouldn't have to take care of me, it's not your job."

Booth pulled her into sitting position. Their torsos close but her eyes far away from his. "Temperance listen to me." His breath was hot against her ear. "I take care of you and your baby because I care about you. Damn it, I love you. And taking care of you will always be a priority as long as you'll let me."

Temperance fell into his shoulder as her arms wrapped around his neck. Sobs wracked her body. Booth placed quick kisses across her jaw line and cheek as she cried into his shoulder. As he pulled away, his hands on her cheeks, he kissed her gently on the lips before speaking. "Let's go home."

Dramatic chappie. Next chp. Coming soon. Reviews please.