Chapter 4

Oh dear god, did she really just say that? In a crowd of people at City Hall. This day could not get any stranger. I was getting married to Bones. I feel like I need to pinch myself just because of how strange this all seemed. She told me last week she still didn't believe in marriage and that she most likely never get married. Now that is crazy. I pulled Bones along with me up to Caroline, whose face had softened instantly when she saw us.

"Cherie, I am glad you decided to come to your senses. I got Cullen to call a judge who likes you and the good doctor and I got you a personal junction to allow you to forgo the marriage license waiting period for right now. But before your man leaves, Doctor, you need to get him to sign the paperwork for the license."

Bones nodded her head enthusiastically. Hodgins and Angela hugged us both, and Jared strode up to me and slapped me on the back.

"Dude, when I heard you and Dr. Brennan were finally getting married, I was shocked. I thought she would c-block you for the rest of your life."

I heard two more voices behind me, ones that I would never forget. Sweets was walking toward us with Zach following close beside him. I tapped Bones on the shoulder and she turned, her face lighting up with happiness. She ran to Zach and hugged him so tight that he started to turn blue. I pried her arms away from Zach so that he had a chance to breath.

"Hello Dr. Brennan. I heard that you and Agent Booth have finally admitted your feelings to each other. Congratulations. Agent Booth, I heard that you are getting deployed again. I hope that you stay safe."

I was shocked at Zach's sincerity. But in his eyes, I saw disappointment. I knew that he loved Bones. He always had. But unfortunately, he broke her heart when he joined Gormogon after he got back from Iraq. I still can't forgive myself for not getting him some help. Bones wrapped her arms around my body and motioned to Caroline.

"You ready Booth?"

I cupped her face in my hands and looked deep into her sky blue eyes, "Please, Bones, call me Seeley now. I need you to call me that. Just for this, please?"

She nodded but with a little reluctance. We walked toward Caroline and the judge that had enthusiastically agreed to marry us on a late Wednesday night. The whole process seemed to fly by quickly, and when we were asked for vows, I dug a small piece of paper out of my pocket. Taking a deep breath in, I spoke the words I never thought I was going to get to say.

"Bones, from the first case we had, I knew that there was something more than just partners between us. There was always a little more tension between us. When you were kidnapped. I felt my world turn upside down. I knew that you had changed my life for the better. You made me believe that I was never going to be like my father. And I believed you. You changed my opinion about myself. When all the stuff with Epps happened, I knew that I could never carry a relationship with you, that's why I drew the line. But that was a temporary line in the sand. I fell in love with you more and more every day, and I thought about you all the time. I knew that my love for you was real because I needed you. I would sit in the Founding Father's alone and hope that you would come looking for me. And sometimes you did, and I would hope you would take me home, tell me that you needed me too, and we could be happy together. It may not have happened the way I wanted it to but it did happen, and right now that is all that matters to me. I love you Bones, no matter what happens."

She squeezed my hand before fishing into her own pocket and pulling out a small piece of paper. She had the most terrified look on her face, but I tried to reassure her with my best charm smile that it was okay to go.

"Seeley, to be completely honest I really didn't like you when I first met you. I thought you were arrogant, self centered and cocky. But as I got to know you, I learned that you were the complete opposite of that. You put yourself in front of a bullet for me. You would put your own life on the line to protect mine. And that is the most selfless thing anyone has ever done for me. I know that in the past I have told you that I will never get married. But what I didn't tell you that the only person I would get married to, if I ever, was you. I never told you because I knew that we had the line, and that was the way things were going to be. But after you agreed to be a father to my baby, I fell in love with you. Totally irrational head over heels in love with you. And I couldn't help myself. I thought about you all the time. I still think about you all the time. So Seeley, I will love you, forever."

She slipped a silver band onto my ring finger and then I placed her wedding band on top of her engagement ring. We were officially man and wife, and yet it still felt as if we were partners. We left City Hall after all the kisses and pictures and hugs and headed down to the readiness center.

I got onto base and brought her with me so I could start my last round of vaccines. She stood behind me, with her hands on my shoulders, rubbing gently, but noticeably, and I instantly relaxed. When the doctor came in, I realized it was John. His face lit up and then looked confused.

"Seel, who is this beautiful lady?"

"John, this is Bones. I told you about her last time I saw you."

She looked at me, then back at John.

"Booth, don't be such a stooge. Hi John, my name is Temperance, I'm Seeley's wife."

John's mouth hung wide open. His eyes told all.

"Dude, when did you get married. I saw you two weeks ago. You definitely weren't married then."

I shook my head, he could be such a fool sometimes, "John, we got married today. And she wanted to come with me, plus I have to change some paperwork. So can we get this show on the road?"

He laughed at me, then shook Bones' hand.

"Let's see how tough your man really is. We have an anthrax vaccine, and a few other select peanut butter consistency vaccines, all yours free of charge."

I looked at him and knew exactly what he was going to do. He was going to ask me to drop my pants when I could easily get them in my bicep. But he was going to try and embarrass me. I opened my mouth and beat him to the punch, "In the bicep John."

"No can do Seel, got to take it in the butt. So, drop your pants or I can escort your lovely wife out of here and I can do it for you," he smirked, "So what's it going to be?"

I grumbled a bit, before looking back at Bones and seeing a smile play across her lips.

"Oh fine. John. I get what you're doing. I'll kill you in basketball later anyway."

Reluctantly, I hopped off the table and undid my "Cocky" belt buckle. I handed it to Bones and she smiled earnestly. I unbuttoned my jeans and let them fall to around my knees. John leaned forward, pulled on the waistband of my boxers. I was anticipating a count to three or something like that. But instead he stuck me hard with each vaccine. In the same spot. Case in point, my butt hurt. When he was done, I stood up straight with a half scowl on my face.

"Bones, can you give me and John a second please?"

She looked at me with a questioning glance, but left the room. As soon as the door closed, I advanced on John.

"What's your problem dude?"

"It was a joke Seel. I just wanted her to know that you are an extra tough guy. That you don't complain about anything. If anything I made you look good. So stop complaining."

"John, if I wanted you to make me look like a tough guy, I would have picked you up, carried you out to the course, strapped a bomb to my chest, and ran like hell for 45 seconds. So, the next time you wanna do that, tell me please, I will make sure to leave. But don't pull that bullshit again."

His eyes widened and quietly, he spoke.

"What happened to you man? You used to be so carefree."

I took off my shirt and showed him the scar on my chest from when Pam shot me.

"That's what happened man. I was shot in the chest. Bones thought I was dead for two weeks and the FBI never told her. I put her through hell. I had a brain tumor too. So I have been through hellin the last couple years of my life. So sorry I'm not so carefree anymore. Plus I have Parker. I have responsibilities man."

"Seel, I didn't know you had a brain tumor. Or that you had been shot. I'm sorry man. But it looks like you have a good woman behind you. Treat her right man, or I will kill you."

I shook his hand, glad that he understood where I was coming from. I buttoned my jeans and left the room. But Bones wasn't there anymore. I strode down the hallway, my heart rate increasing with each step. When I got to the end of the hallway, she was being crooned over by a bunch of guys from my unit.

"Hey Bones. Guys. What's up?"

"Not much babe. I'm just talking to a few of your friends. They have some funny stories about you."

"Well that's great guys. Telling her stories about me without my permission. I am still your superior. Don't forget that."

I started to walk away with Bones right beside me, but I turned back quickly to shock them.

"And paws off of my wife."