Chapter 13

I woke up feeling something poking me in the back, and it was a fork. On the dining room table. I looked over to see Booth hanging off of the table, in his boxers. When I looked at the clock on the wall, it was 4:27 AM. Booth and I had to be on the road in 57 minutes. I rolled off of the table and went in the kitchen to brew a strong pot of coffee.

His bags and my own were by the door. The squints were just waiting for my call. I tiptoed over to where Booth was sleeping and started kissing the five o'clock shadow that appeared on his chin. He rubbed his face against mine and smiled. For the first time since I found out that he was getting deployed, the only emotion in his eyes was sadness. No guilt, no depression. I was going to have to thank Joey for talking to him.

"Good morning beautiful. Is that coffee I smell brewing?"

"It is my handsome husband. Do you care to get up off of my dining room table?"

He grinned at me, "Hey, you wanted this too last night. If I recall, you said to me, 'Booth, one room left. I hope the dining room table works for you.' So don't try to blame me for falling asleep on the table. I have to get dressed."

I turned back to the kitchen to where my Blackberry was charging on the countertop. I turned it on, typed a quick text to Cam, Angela, Sweets, and Jared. I worked on making Booth the best breakfast ever. Bacon, eggs, pancakes. His favorite. I was just pouring the second round of pancakes when I heard boots behind me. I turned around and Booth was standing in the doorway in his fatigues.

I felt a little pull on my heart and tears in my eyes. Before I full out cried in front of him, I turned back to cooking so I could calm down. I felt him pull on my shoulders and turn me around.

"Baby, its okay. I'll be okay. We'll be okay. Plus I have a surprise for you. When you were out yesterday, I went to the clinic and made a sperm donation in case I don't come home. I did just like you asked."

I sobbed, outwardly, and that was just how I felt, ridiculous. I turned around and continued cooking. I heard Booth exhale behind me and I heard my phone ring beside me. I was midway through flipping a pancake, so Booth answered.

"Hey Ange, how are you?"

"I'll miss you too Ange. I'll be safe. Don't worry. You wanna talk to Bones?"

Booth handed me the phone and took over cooking and I went outside to the deck.

"Sweetie, how are you holding up?"

"Ange, he donated sperm. In case he doesn't come home."

"Well that was thoughtful. So we are going to Fort Benning in Georgia, right?"

"Yeah, Ange, we're leaving in about a half hour. We should get there by 5 or 6 o'clock. He has to stay on base for a while, but we're staying at the hotel just outside the base. The reservations are under my name. I'll see you there."

"Take care Bren! I'll see you and Studly soon!"

I turned around to see Booth standing at the door with two plates of food and two cups of coffee. I opened the door for him and I took my plate and cup, and sat down.

We talked about nothing and everything at the same time. It was our comfortable silence. Booth took our plates to the kitchen and I went to get dressed. I pulled out my cropped jeans and Booth's t-shirt that I stole. His name was embroidered onto the chest, just above the heart.

I walked out of the bedroom and into the foyer. Booth was standing there, smiling.

"Ready to hit the road, Bones?"

"As ready as I'll ever be."

We took turns driving. The 12 hour drive from DC to Georgia was long and boring, so we switched driving every 2 hours. Booth had the last shift. He dropped me off at the hotel and proceeded to check in before we went to dinner.

I walked up to the receptionists' desk and held up a picture.

"Hi, my name is Doctor Temperance Brennan, I spoke to Jill a few days ago about specific instructions."

"That's me Dr. Brennan. Can I have that picture of your husband for a reference?"

"Here it is. So just to recap, when Seeley Booth comes to ask what room I'm in, I want you to call me. My friends and I will sneak down and surprise him. Tell him that there is no one at the hotel with a reservation under Dr. Temperance Brennan."

"I can do that for you Dr. Brennan. I will let you know when he arrives. I will be very believable. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"No, that will be all. Thank you."

"Rooms 214-217."

I took the key cards and went up 2 floors. I knocked on the first door, 214 and inserted the key card into the slot. As soon as I opened the door, I heard Angela's laughing.

"Hello all."

Angela rushed over to me, squeezing me a little too tight, "Bren, is everything all set up to surprise Booth?"

"Yeah, I'm expecting a call or text from him sometime soon. So we can relax. Get a shower. Watch some tv. Sweets, can I talk to you?"

The crowd dispersed into their respective rooms and Sweets sat down on the bed. I sat down next to him, twisting my hands together, nervously.

"Dr. Brennan?"

"Sweets, when Booth comes, please don't psychoanalyze him. He is stressed out enough. So just be our friend today, not our therapist."

"I can do that Dr. Brennan. Is there anything else you wish to speak about with me?"

I sighed, I knew I couldn't talk to Booth about it. So I had to talk to Sweets.

"Sweets, as a friend and therapist, is it irrational of me to want to keep Booth home? I feel like our life together has only begun. And call me Temperance."

"Temperance, as a doctor, it is not irrational at all to want to keep Booth at home. As a friend, you life together with him has not just begun. You have known him for years and you know everything about him. Just recently becoming a couple has enable you to become connected with him on more than just the professional level. I see the way he looks at you. He loves you, with everything he has. So don't think for one second that your journey could end. Booth will come home to you, no matter what. He'll fight for you and because of you. So trust yourself and your heart."

The slight tears that sprang to my eyes were ones of reassurances, not goodbyes. I stood up and Sweets stood with me. I reached out and wrapped my arms around the psychologist's skinny frame.

"Thank you Sweets, for everything."

Sweets left to go to his room and relax while I was met by sweet silence. I had nothing but everything to think about. I laid back on the bed, sat for a while, then got a shower. I slipped on Booth's favorite sundress of mine. I walked out of the bathroom just in time to catch his call. It was 7:36.

"Hey Bones, I just got done here. How about dinner? I have to report back at 12:30 civilian time. So I'll come up and get changed real quick, okay?"

"Sounds good Booth."

"Alright, I'll be over in five. I love you."

"I love you too. Bye Booth."

I left my room and corralled everyone back into my room. Jared and Padme, Pops, Cam, Sweets, Angela and Hodgins, and myself were waiting for the phone call. Once we got the call, I stopped in front of them all.

"Quiet, okay? That means you Jared!"

He shook his head at me and we took the steps down. It led us back behind the receptionist's desk without being seen. I could hear Booth getting angry.

"No, Jill. You listen to me. I spoke to my wife no more than 5 minutes ago. She told me she was staying here. Please."

"Sir, there is no reservation here under the name Dr. Temperance Brennan."

I peeked out from the desk as Booth had his back to it, running his hands through his short hair. I wrapped my arms around his torso.

"Hey baby."

Booth sighed, shot a nasty look at Jill and walked with me towards the elevators. I motioned for everyone to come out on 3, 2, 1…