Before I begin: Disclaimer: Own nothing, gain nothing, just fun and easing my aching heart… (and hopefully yours!)

My OWN disclaimer: in 99.9% of my stories, there's no way B&B end apart… I have enough angst on the show… SO I try to fix everything here… So my promise continues to be… Trust me, for I'll never leave you brokenhearted…!

Guys, I'm truly overwhelmed by the response this fic has received… I am deeply thankful for your reviews and kind words…Also, to all of you who put this story and me on their alerts… You humble me, and I'll try to continue making this worthwhile reading… And I'll also try to make this as mistake-free as possible…

Sorry, but I have to say something. I thought 6x09 was a beautiful epi, something we had missed. Of course, to most of you, you hate Booth, because you feel he stopped caring. But let's be honest (IN MY OWN PERSONAL OPINION AND WITH ALL RESPECT TO YOU GUYS), the same people who hate Booth now are the same people who hated Brennan when she was with Sully. We hated her for making him suffer, she was oblivious to his pain. Guys, in the real world, almost 99.9% of people wouldn't wait 6 years for someone to finally make a choice… So, let's cut the guy some slack…

Yes, it's not fair. Yes, it's messing with our version of the perfect B&B universe, I know. Even more when DB and DB have such amazing chemistry (though I can't deny that the Booth and Hannah storyline doesn't seem force, in the chemistry we see between DB and Kathryn Winnick, but again, DB has chemistry with just anyone… Sighs and swoons… LOL!. This was like a pressure cooker waiting to explode ever since the 100th came on. What I loved the most was seeing her finally show some emotion, without guarding herself. I particularly loved the parts where we could see the red eyes and rumply appearance, when she always looks so put together…

Here it goes, then…

He didn't know how much time had passed. He had lost count of the minutes ever since he saw her close her eyes.

The only thing that held him from completely breaking down was knowing that Parker needed him, and that he needed to continue being strong for his little man, so he didn't let the best of fears overwhelm him. His little boy had refused to go home, and he had been clinging to him like a baby monkey to his mother ever since they had arrived to the hospital, bawling and crying like his own mother was the one on the brink of death, and not just friend. But he knew, Bones had stopped being "just a friend" to his son ages ago, the same she had stopped being "just a partner" to him.

God, there had been so much blood it was a miracle in itself that she wasn't truly dead. Yet. When her eyes closed, he thought she was gone, but when he pressed his hand to her neck, her pulse was still there, so weak it was barely palpable, but it still existed. He had cried tears of relief as Cam kneeled next to them, and assessed her situation while the ambulance arrived.

Cam had been the one to call 911. She had been silently working in her office, knowing Dr. Brennan was in her own. She didn't know what had happened between her and Booth, but ever since Lauren Eames' case, she had seen the anthropologist a little bit sadder than usual. She had been truly worried as she saw Brennan about to breakdown, and she feared this would be the thing to make her topple over. As a friend to Booth, she was trying to be supportive of his decision to move on and be happy, and while the fact that he was with Hannah disrupted their vision of the perfect universe where they were finally together and had come to grips with their feelings, she couldn't deny the blonde journalist was giving something akin to the happiness he had always wanted.

But she knew him too well for his sake, and sometimes, when he thought no one was looking, she could see a fleeting glimmer of pain. Without him telling her, he knew that is why he wasn't around so much anymore, why he had strayed from their "family". She knew he was trying to protect this new life he had created from himself, and if he truly saw the devastating effects his abandonment was having on his partner and the woman he had proclaimed he loved for so long, he wouldn't be able to go on.

But Cam had also grown a soft spot for Brennan. While they clashed at first, now she could see the woman underneath the surface. Brennan wasn't one for great displays of affection, but the woman knew how to love, and just didn't want to let herself go. Her generosity, her devotion could only be compared to her stubbornness and drive to find the truth. Cam had truly regretted seeing her leave, and that day at the airport, as they said their goodbyes, there had been something warm in Brennan's eyes as she told her she had enjoyed working for her when everyone knew who truly ran the Jeffersonian. In papers, Cam was the boss. But in reality, it was Brennan who glued them together. Cam had understood a long time ago that her role was administrative, because the loyalty the team had, even her, was towards the anthropologist.

So when she heard screaming, she carefully made her way to the door, her heart stopping when she saw Heather Taffet aiming her gun at both her and then at Parker and Hannah. She figured quickly Parker must have been in science club, and as usual, Hannah had been appointed to pick him up. She hadn't missed that while Booth was around less, Hannah was around more, and knowing her longtime friend, she knew he was not so subtly avoiding his partner, but she only wanted to smack him in the back of the head for practically rubbing his relationship with Hannah in Brennan's face, though she knew better. What everyone was seeing as an abandonment on his behalf, as pettily showing everyone he could move on and flaunt Hannah before their eyes, she understood it to be a silent scream from him to them to let them try and regain some sort of happiness, of peace.

She had silently but swiftly looked around her office, trying to find something to stop Taffet in her tracks, but there were no knifes or sharp instruments she could throw without putting their lives at danger. So she settled for ducking beneath her desk and calling 911 to inform the Bureau, the police and the paramedics to rush to their aid, receiving in kind the assurances that they would be there in less than 5 minutes, the police on high alert for the past hour since Taffet's escape had been noticed.

Her pulse had reached the heights when Taffet aimed her gun at Parker, and she was marveled at how efficiently, for a second, Brennan had managed to make the woman shift her attention from the little boy to herself. But when things unfolded, she was practically frozen as she saw Brennan running to Parker, the bullet being released, and Hannah ducking far away from the shooting.

She saw the bullet pass right through Brennan, and she prayed that it had missed her, but the way she fell on top of Parker told her gut the bullet had somehow hit its mark. Her eyes filled with tears, trying to find a way to stop Taffet, knowing they were all still in danger. She had the advantage that Taffet hadn't noticed her presence still, but as she started to made her way to the woman, seeing she was about to fire for a second time, in 2 seconds, she heard a second shot. She saw Taffet's body fall to the floor, a single gunshot wound to the forehead, and moved her eyes to the lab doors, knowing only one person could make such a perfect mark. And indeed there he was, in true Sniper fashion, but, for once, with no hints of regret in his eyes for taking a live.

She had hastily made her way to the platform running as fast as she could, stopping briefly when Booth screamed to the heavens, holding her in his arms.

Her eyes widened, thinking it was all over, her heart clenching in agony, but then she saw him shakily press his hand to her neck, and start crying tears she read as tears of relief, she practically had to rip the woman from his arms to lay her down on the floor, her throat closing as she saw how much blood there was. She had resolutely, but gently, pried his hands away, and assessed the wound.

The bullet hadn't exactly touched the inside of her neck, but there was a gaping hole on the corded muscle that ran through the side, and she instantly assessed, Could it be the carotid? God, she's bleeding out?

Luckily, it was on that moment that paramedics arrived, taking her away, true to their word, since not even 5 minutes had passed since she had called. Booth had asked Hannah to take Parker home, his tone unusually curt with her, and Cam was surprised, because there was an anger in his voice that shouldn't have been there, she assumed because he was upset. And Hannah surely understood because she didn't even argue, lowering her eyes to the floor, and trying to take a distraught Parker away.

But Parker had refused adamantly, crying and telling him he wouldn't go home until he knew his Dr. Bones was better, and for once Booth hadn't argued, his eyes pooling at the devotion his son was showing for his partner.

He had looked at Hannah sadly and told her to go home and wait for news.

In the car, they had called Hodgins to let him know what had happened, warning him to give the news as calmly as he could to Angela, given her state and knowing how it would distress her to know her best friend was indeed fighting for his life.

They had arrived at the hospital at the same time the ambulance had, Booth using his siren to follow it close behind, his jaw clenched tight, only listening as Cam made the calls, breaking every speed limit, only focused on getting them there, Cam's voice and Parker's quiet sniffles the only response to his silent fear. The three jumped from the SUV, Booth flashing his badge to a nurse that was about to ask him to remove it from the handicapped spot, effectively halting his protests, and they all saw as they wheeled her in, their eyes pooling as they saw her already hooked to many machines, listening to the paramedics as the doctors greeted them as the doors opened and ran with the gurney.

"Crashed once", said one of the paramedics, "But we got her back after performing CPR and 3 discharges", their hearts felt as they realized she had indeed almost died, "We've been unable to stop the bleeding", they heard, and they followed the gurney, the doctor replying, "OR 3. Need a cross match, type specific, does anyone know what her blood type is?", he asked to the ether, and Booth quickly replied, "A positive. She's A positive", the doctor nodded, and acknowledged the information before saying, "Call blood bank, ask them for 4 bags of type specific. How much blood until now?", he continued, and the paramedic replied, "About 1500ccs, perhaps more".

"Let's go, people!", the doctor barked, "She's bradycardic, she's about to go into cardiac arrest!", they walked pass the doors, to be stopped by a nurse, who told them they couldn't go past that point.

"She's my partner! I have to go in!", Booth pleaded, and the nurse shook her head sympathetically, but resolutely, "I know you want to go in, sir, but they're taking her straight to the OR. Go to the third floor, that's where she'll be. I'll make sure you know if anything happens, Mr…"

"Booth. Seeley Booth", the nurse nodded, and replied, "Go. Don't worry, Dr. Lucas is an amazing surgeon. He'll do everything to save her. It's that way, you'll find the elevators", she pointed to the right direction, Booth nodded tearfully, unable to thank her due to the lump in his throat, and they silently but quickly made the way to the third floor, Cam tightly holding on to Parker's hand, who was following them silently, as he had promised he wouldn't get in the way as long as he could be close to his Bones.

When they arrived, they made their way to the information desk, Cam asking, "Temperance Brennan?", the nurse raised her eyes from the screen, "she was being brought up from the ER".

"Yes. She's in surgery right now. We had her information here, in the database. And we've already called her medical proxy", Booth frowned and said, "What? I'm her medical proxy, have been for 4 years", he said, and the nurse looked confused.

"I'm sorry, sir, but here Max Keenan is listed as medical proxy and next of kin. We already contacted him, and he told us he's on his way", Booth swallowed, and went to sit dejectedly in one of the plastic chairs, his head falling back against the wall, his eyes leaking silent tears from his closed eyelids, all energy drained from his body. Cam and Parker walked slowly to him, Cam swallowing as she noticed his hands stained with blood, her mind painfully remembering when Brennan had done exactly the same when he was shot at the Checkerbox, refusing to wash her hands or move until they told her something of his status. She could only hope that today they wouldn't hear the same words in regards to her.

"I'm no longer her medical proxy, Cam", he said, opening his eyes to focus on his friend, who had also tears in her dark eyes, "When… Oh God, when did I make myself such a shitty friend?", he whispered brokenly, and Cam sat right next to him, understanding what he was saying behind those words, that he now realized just how much he had cut himself off from Brennan's life in his attempt to show everyone, but mostly, himself, that he had truly moved on. Parker sat on the other side, grabbing his father's hand softly, letting him feel his presence and love.

"Seeley, you're not a shitty friend. Perhaps… You went to extremes in your… determination to move on, but… she knows you care", he shook his head at his friend's words.

"No, Cam. She doesn't. Right before she passed out, she told me… she had nothing to fight for. Cam, what did I do to her? How… how did I let things get so messed up?", he said agonizingly, and she nodded tearfully, heartbroken at seeing his pain, and truly concerned that Parker was getting this unchecked, agonized version of his father.

"You both made mistakes, Seeley", one night, right before he had departed, he had finally confided why their relationship was so strained. He told her of his pitiful attempt to make her see they could be in a relationship, and how she had rejected him. He had also sworn her to secrecy, "You… you've never handled things the right way, and you always go to extremes. But no matter what, this isn't your fault", she said.

"Cam, she gave her life for my son, for what? So that I can be happy, with my perfect life?" he said bitterly, "Did I deserve her, ever?", he sobbed, and Cam rubbed his shoulder, as Parker tried to hug his Dad, who brokenly wrapped him in his strong arms, sobbing against his son's curls.

"She loves you, Dad. I know. And she's not mad. She was sad, but she told me she wanted you to be happy", that only made Booth cry harder, holding on to the only pure, worthy thing he had ever made, his beautiful boy.

About 15 minutes later, a frantic Jack and a panting Angela rushed to them, "What happened?", Jack asked, his eyes red and puffy, the same as Angela's, standing in front of them, Angela's eyes widening as she saw Booth's stained hands and clothes, a hand on her mouth, and eyes pooling with tears.

"Taffet. She escaped from prison, and went directly to the Jeffersonian", Cam replied, "She… tried to kill Parker, but Brennan… got in the way, to defend him, and… she got shot. To the neck. I can't lie, guys. It's not looking good", Cam said sadly.

"Oh God, Bren!", Angela said, sobbing as she hid her face against Jack's shoulder, who could only rub her back, his own eyes filling with tears at the grim news.

"Have they said anything?", he asked, and Cam shook her head.

"No, they brought her to the OR right away. She… was bleeding out. It's a miracle in itself that she got here alive", Jack closed his eyes, and it was then when the couple noticed Booth crying.

They had been torn between wishing him happiness, but saddened at seeing how miserable Brennan was by it. Jack knew she thought no one noticed, but in the late of night, when she was at the platform, alone, he could see the mask slip, letting him see the heartbreak in her eyes. He had liked Hannah, and for some time, he had truly believed Brennan was ok with it. He had even laughed at Angela's frantic ramblings about how Hannah had changed everything, and how tearfully she had told him she feared her best friend had lost a great man, and hadn't even realized it. But he knew that indeed, Brennan had realized her mistake, something even more acutely visible when Lauren Eames' case came forward. But he couldn't tell that to his wife, because he knew he would break his wife's gentle heart if he told her her friend wasn't oblivious to her feelings as she had tried to made them all think.

But now, seeing Booth cry, holding Parker against his chest like he was the only thing he had left, he knew Booth had finally seen his mistake, and how broken he was by the realization: Jack had experienced it, knowing the love he felt for Angela would never fade, even when they were apart and she started going from man to man, and well, woman. And Booth was even more committed than he was to his feelings. He hadn't been fooled by the shiny bauble that was Hannah Burley. Booth's core hadn't changed, he knew that, and being so, his love for Brennan hadn't changed either.

"It's going to be allright, man", Hodgins said, and Booth shook his head, hiding his face in his son's curls, not caring that he was getting the boy dirty with more blood. Parker' shirt was stained already as the blood had flowed into him when Brennan had been covering his body.

Some more minutes passed, half an hour perhaps, filled with Booth and Angela sobbing, when Max Keenan entered the room.

Jack straightened his spine, fearing for Booth. Cam did too. They had all seen how Max had gracefully taken a step back when he realized Booth was the one who had taken the role of avenging protector on Brennan's behalf, but now that Booth had made himself practically a stranger in his friend's life, Max had again regained his role.

His expression was unreadable. They couldn't see if he was angry or sad. He silently went to the nurse's desk, and they filled him in. He signed some forms that were waiting for him, and then he went to them.

Booth's eyes had snapped open when he heard Max talking to the nurses. He gently placed Parker on the seat next to him, and shakily stood on his feet.

Max walked towards him, and they stood face to face. Booth locked eyes with Max, Max's expression giving nothing away.

Booth just stared at him, and weakly said, "Go ahead", they didn't understand what Booth meant until they saw Max raise a fist and hit him square in the jaw, making Booth take a few steps backwards. He didn't rub his bruised jaw, and just stared at Max pleadingly for about two seconds when Max stood closer and hooked his arm strongly through Booth's neck, bringing the agent to his neck, hugging him tightly.

The scene broke their hearts, all of them crying as they saw Booth sobbing loudly against Max's body, "Hit me, Max. I deserve it", Max's eyes were also filled with tears as he continued to hug Booth's body, which was shaking for dear life, "You're doing that for the both of us, boy, no need for me to give you more pain", his words made Booth fall to his knees, still in front of Max, like someone pleading to his executioner to spare his life.

Max continued hugging Booth as he felt the agent fall to the floor, Booth's tall frame making his face meet Max's chest, his hands now on Booth's shoulders.

Max swallowed, "My little girl has loved you for longer than she cared to admit. I made her afraid to love, to trust by leaving. But you made her trust again, you made her believe, you tore her walls, but you gave up on her at the end", Booth's cries came even harder, "But she forgave you. Because she wanted to see you happy. For once, she was the one to take that step back", Booth continued sobbing, "You are a good man, Booth. You are. She told me. I've seen it. Everyone makes mistakes. Let's… only hope our girl makes it through so we both can make amends", he continued rubbing Booth' shoulders for long moments, very much like a father forgiving a son, until Booth breathed deeply and started standing.

Max lent him a hand, and hugged him again before he took the seat next to Booth that Cam had just vacated to give them room to speak, all of them surrounding the three loves of Brennan's life.

Booth wiped his tears and sniffled, and Max handed him his own handkerchief so he could blow his nose.

After he composed himself a little, Booth raised his puffy eyes to Max and asked, "When… when did she make you her medical proxy?".

"About a month ago. She… she said she knew you had a new life, and that she didn't want to be a burden to you if… something happened to her", Booth's head fell in shame, "She told me she knew you had every right to find the perfect woman for you, and she thought that… Hannah girl was it, so she figured your new love interest would misunderstand if you were still her next of kin when you were already… moving on", Max continued, "And she thought it would send the wrong message, besides she thought you wouldn't be interested in running to her aid in case she needed you".

"I'm sorry Max. This is all my fault", Booth said, and again Max brought his hand to his shoulder, "I failed her".

"No, Booth. This is both your fault. Yours, for rushing her, and hers, for being so stubborn in her need to hold on to her fear. As a man, I don't blame you for trying to find someone who loved you. But as a father, it saddens me to think that she counted on you for protection, and that lately, you were nowhere to be found".

Booth's eyes were ridden with pain, knowing he couldn't argue at that, "And even if I die to be 90, that won't be enough time to make it up to her", he said to Max.

"I know, son. I just wish… my little girl hadn't been so sad", Max said, "Pray, Booth. Pray to that God you so fiercely believe in so He gives you both a second chance", Booth nodded, and Parker leaned into his side, relieved his Grandpa Max had been so understanding.

Silence loomed between the group, Parker resting his head on his father's lap, exhausted by the day's events, Max sitting right next to Booth, giving him his silent forgiveness, Angela sitting in front of them between Jack and Cam. Cam had called Rebecca to let her know what had happened at Booth's request, and for once, Rebecca had grown frantic, angry even, but after Cam explained, she had been truly understanding. She had told Cam she was going to pick up Parker right away, but Cam had explained that had been Booth's idea, but that Parker had absolutely refused to leave before he made sure his Bones was ok. Rebecca then told Cam to look out for Booth and her son, to make sure Parker was ok. She had asked Cam to let her speak to Parker and it was that conversation which made her see that indeed she wouldn't be able to drag her son away from the hospital until he knew his beloved Dr. Bones was truly fine. After talking to Cam again, they agreed that she would call when they had news and they could convince Parker to go home.

Maybe 1 hour had passed before the doctor Cam and Booth had seen going with Brennan to the OR exited.

Max quickly stood to get the news, knowing the doctor would be looking for her medical proxy, but he softly touched Booth in the shoulder to let him know he could go too to hear everything the doctor had to say. Booth smiled gratefully, and Cam, understanding what Booth needed, helped him shift Parker to her own lap, as she took his vacated seat to keep the slumbering boy calm.

The doctor recognized Booth, but not the man next to him, "I'm Dr. Henry Lucas. I was the doctor in charge of Temperance Brennan's case. And you are?", he asked

"I'm Max Keenan, Temperance's dad and medical proxy", he said, shaking the doctor's hand, "And in case you haven't been introduced, he's Seeley Booth, my daughter's partner", the doctor shook Booth's hand, and nodded.

"Yes, we saw each other as Ms. Brennan…", Booth interrupted him, "Dr. Brennan", the doctor raised an eyebrow, but amended, "As Dr. Brennan", he emphasized the word doctor, "Was brought in. In fact, it was very helpful that you knew her blood type, it saved us precious time", seeing their anxious faces, he began.

"The bullet that hurt Dr. Brennan went through her neck muscles, and it hit the sternocleidomastoid branch of the superior thyroid artery. All in all, it comes from the external carotid artery. The bullet ripped part of her sternocleidomastoid muscles, but that was the least of our concerns, since our first aim was to stop her from bleeding out. She crashed once on the ambulance and once on the OR, but we were able to bring her back both times. She lost a great deal of blood, almost more than half her blood volume, and we transfused her. Luckily, we had enough type specific blood in the blood bank, and we gave her 2 units", both men nodded, listening intently to the doctor, "Luckily for her, the greater portion of the damage was done to the muscle, and not to the artery itself. We repaired the walls of the artery, and we found the bullet only nicked it on the outer surface, but not enough to cause a damage we would have been unable to repair. But of course, the area is filled with important veins and arteries. She's lucky to have survived, a few millimeters deeper and we wouldn't have been able to do anything for her", Booth didn't understand much of the words, but he got the underlying meaning behind them. She was alive.

Shaking in relief, he asked the doctor, "So, she's ok?", the doctor nodded a little, "Why… why there was so much blood if… it was just a nick, not a gaping hole?"

"Mr. Booth, the portion of her neck the bullet touched ripped her muscles, another reason for her bleeding. And the lining of the muscles here and vascular system is more delicate here. We believe there was no lasting damage to the nerves or the most important areas of her muscle: if it had, it would have impaired her ability to move her head from side to side. The bullet made such a path that the nick to the artery was small, but big enough to endanger her. The part that worries us is the implications: the carotid goes directly to her brain, and she crashed on us twice, so we're not really certain if there is any lasting brain damage due to the moments she was without oxygen, more than the bleeding itself. We also don't know if the blood loss could have affected the flow to her muscles and caused some damage we couldn't assess initially. The reason she passed out was the wound's proximity to her head", Booth's rising relief was crushed.

"So… she could.. her brain could…?", he asked unable to finish. The doctor understood what he needed to know, "No way to know until she wakes. I'm sorry I can't give you more hopeful news, but all we can do is wait for her to wake and as soon as she does, we will conduct some neurological exams, a physical exam first and then we´ll see if there's a need for more specialized ones after we check her responses and reflexes, ok? She's in recovery right now, to keep her stable, but in about an hour, we'll move her to the ICU, which is in the fourth floor, only if her condition remains as it is. Then you can see her. The breathing tube we gave her will be removed as we assess if her spontaneous respiratory response is intact; once we're sure, we'll take it away, but it's there for now, as a precaution. Given her situation, only two can go at a time, for now. Mr. Keenan, it's up to you to decide who goes in. The nurses will instruct you and help you scrub in", they shook hands again, and Booth went to sit next to Cam, not knowing how to feel.

Booth tried to replay the doctor's every word to the team as faithfully as possible, and when he was done, Cam said, "He's right. The reason she passed out so fast, even if the bullet just nicked the artery, was because the wound was so close to the head, and even if the damage was to one of the branches, it is still one of the main arteries to feed the brain. All we can do is wait and hope", she said.

They also heard the part where Booth said only two could go in, and that it was up to Max to decide. Max was silently pondering everything, but his eyes met Angela's, and she nodded when she understood what he was trying to tell her. He smiled apologetically at her, knowing he had made his choice.

And just then the desk nurse came up to them.

I apologize if the science-y and medical stuff has mistakes. I'm no doctor, and less a ballistics expert, but I tried to make this as scientifically believable as possible, for the benefits of fanfiction-kind (my word, hehehe). Anyway, it took a bit of reading and understanding of Gray's anatomy (the book not the series, hahaha).

If you find any mistakes, feel free to point them out. AS I say in my profile, I love reviews and constructive criticism (and Spanish is my mother tongue, so I'm genetically inclined to make mistakes… But I try to do my best, so this is fanfiction-worthy…

I already have the next chappie practically done, but I would love to hear your comments before I post it…

I did this since so many of you asked me to give this a happy ending… But I don't know how long… (KIDDING!)

Many loose ends… Booth still has to talk with Hannah… Did anyone realize why he was angry? I know you did! He also has to really TALK to Bones… From his heart…

TBC, if you want me to…