This continues to be both everyone caring about her while she continues to dream in her come.
Finally this is the start to the happy side to her dream…
ICU room
His only motion during the night was watching her face, as his hand constantly kept rubbing either her knuckles or her face, letting her feel he was there for her, that she wasn't alone. After her last crying fit, she had entered an eerie calm, and he could have sworn there was the hint of a smile on her face. Her earlier distress had been replaced by a peaceful demeanor that served to calm him just a little, enough to know that at least her dreams weren't torturing her anymore.
He hadn't ever had the chance to observe her for such a long period of time without an interruption, and during the long hours of the night, lost in thought, he could understand with a clear mind why he had fallen for her. It was the paradox of beauty and fierceness, of weakness and strength that had always puzzled him and challenged him.
The nurse had told him her vitals were stable enough now, and that was a reason to celebrate in itself, but he didn't know if he should feel relief or scared he wasn't getting any more reactions from her that reassured him that her beautiful mind was working its way back to him.
He knew he had to go home, he knew he had to talk to Hannah. Now that his blood had stopped boiling in anger, he could accept that he had been harboring unreal expectations from a woman who had done nothing but to tell him the truth from the beginning. Hannah had tried to embrace the family life for his sake, knowing how important it was to him, but he could now see she wasn't ready for the type of lifelong commitment he needed from her. He hadn't been unfair per se, but what hurt him was that he had never lied to her and never hid his expectations or desires from a relationship with her, and somehow she had ignored the importance of it all, or underestimated what he truly wanted from their future together. The fun was amazing, sure, but he couldn't live in the moment forever. He needed to know he had some solid ground to stand on, and it tugged at his heart that he may have lost his chance to perhaps mend his relationship with the woman lying in the bed in front of him, broken and lost because of him, for a woman who wasn't really trying to row the same boat he was on. He had always made it crystal clear to Hannah that Parker was and would always be his priority, and any association with him would mean she would be involved in his life as well, that for them to continue together, she would need to bond with his son.
And his mind kept replaying those fateful seconds of the previous day: how Hannah had clearly only thought of her safety, while Bones hadn't hesitate to give her own life so Parker would be spared from harm. People could say he was placing an unfair amount of weight on the shoulders of a woman who had just started to relate to his son, but he had always thought, and that was something that Pops had taught him when referring to relationships and love, that it was an unspoken and rightful assumption that loving someone also meant loving the things the other loved, or at least, you made an effort to grow to love them, because they mean that much to you. When he had seen how slowly Hannah had been pulling away from his son, while Bones did the exact opposite was the real eye opener he needed. And it felt like someone had ripped a blindfold he had stubbornly kept around his eyes, and heart.
He could now see things from what they were.
"Oh, Bones, you have no idea what I would give to turn back the clock and change everything. You didn't deserve this, any of this. You deserved all of me, all of my patience and all of the time I could have given you, but I let my pride in the way. I just…", he ran his free hand through his hair, and stared into her expressionless, but calm face, and continued, "I just hope that whatever it is you're dreaming of, it's no longer painful", he said, caressing a lock of hair away from her face, letting his fingers drink in the softness of her silky skin, "But… I just need you to wake up. Please wake up, my love", he allowed himself the pleasure of calling her that, because it was the truth. She was truly his only love. "Wake up so I can show you how much I do love you, how much I never stopped", he said, and again grew silent, one hand on her forehead, which wasn't as clammy anymore, and on her knuckles, rubbing them softly. He knew perhaps it was wishful thinking, but he could see her body subtly inching its way towards him, as if reaching out. He swore to himself he wouldn't leave her bedside until she was completely recovered.
A throat clearing from the doorstep called his attention and turning around, he discovered Max standing on the doorstep with a sad smile on his face that he tried to reply with a sorrowful smile of his own.
"How did she spend the night, Booth?", Max asked, stepping in, stopping by the foot of the bed.
Booth sighed, and replied, "She was very… jumpy. She…", his throat got tight, "She was crying, dreaming, according to the nurses, but about 3 hours ago, she suddenly stopped, and her vitals improved, and from that point forward, she's been like that", he explained as best as he could, "She's stable, but she hasn't shown any signs that she will wake up soon. I… I don't know, Max. It kills me seeing her like this", he said desperately, and Max went to his side, placing his hand on his shoulder in what was becoming a very common gesture between the men.
"Booth, we have to give her time. We know she doesn't respond well to pressure. If the doctors say she's stable, that's better than having her restless, ok? And… there's something you should know", Booth's brown eyes bore into Max's, knowing the old man was about to say something he probably wouldn't like, but needed to hear either way.
"Booth, I went to your place, to get a sense of how things were with your… girlfriend, and to bring you some clothes, but I changed my mind. Booth… even if I hate to think about what her presence in your life has done to my Tempe… it wasn't good. That woman was a nervous wreck when I went to check on her. You need to talk to her. Even if she made a huge mistake, this isn't you, Booth. And when your mind is clear, you'll beat yourself up for treating her like this, even if right now, part of us can agree with you and admit she kind of… deserves it", Booth knew Max was right, but he had to make things clear.
"Max", he started, "I didn't mean to hurt her. I don't mean to hurt her or to punish her, if that's what you're thinking, but the truth is my brain is incapable of thinking or anything or anyone that isn't Bones. My only concern right now is Bones' welfare, making sure she's ok. I won't leave her", Booth said determinedly.
"And that's very commendable, Booth, but it's not very wise. If you're so intent on changing things and making them right, then you should start by straightening things out with her. If you want a real shot with my daughter, don't you think it would be best that she could find a new world when she wakes?", Max didn't need to explain himself. It was true. That thought had crossed his mind during his vigil. If she woke, the first thing he wanted to do was pledge his love to her, and if he was still involved with Hannah, that thought would be soiled by the idea of him somewhat offering her a future when he was still not free to do so.
"You're right, Max, but I don't want to leave her", he said sadly, and Max squeezed his shoulder.
"Booth, she's stable. Why don't you kill two birds with one stone, go home, take a shower, and fix things with your… girlfriend? I promise you, if I start noticing something, anything, I'll call you first", Booth seemed reluctant, and Max pressed, "Come on, Booth. We both know you're a good man. And you won't find peace until you straighten things out. So please, for your sake, for my daughter' sake, go. Put a stop to all of this pain, enough people have been hurt already", he said, and Booth could only agree.
Max, seeing his reluctance, sighed deeply, "I know exactly how you're feeling, Booth. I know how much it cuts here", he said, patting his chest over his heart, "to see the woman you love in danger, to fear losing her. So many years passed since I lost my Ruthie, and I still can't make myself stop loving her, but that love has given me the strength to continue fighting to be a better man. Honor your feelings for my daughter, Booth, and do what must be done", Booth nodded solemnly, staring into Max's eyes.
With a heavy sigh, he hovered over her still form, and after a few moments of staring at her face, he leaned forward and kissed her cheek tenderly, and then moved his lips to her forehead, letting his lips linger. "I'll be right back. Gotta go, fix things, ok? For us. Promise me you'll have the sweetest dreams?", he said tenderly, "I love you, Bones. Wake up so I can tell you how much", he inhaled deeply, and with a longing look in his eyes, he nodded to Max, and left.
Max sat by her bedside, and took her hand in his. "He's a good man, baby girl. Even if he somewhat hurt you, I can see he didn't mean it. You need to wake up, and I hope that when you do, you can let him prove it to you. I wouldn't have chosen a better man for you myself", he closed his eyes and raised her hand to his face to kiss it softly, his eyes burning with the pain of seeing his beloved daughter lying in the hospital bed.
If he had been looking, he would have been surprised to see her lips curve in a tentative smile that instantly faltered, but that spoke volumes of the beauty that had replaced the sadness inside her mind.
B&B&B&B&B&B&B&B&B&B
Bren's dream world
She woke up, feeling the first rays of the sun hit her face through the curtains, but it was the warmth emanating from behind her that truly startled her. She noticed the very large, very male body behind her, as well as the face buried in the crook of her shoulder, his hot breath making her skin break out in goose bumps, and the arm wrapped around her midsection both protectively and possessively.
It was in this moment when the world shifted and her breath caught in her throat. She inhaled deeply, and the hand resting on her belly tightened reflexively.
"Baby, is everything ok?", a raspy voice came from behind her, "It's not the baby yet, isn't it?", he said worriedly, and she didn't understand why, but her eyes filled with tears, and she shakily nodded, feeling the rush of love and protection coming from him.
Of course, the man behind her knew her too well to ignore, "Baby, Temperance, what is it?", he said tenderly, gently helping her shift so she was lying on her back and facing him.
Her breath caught again when she stared into the most beautiful set of brown eyes, looking down at her with eyes filled with love and adoration, his hand tracing idle circles on her belly, calming her down and making her feel like her heart was about to burst.
"Booth?", she said, and he smiled beautifully before moving another hand to move a lock of hair out her face, staring into her blue gaze, "I think that's my name. What is it? The baby? Is anything wrong?", she shook her head, unable to speak and just brought her head to his neck, inhaling his musky, Boothy scent, the scent that soothed all of her fears, that calmed her, that enveloped her like the warmest blanket in a cocoon of safety and love.
The baby kicked happily inside her womb, and she gasped at his beaming smile, the one that always adorned his lips whenever he felt proof of the love they had made living inside of her.
"He's saying hi to daddy. Hello baby!", he said, moving swiftly down her body until his lips were next to her already raised nightgown, next to the perfect swell of her stomach, brushing his lips tenderly against her sleep-warmed skin, "How are you, my love? It's only a few days before I get to see you. You have no idea how much I love you, my angel. How much I absolutely adore you, and your mom", tears came to her eyes again, and he quickly moved to meet her face.
"What is it, babe?", he said worriedly, and she just smiled softly, "Hormones, I guess. It's just, I can't believe we're here, together", her voice was shaky, but filled with wonder and awe, "I still can't believe that I'm the one who gets to wake up next to you. For a while, I never thought it could happen. I wake up sometimes, and for a few moments, I feel like it's all a dream, and that when I wake up, I'll be lonely, without you… without our son", she said brokenly, and he held her tight against him, as much as he could with her protruding belly in the middle and felt him kiss her head repeatedly.
"Baby, I can't believe it either", he said, gently bringing her so she was even more on her side, her head on his chest, as he knew she loved, rubbing her back with one hand and her belly with the other, "You are my miracle. My beautiful miracle", he said, making her stare into his eyes, "Even if this happened the unusual way, I wouldn't trade you for the world. My beautiful Bones, you are everything to me", he leaned and kissed her sensually, letting her feel his love and passion for her, "And I can't wait to meet our little guy. Our little angel", his voice was husky and thick with emotion.
"Oh, Booth, I love you, so much, I'll never get tired of hearing it", she said, hiding her face in his neck, letting his warmth and love wash over her. She could feel his need, and smiled ruefully as sex had to be avoided to prevent an early labor scare.
If someone had told her a year ago she would be in her bed, with the man she loved next to her, cuddling her, speaking so sweetly to her, she would have thought they were delusional, but as she recalled the events that the Lauren Eames' case had provoked, she couldn't help but agree that indeed, being here was nothing short of a miracle.
. . . . . . .
A year ago, after he rescued her in Woodland…
Rain was falling steadily, hitting the SUV, filling the silence between them as Booth drove them to her place.
Tears were silently leaking from her eyes, but she had luckily stopped sobbing, and she only drew a ragged breath every now and then to calm herself. After he had rejected her so clearly, picking Hannah over her, and then stabbed her heart even deeper as he asked her if there was anyone else he could call, meaning the idea of him being the one to comfort her, as it had always been, was completely out of the question, she had only replied with a sad look and more silence, letting him know she didn't want anyone next to her, that her loneliness was all she wanted.
Minutes passed, and finally they reached her parking lot. She instantly started to unbuckle herself, and when she went to open the door, he gently stopped her, his hand going to her forearm, feeling warm against her chilled skin.
"Bones, I can't leave you like this", he said softly, and she shook her head, hating the guilty note in his voice, "I can't. I don't know why, but I can't".
"Booth, this is useless and you know it. It's prolonging a suffering that will not stop for now. If you feel you should feel guilty on my account, please don't", she said, her stern voice shaking with the effort to make it steady, "At least my conscience is clear and I know that whatever happens to me, I didn't hold back and I allowed my emotions to rule my decisions for once. And while it's deeply painful, I don't regret telling you. You deserved the honesty from me", she said tiredly, "As you always gave it to me".
He nodded, and his eyes were filled with an emotion she couldn't very well read. She thought there was sadness, but when she noticed how tight his biceps were, how white his knuckles were on the steering wheel, her heart ached as she saw him either trying to hold himself back, from going to her or from running away, she didn't know.
His eyes were fixed on hers, and with a bowed head, she went to close the door, but there was something inside her chanting words she couldn't understand until, like a strike of lightning, she understood.
Tell him. The actual words he needs to hear so he never doubts again, so he goes knowing how you truly feel. Stop hinting at it, and just say it so he knows.
She gasped, and following her heart for the last time, she stared into his face, and opened the door yet again.
Fighting the urge to sob, she drew in a shaky breath and spoke, "This will probably be the last time you will ever hear this from me, Booth. I won't bother you again with this subject. But I… I can't die with this on my chest. I need you to know, I don't have any agenda or expectations. But it's… it's like I need to do what you did on the Hoover that night, to know that at least I tried telling you what's in my metaphorical heart", his eyes grew wide, and he surprised her as he unbuckled himself and opened his door, not even closing the door to his side and he quickly made his way in front of her, breathing heavily, but seemingly listening acutely to everything she was saying, the rain washing down over them, heavy droplets hitting their skin like long minutes before, when he saved her.
"I don't want this to mean you have to be troubled or feel guilty, and I don't even expect you to change your mind and course because of it. I know you're happy with Hannah, I know you love her deeply, and that she loves you the same way, but… you need to understand. I forgot what love felt like. I forgot what it was like to let my heart lead my decisions, my choices, and not my brain. I didn't want to accept it, because a part of me could only remember how much it hurt to put yourself on the line, but the other… the other part couldn't remember how rewarding it could be, how much joy and fulfillment it could bring to let yourself love and be loved. I haven't known love since I was 15. My father and Russ came back into my life, but I was scarred in ways you possibly couldn't understand. At least Pops was there for you. I have only known love that is selfish, abusive, self-serving… I didn't know that love could be like yours. So honest and complete. So selfless and giving. You're scarred yourself, and it ashamed me that even if you went through your own hell, you still have enough faith to put yourself out there, Booth, to open your heart to others despite the risk. I can't. I couldn't. It was robbed of me during countless nights when I had to lock myself up in a bathroom so my foster dad didn't rape me, and tried to convince me it was all because "he wanted me to be a good girl, because he loved me", ignoring his startled gasp, she continued, "Everyone who claimed to love me betrayed me, hurt me or left me to fend for myself. Then you came, and you changed everything. I couldn't lose you, Booth", she said brokenly, "I couldn't lose the only man who was my only source of faith. And I wanted to tell you I love you that night so badly, but I let my fear rule me", they stared at each other for long seconds, Booth's body so tight it felt like it would snap at any second, "I let my fear overrule my love. I know this changes nothing, that I lost my place in your heart, and rightfully so, but I don't want to let my pride be stronger than my desire to let you know that while I was away, I could only dream of you, and I could only hope I could have a chance to right every single wrong. You filled my thoughts at day and my dreams at night. But as long as Hannah makes you happy, even if my heart is breaking for not being able to be that woman for you, I will be happy you're happy. I could never understand how you can find happiness in such deep sorrow, but I can now. My deepest regret is not telling you this before we went away. And right now, I only wanted you to know… it was never a lack of love that led me to say no, or because I ever thought you weren't enough. It was loving you too much that confused me, that frightened me. It still does. And I know…", she choked on a sob, but her eyes never left his, "I know my chance has passed, but you deserved this from me. To know. And I'm so sorry, Booth, so very sorry that I broke your heart, that I made you feel this way, like you weren't enough when you became my everything. But please know that if you felt at last half of what I'm feeling… you've been compensated, because this pain surpasses anything I have ever felt. Not even my parents' leaving was this painful to me. But", inhaling deeply, she fixed her tired blue eyes on his, noticing his stiff posture, his darkened eyes fixed on her, not giving a thing away, "I won't torture us both further. I can only hope that you won't want to sever our partnership after this, and that some semblance of our friendship returns in time, but rest assured that if that should be the case, and you decide being around me is too much, I will only wish you the very best. If you want, we can forget this conversation ever took place. But please, understand you needed to know, that I didn't want you to leave thinking I never loved you, because I did", she said pleadingly, staring into bottomless darkened eyes.
"I understand", he said huskily, "I truly do. Thanks for saying it", he said, and she nodded dejectedly, turning on her heels, entering the pathetic solace that was her empty, silent apartment, not knowing she had shaken him to the core in ways that would only become visible in the trials to come.
….
Indeed, they acted like they hadn't had what had to be the most heartbreaking conversation ever, trying to be the friends they had once been, but when Heather Taffet was killed, and the shadow of Booth's past started haunting them, she had to hold herself back from taking him in her arms and shelter him from everything.
When Broadsky started threatening her, tensions escalated. When she first refused to let Booth become her personal bodyguard, the sparks could have ignited the worst bushfire in the history of mankind.
They were in their office, Cam, Angela and Jack staring at them with their mouths open as they fought in the same way of the earlier days of their partnership, sparks flying high, threatening to bring down the entire Jeffersonian with the fire they were creating.
"Booth! You're being unreasonable! It's illogical to think you're going to stay with me until we catch him!", she said angrily, and she couldn't avoid the bitter tone that crept into her voice when she added, "What about Hannah? She won't be happy you're staying at your partner's place!", she said, running her hands through her hair in exasperation.
"It's you who's being unreasonable!", he spat back, "How can you think anyone can be as good as I am to protect you?", he inhaled heavily, "You'll have to suck up your stupid pride and let someone help you for once!", he regretted the way he had voiced his concern, and how they were unable to have this conversation normally, but he couldn't negotiate on this, not when her life was on the line. Ever since the threats started and she became the target of Broadsky's obsession, he hadn't been able to sleep. Images of Broadsky succeeding in hurting her kept running through his mind, particularly knowing only Broadsky was as good as him.
"It's not about pride, Booth!", she said, a wave of exhaustion overcoming her, making her fall tiredly on her chair, "I just don't think…", she said dejected, "It's worth the trouble. You can put all the men you want on my doorstep. If Broadsky is as good as you have hinted, what's the point?", Booth's eyes widened, and he kneeled before her, his anger replaced by pure fear.
"Don't ever say that, Bones. Ever!", he said passionately, "If I'm insisting that it be me who cares for you it's because I know that I'm the only person as good as he is, that I'm the only one to take him out, if needed. Bones", he said softly, startling everyone in the office as the sudden shift from anger to a tenderness that had only existed between them before they left for opposite sides of the Earth was so palpable it was almost like a physical presence, "He's after you because of me. This is not because I'm feeling guilty, it's because it's my job, as your partner, to protect you. And Hannah might be upset, but she'll have to understand. Please, Bones", he pleaded, and the tenderness and concern in his warm brown gaze undid her resolve. She needed him so badly, and she was truly so scared to be haunted by someone who had the same level of skill as Booth, she truly craved his presence, his concern to let her feel she wasn't alone.
"Ok", she relented, "Only because I can't have you losing your mind, ok?", a happy gleam entered his eyes, making her feel guilty for denying him this at first, but satisfied that he didn't seem to be on edge anymore.
"Ok. Thank you, Bones", he said, taking her hands in his without even noticing, his large ones warming her and making her heart leap with new life and hope.
Days passed and the threats got worse. As she had predicted, Hannah was not happy at all when Booth told her he would be moving to Bones' apartment until Broadsky was caught. Booth tried to defuse her jealousy, but deep inside, he knew it was earned.
She had to give Hannah credit, as she had tried her best to hide how truly annoyed she was, but she had the strange ability to be able to read people when things were related to Booth, and right now the air between them was so thick it was almost impossible to breathe. The few times Hannah had come over with more clothes for Booth and to have dinner with them, she had been the one to push the conversation, since they were unusually tight-lipped and tense.
The truth was that despite appearances, Booth had been unable to forget her words, how his heart ached whenever he thought of her pain, of the idea of her thinking he had stopped loving her, how he longed to have her in his arms and tell her his heart had never stopped being hers.
He had moved into her apartment, both going over the details of every threat, trying to find something, always coming to dead ends and that became visible when the first lights of morning founds them with no sleep. They had settled into a domesticity that both scared and thrilled them. He loved to see her in her silky robes as she made coffee first thing in the morning, her beautiful face fresh of makeup, her usual straight hair rebelling into messy, silky curls that framed her face perfectly, her body taunting him through the cloth with the secrets he had forgotten he wanted to unravel. All of those desires were coming back with the strength of a leashed beast that had finally had found an escape from its prison. And if it wasn't enough, the fear she was so bravely trying to hide was tugging with a vice around his heart.
But when a bullet almost hit them both at the Jeffersonian parking lot, and after much investigation they concluded the miss was intentional, it was when the dam finally broke.
They were getting home after their ordeal, both shaken by the experience, Brennan with a bandage on her forehead as the splintered glass on her car had wounded her slightly. Booth couldn't forget how the sight of her blood coating her forehead and running down her cheek made his heart stop for a few seconds. From that moment, he had been asking himself if the reaction would have been the same had Hannah been the wounded party. And sadly, he had to admit the answer was a very definite no.
Everyone had been fussing around her, Cam skillfully stitching her forehead so it didn't scar, but for the few moments he thought Broadsky had succeeded, her words haunted him.
I can't die with this on my chest… I forgot what it was like to let my heart lead me, and not my brain… I let my fear overrule my love… Wasn't that what he had been doing? Letting his mind lead him? Running away from fear of falling as deeply in love with her again? Or even worse, acknowledging his heart was still hers to keep? That his fear to be hurt had been the force behind every choice he had made for the past months?
As she tiredly fell against her couch, letting her head fall back, her fingers tracing the bandage on her forehead, his heart clenched painfully. He knew was Broadsky was trying to say. I'm very close to taking everything you love away from you.
He kneeled before her, and she tiredly raised her head and opened her blue gaze, trying to give him a tentative smile, but failing.
"He failed, Booth, I'm still here", she said, reading his thoughts, and he shook his head.
"On purpose, Bones. He only did it to let me know he can hurt you anytime he wants. I can't let him hurt you, I just can't", he said desperately, and without even becoming aware of the intimacy of the gesture, she let her hands wound in his hair, making his yes close in delight at her tender touch, replying with his head falling back on her lap, against her stomach, enjoying the sweet moment.
Long minutes passed, he grabbing her thighs like they were his anchor, kneeling before her, and she running her hands through his hair, eyes closed as he finally let her get close to him.
Letting the sweetness of the moment wash over her, she bent over and kissed the crown of his head, his hand tightening his grip on her outer thighs in response, a shaky breath leaving her lips.
"Don't ever leave me, Bones", he pleaded, and tears came to her eyes as she replied with a resolute, "As long as it is within my power, I will never leave, Booth", she didn't know how or when, but the sweetness started to shift to something infinitely more desperate and wanting. She could feel her body's response to his intimate touch, and she swallowed hard as her heart raced, noticing when the atmosphere started to get heavy with the sexual tension they had been denying for so long as she became aware of the feel of his large hands on her skin as her pencil skirt got raised up with his caress, uncovering milky skin as his fingers softly teased her.
"Booth", she said softly, "We can't…", his grip became tighter, and he raised his head to meet her eyes, his feeling with a fire she never thought she would see aimed towards her ever again.
He raised one hand from her thigh and placed a finger on her lips, "I need you, Temperance. I can't deny it anymore. I can't survive. If he hurts you… It will be the end of me", without a moment's doubt, he leaned over and pressed his lips forcefully against hers.
She would have thought of denying him, but when his warm lips made contact with hers, she could only let the power of his body surrounding her subdue her, unable to hear anything but the sound of her heart pleading to her to stop her grief and have this moment, even if it probably would be a one-time occurrence. It was enough, though she feared she could never get enough of him.
They fell against her couch, and his mouth gently coaxed her to open hers, to let him in. She responded and he plunged deep, tasting every crevice of her mouth, his mouth greedily tasting her skin, drinking her essence, their moans deep and heartfelt.
Before she knew it, clothes had been discarded and they were naked, his perfect, male body on top of hers, his hands shakily but assuredly tracing every inch of her skin, igniting a fire she had never felt before, knowing it was all new because it was him touching her.
Moans and whimpers filled the silence of her living room, silent promises of love were made with every touch, bodies desperate to join, to pull out the fire and anguish that had been following them for years.
When they finally became one, she swore something shifted inside of her. She thought it ridiculous, but when he entered her and smoothly moved inside of her, she could have sworn no other man was fit to make love to her, because she could no longer deny she was finally making love, as he released inside of her, her belly clenched, greedily absorbing every drop, feeling warm and safe, replete with emotions, before the storm started again and their bodies continued to move in frantic need and despair laced with the tenderness of the love they weren't voicing, but could feel in every touch.
She didn't know how long it was, but to her it felt like an eternity when the fire was finally put out, and he tiredly let his sweat-slicked body fall on top of hers, the pressure of his weight welcome like a warm blanket, their entwined smells hitting her nose like the most powerful aphrodisiac, making her feel, for the first time, that perfection was attainable, as she continued feeling him pulse within her, his seed coating her insides, his arms like steel around her.
They feel asleep together, his length buried deep inside her, their bodies joined in every way, arms around each other, his face on her neck, her hands on his back, in a perfect shelter of love.
B&B&B&B&B&B&B&B&B&
She felt a cold breeze wash over her, and she instinctively reached out for his warmth as she felt her insides become void of something precious. When she opened her eyes, squinting against the bright light illuminating her living room, signaling to the start of the day, it was to the sight of him covering his very naked, perfect body with the clothes they had discarded next to the couch.
"Booth?", she said tentatively, reaching out for her blouse to cover part of her nudity, scared when he didn't meet his eyes.
"It shouldn't have happened like this", was his reply, and her eyes welled with tears.
"I know", she said whisper-soft, her eyes falling to the floor, realizing how ashamed he must be, because whether they liked it or not, he had cheated on his almost fiancée and she had become the other woman.
He kneeled before her, and from her position, she could see his unbuckled pants and opened work shirt, planes of muscled chest reminding her of how greedily she had kissed, licked, caressed and nibbled on every inch of that perfect skin during the night.
"I didn't mean it like that", he said, his voice going soft as he placed his hand under her chin, and forced her to meet his eyes, "It shouldn't have happened like this, when I'm in a serious relationship. We deserved… perfection", he said.
"It was perfect to me", she said brokenly, her watery eyes searching his, "But I understand how you must be feeling, and right now, I know…", she sighed, "You want to forget about this", she smiled through tears, "I know you love Hannah, and perhaps this was your way of… giving us both comfort. I think", she nodded, "It's best if you go, Booth. You can´t stay here, not after this", he nodded, and his face was filled with sorrow.
"I'm so sorry, Bones. To have hurt you. You deserved more from me", she shook her head.
"Even if it wasn't right", she replied, "I could never regret it. Even if it's something you'll always regret, I can't make myself regret it. It was beautiful, more than I ever thought, more than I ever imagined it could be, but I won't stand in your way, Booth, never", he nodded, and hastily zipped himself up and buttoned his shirt.
"I'll come back later, when you're at work, to get my stuff", he hated that he had to negotiate with her safety because of his fear, but he needed to sort himself out, and he needed to be with Hannah, to see her, to confirm what he already knew.
He left, his heart breaking when he heard her sobs through the door the moment he closed it behind him, cursing himself for adding yet another sin to his long list of wrongdoings where she was concerned.
Two weeks passed, and the threats continued. Booth had assigned Charlie as her security detail; he was also a great agent, and fit to care for Bones. They still weren't anywhere near close to catching Broadsky, and the idea of someone else taking care of her made Booth angry, but after their passionate night together, he couldn't be close to her without recalling the sensation of her pliant body underneath his, twisting in passion, her hands greedily caressing him, the perfection of being sheathed in her heat, her tender responses to their passion.
There was a new sadness in her blue depths he couldn't stand, because he knew it was he who had put it there. She looked at him with such longing, but she was careful not to let anyone see or notice. He couldn't deny how sad she looked when they all dared to go out for drinks, seeing his arms wrapped around Hannah, who was more than happy to have him back at their apartment, but even if heartbroken, it was never accusatory. On the contrary, it was a gaze filled with forgiveness and above all, love.
There was something about her that he couldn't deny. 3 weeks after their night together, and there was a new glow around her that made her beauty stand out. He didn't know, but her skin seemed to be glowing, her eyes sparkling, her body looking perfectly delicious, taunting him with what he had been denying himself. She had been losing weight, but now her curves seemed to be filling in all the right places.
And then, the moment of truth came, in all ways.
And I know there's a scene everyone wants to see: Booth ditching Hannah! (hehehehe)… Perhaps it will be the next chappie, or the next one, but no further than that. Scout's honor.
Musie will be very happy to get reviews, and she will gladly take them to heart.