Chapter 3

She slowed as she entered the parlor after a tiring day in the sun. Eyeing the room keeper, Ngawe closely, she wondered if she should use the phone. She didn't want Booth getting the idea she needed him. She had stopped walking completely and realized she'd been staring when he caught her gaze and greeted her.

"Hallo Doctor! Help you wit someting?"

"No, thank you, Ngawe. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Doctor!"

Bones relished in the cool cotton sheets after she'd taken a long shower. The sun beating on her all day had drained her energy. She wondered briefly what Booth was doing, and on a whim she eased out of bed and retrieved a picture from her bureau. Taking it with her, she climbed back under her comforter and looked at it under her lamplight. It was a picture Angela had taken at Wong Foo's. Zack and Hodgins were at the left of the bar and she and Booth were at the right. The seat between the two couples was Angela's.

It had been on a whim that she even packed it. She didn't bring very many personal sentimental items. In fact, that picture was the only impractical item she'd brought. With a fleeting smile, Bones set it face down in the nightstand drawer and clicked off the light. Within moments, she was asleep.

She jerked awake what seemed seconds later. But instead of the hotel room she fell asleep in, she was in her own apartment. Not understanding, but grinning gratefully anyway, she moved to the couch and sat. Booth was next to her, his arm settling around her as she lay her head on his shoulder. She felt him press a kiss to her hair and whisper something to her, something she couldn't hear, but she smiled at his voice anyway, because she knew what she wanted him to say.

Bones jerked awake, her blankets pushed down to her ankles. She shivered and wondered what she'd dreamt to make her so sad upon waking. Pulling the blankets back up to her chin, she closed her eyes again.

He felt lackluster, but tried valiantly to hide it. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel as he drove to his office one morning, frustrated that one person could have such an effect on him. But then again, maybe it was just the rain, he reasoned. It had started raining four weeks and two days after she left. God, he was keeping track of the days, too!

Booth breathed deeply through his clenched teeth, praying for strength to get through the next three months. Praying for clarity to figure out whatever this feeling was. He knew his partner was important to him, but he hadn't known just how vital she was to his every day life.

As he pulled into the parking lot of the Jeffersonian, his cell phone rang. He took a moment to lay his head on the steering wheel, realizing he had started off this morning going to work, but he automatically went to the lab instead. He answered his phone without looking at the ID.

"Hello Agent Booth." A familiar voice said with delight. Booth jerked up in his seat.

"Bones?" He breathed.

"Yeah, it's me! You haven't forgotten me yet, have you?"

"Never." He laughed ironically. "How are you?"

"I'm fine. The dig's going a little slow, so I might not be back as soon as I thought."

Booth's breath was suddenly gone, and he swallowed hard.

"Oh?" Was all he could manage.

"How are you doing? Any cases?"

He cleared his throat. "I've had some. None that I'd need you —your lab for."

"Oh." She sounded a little… relieved. Booth suddenly could not think of a single thing to say. There was a moment of silence in which he panicked, but Bones saved him.

"How's Parker?" She must've been stretching for a topic of conversation, too, because she never asks about him. But she didn't sound distressed, she sounded curious.

Booth was grateful for the distraction. "He's doing great. He asked about you last weekend."

"Really?" Surprise. Delight.

"Yeah! We were at the carousel and he asked where you were and if you'd be back soon to show him some more bones."

Bones laughed appreciatively. "That's strange. I didn't think he liked me."

"My son has impeccable taste. Takes after his father." Booth said with a grin, wondering what she'd say next.

There was rapid Spanish in the background. "I've got to go, Booth. It's great to talk to you. I'll call again soon."

"Uh, yeah. Be safe. Talk to you soon."

"Bye." She said softly, and hung up. Booth held the receiver to his ear for a moment before snapping the phone shut. He then closed his eyes and willed the tears away.

She was smiling as she gently shoveled loose red dirt out of the dig site. For the first time in a long time, Dr. Brennan's mind wandered from the task at hand. Maybe it was the hot afternoon sun or maybe the fact that she'd been away from him for nearly two months, but she kept replaying the dream in her head. It had been graphic, quite graphic. She'd recalled it in the shower that morning and gasped as the images flashed before her again. It was disturbing. He was her partner. But she couldn't stop thinking about it. And for some reason she couldn't or didn't want to explain, she couldn't stop smiling.

Angela would have a field day with this.

Since you asked sooo nicely, Mahine, this chapter is for you! Hope you enjoy and keep reviewing!

As always, I'm open to suggestions and constructive criticism!

Love love love love love love love

Austin B.