Disclaimer: I hate how this site forces us to admit that we have no money. XD
Author's Note: Less on the angsty, more on the cute. :D
SLEEP TIGHT
It was late, but Brennan was still sitting at her desk. The Jeffersonian had that feeling again, the feeling like she was the only one there—the emptiness, the loneliness. Brennan realized that this was because she was the only one there. She sighed. "Pulling an all-nighter again," she muttered to herself.
"You have got to be kidding me." She heard a voice from the doorway and looked up, startled. It was Booth.
"Oh my God, Booth, you scared me to death." She frowned. "I thought you went home."
"Yeah, well, I thought you went home," Booth countered with a grin. His grin faded, however, as he came to a realization. "…Bones, do you ever go home?" Brennan rolled her eyes.
"Of course I go home, Booth." She paused. "It's just…" She trailed off. Booth walked closer.
"It's just what, Bones?" Brennan shook her head.
"No, it's stupid."
"You can tell me," he said, his voice a little softer. She looked up at him, meeting his gaze steadily.
"I know," she said quietly. She stood up. "Ever since that incident with Howard Epps, at my apartment…" She looked up. "It scared me, Booth, more than I let on. I've had trouble sleeping—being alone. I don't like it." Booth stared.
"Bones—why didn't you tell me? I had no idea…" Brennan shook her head.
"I don't know. I thought it would pass, that it was just…I don't know, Booth." She had tears in her eyes.
"You thought I would think less of you," said Booth quietly. Brennan sighed.
"I told you, it's stupid."
"No, Bones, it's not. What's stupid is that you didn't tell me. Why on earth would I think less of you?"
"I said, I don't know!" Brennan burst out. "I'm suposed to be strong, aren't I? Right? Just detach yourself from the situation at hand, don't pay attention to your feelings—that's what I'm always supposed to do, right? I don't like it." Tears were streaming down her face. "I'm so tired," she continued, her voice quavering. "I'm so scared, Booth."
"Come here," said Booth. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to him. She relaxed gently against his chest, closing her eyes, trying to stop the flow of tears.
---
They arrived at Brennan's apartment half an hour later. Brennan got changed, and Booth followed her into the bedroom, where she sat on her bed and wrapped her arms around her knees.
"I'll sleep on the couch," said Booth, breaking the silence. Brennan looked up at him.
"After I fall asleep?" The statement came out more as a question. Booth nodded.
"I'll stay then." He grinned, sitting next to her on the bed. She leaned into him, and he put his arm around her shoulders. They stayed like that for a few minutes until Brennan moved to go lie down, and Booth did the same, keeping his arm around her. It was cold, but the warmth of Booth's chest felt good against her cheek, and she sighed comfortably. After about an hour Booth noticed that her breathing had become more steady and rhythmic, and he realized that she was asleep. He knew he'd told her that he'd move to the couch once she'd fallen asleep, but he couldn't disturb her peaceful sleep now.
Brennan's couch lay undisturbed for the rest of the night.
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