Chapter 19: Realities

A month later, Booth was starting to feel the effects of the treatment again. He decided to undergo the last session as soon as the doctors would allow it. He became anemic, and dehydrated quite quickly since every time he tried to eat he would end up vomiting. Since he couldn't keep food down he was connected once again to the IV that he hated so much.

Brennan decided to give Booth a small birthday party to try and cheer him up. She invited the squints, Cullen and Caroline. Booth was so tired and in so much pain that he stayed in a state of semi sleep for most of the party, but he was happy that all of the important people in his life were there to see him. At first he hadn't wanted anyone with him. He told Brennan that he didn't have anything to celebrate, and she had quickly reminded him that he was still alive, and had her and Parker with him.

The party was rather unusual since it was being held in Booth's room, but Bones had made sure that his bed was surrounded by lots of colorful balloons and funny decorations. The food looked really great, but Booth refused to eat any of it. He was still barely managing to keep down yogurt and pudding without getting sick.

Booth continued to be amazed by Brennan. Having her with him was the best medicine in the world. She was great company. She stayed at his side when the fever and stomach pains would attack in the middle of the night, and she never complained about taking care of him.

After the treatment sessions, Booth went into physical therapy. He was able to start walking alone rather quickly, but had to use a cane. His legs were getting stronger, but sometimes betrayed him. He was able to return to work, but Cullen confined him to desk duty. Booth didn't like it, but he was a realist. He wasn't in the same condition he had been before, and right now he was just lucky to be alive.

Six months after ending the last session, Booth was in his oncologist's office once again. When Booth first made the appointment he thought about going alone, but Bones had proven to him that she would be with him through everything. She deserved to be there with him, and the bottom line was that he didn't want to go alone.

Bones was sitting next to him holding his hand in hers. Both of them were tremendously nervous about this appointment. If the results were clean it meant he was in remission, but if they showed anything abnormal he would have to go through more treatments. In the last six months Booth had endured two months of intensive physical therapy to help him regain all the strength back in his legs. There was also the matter of getting his lungs strong enough to handle physical exercise. He had managed to return to work, and was now running five miles every two days during the mornings. He was even doing some exercise at the office to help maintain his physical strength.

When the doctor walked in the room he hardly recognized Booth. Not only was Booth physically recovering but by now he had started growing hair again. He had become so use to his naked head that to see his own hair again still felt rather strange at times.

"Well, Mr. Booth...I think we need to set your next appointment." The doctor said.

Booth just sat there. He couldn't believe that he was going to have to face this all over again.

"Don't worry. It's going to be fine." Brennan told him, but not believing it herself.

"What day do you prefer? The 25th or 30th?" The doctor continued.

"I don't know." Booth said dejectedly.

The doctor finally looked up and saw the faces of the two devastated individuals in front of him. He quickly realized the problem. "Oh, I'm sorry I didn't specify the month. Would you prefer the 25th or 30th of September?" The doctor asked.

Booth just smiled. "September?!"

"Yes Seely. Your blood screen came back clean as well as your MRI and CT Scan. The only thing that worries me is that you are still anemic, but it is better than last time. I'm going to prescribe other vitamins to help you with that and a few shots. Also, you have to take some medications since your immune system is still weak, but otherwise your fine." The doctor said smiling.

This was the best news that Booth and Brennan had heard in a very, very long time. They made the next appointment, and then went and got Booth's new prescriptions. While waiting on the medications they called all their friends and asked them to meet them at Wong Foo's. When they arrived everyone was there, including Cullen, Caroline, the squints, Parker, and Carl. Everyone had already begun eating when they arrived.

"Hi everyone." Booth and Brennan greeted them.

"How did the appointment go?" Everyone wanted to know.

They both looked at each other and smiled. "I'm officially in remission!" Booth said happily.

They all jumped up to hug him. They were all so happy for him. Cullen had another surprise for Booth. He had been waiting for the best moment, and since Booth had been so nervous about the appointment, he had decided to wait. He figured now was a really good moment. Cullen separated Booth from the others; so, they could talk privately for a moment.

"Well Agent Booth, I have a work proposition for you." Cullen said.

"Not another mission?" Booth said.

"No...I think that you might like this one. I'm sending you back to the lab, with your beloved squints." Cullen said smiling at him.

"What?!" Booth said, in complete shock.

"Well, Carl asked for a transfer. He is getting married and since his family lives in California he is going to move there, so he is leaving in two weeks. I need another agent to work with them. Also, Dr. Brennan begged me to reinstate you as the liaison to the Jeffersonian." Cullen said.

"She did that?" Booth asked.

"Yes, since your return, she has continued to bug me about returning you to field work. I would have to say that she has had more than enough of being stuck in the lab all the time. Will you accept the position?" Cullen asked smiling.

"Sure!" Booth said.

"Well my dear Booth, let's give them the notice as well. But I want you to promise me something." Cullen said.

"Anything sir." Booth answered.

"If you begin to feel unwell, don't wait until the last minute to tell someone okay? I don't think we can stand all this roller coaster stuff again." Cullen told him.

"I promise sir, and to be honest, I don't think I can take this again either." Booth replied.

"One more thing Booth, I know that you and Dr. Brennan have been together all this time. I won't separate you, but you will have to maintain a professional relationship at work. Is that clear agent?" Cullen said.

"Yes sir, very clear." Booth said.

Both men returned to the group smiling. Brennan looked at them suspiciously.

"Well, everyone, as all of you know Agent Carl is going to be moving to California in two weeks; so, I have been thinking about which agent to send over to work with all of you." All of the squints moaned at this. "I think now is a good time to tell you that I have selected the new agent. I wanted to talk with Agent Booth before I made the announcement to all of you, since he knows all of you so well. After talking with Agent Booth I feel that I have made the correct choice for this position." Cullen said seriously.

"So why don't you just send Booth back?" Jack asked.

"First of all, because he and Dr. Brennan are together and it's against FBI rules to let them work together." Cullen said.

"Don't worry Booth, your still my favorite FBI agent." Angela said.

"Thanks Angela, that means allot." Booth told her.

"Well enough of this. I think it's about time for me to go." Cullen said smiling.

Cullen stopped at the door and turned around to face everyone again. Before walking through the door he said, "Well, I'm glad to inform all of you that in two weeks, Agent Booth will be returning to his previous position as the official liaison between the Jeffersonian and the FBI." Cullen turned and walked out the door smiling as he listed to the cheers behind him.

Everyone was so happy as they hugged Booth again. The celebration lasted another ten minutes. The last person to get to congratulate Booth was Brennan. She didn't say anything, just jumped into his arms and hugged him.

"May I ask you a question Booth?" Brennan said.

"What Bones?" Booth replied.

"Do you really want me as your partner again?" She asked.

"You are the only partner I want Bones. The only one!" Booth told her.

At his words, Brennan pressed her lips to his, forgetting that they were in front of their friends and family. In that moment, just the two of them mattered. Just the two of them.