AN: Okay, i've taken some of the pressure off of Booth for this chapter. Thanks for all the reviews and thanks to ncisgirl101 for the link those interviews were hilarious, can't wait to see how they end up in bed together, of course i think if someone was going to be wearing a clown suit it would be better if it was Bones, because i'm pretty sure having sex with a clown would get rid of his fears easier than dressing up as one lol. Anyway, how about we go back to the story... and don't forget to keep reviewing i love eharing what people think because we're nowhere near the end of this little adventure yet.

Chapter 14

"I'm going to bed" Booth finally stated as the two sat in silence on the log outside their tent. They'd been in complete silence, with not even a fire to look at as the park ranger had made a point of telling them there was a complete fire ban in Australia. Brennan nodded that she had heard as he unzipped first the outer and then the inner canvas before crawling into the tiny space.

Brennan sat outside for a long time before following her partner into the tiny tent, a thought that had her stomach churning. It was bad enough sharing a hotel room but crawling into the same tent and sleeping less than a foot from him, that would be much worse. Finally, when her eyelids started drooping she took a great gulp of the fresh country air and crawled into her tiny canvas prison. She slid into her borrowed sleeping bag and wriggled until her back was pressed hard against the green canvas, as far from Booth as she could get.

She wasn't sure what happened in the interim but when she awoke she was cradled tightly in Booth's arms while he whispered word's that she couldn't understand. She didn't realise she was crying, didn't realise that Booth was trying to reassure her that everything would be okay. All she was aware of was his arms around her, and how safe she felt snuggled against his chest and slowly his words became clear to her.

"You're okay Temperance, I'm here" he soothed rubbing her back gently.

"Huh?" she muttered confused.

"You were thrashing around I think you had a nightmare" he explained "You don't remember?"

"Oh god" she groaned, images flashing into her mind, images she'd seen a hundred times before and she buried her face into Booth's chest taking comfort in his presence. The dream wasn't real, but it always felt real and it was always there lingering long after she had wiped her own tears away and wondered why everyone inevitably left her. There had never been anyone to soothe away her recurring nightmares which took one of two forms although they had evolved slightly over many years. The first and more common of the two simply featured her standing and watching as everyone she loved walked slowly away from her without turning back. It would start with her parents, followed by her brother, her few serious boyfriends, her friends and then Zack, Hodgins, Cam, Angela, Booth and even Sweets, each turning their back on her as if she wasn't worth the trouble. Each abandoning her for something better. The second which currently invaded her mind was more horrible somehow.

"Do you want to tell me about it?" Booth asked sitting up until Brennan was cradled sleeping bag and all on his lap.

"I've been having the nightmares since my parents left. To begin with it was always the same I would be alone and the darkness would close in around me and nobody cared, just kept walking past" Brennan paused for a moment no sure how to explain what had shaken her that night "The other ones started while I was in foster care. I've told you before that I was treated badly?" she asked and continued at Booth's nod "Well, one of the families I stayed with took in only girls, there were three of us there when I was placed with them, the other two were younger, I was almost seventeen." Booth tried not to groan, able to guess what his partner was about to tell him.

"It turned out that this family only took girls because the woman preferred them, so it seemed did the husband. The first time he came into my room was the second night I was there. He told me not to say anything and explained that he usually liked younger girls, but he was willing to make an exception for me." Booth's grip on his partner tightened as she continued her narrative. "He was gentle, but it didn't really matter. He raped me that night and every night for the next week. I tried to call my case worker but she didn't believe me and it just made me even more sure that no one really cared what happened to me. Luckily the youngest girl got sick and when they took her to the emergency room they noticed that there was evidence of sexual activity. She was only twelve, we were all removed from the family that day. I've had nightmares about it ever since"

"You know Temperance, not everyone wants to hurt you."

"I know, but too many people have done so anyway"

"I am sorry for that" Booth whispered genuinely meaning it and although there was nothing he could do to change her past he could at least try to make her future a little brighter.

"C'mon, try and get some sleep. I am not going anywhere" Booth told her lying back down his arms wrapped tightly around his partner who rested her head easily on his chest her own arm draped over him. He was surprised she had shared as much as she had and Booth wondered what it had cost her emotionally to let herself appear vulnerable, even in front of him.

When Brennan awoke the next morning she was still cuddled against her partner enjoying the warmth of his body and his hands rubbing her back slightly even in his sleep. It seemed that even subconsciously his body sought out hers. Her admission in the darkened tent seemed to have eased the tension between them, or was it her acceptance of his touch? He hadn't lost hope that much she knew, he would wait forever for her if he had to. And he knew it would be worth it.

Poor Bones :(