A/N : Sorry for the delay in this chapter. I'm still battling my health and then to top it off my laptop gave up the ghost! I've been writing on my phone which has been an experience to say the least. It got the job done though so I can't complain too much.

Thank you for reading and for your continued encouragement through reviews and messages. They keep me going!

The Truth Will Set You Free

Booth sat on her couch, feet up on a beautifully covered ottoman, rolling a glass of top shelf single malt scotch. Watching the smooth amber liquid balance it's way along the sides of his glass was hypnotizing, relaxing. What a long day. Lifting the glass he took a sip feeling the warm burn work it's way down his throat.

Noble was an ass. A short overweight balding man in his fifties. All politics, pontificating, and posturing - traits Booth had little to no tolerance for. He was the reason Booth didn't want a cushy administrative desk job. He had no interest in playing the game that administrators played. Booth's interests revolved entirely around working the case, catching the killer. While walking in unannounced wasn't the best plan it was the only plan that got him talking to Noble before Sweets.

So, that's what he did. Arrived early to work and waited for him leaned up against the hallway wall. His fingers anxiously flipping the well worn poker chip in his pocket. His cheeks puffed out holding a frustrated breath then releasing it slowly he pushed off the wall when Noble appeared at the end of the hall.

Nobel was already playing the game. Posturing, he insisted he was too busy to meet with him. Pushing protocol and the benefits of scheduling an appointment. It didn't dissuade Booth. Following Noble into his office he made another plea.

"It'll just take a minute, sir." Sitting behind his desk Noble leaned back.

"This about Dr. Sweets?"

"Well, yeah." Booth took a few steps forward. "This wasn't his fault. Dr. Brennan and I discussed it and decided to keep the change in our relationship private until we were sure it was something we were going to pursue. We didn't want to go through all this for nothing."

Noble only nodded and motioned for him to continue. He liked making Booth sweat. Hacker had warned him of the high maintenance agent with a beautiful but demanding partner and a huge success rate.

"And the pregnancy, you hid the pregnancy because?"

"You don't know Dr. Brennan very well yet, do you?" With no response from Noble he continued. "Everyday she reminded me the risks of spontaneous miscarriage in the first three months. When we knew the pregnancy was safe and we were going to work this out together we decided to go ahead with informing our employers."

And now they were onto Cullen. Booth could see it in his eyes. This was the real issue the one that made Noble look bad in front of his superior, the one that pissed him off.

"To be honest, sir, I had no idea that Deputy Director Cullen was going to call you into that meeting. If I had I would have handled it differently. I've known and worked with Cullen for most of my career here, sir, and my intention was only to go to him for advice on how to handle the situation with the bureau and with the Jeffersonian." It was a lie, they both knew it, but it was a plausible lie. "We planned on talking to Sweets in our session with him last night and once he knew then we knew it would come to your attention."

"Agent Booth, do I need to remind you that I am your direct superior?" Play the game, Booth reminded himself, just play the game. "I should have been the one you came to for advice on how to manage the change in your relationship with your partner as far as your respective employers are concerned. Cullen has more important matters to deal with. My job is to make sure he can do his job without petty interruptions." And they had officially reached the eat crow portion of the meeting.

"Yes, sir." Booth had taken a long deep breath mainly to stay calm when his inclination was the opposite.

Tipping the glass back with his head Booth took another long drink before bringing the tumbler back down, letting his jaw fall open as the burn washed over him. This was definitely the perfect time for a drink. A moment to relax sandwiched in between two emotionally charged interactions. Noble in the morning. Max for dinner. He heard the key hit the door. There was a peace to the sound of her coming home, a dreamy moment that still had him pinching himself to make sure it was all real. They usually drove in together these days. He loved picking her up at the end of the day, same effect, but, today he left very early and she slept in late. Pregnancy had done a number on her, exhaustion replaced insomnia most nights. Their late night "fix Sweets" session took it's toll and she needed to get some extra sleep.

"Hi." Her voice soft and sweet. "You look like you're all ready for dinner." He nodded as he watched her follow her nightly routine depositing keys and bags and jackets, each one in its place.

"You look beautiful today." Booth grabbed her hand and pulled her onto his lap nuzzling into her neck, relishing in the low moan that whispered out of her. She was worth whatever torture Noble cooked up for him. Whatever grief Max, the ever protective reformed criminal, threatened after Booth told him about their relationship and the baby. He let his hand run up her thigh and along her hip. Giggling she pulled away.

"We don't have time before dinner." She scolded. He held onto her loosely as she pulled back and moved away. "You finish your drink and I'll go get ready." Leaning in for one last kiss before heading off for the bedroom to change.

This needed to become permanent. He never wanted to lose this and somehow the fact that they didn't have one place they shared, the fact that they kept switching back and forth between their places, seemed like she was keeping her options open to leave. He took another deep breath chased by another sip of his drink. She couldn't be pushed, in these last few months she faced a tremendous amount of change. He would have to bide his time, baby steps towards the hope of moving in together before their baby was born.

"Of course," Nobles words still echoed in his mind. "I think you knew the outcome would not have been so favorable if you had come to me. That's why you went over my head, all the way to the top, all the way to Deputy Director Cullen, because if it were up to me I would have split your partnership up, found her a new partner, kept her in the lab where she belongs." Booth's blood was boiling by this point, his fist tightening, jaw popping in anger.

Booth finished the last of his drink and sat for a moment staring down at the bottom of the empty glass. Standing he set the glass down and followed Bones into the bedroom.

"I almost lost my job today." It was something he left out when he gave her the rundown on the meeting earlier in the day. She stopped and turned to him, only half dressed.

"Why didn't you tell me?" At first he only shrugged in response.

"I didn't want to worry you and, you know, it all worked out."

"Booth." With deep concern in her voice she came across the room and wrapped her arms around him. "What happened?"

"Ah, Noble tried to assert himself by saying if it was up to him he would separate us ending our partnership. Gave me a long lecture on conflict of interests and compromising standards and professionalism." Booth hesitated to tell her that Noble wanted her out of the field and back in the lab full time.

"I won't work with anyone else. If they want my expertise then it comes with a price. I am partners with you and only you."

"That's exactly what I told him." Noble attacking his partnership was the last straw. If there was one thing no one questioned Booth on it was how he conducted himself. He took his job very seriously and saw his own actions and his partner's as a reflection of the great institution they represented. "It's you and me, baby." He chased a kiss pulling her sharp and tight to his body. "Are you sure we can't be just a little late for dinner?" Rubbing his hands along the soft smooth skin of her back he leaned in for another kiss. Laughing she pulled back and out of his arms so she could finish getting ready.

"So, he got mad when you told him I wouldn't work with anyone else?"

"Something like that." It was exactly like that.

Challenged by Noble, Booth barely held onto his temper. Aggressively stepping in closer he laid it out for his superior in no uncertain terms. He worked with Bones and she worked with him, that was it, they were partners and no one was going to split them up. Obviously their professionalism wasn't an issue since they had been in a relationship for months and no one at either the bureau or the Jeffersonian knew. He made it clear that if he pushed for their partnership to be dissolved he would lose her and the relationship he'd built with the Jeffersonian over the years. Then driving the point home, to where Noble really lived, he pointed out that their solve rate on cases, the toughest cases, the ones no one else wanted, was remarkably high. Ending their partnership would ultimately affect Noble the most. They made him look good.

As it turned out, Hacker had said the same thing to Noble when he moved on and Noble took over. Manage them but never mess with them and they will make you look good. That was Hacker's advice. So, as much as Noble wanted to put Booth in his place he opted to back off. Saving face by dishing out a long lecture on keeping that professionalism a priority.

"And Sweets is good?"

"Yeah, boy wonder lives to torture us a little longer."

A soft charming smile spread across Booth's face as he watched her check her image in her full length mirror. He could see her worry over her changing figure. Stepping up behind her he let his hands drift around her tummy down low over their growing baby. "You look beautiful, Bones. If we weren't meeting Max..." His words drifted off as his kisses found their way along her neck. She hummed her approval tilting her head. He had this way with her. It left her powerless, speechless. It was so hard to think as she felt his hand slipped tenderly under the strap of her camisole, letting it fall over the edge of her shoulder. Kiss after mind numbing kiss left her breathless.

"Booth." Her heatless protest barely made it past her lips. "Stop." He didn't. Relishing in the way her body pulled towards his, soft and pliable in his arms. "Dinner." Dinner was the last thing on his mind as his hand followed the long gentle curve of her waist and hip. "Max...is...uh...waiting." Mood killer.

"Bones." Settling her strap back up on her shoulder she set about dressing for dinner as Booth plopped on the bed and watched.

"You know, Max asked me if I was gay once." He hollered after her as she ran into the bathroom to grab a necklace and earrings to match her outfit.

"What? No."

"Yes, yes, he did." He chuckled. She poked her head out of the bathroom as she put the back on her earring. "I swear, he did." Booth crossed the room and took the necklace from her hands. "It was a couple years ago. First he asked if I was sleeping with you and when I said no he asked if I was gay." She laughed, beautiful and low, amused by her father's conclusions.

Booth reached around her with the necklace, the tiny clasp dwarfed by his big fingers. It was the simple things, like helping her put on a necklace, that made this shift in their relationship so real. They were oddly natural, as if this is the way they'd always been. There was an ease to the way they were as a couple that was seamless, beautifully unexpected. Turning her towards him, he started buttoning up her blouse.

"Hmmm, now you're helping."

"Hate to be late." He offered with a wink and that charming smile of his. Leaning in for a quick kiss he held her eyes. "He asked me if I thought you weren't pretty enough for me. You know what I said?" She didn't. "I said you were beautiful. You are beautiful, Bones. I hope you always remember that."

"You are very sentimental tonight, Booth."

"Yeah, yeah, I guess I am." Retrospective, contemplative, sentimental, he felt distracted all day, flooded with memories and thoughts of their partnership, friendship, their relationship, which turned so quickly into family, his family, their family. On and off all day snippets of their past and present paraded through his mind stirred by Noble whose parting jab was a question: was it worth it? Really, all this hassle, the drama, the risk to his career. There was no question for Booth. It was worth it, definitely worth it. He waited years to be in this place with her and nothing would make him regret it, nothing could.

Even keeping their relationship a secret was a choice he stood by one hundred percent. They needed the time they took without interruption or input from their family and friends. They needed to figure this out by themselves, for themselves. At the same time there was something wonderfully permanent about finally being able to tell everyone about this change in their lives. As much as he hated the fallout he loved that they could finally be public about it.

"I...um...called Russ and Amy today." She said as she settled in her seat in the truck pulling the seat belt across her. "They promised not to say anything to Max until after tonight."

"Great, right? That's good?" Her tone was hard to read.

"Yes, they were supportive and appropriately congratulatory."

"Appropriately congratulatory, huh? That sounds good but doesn't at the same time."

"They expressed many questions and concerns regarding the nature of our work and lifestyle and, judging from their reactions, I did not answer satisfactorily. They seemed to indicate that my father would react similarly to the news and my determination to continue my work with you."

"And how do you feel about it?" He knew what her answer would be. He also knew she needed to hear herself say it and him confirm that she...

"I feel my work is important, that our work together is important."

"It is important." His attention was divided between the road and his tender hearted partner who put on such a fabulous show of confidence for the world. Who deep down worried that she wasn't doing this complicated life thing right. "This is our life and our family, Bones, and we will make the decisions we need to make. We'll do what works for us, right? Because in the end what works for Russ and Amy or Angela and Hodgins may not work for us and our little family. And as for Max, tonight, don't worry about it, okay? You are not alone in this. I am right here with you." Booth parked, jogged around the truck to open the door and help her out which earned him a compliant glare and tiny smirk of a smile. "Let's do this thing." He whispered as he opened the door to the Founding Fathers for her.

Max was right there to greet them arms flung open with his usual flare. "Tempe, how are you?" As much as recent years had given her many interactions with her father his greetings were often a little off-putting. She was never quite sure how genuine they were there was such show to them.

Kisses on the cheek for her. A hearty man-battle of a handshake for Booth. Max watched his daughter order water with lemon instead of her her usual glass of wine with a failed attempt to hide a slight smirk. Booth caught it, Bones didn't. Max was suspicious of the two. He had been for several weeks now, ever since they solved the case of his murdered bowling team member. Max opted to give them space, let them come to him when they were ready. But the conversation was dragging and there seemed to be no revelation. Dinner came, conversations danced awkwardly over their current cases, her latest novel, Parker, even a plea from Max for Booth to join his bowling league. Max offered up some rather dodgy answers about his whereabouts lately which led to raised eyebrows from both of the partners. Booth reached under the table rubbing his hand along her thigh. A supportive way of saying, it's time.

"Booth isn't gay." She announced matter-of-factly.

"Really?" Booth's head whipped around as he shot her a look that screamed displeasure. "Bones." She looked back at him in desperation. Social interactions were hard for her despite all she'd learned over the years. Add in the pressure of this particular piece of news and Booth should have known this was headed for disaster.

"I mean..." In all actuality she had no idea what she meant or how to say what she needed to say. "I just was trying to convey...it wouldn't matter...but..." She was still stumbling through a maze of words trying to pick the right ones when she felt Booth lean in, felt his arm stretch out around her shoulder pulling her close as his lips brushed lightly up against her ear.

"It's okay, Bones." He whispered. "What Bones is trying to tell yo-" She stilled him with her hand on his.

"Dad, Booth and I have entered into a mutually agreeable, exclusive, romantic relationship." She sat up a little straighter and squared her shoulders, taking a deep breath. Max jumped in before she could continue.

"I knew it! Congratulations, baby." Like his greeting she wasn't entirely sure of his sincerity. "It's about time you two got it together. I had my suspicions." He reveled in being right. "I even told your brother I thought there was something different about you two."

"And I'm pregnant." There was the bombshell. She pursed her lips and waited for her father's reaction. There was a notable pause in the conversation. Max, even though he'd noted her choice of water instead of wine, was still temporarily shocked into silence.

Stammering to recover he asked all the typical questions while avoiding the one he really wanted to lead with, how. Instead, Max did his best to put her at ease by saying the right things until she excused herself to use the restroom and then his demeanor changed completely as he addressed Booth directly.

"You better not hurt her, Booth." His tone direct and harsh, borderline threatening.

"I won't, Max, I never would." Booth jumped to his own defense. "I love her. I want to build a life with her." Truth, Booth wasn't afraid of his own intentions regarding this relationship. If anyone was leaving it would be her not him. It was a real fear he lived with every day, especially in these early days of their relationship. A fear that was just beginning to ease as each day passed by and her key still turned in the door and he still got to be the one to help her put on her necklace and hold her at night when they went to bed.

"I'm just saying, if you did, I would make you suffer." Max looked him directly in the eye. "And you know how I treat people that hurt my family."

"I know, Max" Their conversation drifted quickly from their relationship to their partnership and the dangers for her in the field. It wasn't that Booth didn't expect this turn in the conversation but he was getting tired of defending his intentions, his desire and ability to protect her. It was always his priority, always had been, always would be. Booth responded with as much patience as he could muster at the end of a long day. He knew there would come a time in this pregnancy when he would have to tell her she couldn't go out in the field with him for her safety, for their child's safety. He was prepared to do that no matter how angry it made her.

Booth was relieved when he felt her hand on his shoulder and heard her sweet voice asking what she missed. Both men covered their actual conversation dismissing it with hints of small talk and bowling. As much as Max touted her independence as a woman she was still his little girl.

Discussion over dessert about due dates, a few sweet stories of baby Temperance, and they said their goodbyes. Booth was ready to be home, needed to be home. They couldn't get through the door fast enough before he was on her. Rushing through her routine he grabbed her keys, her purse, her jacket and put them in their assigned places. Never more than a step away from her. One hand always somewhere hovering over her body. It felt like a dance. He led, turned, twisted, intensity and passion, a kiss, the light brush of his cheek and chin along her neck. His hand drifting over the most sensitive parts of her body, all as he moved them smoothly through her apartment back to her bedroom, their bedroom. She arrived light headed, lost in his touch and breath falling heavy on her skin.

Booth chuckled softly as she fumbled with the buttons of her blouse. Catching her eyes, he held them as his hands grabbed hers pulling them away and taking over. Widening his stance he pulled her closer. The push and pull of life and love centered his whole heart on her throughout the day and into the night. His intentions questioned, his decisions ridiculed, misunderstood. But those men didn't know him, not even Sweets really knew him. If they did they would know that it was always her, would always be her. No matter how lost he became, no matter how far away he drifted, he always came back to her. Now he was here and she was here and he was determined that they would never be apart again. He was determined to tell her, to show her, everyday what love and family meant to him, what she meant to him.

"I love you, Temperance." His voice soft and low, reached her very core, stealing her breath. They stood together, bare, as he cradled her protectively in his arms. "I will always love you." For once she didn't argue about the absoluteness of the word always or the unforeseen possibilities that could drive them apart or steal their future. She only nodded in agreement because she felt it, felt every word he said, felt his surety and confidence in their future and clung to it.

Every kiss, every gentle touch and whispered word, every passionate stroke into her as they made love was evidence to her, proof of a new kind from the man she secretly loved for years. And when he fell, spent, having given everything he had to her she whispered in his ear strong and clear.

"I love you too."