Prison gates won't open up for me

Prison. That's what it felt like. This car, this. . . cage. She couldn't get out. Pushing helplessly against the door, she slammed her fist against the wheel when it refused to budge. The horn honked, giving her an idea. The airbags! If only she could wire the airbags. . .

Setting to work, she was just getting the wires set up when she heard stirring.

"Dr. Brennan?" Came Hodgins' weak voice from the backseat.

On these hands and knees I'm crawlin'

"Jack!" Brennan exclaimed, crawling into the backseat. Putting her hand on his forehead, she was glad to see that he didn't have a fever.

"What were you doing there?" he asked, pointing to the steering wheel.

"Oh. I wired the airbags. We might be able to blow our way out."

"That's brilliant." he breathed, looking at her handi-work. "Well what are we waiting for? It's either that or run out of air." Nodding, Bren grabbed the wires and pulled them back to where they could both reach them in the backseat. They locked eyes.

Oh, I reach for you

"Ready?" she asked. Nodding, Jack reached over and grabbed her in a hug. "It's been a pleasure, Dr. Brennan." Gulping, she pulled back.


Well I'm terrified of these four walls
Cause iron bars can't hold my soul in
All I need is you

She wasn't scared of death by explosion. Of death by shooting, by falling. What she was terrified of was being stuck in this car. The four walls of the car seemed to close in on her and she squeezed her eyes shut, thinking of Booth again. She needed him.


Come please I'm callin'

"Save me." she whispered, calling to him. Closing her eyes, she touched her wire with Hodgins'. The explosion sent her slamming into the back of her seat, and sand started pouring in.


And oh, I scream for you

"BOOTH!" she screamed, scrabbling at the dirt, trying to pull herself up.


Hurry I'm fallin', I'm fallin'

Falling. That was the sensation. Falling through sand and dirt. It was horrible, and she couldn't get a grip on anything. And then someone grabbed her hand.


And say it for me
Say it to me
And I'll leave this life behind me
Say it if it's worth savin' me

She felt him pulling her up through the sand. Pushing with all her might, she tried to help her savoir get her out. More and more sand was rushing around her and she couldn't breathe.

She couldn't breathe...

...She couldn't breathe. The last thing she remembered before passing out was a voice calling her name.

"Temperance! Temperance, don't leave me!"

Heaven's gates won't open up for me

Seeley Booth held his partner in his arms, rocking her back and forth. She wasn't breathing. I can't have been too late! his mind screamed at him. A lone tear fell down his cheek, mingling with the sand the surrounded them. Raising his eyes to the sky, he prayed.

"God, if you do have to take her from me, let her in. She may not believe, but she has a good heart. She can take my place. Just please, let her through the gates."

Meanwhile, Temperance Brennan was stuck in a dream. She was flying through the air. Ahead of her she saw something golden and shiny. As she neared she saw that it was a pair of gates. Reaching out, she tried to open them, but they wouldn't budge. It was then that she saw a man sitting behind them.

"It is not your time yet, Temperance." Brennan shook her head and tried again to open the gates.

"Go back to him, Temperance. He needs you." When she refused, the man snapped his fingers and she felt herself falling.


With these broken wings I'm fallin'

She fell for what seemed like forever until she woke with a jolt, gasping. Opening her eyes, she saw the face of her partner above her.

And all I see is you

"Bones!" he said, a relieved grin spreading across his face. She blinked at him, his face swimming blurrily above her. She blinked again, trying to clear her vision.


Show me what it's like
To be the last one standing

"Booth." she whimpered. "Booth. . ."

"I'm right here Temperance. I'm right here."

"No. . ." she murmured. "You're not here. . . you can't be here."


And teach me wrong from right
And I'll show you what I can be

"I'm right here, Bones. You're safe." Brennan chuckled weakly.

"Aren't you the one that is always telling me 'No one is ever completely safe'?" Booth chuckled back.

"Yes, but in this case you are. No one is going to hurt you." he promised. He couldn't resist it anymore. He wrapped her in his arms and just held her tight. "God, Bones. I thought I lost you." Nuzzling into her neck, he finally admitted it to himself, and to her.

"I love you so God dam much." Brennan's eyes snapped open and she stared at his hair, heart thudding as he murmured into her neck.

"Please, Temperance. Don't leave me again. I was so lost. . . I had no control. . . I was shaking and I couldn't-- I can't. Please, baby, please." he pleaded, his voice desprate. He seemed like he was trying to hide from the world as he held her even tighter.

"Seeley." she started, running a hand through his dusty hair. "You don't think I was the same way?" Booth raised his head to look at her, their lips hovering close to one another.

"What do you mean?" Brennan rolled her eyes.

"I was just as worried about you while down there. What would you do without me?" she teased.

"Probably wander lost in circles." he replied, playing along as he grinned back.

"Good thing I'm not going anywhere, then." she said, leaning up on her elbows to rest her forehead against his. Then she leaned down with a smirk and placed a chaste kiss on his lips.


And say it for me
Say it to me
And I'll leave this life behind me
Say it if it's worth savin' me
Hurry I'm fallin'
yeah, yeah

"Love you too." she mumbled against his lips. He grinned and kissed her back this time. When they broke apart (oblivious to their audience), they shared a knowing look and replied 'Thai food?' at the same time. Chuckling at one another, they pulled each other up and headed off to Booth's truck.

Booth was glad he had the guts to tell her he loved her – Brennan was glad to be alive.

Life would go on – cases, thai food, friends, family and time would come and go. But they knew there was one thing they could always count on and that was each other.


Say it if it's worth savin' me