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Chapter 14

The silence that filled the space between the two was thick and suffocating. Both wanting to speak; both afraid.

"I'm so sorry," she confessed. "I had no idea."

He turned his head and cradled her face in his hands.

"I don't want you to be sorry," he pleaded. "That's not why I told you."

"But you went through hell because of me," her voice filled with guilt.

"Not because of you; because of me. Because I loved you; I still love you. They wanted to hurt me and they did a damn good job, but they hurt you too. They took Parker from both of us, and me away from you." Their eyes remained locked as pain poured from his voice. "I only wanted to protect what we still had, but they succeeded at taking that away too."

"But your back," she defended.

"But that doesn't matter to you, does it?" he questioned.

"Yes it does!" the words flowed without her consent.

"Please Temperance, don't say it when we both know you don't mean it," his voice muffled as the heels of his hands supported his forehead.

She wanted to reassure him. She wanted to tell him it did matter; that coming back made everything right again. But the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. She hated psychology even more so when it was right.

"You're right," she began. "You…coming back doesn't make everything better, but it does matter because you matter. Don't you see that? I don't know what's gonna happen between us. I do know you've come back and pushed your way into my life….again. Things have changed. We've got a lot of secrets between us and it's gonna take a while, but I know you….you like a challenge."

Booth couldn't help but smile at her words as he reached down and squeezed her hand. Things were getting better; slowly but surely.

She stood up as she spoke, "Come on, I've got some phone calls to make and I'm hungry."

She threw him a wink as he stood to follow her down the stairs.

Of course the pair decided on the diner for a bite to eat. The conservation mostly revolved around Benjamin, but Booth would throw in a question concerning Cole on occasion. He was happy to discover any relationship the two shared was simply one sided and on Cole's end.

After her half eaten salad and a handful of stolen fries, Brennan was stuffed and Booth was still hungry. It was nice…the present…to be part of it instead of just the memories.

Brennan offered caramel pie and coffee at her house as a peace treaty for her crimes of theft. Booth accepted willingly. Picking up the pie at the counter, the two proceeded out into the warm summer evening still lost in conversation.

"Bones," he caught her attention, "When were you going to make those phone calls?"

Looking down at her watch, she answered, "Now would probably be good."

Giving him a hopeful look, she asked, "Want to drive?"

"Me? Drive your car?" he poked.

"Fine. I can dive and talk at the same time. I'm very accomplished at multi-tasking," she stated matter-of-factly.

"Toss me the keys, Bones. Winding up in the hospital or dying isn't on my to do list today," he teased.

"Haha," she mumbled under her breath.

He leaned in her direction, "What was that, Bones?"

"Nothing, just drive," sarcasm seeping into her tone.

Brennan snaked two post-its from her pocket and grabbed her cell phone from the console. Glancing at the bright yellow square, she pressed the correlating numbers on her phone.

Silence and then…

"Ethan?" she asked.

Booth tried to keep his focus on the road, but his mind was much more interested in the conservation in the next seat. Pleasantries were exchanged along with personal tidbits, and then the facts and favors.

Ethan Johnson was an old acquaintance of Temperance Brennan's. She seemed to keep track of people whose expertise she highly respected.

After several minutes of medical jargon, pharmaceutical companies, medicines, and dosages, Brennan was wrapping up the phone call, "Thanks Ethan. I really appreciate it. Talk to you soon. Bye."

Booth shifted his eyes back to the road that stretched out in front of them hoping she didn't notice his stare. No such luck.

"Do you want me to fill you in?" she asked.

"Huh?" his attempt at being caught off guard did not work.

"Oh okay," she shrugged, "I didn't think you'd be interested."

Releasing a huff, Booth stated, "Okay, you caught me. What does this guy…."

"Ethan?" she interrupted.

"Ethan," he stressed, "think about the new treatment?"

"He says that the results are good. Clinical trials have shown great success in ped. patients," she rattled.

"Doesn't help, does it?" Booth asked.

She turned her teary-eyed gaze toward Booth.

"No," she whispered; keeping the tears at bay.

"Ben's a fighter, Bones. He'll make it," he stated reassuringly.

"I know," she answered. "I just…I can't."

Booth reached across the console and grabbed her hand.

"It'll be fine," he whispered.

Arriving at her house, Booth followed Brennan into the kitchen and keeping her promise started the coffee maker while Booth cut into the pie. The pair chatted in the kitchen while enjoying the pie and coffee; while enjoying each other.

"Well, I'd better get going," he stated as he placed his coffee cup down on the counter.

"It is getting late," she agreed.

Walking him through the living room, she opened the front door.

"Thanks, Booth."

"For what," he asked confused.

"Today," she replied.

With a grin he answered, "Anytime, Bones. Anytime."

Shutting the door behind him, he lingered on the porch til he heard the click of the lock. Satisfied, he made his way to the SUV and then home.

Monday morning came with a familiar routine for Temperance. Alarm clock, shower, dress, coffee, and cereal started her day in a much more normal state. She arrived at the Jeffersonian and began her usual robotic tasks. While she enjoyed the tranquil pattern, a part of her was having a hard time settling down from whirlwind of the past five days.

Zach was elated to see his boss standing on the platform examining bone fragments that were sectioned across the table.

"Good morning, Dr. Brennan," he spoke tugging on his lab coat.

"Zach," she replied.

Both were busy piecing the fragmented skeleton back together when Zach heard an unmistakable sound. Excusing himself, he left Brennan to deal with what was approaching.

"Where'd Zach scamper off to?" Booth questioned.

"Hiding," she answered never looking up.

"Why?" he asked barely containing his laughter. God, he really missed this place.

"Because on Friday I told him that you were his responsibility," she reminded.

"Bones….would you really do that to me," he wondered.

"To you, yes. To Zach, no," she replied.

"Aww..Bones, that really hurt," he mocked placing his hand at his chest.

"Booth," she began, "do you need something or did you just come over here to irritate me?"

"I needed something," he replied.

"Well what is it," she finally looked up from the table.

"I need back in your good graces," he stated.

"Huh?"

"I told Cullen what you said on Friday," he admitted. "And….well…he told me…and I quote…'get your ass down to the Jeffersonian and get back into that woman's good graces before I decide to kill you myself'. So, that's why I'm here, Bones. Now, how about some lunch?"

"You think lunch will get you back in my good graces?" she prodded.

"Well, I figure stealing my fries has to be the highlight of having me back, right?" he commented.

She gave a grin, "Well it's definitely is a plus."

"Well come on then," he returned with his charm smile.

Helping her shrug off the lab coat, he guided her to her office with his hand resting in the small of her back.

Nice little ending to this chapter, wouldn't you agree? No cliffies. Aren't I nice???? Now, you really want to leave a review, don't you? Come on, please. Pretty please. :) I'll even get started on the next chapter. Deal?