It had been two days. Two days of pure bliss for both Booth and Brennan, being in each other's company all the time with Brennan getting stronger each day. She was still afraid, that was obvious to Booth just from the fact that she didn't like sleeping alone and he hadn't had the heart to push that issue. But now she was getting cranky with nothing to do and no fresh air.

"Come on, Bones, chop chop!" he told her, seeing her look up from her breakfast in surprise, sleep still in her eyes.

"Why? What's going on?" she asked suspiciously, watching him warily. He smiled.

"I have a surprise for you. But you have to go get ready quick or we'll be late."

"What kind of surprise?" she asked, trying to swallow down the fear. It's Booth, she kept telling herself, trying desperately to crush down the fear in her chest, especially when she saw his kind smile.

"The good kind, Bones. Now come on, get a move on!"

She grinned at his playfulness, going to wash her plate onto to have him take it from her and chivvy her on from the room. That was how she'd ended up sat in the SUV with him, her head near the open window as she enjoyed the feel of fresh air on her face again. He watched her between driving with a smile, pleased to see her looking so peaceful.

She was highly surprised when he pulled up in the Jeffersonian parking lot, hauling a picnic hamper from his boot as he waited for her to join him. She looked hesitant, not sure she was ready to face people just yet.

"Come on, Bones, it's just your friends. They were worried about you, and you needed to get out. It'll be fun, I promise!" He sighed, seeing that she was still worried, looking from him to the SUV as if deciding whether it was worth trying to bolt or not. "If you really hate it we'll leave, OK?" he asked, seeing her look into his eyes which calmed some of the fear, a small smile and nod giving him the go ahead.

Reaching for her, he pulled her hand into his, giving it a reassuring squeeze as he led her out of the car park.

"Booth?" she asked in confusion as he headed away from the lab towards the gardens, a huge smile on his face.

"What? We can't very well have a picnic indoors, Bones, not with all this sun! And besides, that's no different to being in the flat, you need some good fresh air!"

There was nobody there, just as Booth had been sure there wouldn't be. He smiled, pleased at his plan. Spreading out the blanket, he tapped the spot next to him, grabbing two plastic beakers and a bottle of champagne from his hamper. Brennan smiled a genuinely happy smile as she clicked her glass against his, enjoying how easy it had become between them recently.

"Sweetie!" came an excited voice, and Brennan turned and blushed before Angela launched herself into her arms. "Oh my God, I missed you! It's totally not the same without you around here!"

"Thanks Ang," she replied, blushing as she looked towards Booth who nodded encouragingly. "I missed you too."

"I'll visit then, yes? We can go shopping, and have some girly nights. I'll fill you in on all the goss."

"Don't hog her, Ang, the rest of us would like to say hi too," came Hodgins's sarcastic voice, Angela rolling her eyes at her best friend, pleased to see her looking so much better. "Hi, Dr B. Good to see you back on the grounds!"

Brennan accepted a hug from each of her team members in turn, getting more and more wound up and concerned that they wouldn't want to be around her truly now they had seen the state she was in. Booth instantly picked up on her mood, edging slightly closer to her.

"So, Angela, what're you gonna name your little one?" he asked, watching in pleasure as his ruse worked and everyone's attention was suddenly focussed on a willing Angela.

Reaching out, he grabbed Brennan's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. She flinched at first, so lost in her own world, before looking up to see Booth steadily waiting for her, smiling gently. She felt herself smiling back, letting him know that she was OK, when she felt anything but. Not letting go of her hand he pulled her a little closer, letting her know that she was there with him, and he wouldn't let anything happen.

Angela grinned knowingly to herself as her keen eyes took in their joined hands, and how Booth had cared for her so gently without giving Brennan a chance to protest. Sipping her juice, she carried on Booth's diversion of topic, seeing Bren smile gratefully at her. Winking back, she turned her attention back to the amusing conversation on Cam's love life.

Booth kicked the door shut behind him as he carried arms full of Chinese takeout into his kitchen. The smell was tantalising, his taste buds already watering. Grabbing a few plates, he plonked the bag on the table, setting two places for them.

"Bones!" he yelled, waiting and getting no reply. "Food's up!"

Grabbing a bite, he frowned when she didn't appear. Swallowing quickly, he wandered through his flat, finally finding her sitting on his bed, obviously lost in thought about something. He stood and watched from the door for a moment, hating to see her so sad, but not getting much time to just watch her. She had put on a bit of weight since staying with him, and was starting to adapt a slightly more normal posture, although the bow of her shoulders and head that hadn't been there before were still present, much to his sadness. At least the bruises and cuts he could see had started to heal, although she would always bear the scars of what she had been through, and that killed him inside a bit.

"Bones," he murmured cursing when she flinched, before looking up and seeing Booth, relaxing slightly as she smiled. The slightest unexpected noise still sent her curling into a ball if he wasn't careful. "Food's ready," he tried, seeing her nod and look away again.

"Sorry, I'll be there in a moment."

Sighing, Booth walked forwards and sat next to her on the bed, all thoughts of food forgotten. Their shoulders touched slightly, giving him some contact with her that he still craved, although he dared not push her for fear of making her lose the one thing she was still holding onto.

"What's going on, Temperance?" he asked gently, the sound of her first name making her eyes shoot to his as he knew that it would. The kind look she found there made her eyes water.

"Nothing, Booth, I'm fine."

"You're obviously not. Tell me, maybe I can help!"

She sighed, rubbing her face. "It's stupid really..."

"Nothing's stupid, coming from you, Bones. Not to me anyway. Give it a try." Reaching out, he took her hand gently in his, his heart swelling when she gave his a squeeze, something that she wouldn't have done just days earlier.

"I just...I'm so confused, I've never really felt...I've never had anyone be so...so...kind, Booth, or care so much, and it makes me so happy, and so grateful that I have you for a friend, and I just feel so mixed up."

Booth chuckled, seeing some tears fade as she looked up at him suspiciously. "Bones, you confuse me on a daily basis, it's part of the reason why I love...uh, love spending time with you. As long as it's good confused, that's fine by me!"

She smiled back, blushing slightly at revealing so much. "I find I have never felt like this about someone before."

Booth felt himself blushing under her scrutiny. "Is it a good thing?"

Grinning back at him, she squeezed his hand again. "I like it, I just sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed. Like when you did all that for me today, I don't really deserve that. And no-one's really done that for me before."

Touching her cheek softly, Booth watched as she looked steadily back at him, all fear gone. "Bones, nobody deserves having nice things done for them more than you, and I'm just glad I can share them with you! It's about time someone showed you what it's like to be spoilt!"

She smiled, looking up into his kind, loving brown eyes and feeling more at ease than she had done for a long time. Reaching up, she pulled his head down and kissed his cheek, lingering for just a moment as she wanted to show him what she was feeling. Booth's face was a picture of shock as he looked at her, his hand still caressing her cheek gently. She sighed, closing her eyes and turning her face into his gentle touch.

"What was that for?" he asked in surprise, her beautiful blue eyes opening as she smiled, such a genuine smile that he feared he'd never see again.

"Because," she replied, her smile faltering slightly as Booth stared intensely at her, not aware he was doing it.

She moved her face forwards, just at the same time as Booth leaned down, their lips meeting in a gentle, loving kiss. Booth's heart soared as he realised he was finally kissing the woman he loved, and even better was that she was kissing him back!

Almost as abruptly as it had happened she pulled away, her face a mixture of emotions as tears welled again. Pushing him away, she launched herself off his bed, dashing to her bedroom and slamming the door before Booth had even realised what had happened.

He raced after her, seeing the closed door before him like a fortress. Not even trying the door for fear of scaring her more, he leant his forehead against it, kicking himself mentally. How could he be so stupid? He gave in to his feelings, and might have just undone all of the work they had been doing together so carefully.

Wandering back into the kitchen, he pushed the food to one side, no longer hungry. Dropping into the chair, he let his head fall into his hands, willing is traitor brain to come up with something that could undo what he'd just done and put right the hurt he'd just caused.

He knocked softly at the door half an hour later when there was still no sign of her. Getting no answer, he quietly pushed the door open. Brennan was sitting on what had become her bed, her back bolt straight as she was obviously uncomfortable. Red streaks down her cheeks told Booth that she had been crying, but she was too lost in her own thoughts at the moment to realise he was there, let alone cry. A small frown was on her face as she stared at the wall, in a world of her own where Booth had absolutely no idea what was going on.

Stepping forwards, he winced as her eyes shot to him before looking down at her hands, a blush creeping up her cheeks. Putting a tray down on the bed he smiled encouragingly, especially when she looked back at him from beneath her eyelashes.

"Well I figured you had to be hungry, Bones, and I even threw in a cup of coffee there to make up for what I...well to say I'm sorry really," he finished, rubbing his neck in embarrassment.

He shrugged, turning and heading for the door. "Well I'm gonna eat out here, but you're welcome to...I mean you can come, if you want to...but no pressure, you can just eat in here and I'll come back for the tray later if you prefer."

She tried a smile, Booth smiling easily back at her despite his awkwardness as he turned to leave, Brennan looking down at her tray and smiling a little more at his thoughtfulness. The truth of the matter was that she was embarrassed by her reaction to him, when what they'd done together had been the exact thing she was pining for.

Deciding that she needed to bite the bullet and put this right, she grabbed her tray, trying to force the idea away that this was going to be horribly difficult, and wandered out to Booth's living room. He was sitting on the couch watching TV while he ate, but she could tell that he wasn't really concentrating. He was hardly touching his food at all. Her heart broke for him and how much he cared, and she wished for the millionth time that she didn't have to be so bad for him when he was all she could want.

Stepping forward shyly, Booth's face was a picture of surprise when he saw her standing there, some of the sadness gone for a moment. He stood quickly, almost knocking his own dinner on the floor, before clearing his throat and sitting again.

"Wanna watch the hockey?" he asked, smiling encouragingly as he patted the seat next to him.

Brennan nodded, sitting tentatively next to him, not meeting his eyes once. He felt his heart drop as he saw how stiffly she sat, obviously not at ease and not willing to talk to him. Turning his attention back to the TV, Booth narrated what was happening, knowing that Brennan wouldn't understand. By the end of the game, he'd gotten quite involved. As it ended, he looked across to see her sitting back, looking more relaxed than before if a bit of a blush was still present, her eyes looking anywhere but him.

"See, I told you hockey was a good game," he quipped, a beam on his face when he was rewarded with a smile. "So, do you wanna watch a movie, or are you ready to turn in?"

Brennan frowned, trying to follow his meaning and finally coming on the right option. For a moment, the fear hit her again as she wondered what he wanted from her, before she reminded herself that it was Booth and she didn't have anything to be afraid of.

Booth watched the emotions playing on her face, seeing the fear that passed there for a moment and hating himself for causing her that. He sighed, standing and reaching for her tray. As he walked away, he hoped he'd done right to give her a few moments to herself, because he was completely lost as to what to do now.

When he returned, she was standing awkwardly by the sofa, not seeming to know what to do with herself. He held out a glass of water which she hesitantly took, half expecting him to do something, and relieved when he didn't. This isn't Steve her mind kept reminding her.

"Come on, Bones, let's head to bed, eh? It's been a long day!" he said cheerfully, holding out his arm for her to lead the way.

Once they reached the doorway to her adopted room, he stopped, smiling as he turned to leave.

"Good night, Bones. Sleep well," he told her softly, sighing as he turned away.

"Booth," she called, Booth turning instantly on the sound of her voice, that had been absent all night. She looked sheepish, standing in the middle of the room, so unlike her usual self. "I'm sorry."

The words were almost so soft that he missed them, but he caught them loud and clear. Starting forwards, he didn't care about distance anymore. Putting his glass down on her cabinet, he took her hands gently in his, waiting until she shyly looked up at him, holding her eyes with his soft smile.

"Temperance Brennan, what did I say about apologising to me when you haven't done anything wrong?" he asked, a little humour in his voice so she didn't think he was berating her. "It's me that should be apologising, I took advantage of you. I'm so sorry, Bones. You don't need to be afraid of me, I would never hurt you."

She nodded, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I know that, Booth. But you didn't do anything wrong, I wanted you to do what you did, I wanted that with you. I'm so...ashamed of how I reacted, and how...useless I am now, that I just couldn't face you. I'm so sorry."

"Shh," he murmured, pulling her to him in a tight hug as she cried on his shoulder. He was grateful that her hands clutched the front of his shirt, holding him to her. "I'm so glad you told me that, Bones, because I really want this with you at some point, and I'm ecstatic that you feel the same. But we can wait for all that, OK? If it takes a million years, as long as you're my friend and you're here, I can wait till then, OK? And it's normal you should be feeling confused and react to certain circumstances in different ways, there's never a reason you should feel embarrassed around me. I'm sorry if I made you feel like that. It'll get easier in time, but you're doing great, you know? We'll get there together."

She sniffed, keeping her face close to his shoulder. "I don't deserve you, Booth. I don't deserve your kindness."

Moving her back, Booth took her cheeks in his hands gently and bent so that his eyes were locked firmly with hers, only inches away. "It's me that doesn't deserve you, Bones, and never forget it!"

They stood for a moment in companionably silence. Brennan was much more at ease, her arms snaking around his waist a moment later as she hugged him back. Everything being out in the open had made her feel so much better. Trust Booth to know exactly what she needed. And judging by his face, he was feeling a bit better about it all as well.

"Come on, Bones, let's get to bed. It's been a long day, and tomorrow's a new start."

She nodded, moving away from him and hesitating at the edge of the bed. Booth stood by the door, waiting for her to hop into bed. When she didn't, he moved back towards her again.

"Are you OK?" he asked, cursing to himself when she jumped at his touch, obviously miles away in her own thoughts.

"Yes. Good night, Booth," she told him, desperately wanting him to stay, but unsure whether she had the right to ask him anymore.

"Night, Bones," he told her, kissing her head softly.

Something was wrong, he knew that the instant she had lost herself again while he was still there. Closing the door, he pottered around doing the odd job for a while, wanting to make sure she was truly OK before turning in himself. An hour passed, and he wandered back, knocking softly before opening the door.

His heart broke. She was still sitting perched on the very edge of the bed, her head almost sagging from how tired she was and yet she still wouldn't get into bed. Her head shot up at the sound of the door opening, and she blushed slightly that he had caught her yet again. Wandering over, Booth joined her on the bed, taking her hand in his.

"What's wrong? I can't help if I don't know, and you sure can't sit here all night like this!"

She smiled at his tone, dropping her eyes to their joined hands. "I'm fine, Booth, I'm just not tired yet."

"That's a lie, Bones, I saw you nearly dropping off as you sat," he told her, watching as the blush deepened. "Please don't lie to me, you don't need to. Are you still afraid to sleep here alone?"

Bones shuddered, hating being so weak. But when she'd tried to lay on the top of the bed, vivid memories had hit her closed eyes so she was trembling when she had finally gotten up again.

"Bones," he said, pulling her from her thoughts as she looked at him, his smile comforting as his hand brushed some hair from her face tenderly. "Why didn't you just say so? You have to tell me these things, or I don't know! Do you want me to stay?"

Brennan nodded, sighing. "I'm a pain. I don't like being in the way."

He grinned. "You're not in the way, Bones. I love having you around. And I don't mind at all, so you can't be a pain, now, can you?"

She felt a genuine smile spreading across her face at his kind words. Watching, he vanished for a moment before returning, flicking off the lights as he came. Jumping onto the bed, Bones laughed as he nearly bounced off the other side. Grinning at her like a school boy, he held the covers up for her to slide beneath, settling himself down.

"Night, Bones," he told her, squeezing her hand in the dark. Truth be told, he wasn't just glad to be near her because he loved being around her like this, it was that he knew that he'd be woken if she had a problem, and that allowed him to sleep properly himself.

Brennan shuffled closer, leaning up to kiss him briefly on the cheek before she lay her head on his shoulder, her arm wrapping around his waist.

"Night, Booth."

She's gonna be the death of me his brain thought, as he wondered how in hell he was going to fall asleep with her lying that close to him.