She sat in her office nervously, not really sure what she was supposed to be doing. There was a pile of letters and paperwork that obviously only she could deal with, as her team had kept on top of her other jobs. A knock at her door made her jump, looking warily around until she saw that it was Booth, standing there with two coffees. Stepping forwards he smiled kindly, pulling a chair around to sit next to her and put his feet lazily on her desk.

"How's it going, Bones?" having missed her as she'd left his apartment early to miss the crowds of the Jeffersonian. She sighed, sipping at the coffee he'd given her.

"I feel odd."

"Odd how?" he asked, trying to keep his voice casual when he was really desperately worried about her. She sighed again looking across at him as if not really wanting this conversation.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing. And I guess I'm...a little nervous about seeing people again. Last time was...well..." she broke off, an embarrassed tinge on her cheeks. Booth smiled, holding her hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"You'll get back into it, Bones, don't worry. It's always hard the first time, but tomorrow you'll be wondering what you were worried about. And the others, I reckon they'll just be glad to see you back where you belong."

She nodded, silence settling between them for a moment before she looked suspiciously up at him again. "What are you doing here, anyway? Is there a case?"

Booth smiled, glad he'd made the decision to opt for paperwork for the next couple of days when he caught the wariness in her voice. Slow steps, he reminded himself, smiling his charming smile at her.

"No, no case. I just thought I'd come and see how you were doing. And besides, I missed you."

She laughed, seeing Booth blush. "You came to check on me! And thought that by saying you'd missed me it might soften me up a bit!"

"Well, you do tend to overdo it a bit, and you're still healing," he pointed out, before laughing himself. "When did you become so good at reading people?"

It was her turn to blush this time as she looked down at her coffee. "It's one of many things you've taught me."

He looked at her in surprise, a silence between them as they lost each other in the peaceful moment. Opening his mouth to say something, Booth realised this was the moment. This was the time when she was in a receptive mood to him, when he might be able to get a little more out of her.

"Sweetie!" came an excited voice from the door, and Booth was nearly knocked from his chair as an Angela sized form shot across the room to engulf Brennan in a huge hug. "I saw your light, but I didn't think it'd be you! I'm so glad you're back, this place hasn't been the same without you. Are you OK? How's things going? Did I tell you about Hodgins? And Cam's gonna be thrilled you're back! Oh my, you have to come and see this film I've been working on..."

She stopped as she saw Brennan's flustered smile, Booth's hand having come to rest on her shoulder as he laughed easily.

"One question at a time, eh, Angela? I know she's a genius, but even Bones can't answer fifty questions at once!"

She laughed. "Sorry, sweetie, I'm just so pleased to see you. You have to come and see this group of remains Zach found, it's amazing, and everyone's going to be so pleased to see you..."

Booth watched as the enthusiastic artist dragged his partner out onto the platform, all nervousness vanishing when Brennan realised that nothing had changed. The rest of the team were thrilled to see her, Zach enthusiastically pointing out what he'd found on the skeleton while a slightly overwhelmed Brennan tried to following what was happening. Booth almost laughed, seeing the enthusiasm of the team.

She looked up a moment later, slight panic evident at how overwhelmed she felt. Looking across, her eyes locked with his instantly, and the panic stopped, knowing that he was still there, he was just giving her the time she needed to re-bond with her team, while staying close enough that she knew she had an escape if she needed it. Grinning at him, she hoped he knew how much that meant to her. He smiled back, so proud of her for overcoming her nerves, and for coming back to him.

Brennan sat in exhaustion on the couch when Booth came back in with two beers, handing on to her before plonking down next to her.

"I'd forgotten how exhausting it is to be on my feet all day," she admitted when she saw the concern in his eyes. "I'm glad to be home."

Trying to ignore the implication that Brennan just called his apartment home, Booth clicked glasses with her and took a swig of his own.

"So long as you're OK," he told her, looking at her critically before he had to admit that the enthusiasm for her work, being surrounded by her team and the fresh air had brought a really healthy colour to her cheeks.

"I'm doing great, Booth. Thanks to you."

She blushed slightly, seeing his smile soften even more. "That was all you today, I had nothing to do with it."

"But I wouldn't have got there without you. And I wouldn't have got through the day if you hadn't been there giving me your strength."

"I wasn't..." he started before she cut him off, a teasing twinkle in her eyes.

"I saw you, Booth. You thought I wouldn't see you standing on the walkway above my head, but I did. Or the fact that you came by at least every hour to make sure I was still OK. Thank you."

He grinned, wrapping his arm around her shoulder for a moment and kissing her temple. "Any time, Bones. Whatever you need. I'm glad I could help."

"You always do."

He pulled back and looked into her eyes, loving her so much in that moment. Reaching out, she touched his cheek like he did for her so often, enjoying the feel of the soft skin there, and the look of pleased surprise on his face. He closed his eyes, leaning into the touch that he'd missed so much. This was the first time Brennan had reached for him on her own without needing comfort from some evil in her mind.

He closed his eyes for a moment, not aware that he'd moved his head slightly closer to her. When he opened them again, her beautiful blue eyes were watching him, shining love towards him. She looked peaceful, enjoying the small smile that spread up his face.

Without realising she was doing it, she leant forwards and touched her lips against his gently. As she pulled back she looked as surprised as he did, and noticed that he was watching her anxiously, worried that she'd be frightened again. A smile lit up her face as she realised that she'd kissed him, and she hadn't felt the worry and fear as she had before.

"Are you OK?" he asked, grinning himself when she nodded.

"I don't think I'm afraid of that anymore," she told him, reaching for him again.

Booth was only too happy to oblige. When his lips met hers, it felt like heaven to him. It was difficult to go slow, but he managed it, wanting to show her what it was supposed to feel like, and terrified that he would scare her again. But it was Brennan who deepened it, running her tongue over his bottom lip, groaning happily when he opened his mouth to her.

They were both breathless when they pulled away. Leaning forwards, Booth rested his forehead against hers, feeling her gasping for breath too.

"Bones, that was...oh, that was amazing," he told her, grinning as she nodded.

"It felt right that time," she replied, watching as his smile increased even more.

Pulling her to him, he hugged her tightly, laughing. "You've just made me the happiest man alive," he told her, pleased when she laughed along with him. "I'm so proud of you, for getting to where you are."

"I wouldn't have been here without you," she pointed out, Booth surprised when he looked down at her to see nothing but honesty in her eyes.

"You really are a remarkable woman, Temperance Brennan," he told her sincerely, watching as she blushed slightly. "And now we are going to go to bed before I give in to the want to spend the night sitting up talking to that amazing mind of yours."

Grinning widely at him, she stood from the sofa first, reaching on her hand to pull him to the bedroom after her. As Booth felt her fall asleep against his shoulder, he remembered that she was still fragile, and still healing. Otherwise, she'd have never been that tired.