The doctors decided Booth needed surgery. They deemed that they needed the swelling in his brain to subside before they proceeded.
Hours turned to days, days turned to weeks. Three had passed since that day of the trial. Brennan spent most of her time spent by his bed side. Broadsky had been found guilty of all charges. Caroline had called doctors in that next day to illustrate Booth's injuries, seeing his collapse easily swayed the for the death penalty. She found no peace with this. Irrationally she wanted the man to suffer. Suffer as Booth suffered. She wanted him to feel his pain, all their pain.
They surgery was schedule for the following day. They said they would keep him in a coma for at least a week after. Once they removed the medication all they could do was wait. Wait to see when and if he woke up. Wait to see the damage that was done.
Booth had no concept of time. He couldn't tell how long he had been trapped in his mind. He knew when she was there. When she spoke he lingered on her voice. He couldn't feel her touch with his skin, but he could feel it in his soul. She was a part of him. She completed him.
She didn't speak of leaving anymore, but somehow he knew it was still in her mind. If he could only wake up, if he could talk to her he could change her mind. When she saw how they could be together, she would never want to go. He could make her happy, if she would give him a chance. He would work the rest of his life to bring her happiness.
She had news to tell him, but she didn't know how. She hadn't spoken the words aloud. She didn't know if he could hear her or not. She would rather tell him when she could see his reaction. She would wait. The moment he opened his eyes, she would tell him.
She looked at her watch, only a few minutes until visiting hours were over. She gathered her things and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. Before she left she took one last glance over her shoulder. "I love you." She said and then left the room.
Max was becoming concerned about his daughter. She hardly spoke to any of her friends and often left work to sit in the hospital. Angela had come to him with her concerns and those of the others at the Jefforsonian. The light in her eyes dimmed and she went through the motions of a daily routine, but her heart just wasn't in it. She looked paler than usual. Her appetite had dwindled. When she arrived home tonight he was going to sit her down and talk to her for her own good.
She came in through the door and headed straight to her room.
"Tempe, can we talk?" He asked.
"I am extremely tired dad." She said without stopping.
"Well let me rephrase that. Tempe sit down we are going to have a talk." He said.
She inhaled deeply and walked to the couch to sit down. He went and sat beside her.
"We are worried about you, all of us." He declared.
"There really is no need, I am fine." She stated.
"No, no you're not. Have you looked into the mirror lately? When was the last time you have spoken to your friends or me for that matter? How can you expect to be there for him if you're not even taking care of yourself?"
"Dad, I admit I have been preoccupied. I have been feeling off lately, but I assure you I am doing fine."
"I know how you feel. When I lost your mother…" He started.
"I haven't lost him!" She interrupted.
"Tempe, I know how hard this is on you, but you have family and friends who are here for you. You are not alone and neither is he. Let us help take some of the weight off your shoulders."
She felt the tears betray her. "I just don't know what to expect. I don't know how he is going to be when he wakes up. I don't even know if he will know me."
"He may have forgotten his past, but he never forgot you."
Brennan looked at her father. "What do you mean?" She asked.
"I saw the way he looked at your picture, the way he looked at you. The two of you are connected by more than memories."
"That isn't rational."
"Life isn't always rational, Honey. Not everything is based on science. You can try and explain everything away, but there are always things left in question." Max explained.
"I am really tired, Dad. I just want to go to sleep. Booth's surgery is scheduled for early in the morning and I want to be there."
"We are all going to be there. Neither of you will be alone."
Brennan and her father arrived at the hospital early the next morning. The waiting room was already filled with all their friends. Brennan went to Booth's room and watched as the nurses prepped him for surgery. When their tasks were complete they gave her a moment alone, before they wheeled him away.
"I have something important to tell you. You have to come through this ok. You have to wake up and come back to me soon. I love you Booth." With that she kissed him and walked from the room.
They took turns sitting and pacing the floors. Each one wishing they were somewhere else, but none were willing to leave. The hours ticked by. The sun had began its decent from above before the doctor finally came to notify that surgery went well. He told them they should go and get rest as he would allow no visitors until the following day.
Max made Brennan go to dinner with them all. They all conversed around the table as they ate, all but Brennan. She picked at her food, mostly just moving it around on her plate. She listened as they talked, but couldn't bring herself to join in.
Angela couldn't take it anymore. "Bren, do you think Booth would want to see you this way, because I sure as hell don't and neither does anyone else who cares about you."
Brennan looked up startled.
"If he were here he would be the first person reading you the riot act. You are alive and well start acting like it." Angela scolded.
Brennan didn't know what to say, she just sat staring at her friend.
"She is right Dr B. Booth wouldn't want this. If it were reversed would you want him acting this way over you?" Hodgins joined his wife's cause.
"No he wouldn't. I wouldn't." Brennan had to agree. She couldn't explain it to them that she had no control over it. It wasn't a conscious choice.
"Dr Brennan, it is understandable that you are upset. I believe you are suffering from depression. I could look into some medications…" Sweets started.
"No. No medication." She interrupted.
"Well then at least talk with someone. It doesn't matter who it is." Sweets finished.
"I will try; just give me time this week." Once he was off the medication and he could wake up, then she would try. Until then he needed her to be there. She needed to be close to him.
"And if he doesn't wake up right away?" Angela asked.
"I have to be there for him."
"You have to be there for yourself, first." Angela added.
"I know, I will. Maybe I will work on my next novel. I have had some ideas. I just need to be there so he isn't alone. I have to be there when he wakes up."
Angela just stared at her.
"We can have lunch together. I am not avoiding anyone, I promise." She added.
"I am going to hold you to that and more." Angela agreed.
A week passed and the doctors began reducing the amount of drugs in Booth's system. They had decided to pull him out slowly to monitor his brain function. They explained if they didn't like the readings they may again increase the drugs for a longer period of time. They monitored the EEG constantly to ensure he was doing well.
On day 3 of the reduction, they introduced music as stimuli. They said all seemed to be going well and that within a couple of days, he should be awake.
By day 5 they had removed all the drugs. All they had to do now was wait for the drugs left in his system to metabolize.
Brennan sat by his side.
Booth's mother sat by his side, her image had been growing dimmer.
"It is almost time Seeley. You have rested well."
"So I will be waking up soon?"
"Yes. You need to concentrate on your body. You should be feeling it now. You will be week at first, but time will remedy that."
"Will I see you again?" He asked.
"I am always with you, my son. Even when you can't see or hear me I am there. It is time now."
His mother faded away. Everything went black. He could now hear the sounds of machines. He could feel her holding his hand.
He willed his eyes to open.
She rested her head on the bed beside him. She slipped in and out of sleep, waiting for him to wake up. Amidst a dream she didn't feel his grip tighten around her hand. She didn't see his eyelids struggle open
It wasn't until she felt a hand caress her hair that her mind left her dreams.
"Bones." He said he said weakly, just above a whisper.