TITLE: Bones – The Heart Knows What The Heart Wants.

AUTHOR: D M Harper

SUMMARY: How does Doctor Temperance Brennan cope with Agent Booth's absence?

RATING: M Contains sexual content between two female characters. (Be Warned)

DISCLAIMER: This story is written for entertainment only and no profit is obtained. No copyright infringement is indented to 20th Century Fox Television or creators Hart Hanson and Kathy Reichs. All original characters remain my property.

Chapter 15

Temperance and Booth were on their way to speak with the parents of a man identified by the Jeffersonian Forensics Team when the call for assistance and "Agent down" came over the radio.

"We're two minutes from that location, change of plans Bones," announced Booth.

"Okay."

Booth activated the emergency lights and siren and sped to the address given on the radio.

When he pulled up beside several FBI SUVs he looked at Temperance, "Don't move and stay right here."

"All right Booth." She watched as Booth went to the rear of his truck and pulled on his vest.

After speaking with other Agent's, Booth drew his weapon and approached the house.

Temperance stopped breathing when she overheard one of the Agents say, "One of the Agents has been identified as Brock Davis. There's been no word on the other Agent's condition."

Temperance knew Brock was Alex's partner and her mind went into overdrive. She observed Booth and others enter the house and she hoped both Brock and Alex were okay.

Minutes flew by then an Agent exited the house motioning to the waiting Paramedics.

When the first gurney came out, Temperance got out of the vehicle. Time stood still as another gurney exited the house and was loaded into one of the two ambulances.

Seely walked out the front door quickly followed by other Agents. He stopped and noted Temperance's expression of horror and ran to her, "It's okay Bones, Davis took one in the leg, but will be fine and the other Agent isn't Alex. It's Reyes and he bumped his head."

Temperance embraced Booth, "Oh my god, I thought it was Alex." She cried on Booth's shoulder for several minutes before regaining her composure. "I haven't heard from her in five days, she's undercover, but didn't tell me."

Booth stepped back, "Are you and Alex together?"

"Yes ... no ... to tell you the truth, I don't know. I messed up Booth."

"She must really mean something to you Doc. I have never seen you this emotional before. Are you going to be okay? Do you want me to take you back to the Jeffersonian?"

Temperance wiped her eyes, "No Booth, I'll be fine and just need to stop being so dramatic."

"You're not dramatic Bones; you are just worried about your girlfriend's safety."

Temperance gave him a sideways glance, "You're back with Cam."

With a boyish grin, Booth answered, "Yes, have been since I got back from vacation."

"I'm happy for you, now let's get back to work and get my mind off Alex."

"You got it Bones."

Temperance was driving home on Friday night when she received a call from Veronica. She pulled her Prius over and answered, "Hello is everything all right?"

"I'm just calling to let you know Alex just arrived home, but something is wrong. She's left Martie with us and that is unusual behaviour for her. She hardly said two words before leaving. I'm really worried about her Temperance."

"I'll be there in ten." Temperance kept a lid on her emotions as she pulled out onto the street.

Coming to a stop in Alex's drive, Temperance turned off the engine then ran to the front door and pressed the chime. She waited for two minutes before pressing it again.

After a five minute interval, she banged harder on the door, "Open up Alex, it's Temperance."

Moments later, the door opened and a gaunt looking Alex stared at her with vacant eyes. She was wearing white briefs and a white tank top.

"Oh my god, what's happened to you?"

"Nothing, I'm fine."

"Fine my ass, you look dreadful," snapped Temperance as she took a closer look at Alex. "What happened to your head? Are those stitches?"

Alex touched the three inch wound to her forehead, "Stop fussing, I'm okay."

All the pent up anger and concern exploded and Temperance shouted, "YOU'RE OKAY! I'VE BEEN WORRIED SICK ABOUT YOU FOR NINE FUCKING DAYS. NINE DAYS WITHOUT A SINGLE WORD FROM YOU. YOU DIDN'T EVEN HAVE THE DECENCY TO TELL ME YOU WERE UNDERCOVER. WHAT WAS I TO THINK? I THOUGHT YOU'D BEEN SHOT ALONG WITH BROCK. I'VE BEEN PETRIFIED TO ANSWER MY PHONE AND ALL YOU CAN SAY IS YOU'RE OKAY." Temperance thumped Alex on the chest with clenched hands and began to cry, "Say something."

Tears started to flow from Alex's eyes and she wrapped her arms tightly around a fuming Temperance, "I'm sorry, I didn't have time to call you before I had to surrender my phone and leave on assignment. I just assumed mom or dad would inform you. I'm really sorry."

Temperance stopped punching and buried her face into Alex's shoulder, "I was so scared Alex." She embraced her and rubbed her back.

"I know baby."

"I thought you didn't want to see me again until I turned up here and spoke to your parents."

"Ssh baby, it's all right now."

"No it's not, you look terrible."

Alex started to tremble, "The operation didn't end well for us. We got all the targets, but not before all hell broke loose. Backup swarmed the club I was working undercover in and the Russians just started firing."

Temperance leaned back and kissed Alex's forehead, "Is that how you got injured?"

"Yes, a stray bullet grazed me. My boss, Martin Newman and two other Agents, Ross and Becker, weren't so lucky."

"Oh honey, I am so sorry."

Alex's body collapsed against Temperance's, "Baby, they are gone."

Temperance held onto Alex and closed the door with her foot, "Let's get you comfortable." She supported Alex's tired frame and led her into the living room.

Easing her back onto the couch, Temperance grabbed the blanket draped over the back and covered Alex, "Honey, you're still in shock. I'll get you a cup of tea."

"I'm so exhausted."

"I know you are sweetheart, I'll be back in a minute."

When Temperance returned, Alex was missing and she located her curled up in bed and sleeping during a search.

After securing the house, Temperance showered, dressed in a pair of Alex's boxers and tee shirt then snuggled into Alex's back. She draped and arm over Alex's hip and kissed her neck, "Sleep my darling."

Alex groaned and pushed back into Temperance, but didn't wake.

Temperance watched over her until she grew too tired to keep her eyes open.

As the morning sun peeked through the window blinds, Temperance slowly opened her eyes. She moaned when she felt firm breasts pressed against her own. Alex was still asleep and snuggled into her neck. Inching back slowly, Temperance got out of bed and went to the bathroom.

Alex was still in the same position when Temperance emerged a short time later wrapped in a towel. Going to Alex's underwear drawer, she selected a bra and matching briefs.

Once she dressed in jeans and a blue buttoned shirt, Temperance exited the house and went next door.

Veronica and Martie answered her knock on the door seconds later.

Bending down, Temperance hugged the child, "Hello sweetie."

Martie's eyes filled with tears, "Hi Tem, my momma's sick."

Temperance looked up, "Yes she is, but she is sleeping right now and that will make her feel better."

Veronica smiled, "Morning Temperance."

Fred appeared and said, "Come on munchkin, I need a hand in the garage."

"Okay Pa."

Once they were gone, Veronica reached for Temperance's hand, "What happened?"

"Alex hasn't said too much, but her Supervisor and two Agents were killed during the operation."

"Oh dear lord no."

"Alex's head wound is a bullet graze and that is all I know. She was out on her feet and highly emotional."

"We'll keep Martie here, are you okay to stay with Alex?"

"I'll be here for her."

"If you need anything, let me know."

"I will and Alex will be okay. I'll talk to you soon."

"Thank you."

Temperance re-entered Alex's bedroom, stripped and snuggled into her chest.

The blonde stirred briefly, but didn't wake.

Temperance placed gentle kisses on Alex's forehead and whispered, "I love you Alex and we will get through this together." She held Alex until she fell asleep again.

Temperance's eyelids fluttered open and she smiled at Alex, "Morning, how are you feeling?"

Alex grinned briefly, "I've managed to sleep for twelve hours with a beautiful woman in my bed and I wake to find her naked. I'd say I am feeling pretty good."

"Are you implying you are sexually stimulated?"

"I'm implying I like waking up with you."

"Oh."

"You sound disappointed, by the way, why are you naked?"

"I woke earlier and went to see your parents and daughter. They were worried about you."

"I know they were and I'll speak to them soon, but right now I need to use the bathroom. Will you stay here?"

"I don't have any plans of moving."

"Thank you Tempe, I'd like to talk to you."

Temperance watched the long frame get out from under the covers and gasped when she saw the multiple bruising to Alex's lower back and right shoulder.

"I'm okay baby," remarked Alex before disappearing into the ensuite.

Stripping off, she turned on the water and stepped under the warm stream. Placing the palms of her hands against the tiles, she popped her head into the water and hoped the waterproof bandage held. Flashes of the previous night's raid blinded her thoughts and she was overcome with grief. Tears mixed with water as the blonde allowed her sorrow to flow.

Alex didn't hear the screen door slide open then close, but did feel Temperance's gentle hands on her shoulders.

"I'm right here Alex, you don't have to go through this alone sweetheart."

Alex's body shook with heavy sobs and Temperance held onto her. With soft kisses, she placed her lips on the black and purple skin of Alex's shoulder and waited.

"I was working as a bartender at a club with connections to the Russian Underground. It was suspected the club was being used as a halfway house for missing girls."

Temperance stopped her kisses, "A slave trade?"

"Yes, prostitution back in St. Petersburg."

"Obviously you needed evidence from within the circle."

"Yes and I'd managed to obtain receipts with shipping crate details and a lead on officers on the payroll at Customs. I'd been able to overhear and record several important conversations between the club owner and the Russians. I got the information to my contact and a new shipment of woman headed for Russia was intercepted. At the same time, the club was raided by a team led by Newman. The Russians took offence and started blasting away the second the team breached the doors and identified themselves as Federal Agents. I was behind the bar and pulled out my backup piece. Newman was hit before I got a shot off. Of course the Russians then turned on me and I was trapped until I crawled out from behind the counter. I hit two of the henchmen, but Ross and Becker were still pinned down. I gave them some cover fire and they managed to roll to a better position. The owner tried to escape and I threw myself at him. I stopped him, but not before he hit me a few times."

Alex took a break while Temperance continued to kiss her skin.

Taking a deep breath, Alex went on, "Once he was subdued, I tried to get to the others. It was difficult to move without being hit in the crossfire. I ducked my head out and got hit. More Agents stormed the place as I lost consciousness. Both Ross and Becker passed away at the hospital; their injuries were just too severe. It was utter chaos and three good men didn't get to go home to their families last night."

"I'm so sorry honey."

"Thank you. We better wash before we run out of hot water."

The two women quickly finished in the shower and Temperance led Alex back to bed. She pulled Alex onto her chest and gently stroked her hair.

Alex's tears started again, "I'm suspended pending investigation."

"You will be okay honey."

"I keep playing it over and over in my head trying to figure out what I could have done differently."

"Alex, there is nothing you could have done."

"Tempe, we out numbered them by six and they got three of us."

"Gun fights aren't a number's game. How many Russians survived?"

"None, we got the whole ten."

"I don't know what to say to make any sense of it Alex."

"They had amour piercing ammunition," admitted Alex pitifully.

"I wish I could stop the pain sweetheart."

"You being here helps Tempe. I visited Brock in hospital last night before I came home."

"Booth responded to the call and I was with him. I thought you were with Brock and was so worried."

"I'm sorry I couldn't talk to you."

"After the first three days, I thought I'd lost you."

Alex kissed the skin beneath her cheek, "I'm sorry about that too."

"Can we just start all over?"

"Yes baby, we can."

"We better get dressed and go to your parents."

"Not just yet, I'm enjoying the peace."

Temperance softly rolled Alex onto her back, "Does that hurt?"

"Only a little, what are you up to?"

"I wish to look at you."

"Okay."

"Alex, I have been a fool."

Reaching up, Alex ran her fingers through the side of Temperance's hair, "No you haven't."

"I froze when we were last together."

"I understood Tempe and I guess the tables turned."

"And now?"

Alex moved her right hand to the back of Temperance's neck, "Now, I just want to love you." She pulled Temperance's lips to hers and she tenderly kissed the woman she had fallen in love with.

Temperance shifted slightly and cupped her left hand under Alex's head. She groaned as her breasts pressed into Alex's.

Alex melted into Temperance's body and the past twenty-four hours disappeared from her thoughts. She concentrated fully on the woman in her arms and attempted to express all the emotion she felt in that one kiss.

Without breaking the kiss, Temperance lifted up then lay upon Alex's body.

Alex opened her legs and allowed her lover to press into her. The flood of electricity shot through Alex and she arched up to meet Temperance's moisture.

Temperance set a slow cadence and Alex responded with soft caresses across the brunette's back and buttocks. When Alex's arousal began to peak minutes later, Temperance was right there with her.

Pulling from the kiss, she smiled down at Alex, "All I want is to love you."

"I love you so much," husked Alex before drawing Temperance back to her lips. She kissed deeply and her body shook as the orgasm exploded with a million tiny flashes of light behind her eyes.

Temperance followed swiftly and the couple ended up making love for several hours until Temperance's stomach rumbled.

Alex laughed and playfully nibbled on her ear, "I better feed you."

"You must be hungry too?"

"Yup, so let's go shower then go get Martie."

"As long as you do that thing the first time we showered together."

"Oh I can manage that baby."

Temperance smiled brilliantly, "Alex, I really do love you."

"That's good, because I'm deeply in love with you."

"I prefer making love to satisfying biological needs."

Alex tittered, "So do I and I like knowing my lover's name."

"Angela once told me that the heart knows what the heart wants. I didn't understand at the time, but I did the day we meet."

"That's very romantic of you baby."

Temperance smirked, "I believe I am learning."

"I'll teach you something new every day."

"I can certainly work with that sweetheart."

"Oh lord, forget about the shower," gushed Alex as she pulled Temperance's lips to hers.