Disclaimer: Don't own Bones or any of its characters. Sad but true.

Thanks agaon for all your reviews, and thanks to Melissa my beta.

Brennan

I'm slowly awakened from deep sleep. I'm vaguely aware that something's amiss but I can't quite place a finger on it. Then it hits me like, like running into a wall. Last night! I feel some residual soreness between my thighs. I remember our conversation on Booth's sofa. Was it a dream? I want desperately for it to be so.

I open my eyes, blinking against the bright morning sunlight. Despite sleeping for an adequate number of hours, I'm still exhausted. I'm greeted by a familiar pair of brown eyes. They're still warm and reassuring but they have an added hint of sadness in them.

"Hey gorgeous." His voice is a raspy and sleep-laden.

"Hey handsome." I'm using terms of endearment now. It's amazing how this man has changed me.

"How long have you been staring at me?"

"I don't know Bones. I love watching you sleep."

I'm almost afraid to ask my next question. "Last night wasn't a dream. It was real, wasn't it?"

Booth's gaze falls to the bed. He blows out a breath that tickles my neck. "Unfortunately, yes."

I close my eyes and allow the reality to sink in. Last night felt surreal, this morning there's no escaping the truth.

"Hey." Booth runs a calloused finger down my cheek. "Everything's gonna be ok. I promise."

I open my eyes, fighting back tears. I can't be like this. I can't spend our remaining three days together all sad and weepy.

"I know." Do I really?

"You know, I was thinking." Booth says. One hand supports his head, while the other runs circles round my belly. "Before you shut me out, or freak out or whatever, just hear me out ok?"

I nod, unsure where this conversation is heading.

"I know you don't believe in marriage, but I think we should get married. And I mean before I leave for Iraq."

He pauses, as if to check if I'd bolt out the door. I stay riveted on the bed. Not moving. He has made himself clear.

"I – "

Booth cuts me off. "I know Bones we've only been in a relationship for a month, and it sounds crazy, but think about it. We've been partners for almost four years now. We already know each other so well. I know you don't believe in love, but you do believe in logic."

"Booth, I – "

He places a finger on my lips. He continues to speak.

"Logically speaking, it would be most practical for you to be my wife, before I ship out."

He checks again to see if I'd lose it just because he has referred to me as "his wife." Satisfied that I'm still not going to run away, he keeps talking, like he does when he's nervous.

"It's only a piece of paper, legally stating that you are my next-of-kin. I need this. You need this. I need to know that if anything happens to me, you'll be taken care of. I know you make ten times as much as I do, and you're a best-selling author, and you're perfectly capable of taking care of yourself, but let me in my small way take care of you while I'm gone. If anything happens to me….. the Army will make sure you're provided for. And Parker, he'll have you as his step-mom. I'd really like that. To know that if anything happens, you're still his step-mother. That he'll always have you."

Booth keeps a calm steady tone, it scares me. As if he's resigned to the fact that he might not make it back. That's not an option for me.

"So I guess, what I'm saying is…." His eyes bore into mine and I see nothing but love. "Dr Temperance Brennan will you marry me?"

"Yes." My answer surprises even me. But I was prepared to say yes the minute he suggested it. The silly man just kept interrupting me.

Booth's jaw hangs open, and after a couple of seconds he breaks into the widest grin I have ever seen.

"Yes?"

"Yes." I lift my head and kiss him, running my fingers through his short-cropped hair. His hand cups my face. We convey volumes through our kiss. I love this man. I know for sure now. I can't quite say it yet, so I allow my lips and tongue to do the talking, just not in the conventional way.

"So you were convinced by my logic?" Booth asks, puffing out his chest.

"Actually, I was going to agree the moment you said we should get married before you leave. At first I surprised myself but if there was any doubt, your logic chased it away. It makes sense. Society demands that piece of paper to allow me certain rights, and yes it would make taking care of Parker while you're away easier."

"Thanks Bones. You're amazing."

We kiss again. He's already hard from our earlier kiss and I'm already wet and aching for him. It's surprising what Seeley Booth does to me. I slip a hand into is boxers to grab his shaft, rubbing the tip of his cock with my thumb.

Booth buries his face in my neck and groans. "Bones. We're running out of time and we need to get married. Get married now, sex later."

"I hear married sex is boring."

Booth lifts his head to look at me. He grins mischievously as his fingers gently spread me and his thumb flicks my clit. I let out a moan of approval.

He leans to breath into my ear. "I'll make sure it never is."

It takes will-power of steel to extricate ourselves from each other. Booth is right. Time isn't on our side. I'm sure we'll have time for sex later.

"What do we do now?" I remember my question to him when Angela and Hodgins left us standing at the altar.

"I've never done this before Bones, but given the amount of time we have left, I'd say a small ceremony with a few close friends and family would have to do."

I nod. "I never believed in marriage in the first place remember? So I'm not expecting anything grand."

"Lucky me." Booth laughs.

We are now standing naked in Booth's bedroom. His very hard erection still crying for attention straining against the thin fabric of his Superman boxers. Looking at it is enough to make me want to jump him right there. But he's deep in thought. Almost naked Booth, deep in thought. To borrow a quote from Angela, that's hot.

Booth reaches for my pants that were discarded on the floor last night and rummages for my cellphone. He tosses it to me.

"Call Angela, tell her we're getting married. Go do your girl things, you know, get a nice dress, look pretty. Leave the rest to me. Oh and call your Dad."

"What are you gonna do?" I ask as I prepare myself mentally for the loudest squeal in the history of mankind.

"Calling the FBI, and Cam. They need to know we're not going to be around for the next couple of days. Plus I need to let Cullen know that I have been called back to active service. Don't worry Bones, I'll make sure we're married by sunset."

"Sounds like a plan to me."

Booth winks at me and pulls on his jeans as he leaves the room.

Angela finally picks up.

"You better have a very good reason for calling me at this early in the morning. Do we have a case?"

"I do have a very good reason." I reply. "Booth and I are getting married… today."

Angela's sounds voice sounds very awake now.

"Is this a joke?"

"No Ange, I'm serious."

I hold my cellphone away from my ear as Angela screams loudly into the phone. I'm sure she has woken the whole of DC. When the screaming finally stops, I warily put the phone against my ear again.

"Bren? Booth didn't get you pregnant, did he?"