Disclaimer: Bones is property of Fox. Not mine. I borrow the characters now and then, take them for a spin, especially when I get long breaks in between episodes, like now.

Thanks to all who reviewed and for kind your kind words and support. Your reviews spur me on to write. And thank you Melissa for your timely sdits and corrections :) The following is inspired by the upcoming Hero in the Hold. I just can't wait to watch the episode.

Booth

I'm sloshing around in freezing cold waters. I'm not even sure where I am. It's some river in the middle of nowhere. There's grass, tall grass that obscures most of my view of the terrain on land. The river bank is not far off. The water is clear and deceptively calm, but strong undercurrents threaten to sweep me away if I stop kicking my legs for a split second. I have to try to make it to shore. I start to swim, can't be long now that my feet will touch the soft sandy ground.

I swim and swim but somehow the distance between me and the river bank doesn't shorten. I'm tired and I feel like giving up. I close my eyes just for a second. Just as I'm about to give in to my despair I notice two figures walking along the river's edge.

"Daddy!" Parker waves frantically at me. He seems oblivious to the panic I'm feeling.

"Hey Parker," I splutter unsure if he can hear me.

"Come on over!" He waves.

"I'm trying."

Bones is there. She's holding Parker's hand and smiling wordlessly at me. Can't she see I'm in trouble?

"Bones!" I spit the water from my mouth.

She doesn't reply, only turns to Parker and ruffles his unruly blonde curls. She then gives him a soft push in the direction of the tall grass. Parker nods, then turns his gaze back at me.

"I'll see you later Daddy!"

"Parker! Wait!"

My son doesn't hear. He takes off running and soon disappears from my sight. Bones is still standing there looking at me.

"Swim Booth."

Can't she see I'm trying my best to?

I kick my legs and paddle my arms, but after struggling in the water for I'm not sure how long they're beginning to feel like jelly.

"Come on Booth!" I can hear her calling to me. She stretches out her hand and I try to reach it. No matter how hard I try, the distance between us still doesn't get any shorter.

"I can't Bones." I say, breathing so hard my chest hurts.

"Yes you can."

"It's too hard Bones. You gotta help me out here." My chest feels like it's about to burst. I desperately gulp in air.

"I am helping Booth, but you need to try harder."

What is she saying? How is she helping by just standing there with her hand outreached? Find a rope, get help, anything! Is she just gonna watch me drown?

My efforts seem futile. I'm so close to giving up. "I'm tired, so tired." I mumble not sure if she hears me.

"Don't fight it Booth."

"But – " How can I not fight? If I stop, I'll drown.

"I'm here, just relax; try harder to relax. Everything's going to be ok."

Relax? I'll drown! Her voice soothes me and the panic inside begins to subside. Maybe I'll do what she's telling me to. I slowly let my arms stop flailing and my legs stop kicking. I half expect myself to start sinking, but instead the current starts to carry me towards the river bank, towards Bones.

The smile on her face is so welcoming. I smile back. I'm still a distance from shore. She turns and starts to walk away, like Parker did.

"Bones! Wait!"

She turns her head and smiles before disappearing into the grass.

Suddenly an impossibly white light is shining into my eyes. The sounds of the river is replaced by a constant beeping sound. What is going on?

"Looks like you finally decided to stop fighting."

Jared?

I try to speak but I something's in my throat. I try to swallow but gag instead. I try to lift my head but I'm hit by a wave of nausea. I squeeze my eyes shut again.

"Easy Seeley."

I feel Jared put a hand on my shoulder.

"You've got a tube down your throat. It's to help you breathe."

The crash! I remember now. I must be in a hospital. But where? Am I back home? Where's Bones?

My eyes snap open, betraying my confusion.

"You remember what happened?"

I nod slowly.

"You're in hospital, in Iraq. They can't fly you home till you're better."

My heart sinks. I was hoping to see Bones.

"You're the only one to have survived the crash."

I instantly feel guilty, thinking about the families of my fellow soldiers, but at the same time grateful I've been given another chance with Bones.

"From what I hear it's been touch and go. The doctors thought you might not make it. You've been so agitated, you kept trying to pull out your breathing tube. You were thrashing about. They had to restrain you. They were trying to help you but you kept fighting it. Your blood pressure was up and down, they couldn't give you anymore sedatives without risking danger to you. You had me really worried."

Jared chuckles. He moves a hand to lift what I think is a blanket they've covered me with. It turns out to be my favorite Capitals T-shirt. Well it used to be mine, till Bones decided it would be her favorite sleepwear. I can still smell her scent on it.

"Temperance sent it here. Said you might have missed it. She'd like you to bring it back to her, once you're able to. Package just arrived shortly after I got here. I saw you thrashing about in bed I thought 'what the hell', and it worked."

I'm not sure if you would call it a smile but I manage to turn my lips up a little.

"That woman really does a number on you, doesn't she?"

I nod.

"Look Seeley, try to get some rest ok. You've been fighting everything since you got here. The doctors say you can only recover if you rest. Then maybe they can take this tube out of your throat."

Jared motions to the nurse.

"She's gonna give you something to help you sleep. I'll be here when you wake up ok?"

I try to give him a thumbs up but realize my hands have been tied to the bed.

"I don't think he's gonna need those anymore." Jared points to the restraints. He tucks the shirt under my chin, and the smell that is Temperance Brennan fills me with warmth. I feel the effects of the medication kick in and I'm lulled to sleep.

Liked it? Don't worry Booth is going home to his Bones soon. Review please!