Thanks again to Melissa my beta, and to all who faitfully review and keep up with this story. You guys are in for a treat. I've just posted another one-shot in addition to this. I'm on a Bones high after Hero in the Hold :)

Booth

It's been two months since I woke up in a hospital in Iraq. I've worked hard at getting better. My body is healing. All except my knee, I know it's pretty busted. I hope it won't hinder me from getting back to fieldwork when I get home. Cullen had left a message with Jared assuring me of my job when I'm ready, and he promised I'd still get to work with Bones.

My Bones. I talk to her everyday over the phone. We talk about everything and nothing. We know there's still a lot left unsaid between us, but we don't go into anything heavy. I know we're saving it for later, when I get home. I've also talked to Parker a couple of times and am glad he's getting along so well with his stepmother. It's so much more than I could have asked for. I knew Bones would make a good mother, maybe when I get home we can talk about it, having a child of our own.

I'm working out in the hospital gym, trying to get back in shape. My bruised ribs are still a little sore, but I'm eager to show that I'm fit and ready to fly home. I have been in this hospital for too long. I lift bar bells with my right hand, my left still in a cast. My broken clavicle has healed and so have my surgical wounds. Until my left hand is out of the cast, I can only move around in a wheelchair.

Jared's flew home once, for a week, and then came back. He's supported me through all this and I'm very grateful. We may have differing opinions about many things, but he's been a good little brother.

"Hey Seeley." Jared walks into the gym. He tosses me a towel. "Dry off. Time to get back to your room. Dr Thomas wants to talk to you."

I nod, toweling myself dry, then pulling on a T-shirt. I use my good hand to get up on my one leg and hop the few steps to my wheelchair. Jared wheels me back to my room. Dr Thomas, my physician while I'm here, is waiting for me.

"Hey Pete." We're on a first name basis now.

"Sit down Seeley."

I get out of the wheelchair and get back into bed.

"We're very happy with the progress you're making. Besides your hand and knee your other injuries are just about healed."

"Thanks to you." I grin as I reach for pudding, my favorite source of sustenance here.

"I think you're just about ready to go home Seeley."

"Really?"

"Your home is wheelchair friendly I hope? I mean you have a little while more left for the cast on your hand. Then you can go on crutches."

I remember Bones' apartment. It's been almost a year since I've been there, home. It's full of expensive artifacts but I think I can maneuver my wheelchair round.

"Yeah it is."

"Good. Are you ready to go home?"

"You kidding me Pete? I've been ready to go home since I woke up here."

"You know Seeley, I understand this is your second tour, and I heard from your brother you had a hard time after you went home from your first."

Great. Jared had to tell the doctor about my past gambling addiction.

"That's the past. I went home to nothing then. I'm going home to a wife and son who misses me, and I miss them too."

"I just want to make sure you have the support you're going to need. Some Iraq veterans don't do so well when they get home, especially those like you who've been through significant trauma."

"I'll be fine."

"Good. I'll make the arrangements. You'll still need treatment and therapy for your knee when you get back to DC. I'll make arrangements for you continue your treatment there."

I reach out my hand and shake Pete's outstretched hand. "Thank you."

"No thank you. You served your country and almost paid the price."

I wince mentally thinking of my fallen comrades who aren't going home to their loved ones. I hope I don't have to fight in another war ever again.

"Good luck Seeley."

Dr Thomas exits the room leaving Jared and I alone.

"Finally huh?" I'm nervous and excited at the same time. I know deep down things haven't changed. Has Bones? It's been almost a year.

"Seeley, you sure you wanna do this?"

"What are you talking about Jared? I can't stay here forever."

"I know. I mean, remember I told you I went home to Philly and spent some time with Mom and Dad?"

"Yeah?" I feel my anger rising. I don't want to talk about them, especially not him.

"Mom misses you. Why don't we fly home to Philly first, you can recuperate there."

"Why would I wanna do that? "My home is in DC, with Bones."

"Temperance has to work."

"I'm not an invalid Jared. You heard Dr Thomas, I'm gonna get better. I can take care of myself."

"It's just, things may not be what they seem when you get home."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean Temperance."

"What about her?"

"She and her new partner."

"What Hank?"

"Yeah. I saw them together. You know they looked like something more than partners."

"You mean like Bones and I were."

"I can't put my finger on it but, I mean you were gone a long time, and you left the day after you guys got married. Tempe could've got lonely. And that Hank guy he's kinda like you in some ways – "

"Stop Jared alright? Just stop." The image, the thought of Bones cheating on me is just revolting. She would never.

"I wouldn't blame her if she did."

"You obviously don't know what Bones and I have. Things would never change between us."

"That's easy for you to say, thousands of miles away from her."

"Bones would never do anything like that. I have complete faith in her."

"All I'm saying, you've been gone a long time."

"I know that Jared. But no. Bones, my Bones, would never do that."

Jared shrugs. "Ok. Don't say I didn't warn you. Get some rest; you need your strength for the trip home."

Jared leaves the room, and I'm alone with my thoughts. Much as I hate to admit, Jared does have a point. I've been gone a long time. The fact adds to my nervousness. I know I've changed, but for the better. From now on I'm gonna appreciate the finer things in life, and I know I'm gonna love Bones more than I now do. Has Bones changed? I can't tell from our phone conversations. There's only one way to find out. I'm certain Bones has remained true to me. But the seed of doubt has already been planted.

TBC