Thank you to all who reviewed. I really like reading what you guys have to say about my story. To all those who want to do bad things to Jared Booth, go easy on the guy. He's basically a good guy, I think just a little over-protected by his big brother, and he is looking out for his brother. When it comes down to the crunch, Jared's really a good guy.

And thank you again Melissa my beta. I like your little additions to this chapter.

Brennan

I look up from examining the remains on the platform. Like the other day when the man from the Army came with bad news about Booth. Only this time, it really is Booth. It really is my husband. The man I've waited so many months for. He's standing there in his Army fatigues, the ones that make him look so handsome. He's grinning at me, his famous charm smile. It looks as if he's never left. I smile.

I snap off my latex gloves and run towards Booth. I make it down the steps without falling over, ready to fling myself into his arms. When I reach the spot where he was standing, Booth's not there. I quickly overcome my surprise and look up. Booth's standing at the doorway to the lab now. Still smiling.

Is he playing some silly game with me?

"Later Bones."

He turns and leaves, I try to follow but my legs won't obey, they won't move.

"Booth!"

He doesn't hear me, he soon disappears from view.

My eyes snap open. I'm drenched in sweat. Another dream about Booth. Ever since they found Booth, ever since we started to talk on the phone, I've been having these dreams. He's always some distance from me, some invisible force is keeping me from reaching him. I always wake up drenched in sweat, upset, and sometimes on nights like tonight I wake up with tears in my eyes. I can't fight the feeling of abandonment. I've felt like this since I was a teenager, and with Booth I thought I wouldn't have to feel like that again. I hate this feeling. When did I become so dependant on him? One of my greatest fears in life although I've hid it so well from the people around me, is being left alone again. Waking up and finding everyone I care about gone. I know my dreams are a reflection of my subconscious. Those dreams seem almost a reality. I wake up every morning now, with Booth gone.

I know he's alive and recuperating in Iraq. I know he'll come home when the doctors certify him fit to fly but the fact doesn't stop me from missing him. I make my way to the bathroom, to clean up and change into another of his T-shirts, before moving to sleep on his side of the bed. He's been gone so long, our bed no longer has his scent on it. I close my eyes and try to get back to sleep.

I'm not sure how much time has passed but I suddenly become acutely aware that someone is watching me. The hairs on the back of my neck are standing on end and the adrenaline pumps through my body. I know Booth keeps a spare gun in the drawer of the bedside table, but I'm not sure if I should reach for it.

I hear movement towards me. Whoever it is isn't doing a very good job of being quiet. The person makes sounds that even my carpeted floor doesn't muffle. It sounds like the person is jumping or hopping rather than walking. I force my eyes open, and the intruder freezes in his tracks.

It takes a couple of seconds for my eyes to make out the form. It's a man with a rather large frame. The room is dark so I cannot see his face. I should be feeling panic, but a strange familiarity washes over me. Can it be? Is this another trick my subconscious is playing on me?

I push myself up on one arm, reaching for the bedside lamp, I flick it on. My eyes instinctively close due to the sudden brightness but I force them open, squinting against the light. Booth is standing there, balancing himself on one leg, a crutch under his right arm. His left hand is still in a cast. He looks better than when we talked over video conference two months ago. His hair has grown back to the way it was before and he is now clean shaven. He's breathing heavily, as if simply standing there is taking great effort.

"Booth?"

"Hey Bones." His voice is soft, welcoming.

Neither of us moves. This is another dream. It has to be. I wasn't aware he was coming home. He would have called like he promised so that I can pick him from the airport, I start to cry.

"No, go away." I command the figment of my imagination. I don't want to be hurt again. Once tonight is enough.

"It's ok Bones." Booth grits his teeth, then hobbles towards the bed.

I sit up, still crying. "You're not real."

"Of course I'm real. I'm home Temperance."

I rise to my feet. Booth stops, a few feet from me, waiting for me to close the distance between us. I walk slowly to him. I half expect my legs to stop working like in my dreams, but I am now mere inches from him.

With his good hand he gingerly takes mine and places it on his face.

"See, I'm real." He closes his eyes and leans his face into my palm. "I'm home Bones."

The reality washes over me in a flood of relief. I fling my arms round his neck, burying my face into his chest.

I hear him grunt then feel his arm snake round my waist, pressing me tightly to him. I feel him release a breath into my hair. We stand there, I'm not sure for how long. We do not speak, for months we've waited for this moment and it's finally come.

I feel Booth kiss the top of my head. "Bones." His voice cracks as if he's choking back tears. I lift my head to look at him and his eyes, like mine, are wet with unshed tears. He leans down at me and we kiss, slowly at first, tasting, remembering, exploring. It's been so long. I feel the beginnings of his arousal pressed into me and I smile pulling away from him.

"This is definitely not a dream."

"No Bones, it's not."

I notice him wince then remember his injuries. I can only assume he's not back to his old self yet.

"You'd better sit down."

I help him slowly to our bed. I take his crutch, leaning it against the wall, I help lift his left leg onto the bed. I puff the pillows behind him and he lays back down with a contented sigh. I climb into bed with him.

"This sure beats the hospital," he chuckles.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming back?"

"I wanted to surprise you."

"You did."

"What did the doctors say?"

"They made arrangements for me to continue treatment here at DC General. I gotta start back on my physical therapy the day after tomorrow. My leg's pretty busted."

"I know, I read your medical reports. Jared faxed them over."

"You think I'm ever gonna be back in the field?"

"Of course." I'm surprised for his doubt. "It'll take some work, but you will be back to the way you were."

"I'm not even supposed to be on crutches yet."

"Booth!"

"Relax Bones, I made it through the apartment on my wheelchair, then realized I couldn't get past some of those ancient vases near our bedroom. I didn't want to break them cos you always say how valuable they are, so I parked the chair outside the room."

"Don't you ever do that again, until the doctor says you're allowed to."

"Bossing me around already?"

"I don't boss you around Booth."

He laughs. How I have missed his laugh. "I missed you so much Temperance."

"I missed you too Seeley."

He shifts in bed and lets out a hiss of pain.

"Is it time for your painkillers?"

"I don't take them."

"Why not? Healing depends largely on adequate pain relief."

"Remember the last time I got home from war?"

"You became addicted to gambling."

"Right." He sighs. "Like you said Bones, I have this gene inside me that makes me prone to addiction. I'd rather not go there, not with pain meds."

"You don't have to worry about that Booth, you have me now."

"And that's all I need."

"Seeley- "

"Don't Seeley me." He sounds upset. "I just, I'm tired ok Bones. Just let me hold you and go to sleep."

"Ok. But if the pain get too bad- "

"It won't Bones alright. Goodnight."

I bury my face into his chest, I take in his scent. This feels so good, so right. I'm soon asleep. I know my dreams won't bother me anymore.

TBC