A.N : I don't own Bones!

Ok, please read this one bellow, people!

Season finale? Oh. My. God. Holly shit, F***. With this finale, it's impossible for me not to start another fic…I know it's crazy, but…Man!! It's just coming and coming, and the first chapter is almost ready in my mind. So, yeah…there will be a new story soon, and it will start exactly after the last phrase( OMG, again) of the episode was said. Literally. So, if you like my stories, a new one is coming soon, entitled: " I remember it well" . What you think about this title, by the way?

So… here we go!

CHAPTER 12- BURNING

The door bell rang again, and Booth rose slowly, giving Bones a reassuring smile. Saved by Angela, of all people. Let's just pray for Bones don't mention this sleeping arrangement to her.

" You just stay still and try to relax, ok? I'll be right back with everyone." Brennan surveyed him tiredly, at the same time snuggling against his pillows. Jeez, what a view. Ok, focus, Seeley. He got out of the bedroom and walked fast to his door, before the bell bothered his Bones again. Three smiling faces met him outside, and he stayed out of the way, motioning them to come in.

" Hey, stud. Where's Bren?" Angela didn't bother to make small talk. She was honestly worried about her best friend, and Hodgins and cam also looked at Booth questioningly. If Temperance stopped rationalizing everything in her life, he thought, she would realize exactly how loved she was. There were her friends, all tired from a long working day, but still smiling and eager to see her and make sure that she would be ok.

" And good night to you too, Ange." He mocked some hurt, lightening the mood, at the same time striding to his bedroom. " Where else would she be? In bed, just as the doctor ordered. Not that she's very happy about it. She's restricted to bed for the next 24 hours." Cam gave him a look of pity.

" That, I can only imagine. You've got hard work , big man." She stated the obvious, and Angela had the nerve to snicker.

" Yeah, thanks to remind me, Cam. And Ange, snickering? Not helping. I think I'll have to tie her down at bed." Right after he said it, Booth realized how that had sound. Fuck, that came out wrong.

" I don't think dr. B will be keen to this kind of games at her current state, if you know what I mean, G-man. But if you tie her up, remember to do it smoothly, dude." Hodgins certainly had guts, that Booth could give him. Nevertheless, he shot the man a killing look, and stopped in front of his bedroom door, his voice low.

" Ok, you guys. Enough with these comments, specially in front of Bones, Lord knows that she's already speaking a lot of nonsense without you giving her any ideas. Plus, no staying for too much time, she needs her rest, and we all know Bones. She doesn't like to be seen in a weakening situation. Cam, you'll take a look at her, right? And at her meds?" he stared at each of the squints, and all of them nodded seriously. Here we go. Booth opened the door to find Temperance with eyes wide open, although he could say that all she wanted was a good sleep. But oh, his Bones had to show strength everytime.

" Hey Bones. Look at what the cat brought in." His tune was naturally sweet, for he had been using it for quite a while now, since the hospital, but it didn't pass unnoticed for the others, nor the way that Brennan's eyes seeked for his in reassurance.

" You don't have a cat, Booth." She stated slowly as if he was mentally deprived, and he had to laugh.

" It's an expression, sweetey. It means a surprise, meaning us." Angela approached her friend, seating carefully by her side. Cam took all the medications that Booth already had displayed in his bedtable, examining each of them carefully, and Hodgins stood by Angela, a hand resting at her shoulders.

" How are you feeling, dr. B?" Bones raised her eyes to her friends, and Booth felt his heart skip a beat. She looked…defeated.

" I have a non typical pneumonia, my head is killing me, it hurts to breathe, I can barely stand on my own and I'm doomed to a week of staying at home exclusively, not to mention a stupid 24 hours bed rest. I've never felt so bad in my entire life, both physically and mentally." She spoke flatly, at the same time that her eyes once again on that day welled with tears. I cannot control anything any longer. I've just complained like a baby at a simple, polite question. " I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. It's just…"

" It's your verbal dyarreia, sweetey. Plus, you have the right to complain as much as you want. It's sickness prerogative. Don't worry about it,ok?" Angela squeezed her best friend hand, feeling the heat emanating from it. " Do you need anything, want anything?"

Temperance looked at Booth for a while, as if trying to tell him that what she wanted was already there. Then, she gave him a shy smile, never stopping to held his gaze.

" I would like very much to take a shower." Booth listened to those words in disbelief, and started to wonder how high was her fever.

" Bones…what part of strict bed rest didn't you understand? We have a doctor here, in case you need some enlightenment." He could almost see cam rolling her eyes and smiling in amusement, but he didn't care. He had a battle to fight.

" I think you need more explanations than I do, Booth. Clearly, I'm allowed to go to the bathroom now and then, I'm sure cam will agree with me. So, I would like to g to the bathroom and take a shower. I feel horrible on these clothes, and I surely don't want to wear my clean ones without some refreshment. I had a high fever, which made me sweat, and this is utter uncomfortable. Plus, I smell like hospital." Booth almost moaned outloud by the look of pure resolution at her eyes.

" Bones…I can't let you go take a shower by yourself. You've just admitted that you can barely stand on your own." And I surely can't stay in the bathroom with you. Too much temptation. Plus, I'm a gentleman.

" Hey, what are we, transparent and useless?" Angela's voice brought Booth back to earth, and he stared dumbly at her. " Me and Cam can help Bren out. I'm sure we can handle, stud. We're here to help, remember?" Before he could answer, Cam's voice joined.

" It can actually be a good thing, Booth. A shower is a natural way to get fever down, and I'm sure Dr. Brennan will feel much better. You boys could see something for her to eat while the girls are occupied." Cam locked Booth's eyes in hers, giving him her best doctor reassuring smile. " It's fine, Seeley. She's in good hands." Booth surveyed his Bones for a long time, feeling his chest heavy at the mere though of leaving her. It didn't matter that she was in good, friendly hands. And right there, he realized once again, but this time with full certain, that he was truly lost. Temperance Brennan had him for good. He sighed and raised his hands in surrender.

" Fine. But take just the exact necessary time, and then, get her in bed. I mean it. And you better behave, Temperance, or I swear I'll drive you back to the hospital." Hodgins was already leaving the room and Booth followed angrily, closing the door behind him, not before he heard Angela's last words.

" Don't worry, sweetey. He's just upset because he doesn't get to see you naked. Yet, anyway."

(--------------------------)

Booth paced back and forth at his living room, his eyes set at the corridor, waiting for the bedroom to open. Honestly, how long can a shower last? I mean, I've managed to fetch dinner and all, and they're still locked over there? What's up with woman and bathroom together anyway?

" Booth. You're making a hole in the floor. Just sit down and relax a little ,will you? Brennan is fine, it's not like she's being held hostage by al kaeda. Really, dude. You're making me dizzy." Hodgins shook his head at the FBI agent. He is soo whipped.

" What's taking them so long?" he sat at the tip of his couch, and Jack gave him a condescendent smile.

" They are chicks. I rest my case just by that." Booth rolled his eyes and took a deep breathe, and Hodgins surveyed the man with interest. They had become good friends as the years passed, and Booth had given he good advices now and then. Maybe it was his turn to return the favor. " You know, G-man… maybe you should just accept this mess as an opportunity to… venture your feelings. It's a good timing, I guess." He spoke gingerly, watching Seeley Booth immediately tense up and shot him a murderous look.

" I don't know what you're talking about, Hodgins. But whatever it is, you can stop now." Yeah, like hell I don't know what he's talking about. Man, Am I that obvious? Apparently, he was, for Hodgins actually snorted.

" Oh, please. What you think people are, blind, deaf and retarded? You two have been dancing around each other like, forever. It's not just about your feelings, Booth, it's about hers too. I live with Angela, remember? And she tells me everything. So, I feel very secure to say that dr. B is as indifferent to you as you are to her. Which is, nothing at all. She's just hard to crack." Booth stood mouth agape at jack Hodgins words, feeling suddenly dizzy. And just then, the bedroom door was opened and Ange's head appeared.

" Okay, she's decent!" Booth shook his head trying to organize his thoughts, knowing that Hodgins words would stay in his head for only Lord knew how long. He avoided eye contact with his friend, instead entering the room to find a vision from heaven. There was his Bones, fresh and smelling so damn good, wearing a silky PJ, the exact tune of blue of her eyes. She smiled at him tiredly, and he realized how much effort it must have been for her to just get out of the bed, let alone take a shower, no matter how much help she had. But despite all that, he had to admit that she looked much better, just as Cam had predicted. Even her spirits seemed to have lightened up a little.

" Whoa, Bones. You look great." He blurted out before he could police himself, feeling his ears burn immediately, for Angela and Cam exchanged knowing smiles.

" I told you that a bath would be good." Her voice was hoarse and yet smug, and he could see the drowsiness taking her body and mind. Apparently, so did the others, and Cam started to speak at once.

" I think we better be going now, it's been a long day. Booth, you better feed her now, before she falls asleep. I've left at your nightstand the times to her antibiotics and the other meds. Since the antibiotics is every six hours, I figured that you could start at midnight. Then noon, six o'clock and midnight all over again. The rest in on the paper, and you know you can call me anytime. Both of you." She smiled at Brennan as a goodbye, and his Bones muttered a sleepy " Thank you". Angela also raised, kissing her friend on the forehead.

" The same applies to me and Jack, sweetey. And as soon as you're in better shape, I'll be here with a bunch of fun things in order to keep you from getting bored ok? We can have a bunch of movie nights, so your pop education can improve a little. We can ogle together at Brad Pitt's butt, George Clooney awful charm, Johnny Depp hotness and so on. Be nice with hot stuff here, ok? Remember, he's on your side, not otherwise."

They left the room waving their goodbyes, and Booth flashed her a smile that clearly told her he would be back soon.

He escorted all of them to his door, longing to be back with Temperance.

" So, Booth…what are you gonna do about work? I've been meaning to ask, but keep forgetting." Angela asked kindly, and Booth felt glad. He'd almost forgotten to ask her.

" yeah, thank you to bring this up, I was almost forgetting. You think you can come here tomorrow morning and stay with Bones for a few hours, Ange? It's just the time for me to get into the headquarters and talk to Cullen, I'm asking for a week off, to be discounting at my vacation time. I'll be back really quick, you wont have stay that long, and…"

" Say no more, Studly. I'll be here 7:30, sharp. And you can take your time, no worries. I have a very understanding boss." Angela smiled playfully to cam, who bowed in mock thanks.

" You sure do. I'll pass by after work tomorrow too, ok, Seeley? It will be good for her do have a daily medical following." She waved her goodye then, disappearing by the hall, followed by Ange and Hodgins, who turned back .

" Think about what I've said, will you, G-man?"

(-----------------------------)

Booth rested the last clean dish at his counter, happy that the day was mostly over. He've managed to make her eat a little, and even made her laugh with silly stories, and soon enough it was midnight. He quickly gave her all the right medicines, and retreated to his kitchen to dish wash before crashing himself, Temperance already asleep by the time he've left the room, tucked between his sheets and blanket.

He dried his hands and came back to the bedroom, making sure he didn't make any noise to wake Brennan, entering in the bathroom and taking himself a quick shower. It was a chilly night, so he put besides his usual sleeping pants a light t- shirt. He crept into the darkroom, watching his Bones laying perfectly still, looking peaceful for the first time on that day. He almost let her words-I wish you could sleep with me- win the inner battle he was fighting, and just cuddle against her . But Seeley Booth was one of the few men in the world that felt that being a gentleman was a very important thing. He knew that Bones behavior was altered because of the illness. So, wouldn't be taking advantage of her by taking those words seriously? She sounded sincere, and part of him honestly believed that she wanted him near. But now it was too late to be sure, he thought, as he watched her slumber.She looks beautiful. Sighing, he crept at the cushion, paying close attention to her breathing and any distraught sound that might come from his Bones, making sure she was ok, to finally give in to his own body tiredness. Sleep came fast, like a bliss.

At first, he thought he was dreaming. A bad dream, but still, a dream. Bones was crying somewhere, as if she was in pain and afraid. She would whine and call his name, and then, a small silence would take over for a while. And then, it would start all over again. He rolled over, only partially awake, planning on moving his sleeping position, so the dream would fade. But then, her voice grew stronger, almost screaming, and his brain cried in alert. It wasn't a dream at all. Bones was indeed crying and speaking confused words.

Booth raised to his feet in nanoseconds, just to find his Bones tossing and turning in his bed, sweat all over her face, as she kept talking,a pained expression all over her face.

"Booth…run. No,no. Please, !" Even in her sleep the tears rolled down her face, and Booth was fast to scoot into the bed, one hand gently placing in her forearm, shaking her of whatever nightmare she was trapped. Her skin was like fire, and Booth suddenly felt any rest of sleep go away.

" Bones… Temperance…wake up." She cried harder, moving as if struggling against something. " C'mon, honey. You're dreaming." He shaked her a little harder, but no response came. He bended over her, feeling her forehead, and stifled himself a cry. She was literally burning.

" NO! Booth, don't…" he knew now that the fever was taking over her, and she needed to wake up. Booth placed his hands on her shoulders and squeezed them, his voice louder now.

" Temperance…wake up. I really need you to wake up,baby. BONES ." Her eyes opened all of sudden, and she stared at him with a fear that Seeley Booth never imagined she could have. She started to cry and pulled him, clinging onto him, as if she didn't do so, he would escape, her lips still managing to form words, but he couldn't quite understand what she was saying, except that his name was repeated over and over again. Honestly, he didn't care about what she was saying, because the way her body was close to him now, he could feel the heat in her skin. The fever was probably at the roof.

" It's ok, honey. Really, it was just a dream. See? I'm here. C'mon, Tempe, let me move just a little, I just need to turn the lamp and take the thermometer.I'm not going anywhere. See?" he managed to keep an arm around her, the other stretching to take what he needed. " Here. Just keep this on your mouth for a while. I'm not going anywhere." Booth managed to put the thermometer in Brennan's mouth, holding his gaze on her. Her breathing was starting to get back to a normal pace, but still looked somewhat strange. And now that she had stopped tossing and squirming, he could see she was shivering. A small beep was all that he needed, and he took that damn thing out of her mouth, squinting his eyes to read the numbers. When he managed to see it, he doubled checked. Oh, fuck. That can't be right. Fuck ,fuck. But the way her eyes seemed dull, the way she was shaking so hard, the body covered in sweat and the damn heat told everything. 104,7. Way too high for a normal person to take for long. He knew that such a high fever had to be diminished right away,for there was even risk of seizures. He also knew that a medicine would take too much time to a satisfactory effect.

" Bones. Look at me. Are you hearing me?" He waited for her confirmation to continue. " Good. Listen, I'm getting out of the bed for just a second, and then I'm coming back for you, ok? I'm just going to the bathroom."

" No. Stay here. I'm so cold." Even her voice was trembling, and he was already hating himself for what he was about to do.

" I know, honey. It's very cold for you, I know. But it's just a second, and then I'm fetching you. I'm sorry." He quickly let go of her fingers, and ran to the bathroom, guilty already all over his chest. He started the shower, adjusting the water to keep it cold. Bones is going to kill me someday for this. Lord help me. He then came back at the same fast pace, realizing that Temperance was already curled against a blanket. Her teeth were gritting.

" Temperance… I need you to come with me,ok? I'm carrying you out of the bed now." She gave him a frightened and confused look, and his heart ached a little.

" What? No, Booth.I'm so cold. And I'm so tired. I just want to stay here. It hurts to move." She looks so fragile. And she has no idea what's gonna happen. Jeez, I wish I could be sick in her place.

" I'm really sorry, sweetheart. You don't get to choose on this one." He knew how weak she must have be feeling by her lack of fighting back when he grabbed her sheets out of her and scooped her in his arms. The only way she protested was verbally, and it was killing him, so he kept telling how sorry he was while they entered the bathroom. He stopped for just a moment in front of the running water before getting inside with her, the cold water making himself shiver, and this time she struggled against him.

" Let me go, Booth, stop. It's freezing,I'm freezing. Why are you doing this?" Her voice was so shaky that he could barely understand, but her eyes said it all. Booth kept chanting in his brain 104.7, you have no choice.104.7. 104.7, while his voice kept it's own mantra, his arms firm against her, the cold water running strong and soaking them.

" I'm sorry, I'm sorry…"

TBC…

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