A.N: I don't own Bones. Ah, if only…

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CHAPTER 13- BODY HEAT

"Booth, please. Please stop. Let me go, it's so cold. I'm so cold." Her voice was so shaky that kept faltering as she made her feeble attempts to get out of his arms, and Booth just held his embrace, letting her feet touch the floor but taking all her weight on him. His Bones cried like a small child, a vision that never Booth thought he was going to see, much less be responsible for it. Yes, he had seen her cry before, hell, he was probably one of the few people in her life that were allowed to see her free some tears from time to time. And he was always there to comfort her. But this time, it was otherwise. He was making her cry.

" Just a few more minutes, honey. We're almost finished, I promise. I'm sorry." He wondered if he was ever going to be able to sleep after this night. He was sure that the frightened baby blue eyes that stared pleading to him were going to haunt him for a quite a while when things were over. Yet, he had to remain there, letting the amazingly cold water soak her body entirely, taking at least a few of the fever away. Brennan finally stopped struggling and just stood there, her arms now encircling his neck and her head on his shoulder, half standing and half carried, and Booth could feel all her body trembling against his own.

He never knew the exact time they've spent like this, but finally, when Booth realized that his own body was starting to become numb from the cold water, he decided it was time to stop. He looked at Temperance, realizing that her lips and the tips of her fingers actually seemed kind of blue, and in a jolt he turned of the shower and slowly moved them both out of it. He grabbed the first towel he saw, glad to see that it was a big and fluffy one, and took a deep breath. Remain calm, Seeley. Everything you're doing is for her own good.

He leaned Brennan against the wall, so her body would be supported both by it and by his arms, and started talking to her softly.

" Bones…I'll have to take this wet clothes of you, ok? So I can wrap you on this dry towel." He knew that his Bones, if in a normal state, would actually laugh at his somewhat asking for permission to take off her clothes and probably would also make a smart remark about him being such a prude about human nudity. But hell, I never thought that, if I were to see Bones naked someday, it would be under those circumstances. She seemed to regain some consciousness around her, for she nodded shakily and tried herself to get rid of her PJs, failing miserably with her trembling hands.

" Just do it already, please." She seemed to be reading his mind and seeing his hesitation, sending him a look that he took as understanding. So, he started, deciding that it was best to finish before any thinking could be made, occupying his mind with the task only, his fingers fast and agile as unbuttoning her shirt, and in a wink of eyes there she was, her torso completely nude.

Seeley Booth had dreamed with this vision for so long that he couldn't even remember when he first started having these thoughts about his so called "just partner". But now that the time came, he couldn't care less, because she was suffering and in pain. And his job was to take care of her. He was fast to wrap the towel around her, realizing her fingers grab the towel with ferocity, trying to make herself a little warmer. He proceeded onto his task, pulling quickly her pants off, glad to see she was cooperative, moving her legs even if tiredly and slowly, lifting each of them at his request. He had never seen his Bones so docile or dependeable, and it broke his heart. His hands raised again to her hip, this time more carefully and afraid than ever, reaching the smooth fabric of her underwear. When did our lives became so messy? Booth had to use now all of his self restraining not to think that yes, he had completely undressed Temperance Brennan, and her silky skin was completely available to his touch, just a towel away of distance. But Bones's shuddering was so strong that it wasn't so hard to keep his mind focused. He made sure that she was well wrapped and carried her again to his room, realizing for the first time that he too was shivering, soaking and as he walked, wetting his floor. He laid her on his bed again, running to the bathroom to grab more towels, also using the opportunity to quickly get rid of his own damn wet pants and shirt, dry his own body and replacing his former atire for a clean boxer, the first thing that he saw to wear.

" ok, Temperance, let's dry you." She again only nodded meekly, looking like a lost little girl as Booth started to rub one towel over her body and other over her hair, his movements firm and yet gentle. He kept on this pace for a while, happy to notice that her lips no longer looked so blue as his work proceeded. After a few minutes, she started to show signs of tiredness again, trying to move from the seating position to a lying one. He prevented her of doing so, his hands grabbing her shoulders.

" Not yet, sweetheart. Let's put some dry clothes first, ok?" He realized she was crying again. " What, honey?" Those hypnotic eyes gazed at his, still somewhat dull with fever, but her voice made it's presence anyway, rougher than the usual, almost a whisper.

"I hate this. I hate being such a trouble to you." She managed to suppress a sob, her mind a blur. " But I feel horrible. I'm so tired. All I want is sleep. And I'm freezing." I wander if I'm hallucinating already or if I'm really naked in Booth's bed. If it's true, then it's a completely I'm here and naked, we should be having a lot of fun, instaed of this stupid situation.

His fingers caressed her face and he gave her a warm smile before leaving the bed to fumble at his closet.

"You'll feel better soon. I promise." He came back with one of his own shorts and a big shirt. He couldn't remember where Angela had left her bag, and he wouldn't waste time looking for it. " Sorry, Bones." He was actually apologizing for his own sake as he removed slowly the towels around her, letting his mind change to automat mode as she stood completely bare skin in front of him. It was the only way to prevent him from going to very dangerous places of his imagination. Booth quickly dressed his shirt into her head, adjusting it in a proper manner, as a small voice in his head stirred, telling him how wonderful and tiny she looked on his clothes, her long legs bare, and he was fast to put the shorts on her. But damn, Lord forgive me, she still looks so sexy. And I must be the most horrible and disgusting man on the planet right now to even think about her this way right now.I feel like dessecrating gomrthing holy.

" There you go." He tossed all the towels on the floor except for one, leaving it around her shoulders, so her wet hair wouldn't disturb the warmt of her clothes. Booth watched as she lied down again, curling into a ball, and pulled the blanket. He grabbed her arm sweetly, taking the blanket of her fingers. " Sorry, Temperance. No covering right now. It would only make the fever increase again, you know it better than I. We have to let the effects of the shower work for a while." Again, the feeling that he was a horrible person, denying some comfort to a sick woman.

" It's too cold. Just a sheet?" Temperance felt frustrated with her own actions, for she knew it was childish to insist on that matter. Booth was right, she knew better. She was a scientist, for heavens sake! But it seemed like, even if her brain told her so, her body would disagree with logic and try to act at it's own accord, trying to protect itself from the freezing sensation. Booth seemed to be thinking hardly, and suddenly appeared to come up with a decision, his arms pulling her closer, while he lied down himself.

" Come here." His mind was screaming to him that it was a dangerous thing to do, to have her so close , so damn beautiful , but he shoved it off, carefully adjusting her against his own body, in a kind of bear hug, leaving her almost on top of him, her torso leaning against his chest, her head resting on the curve of his neck, while he wrapped his arms around her, rubbing his hands down her forearms and back. He entwined their legs in a complicated knot, in order to be sure that their bodies were touching the most they could. She gasped in surprise, but in seconds shove the feeling of, because it was so amazingly good to be like that, and she could actually feel her shivering subduing as his warm skin touched hers. Brennan closed her eyes and breathed heavily, snuggling closer against Booth, her hands resting on his chest.

" Body heat. The best way to warm another. Who would know that Seeley Booth could use this artifice? Not that I'm complaining. I like it very much." She cursed herself and her words, again her tongue loose.Maybe my brain melted with the fever.

" Bones…everybody knows what body heat can do. I'm not stupid, you know?" Booth rolled his eyes, but felt a wave of relief wash him as his Bones started with her feverish nonsense again. Just a while ago, she wasn't even able to talk those silly things. He rejoiced at her small recovery, and at the same time feared it, for now it was bound to happen the most crazy comments of her mouth.

" I never said you were stupid, Booth. I know you're not." She raised her eyes to his face, meeting his brown gaze, and couldn't help a new wave of trembling around her body. Only this time she was sure that it wasn't just because of the cold she was feeling. It was also the way he was looking at her, as if she was something so precious that he wouldn't let go. Her feminist side kicked and screamed at this feeling, for she usually hated to be taken as a fragile person, a little woman who needed to be protected. But there was another side of her, one that she rarely let appear, that told that yes, she deserved to be spoiled sometimes, to be taken care. Because she was human, and now and then, all humans needed a little care. This side was getting really strong, and she was honestly too tired to fight against it right now.

Booth tightened his embrace immediately after he felt her shivering, at the same time looking at the watch near his bed, remembering Cam's instructions regarding fever medication. It was supposed to be given at every six hours, but it could be given after four hours if it was really necessary. Which clearly was at this moment. 3 AM. Still one hour to go.

" You have an amazing abdomen, did you know that, Booth? Perfectly defined and tuned. Angela would say that she could happily wash her clothes in it, that's what she says about male perfect abdomen, that they look like a tank of cloth washing. I didn't quite understand what she meant, but now I see her point. I never liked to wash my clothes, but I wouldn't mind to do so if I was near you and those muscles." Booth felt as if his eyes were about to jump out of their orbits as he heard her words, feeling his ears burning, a sign that he was blushing. Thank God, the room was dark. But nothing was compared to the feeling that took him as one of her small hands moved slowly until his belly, touching it lightly, small and delicate fingers tracing his so called well defined abdomen. He actually felt a pang on his lower parts, and knew that she had to stop, or else he would be soon in a very embarrassing situation.

"Temperance." His voice was a rough whisper, as he became more and more concious of how exactly close they were. They were completely entwined at each others bodies, as if they were actually just one being. His mind went suddenly to the conversation they once had about breaking the laws of physics, when she was so skeptic about it, and he explained that it was all about trying to break those laws and try to become one for a single , wonderful moment.Jeez, I have to stop thinking about it. Or else, I'll really need another cold shower. Booth reached for her hand on his abdomen, grasping it and bringing it up, letting their fingers remaining laced to rest at his chest. It was safer if he kept holding her hand. Yeah, that's the only reason, Seeley. There's nothing to do with the way her hand looks to fit perfectly against yours.

Brennan herself was glad for once that Booth was taking the leadership, because honestly, she didn't know what she could do next on this state of pure lack of good discernment. Dear Lord, Now even my hands are out of control. And I thought that nothing could get any worse than my big, enormous and uncontrollable tongue. It got to have a scientific explanation to this behaviour around Booth. I've never acted to strangely while sick before. But then again, I had never had Booth with me in such a situation before. Temperance Brennan was no fool. She could deny outloud, but there was no use in trying to deny to herself that, from the very first time she laid eyes on Booth, there was a great amount of physical attraction. And it was only normal, for he was a wonderful specimen of the male gender. Feeling attracted to seeley Booth only proved that she was indeed a healthy and normal woman. But she was careful to let that attraction under her control, because there was a line. She was thankful that Booth had invented that line. It was for their protection. But oh, sometimes all she wished was to jump that stupid line, to erase it, to send it to space. The only thing that stopped her was her fear of loosing him. And so, the line remained intact, and most of times she was glad that way. Damn pherohormones. It's all their fault.

" Booth? Are you going to hate me after all this? Because I know that there is no excuse for the way I'm behaving. I've never have been that way before. Even my speech is more illogical than ever. I really don't understand, but I'm guessing that the sexual tension is a great part of this, and…" This time, Booth actually closed her mouth with his hand, and for once, she was glad someone had shut her up.Did I just admit that there's sexual tension between us?

Did she just say that there's sexual tension between us? Oh boy. And now, I've shut her up. I think Bones will kill me the moment she's able to be on her feet. He removed his hand quickly, and was surprised to see relief in her eyes despite of rage. He took a long, calming breath, letting his fingers play with her hair for a while.

" It's really late, Bones. You should be resting. Why don't you just relax and close your eyes, huh? You'll feel much better after sleeping." His ministrations over her hair seemed to be having quite an effect, for she looked at him now with sleepy eyes.

" Are you going to sleep too? And stay here with me?" If there was any doubts in his mind if he was to stay with her, they were all dissipated by the look in her eyes.

" I'll stay here. I'm just staying awake for a while, until it's time for you to have some fever meds. Then, I'll sleep. But I'm right here. So, go to sleep, ok ?" He glanced again at the watch, glad to see that time was passing quickly. Her answer was a simple nod, and Bones adjusted herself better , cuddling slowly against him. They laid still for several minutes, until her voice raised once again, already groggy with sleep.

" I like the way you hold me." And then, she was asleep. Booth stared at her for a long time, and for the first time on that day realized that maybe something good was coming up of that situation. Because for the first time he was seriously and completely thinking about Hodgins's words for him. Maybe it was time to stop running.

" I like to hold you, Temperance." He whispered in her ear, and could see a faint smile forming at her lips, as if she was having a really good dream.

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Booth woke up in a jolt, hearing the shrieking sound of his doorbell. For a moment he had no a idea of what was happening or even where he was, because there was something very unusual at his waking up. Someone was snuggled against him, long legs between his own, slender arms resting at his chest. He blinked several times in confusion, until the person clinging to him stirred a little, and he felt a sudden urge to protect her. And then he remembered. It was Bones, sleeping soundly at his embrace, and all the events from the day before came rushing to his mind, as long as the events of the middle of the night.

He let out a small moan realizing the time , wishing he could sleep a little longer. 7:30 am. It was probably Angela knocking on his door, just as he had asked her to do so. Booth groaned again, feeling awfully tired. Last night was fierce, full with worry, and he barely managed to get some sleep after waking up by his Bones feverish screams. He was up until 4 am to give her some meds and measure her temperature, and just then, seeing that it had diminished considerably, he allowed himself to fall asleep. But it was more an agitated slumber than everything, for he knew that in two more hours, he would have to be awake to give Temperance's antibiotics. He knew that the right time of meds were crucial, so he avoided to fall into deep sleep, afraid of not being able to wake up in proper time. So, in fact, he only managed to relax after 6 am, this time giving in to his complaining body, and the last time he remembered was to be lying down again by Bones side, allowing her head to find it's way to his chest, his hands also moving on their own accord to enlace her waist. And then, bliss, peaceful sleep. Until now.

Booth disentangled himself of Bones carefully to not wake her up, cursing under his breath as the doorbell rang again. That damn noise would wake her of a so much needed rest. So, he quickly got out of the bedroom and ran to the door, looking at the peephole to see the smiling face of Angela. He unlocked the door and opened it broadly, in order to let Ange come in. The woman took his cue and entered, stopping immediately at the view in front of her.

" wow. Good morning, muscles. Hello, paradise." Angela let her eyes linger aprainsingly at Booth's body, thanking to all Gods that might exist for that morning great vision.

That's when Booth remembered that yes, he was standing in front of Angela Montenegro in nothing more than plain, simple boxers.

Oh boy.

TBC…

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