CHAPTER 20- AGAINST THE CORNER

" I don´t know what that means." Booth spoke lamely, feeling completely and absurdly uncomfortable with that situation. There were three of his closest friends and working buddies looking directly at him with knowing smiles plastered at their faces and looking positively amused with his awkwardness. Angela actually snorted at his feeble attempt , her smile so big that Booth had the impression that her lips were toughing her ears.

" Nice try, stud. But incorporating Bren is not going to do the trick." She felt tempted to show Booth the pictures she had stored carefully on her cell phone and just say " I know everything", but thought twice. She had the distinct feeling that it would freak him out beyond belief. Plus, it would make him angry, and Seeley Booth could be very scary like this. So, she just raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms, giving him a meaningful look, like she was reading him.

" Booth, we are just sincerely worried about you, that´s all. I mean, have you relaxed even a bit since dr. Brennan got sick? I´ve seen you worried before about other things, but never like this. If you continue on that road, you can very well be next in need of care." Cam tried to reason, because she honestly believed that Booth had to lighten up a little. She knew seeley Booth for a long time, and was aware of his overprotectiveness. And by the day she had started working at the Jeffersonian, she had seen how important Temperance Brennan was in his life. This realization only got stronger with time, until she was finally ready to admit to herself and the others that they were a match made in heaven, even if they didn´t realized themselves. Or pretended not to. She honestly couldn´t say for sure. " Look, big man…we´ve been friends for long enough to know exactly what´s going on. And I think that you would be much better if you just admitted that there´s something more about Brennan than you let people know. We´re not blind. If it was already obvious before, now it´s transparent. And you know what? It´s great. And it´s about time, if you ask me." Camille Saroyan was being completely honest. There was a man she once loved, that she still loved, but just in a different way now. It was a good friendship. And friends are supposed to help each other, right?

" I´m completely with Cam on that one, G-man. You clearly got it bad for dr.B. The question is, why keep postponing the inevitable? It´s meant to happen. You just have to give it a chance." Booth looked appalled at those two people, feeling completely out of balance. Never in his life he thought he would listen those words from them. He never thought they would have this nerve.This is just embarrassing. Why do I feel like I´m back in Highschool all over again? He opened and closed his mouth several times, in a complete loss of words. What the hell was he supposed to say? Angela seemed to take pity at him, seating by his side and touching his arm gently.

" Sweetie, if that makes you feel better, I really think that Bren is in the same page. She might have some difficult admitting it, just like you, but really. She cares as much as you. And it just seems the perfect timing, you know. The two of you are here alone, with a lot of time to think and talk. Don´t let it pass."

Temperance Brennan felt as if anything could knock her on the floor. It was nothing like she had imagined. There she was, frozen on Booth´s corridor, hearing her co workers and friends basically telling Booth to make a move at her. And worse, Ange was telling Booth that she was eager for that. If she was really sincere with herself, she would s ee that it was all true. So much had already happened on the past days, things that she knew that had changed hers and Booth´s relationship forever. Heck, they had even agreed that they needed to have a serious conversation about it once she was feeling better! But the thing was, it was a private thing. She hated hearing such an important part of her personal life being dissected by other people, no matter how much she liked then. It wa s just…wrong. For a secong, all she could think was to barge in the living room and give them a piece of her mind, but quickly thought better, for she had the distinct feeling that it would only make things worst, for they would just try to interrogate her too. And with her lack of control over her own tongue, it was a highly dangerous move. So, she stood still, praying for that conversation to end, but also curious to know how it would finish. She would never admit it out loud, but she would like very much to hear what Booth had to say about it. She felt ashamed and guilty by that desire, but since when feelings were rational? She had learnt long ago with Booth that reason and feelings were completely apart. And right now, she had this anticipation, mixed with joy and fear of Booth´s words, and yet she could not move. She had to hear. His voice was hesitant , she could tell, and she could just imagine him fidgeting on his couch. She suddenly felt sorry for Booth, to be facing such a situation. She wasn´t sure she could bare if it was her. She would probably scream and run for her life.

" look, you guys…I really appreciate your concern, honestly. But like hell I´m gonna discuss this with you. I´m sorry, but this is just way out of line. Whatever may be or not be happening between me and Bones regards only to us and no one else. What I feel, what she feels…we´ll figure out by our own. In due time. I don´t mean to be rude at all, but this subject is closed for conversation. And I´m pretty sure that I speak for Bones on this one too. She would kick you guys ass if you came with this all over her." Booth tried to speak with the most of dignity that he had left, and he had the feeling he had little. He was so busted. People weren´t even trying to be discrete anymore, for crying out loud! Angela just twisted her nose, her eyes squinting his as she made her final move.

" just answer me this, Booth. I´m her best friend, and I need to know. Are you ready to fight for her? Because I´m sure you know it will be a hard thing. Will you back off and hurt her? Because if you might think you do, you can stop right now. No way I´m letting you do this to my friend. You see, stud…I can be way overprotective too if I want to." It was the core of all, thought Angela Montenegro. Was booth willing to go until the end? Willing to face whatever it takes once Brennan was on her feet again a nd desperately trying to flee from what was so obvious and right for her.

Booth considered the question for a minute, thinking about the right words to use. Because he sure as hell would fight for that woman, he realized. She was completely worthy. And that was when a fit of coughing made everybody jump from their seats, and he swore in a low voice. His Bones was awake, and only Lord knew for how long.

Brennan had really tried to suppress the coughing, but it was stronger than her will. Once again, she felt angry with her own body, that treacherous thing. She knew now she didn´t have a way out, so she put up the most innocent face she could manage and entered the room, her hand s pressed tightly against her chest as she tried to subdue that damn, inconvenient coughing. But like hell she wouldn´t try and find out what Booth´s answer would be, soon or later.

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" I´m taking a shower." She stretched slowly at the sofa, while the credits of the movie Booth had made her watch rolled on the screen, thanking God for her partner´s spirit of not letting the previous visit get into their way too much. Yes, there was a lot of awkwardness first, and as soon as cam had finished with her daily check up, they were gone, living both of them feeling as if their tension could fill easily an entire castle full of enormous rooms. Booth wanted to know how much she had heard, and she played dumb, telling she didn´t know what he was talking about categorically, as if telling him that the conversation was over. And he was only happy to follow her cue, giving her his charm smile and quickly changing the subject, talking about movies she had never heard in her life until settling into a very absurd one, with talking jungle animals called " Madagascar." She had complained vehemently against it, because it was just utterly absurd in her opinion. She would not waste her time with impossible situations. She was a grown woman. But all of her arguments were useless as he just gave her a warm look and patted the seat besides him, and somehow she saw herself agreeing meekly. She supposed that the amount of medications she was taking were making her groggy and compliant. Plus, there was what she had learnt to call " puppy eyes" that Booth kept giving her. She soon found out that it was almost impossible to say no to him like this.

So, she end up seating by his side and watching the movie, occasionally reminding Booth about how absurd all it was, because honestly, who would believe that a zebra and a lion could coexist? And she hadnt even mentionated the giraf and the hyppo. Plus, what was up with those crazy penguins? But despite herself, brennan found out she was enjoying it, and Booth picked on her merciless for a while, a victorious smile in his face. It took her a good slap in his shoulder to make him stop and the menacing of just stop watching and going to bed. But deep inside, she felt somewhat like a child enjoying her first movie. It had been long ago she had just seated in front of a TV to not think about big issues and just have fun. But now it was late night and she felt once again tired and sleepy. Booth eyed her carefully, searching for any signs of pain as she walked slowly to the bedroom.

" Live the bathroom door open ajar, Bones." He felt himself blushing at the request but like hell he would risk her fainting or feeling sick locked on the bathroom all alone. She turned and gave him an odd look, and Booth just braced himself. There was the loosen tongue.

" Are you planning on spying on me, Booth? Not that I mind. I don´t have a problem with nudity at all." She wondered if she was ever going to be able to face Booth after all of this was over. Surprisingly, she felt as she would.

" very funny, temperance. I´m not doing anything, but I want to be sure that you´ll be ok in there. With the door slightly open I can hear you . Just do this for me. And I´m a gentleman. Gentlemen do not peek." She just smiled broadly at him before nodding and disappearing, and Booth propped himself more comfortably on the couch as he heard the shower, sighing deeply. That woman was a lot of work, but oh, what a great way to be busy.

He closed his eyes for a while, praying silently to God to make his Bones ok soon. It pained him to see her like that, so defenseless and in clear discomfort. He knew that she told him she was better than she really was. But when she thought he wasn´t looking, Booth could see the pain in her face when she breathed, and the sadness in her eyes. He was glad that tomorrow morning she had her doctor´s appointment. He was hoping that Dr. Crane would say she w as showing improvement. He didn´t know exactly how much time he spent like this, but a slight noise was heard and he opened his eyes again, only to meet a vision he was sure was meant only to heaven. There she stood, looking suddenly completely small in what he realized was one of his old shirts and shorts, a shy expression over her face.

" may I ask where did you find these? And why exactly are you using it?" He teased, but he couldn´t care less. She looked amazing, and dear lord, so damn sexy. He had always dreamed in secret to see her in his clothes, preferently in the early morning after a great night together. But that way worked too. She shook her shoulders slightly as approaching, and he could smell the soap, sweet and wonderful.

" I enjoyed using your clothes yesterday. They are quite comfortable. So, I picked these in your closet. It smells great." She could not suppress the last comment, but she was glad she managed not to tell that it smelled good because it smelled like him. She felt secure and warm in there.

" You look cute." Once again Booth asked if Temperance´s loosen tongue was contagious, because damn, he couldn´t keep his mouth shut. She raised her eyebrows looking outraged, placing her hands on her waist.

" I certainly do not. Cute is for children and brainless people." She hated that word, and usually refused to let it be a part of her vocabulary or what people said about her. But Seeley Booth just shook his head in amusement, while realizing that midnight had came and it was time for her medicines.

" Sorry Bones, but you do. Just face and accept it. You look tiny , girly and cute." He whispered in her ears giving her shudders that she was sure it had nothing to do with fever. " Now, let´s take your meds and get you in bed." Once again, she couldn´t help herself, her lips moving without control.

" I like the way it sounds, especially if you´re getting into bed with me."

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" You should have eaten more." Booth complained for what looked like the hundredth time in Brennan´s opinion, as her partner started the car and maneuvered to the street. She rolled her eyes painfully, wishing she could just have stayed in bed. It was tiring to get out, even though she hated to admit that. But she had her doctor´s appointment, and there was no way in hell she could have convinced Booth to just let her be and skip it.

" I´m not hungry at all, Booth. I just ate to make you happy, and that was already a big sacrifice, if you ask me." But she couldn´t say no to his request even thought the nausea was a constant ghost in her current life, because he was just so caring and full of attention. So, she supposed that trying to please him was the least she could do, and sighed as eating a toast and some juice. She was slightly sorry for that now, because her stomach was turning and turning as the car moved, and she closed her eyes to try to stop the dizziness. All she could wish was for the ride to be short. She slumped against the car door, resting her head and feeling his eyes studying her anxiously. " Stop staring, Booth. I´m fine." She didn´t know exactly why she felt so irritated, except for the fact that she was still sick, stuck with pneumonia. After three days of this, she was finally crawling at the walls. It simply didn´t go with her, all this calm life. Booth seemed to read her thoughts, his hand resting gently on her knee as she heard his voice, kind and low.

" You´ll be fine soon, Bones. The doctor will probably tell us that you´re doing better already. You didn´t even had a fever spike yesterday." She sighed deeply, and opened her eyes carefully, only to find his gaze and charm smile.

" yes, but I was still fevererish. Just like today. And I still can´t breathe properly. My nose is completely congested. My chest hurts. I feel completely drained, and all I seem to want to do is sleep. How can that be any good at all? All I do is to give you work." She blurted out angrily, feeling as she could very well punch herself. And now, I´m snapping at Booth, the person who is putting up with me during this horrible situation. Could this be more inconvenient? " I´m sorry, Booth. I`m sounding like a whining, spoiled child. It´s not your fault. "

" It´s not your fault either, Temperance. Just keep that in mind, ok?" He smiled kindly at her, squeezing her knee once more before focusing on the hospital parking lot. " We´re here already, see? That was quick." He got out of the car and opened her door, carefully passing one arm around her waist to support her walking. He could feel her annoyed look at his attitude, but nevertheless she didn´t do anything to remove his hand, which only proved that yes, she still felt too weak to trust in only herself. He tried to act nonchalant, and Brennan was glad for that. She didn´t think she could handle a big fuss. They walked slowly until the ambulatory, and she was secretively very much thankful for his help. Her legs didn´t seem too keen to obey her orders.

She seated tiredly into a chair as Booth spoke with the reception girl, not even bothering to argue with him about her capacity of presenting herself. She honestly didn´t think she would feel this tired by just going out of Booth´s apartment and giving a small walk, but she was exhausted, a clear sign that she was still too sick for her own good. She barely acknowledged when he r name was called, her head resting slightly at Booth´s shoulder, and she supposed bashfully she had probably nodded off. Booth just smiled at her and helped her up, as they followed the nurse through a corridor and entered a small examination room.

" You just wait here, dr. Brennan. I´ll be back in a minute to collect some blood from you, and soon an X-ray technician will be here too. After these tests are ready, dr. Crane will be here to discuss it and proceed the appointment." The nurse retreated quickly, and soon enough Booth was facing two frightened blue orbits, wide opened and scared, as her hand went cold and searched for his.

" Is taking my blood absolutely necessary? Because I´m seriously considering saying no to that."

And that was when Seeley Booth was completely sure that it was going to be a very long morning.

TBC…

Want to know how the doctor´s appointment go? You know what to do by now, right? Wink…