A/N: and as promised, for those awesome reviews ...chapter 17 ;) we're nearing the end but keep reviewing!

Chapter 17: The final truth

"You already told me, Temperance." My partner told me, clasping my hand in his softly. "No need to repeat that."
I knew he was trying to be kind, trying to protect me from going into the darkness of my past again, but he didn't know…
"I didn't tell you everything he did to me." I admitted, my voice dropping until it was only a mere whisper. "I need you to know what caused me to snap like that."

"Bones..."
Standing up I reached for my half empty glass of wine and moved to the kitchen where I put it in the sink. Taking a deep breath, I started.
"Like I told you it only began with insults, words that were spoken in the heat of the battle, just meant to hurt."
I leaned against the counter, having the surface support me as I watched how my partner nodded, just listening to the story I was telling, not interrupting or commenting for which I was glad.
"He used to grab me whenever his coffee wasn't ready at nine. Drag me through the kitchen an beat me, asking if it was too much to do, not even caring that I was busy with other chores. On time he pushed me so hard, I hit the counter, and in my attempt to grab something I pulled down the kettle. Look."

I pushed up a piece of my dress shirt, revealing a burn created by the boiling water.
"Oh God." I saw the pained look on Booth's face as he carefully took a step closer, his hand coming forward to touch the sensitive mark.
"I'm so sorry." He whispered as he ran the paths of his fingers across it.
"You couldn't possibly have known, Booth." I rationalized.
"But I should have!" He said, obvious angry at himself. With determination set in his eyes he looked at me.
"What else did he do? Show me, take me there."
I nodded quietly, knowing that he was trying to understand everything I had gone through, but also that he was beating himself up for not being there for me.
"Booth," I said quietly, my hand touching his shoulder gently, halting him in the middle of the room and having him turn to me.
"Don't beat yourself up over this. I was the one who should have told you. And I'll only tell you further if you promise me to let it go. Like I'm doing."

All of the sudden I was enveloped in a gentle hug, his strong arms tender and comforting around me as he whispered into my hair.
"I'm so proud of you, Temperance. I couldn't have done this if I were in your position."
I slowly took in his words and let my head fall to rest in the crook of his neck, finally letting myself enjoy the intimacy of our new relationship.
"Come on." I said as we released each other, taking his hand in mine and leading him further into the living room.
"One night he came home drunk," I picked up. "He was literally swaying from side to side and when he reached the couch he let himself fall next to me, saying he wanted to massage me because it would 'loosen me up'."
I could still smell the heavy alcohol that had been on his breath and it made me shiver.
"Due to the alcohol his movements were uncoordinated and rough, which brought more pain than relieve because he only seemed to press on the bruises and my sore ribs."
I closed my eyes as I felt Booth's hand gently on my shoulders, pressing in such way it felt pleasurable and it relieved the building tension in my body.
"Go on." His voice told me and I leaned into his touch.
"When I told him it hurt and that he had to stop, he only got more worked up, saying that I was cold and heartless and that he even wondered why anybody would want to be with me."
"Because you're the most caring and loving person I know." Booth's voice brought me back to reality, his hand coming up to brush away a tear that was threatening to fall.
"How can you say that?" I asked him, still convinced otherwise.
"Because," he said, tilting my head up and locking our eyes. "Every time we have a case, I can see you feel sorry for the victims. You mourn over the lost lives and everybody that says you're cold and distant is a fool for not looking further and seeing the passionate woman I see."
"Thank you." I said quietly as I looked deeply into his eyes and released my hand from where it gripped his t-shirt and stroked his cheek and stubble roughened jaw before slowly leaning in, my eyes falling close as our lips caressed.
I could feel one of his hands which had been resting on my hip, stroke my face before winding into my hair and pulling me closer, deepening our kiss.
I whimpered slightly when his tongue caressed my lower lip, begging for entrance before starting a feverish battle with my own. When the burning sensation in my lungs became too much I slowly released his lips, my hands falling from his neck to rest against his chest, steadying my legs. Suddenly tears sprang into my eyes and I started to avoid his gaze.

"I'm sorry." I said as I stumbled backwards, frightened of the emotions the kiss had brought on.
"No, no, no." I heard Booth say as he rapidly caught up with me, pulling me back against him. "Easy, Bones. No running. You're safe with me, I promise."
I slowly let go of the feeling that said I had to fight him and relaxed into his arms.
"You make me feel safe, Booth." I admitted. "All that time you did."
"Good he said with a quick kiss to the crown of my hair. "How about you show me that last room?"
I looked up at him and whispered softly, "There is only one room that we need to go to, left. And you know what happened there." I swallowed and took a small step back, "You almost SAW what happened there, I don't think we need to go there." He tipped my chin up with his index finger as he gently placed his other hand on my lower back, trying to relax more. "We need to let that go too, Bones."
"I know, Booth," I admitted reluctantly, "but it's just hard." I swallowed, "Harder then telling you about the other stuff, because I - I feel like," I stopped talking and I felt him press his lips against my cheek, before he softly asked, "You feel like what?"

I took in a breath and exhaled shakily, "Like - like I let him do that to me. Like it's my own fault. And I know that's not rational, but... but..."
"Temperance," I heard him say in a stern voice that had me look up at him immediately. He slowly caressed my cheek. "Now listen to me," Booth said looking determined. "There was nothing, and I mean NOTHING your fault about this ok."
Closing my eyes and smiling softly as he pressed a kiss to my temple I sighed.
"Thank you, Booth," I answered softly, feeling stronger and more confident to handle what was to come. I reached for his hand and slowly led him to the bedroom. Holding on tight to his hand, I opened the door that I hadn't opened once after Booth had saved me.
I had bought new clothes when I had left for Peru and once I'd come back home, I had bought new sheets and towels. As soon as I flipped the light on, my breath hitched, and I unconsciously took a step back as my mind was assaulted by everything that had happened in that room. My own bedroom.

I slowly entered the room on, the footsteps of Booth disappearing in the background as I focused on my surroundings. Carefully I ran my fingers over the dark wooden furniture that now felt foreign as if it wasn't mine anymore, as if it was possessed by Patrick's presence. The room felt cold and though nothing was wrong with the temperature, I shivered and tremors ran down my spine.

As if he was still here I felt Patrick's cold hand glide over my cheek down to my neck and I turned my head away, averting his gaze and trying to get away.
I could feel his hot breath on me as he breathed into my ear, roughly biting in my earlobe, his hands wondering further down. Despite all my efforts I could feel myself getting sick in my stomach and it only got worse when he spoke up.
"Don't disappoint me, Brennan."

Unconsciously the words he'd spoken came out as I numb, moved further, still fighting the images of my tormenting past as they tortured me by coming back.

Patrick got worked up as I averted him, trying to escape from his gasp and all of the sudden he threw me against the wall, where I collapsed as a ragdoll.
Whimpering in pain, I carefully raised my head to look at him.
"You know you deserve it." He hissed angrily and it made me only more terrified. "Get up."
I heard his order but yet I couldn't find the strength to do so, grimacing in pain as my only effort put too much pressure on my ribs.
His jaw was set and his green eyes were ablaze as he made an unexpected move and grabbed the chair that was standing in the corner, launching it at my mirror which broke into thousands of pieces in a deafening bang. Grabbing me by my auburn locks he pulled me upright and threw me carelessly onto the mattress, his broad figure hovering over me.
His voice dark and rough as he spoke: "Nobody will save you now, babe."

As the sentence rang through me again, I collapsed against the side of the mattress, all my energy drained out of me from fighting against the horror, but I knew he had been right, no matter how hard I had screamed for help, cried when Patrick was fast asleep, nobody had come. All of the sudden I felt two strong hands on my shoulders and I looked up through the tears and the curtain my hair had created, and yet my eyes still directly shot to his. Kind brown instead of cold and murderous green.
"Bones," My eyes followed how he sat down next to me. He slowly wrapped an arm around my shoulders and without any further thought, I leaned into him, "Talk to me, Bones. You're not alone. Not anymore."
A lump formed in my throat and I swallowed, desperately trying to get rid of it, so I could tell Booth what had happened to me.
"I - I," I averted his eyes, "I could feel his hands on my cheek, my - my neck, I..." I stuttered as I hung my head in shame. "He was touching me even though I didn't want it and..." Tears slowly found their way down my face as I continued in a whisper. "He used to drag me around the room. Hit me until... until I hit the wall. And it just felt so real again, Booth." I could feel the tight grip of fear around my heart lessen as Booth pulled me deeper into his embrace, his warmth and closeness making me feel safer instantly. Closing my eyes in sensation as he whispered his lips in soft kisses across my neck, a smile formed on my face as he softly whispered to me."It's all over now."
Turning in his embrace, I looked deeply into his eyes, feeling my own falling half lid as I touched his face, my fingers gently running over his stubble.
"Proof it." I whispered huskily, before angling my face that way I could kiss him.
I could see the surprise in his eyes, but nonetheless, I could feel his arms holding me close to his chest before he softly touched his lips to mine. They were soft and sure. The kiss was short and sweet.
"He'll never hurt you again, Bones. I promise."
I looked up surprised when Booth stood upright and offered me his hand, curious I took it and felt how he lead me back to the living room.
"Booth," I asked looking at him with a small smile. "What are you doing?"
"You need to sleep, Temperance." Booth replied. "It's late."
I threw a look at the clock and noticed it was already five past twelve.
As he grabbed my hand on last time, I could feel him press a soft kiss to my lips before releasing my hand again, letting it fall to my side before I watched how he walked to the door.

"Booth, wait!" I spoke up immediately as I saw him turn the doorknob.
Curious he looked at me, walking closer to me again.
"Is something wrong?"
"No," I replied out of habit. "I mean yes. Yes. I want you-" Sighing I finally pushed the words past my lips. "I want you to stay the night. With me."
"Temperance…"
The words had barley passed his lips or I stepped closer to him again, our bodies almost pressed against each other as I looked up into his face.
"Please," I asked. "I don't want to be alone tonight. Not again."
I felt a wave of relief washing over me as he wrapped his arms around me.
"I'll stay here. But Bones, it is really late. You should get some sleep, okay? I'll sleep on the couch."
Immediately I shook my head. "No, you shouldn't sleep on the couch, your back... I have a queen-size bed in the guest room." I bit my bottom lip as I looked into his eyes. "Please, I - I really don't want to be alone."
I could feel his lips press gently against my forehead, before he whispered his reply to me.

I slowly pulled back and led him to my guestroom. "You can get comfortable, I'll go change. I'll be right back." By the time I had changed and returned, he was sitting on the bed in his boxers and wife beater, obviously waiting for me. I turned off the light and walked further into the room. I slowly approached the bed and got under the covers. As soon as I was laying down, Booth did the same. We both stared at the ceiling for a few moments, before I slowly moved my hand to the middle of the bed, placing it over his. As soon as I had done that, he gently pulled me into his arms. "Goodnight, Bones." I relaxed for the first time in months. "Goodnight Booth."

(-End Chapter 17-)