Please read and review.
Brennan sat on the beach in her black bikini with a large black knit sweater thrown over it with the hood drawn up to better hide her, staring out at the ocean. She wasn't completely ignorant of their situation and how they were still in danger and so she stayed camouflaged as best as she could. Her thoughts seemed to wander everywhere, but mostly to the man that had been her partner and best friend these last five years.
"Bones!" A voice whispered loudly from back by the house. Brennan tried her best not to move and give her location away but when he hissed her name again, but with a trace of panic she gave up on that idea. She turned her face toward the house and saw him jogging back to the house as if to continue searching for her there.
"Booth," she kept her voice low, but loud enough for him to hear her. He spun around and once he caught sight of her the look of relief instantly made her feel guilty for even thinking about keeping her silence and peace.
"Bones! What the hell were you thinking, sneaking out without telling anyone where you were going? I was beginning to think you'd been hurt or taken…" he trailed off when he realized she wasn't listening to his quiet tirade. "Bones?" He set himself down beside her.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. I just needed space and fresh air," Brennan said, reveling in the feel of the ocean wind threatening to whip her hood off and reveal her burgundy locks.
"Did you want me to leave you alone? I could just hang out on the back porch and keep a distance…" Booth offered looking rather disappointed.
"No!" Brennan nearly yelled, but lowered her voice. "No. Actually your company always helps."
"Thanks, Bones." He gave her one of the smiles that made her heart do flips.
"It's only the truth." Brennan shrugged.
"So what are you out here thinking about?" Booth asked.
Brennan didn't answer at first. Of course she would tell him, but would he take it the wrong way?
"You, mostly." Brennan paused to think carefully about her next words. "When my parents left and then Russ, I learned that love didn't make people stick around. I think that's when I lost the understanding of what love was, but you've brought it back into my life. I know I love Angela, Hodgins, and I can honestly say that Cam and Sweets are my friends. And yes, Booth, I know I love you, but I wasn't sure it was the same as how you felt. But if Angela left and didn't look back – yes I'd be devastated and it would be hard dealing with it, but when I thought you were dead it felt like the world dropped from beneath my feet, which doesn't make sense, I know. It felt like I was running in circles and nothing was right anymore. That's how it felt when my parents left; when Russ left soon after. I thought I stopped needing people after that feeling happened once, but you're proof to the contrary." Brennan paused to think. "Booth – Seeley, I need you like I haven't needed anyone before and that scares me, but what scares me more is a life without you."
"Temperance-"
But Brennan silenced him with a finger to the lips. "No, Booth I need to say this. I love you." She made sure to keep eye contact when she said it and before she could continue his lips were on hers, sweet and full of love and passion.
"I love you too, Temperance." He murmured between kisses. He held her face tenderly in his hands and the feeling of adoration and love threatened to sweep her away. She pulled back, needing air. "Sorry – I'm sorry."
"No, I'm just getting used to this; to us." Brennan said, meaning every word.
Booth nodded but didn't move away and Brennan appreciated that.
"Maybe we could just lay out here and stare up at the sky for awhile?" Brennan asked innocently.
"That sounds like a great idea, Bones." Booth laid out and Brennan rested her head between his chest and shoulder and took hix hands in hers.
"You know, I think I might actually miss this Boston team." Brennan commented almost wistfully. Booth gave a half chuckle.
"I think I will too." Booth said, kissing the top of her head before looking back up at the sky. "I mean, yeah Walter is absolutely nuts, but he's almost like a toddler the way he gets himself into trouble all the time."
Brennan had to laugh at that summation. "Yes, definitely trouble. And Olivia is a good person. She kind of reminds me of a more serious you."
"Is that so?" Booth chuckled. "And Astrid, oh Astrid. We need to set up mail order pies!"
"Pies?" Brennan almost sat up in surprise. "You like the girl because of her pies?"
"Well, no! But those pies are God's gift to man." Booth explained as if it was common knowledge. Brennan gave him a look of absolute disbelief and he continued. "Okay – okay, she's a sweet girl and I've seen her with Walter, so maybe that's an understatement. That girl is a saint!"
Brennan shook her head and snuggled closer to Booth. "And Peter, for all his wise cracks and overstated opinions, is really a good guy, looking to do the right thing. Oh and don't tell him, but his science jokes are quite funny."
Booth snorted in disbelief. "I won't and I'll take your word for it."
"Do you think we'll ever see them again?" Brennan asked quietly.
"I like to think so, Bones. I really do."
"Good," Brennan said through a yawn and drifted off to sleep, curled into Booth's side and holding him close.