An hour later Booth strolled into the diner. He'd showered and shaved, and surprised himself that he was feeling slightly better after finishing both acts. He spotted Debbie sitting at a table towards the back. Nervously he fiddled with his St. Christopher's medal as he neared her. Since coming home from the hospital this had really been his first outing. The medal had been one of the few things the hospital hadn't taken away from him when he'd been brought in.

Debbie stood. The two smiled awkwardly at one another. Then they sat down; Booth across from her.

"You look better," she started. "Even your eye."

It was a lie but he appreciated it. The truth was, his eye wasn't healing well at all. It was still bloodshot, and occasionally he had difficulty seeing. Brennan had offered to take him to a specialist more than once. He'd refused. "It'll heal when it heals, Bones." The truth was he didn't want anyone touching him. Anywhere.

"You do, too." That was the truth. Debbie looked good. Her scars were nearly gone. The only remainder of the abuse was her wrist encased in a cast. His felt his heart sped up as he noticed her beauty. In the dark he'd never seen what she'd really looked like, except for her dark brown eyes. Now he noticed she had pale porcelain skin hidden under a mass of long curly brown hair.

They ordered food and talked about everything except the obvious topic. Finally there was no choice but to bring it up. "I just can't relate to people. My therapist says this is normal. But it's just-"

"Hard." He nodded. "I haven't tried to talk to anyone. I can't."

Her eyes softened. "I understand."

"I don't want to go through it again. Every night I dream about it. Every night I'm forced…" Booth's voice broke with a soft gasp.

Debbie reached across the table and laid her hand on his. "To relive it. I know."

"You too?"

"Yeah. Sometimes I dream about killing him myself." She looked ashamed at the admission. "I'm not a violent person."

"I don't blame you. I get it." Booth felt something inside him shift. For the better. Someone understood him; understood what he was going through. Talking with her was easy. And a comfort.

Debbie offered a small smile. "I thought you might."

They ate and talked through out dinner. Afterwards they found themselves outside together under the moonlight. Booth perceived more than once that Debbie looked like she wanted to say something. Every time she started to she backed out. "What?" Booth prodded. "You look like you've got something to say."

"Ask." She looked embarrassed. "I'm having a hard time sleeping. I wanted to know if you'd stay with me."

Booth did a double take. Did she mean sex? "I can't. I mean, I'm not comfortable doing… I barely know you.." He wasn't a one night stand kind of guy. And if he wasn't in a relationship then he wasn't active.

Debbie caught wind of what he was thinking. "What? Oh, no, no! I just mean sleep. That's all."

With anyone else the idea might have frightened him. But with Debbie it felt all right. "Okay." But he was still hesitant. Guarded.

They went together across town back to her place. She lived in a two bedroom apartment overlooking the heart of D.C. Booth was breath taken by the view.

For a few more hours they talked before falling asleep on her couch together, in the same position they'd slept in during their captivity.

And despite having nightmares, it was still the best sleep Booth had had in a while.

***

In the morning Brennan returned to her apartment in a great mood. She'd had a wonderful time with Baker. However, when she noticed she was alone she began to panic. Where was Booth? Had something happened? Had he done something? The thought made her gasp out loud.

Just as she was getting ready to call him the front door opened. Booth let himself in. "Bones, hey," he said with a lazy smile.

"Where were you?" She wanted to know. Something had changed. The fear that had been in his eyes for so long was gone.

"Out." He shrugged.

Brennan persisted. "Out where?"

"Just out."

Frowning, she didn't like his answer. But she could tell she wouldn't be able to get more out of him. Sadly she let it go.

***

Over the next month things began to change dramatically. Booth seemed to grow stronger in both body and mind day by day. Within a week he had moved back into his own apartment. After that, he saw a specialist regarding his eye. While the doctor couldn't do anything to improve it's appearance, he was able to give him some drops for his vision. Only a few days had passed before his sight was restored.

He met with Sweets and while he still refused to discuss the abduction, the therapist felt confident enough to reinstate him. Booth was back on the job.

During this time he'd also struck up a tentative relationship with Debbie. If he wasn't at work or with Brennan then he was at Debbie's apartment. Unexpectedly he found himself falling for her. The feelings he had for Brennan never really went away. But as it seemed her own relationship with Baker was progressing Booth had to admit the truth to himself - Brennan would never feel the same about him.

Besides, being with Debbie was easy. Having someone he could take his fears to and have them truly understand was exactly what he needed to heal his mind. The first time they'd made love was awkward. But they'd gotten through it, and had better times since. But despite feeling better he still was unable to sleep without the lights on.

He kept his relationship a secret. His own personal secret. Having Debbie in his life wasn't something he was ready to share with others yet. He liked the world they had together.

Everyone noticed his sudden change in demeanor, including Brennan. And while all his friends seemed happy for him, she couldn't bring herself to be. Something was different with him. Something he wasn't telling her. She didn't like not being in the know. No matter how much she pestered him he didn't talk about his abduction, or anything personal.

Booth was back, but her best friend was remained missing.

It was all the more obvious one night during a get together at their local bar. After cases it was common for Booth and Brennan, and Brennan's team of "Squints" who worked with them at the Jeffersonian to go out for a drink. Baker had begun joining them on these excursions. Amazingly he'd been accepted into the group.

Booth had been enjoying himself when his phone beeped, indicating he'd received a text message. Pulling it out from his pocket, he glanced at the screen. His brow furrowed. He shut it and stood up. "I have to go. I'll see you guys tomorrow." From his wallet he placed money on the bar top for his drink. Then he left to various goodbyes.

"He's seeing someone," Angela grinned from ear to ear once he was out of earshot.

Brennan was astounded. "No, he's not. You don't know that."

"He most definitely is," Baker approved.

"No. He can't be." He would have told me. Wouldn't he? Brennan didn't like the pang of jealousy she was suddenly feeling.

"Why not?"

"He'd tell me."

The mood grew somber. "Sweetie, why else would he leave like he did?" Angela started.

"It could involve his son."

"He'd say that." Cam pointed out. "Face it, he's got a girlfriend."

Distraught, Brennan excused herself. The remaining group glanced at one another in confusion. It was Angela who ended up chasing her outside.

Brennan had stopped and seated herself in a bus shelter just outside the doors. Once Angela found her she stood over her. "What was that about?"

The truth was Brennan was envious. Very envious. These emotions were ones she didn't know what to do with. Why should she care if Booth was seeing someone? After all, she had Baker. But it did bother her. More than she was willing to admit. "I don't understand why he wouldn't have told me."

"We're just guessing. Having fun."

"No. I think you're right." Pursuing her lips, she wondered tearfully, "what happened to us?"

Angela pulled her into a hug. "He's not over it, sweetie."

"But he's been doing so well."

"He's been getting better. But he's not quite back."

Brennan ended the embrace. "How do you know?"

Angela inhaled. "You can see it in his eyes. He's haunted by what he's been through."

"Why haven't I noticed?"

"Because you don't want to see. None of us do. We just want the old Booth back."

Brennan decided she needed to return to keeping an eye on him. She almost told Angela of the way she was feeling. But she decided against it. Feelings were just feelings. It didn't mean anything. They'd go away. Or so she thought.