Author's Note: I cannot express enough how incredible the reaction was to the last chapter. It's amazing to read how much people love my story and the way I've been writing BB. I know it's an AU and an admittedly cliche' idea, but I'm hoping I do it differently enough to stand out.

Now, I hope this chapter satisfies everyone, but I'd like to point out the fact it still isn't the end. The point is not making everything feel like filler, and I hope this chapter serves its purpose. I struggled writing the end of it, because to be honest my original concept for this chapter changed a little. I hope that it's okay, and that you leave a review!


Sunlight streamed in through the window, not stopping until it hit Booth directly in the face. Groaning, he pulled the pillow from under his head and covered his eyes, but just as he did so his alarm clock began sounding loudly. "Fine," Booth mumbled, sitting up and stretching the muscles in his back. He hit the off button and stood, the reality of what happened the night before not hitting him until he reached the door. The sounds of a news program filtered in from the living room and the scent of coffee filled the air. There were sounds coming from the bathroom as he walked past, and though he felt like an idiot he smiled. Booth walked into the living room to see Parker curled into one corner of the couch and eating a bowl of frosted flakes. "Hey, Bud. You ready for school?"

Parker looked over at his Dad in surprise, almost as if he hadn't expected to see him. "I gotta get my shoes and stuff, but yeah. Hey, Dad?" Parker's words were a bit garbled by his chewing, and as he caught the look his father sent him, he chose to not speak again until he swallowed his bite. "Bones is still here."

Booth nodded with a smile before moving past his son to sit on the couch. He knew he still had some work to do before heading in, so there wasn't much time to have an actual conversation. "Is that okay? I mean, I know it's been just you and me for a while now, so-"

"Dad." Parker cried. His spoon clanked against the bowl as he shook his head. Though he was only a kid, he couldn't have looked more serious if he tried. "I think it's cool. Is she gonna stay, you know like...forever?"

Booth tried hard not to laugh at Parker's choice of words as he wrapped his son tight in a hug. "I hope so, yeah."

A few seconds later, Brennan emerged from the bathroom fully dressed except her shoes, and was toweling her hair as she spoke. "Did you get coffee yet?"

He was taken back for a second by how completely normal the moment seemed; Brennan, standing barefoot on the carpet in their living room, ready to start their day. Words probably should have started stringing together, but it was all Booth could do to simply shake his head, thinking he would have to start preparing himself for more moments such as that. "I'll grab some before we head out. I was thinking we should probably just drive in together. Do you mind?"

"I suppose that's logical." Brennan offered with a shrug before heading into the kitchen. She poured a cup of coffee as Booth watched her, and though it seemed ridiculous, it was almost a thrill to go through the motions of what a typical morning once was. "Did you check Parker's homework?"

Booth watched Brennan's hand as she stirred a spoon slowly through her coffee mug. Her coffee mug, Booth thought as he struggled hard to keep himself in check, because it was the one he had bought for her. He caught Brennan staring at him. "I'm sorry, okay? I'm just gonna need a little bit to get used to this. Not that I have a problem with it of course, but it's a lot to go through at once."

"I know, Booth." Brennan replied as she set her mug down on the counter. She took the few steps needed to stand in front of him. Thoughts battled within her mind of what to do next, because while part of her simply wanted to wrap her arms around him and kiss him, there was another part of her that just wanted to reassure him everything would work its way out. "I feel the same way."

The way she placed a palm against his cheek, her thumb resting mere centimeters away from his lips, made Booth feel like jumping out of his skin. It would take a great deal of strength and self-restraint to go about it all in the slow manner Brennan wanted, but she was back and that was all that mattered. He inched forward, placing a soft and slow kiss against her lips, and pulled her hand into his as he pulled back. "I've missed this, you know. Morning routine, coffee..." Booth ran his thumb across her bottom lip. "Kissing you."

Brennan shivered despite the room being warm; there would be no more denying how much he affected her. "Well," Brennan cleared her throat loudly. "I would venture to say practice is not out of the question." Before Booth could ask what she meant, Brennan pulled him closer and kissed him again, this time letting it last longer.

"Okay, please don't hate me for saying this, but I really need to go get ready to take Parker to school and drop you off at the lab. Otherwise, I'm not sure I'll be able to leave." Booth laughed nervously before kissing her forehead and leaving the room.


Both Angela and Cam were standing on the platform when Booth and Brennan walked into the lab together later in the morning. Angela was carrying a clip board that she nearly dropped upon seeing the way Brennan leaned in with interest after something Booth said. "Why do I feel like we missed something?" Angela muttered to Cam, nudging the other woman as Booth scanned his card and they walked up the steps. "Morning, guys. How's everything?"

Brennan paused her steps and took a second to collect her breath, thinking that she and Booth probably should have taken into account the fact there would inevitably be questions once they arrived at the lab together.

Booth faltered as well, but upon realizing Brennan hadn't answered he felt the need to speak. "I'd love to stay and chat, but I've got a lead to follow up on. I'll be back later, so just call me if you need anything."

"Will do." Cam nodded, realizing they probably wouldn't get an explanation for what was so obviously going on. While she wanted to focus primarily on the details of the case, even she had to admit she had questions.

"Brennan?" Angela asked, raising an eyebrow as Booth walked down the stairs again. "Did you two ride in together?"

Fixing her hair into a ponytail, Brennan shrugged. "Yes, we did. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to do some follow-up work with the case I was cataloging yesterday."

Angela watched in surprise, almost pouting as she seemed to not even notice what was wrong with the picture. "Come on, you can't just-"

"I understand your complaints, and I can fill you in later, but I'd really like to get started early today to ensure getting off on time later. Is that okay?" Brennan asked, now fearing she might be offending them by curtailing the conversation. When Angela simply sighed and started writing something down on her clip board, Brennan nodded. "Alright, just call me if you need me."

Cam shrugged as Brennan walked away. "While I have to admit I'd like to know what changed, I really can't complain, because it means she won't be filing for overtime pay."


Booth came back around lunch to fill them in on details, and to check up on Brennan. He trusted her and didn't want her to think otherwise, but the idea that they were back under the same roof again made him feel like he had to put forth extra effort to make sure things stayed content between them.

"Are you going to stand there all day, or would you like to come in?" Brennan asked, her fingers quickly typing away as she worked at completing a report on what she had completed that morning. She clicked the save button and turned her chair in his direction. "How is everything?"

Booth straightened his tie and gestured to the couch, waiting until she stood and followed him to sit down. "I guess it's going okay, but we won't be able to do much more until the squints find the cause of death. What about you?"

"I've had a very productive morning, actually." Brennan smiled, finding herself pleased in the fact they were carrying on the conversation. She couldn't remember the last time they had slid into one for effortlessly. However pleasant the idea seemed, she knew he might not react positively to what she had to say next. "I made an appointment with Sweets. He couldn't meet us until the end of the week due to classes and meetings, but he seemed pleased with the idea."

"You're worried it might not work this time." Booth replied. It wasn't a question because he could already tell, and once he caught the look on her face he moved closer to her and placed an arm around her shoulders. "You're doing great, Bones. If you feel comfortable talking with Sweets and want me there, you know I will be."

"It's just-" Brennan stared down at her hands. "I realize this sounds completely ridiculous given the recent turn of events, but I feel as if I still have so much to do. I don't...the wedding. Angela gave me a scrapbook that contained pictures of the day, but it's something that I'm missing. I suppose I was hoping continuing our sessions with Sweets would help with that." Brennan sighed and looked up to find him staring back at her. "Does that sound stupid?"

His hand reached out to move a strand of hair, tucking it behind her ear. Inside, he was practically dancing with joy, but on the outside all he wanted was to assure her that everything would work out. Given how much she'd progressed, Booth had no reason to feel she wouldn't. "That doesn't sound stupid at all, Bones. Not at all."

Brennan offered a smile and nodded in his direction. "You aren't mad? Given the way I...reacted the last time we were with Sweets, I imagined you might have some reservations."

"You need to focus on you, Bones. Focus on what you need." Booth brought a hand up and started rubbing the back of her neck. He could picture the way she had been studying, bent over a table or her desk for the majority of the day, and knew the second a sigh exited her lips it was what she needed. "I'll be okay."

"That's just the thing, Booth." Brennan threw up her hands in frustration. "It isn't just me or just you anymore, and I don't...I don't know how I feel about that. I realize that's a bad thing to say, but-"

Booth put a finger to her lips. "Shh." He watched, waiting to see if she would challenge him, before slowly pulling his finger away. "That's not a bad thing to say at all, because I get it. Okay? I really do. What you've gotta understand here is the fact I'm not asking you to change at all. You're here and you're healthy, and to me that's all that has ever mattered."


Cups were in front of them as Brennan, Angela and Cam sat at the table overlooking the lab. It was a long day, but they finally had a chance to sit and relax. "So, Brennan?" Angela set her cup down and folded her hands under her chin, sending her friend a pointed gaze.

Brennan cast a glance at the other women sitting at the table, and she would have laughed had the moment seemed funny. She could have ignored the obvious meaning behind what Angela meant. The question was open ended, so she could easily fill it in with anything she wanted. However, Brennan was aware of what might happen if she chose to do so. "I don't know what there is to say."

"What isn't there to say?" Angela laughed. She caught the look of worry in her friend's eye and laid a hand on hers. "Hey, I get it. Just...a little?"

"Yes." Brennan nodded, pleased with her answer.

"That's a non-answer, isn't it?" Cam asked after a beat of silence. "It definitely feels like one."

The sound of someone approaching on the stairs was heard. "Okay, I got it. I'll be sure to tell him next time." Booth spoke into his phone as he reached the top of the stairs, lingering there until the phone call ended. Snapping his phone shut, he wasn't sure if he was supposed to feel scared or just plain curious at the three pairs of eyes staring back at him. "Am I interrupting?"

"No, not at all." Cam replied, moving her chair in further as if that would give him invitation to pass by. "There's more if you'd like to stay."

"Actually, I can't." Booth replied, nodding at Brennan. "I just needed to..."

Silence settled for a second before Brennan realized what he was trying to say. Moving her chair back and nodding at the others, she shoved her cup away and stood. "I should get going, but thank you for the enlightening day. I've missed working, and though I realize it isn't quite the same, I'm definitely glad to be back."

Cam nodded as Hodgins joined them. "Well, we're definitely glad to have you back, Brennan."

Booth and Brennan turned to leave, walking down the stairs together, pausing at the bottom as she said something about grabbing her things from her office.

Hodgins leaned over the edge, watching Booth loop an arm around her shoulders as they walked together. He turned back to Cam and Angela with a look mixed of both confusion and amusement. When he was about to comment, he chose instead to say what he'd actually come for. "Well, obviously they aren't in. I was thinking about dinner out. I figured we could use it with the last few days we've had. You in?"

The question was directed at Cam, who politely shook her head. "While I'd love to, I can't. I've got to get back here early tomorrow to finish, so I'm afraid I'll have to decline."

"What about Zach?" Angela asked as they all made their way back downstairs.

"He already left. Apparently, he's seeing someone." Hodgins informed them, sounding almost proud of his friend. He turned as the sound of laughter echoed, cutting off only as the doors to the lab slid shut. "You think they'll be okay?"

"I hope so." Angela replied, leaning into him as they started toward the exit. "Come on, let's go."