Disclaimer: I still don't own any bones except for the 206 I was born with. This is a little OOC for Brennan but hell it's February 14th lets let Booth win one once.
Chapter 16 Change of Heart
She heard his knock at the door, it was early only 4am but he was on time, just like he always was, even when doing something he hated. She knew he hated this more than anything. He was always angry when she had these jobs that took out of the country and from under his protection. She had to admit it was one of the perverse reasons she had taken this one. He was suffocating her. She felt she couldn't breathe with him watching her all the time. She opened the door to a smiling face.
"Hey Bones how ya doin this morning?" he handed her a coffee and reached for her bags "this all your stuff? I'll take it to the truck. Meet ya down there."
Just like that he was in and out. Well that was different. He didn't even comment on how many bags she was taking. Something he always did, as if the amount of baggage she took with her determined when or if she was coming back. He always commented on it. But he hadn't this time why? Had he given up caring?
The ride to the airport was silent and that was new also. "Booth is something wrong?'
"No Bones it's just early. When are you due back? I want to make sure someone is here to get you."
"In one month I don't have the exact date or flight information. I'll e-mail it to you as soon as I have it."
He pulled up to the Sky Caps outside of her airline and parked. Going to the back and removing her bags he gave them to the Sky Cap with a tip. Turning back to her he kissed her forehead and with a quick "that's ok just send it to Angela." He got back in his truck and drove away, leaving a stunned Brennan on the sidewalk watching the retreating SUV.
She found herself in the first class waiting room with quite a lot of time to spare. She had learned to allow extra time for Booth's delaying tactics. There hadn't been any. She sat in shock as she thought about her morning so far. What was happening? He was her best friend wasn't he? Had he found someone and he didn't want her to know about it? That stopped her thinking for a minute, well actually for quite longer than a minute. Her flight was called as she still was considering how she felt about Booth in a relationship with someone else.
Else? What did she means by that? She realized she was now in a serious discussion with herself. Something she had never done concerning her feelings about Booth. She began to listen to her internal dialog and examine what she would was saying to herself.
I feel that I'm at a crossroads, I don't know which way to go. I feel I'm changing into someone that I don't know. Who I am and who I'll be is all locked inside of me, and if I follow my heart will you still be my friend
if we break apart? How would you take my change of heart?
For years you have been my best friend. I thought that was what you always would be.
I just can't pretend it's your not it's written inside of me. Where I'll go and what I'll do, I just can't see my life without you. If I follow my heart will you still be my friend if we break apart?
Suddenly at 40,000 feet headed toward LA she had an epiphany. What would I do if, while I was gone, you have a change of mind and find someone new? I have to take the chance, no matter what I find.
Upon her arrival at the LA Airport she went directly to her Airline Carrier. Could they get her an immediate flight back to DC. She was a preferred customer and always flew First Class. They told her that could get her on a fight leaving in ½ hour, but she would have to fly couch. They were sorry but that was all they had. They could get her a First Class seat on a plane leaving later that evening if that were more desirable. "No give me the first one. It's an emergency I am needed in DC immediately."
He heard more than saw someone run into his office. Looking up he was astonished to see Bones standing before him. She was breathing so hard she was hardly able to speak. Getting up and rushing around his desk he went to her. When he got within arm's length she grabbed him and pulled him into the tightest hug and kiss he had ever felt. He dimly registered her tears and finally he was able to gently pull and see her face clearly for the first time. He picked her up and carried her to his couch "Bones, Bones, hey Baby, what wrong?" He kept murmuring soft words of comfort interspersed with Baby until she finally calmed enough to talk to him.
"No matter how far I travel I think of you as home. Who I am and who I'll be is all locked inside of me. I'm scared because if I follow my heart will you still be my friend if we break apart? How will you take my change of heart?"
"Bones are you telling me you've had a change of heart about us? About what you want us to be to each other?"
Through her hiccups she answered "Yes, Booth, I thought about it all the way to LA. Please tell you aren't in love with someone else. Please tell me it's not too late for us. I'll do anything you say or want me to do, just please tell me it's not too late." Her voice became more frantic as she continued.
He looked at the desperation in her eyes. Why was it there? Had someone told her he was dating someone else? That was just crazy. Why would she believe it? "Bones why would you think I was in love with someone else?" There was a slight smile in his voice he couldn't keep out.
She looked at him and her lightening fast mind wondered for the first time had he planed all of this? No, he wouldn't have that would be too cruel. "Booth, if you were not eager to get back to someone else this morning why were you in such a hurry to leave? You always stay with me and drive me crazy until the plane leaves. If you are not involved with someone else then why did you leave?"
"Is that what got you thinking? Sorry I guess I should have told you. I forgot and since you were leaving and once again didn't really seem to care about me, I never made it a point to remember to tell you I had to pick up Parker early this morning."
Now she could hear the hurt in his voice. "I'm sorry Booth I really don't understand you. What would make you think I didn't care for you? You are my best friend."
"Bones after all this is that all I am to you a best friend?" He asked urgently need an answer.
"No," she lowered her voice to a whisper. "That's what scares me; I feel much more for you than a best friend should." Taking a deep breath she looked directly at him until their eyes locked. "I love you Booth."
"Thank you Baby I love you too. Let's get out of here. I'm taking you home to celebrate."
"The work day is not over Booth."
"Oh Baby you're so right, my work for today is far from over, but my 9 to 5 as they call it is."
9 to 5? She would have to ask him what that meant later. For now they were headed out to the elevator and then home. Once in the elevator she asked again still a little uncertain "will you still be my friend if we break apart?"
Kissing her soundly, pulling away only as the elevator doors opened he smiled at her and said "you are now and always be my best friend. Now you will also always be my best lover. I never give up what is mine."
The growl in his voice made her giggle as they ran for the SUV hand in hand.
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This was inspired by a favorite Jim Brickman song "Change of Heart" Words and Music by Jim Brickman and Olivia Newton John.
This might seem a little OOC for Bones but I wanted to do a chapter where she became frantic at the thought of loosing Booth and this just seemed to write it's self once I heard to song again. Hey it's Feb 14 so let's let Booth win one today ok?
Nyre
