First one up. Thanks to my Beta (yay, I have a real Beta!) Jencun. The beginning of a beautiful friendship. ;)

"Sinner, these things I should keep to myself
But I feel somehow strangely compelled
The closest I get to contentment
Is when all of the barriers come down"

- "Sinner", from the album Try Whistling This, 1998

Set between S6 and S7.

She was destined to be alone. That is, had she believed in destiny in the first place.

"Do you believe in fate?" he asked her.
"Absolutely not, ludicrous." she stated categorically.

And yet, here she was, three years later, standing on the pier watching Sully's boat gently sail away into the distance. She felt empty at Sully's departure - they had clearly had a connection... and yet, like something had propelled her to stay. Or someone.

As she turned to take the long and lonely walk back, there he was. Smiling. Almost taunting her with his presence. Sometimes, in a quiet moment, she'd wondered what it would have been like if she hadn't taken that cab. She was grateful that he was there just as much as she resented him right at this moment.

He threw his arm around her as they walked back down the pier, promising her that she would find love one day.

But for now, once again, romantically at least, whatever Booth promised, she was still very much alone, as she knew she would be forever. She would not, could not, open her heart. Too dangerous.

In the blink of an eye, she woke in her bed. But this wasn't just her bed. A large muscled arm was slung over across her waist casually and a leg hooked into hers. For a split second she was confused, just a second before she had smelt the sea air and a cool breeze about her. Instead she now felt warm breath on the back of her neck. She strained her head up as much as she could without disturbing the slumbering form next to her as strangely, she didn't feel the least bit afraid, but was curious to her current environment.

This was her bedroom, only it wasn't just her room. Across from her, an empty gun holster was slung on the chair and a man's jacket lay next to it. Clothes were just visible on the floor where two people had clearly been far more interested in each other the night before than worrying about their laundry. The body next to her stirred and the warmth that enveloped her bought her to her senses. It became clear that both she and the man next to her were completely naked and immediately she realised who that man was. She smiled when she realised the dream was merely a flashback of what had been a long time before. No more loneliness. She'd opened up to him and he had nurtured her heart. She turned over and flashed him a thousand watt smile as he cracked open his eyes.

A life shared, she thought.

"Bones, you awake?" Booth nuzzled lovingly into her hair, still half asleep.

"Yes." And with that, she kissed him.

I really appreciate reviews, faves and follows. Thank you.