The room around her was dark when Brennan snapped awake. Panicked, her mind raced. Convinced she was back on the mountain, she tried not to move. Carefully, she extended her right leg, only to have it fall from the couch and hit the coffee table.
Her sharp cry woke Booth. Using nothing but instinct to figure out where she was, he reached for her and pulled her toward him.
"Breathe," he said softly. "I'm here, you're in my place. I"m right here, Bones."
He felt, rather than saw her nod. After several minutes, her breathing slowed as she caught her breath. His body was warm next to hers and she fought the urge to move closer.
"Nightmare?" he asked gently.
Again the nod. "I was up on that mountain again," she said softly.
He kept his arms around her. "You're not," he promised. "I'm pretty sure we're on my couch."
"We are," she said, relief at being safe bringing tears to her eyes. "You were asleep when I got out of the shower. I left you there."
Which explained the tightness in his back. "Why were you on the couch then?"
This time a shrug. "Because you were here."
"I'll still be here if you sleep on the bed, Bones. We'll just keep the door open."
"Okay," she said, dismayed to find herself already half asleep in Booth's arms.
He laughed at her sleepy voice and scooped her up, despite the protest from his back. Setting her gently on the bed, he propped her leg up on a pillow and covered her with a blanket.
"Thanks, Booth," she whispered as her eyes closed.
Knowing she wouldn't remember it in the morning, Booth bent down and kissed her forehead. "My pleasure," he answered.