I don't own Bones.

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Stunned, Daisy shook head while she stared at the skeleton displayed on the table before her. "I can't believe that you're going to turn down working on the Maluku project. It's probably going to be the most important dig of this century. Anyone associated with that dig will be famous. They'll be written in history books."

Staring intently at the sacrum, Brennan observed, "It potentially may be the most important dig of this century. That hasn't been proven yet . . . Besides, I'm already famous."

Unable to understand how Brennan could turn down something that prestigious, Daisy complained to her mentor. "I don't understand why you won't take the offer. We're a good team here and we'd be even better in Maluku. You're brilliant, you're doing the world a disservice by not providing your expertise."

Carefully placing the bone down, Brennan stared at her intern. "Most of the world will not care one way or the other what I do Ms. Wick. Hyperbole is very annoying. Yes, my expertise would be invaluable to the project, but it's of even greater value here. I perform a service that few can do. I give a voice to those who no longer have a voice. I help bring closure to their family and friends. I know the importance of giving someone that voice, Ms. Wick. It is not a waste of my time or my skills as you've tried to intimate."

Startled, Daisy vehemently protested, "I would never presume to do that Dr. Brennan. Nothing you do is a waste of time."

Mollified, Brennan picked up the sacrum again. "That's true. I'm glad you recognize that fact. Now please quit talking about the Maluku project. That topic is now closed for discussion."

Rubbing her gloved finger on the stainless table, Daisy pursed her lips. "How is Agent Booth doing?"

A topic that was dear to her heart, Brennan smiled. "Booth is doing much better. He's sleeping most of the night now and his breathing had improved greatly."

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"Shit," Booth breathed hard. "Why the hell is it taking so long for me to heal? I'm still short of breath . . . It's damned annoying."

Patting his client on the shoulder, Booth's trainer smiled. "Give it time, Booth. You don't bounce back from an injury like you had in a few weeks. It takes months . . . "

Furious, Booth interrupted Terry. "Months. . . No, nah uh . . . Not months, no way."

Since this conversation wasn't new, Terry started to gather his equipment and put it all in his carryall. "Sorry, Booth, we've been over this before and nothing's changed. Unlike the movies where the good guy gets shot in the chest and still fights the bad guy until he wins, this is real life. Someone shot you in your lung. Your lung, Booth. That takes time to heal. There is no magic anything that will change that reality."

Slumping down on the couch, Booth leaned back and closed his eyes. "Great . . Just great."

Terry knew that his client was frustrated which was normal. Leaning over and he patted his client's shoulder. "You have been doing great, Booth, really. Some people never completely recover from a wound like that. You were in great health before you were hurt and that's really helped you. I mean it, you are doing great. Just give it more time. I really think you're going to make a complete recovery, not today, not next week, but really you have a really good chance of a full recovery. Just give it time."

Rubbing his chest, Booth frowned. "Yeah . . . okay . . . I guess."

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"Bones, I'd like to tell everyone that we're a couple. I want to let the FBI know and find out what they plan to do to our partnership. I'm going to be out for awhile and it would give us time to get it straightened out before I go back to work." Placing his fork down, Booth picked up his glass of iced tea and drank until the glass was half empty.

Watching her boyfriend for his reaction, Brennan tried to think of the best response. "I'm pretty sure Agent Harris already knows."

Not concerned about his friend, Booth shrugged his shoulders. "He won't say anything until we do."

Wiping her napkin across her lips, Brennan placed her napkin down next to her plate. "What if they sever our partnership? What if they won't let us work together anymore?"

He knew that was a huge concern. Moving his glass so that it rested near his plate, Booth tried to be honest in his response. "I think that's going to happen any way, Bones. I think Doug Clary may have killed my career as an investigator. If I don't get better, if this is the best I'll ever be then they're either going to keep me behind a desk or they'll give me a medical retirement." Shaking his head, Booth moved his gaze to his girlfriend's clenched hand. "I can't protect you in the field the way I am right now and let's face it . . . I may never be able to do it again. I'm sorry."

Shaking her head, Brennan reached across the table and snagged his hand in hers. "Are you giving up? Is that what you're telling me? . . . Booth, this is so unlike you. You never give up."

After his therapy that afternoon, Booth was afraid for his future and he needed Brennan to understand the reality of his situation. "I'm not giving up, Bones. I will fight to get better, I promise you that. It's just . . . I'm trying to be practical. I'm trying to prepare you for something that neither of us wants, but might happen. We have to prepare for the worse. If I don't get any better they're not going to let me be your partner anymore . . . I . . . I'll just be your boyfriend not your partner. Is that something you could live with? Could you . . . " Trailing off, Booth shook his head, afraid of her answer.

"Booth, I love you." Gripping his hand harder, Brennan made a promise to him. "If your health is compromised that won't change our relationship. It's taken too long for us to get where we are for me to just throw it away. I told you I was ready for a relationship with you and I meant it. You told me you love me and that you'd never leave me. Did you mean it?"

Shocked that she would think so little of him, Booth protested. "Of course, I meant it Bones. I love you and the only way I'm leaving you is if you don't . . . . if you can't . . ." Swallowing, Booth tried again. "I love you Bones. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I don't give a damn if I can't be your partner at the FBI. Not as long as you're in my life. Not as long as you love me and . . . "

Interrupting him, Brennan responded, "I do love you, Booth. Don't doubt that. If, as you say, our partnership is severed then that will be the FBI's loss. I have the option to withdraw from my contract if I wish to return to Academia. If your superiors decide that we can no longer work together, then I will sever my ties to the FBI. I can concentrate on teaching and working at the Jeffersonian, identifying the unknowns in Bones storage. I only work with the best, Booth. You are the best. I will not work with second best. You know that."

Relieved that Brennan wasn't upset about the possibility that they may never work together again, Booth swallowed and pulled their hands toward him. Leaning down, he kissed her hand. "We'll work this out, Bones. I promise. I'll work to get better and get back to work. If they take our partnership away we'll adjust . . . I hope they don't do that, but if they do . . . well, that doesn't change who and what we are to each other." Kissing her hand again, Booth smiled at her. "We have to bite the bullet sometime. Someone is going to find out that we're together now. I'd just like to get over it now while we have control of the situation . . . My idea is to approach Caroline first. We let her know and see if she can fix it so our partnership can remain intact . . . well, if I can still do my job. She's smart and she knows the rules and regs of the FBI inside and out. If she says our partnership won't stand then we can decide what to do from there."

Curious, Brennan asked, "What would you do if they made you work from your desk? Would they demote you?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Booth wasn't really sure. "My job is technically a desk job now. Someone in my position doesn't usually go out in the field and investigate crimes. My job is supervisory. I go out because you're my partner and I need to back you up. I know you won't work with anyone else so I've never changed that. If they chain me to a desk that means I'd just stick to the letter of what my job description entails."

Brennan asked her next question. "And if they give you a medical retirement?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Booth joked, "Then I can become your house husband."

Amused, Brennan snorted. "You'd go out of your mind with boredom, Booth."

Suddenly somber, Booth released her hand and picked up his glass of iced tea. "Maybe, but right now I don't have a lot of control over my future. I have to try to get well. If that happens, I have to get the FBI to let me keep my job. If that happens I want to still work in the field with you and there's no guarantee that's going to happen. A lot of damn ifs and I don't have any control over any of it. We'll just have to let the Fates take care of this one Bones."

Shaking her head, Brennan decided that they shouldn't worry about their future just yet. "We have some control, Booth. Not a lot but we have some. Talk to Caroline and see what she says. At least we'll have an idea of what to expect. I don't want to tell anyone else about us until you've talked to Caroline first."

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