The Test in the Texts~Rated T (Complete)

Chapter Sixteen

When Booth opened his eyes the next morning, he was afraid that the whole thing had been a dream. The he smelled something familiar….something….delicious. Pancakes. He tried to launch himself out of the bed and got tangled in the sheets on his way up, sending him sprawling across the floor. He lay there for a moment, taking a mental evaluation of his limbs to make sure nothing was broken, when he heard a soft laugh. He looked up into the sparkling, amused eyes of his partner.

"Yeah, yeah…laugh it up, Bones." Booth pulled himself up to a sitting position, mock-glaring at Brennan as she barely held back a full-on laugh. "In case you were wondering, I'm not hurt."

Chuckling, Brennan offered him her hand. "Yes, I can see that. Come on, you big baby. I made breakfast."

Booth waved her hand off and stood on his own. "Pancakes! You're the best, Bones. Oh God, I missed food cooked in something other than a microwave!"

Still smiling, Brennan led him from the bedroom and into the kitchen. "I noticed that you look as though you've lost a little weight. What have you been eating?"

"Mostly stuff that comes in a can. It was easier to shop for quickly." Booth took a seat at her kitchen counter. "I tried to go outside as little possible."

Nodding, Brennan flipped the last of the pancakes out of the pan and grabbed another plate, this one loaded with bacon, eggs and sausage. Blushing, she set everything on the counter. "I know it looks like a lot, but…well, I thought you might like a home-cooked meal after being away so long."

Booth gave her a grateful smile, wasting no time in digging in to the hearty breakfast. Brennan watched him closely, her inner anthropologist cataloging everything about his movements, appearance and demeanor. Outwardly, he looked a little pale and he had definitely lost weight. And while the ordeal had certainly not affected his appetite, there was something…something Brennan couldn't pinpoint from just looking at him. As if something was missing, something vital. This was one of the many times that she cursed her lack of intuitive people skills, especially where Booth was concerned.

Brennan's inner monologue was disrupted by a knock at her front door. Booth looked at her with mild panic, and she responded by grabbing his arm and pushing him into the kitchen, plate in hand.

"Stay here and be quiet. I don't know who it could be this early." She forced herself to walk normally to the door, trying to regulate her erratic breathing. She reached the door and peeked through the peep hole, a smile breaking her face.

"Richard!" Brennan stood aside as her soon-to-be-former partner entered the apartment.

"Mornin', Doc. Have you heard from our wayward friend yet?" He turned to her, not seeing Booth sneaking up behind him from his hiding place.

Brennan controlled her reaction, shaking her head. "Not yet, but I imagine it won't be too long before we get a surprise."

Suddenly, Gunn realized that his arms were pinned behind him and he was laying face-down on the parquet floor, his attacker laughing hysterically on top of him. Closing his eyes in disgust with himself, he suddenly flipped his body, taking Booth with him.

Still laughing, Booth took in his reversed position and slapped Gunn on the shoulder. "Dumbass! I can't believe you let me get the drop on you!"

Gunn returned his friend's grin and stood, offering his hand to help him up and pulled him into a bear hug. "Jackass! Man, I can't believe how much I missed your ugly mug!" He released Booth and motioned towards Brennan. "And give me a break, look what I had distracting me!"

Booth nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I can completely relate." He ignored Brennan's blush and led the other agent into the kitchen. "Damn, Gunn…it's so good to see you."

The smile slipped from Richard's face as he sat next to Booth at the counter. "You too, Seeley. Really. I know you did what you had to do, but you really left a fucking mess around here."

Booth looked pained. "I know. How is...is Parker okay?"

"No." Gunn wasn't going to sugarcoat anything, especially knowing what the next several days were going to mean for Booth. "The kid thinks his dad, his hero, is dead. I don't mind telling you that he's had a hell of a time of it, Booth. If it weren't for this woman here...' He gestured at a frowning Brennan, "he probably would be a lot worse."

Booth watched Brennan duck her head, an embarrassed look on her face. "Bones? Hey…look at me."

She forced her eyes up, shocked when she saw tears in Booth's eyes as he returned her gaze. "I don't know how I can ever repay you for taking care of Parker. If I wasn't already head-over-heels in love with you that would be the capper." Booth stood and took Brennan in a gentle hug. "Thank you, Bones."

Brennan nodded against Booth's chest and hugged him back. "You're welcome, Booth. I love Parker and it was nothing you wouldn't have done for me."

Booth pressed a kiss to her head and released her, both sitting back down at the counter. Gunn, for a moment speechless, cleared his throat and got back to the business at hand. "Okay, I spoke to Hodgins this morning. He told Angela what was going on last night, and they're going to meet up with us whenever you're ready, Booth."

"Okay. Maybe you could call Ang after breakfast, Bones?" Booth was agreeable to almost anything at this point. He dreaded the reactions he was going to have to deal with when his friends and loved ones found out he had been alive this entire time, and having Gunn and Bones to help him get through it all was nothing but a blessing as far as he was concerned.

"I'll call her now, Booth. If I know Angela, she's probably been pestering Hodgins all morning to come and see you for herself." Brennan grabbed her cell and walked into the other room.

"Hey, Jackass." Gunn gave Booth a sideways glance.

"Yeah, Dumbass?" Booth continued eating, ignoring the look he was getting.

"You know what you just said there, right?"

"Shut up, Dumbass."

Chapter Seventeen

Four hours later, Booth, Brennan, Gunn, Hodgins and Angela all sat around Brennan's living room sharing a pizza and salads over lunch. Angela couldn't help herself, and she kept reaching over to pat Booth on the closest body part she could reach, whether it was his arm, shoulder or knee, still trying to convince herself that this was all real and not a dream of some kind.

"Ang, if you don't quit groping me I am going to tell your husband." Booth rolled his eyes at her for what seemed like the hundredth time.

Hodgins shook his head and snickered. "Nah, its okay Booth. I don't mind. I think it's funny."

"You would." Gunn threw in. "That woman exhausts you, doesn't she?" Everyone laughed until Booth put a hand up in protest.

"Okay, enough." Booth insisted. "Listen, I am really grateful to all of you for everything you've done, but I think I have to handle telling everyone myself from here on out."

There was a knock at the door and Brennan rose to answer it. "Funny you should say that, Booth…" She opened the door to the confused but curious faces of Cam and Sweets. "Come on in, you two." They followed Brennan towards the living room, where she stopped and gestured to the others gathered.

"You remember Special Agent Seeley Booth, don't you?"

Cam gasped and covered her mouth with her hand, eyes wide and shocked. Sweets simply shook his head, closed his eyes and began crying. Booth stood and managed to get to Cam in two strides before her knees gave out on her, letting her hang onto him tightly as she sobbed into his chest. He put his other arm out and reached for Sweets, grabbing the younger man and enclosing him in free arm. The three of them stood there for a few minutes, just rocking back and forth slowly. Eventually, Sweets moved to separate himself from the embrace, wiping his eyes unashamedly. Cam held on a bit longer, and then finally deciding to throw caution to the wind reached up and to his complete surprise, kissed Booth square on the mouth.

"Damn you, Seeley Booth." She said, pushing him away slightly. "You'd best have a better excuse than you did last time because my heart can't take much more of this!"

Booth grabbed Cam in another hug and threw a gratified look to a quiet Sweets over her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Camille. I would have told you if I could."

"Don't call me Camille."

"Don't call me Seeley."

Cam pulled back and laughed, swiping at her wet cheeks. "Alright then. Everything back to normal?"

Booth threw an arm over her shoulder and led her into the room. "God, I hope so."

After everyone had settled down and welcomed the newcomers, Gunn, Booth and Brennan explained the sequence of events that led to Booth's hiding, his contacting Hodgins and Brennan, and his eventual freedom. Cam, Sweets and Angela were shocked that no one had given any indication whatsoever of the drama that had consumed the others in the room for so long. Hodgins had been especially worried that Angela would be angry with him for keeping it from her, but she understood more than he knew. Their relationship was based on trust and love, and Angela knew that Jack had very good reasons for keeping Booth's secret. When she said as much, Hodgins couldn't keep the relieved look from crossing his face as he took his wife's hand and kissed it in gratitude.

Booth looked to Brennan, whose leg was tapping incessantly against the leg of her chair. He was about to ask her what the problem was when the doorbell rang again. Brennan paled, and Booth knew instantly who was waiting behind the door.

"Booth. Go to my bedroom and wait there. I'll let you know." Booth nodded tightly and with a hot ball of fear sitting in his gut headed for the bedroom. Everyone else sat in silence, to a person sensing who had come for a visit.

"Bones!" Parker grabbed her around the waist, as Brennan opened the door and smiled at Rebecca over his head. She had called Rebecca earlier that morning, so the other woman was well aware of the situation. She told Brennan that she wanted to be angry with Booth for letting his son mourn him like that, but Rebecca more than anyone knew what kind of a father Booth was, and knew he would have done anything to avoid this mess if he could have. All she was concerned about now was Parker's reaction to his father's reappearance.

Entering the living room, Rebecca took in the gathering and nodded tightly. Parker was thrilled to see his father's friends, and smiled brightly as he took a seat next to Brennan.

"Bones, Mom said that you have something important to tell me." He looked expectantly to Brennan, waiting for her to begin.

Running a hand through his curls, Brennan took a breath and began. "You know how some very bad men hurt your daddy and his friends?" Parker nodded sadly. "Well, we recently found out that those same men would have done anything to get to your dad, including coming after you. Now, don't worry. Your dad did everything he could to make sure you were perfectly safe, okay?"

"Daddy always took care of me. And I have you now, too. I'm not scared, Bones."

Brennan's voice cracked slightly as she continued. "Good, I'm glad. And I will always do everything I can to make sure you're safe, I promise. But your dad had to do something else that he didn't want to do in order to make sure that everyone he loves was protected. And I need you to understand how very much he wanted to let you know what he was doing, but he just couldn't. He loves you too much to put you in any danger, do you understand?"

Parker's forehead wrinkled in confusion. "I think so. But..what did Daddy have to do?"

Taking a breath, Brennan took the plunge. "He had to pretend that he was dead, Parker."

It suddenly felt as if all the air had been sucked out of the room. The adults braced for the onslaught that, unbelievably, didn't come right away. Parker simply stared up at Brennan and gave her a half-smile.

"My wish came true, Bones."

The sob that had been holding itself back in her throat burst forth and Brennan opened her arms to catch Parker, who had launched himself at her without another word. They held tight to each other, both trying desperately to soothe the other as they rocked back and forth. The silence weighing heavily around them was broken by a single spoken syllable.

"Park."

Parker scrambled off Brennan's lap with a broken cry and let Booth pick him up, wrapping his arms and legs around him.

"I missed you so much, Little Man." Booth whispered.

"I knew it, Daddy. I knew that you wouldn't leave me and Bones. I knew…" Parker buried his face in his father's neck and sobbed. Rebecca stood from her place on the floor next to Brennan's chair and moved to rub her son's back and kiss his father's cheek.

"Welcome home, Seeley."

Chapter Eighteen

Booth was sitting at Brennan's dining room table going over all the paperwork that had resulted from his "death" and the sheer volume was making his head spin. In the back of his mind he knew that there were going to be consequences aside from the emotional effect on his family and friends, but he'd never considered how complicated it was to take care of the process of burying a loved one. The only thing that made the experience even slightly more tolerable was the fact that he had chosen Bones as his executor, so everything he needed was neatly filled out and kept in separate folders, all labeled in her precise hand. Of course, her attention to detail caused her to file all the appropriate forms as soon as possible, so Booth was going to have to do a lot of backtracking to even begin to undo the damage. The first order of business was informing his bosses at the FBI that he was, in fact, very much alive. And he had no idea how he was going to accomplish that feat.

Brennan stood at the end of the hallway watching Booth pore over the papers in front of him. She wanted to have the ability to say the right thing to ease his mind, to let him know that she was seriously reconsidering her refusal of his romantic overture of almost six months earlier, but she knew her own limitations and it frustrated her. A part of her that she, as a matter of habit, pushed down deep wanted to go to him, wrap her arms around his waist, and rest her head on his shoulder in comfort. But despite that debilitating habit, she was so very tired of forcing herself to ignore her impulses and compartmentalize every single human emotion that she ever had in order to protect herself and those she loved. It was time to make some changes.

Booth was staring at a letter from a lawyer he had never heard of with something close to shock. Someone, and he had his suspicions who, had set up a trust for Parker in the event of Booth's death or his 21st birthday, whichever came first, in the amount of ten million dollars. He was about to turn around to call for Brennan when he felt her behind him. She stopped, leaned against his back and wrapped her arms around his chest, resting her chin on his shoulder.

Booth stopped breathing for a moment. 'Maybe my tumor is back, maybe I'm hallucinating…' he thought. But he could feel her warm body against him, her breath drifting past his ear and he knew that this was very, very real. So Booth made an executive decision, and simply went with it. He placed one hand over Brennan's clasped ones near his heart and squeezed lightly. Her sigh was at once comforting and staggering in its simplicity. They sat there in contented silence for a few minutes, Brennan wrapped around Booth while he softly rubbed her hands in his.

Finally, Booth lifted the lawyer's letter and held it up for Brennan to see. "Bones? Do you know anything about this?"

He felt her nod against him, but she made no move to extract herself from his hold. "Yes, I do. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about it before…" Brennan suddenly sounded unsure and started to move, but Booth held fast.

"No, don't apologize, Bones. Don't." He turned his head enough so that their faces were less than a breath away and smiled. "I love that you care enough about my son to make sure he's provided for. Granted, ten million dollars is a bit much, but I can't tell you what it does for me that you did this."

"Ten million? What?" Brennan stood and snatched the letter from Booth's hand. "Wait a minute…Booth, I only set Parker's trust up for five million, not ten!"

Booth stood took the letter back from Brennan. "Well, I suppose you could just call your lawyer and ask him." He found her confusion completely adorable, and had to physically restrain himself from just leaning in and kissing her.

"Oh. Yes. That would be the most rational course of action, wouldn't it?" Brennan looked cowed but still managed to smile. "When did you become the rational one in this relationship?"

Booth shook his head in amazement. "When did this become a relationship?"

"I-um, that's not what I…" Brennan struggled to get her bearings. "I meant partnership. A partnership is a type of relationship."

"That it is, Bones." Letting it slide, Booth pointed to the letter. "Go ahead and give this guy a call, and I will give Gunn a ring, see if he can help me figure out how to let Hacker know I'm alive."

"You trust Andrew?"

"I think we can, Bones. Apparently Senator Roberts gave up an agent in vice who was feeding him information, and Hacker was disgusted that it happened in his house. So Gunn thinks he will be understanding, and helpful."

"Is there anything I can do? Talk to him?"

"No, Bones. I think Gunn can handle it." Booth didn't know what was going on with him and Bones, but he definitely didn't want Andrew Hacker back in the middle of it, mucking up the works.

Brennan smiled lightly at Booth's instant refusal. "Booth…he dumped me, you know."

"What? Why on earth would any sane man dump you?" Booth was convinced now. Hacker was a doofus.

"We'll talk about it later. Just call Gunn. Oh…and see if he and Erik are available for lunch. I'll make something here, since you can't leave yet." She turned to leave the room.

"Will do, Bones. Thanks."

Booth watched her walk down the hallway towards her bedroom, cell phone in hand. The investigator in him wanted to sit her down and find out what was going on in her head, but the man who loved her was too busy reveling in their new, but surprising level of intimacy to care. There was a small part of him that wanted to resent the obvious fact that it took the idea of losing him for her to wake up to what was going on between them, but this was not Booth's first time riding in the front seat of the roller coaster that was Temperance Brennan and he knew that she never made a life-changing decision without facts to back it up. Knowing that now was definitely not the time to start the long and possibly painful conversation that was going to have to happen; Booth grabbed the phone to call Gunn. He needed to bring himself back from the dead before he started to build a new life.

Chapter Nineteen

Brennan hung up from the call with her lawyer, amused, a little bit sad and impressed. When Booth had mentioned the amount of the trust fund for Parker, she was genuinely confused. Yes, she had set up the fund for Parker when Booth had been shot and "died" the first time, but she had been telling Booth the truth. It was set up with five million dollars initially, an amount that Brennan arrived at after weeks of research. After speaking to her lawyer, however, she now understood why it had been doubled. Now her only problem was telling Booth.

When she went back into the living room, Booth was sitting on the sofa with a look on his face that was indescribable. He held the phone in his hand, turning it back and forth idly, something obviously on his mind.

"Booth?" Brennan took the seat next to him and reached for the phone. "What did Gunn say?"

There was a long moment of silence before Booth turned his head to her and blinked. "Oh. Um….Hacker is going to take care of everything."

"Everything? He wasn't angry?"

"No. Not at all. In fact, he seemed to be really…well, happy. It kind of weirded me out, Bones."

"Hmm." Brennan wondered what that meant.

"Hmm? That's all you have to say?" A smile ghosted his face at her expression. He really loved her squinty 'scrunchy face'.

"I just-hmm." Brennan laughed. "I suppose that sort of says it all."

Shaking his head, Booth laughed with her. "Alright, so…what did the lawyer say?"

"Well..." Brennan's explanation was halted by the doorbell. "Hang on, this will explain everything."

When Hodgins walked into the living room with Brennan, Booth had to admit that he was shocked…but not. Booth only knew of two people who had the kind of resources to set up such a large fund for Parker, and Brennan's generosity wasn't surprising. But Hodgins…

"Hey Booth." The scientist sat down across from him, looking nervous.

"Hodgins." Booth nodded. "What's going on?"

Brennan sat down next to Booth again, hand on his knee. "Just listen, Booth. Okay?"

Booth gestured to Hodgins. "Go ahead, then."

Taking a deep breath, Hodgins explained. "No matter what anyone else says, it is my fault that you were taken by the Gravedigger."

"Hodgins…" Booth began.

"No, Booth. No. Just…let me do this. I need to take responsibility for what I did. Yes, I had a hard time getting past what happened to me and Brennan in that car. And yes, I still have an occasional nightmare about it. But that is no excuse to break the law, and my hubris and stupidity almost killed my friend. Almost deprived Parker of his father. I was so…" He stopped for a moment, taking in slow, shallow breaths. Brennan took the opportunity of a pause to move to the chair next to Hodgins, placing a hand on his arm. He nodded gratefully at her and continued. "I was so damn angry…angry at being kidnapped in the first place, angry at being hit by a car and almost killed, angry for what Brennan had to go through, angry for all of you…I was just pissed. And I couldn't find my way back from that, for the longest time. And the bitch of it was all I could think of was the ordeal. I was alive. Brennan was alive. And that just wasn't enough for me."

Booth shook his head sadly. "Hodgins, you two went through something pretty damn horrible. It's understandable that you wouldn't just get over it. It takes time."

"But, Booth…it shouldn't have taken over two years! I stole that evidence long after I could use my issues as an excuse. And because of that, Taffett went after you. And because of me, Parker would have lost his father."

"But you guys saved me."

"Yes. But when everything was over, and we finally had her in jail, I realized something. I was standing in the hallway of the hospital, and I could see you sitting on a bed in the exam room. Brennan was standing next to you, still wearing her dress from the ceremony she missed, and suddenly, Parker came running down the hall. He tore into the room and practically took you out when he jumped on you. He was hugging you, and you were both crying and it just…hit me. You were alive. I was alive, Brennan was alive and that was the most important thing. I had apologized to you, and you accepted it with a hell of a lot more grace than I would have, but it didn't seem like enough. So, I called my lawyer."

"Who also happens to be my lawyer." Brennan added.

Realization started to dawn on Booth. "Ah…"

"Yeah. I called him, and asked about setting up a trust for Parker. He was confused at first, and he thought I meant that I wanted to add to the trust that Brennan had already set up. I didn't even know about that one, and I wasn't supposed to, but we figured out a way to link mine to Brennan's so that if anything happened to you, we would only have to make one phone call. And that's what the paperwork you were reading was about." Hodgins sat forward, elbows on knees, and looked Booth in the eye. "I have never been sorrier for anything I have ever done in my life than I was when my cowardice got you kidnapped. Yes, we might have never caught Taffett if all that hadn't gone down, but now I realize that it doesn't matter. We do fight for justice as a living, getting resolution for the victims, but in the end I think I speak for everyone when I say that we would all prefer for those crimes to never happen, to have our jobs become obsolete. And I forgot that. So setting up the fund for Parker was my way of making amends. To you, to Parker, to myself."

Booth sat silently for a moment, face still and eyes betraying nothing. Then he stood and extended his hand to Hodgins, who stood as well. "There is nothing to forgive, Jack. But if you need to hear it, then I forgive you. You always forgive family." Hodgins raised an eyebrow at him. "Yes, family. And the fact that you want to help take care of Parker? That means more to me than anything you said or could have said here today. So, thank you."

Hodgins nodded as they dropped their hands and looked at each other for a second. "You don't want a hug or anything, do you?"

"What are we, chicks? Hell, no." Booth grinned and slapped him on the back of the head. "Now let's talk about the Seeley Booth Early Retirement Fund you need to get started…"

They were still laughing as Booth and Brennan walked Hodgins to the door.

Chapter Twenty

After Hodgins left, Brennan headed to the kitchen to begin getting lunch ready for Gunn and Erik. She had decided on lasagna that Erik had given her the recipe for, and Booth pitched in by chopping vegetables for a salad. They worked in companionable silence for quite awhile, passing utensils and moving about the kitchen together easily. Finally the curiosity got the better of her, and Brennan began asking about the press conference scheduled for the next afternoon.

"I don't know, Bones. I guess Hacker wants to show off the fact that we took down a senator who threatened the life of an FBI agent, who was then forced into hiding and then, into faking his own death. And letting the rest of the world know-" Realization dawned on Booth the exact same time as it hit Brennan.

"Booth…you need to call Mary."

After calling Gunn and Erik and pushing lunch back an hour, Brennan picked up her cell and sat next to Booth on the sofa. "I'll speak to her first."

"That's a good idea, Bones. Thanks."

Brennan nodded, and with a tight smile began to dial.

"Temperance?" Mary's concerned voice filtered through the phone. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes, Mary. Everything is more than okay." She glanced at Booth, and then continued. "Is there a way for you to come back to DC for a day or two?"

"I thought you said everything was okay. What is going on?"

"I don't want to tell you over the phone, Mary. Please. Let me send you a ticket."

Brennan and Booth together had decided that something as crucial as the news of your dead boyfriend suddenly resurrecting should be revealed face-to-face. Booth thought that he should fly to Michigan to see Mary himself, but without proper warning Brennan was afraid the woman would pass out from the shock. Add that to the fact that the press conference Hacker organized was scheduled in less than 24 hours and Booth wouldn't even have time to get there and back, their decision was made for them. So they'd come up with the idea of trying to get Mary to come to DC as soon as possible.

Mary sighed. "Temperance, I can't. I just started this job, I have no vacation time. And I am knee-deep in Shakespeare with my freshman classes. I just can't get away. Please, tell me what is going on."

"It's about Booth."

"I gathered that. But why can't you tell me? Did something happen to Parker?"

"No, no…Parker is fine." Booth blanched at his soon-to-be ex-girlfriend's concern for his son. He wanted to grab the phone from Brennan and explain himself, but they were both afraid that Mary would freak out. So he walked to the kitchen and forced himself to sit down at the counter, hands running through his hair distractedly.

"Are you sure you can't come here?" Brennan was still trying to get Mary to agree to a face-to-face meeting.

"I wish I could. Now please, tell me." Mary sat at her own kitchen table, glad for the stability as Brennan spoke.

"Booth is alive."

There was a deadly silence on the other end of the phone. Brennan glanced towards the kitchen, and although she couldn't see Booth from her vantage point, she knew he was listening intently. "Mary? Are you there?"

More silence. Then…"What do you mean, Seeley is alive?" The other woman's voice shook slightly.

"Booth was not killed in the explosion. He has been in hiding in New York."

"I-um, wow." Mary took a moment to gather her thoughts. "How did you find out?"

Brennan told Mary the story, beginning with the texts she'd received and ending with the reunion with Parker the previous day. After she was done, Brennan stood and walked into the kitchen to stand next to Booth.

"Mary, would you like to speak with him? He's here."

"No."

Brennan's eyes widened and Booth surmised what the answer had been. He wasn't surprised.

"No? I…are you sure? I know that he wanted to say some things to you himself."

Mary laughed without amusement. "Yes, I'm sure he did. And honestly Temperance, I want to speak with him. I do. But I'm not going to. Look, I've always known, from the beginning, that Seeley and I were not exactly a red-hot romance. Yes, I had hoped that he would feel for me what I felt for him…eventually, but his heart has always belonged to you and I just don't have the energy to compete, and I don't really want to."

"Mary…" Brennan felt tears prick her eyes as they locked with Booth's. "I don't know what to say."

Mary smiled a genuine smile, knowing that none of this was anyone's fault, yet was everyone's responsibility. "Temperance, you have done nothing wrong. In fact, you've been nothing but kind and friendly to me. And I will never forget how much of a comfort you were during and after the funeral, despite your own pain. But I think that in order for everyone involved to be happy, I need to let him go. I already had begun to, in fact. This way is only just a little harder."

Brennan was still at a loss for words, so the two women listened to the slight static on the line for a moment before Mary broke the stalemate.

"Listen, I need to go. I have a class. But…can I give you some advice?"

Walking away from Booth, Brennan agreed. "Yes, I suppose I owe you that much."

Mary sighed. "Temperance, you know now that life is short. Most of us only get one shot at true happiness, and now you've gotten a second chance. He loves you. Don't waste it." And without another word, she disconnected the call.

Brennan stood in the hallway, phone dangling from her hand, for almost ten minutes before Booth came up behind her and gently took the cell from her. "I'm not surprised that she didn't want to talk to me."

Shaking her head, Brennan stalked back to the kitchen. "I don't understand it. If she really did love you, wouldn't she want to hear your voice again? Even if you and she weren't together anymore? I mean, if it were me I would have been desperate to speak to you."

Booth sat back down at the counter and turned off Brennan's cell. "I understand it, Bones. I do. Aside from the fact that we really only knew each other for three months, Mary and I never really connected. Not in a tangible way, anyway. Sure, she is a wonderful woman and I really enjoyed spending time with her-"

"You mean the sex was good."

Booth chuffed a laugh. "I wouldn't know. It never got that far."

Brennan stared at Booth in shock. "You're kidding me."

"No, Bones. I'm not. Some of us have more control over our biological urges than others. We just weren't ready for that." Softer, Booth confessed, "Or, I wasn't, anyway."

Wanting to be hurt by Booth's comment, Brennan moved away from him a bit. "I don't know what that means."

"Of course you don't. Because I lied to you."

Brennan's whole body jerked in response, hurt and confusion crossing her eyes in equal measure. "Lied to me? Booth, what could you have possibly lied to me about? You're always more honest with me than anyone."

Looking her in the eye, ready to voice what he had feared as far back as his heart cared to look, Booth read the trust on Brennan's face and decided that he needed to play one last hand.

"I haven't moved on. I can't. And I think…no, I know that I can't ever move on from you."

Temperance Brennan could count on one hand the big emotional milestones in her life. If she really stopped to think about it, most of them would involve the man sitting in front of her right now, but since emotional turmoil was miles out of her comfort zone she chose to ignore that fact most days. But standing here, in her kitchen, with the only person who had ever given their life for her, had ever risked everything they were for her, who loved her for who she was and not what she could be, even those small, yet significant events seemed to narrow into a pinpoint compared to this one moment. So she steeled her resolve and followed Booth's long-ago advice to put her brain in neutral and pop her heart into overdrive. She walked to his side, placed one hand on his face, and nodded.

"I'm glad to hear that, Booth."

Chapter Twenty-One

Booth placed his hand over Brennan's on his cheek. As much as it pained him, he knew this conversation was not going to be easy, nor was it going to end in the bedroom, a fact that really served to piss him off.

"Bones, can you call Gunn and cancel lunch? Maybe reschedule for dinner?"

Nodding, Brennan picked up her discarded phone. "I'll cancel. I have a feeling this is going to take awhile."

After hanging up with a curious but understanding Erik, Brennan followed Booth to the living room and sat across from him on the nearest chair. She didn't trust herself to sit next to him right then, she was afraid that her suddenly discovered urge to touch him ("'Suddenly'? Really, Temperance?" her internal voice sneered.) would be uncontrollable and they needed to get through this with as little distraction as possible.

"I have to ask, Bones…would we be having this conversation if you hadn't spent all that time thinking I was dead?" Booth decided that using Brennan's own blunt style of speaking was the way to go.

"No." Brennan looked up for a moment, trying to keep her breathing even. "Not right now, no."

"I appreciate your honesty, Bones." Booth leaned forward, elbows on knees. "You know I had to ask, don't you? And you know why?"

"I do."

"Okay, then. In the long run it doesn't matter to me. It's no less a legitimate epiphany than anything else and I'm okay with that. Everything beyond that is too important to nitpick."

"But Booth…I want you to be sure that I am sure. I know you said that you're the gambler, and I have to admit that up until this point I really didn't understand what the implications of that statement were beyond your asking me to give us a chance. But I've had a lot of time to reflect while you've…" Brennan took a deep breath. "While you've been gone. And yes, your death did spur my introspection. But it was never something that wasn't going to happen anyway. I know that now."

"And how do you know that, Bones?"

"Because I trust you more than I've ever trusted anyone in my whole life. More than I trust myself. And you said that you knew. And that is enough for me." She stood up, only to drop to her knees at Booth's feet. "I've never gone wrong if I follow you, no matter what or where, so why should this time be any different? My standing with you, beside you…is never a gamble."

Booth nodded, and then leaned down to place his forehead on hers. "Alright, Bones. Alright. I'm convinced."

Brennan reached up and held his face in her hands. Wanting to connect with him, she leaned up and placed a soft kiss on his lips, barely a whisper but so full of promise it almost brought Booth to tears. Clearing his throat, he pulled away a bit and took in her confused expression. "It's okay, Bones. I just…there are things that I need to say to you now. Okay?"

"Okay." She leaned back a bit, watching his face closely. "Should I be scared?"

Booth laughed and reached for her hand. "No, Bones. The only thing we're going to have between us here is the truth. And since I know how much you love the truth, this should be a walk in the park for you." He smiled comfortingly, chaffing her hand between both of his. "I bear most of the responsibility for what happened that night in front of the Hoover."

"Booth.."

"No, Bones. I do. Yes, it needed to be said. It was a long time coming, and I don't blame Sweets one bit for calling me out. I can't even imagine how frustrating it must have been to watch me dance around my feelings, ignoring them or even pretending they didn't exist, when he knew all long how much I-" Booth swallowed and looked into her eyes.

"How much you love me." Brennan held his gaze, almost smiling at his surprise. "I am dense about a lot of human emotion, but you…I can read you like a book, Booth. Besides, you said you were head over heels in love with me yesterday."

Chuckling, Booth nodded. "Yeah, I was hoping you missed that. God knows Gunn didn't."

"You owe Gunn a beer, at least. He gave me a good talking to the other day; he made me see a lot of what I was missing that was right in front of me, and other things that I never even knew I missed."

Booth examined her face closely, and he instantly realized what his good friend had revealed to Brennan. "He told you about the casino."

"Yes. Booth…I-"

"No, Bones. No apologies, no blame, no regret. Everything that happened was supposed to happen."

"Okay. But I want you to know, you're the reason I didn't leave."

Brennan suddenly found herself in Booth's arms, his face buried in her neck, hands fisting the back of her blouse tightly. He breathed one word into her ear.

"Why?"

Brennan pulled back and looked at him curiously. "Why? Booth…"

"I need to hear it from you, Bones."

Wiping a stray tear, Brennan smiled. "Because I knew, too."

Chapter Twenty-Two

"Okay. But I want you to know, you're the reason I didn't leave."

"Why?"

Brennan pulled back and looked at him curiously. "Why? Booth…"

"I need to hear it from you, Bones."

Wiping a stray tear, Brennan smiled. "Because I knew, too."

Booth broke off a sob, and pulled Brennan back into his arms. "Why did we waste so much time, Bones?"

"It's like you said, Booth. It had to happen that way. I just wish I had behaved differently when you asked me if we could try…"

Moving her to the sofa cushion next to him, Booth shook his head. "Bones, that was my fault. Like I said, I did so much wrong that night, let so much go that I never should have. You said that you don't have an open heart, but nothing could be further from the truth. I've known the kind of open, generous heart you have since that day I stood in the observation room while you spoke with Shawn Cook, showing him that someone cared, someone wanted him to be happy, and would do everything they could to make sure that happened. I knew it when you put your hand on my arm to comfort me at Arlington when I confessed my darkest secret, to show me that you didn't judge me or think any less of me for what I had to do. Or when you cried because you had to take a human life, even if it was to save me. Or when punched me square in the jaw for lying to you about being dead that first time. Or when Zack-"

"Okay…okay, Booth. I get it." Brennan shook her head. "But…"

"Bones, I'm not done. You said you wanted to protect me from you. You were afraid that you were going to hurt me in some way. But you got it all wrong, and I should have called you on it. Despite what you think, there is nothing in the world that you could do that would hurt me."

"But if things don't work out-"

"I refuse to believe that would ever happen, Bones. Has either of us ever failed at anything we gave our whole heart and soul to? Ever?"

"I've failed at every relationship I've ever tried, Booth…and so have 's only rational to conclude that any relationship between the two of us would be doomed as well."

"How is that rational, Temperance? You're saying that if an experiment doesn't work a few times, you just give up ever trying it again? You know very well that every experiment has six parts. The independent variable, the levels of independent variable, the dependant variable, the control, the constant and the repeated trials. We are obviously the constants. The control is a successful, long-term relationship, the independent variable is the significant other, who all have different personalities and situations which represent the levels of the independent variable, the dependent variable is each separate relationship itself…and I don't think I need to explain what the repeated trials are."

Brennan grinned brightly at Booth, unable to believe that he was sitting there next to her breaking down the reasons they should become involved into a scientific experiment. "That's amazing, Booth. Just…amazing. You have been thinking about this argument for awhile now, haven't you?"

"Does it show?" He grinned back at her, insanely proud of himself for using her science against her. "Look, Bones…things have already changed between us. We can't go back. So we have two choices, we can move forward or…"

"No!" She grabbed his hands. "No. I don't want to talk about the other choice. You're right. I admit it, you were right. We need to finish the experiment."

"So what are you saying, Bones?" He couldn't keep the hopeful look from crossing his face for a fleeting moment.

Brennan dropped Booth's hands and wrapped hers around his neck, pulling him close. "From the moment we became partners, my life changed. I didn't realize it at the time, but meeting you was the most important moment of my life. I am still scared to death and I know I will make mistakes, but I also know that you'll be there all the way. And to be honest, I recognize now that that is where the hypothesis of my experiment really failed, Booth. I didn't recognize the constant. You. You're my constant, Booth. And I am so sorry that it took me this long to recognize it."

Booth pulled her into his arms again, holding her close. "Thank you, Bones. I love you, more than you know."

He could feel her smile against his neck. "I know, Booth. I know."

Chapter Twenty-Three

When the morning light hit Brennan's face, she couldn't stop the involuntary groan from escaping her lips. She and Booth had stayed up late the night before chatting and watching movies, trying to decompress from the heavy conversation of earlier in the day. No one called, no one came over…it was just the two of them hanging out and Brennan realized how much she had missed that. Rolling over with a sigh, she found herself face-to-face with Booth's smile.

"Morning, Bones."

"Good morning, Booth. Sleep okay?" She sat up and shook her head, trying to dispel the cobwebs from her brain.

"Best night of sleep I've had in months. Thanks, Bones." Booth jumped out of the bed and headed for the bathroom, sweats hanging dangerously low on his hips. "Do you mind if I shower first? I need to call Hacker here soon and find out what is going on today."

"No, not at all. Go ahead." Brennan leaned slightly to the left so she could watch Booth walk away. She couldn't help the saucy grin that spread across her face as she took in his well-formed rear end.

"Quit ogling me, Bones. I am a human being, not a piece of meat." The laughter in his voice made her smile through her blush.

"As if you mind." She pulled herself out of bed and headed for the kitchen to start coffee and make breakfast, amazed and happily content at the ease they felt after spending the night in the same bed.

As she scooped the coffee beans into the grinder, Brennan thought about their discussion the night before about the sleeping arrangements. Booth offered to sleep on the couch or the spare room, but Brennan wanted him close, even though they had decided that they were not going to have sex right away. She wasn't clear on why, exactly, they were waiting but she knew one thing….they weren't waiting much longer. It had been quite some time since Brennan had sex, and she knew Booth was in the same boat. And he looked so good and smelled so good and he loved her….bottom line, she wasn't going to be able to wait long. Booth was simply going to have to adapt.

After getting out of the shower, Booth reviewed everything that had happened (and didn't happen, his body reminded him) the night before while he dried off and pulled some clothes on. 'Going to have to go buy a new suit today.' He thought. Another of the unintended consequences of playing dead…when he called them to let them know he was alive, Pops and Jared had told him that all his clothes had been donated to charity. And although he mourned the loss of some of his more classic rock t-shirts (and the socks, of course) they were only clothes. Everything he really needed was right here in this apartment.

Apartment. Damn. He'd forgotten about that. No clothes to wear and nowhere to live.

Walking into the kitchen, Booth let Brennan in on his plans for the day. "Bones, I have to go out and buy a suit for this press conference. I think I have time before I go back to work to get a few more, but I do need one for today at least."

He watched her face change at the mention of his suits, and couldn't figure out what it meant. She nervously finished mixing the pancake batter in front of her, then turned and faced him.

"There's something I need to show you, Booth."

Booth stared into the open box on Brennan's bed, amazed. "You saved my socks and t-shirts, Bones?" He was insanely touched by her sentimentality and pulled her into a hug, kissing her squarely on the mouth. "You're amazing. I would have really missed my socks."

Smiling, Brennan pulled back from his embrace. "That's…uh, there's more."

"You saved my suits, too? And ties?" Booth joked, bending to pull some purple and red striped socks from the box.

"Yes."

His head jerked up in shock. "Really?" His smile was bright and excited. "Bones, that's fantastic!" He picked her up and spun her around the room, both laughing. He followed her back into the kitchen, permanent grin affixed on his face. "Now, if you just kept my apartment, everything will be perfect!"

"Uh…"

"No!"

"Yeah. I paid for six more months."

"Bones!" He clapped his hands together excitedly. "You're the best! But…"

She turned at his hesitation. "What?"

"Why?"

Brennan set the spatula she had just picked up back onto the counter and walked over to stand in front of him. "I just couldn't…I didn't want to…" She looked into his eyes. "I just couldn't let you go yet."

"Oh, Bones." Booth pulled her into an embrace, running his hands up and down her back. "And you really think you needed proof of how beautiful your heart is? Temperance, you're amazing." He held her for a few moments, reveling in their newfound closeness, then kissed the top of her head and released her. "Now go finish my breakfast, woman!" He smacked her playfully on the ass as she turned away, scowling.

Picking up the spatula again, she pointed it at him. "Do that again and you'll be drawing back a bloody stump instead of a hand."

His uproarious laughter filled the kitchen, and her heart.

_____________________________________________________________

Four hours later, Booth and Brennan sat in Hacker's waiting room, anxious about the coming press conference. Earlier, Brennan had taken Booth to the storage locker she had rented to help him pick out a suit, and was he pleasantly surprised to find out that his grey Burberry pinstripe with the lavender vest was her favorite, and had elicited a very…enthusiastic reaction from Brennan when he put it on. He shook his head to clear the memory of her lips on his throat and wiggled in his seat. Brennan threw him an amused glare, as if she knew just where his mind had gone. He smiled slightly and threw an arm over her shoulders, pulling her closer.

When they had arrived at the Hoover, nearly every agent and secretary they passed had been genuinely happy to see Booth. Some hugged him, some cried; some simply shook his hand and went on their way. Brennan found that she wasn't surprised. She had described the memorial service to him, and he was shocked at the turnout, but she hadn't been. The only surprise she felt was at Booth's surprise. He really had no idea how much everyone respected and cared for him.

Before heading to Hacker's office, they had stopped at Charlie's cubicle and Booth bowed his head and said a short prayer for his friend. Afterwards, they stopped at Booth's former office and found that all his belongings were back in place, as if he had never left. Brennan knew that Hacker's secretary had packed up the office for Brennan, but she hadn't had the time or inclination to pick up his things, and now that seemed to have been a good thing.

After waiting only a few minutes, Andrew opened his door and welcomed them both inside, clapping Booth on the back enthusiastically. "Damn, Booth. It really is good to see you." Hacker sat down and motioned for Booth and Brennan to take the seats in front of him.

"Temperance, how are you? Much better than the last time we spoke, I imagine." He gave her a genuine smile.

"Yes, thank you Andrew. I am very happy to have Booth home." She glanced at Booth, wondering at the lack of discomfort between the two men.

"I can see that. And believe me; we are glad to have him back as well." Hacker shuffled some papers in front of him, then leaned forward and clasped his hands together on the desk. "Now, we need to go over what this press conference will entail, but we have one other order of business to attend to." He handed Booth an official-looking letter, grinning in spite of himself.

Booth took the paper and read it closely, a truly shocked expression on his face. "Uh…sir?"

"What is it, Booth?" Brennan leaned over, trying to read the letter.

Nodding at Booth, Hacker explained. "As of this morning, FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth is now FBI Special Agent in Charge Seeley Booth, Major Crimes Division."

"Booth!" Brennan jumped from her seat and enveloped him in a hug. "That's fantastic! Directing the entire division!"

"And it gets better." Hacker handed another letter over, this time to Brennan.

Reading the missive, Brennan dropped back into her seat. "Oh…oh my. Booth…" She looked up at his curious and still flabbergasted face, tears beginning to form in her eyes. "They're awarding you the FBI Medal for Meritorious Achievement. Awarded by Director Mueller himself."

Booth's jaw dropped. "Sir? I don't know, I…"

Hacker shook off Booth's protest. "Booth, The FBI Medal for Meritorious Achievement is awarded for extraordinary and exceptional meritorious service in a duty of extreme challenge and great responsibility, extraordinary and exceptional achievements in connection with criminal or national security cases. Your sacrifice in and handling of the Senator Roberts case is the perfect example. And this medal is long overdue. You should have had it years ago, Booth. So shut up and accept it with some grace, so I don't have to punish you by making a move on your woman here." He winked at Brennan and sat back in his chair, looking pleased.

Booth blanched, glancing at Brennan. "Sir, I know that there is protocol about interoffice dating, but…"

Shaking his head, Hacker smiled. "Temperance, Booth…I may be a kiss ass and I may be under qualified for this position, but I am not stupid. I saw this coming a mile away, and honestly, I think it was inevitable. I'm sorry it took this kind of event to spur you both in the right direction, but I'm glad nonetheless. And since I am the boss, it is within my discretion to punish or overlook certain…relationships within the Bureau and my division specifically. My thought is that as long as you both conduct yourselves professionally, as you've always done, there won't be a problem. Alright? Good. Now, let's go over your answers for the press conference."

Neither Booth nor Brennan could find anything else to complain about, so they clasped hands and listened intently to the ADD's instructions, finally completely relaxed for the first time in over two months.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Brennan peeked out from behind the curtain separating the media area at the Hoover from the back room where everyone was getting ready. She had known what a big story the arrest and subsequent confession of Senator Roberts had been, but add to that a suddenly-reappearing, incredibly heroic FBI agent…and the news had blown up like an atom bomb. CNN, MSNBC, Fox News and all the local affiliates from the tri-state area had representatives waiting patiently for FBI Director Robert Mueller to come to the podium. Brennan was also shocked to notice that several overseas news agencies had reporters in attendance. The table to the left of the microphone bank held place cards with everyone's name on them, including herself and Cam, who was there to represent the Jeffersonian's part in the breaking of the case.

Booth stood next to Brennan trying to ignore the gut-churning nerves that had been threatening since he learned of how big this press conference was going to be. Thanking God that he had managed to not blow chunks all over Director Mueller when he was introduced to him earlier, he concentrated on controlling his breathing. For her part, Brennan could feel the tension flowing off Booth in waves, but she knew he would control them in time for the presser.

"Agent Booth, Dr. Brennan…are you ready?" Director Mueller smiled encouragingly and gestured towards the front of the media room. "Let's get this show on the road!"

The Director led the FBI and Jeffersonian contingent out, holding Cam's chair for her as Booth held Brennan's. He waited until Hacker; Deputy Director Pistole, and ADC Henry, head of the DC office were all seated before welcoming everyone and then reading the joint statement about the case by the FBI and the Jeffersonian. When that was finished, Mueller read a statement explaining Booth's part of the case and what he was forced to do in the aftermath. While Booth had been involved in what he thought was every aspect of the case at the beginning, he was surprised to hear the Director giving him copious credit on the arrest of Roberts as well. He looked curiously at Brennan, who simply shrugged and smiled, returning her attention to the podium.

After summarizing the list of charges against Roberts and the eleven accomplices arrested in connection to the case, Mueller picked up a small box and turned slightly towards Booth. "Ladies and gentleman, before I open the floor to questions, I have something I would like to say. Since 1908, when Attorney General Charles Bonaparte created what eventually became the Federal Bureau of Investigation, this agency has operated under the belief that the government is best served by efficiency and expertise, not political connections. We continuously strive to uphold the basic tenets of fidelity, bravery and integrity. And I am proud, to an agent, of the group that we have assembled here at the J. Edgar Hoover Building and in every field office across the country."

At this, Hacker leaned over and motioned for Booth to stand. Giving a smiling Brennan a wary look, Booth rose and walked to stand next to the Director. "Special Agent Booth has been a proud, loyal, dedicated, and self-sacrificing member of our Bureau for ten years now. In that time, he has either been the lead agent for or participated in the apprehension of over 250 of the worst criminals the world has to offer, and has always conducted himself with honor and bravery in every situation. Six years ago, he was partnered with forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance Brennan via the Jeffersonian Institution and together they have acquired an almost perfect conviction rate, something that heretofore was unheard of in the FBI and astonishing considering that no other agent had been partnered with a civilian up to that point. They were considered an experiment, and I am proud to say that experiment has yielded amazing results. Now, I've explained what Agent Booth was forced to endure due to his involvement in the investigation into Senator Roberts, and through everything he had to do, Agent Booth was still committed to bringing Roberts and his associates to justice, no matter the personal cost to himself. And while normally I would say that this is an extraordinary feat, for Agent Booth this was just another day at the office. His dedication to justice, his unwavering belief in right and wrong, and his innate goodness and integrity are the personification of everything the FBI strives to emulate in our mission to protect the people of the United States of America and it is with great pleasure that I announce that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is honored to bestow The FBI Medal for Meritorious Achievement to Special Agent Seeley Booth."

As applause thundered through the small media room, Director Mueller opened the case containing Booth's medal and held it up for him to see as he shook his hand heartily.

Shaking his head, Booth took the box and gazed at the medal with amazement. Never comfortable with praise even in the best of circumstances, all he wanted to do was grab Brennan and run for the exit. Suddenly, he realized that his hand was being taken by a much smaller one, and he looked to his left to see Brennan standing next to him, smiling brightly. She reached up and pulled Booth into a tight embrace, pride and happiness making tears prick her eyes.

Unaware of how close to the bank of microphones Booth was actually standing, Brennan pulled back and looked him in the eye as she spoke. "Booth, you deserve this so much. You deserve every honor they can bestow upon you because you are the best damn FBI agent in this building, and it's about time they acknowledged that fact. You are an amazing agent, as well as a wonderful father and a fantastic friend, and for all those reasons and hundreds more, I am so proud of you and I love you more than I can ever express."

The gasp that echoed through the room didn't even register with them as Booth smiled brightly and pulled Brennan to him for a deep, ecstatic, love-filled kiss that was watched over and over again by hundreds of thousands later that night on every news channel in the country.

Chapter Twenty-Five

After a whirlwind day, Booth and Brennan finally found themselves alone for the first time since they walked out of her apartment that morning. Sitting contentedly on the sofa, they laughed about the calls they had both been getting since Brennan's nationally televised declaration of love for Booth. The first (and loudest) call had been from Angela, followed closely by Parker, Max and Brennan's publicist, the latter wanting to schedule several morning show interviews with the two of them to promote the impending release of Brennan's latest book in paperback. They both promised her that they would think about it, but they didn't want to commit to anything right away.

Breathing a deep sigh and leaning further back into the sofa cushions, Booth threw an arm around Brennan's shoulders, finally able to relax. "I am so glad this day is over, Bones. I'm exhausted."

"Yeah. But really Booth, I enjoyed watching you get your commendation. It has been a long time coming, even though you think you don't deserve such praise." She ran a lazy hand through the short hairs on the back of his neck, causing goose bumps to form on his arms.

"We don't do what we do for the glory, Bones. We never have."

Grinning evilly, Brennan shook her head. "Oh, I don't know…I vaguely remember someone claiming he was going to go watch shark adventures in Hawaii and have his face put on a coin."

"Geez, Bones. Do you remember everything I say?"

Brennan swung her leg over his and straddled him, her grin turning into a full-on smile. "I do remember something you said once about the difference between…"

She kissed a path along his whiskered chin.

"…crappy sex and…"

Her lips burned along his neck, nuzzling his collarbone.

"….making love."

Booth adjusted himself so they were pressed as close together as possible and fisted her hair in his hands, holding on for dear life. "I did say something about that, now that I think about it…"

"Mmmmhmmm." She pulled at his t-shirt, forcing it over his head. "As you know, I am a scientist…"

Booth ran both hands down her torso, sliding them under her blouse in the front to gently cup her breasts, thumbs flicking the nipples. "Yes, I am aware of that fact." He kissed the soft spot under her earlobe, blowing air on the wetness he left behind.

"And as a scientist, I need…" She moaned softly as Booth moved his kisses down her neck to nestle into her chest. "I need quantifiable proof of a hypothesis…"

"Mmmmhmmm…."

"Your phone is ringing."

Booth dropped his forehead to her breasts and sighed. "You've got to be kidding me. Will it never stop?" He reached to the coffee table, tipping her backwards in his other arm, and picked up his cell. "It's Gunn."

"I'll kill him."

Booth laughed and flipped the phone open. "Hey, Dumbass. This better be good."

Brennan watched, fascinated, as whatever Gunn was saying seemed to both irritate him and make him smile. After a few more minutes of good natured, foul-mouthed teasing, Booth slapped the cell shut, throwing it on the floor. He sighed and placed a wet, open-mouthed kiss to her collarbone.

"What was that all about?" Her breath hitched in her chest as he continued his hot kisses along her chest.

"My new job."

"The SAC position."

"Yeah."

The implications of what Booth wasn't saying finally hit Brennan full force. She reared back and started at him, open-mouthed. "I never even thought…"

"Yeah."

"If you take the job…"

"Yeah."

"We won't be able to be partners anymore."

"Nope."

Still kissing her, Booth had his eyes closed, refusing to look into her face. "Booth?"

"Mmmm. Yeah, Bones?"

"Talk to me. Please."

Finally stopping, he looked up into her eyes and she could see they were brighter than she had ever seen them. And filling with tears.

"Oh, Booth…" She took his face in her hands and kissed him softly on the lips, lingering a few moments, letting their breaths mingle together. "Do you want to take the job?"

He leaned back, pulling her with him. She snuggled up against him, listening to his heart pounding and his voice rumbling through his chest. "I don't want to want it. Does that make sense?"

"I'm not sure. Explain it to me."

"Okay…" He took another deep breath. "I know it's a fantastic job, I know that. There are only five SAC's at the DC field office and I would be one of them, in charge of the entire major crimes division. It's a tremendous honor and a huge career move. And I do want it, Bones."

"Ooookay." She drew the word out in confusion. "Go on."

"But, this.." He gestured between them. "Our partnership, is so damn important to me. It's the reason I got the job in the first place. How can I just abandon you, the squints, all of that for my own selfish reasons?"

"Seeley Booth!" Brennan pushed off his chest and stood in front of him. "God dammit, you are the dumbest, sweetest, most loyal moron I've ever met! You have worked your ass off for this promotion, I know because I was there! And believe me…I know how many other promotions you turned down just to keep working with me, I'm not stupid! But if you don't do this…if you turn this down because of some crazy misplaced sense of chivalry or loyalty to me or the team, I just might have to give you that ass kicking I've always been promising you!" Her chest was heaving from her diatribe and she was glaring at him with fire in her eyes.

Booth smiled slightly and patted his lap, gesturing to her. "Come back here, Bones. Sit."

She relented and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him softly. "I'll never forgive you if you turn this job down, Booth. You have to take it."

"I know, Bones. I know." He held her close, forehead resting on her shoulder. "But damn, I am going to miss working with you, babe."

"Me too, Booth. Me too."

As always I have to give it up for my favorite black-hearted fellow Boothling, Brainysmrfs, who always proofreads my chapters without complaint and inspects them closely for too much cheese….and does it all with unending good humor and encouragement. She. Is. Awesome. Thanks, Mary.

_______________________________________________________________


Chapter Twenty-Six

Although Booth found that his bodily desire to finally make love with Brennan hadn't waned, his brain was telling an entirely different story. He was preoccupied with the thought of no longer being able to go out into the field with his partner, and even though Brennan gave it a valiant effort, even she found her thoughts drifting to what she was going to do about the situation.

Sighing, she climbed off Booth's lap and smiled sadly. "This wasn't how the evening was supposed to go."

"I know, Bones. And you have to know how much I want you…I do. But I can't get the fact that I'm not going to be in the field anymore out of my head."

"I admit, I have been thinking about what I am going to do, now that you won't be there. I've always said that I wouldn't work with anyone else but you, but after working with Richard…"

"Gunn is staying, Bones. But he wants to talk to you about it first."

Brennan's face lit up. "He does? Oh…" Seeing the sadness still in Booth's eyes, she tried to look less excited, knowing that he was still struggling. "Well, then I guess I have more to think about."

He loved how she tried to temper her excitement for him, but he refused to bring her down with him. "Bones, it's okay. And honestly, if there were anyone besides me I would feel comfortable having you go out in the field with, it's Gunn. So that's really the majority of my worries about this whole thing. Your safety is more important to me than any promotion."

"So, would this promotion make you Gunn's boss?"

"Yeah. That's part of why he called. He offered to stay on as your partner, knowing it would put me more at ease, and also to start, as he put it, 'kissing the right ass'." Booth chuckled as he stood up. Heading for the kitchen, he called back to Brennan. "Bones, you want another beer?"

"Yeah, might as well." Brennan tucked her legs under her and leaned back into the sofa. "You're staying here again, right?"

Booth returned from the kitchen and handed her an open beer. "Yes, if it's okay. But I think…"

Smiling ruefully, Brennan agreed. "Yeah. No hunky punky. I know."

"Hanky panky, Bones. Hanky panky."

Walking into the diner the next morning, Gunn couldn't keep the delighted smile off his face as he saw Booth and Brennan already sitting at their table, both on the same side, hands linked on the tabletop. Erik nudged him and grinned, eyebrows waggling suggestively.

"You be good. You know how touchy Booth is." Gunn pushed him forward, making him miss a step and stumble.

"Nice, spousal abuse. Want me to arrest him, Erik?" Booth was amused at the instant grin that crossed Erik's face.

"You know something, Seeley? That's not a bad idea to have in my back pocket. Thanks." Erik clapped Booth on the shoulder as he leaned over him and kissed Brennan on the cheek. "Good morning, beautiful. You looked lovely on television yesterday."

Blushing, Brennan shook her head. "I still can't believe I did that in front of the entire country."

Gunn sat down and chuckled. "Nah, don't sweat it Doc. Personally, I thought it was fitting. Nothing you two do is ever going to be on a small scale."

"Ain't that the truth?" Booth agreed, waving the waitress over to get everyone's orders. "So, to what do we owe the pleasure of this visit? Erik finally realizes he could do so much better and decided to dump your ugly ass?"

Erik smiled happily at Booth. "Don't think I haven't thought about it."

"Alright, enough. This is actually important, people." Gunn accepted his coffee gratefully from the waitress and took a long sip.

The waitress hesitated for a moment before turning to Booth. "Agent Booth, I just wanted to say that I'm so glad you're back. We've missed you and Dr. Brennan around here, it was getting boring without you two bickering about something over lunch every day."

Booth gave her his full-on charm smile, making Brennan and Gunn both roll their eyes. "Thanks, Betty. I'm just glad to be back. I missed you all, too."

Betty raised an eyebrow at Brennan. "You resisted him for how long? With that smile?" Gunn snorted into his cup. "You're a stronger woman that I am, Dr. Brennan."

"Yes, well…his charm only gets him so far, Betty. It begins to wear on you after awhile. Along with that massive ego." Brennan nudged Booth and grinned.

"I can imagine." Betty smiled. She let them know that their food would be up shortly, and then made her exit, still laughing.

"I can't believe how mean you are to me sometimes, Bones. I thought you loved me."

"I do, but really Booth…you're getting too old to live on your charm. You're going to have to improve on your personality to get by in your new job." She gave him an innocent grin, barely holding back a full chuckle.

Booth pointed across the table at Gunn. "I blame you for her newly acquired smart mouth, you know."

"Moi?" Gunn placed a hand on his chest and managed to look offended. "I bear no responsibility for your lady's sudden grasp of sarcasm and wit. That's all on you, my friend."

Chuffing in derision, Booth changed the direction of the conversation. "So, what was this important announcement you needed to share with us?"

Gunn glanced at Erik, who nodded. "Well, since I hear that you've officially taken the SAC job…"

Booth gaped. "How did you hear that? I only let Hacker know this morning!"

"I have my ways." Gunn gave Brennan a conspiratorial look that was not missed by Booth.

"Bones! You called him?"

"Right after you called Hacker. You were in the shower. I didn't think you'd mind."

"He doesn't, Doc. He's just mad you stole his thunder." Eyebrows raised, Gunn continued. "Anyway…since you're not going to be in the field as much, I thought I would formally offer my services as the permanent Jeffersonian liaison. If the good doc there doesn't mind partnering with a much better looking and infinitely more intelligent man than her last partner, that is."

Brennan knew that this was one of those times where her reaction was incredibly important to Booth as to how he himself handled a situation. While most people thought that she followed his lead in all things emotional, she was well aware that many times, Booth took his cues from her. She stole a quick glance at Booth's expressionless face, and took a chance.

"While I have serious doubts that you will ever measure up to my former partner's skills with a weapon, intuitive nature and impressive natural ability to interrogate suspects, I am willing to accept you as the new liaison…as long as Booth has no objections."

Booth smiled at Brennan's attempt to make him feel better about the end of their partnership. She had been doing that since the night before, when the consequences of his promotion finally hit both of them. He was still a little torn, but after hearing what the pay raise was and getting another verbal beating from Brennan later in the evening, he decided to take the job with no regrets. Well, few regrets. He would always miss driving to crime scenes with her, interrogating witnesses by her side, and spending lunch time napping on her office sofa…but things changed, and not necessarily for the worst. He was slowly learning to accept that fact.

"I don't have a problem with your partnering with Gunn, Bones. This really is your decision, as much as I appreciate your consideration of my feelings." He noticed how Gunn's eyebrows raised in disbelief. "What? I may be an over-protective alpha male at times, but I do know that Bones is a confident, intelligent, strong woman and she is perfectly capable of making this decision without me."

"Wow." Gunn looked at Erik. "Are you buying this crap? Because I know I'm not."

"I love him and I'm not even buying it." Brennan said, deadpan.

"You two suck and I don't even know why I hang out with you." Booth crossed his arms in mock irritation. "So, Erik…feel like ditching these two? I make more money and have more brains than this loser does, you know." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Erik laughed and shook his head. "Thanks for the offer, Seeley, but I think I'll stick with the broke dumb guy for now."

"Fine. But you don't know what you're missing." Booth gave him a genuine grin and turned towards Brennan. "So, Bones…what do you think? Think you can handle this dumbass on a daily basis?"

"I suppose I can live with him. He does have pleasing, symmetrical features so at least the scenery will be nice."

"She said you're gorgeous, Richard." Erik patted his shoulder. "She has a good eye." Gunn raised an eyebrow at Booth, who rolled his eyes back in return.

"Alright, so it's decided. I take the job, Bones gets Gunn as a partner…hey! Are you moving here permanently, Erik?"

"Yes, as soon as I can, actually. I already have several offers from architectural agencies here so all I have to do is choose."

"That's fantastic, Erik. Are you moving in with Gunn, or are you looking for something bigger? I know a few good realtors, if you're interested."

"Thanks, Temperance. Actually, we are looking. I'll let you know when we're ready to start looking."

"Great. I wanted to look for a bigger place myself, now I have an excuse to call sooner than I planned." Brennan idly took a sip of coffee, impervious to Booth's shocked expression.

"Bones? You want a bigger place? Why? Your apartment is great."

Shaking her head, Brennan leaned back in her chair. "I love my apartment, but I would really love to have a house. I mean, I assume we would have Parker a couple of times a month and I only have the one spare room, which I already use as an office. I thought you would need an office as well, Booth. Also, kids need a yard to play in and I know that eventually we're going to want another child and I didn't want to have to find a house at the last minute."

Booth was glad he hadn't been drinking his coffee when Brennan finished verbally throwing up all over him. "Alrighty then."

"That's all you have to say, Booth?" Brennan seemed disappointed.

"Yup. Hard to argue with that logic, Bones."

~The End~ (Until the sequel, anyway...)

I absolutely loved this story; it was amazing from beginning to end

Smart and Sweet. I liked the bit about Jack and the Gunn character.