Just For Tonight by Jezziebeth

Summary: Just for tonight, they were more than just partners.

Spoilers: Two Bodies In The Lab, Season One.

Notes: Oh, come on. This episode was just begging for a post episode fanfic. Thank you: Astrid, for the quick and most helpful beta. :) My other stories can be found at: http://wonder.silentstorms.net

His wounds were beginning to heal and scar; a reminder of the latest battle he'd fought and won. His doctor had told him to take it easy over the next few days.  While his ribs were not nearly as sore as before, every time he turned in a certain direction, his face would scrunch and a painful hiss would escape his lips.  She winced every time he moaned in protest.

She spent many hours sitting by his bedside.  They made small talk but most of their time was spent watching black and white movies on television or talking about the news.  Most would find their conversations less than stimulating, but she was thankful to be sitting by his side, even if they did talk about the different kinds of hospital pudding.

One night he found 'Casablanca' playing on TV and they ended up arguing about his movie choice.  She complained that people only watched it because it was deemed as one of the greatest romantic movies of all time.  He chuckled as she continued her mindless ramble about Humphrey Bogart and finally he put his fingers on her lips.

"Just watch it with me," he asked simply and she did.

She had fallen asleep halfway through the movie. When she awoke, she found him staring at her with a smile and she returned it.  Stretching, she yawned and then looked at the wall clock across the room.  It was nearing midnight. No one had come in to tell her that visiting hours were over.

"I guess I better go," she murmured and rose from the seat. He reached out and gently grabbed her wrist.

"Stay."

She looked puzzled as she searched his face for an explanation and watched as he shifted in his bed to make room for her by his side.

"But what if they come in here?" she asked.

"They would have come in hours ago if they didn't want you here."

She noted the playfulness in his eyes and smile and fought with her emotions.  As much as the endearment touched her, her first instincts were to say no. Looking down at the floor, she began to anaylize the situation. She shouldn't lay so close to him; it was dangerous.  They were partners, friends.

But as she continued to think about it, it hit her that maybe his request wasn't so hard to fulfill.  After all, she'd spent many hours in this hospital room, sitting by his bedside and keeping him company. She told herself many times she was doing it as a way of thanking him for saving her life.

She closed her eyes, shutting out the memories of being tied up, hearing the ferocious bark of the dogs and the chilling look in her captor’s eyes.

When she opened them, all she saw was the same charming smile he'd used on her in cases.  In his eyes, she saw gentleness and trust.

Strength and independence be damned.

With a sigh, she carefully crawled into the small bed.  She avoided the various cords and cables that surrounded his bed and found her place. She lay beside him and was careful not to hurt his sore arm.

"Shh," he whispered. His hand began stroking her forehead and pushing loose strands of her hair from her face.  Brennan finally let out the breath she'd been holding and hugged him tightly.

"Are you ok?"  Booth asked.

"Yeah.  It's just...um."  She cleared her throat and listened as his heartbeat quicken. "It's been a long time since I've been this close to someone."

"Physically or emotionally?"

She was taken aback by his question but finally answered: "Both."

Booth shifted in the bed and Bones followed his lead as he lay on his side facing her. Brennan scooted closer to him, burying her face into his chest while his arm found its place across her slender body.  She sighed as she rested beside him and studied his face.  The wounds were fading and she reached out to touch his cheek gingerly.

"I'm so sorry, Booth," she whispered. "You wouldn't be here if it weren't for me."

"But then you might not be here with me at all."

Brennan shut her eyes tightly.

"God, Booth," she sighed and he wrapped his arm around her tighter.  She felt him press a kiss on her head.

"I don't know what I would do if I hadn't gotten there when I did," she heard him whisper and tried to keep her tears at bay.

Brennan found herself struggling to keep her emotions in check. Men weren't supposed to be her 'knight in shining armor.'  She was capable of taking care of herself.  She never sought comfort in the arms of a man and she never allowed herself to tear the walls around her heart down to let someone in.

Until now.

Booth's hand gently cupped her cheek and she closed her eyes again.  His lips gently kissed her forehead before he shifted and settled for a night's sleep.  Brennan watched as he pursed his lips and kept his face close to hers.  She felt his breath on her skin and decided that they had enough talking for the night.

 Tonight, she would allow herself to be the woman in love with the man that saved her life in more ways than one.

Tomorrow, she would be the forensic anthropologist with her FBI partner by her side.

End.

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