Bones Fanfic - Chapter 10

Chapter 10 : The final decision

Stubborn, I shook my head again.
"No." I replied. "I'm where I want to be."
He sighed and took a step forward, closer to me and tilted my head upwards with a single knuckle under my chin.
"Temperance," He pleaded. "You can't keep running, I'm here to help you now and I also will be there in DC. I'll always be right behind you, just….please."
As I looked at him, I saw a softened glance in his brown, reassuring eyes. Something that was always there when he was being honest with me.

I leaned a little closer into a comforting embrace he offered, my back stiffening slightly as he closed his arms around me.
My head rested in the crook of his neck, purely exhausted from our arguing.
After a few minutes, I finally gave in.
To be honest with myself, I wanted to go back to DC.
I wanted to be able to close this chapter for once and for all.
To let the scares heal. Literally.

"Ok." I mumbled, and suddenly Booth pulled away a little, something changed in the glimpse of his eyes and he completely surprised me when he placed a kiss on my lips.
The kiss came to me as a shock. Totally unexpected, but oh so gentle.
It barely happened, I barely registered it.
But it was clear also Booth had just reacted by his instincts as he, wide eyed and shocked, pulled back.
Dazed I looked at my partner, lips still tingling from the kiss.
"That was…unexpected.." I mumbled once I'd found my voice again.

Gaze fixed to the ground, he replied.
"Yeah."
No hesitation and no regret detectable in his voice.
Just a confirmation of my statement.

For a few minutes I sat fidgeting in my seat, not sure how to handle this.
I finally got up with the vague excuse that I needed to pack my bag.
Once I was a little further away from my partner, I released a deep breath I didn't even know I was holding.
Determined to ignore the questions that were spooking around in my head, I put myself on autopilot and started to pack my belongings.

Forty minutes later, I took the last item of the wall.
Angela's picture.
It had haunted me since I had given its place on the wall.
I looked back at the photograph, back into Booth's eyes, the same eyes that were now burning on my back.

"You ready?"
Shocked by having the somewhat comfortable silence broken again, and the fact that I hadn't hear Booth nearing, I dropped the frame.
The deafening sound of glass shattering onto several tiny pieces on the floor, running through the room.

Cursing, I dropped onto my knees.
"I'm sorry." I mumbled as I , carefully, took a chart of glass in my hands. "I didn't mean to- I'm so sorry."
My hands and whole body were shaking as fear and flashbacks from the past overtook me again.

I was jolted back to reality as Booth gently touched my shoulder.
"Hey," He whispered soothing in my ear. "It's not your fault, Temperance."
A shock ran through my body as we both reached for the same chart at the same time, our hands caressing each others softly.

My breath hitched a little at the contact, and when I looked up, our gazes met.
"Not your fault." He repeated, and softly caressed my check with his flat palm.
I released the glass and allowed him to clean up the mess I made.

When everything was finally taken care of we made our way back to the airport.
Closing my eyes I finally relaxed when we had taken places in our seats.
When I looked back at my partner moments later, I saw that he was sound asleep.
This was promising to be a long trip.

Finally I allowed myself to think about the questions that had been running through my head since the moment Booth had found me.

I was still a little unsure with him nearby then why did it feel good to have him with me?
Why was it that I felt secure and safe when Booth was around me?
Staring into space, I continued my wandering thoughts.

What had happened this morning? Why had I allowed him to kiss me? And why did I feel so good with the fact that he did? Booth was my partner, my friend!
Had something changed between us…and if it had, was it a good thing or a bad?

Completely fixed on my questions, I hadn't noticed that there was only one obstacle left, the final step.
"I have to visit him." I said to no one in particular, but apparently I had woken my partner when I had spoken up so suddenly.

"What?" He asked groggily, sleep still detectable in his voice. "Visit who?"
I knew that Booth wouldn't be ok with this plan, as most of the time when I came up with something, but I knew for certain that this was the only way I would be able to move on.
I had to face my monster.

"Patrick." I replied hugging my chest unconsciously as I spoke his name . "I have to visit him."
As suspected, Booth let out a shuddering breath and rubbed the back of his neck, both indications, I had learned, that he was frustrated with my decision.
His eyes bore into mine for several moments, sending shivers down my spine.
"Are you sure?" He asked finally.
Completely certain of my choice I nodded with determination.
With as shuddering breath my partner gave in, aware that I did him a pleasure to go back to DC. But also knowing he should return the pleasure.
Well, pleasure, that wasn't the exact term I would take to describe a visit to Patrick with.
It was more like a….obligation.

The rest of the flight went by without either one of us bringing it up again. I knew he didn't really like the idea, but he seemed to understand it was something I needed to do. The drive home was silent as well, but luckily we got there quickly. When we finally did get home and got inside, Booth spoke up."Look, Bones... I - I know you want to go to see Patrick, but are you sure it's a good idea?"

Releasing a shuddering breath, I nodded again.
"Yes," I replied. "I know I've been running and hiding a lot and after some reflecting I've come to the rational conclusion that taking this final step, and facing some fears, will help me processing what has happened in the past and the possibility to let a sexual or romantic partner  gain my thrust again."

He approached me and gently placed his hand on my shoulder as he slowly turned my gaze upwards so I would look him in the eye. "I understand. I just don't want anything to happen to you, okay? I'm just worried about you Bones, that's all. I understand why you want to do this. But it doesn't mean I have to like it."

Glad he had finally given in, I instinctively leaned up and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek, the contact of my lips against his stubled face sending a jolt of electricity through me.
Sheepishly, I stumbled backwards, mumbling "Thank you," and moving towards the door again.

It was silence in the car as we drove to the highly guarded prison. We had left in a hurry. I just wanted to get it over with. We hadn't even unpacked our bags yet. Suddenly Booth spoke up. "Bones? You asked me to come, but do you want me to wait in the car, or outside the room, or...?"

I looked at him and hesitated for a moment. I thought I had been clear, but obviously I hadn't been. "Well, inside the room, you know with - with Patrick." I unconsciously crossed my arms in front of my chest as I said his name. "So I - I," I hesitated, not sure it was a good idea to tell Booth I didn't want to be alone with him in one room.
"So you?" He softly asked me to continue . I sighed and as I stared out the window to the big building, we were nearing, I spoke up.
"So I won't have to be alone with him."
Smiling slightly, he nodded in understanding.
"I'm with you, Temperance."

As we got out it became clear that something was going on, given all the chaos, ambulances, police officers, warders, … running around.
After a few moments Booth finally got the attention of one of the guys running around, and he asked for explanation.
"A guard has been killed, stabbed by a prisoner. The guy escaped, he's on the loose."
"Name of the detainee?" Booth asked warningly.
"Patrick Wells."
(---------------------------End Chapter 10---------------------------)