Light was beginning to peek through the blinds of Booth's bedroom, spilling onto the bed and floor. His eyes fluttered open. He was about to look at the clock, but he caught himself. He wanted just a moment to savor everything that had transpired in the last couple of hours, before he had to face this day. He knew in a few minutes he would have to shower, dress, and head out the door to hunt Broadsky. He hated the idea of taking another life, but he knew he should have killed Broadsky when he had the chance and Bone's squint would still be here. He didn't want to think about the fact that if he had killed Broadsky that day, he probably wouldn't be here next to Bones. It was a painful thought. He hoped that when she awoke, she wouldn't change her mind. Fear. It wasn't an unfamiliar feeling when it came to Bones. This time however it was different. The thought of Bones waking up and wanting to go back to being partners, friends, whatever… It would damn near kill him. He wished it had happened under different circumstances, but grief is funny that way. He was just glad that it did happen. Everything happens eventually. Those had been his words to her so many years ago. Had he known then? Maybe. He certainly had known long before she had. He turned over slowly so not to wake her. He watched her sleep. Her face more peaceful than he had ever seen it. She was beautiful. He reached over to move strands of hair from her face, he let his hand graze over her cheek as he leaned in to kiss her. She stirred. He hated to wake her, but he knew she would want to get to work soon. She needed to. He knew that was the only way she would be able to cope with the loss of Vincent. He wanted to take her in his arms and relive last night again, but he wasn't entirely sure what any of this meant. Were they together now? He wanted them to be. He tired to push all his thoughts aside. He knew they had to get going soon.

"Booth? What are you doing?" Bones looked a little puzzled. He watched her as she sat up in the bed, clutching the sheet to cover herself. She hadn't cared last night, he thought as a smirk crept over his face.

"Booth!" Hearing her shout his name brought him back to reality.

"What? What is it?" He was almost afraid of what was going to come out of her mouth next.

"We are going to be late! Why didn't you wake me earlier?" She was never late to work. The only time she had been was the last time she was with a man. The squints were bound to assume something was up. But with the loss of Vincent, they were all rather distracted.

"Right! Late!" He jumped out of bed only to realize a little too late that he was still naked. He frantically jerked back the sheets to search for his boxers while desperately trying to cover himself with one hand. Bones nearly let a laugh escape from her lips. Despite the night they had just had, he still felt the need to cover and understood Bone's shyness all at once. It had been dark last night and this was all still new.

"Prude," she mumbled under her breath. Booth shot her a glare as he hastily yanked his boxers on and retreated to the bathroom. "Booth! I need to shower!"

She allowed herself to laugh as he slammed the bathroom door. She was glad Booth had offered such a satisfying distraction to the sadness of yesterday and the confusion of last night. She ran her fingers through her hair as she remembered how it had felt when Booth tangled his hands in her hair. She really did not want to think about the consequences of their actions. Not right now. She slung her legs over the bed and scooted to the edge. She didn't bother to look for her clothes just yet. She was alone. She sauntered into the kitchen to start some coffee for Booth since she knew he could hardly function without it. She was accustomed to her tea, but coffee would have to do. She made a mental note to chastise him for his bad habits. He drank multiple cups of coffee a day. Not even the good kind. She reached up into the cabinet to grab whatever instant nonsense he had. She opened the coffee can and could hardly stomach the smell. She would need to introduce him to some Italian roast that she preferred when she did, on occasion, have a cup. She heard Booth get out of the shower, but figured she still had a minute to get back to the bedroom to throw on her clothes.

Booth opened the bathroom door, steam rolling out as he wrapped a towel around his waist. He could smell the coffee. He smiled. He could definitely get used to this. He shuffled through his bedroom to head into the living room. As he rounded the turn he looked up just in time to watch Bones reach up and retrieve two mugs from the cabinet. His mouth fell open. She was still naked, though he could only see the upper half of her back. She must have overcome any inhibition she may have felt earlier. He creeped into the kitchen so as not to disturb her so he could just watch her undetected for a moment. Watching her move about his kitchen, she looked so graceful. She was so oblivious to his presence, she danced a little as she hummed a tune. He wished that he could stay in this moment forever. He knew how cheesy it sounded but it felt like for the first time in years he could really breath again. He had been holding back how he felt about her for so long, keeping to himself and sometimes even denying it. He wanted to wake up to this every morning for the rest of his life. He fought the urge to whistle at her as she swung her hips back and forth as she grabbed the coffee pot to divvy it up between the two cups. Some splashed out and must of have hit her stomach because she hissed and stepped back, setting the pot on the counter, to examine her abdominal region. He took the opportunity to slip in behind her and wrap his arms around her midsection, planting soft kisses on her neck and shoulder. She stiffened at first, only because he had startled her. Then she had to fight to keep her composure as he made his way up her neck and to her jaw line. She leaned into him. Her bare back touching his still damp chest. He spun her around to face him and their lips smashed together as he pinned her against the counter. His hands sprawled across her back as he both pushed her into the counter and pulled her into him. Her hands were pinned against his chest, as she pulled back long enough to free them. She wanted to let them roam over his body, still covered in droplets of water from his shower. She was at his hips when she discovered the towel still clinging to his perfectly sculpted waist line. She let her fingers run in between the towel and his lower abdomen. He stopped kissing her long enough to let a sigh escape his lips. She captured his lips again as she let his towel fall to the floor. He picked her up, wrapping her legs around him, and headed for the bedroom. Only this time she diverted him. She grabbed the doorway of the bedroom as he carried her in. "What?" He looked up at her confused.

"I need a shower," she replied with that crooked grin that he loved. He walked them into the bathroom and shut the door. He let go of her legs as she slid down his body. She kept her arms wrapped around his neck as her feet reached the floor. She stepped over, letting her hands fall from his neck to grab his hand as she pulled him into the shower. He followed without complaint even though he had already showered. He stepped in as she turned the shower dial to hot. She turned to face him letting her hands wander over his chest. He reached out to pull her in close. Their bodies felt as if they were melting together. He knew there was no going back now. This was the sexiest woman he had ever known and though he wasn't ready to say it, he loved her. She knew that without him, this would have been the hardest day of her life. All the things she had been through in the last five years, he had been there in exactly the way she needed. He meant more to her than she was ready to admit with her words but her body responded in turn. He was a part of her now in a way that she could never separate, mentally, emotionally or physically.