"I – I do love you, Booth," she stammered awkwardly.

A sharp pain stabbed Booth's heart. This was how it could get worse: Bones saying the words he'd dreamed and hoped and prayed she'd say someday because she mistakenly thought it was what she was supposed to do."You're a terrible liar, Bones," he muttered, not looking up.

"I'm not lying," she insisted vehemently, sounding confident now. "I was unsure if I loved you because I was unsure of what love is. You don't accept the scientific definition of love as a valid one, and it's the only one I have." She took a deep breath. "But when I think of my life without you I feel pain. It hurts to imagine never seeing you again. You think that I don't care because I can leave you for weeks at a time and still maintain my composure. But that's only because I know you'll be waiting for me when I get home. I trust you to still be here. You are the one constant in my life, a metaphorical anchor, and you, Seeley Booth, are the only person that I – I need." She paused, and when she spoke again, her voice cracked. "I love you."

Booth looked up at her, completely speechless. It couldn't – she couldn't – before the coma, he'd been able to read people. Could he trust himself now, trust his gut and instinct and every fiber of his being telling him she was sincere? Or was it just wishful thinking? He stood up, slowly, and walked around his desk, approaching her tentatively. This wasn't any of the scenarios he'd anticipated in his head.

"I love you," Bones repeated, her eyes bright and insistent. God, it sent a warm rush through him to hear her say that, a burst of adrenaline racing through his veins and speeding up his heart.

He tried to choose his words carefully. "I heard you, I just…" He rubbed his neck. "I want to believe you, I really do, but – are you sure you're not just saying it because -"

Before he could finish his sentence, she grabbed him by the lapels and kissed him, hard and passionate. He froze for a split second, his brain taking a moment to register what was happening, and then melted into her and kissed her back ardently. Belatedly he remembered that his office blinds were open and pulled away from her.

"What?" she asked, concerned.

"Everyone can see us," he informed her.

"Does that bother you?" Bones smirked mischievously.

"Not really," Booth admitted. He kissed her again, slow and sweet. Surely any minute now he'd wake up from this wonderful, unbelievable dream. He smiled, still touching lips, and he could feel her answering smile. "I love you, Temperance Brennan," he whispered.

"I love you, Seeley Booth," she murmured back. "I'm glad you finally believe me." Then she slid out of his embrace. "I should probably let you get back to work. Do you think we should notify Dr. Sweets of this new development, considering the implications it will have for our working relationship?"

"Nah. He's supposed to be the genius prodigy kid, let him figure it out." As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Booth knew she'd have something to say about his word choice.

"That's extremely redundant," Bones corrected him. "A prodigy is, by definition, a genius and a child, and –"

He cut her off by placing his mouth over hers, and it was surprisingly effective. A few minutes later, she broke away from him again. "I really have to go, Booth," she chided, "or you'll never get anything done."

"So?" he asked plaintively.

"I'll come over to your apartment tonight," she told him, straightening his tie. "Right now, you have to catch a killer."

He gazed at her, wondering how he'd gotten so damn lucky. "Could you just – just say it one more time?"

"I love you," she said. She gave him a quick peck. "I'll say it as often as you like."

"I'll always want to hear it one more time," he admitted.

"Then I'll always say it one more time. I love you." She quickly walked towards the door before he could catch her and draw her back in, and flashed him a smile on the way out.

"I love you," he called after her. A few agents in the hall gave him a funny look, but he didn't care. He wanted to shout it to the whole world. I love you. I love you. I love you. He couldn't stop thinking it, couldn't give a damn about the paperwork on his desk. I love you.

And you love me.