A/N: Well readers, I told you it was coming...here is the last chapter! I've worked hope my in-canon fluff bunnies satisfy you after all the suspense!

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Disclaimer: I don't own Bones. I do have some loaves of homemade sourdough bread, but it's just not the same.

Approximately 2 ½ days after Booth regained consciousness…

"Temperance!"

Brennan bit down a groan of annoyance as she saw Carl heading for her. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Dr. Wilson toss her an apologetic look as he retreated.

"Carl, can this wait?" she asked. She held up the carryout bag she'd brought. "I'm going in to see Booth."

"That's what I want to talk to you about," Carl said, falling into step with her. "You must make him see reason. I can't."

"What are you talking about?" she asked. "He's improving, isn't he?"

Carl waved a hand. "Yes, and I'm amazed! Temperance, I've learned so much studying him the past couple of days! With the return of my lost notes, I could be on the verge of a breakthrough!"

She sighed. "That's nice, Carl. So you'll be heading back to Richmond?"

"Yes, and that's why I need you to speak with him. I want him to allow me to transfer him to a Richmond hospital I have access to."

She stopped walking. "I thought he was getting better," she said, feeling a thread of worry. "I know he doesn't want to stay in the hospital any longer than he has to."

"He is getting better," Carl said. "But Temperance, it would be years before I'd have a chance to study my toxin and its cure on a human subject! The opportunity here –"

Her jaw dropped. "You want Booth to be – be your lab subject?"

"Well, you needn't get all outraged about it?" Carl huffed. "He's only an FBI agent, he can be replaced –"

She smacked his clipboard out of his hand. It flew into the wall behind her, clattering to the floor.

Not satisfying, but anything more violent would risk spilling the soup she'd brought for Booth.

"Let me make this clear, Carl," she said, pinning his wide eyes with her own. "Booth is not "only" anything. He is my partner, and you can find someone else to run experiments on. If you don't leave him alone, I swear I will make you pay."

She turned on her heel and walked away. His voice shaking, Carl called out after her. "You used to be a lot less emotional, Temperance. You've changed."

Brennan looked at him over her shoulder and gave him an answer she thought Booth would cheer. "Thank you."

She left him standing there and headed to Booth's room. Hearing voices, she slowed her steps and peeked inside.

Parker was sitting on Booth's bed, his legs swinging back and forth. Rebecca sat in a chair at the foot. She looked up and nodded. "Hello, Dr. Brennan."

"Bones!" Parker was off the bed and running to her. "My dad's sick, but the doctor says he's getting better! Is he?"

She gave the boy a one armed hug while she glanced at Booth. He was sitting up in bed, looking a bit more alert than he had yesterday. There were still dark circles under his eyes and she saw him rub his temple while he thought no one was looking.

He noticed her and his hand (still shaking slightly) dropped back to the bed as he smiled. "Hey, Bones! Is that soup from Mama?"

She looked down at Parker. "Yep, I think you're dad's going to be fine. Why don't you help me bring him this soup?"

"Okay!" Parker walked back with her and started to climb back on the bed. Rebecca stood. "Parker, honey, I think it's time for us to go."

"Aw, Mom!"

"Come on, we'll be back tomorrow. Your dad needs to rest if he's going to get better, you heard the doctor say that."

The child's shoulders slumped. "I wish I could help you get better, Dad."

Booth smiled. "You can."

"How?"

"Come here and give me a hug. That's the best medicine I could have right now."

"Dad," Parker said, rolling his eyes, "hugs aren't medicine, are they Bones?"

She was about to tell Parker that of course hugs were not medicine, but looking at her partner she was reminded of a hug not that long ago. A hug that she wouldn't even tell Angela about – it was too private, and Brennan was still processing her feelings about it.

So she settled for saying, "Your father's right Parker, hugs can benefit someone who is ill. I'm sure your hugs will help your father feel a lot better."

"Okay then, Daddy, you tell me if you feel better," Parker said, wrapping his arms around Booth and hugging tightly.

Booth looked over his son's head at Brennan, his eyes full of thanks as he held Parker. 'Yeah, little man, I'm feeling great, thanks to you. A few more of these and maybe they'll let me out sooner."

Rebecca smiled and bent down to kiss Booth's cheek. "Feel better, Seeley. We'll be back tomorrow."

Parker kissed Booth as well. "Bye Daddy, love you."

"Love you too," Booth said, pressing his lips to his son's hair. He watched as they left. Brennan stood quiet, letting him take the lead.

He gestured to a silver walker by the bed. As he did she realized for the first time that he was dressed not in a hospital gown but a red, white, and blue pajama top. "Look at what I got? They're gonna let me walk around some more!"

"That's good," she said, pulling the chair Rebecca had sat in closer to the head of the bed. "Where'd you get the pajamas?"

"These? Sweets," Booth looked down at them and grinned. "Could've been worse, the kid might've gotten me Power Rangers or something."

"What?"

He shook his head. "Never mind." Booth stared at the takeout bag and carefully reached for it. His hand still trembled. "I wonder if I'll be able to eat this without wearing it?"

"What did Doctor Wilson say?" she asked, pulling out napkins and a spoon.

Booth sighed. "He said the toxin was potent, and while the antitoxin kept me from dying, it didn't entirely eliminate the poison." He waved his hand where an IV needle was still attached. "So he says they need to flush out my system. And I need to rest and let my body heal."

"You're going to get better," she said, opening up the soup container. Booth leaned forward and sniffed it, a look of anticipation on his face.

He picked up the spoon. It shook in his hand. He looked from soup to spoon. Brennan saw the worry in his eyes.

"Here," she said. She tucked two of the napkins under his chin and then folded one on her hand. With her other hand she guided Booth's spoon to the soup, holding his wrist just tightly enough to provide a light support.

He carefully brought the spoon to his lips. Before it got there some of it shook off into the napkin Brennan held. He swore.

"It's all right," she said quietly. She helped him get it into his mouth. "You'll be fine. One step at a time, Booth. We'll get there."

He sighed. "We?"

She nodded. "We're partners. I'm going to help you. You've helped me, when it comes to heart things, I'll help you while you recover physically."

Booth stared at her for a long moment. Then, for the first time since she'd gotten his call for help nights ago, he gave her his charm smile. "That sounds…like a great idea, Bones. Thanks."

She smiled. He had been there for her so many times, it was nice to be able to return the favor. "You're welcome. Now, you should finish your soup before it gets cold."

He resisted her efforts slightly. "Bones. Thanks…" he took a deep breath. "Thanks for being there for me. For saving my life. For…" his cheeks reddened and she understood it wasn't just fever, "for the other night, the…the 'partners' thing."

She felt her own cheeks heat up. "Again. You're welcome. Now, eat your soup and then maybe you'd like to try walking? I'll help."

He nodded as with her help the soup got to his mouth without spilling a drop. "Thanks. I think I can do it if you're there to help me."

She smiled again as she kept feeding him soup. She couldn't say what she was thinking out loud – it was too much heart, and a promise she didn't know if she could keep. But she could think it.

I'll always be there to help you, Booth. Always.

A/N2: All right, people, the ride has come to a complete stop. Please gather your belongings, take small children by the hand, and exit safely.

Furbys, it's time to go. Yes, you can take some sourdough bread - make sure you take enough for everyone. No, no chocolate, sorry. Thanks for visiting, maybe we'll meet again.

Until the muse hits me again...