A/N: Hi, guys! I'm one week late but I gotta say I just couldn't decide on what to write about episode 3. I'm taking prompts if anyone wants me to write something in particular concerning that episode (don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad. I loved it. I just couldn't see what I could write to complement it. I will figure it out tho.). So, this chapter is about episode 12x04, okay? I liked it but I thought they could have showed some hug or some kind of touch between B&B. What did you guys think? The lack of touching/hugging quickly prompted me to write something and this is what came out of my little frustation.

Thank you for reading and for reviewing it, guys! It means the world! And to my beta reader, you are the best and your words are always inspiring me. Thank you!

Tag for episode 12x04. This takes place after the end of the episode.

Chapter 3: The Center in Us

They were sitting in silence for about ten minutes, each lost in their thoughts, when she decided she couldn't take it anymore. She needed to touch him, to feel his warmth and his strong arms around her.

This whole case had been crazy, a roller coaster of emotions. Finding out it was Aldo on her lab table was like a metaphorical knife through her heart – and she barely knew him -, she could only imagine what her husband was going through.

Then a bomb almost killed them. If it wasn't for Booth's sharp perception, noticing the bomb in time for them to run away, Christine and Hank would be orphans just like she had been for a period of her life. And that was one of the last things she wanted for her children.

And now… now Booth was sure someone was coming after him and there was nothing they could do about it. Just be ready. They had to be ready.

Brennan got up from the couch and with two resolute steps she was right in from of his chair. Her sudden movement pulled him out of his reverie and their eyes locked. She sat on his lap before he could take his next breath, her arms immediately going around his neck and pulling him close.

"It's gonna be okay, Bones." – His arms went around her waist and he held her tight, not ever wanting to let her go. He would be damned if this new threat touched her or his family in any way.

"You don't know that, Booth." – She said against his neck where her head was buried.

"I promise you, Bones. I will not let him harm you or the kids."

She lifted her head, her blue eyes stormy and troubled. He already wanted to kill whoever was doing this to her.

"Don't, Booth. Don't make promises you might not,"

His lips against hers cut her off and she let out a sound of surprise. His hands left her waist and went to her head, changing the angle to deepen the kiss. They were out of air when they finally pulled apart.

"I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."

"If that's the case, then I also won't let anything happen to you."

"Bones…" – He sighed, wanting at the same time to love and hate her for being so adamant. So damn brave. So damn Bones.

"No! No, Booth. You don't get to be the only one in this relationship doing the protecting. We are partners. We have each other's back. Isn't that right?"

He dropped his head against her shoulder, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I'll die before he gets near you. What he did to Aldo… This guy is very dangerous, Bones. He didn't come here after all these years without a plan. We can't take any chances. I won't take any chances."

She pushed off of him, standing up and walking a few steps away. He got up too but stayed where he was, confused by her strong reaction.

"Bones…"

She turned to face him, her jaw set and a fire in her eyes.

"Why do you always think your life is worth less than mine? Do you think it would be easier for me to deal with your death than you dealing with mine? I have news for you, Booth. I already know what it feels like to lose you, to live without you and I can say with great precision that it hurts beyond anything that ever hurt me before."

She angrily wiped away the tears that were falling down her cheeks, surprising him when she took the steps needed to be in his personal space.

"So you," – She poked him in the chest. – "You don't get to promise all these things alone. We promise them together because I'm not… I'll never be ready to let you go without a fight. So we fight together. Do you understand me?" – She poked again and this time, he took a hold of her finger, his other hand cupping her face.

Right at that moment, the love in his eyes took her breath away.

"You are the most stubborn, infuriating woman I've ever met." – He rested his forehead against hers, a small smile playing on his lips. – "And yes, I understand, Bones. We'll get this guy together, okay?"

"Well, do you promise that?" – Her playful tone made him chuckle.

"I promise you that, Bones."

"Good."

He gently moved them back to the armchair, settling her on his lap again. This time, she rested her head against his shoulder and was almost drifting off when his curious and teasing voice stopped her.

"So you didn't compartmentalize my death that time? I mean, you weren't even crying at my funeral."

"I didn't cry at your funeral because I refused to let anyone see what your death was doing to me." – Her voice was quiet and he regretted his question, not wanting her to go back to those two hellish weeks that were all his fault. Well, and Sweets'. Sweets'… How he missed the boy. – "I knew our friends were watching me close, waiting for the moment I would break down. But I never did. Not in front of them."

"It's okay, Bones. I know." – He really shouldn't have said anything.

"No, Booth. You don't." – She raised her head so she could look directly at him. – "I did break down. Several times." – She didn't know if his surprised expression should make her feel angry or sad. How could he believe she hadn't felt anything? – "I went to your apartment every day that first week. I cried myself to sleep on your bed every night. Up until today, I don't remember ever feeling more empty or sad than during those two weeks. So," – She smiled a little when she noticed his eyes suspiciously bright. – "So don't you dare not coming home to me after this is all done. I told you once before and I'm telling you now, I wouldn't survive."

He nodded, his face completely serious. He never wanted to be this source of pain for her ever again.

"I feel the same way, Bones. I feel the same way."

He would never survive without her. He had known it months after just meeting her and nothing had changed ever since.

"I know, Booth."

She smiled, closing the gap between them. Her mouth covered his and her kiss grew in intensity with every thought of a moment where she had almost lost him.

He felt her desperation and knew exactly where her thoughts were going, knew exactly what she needed right now. With one fluid motion, he was up with Brennan in his arms. He never broke their connection, kissing her back with all he had and she only realized they had moved when he carefully laid her on their bed.

"I love you." – He whispered against her ear, his hands skillfully opening the buttons of her shirt and then the clasp of her bra. - "Can I prove it to you?"

"Yes." – She gasped and then moaned; feeling his hand touch her breasts and tease her nipples. – "Please, Booth."

There was nothing she wanted more now than to make love to him. To be one with him. To feel him around her, inside her, everywhere, anywhere he could touch.

Being like this with him was the only time her brain completely stopped thinking about a million different things at the same time. It was all about him and her and them together in this moment.

A miracle, Bones.

Her miracle and like him, she would do everything in her power to never lose it.

They were the center.

And they would hold.