A/N: Well, this story all came about because of a lovely author here who goes by the penname stevieLUVSAlex, if you aren't familiar with her work please check it out! stevieLUVSAlex and I tossed around some ideas and decided to co-author a story and this is our brain child. Thanks so much stevieLUVSAlex, this wouldn't have been possible without you!

A/N 2: Thank you so much for the reviews, alerts and favorites! They mean the world to us!

Disclaimer: Still unable to claim Bones as my own.

"Not here"

"Where?" Booth asked with bated breath half expecting Brennan to run again, but praying to every saint he could think of that she wouldn't.

Brennan just stood and left some cash on the table, unsure how long she'd been there or what she'd consumed she left two twenties, knowing they would cover the costs. Booth followed his partner unsure of where things were going, but grateful that the woman he's feared hated him for invading her privacy and violating her trust was at least speaking to him.

A short time later they found themselves seated at the Mall in silence, neither sure where to begin. Booth's hand reflexively caressed the carving in his pocket. Brennan stared straight ahead, mesmerized by the shadows dancing in the deepening darkness.

"Bones, I'm sorry for reading your journal …"

"I'm not" she barely whispered.

"What?" Booth asked shocked by her words.

"I was upset in the beginning … more embarrassed than anything else, but I wanted to tell you most of what I wrote in it. I just didn't have the courage to do it. Angela is always saying everything happens for a reason, maybe that's why you got sent the link to my journal." Brennan's voice was soft and filled with emotion.

Booth knelt in front of her, cradling her face in his hands and stared into her eyes willing her to see the truth in his words. "You have nothing to be embarrassed about. What you wrote just reminded me of what I've always known. That you, my Bones … you Temperance Joy Brennan are an amazing, loving, kind, powerful, beautiful, woman who would and had done everything within her power to help and protect those around you. You might not believe you have an open heart, but I know the truth your heart is deeper and more open than anyone else I know. I know you might not want to hear this or that you might not be ready yet, but I'm in love with you, I love you with all of my heart."

Silent tears glistened in the moonlight down both their cheeks as they stare into each other's eyes. Taking a deep breath Booth decided to man up and go for broke. He pulled a wooden pendant from his pocket, clutching it in one hand, he grasped her and with his other.

"Please don't run. I'm not trying to scare you." His eyes pleading with her, just as much as his soft spoken words did. "Back when we first started working together, during the Bear in the Woods case, with the cannibal doctor I picked up a couple of pieces of cedar from the woods. I didn't know it at the time, but I recently discovered that many Native America tribes believe that cedar heals the spirit. It seemed fitting that I carve this out of cedar, because you've helped heal my heart and I hope that I've helped heal yours." Booth whispered his confession opening his hand to reveal the hand carved cedar pendant on a leather cord. "The stone is blue Lapis Lazuli. While I was in Afghanistan I saw this heart and it reminded me so much of your eyes that I bought it and carried it everywhere with me. I know this will sound silly, but just holding it made me feel closer to you. Turns out that it is the stone of truth, friendship and fidelity, it's supposed to cleanse the soul and bring about inner truth and peace. The only time I feel at peace is when I'm with you. This design is called a Claddagh; it's an Irish symbol that fits everything you are to me. The hands symbolize friendship, the crown means loyalty and the heart is for love. Bones you mean everything to me and I would do anything for you. You are my best friend, you know me better than anyone else ever has or will. I love you now and always, if you aren't ready I'll wait, because you are worth waiting for." Booth held his breath begging her with his eyes to be open to them now.

The silence seemed to hang in the air and freeze time between them. Her heart made the decision for her. Brennan placed her hand over Booth's hand the held the Claddagh. It was only by the grace of the angels that Booth heard her almost silent words. "I'm ready." But as soon as he did the smile that broke out across his face outshone any diamond ever found. Their lips met and the world around them evaporated.

There had been so many missteps and wrong turns along the way. They'd hurt each other, supported each other, loved one another, and even blackmailed each other, but through it all they'd had each other. They weren't perfect, but the time was finally right and together they would heal open wounds.

THE END

Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing, your words have meant a great deal to us. It's refreshing for a well published author on this site to receive such wonderful words of encouragement and as a first time author publishing on this site it makes me want to write more. Never doubt that your words as readers effect us, they have the power to elevate, inspire, motivate, and some times crush so use them wisely and reap the benefits they bring.

To a friend and the editor/beta for one of my new stories Tit for Tat the same goes for another friend, you both know who you are!