Last chapter. I hope that you all enjoyed this short little peice. Thanks for reading.

Disclaimer: Maybe if I ask Santa...

Rated: M...although maybe not this chapter...

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Booth wrapped his arms around the waist of his partner and pulled her tight against his side. After they had made love, he had pulled a blanket off of the couch and spread it out over them. Brennan laid with her head on his chest, tucked under his chin. One arm rested on his stomach. She absently drew circles with her fingers. "Tempe," he said softly, taking her hand to stop her actions. "You've been awfully quiet."

"What just happened, Booth?" she asked. "I mean I know what technically happened. We had sex. But…but."

"But it feels differently," he offered. She nodded against him.

"So what happened? What does it mean?"

"You know, don't you?" he asked. Brennan pulled away from him and propped up on one elbow.

"I don't know what that means."

"Earlier. I could see it in your eyes. You saw it in mine, didn't you? You saw what's been on my mind. You saw the fact that I've been thinking-dreaming- of you." Brennan searched his face, and then slowly nodded.

"I wasn't sure what it was when I first saw it. Last Saturday. But tonight…tonight when I saw it I knew." She stopped. "But, Booth, what does it mean?" He reached up and brushed back a piece of her hair. Tucking it behind her ear, he answered.

"It means, Tempe, that I've wanted you. It means that I still want you. You do things to me that nobody can. When we're apart, you're all that I think about. You're more than my partner…you're my best friend. I want you to more than my best friend…I want you to be my lover." Booth watched as her eyes went wide. "It felt different, Tempe, because…I love you." Brennan pushed herself up. Sitting, she ran a hand over her hair to smooth it.

"You don't mean that, Booth."

"But I do, Bones," he said, sitting up as well. "I do mean it. Every word I just said." Brennan shook her head no.

"No, Booth. That's impossible."

"Why? Why is it impossible, Bones? Why don't you believe me?"

"Because I don't want your love," she said. "I don't want anybody's love." She felt a tear run down her cheek.

"I'm sorry," he said, wiping the tear away. "I'm sorry it you don't want it, but you have it. Now and always, and I don't care if you refuse it." He put his hands on either side of her face, making her look at him. "I love you, Temperance Brennan," he said. "I. Love. You. I love you." Brennan shook her head no. "Yes."

"Why? How?"

"Why? Because you're caring, and beautiful and smart and funny and annoying and aggravating and you make me laugh and feel better…and you brighten up my world," he told her. "How? I don't know. It just happened. Who am I to question such a blessing?"

"But I don't want love, Booth. People you love go away."

"You're right. Sometimes they do. But I'm not. At least not on purpose. I love you, Bones," he said again. This time she didn't answer. She just looked into his eyes. "If you want me to go I will. I'll walk out and we can forget about any of this. Is that what you want?"

"No," she said. Tears began to fall from her eyes. "I…I…I can't say it, Booth. I just can't." She buried her face to his neck.

"Hey," he said softly, patting her back and gently rocking her. "I never asked you to say it." She pulled back from him. "I love you, Tempe. I know that's hard for you. I'm not asking for you to tell me how you feel. I didn't figure I would hear you say it back. At least not tonight." He took a deep breath. "Can you accept the fact that I love you? Can you try?" Brennan nodded. "Do you want me to leave?"

"No." Booth smiled at her.

"That's all I want to know." Brennan smiled at him. She took a deep breath that turned into a hiccup.

"Seeley," she said, reaching out to take his hand. "Stay with me?"

"Always," he said, giving her a kiss. "I love you."

"Yeah, I know," she told him with a smile. "And I think...I think I'm going to like that a lot." Booth returned her smile. He knew what she meant. He knew that she loved him…he didn't have to hear it. He just…knew.

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Ahhh...wasn't that just oh-so-sweet? So very googy and fluffy. Thanks for reading...and please review. Reviews make me happy!

Happy writing and blissful reading,

Wolfy