The Nights We Stay Awake (TemperancexReader)

48. "Time passes"

Temperance pov

The lab is as quiet as it usually is, filled only with the hum of fluorescent lights and the occasional clatter of tools. I'm hunched over a case file, the stack of documents feeling heavier than usual. It's been a relentless week, and the exhaustion is beginning to seep into my bones. The cast we're working on is complex- more layers than i'd anticipated, more details to comb through.

Zach and Booth are discussing a potential lead when Angela walks in, her usual bright demeanour slightly dimmed by the cold air of the Bone Room. She catches my eyes, her expression unreadable.

"Bren," she begins, her voice cutting through the murmur of out conversation. "Can i have a word?"

I glance up from the file, feeling a twinge of irritation. We've been making good progress, and i don't want to lose the momentum. "Can it wait, Angela? We're in the middle of something important."

Angela's eyes are soft, almost pleading. "It's about Y/n. She's been discharged from the hospital today. I thought you might want to visit her."

The words hit me like a cold splash of water. For a moment, i'm stunned into silence, my focus shifting from the case to the sudden rush of emotion that hits me. It's been a difficult few weeks - Y/n's kidnapping and coma, her recovery, my own conflicting feelings about everything.

"I'm-" i start, but the words don't come out. Instead, i find myself searching for a way to refuse without seeming too harsh. "I'm busy, Angela. There's a lot to handle with hits case."

Angela's face falls, and i see the disappointment in her eyes. Booth, standing beside her, shifts uncomfortably. His gaze is directed at something i hadn't noticed until now- the necklace Y/n gave me for Christmas, which i'm wearing around my neck. The delicate northern start glints softly in the lab's artificial light.

"Are you sure, Bones?" Booth asks, his voice carefully neutral but edged with concern. "You've been working non-stop since she woke up. Maybe it's a good idea to take a break."

Angela nods in agreement, though she's clearly strutting to hide her frustration. "Y/n's been asking about you. I know you've been busy, but..."

I feel a pang of guilt. "I appreciate that, but i really can't leave right now. This case is critical, and we're on a tight deadline."

I watch as Angela and Booth exchange worried glances. It's clear they're not buying my excuse, but there's not much more i can say. I turn back to the case file, trying to force myself to focus on the work at hand.

Angela hesitates for a moment longer, than reluctantly turns to leave. Booth stays behind, his eyes still on me. I can sense his concern, though he doesn't voice it. Instead, he nods slowly and follows Angela out of the room.

As they leave, i let out a sight and glance at the necklace resting against my chest. It's a beautiful piece- a reminder of Y/n, of the connection we once shared. The sight of it brings a mixture of warmth and ache. I touch the necklace lightly, my fingers brushing against the cold metal. I think of Y/n in the hospital, how she's been struggling, and how i've been avoiding her.

I try to push the thoughts away, focusing instead on the case. But the weight of the necklace around my neck feels like a constant reminder of what i'm avoiding. It's difficult to concentrate, and i find myself rereading the same lines in the case file without absorbing nay of the information.

The minutes tick by slowly, and i find myself more distracted than ever. I catch sight of Booth and Angela returning to the lab, their expressions more sombre. Angela gives me a final, sympathetic look before retreating to her own workspace.

Booth approaches, his demeanour calm but firm. "Temperance, i know you're busy, but i think you should reconsider. Y/n needs you."

I meet his gaze, feeling a surge of conflicting emotions. "I know, Booth. It's just..."

Booth cuts me off gently. "Look, i get it. We all have our reasons for doing what we do. But sometimes, we need to make time for the people who matter, even when it's hard."

I nod, feeling the weight of his words. There's a quiet pause between us, filled only with the sounds of the lab and the hum of machinery. I know he's right, and yet i struggle with the decision.

Finally, Booth gives me a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Take care of yourself, Bones. We'll manage here."

He turns and heads back to his workspace, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I glance down at the necklace again, and for a moment, the case seems distant and unimportant. The thought of Y/n, waiting for me to make a decision, feels overwhelming.

I take a deep breath and continue to work. Maybe it's time to face the reality of what i've been avoiding?