A/N

Ok...this is a one shot. It was going round and round my head at work today (very distracting i tell you) and i was trying to work on TMS...but this wouldn't leave me be.

In the end i gave in and wrote it. It's not my best...and i'm pretty sure i didn't do the end any justice at all but...what i wanted to say and what i wrote weren't correlating.

Also this hasn't been checked so i apologise for any spelling/grammatical errors..i'm sure there's many. I just wanted to write it and post it so i can focus on TMS again...hopefully it'll work :)

Also, i wrote this from 7.30pm- 12.30am so if you hated it...lie to me! LOL...only kidding, honesty as usual.

Now...it's gone 1am & i'm off to bed so...here it is.

Laffers

It'll Only Be a Month or Two

Temperance Brennan walked into her office and shut the door quietly behind her before locking it, leaning back gently against it and taking a deep breath. She stood stock still for a minute or two before slowly making her way to her desk, lowering herself down into her chair gradually. She turned her computer on and stared vacantly into space as she waited for it to start up, tapping absentmindedly on her desk while she waited. When her computer was ready she got straight to work, pulling up the latest chapter of her book to get it finished for her somewhat impatient publisher.

An hour later she was in the middle of breaking up her central characters when there was a knock on the door. She knew without answering who was on the other side and she sighed heavily to herself, having hoped to avoid this conservation for some time yet. She stood up and made her way to her office door, taking her time in getting there as she tried desperately to pull herself together. By the time she opened the door she had a smile fixed on her face and she signalled for her best friend to enter.

Angela sailed past her into the office and turned to face her, waiting for Brennan to be looking at her before speaking.

"Sweetie..." Angela said when Brennan had turned back from the door to look at her "What the hell was that?"

Brennan walked around Angela back to her desk, settling herself in her chair before addressing her question.

"I don't know what you mean" she said firmly, lifting her gaze to meet Angela's disappointed look.

"Bren...that's not going to cut it this time. You've change in the past 3 months...you know exactly what I mean and don't insult my intelligence by pretending otherwise." Angela said softly, the disappointment ringing in her voice.

Brennan lowered her gaze at her friend's words, knowing it wasn't fair to lie to her but wanting to avoid what was coming at all costs. She stayed silent, trying desperately to think of something to tell Angela to reassure her. While Temperance had been thinking Angele moved around her desk, coming to a stop by Brennan's chair.

"Sweetie" she said quietly, holding a hand out to Brennan when she turned her head to look at her. "Come sit with me...i'm tired and can't have the conversation on my feet."

At her words Brennan stood up quickly and grabbed Angela's hand before urging her gently towards her couch.

"Ange...you should be resting. You know you're supposed to be taking it easy...the obstetrician told you so...explicitly! You've got to look after my niece and nephew" she ended on an exasperated sigh as she manoeuvred Angela onto the couch.

"Well I would be relaxing...but somebody" she sent Brennan a look "disappeared from the party without so much as a goodbye so...what was I supposed to do?" Angela asked, pulling Brennan down onto the couch next to her.

Brennan made a token protest but allowed herself to be seated. She knew her best friend well enough to know she would not let this go...and maybe she needed to talk to someone. Maybe Angela would be able to talk her out of it and then everything could go back to what it was...before everything.

"Ange..." Brennan began quietly "I just couldn't...be there anymore. I couldn't...watch him...with her." She finished pain clear in her voice.

At Brennans words, spoken with such pain Angela winced, hating to see her friend so sad but knowing that nothing could be done about it.

"Bren...I know it's different than what it was. I realise it can't be easy to have your relationship with him changed so much but..." Angela paused, interrupted by Brennan's light scoff at the word 'easy'.

"Easy?" she said gently "Easy?" she said again, her voicing raising ever so slightly "I agree Angela, it's not easy. Watching the man you love propose to another woman can never be described as easy. Heartbreaking...agonising...but never easy!" she said, her voice almost a shout at this point, making her relieved that the Lab was empty. Everyone was still at the Founding Fathers 'celebrating'.

"Love?" Angela said in shock "You love him?"

Brennan gave a stilted nod of her head.

"But...you never...I don't...when?" Angela asked, trying hard to wrap her mind round this new development.

"Just after we came back. I thought about him a lot when I was in Maluku...and not about work. I know I told you that and it was partly the truth...it was just easier to tell you that than the entire truth. He'd just told me about Hannah and..." she trailed of sadly, her eyes gazing blankly into space, her mind clearly elsewhere. She turned her head suddenly and Angela's heart broke at the look in her eye. "He was so happy Angela!" she burst out. "So happy...and how could I say anything then? To anyone? I couldn't bare your pity...and my brain was telling me it would pass. Love always does...his did for me so why wouldn't mine for him?" she asked desperately, almost begging Angela for the answer.

Angela shook her head slowly, trying to keep up with what her friend was telling her. She grabbed hold of the last sentence.

"What do you mean his did for you? I don't..."

"He told me. It was before Afghanistan...before Maluku...and he told me. Not the words per se but I knew...he wanted to spend his life with me and I...I panicked Angela." She cried "I panicked...I told him no. That I couldn't be what he needed and...I was right. In the end I was right. I'm not what he needs...she is." She ended, tears shining in her eyes and only shear stubbornness preventing them from falling.

Angela gazed at Brennan sadly for a moment, tears shining in her eyes at the devastation on Brennans face. She finally realised what she wanted only for it to be too late...Angela's heart ached for her. Angela knew no words could make Brennan feel better so she didn't try. She wrapped one arm around her best friend and eased her towards her. Brennan resisted half heartedly before leaning into her, her head coming to rest on Angela's shoulder. They sat in silence for a moment, both lost in their own thoughts. Angela thinking off the pain Brennan had been hiding from her the past 3 months, and chastising herself for not seeing it. She's been so wrapped up in her twins and Hodgins that she'd failed to see what was in front of her eyes.

Brennan, on the other hand, was playing the evening back in her mind. A video was playing in her head, the image of Booth getting down on one knee in front of their friends and family...the look of pure unadulterated joy on both their faces as she said yes. Hannah was perfect for Booth...no one could deny that, it was clear for all to see. She was everything Brennan wasn't...or everything she hadn't allowed herself to be. And Brennan liked her. Really truly liked her...and she made Booth happy. Regardless of how much it hurt Booth's happiness was all she had ever wanted.

"I just couldn't stay and watch" Brennan whispered sadly, causing Angela to glance down at her.

Brennan shifted her head slightly so she could meet Angela's eyes.

"I just...couldn't."

"I know sweetie..." Angela said gently, laying her head on top of Brennan's and wrapping her arms around her. "I know"

Silence descended on the room, both content to remain seated on the couch, Brennan taking strength from Angela's presence. Too soon reality intruded on them as Brennan's mobile rang. She pulled away from Angela regretfully before making her way back to her desk.

She read the name on her phone and was tempted to ignore it but with a tired sigh she answered.

"Dr Temperance Brennan" she said, determined to put her professional persona back in place.

"Bones!" Booth exclaimed joyously. "What happened to you? You know...never mind. You're at the Lab right?" he asked but continued speaking, not waiting for a response "Course you are...forgot who I was speaking to for a moment! Anyway...i'm coming to get you coz we've got a case. I know I know its bad timing but murderers are never very considerate so...be ready in 10?"

"See you in 10 Booth" Brennan said, glancing at Angela who sent her an encouraging smile.

"Brilliant. Bye Bones!" he said before hanging up.

Brennan lowered the phone slowly to the desk.

"You going to be ok sweetie?" Angela asked softly.

"I always am Angela." Brennan said with a brave smile, before starting to gather her things together in preparation of Booth's arrival.

Angela watched Brennan as she methodically gathered her things together with a sad smile. Her friend wasn't going to be ok.

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A week later Angela wandered into the Lab, calling to Cam as she went.

"Cam ...has Bren come in?" she asked

"You mean she didn't tell you?" Cam questioned, causing Angela to stop mid stride.

"Told me what?"

"Ummmmm maybe you should check your office" Cam suggested, not wanting to be the one to break the news to her.

"Cam..." Angela said warningly.

"Check your office Ange...seriously."

Angela sent Cam a disgruntled look before continuing onto her office, moving as fast as she could while 5 months pregnant.

When Angela was out of Cams sight she walked swiftly across the Lab, entering a room to see Hodgins performing some kind of experiment...she couldn't say what it was but she was almost certain she didn't ok it! Hodgins looked up guiltily as Cam walked in.

Cam waved aside his look.

"I'm not worried about what you're doing Hodgins...not now anyway. You need to know that Angela's gonna need you."

"WHAT? When?" he yelled, panic clear in his eyes. "What's wrong with her? Is it the babies?" he exclaimed.

Cam could have kicked herself. She should have known that's what he would assume.

"She's fine. The babies are fine. It's just...I suggest you go to her office in about 15 minutes."

Jack stared at her in confusion.

"Trust me Jack..." Cam said seriously.

At the sound of his first name he nodded, knowing Cam meant what she said.

"15 minutes? I'm there. OK?"

"Good. Now...what are you doing?"

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Angela walked determinedly into her office and looked around, searching for anything missing or out of place that would explain Cam's need for her to be here. She saw nothing out of the ordinary as she made her way across the room, but froze when she noticed something on her desk. She walked to it and sat down, pulling the mystery item towards her. Now she was closer she could see it looked similar to one of Brennan's manuscripts and she stared at it curiously, loath to open it but unsure why.

She shook her head in annoyance at herself and opened the first page, her look changing to one of concern when she realised it was in fact Brennan's manuscript...and the finished one at that. She allowed the worry she had been fighting back to surface, knowing that Brennan never gave her finished script to anyone. Even when she helped Brennan she didn't get to read everything...only the pieces Brennan felt were 'relevant'. She rang her fingers absentmindedly over the first page before her gaze began to flick over her desk, knowing there must be something somewhere to explain this. Her gaze fell onto an envelope leaning against the front of her computer screen, Brennan's writing clear to see.

Angela reached out a shaking head and picked up the envelope before laying it gently on the book. She then picked them both up and stood up slowly, some sixth sense telling her she'd need to be comfortable for this moment. She moved to her couch and lowered herself gently, placing both the book and letter next to her. She picked up the letter again and cradled it her gently in her hand, her gaze tracing her name on the envelope. She sat like that for a minute or two, just staring at letter in her hand before flipping it over and opening it quickly...knowing that was the best way. Like ripping off a band aid. She removed the letter from the envelope and opened in with trepidation...unsure of what she might find.

She spent the next 10 minutes reading the letter from Brennan, smiling at times, crying at others. By the time she finished she was in floods of tears, holding the letter in one hand while the other rested gently on her rounded stomach.

That was how Jack found her minutes later. He walked into her office, his eyes taking in the sight of his wife weeping with the letter in her hand. He moved swiftly over to her, saying nothing but wrapping her in his arms. Angela couldn't speak through her tears so she lifted the letter to his face, indicating for him to read. Jack took the letter from her and began to read, all the while rocking his wife back and forth as he tried to comfort her. By the time he reached the end he had tears rolling down his cheeks himself, and he hugged his wife tighter.

"She'll be back baby...like she said...she'll be back"

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Angela...my wonderful, gorgeous, incredible best friend.

I want to say sorry for leaving like this. I know it's not fair...I know it's selfish...but I trust you understand why I had to go. Seeing them together was too hard...the woman who counts Booths as one of her closest friends is happy for him. The woman in love with Booth is dying a little each day (not literally obviously...figuratively...but you already knew that, didn't you? Sorry...as I was saying). I need some time...away from it all. I think if I have enough time and space I can come back and be truly happy for him...every part of me. I figure Booth moved on when we were apart...in theory it should work for me. I hope so anyway.

I'm going to stay with my brother and Amy for a little while. Russ has been begging me to go visit...apparently the girls miss me! Dads going to join us for a few weeks too...just me and my family. It'll be good for us...maybe we can put the past behind us once and for all. When I say we I mean me obviously...the distance between us is my fault but I hope to fix it. This is one thing I can fix.

I should be back in a month or two, nothing is going to keep me from the birth of my niece and nephew! By then you'll be 7 months pregnant and I will be there for the end...just in case you're early. I know how impatient you can be!

I left Cam with a list of forensic anthropologists she could hire that can stand in for me but I want to ask you to do something for me. Convince her to hire Clark and Wendell...between them they can do my job almost as well as I can, and I know Booth will be able to work with them both. This way will be easiest for everyone and like I said...it will only be a month or two. I trust everything will still be standing when I get back!

I need you to apologise to Booth for me...for leaving without saying goodbye. Please don't tell him why...it will only cause him unnecessary guilt and he has enough of that already. And you know he'll feel guilty...that's just the man he is. Just tell him i'm seeing the family...no need to mention why. And make sure he knows i'm expecting the wedding invitation to be waiting for me when I get home!

One more thing before I go. Make sure that husband of yours looks after you in my absence. Now I know that's a redundant comment, Jack couldn't love you any more if he tried but I feel as your honorary sister it is my responsibility to make sure you are properly taken care of. So...lots of foot massages...hot baths...and general pampering for the mother to be. And speaking of your husband...i want you to remember how lucky you are. To have someone love you the way he does...unconditionally...unreservedly...and unequivocally...i envy you. That's what i want now...someone who looks at me the way Jack looks at you...and the way Booth used to look at me.

I'll miss you and I'll call you soon...I promise. A clean break is what I need and when I come back things can go back to the way they were..., maybe even better.

Love you and thank you...for everything.

Temperance

P.S. I left you my finished manuscript. A copy has gone to my publisher and I want you to pass this to Booth. He's always moaning that he doesn't get it sooner and this time...well, I think this time he deserves it. It can serve as closure...for both of us.