Disclaimer: I own nothing. All characters and stories belong to FOX, Kathy Reichs, and Hart Hanson.

A/N: Post The Doctor in the Photo. I know it's redundant, but I just thought of another Booth/Brennan story. I don't know if I want this as a multi-chapter or if I want this as a one shot. You tell me. Please review. Thanks. Love, Lawabidingchild.

Opposite Sides of the Door

Just like that? I lost her just like that? Booth asked himself these questions after walking Brennan back to her apartment. He couldn't bring himself to leave.

Is he gone? Is there more I can say? Brennan was asking herself questions of her own. She was in her apartment, but couldn't bring herself to leave the door.

Brennan stared into her empty apartment that she so helplessly stumbled into. She tried to shy away from Booth, but he insisted on walking her up to see if she was okay. She did not say a word, did not murmur anything, or turn around to deflect her actions. Instead, she stared into the empty apartment, only to figure out how alone she really is.

Booth looked down the hallway. It was the dead of night and he imagined most normal people are asleep. She told him something that somehow he had already known. It was something she refused to know. Now that they both know, he has someone else. And he sees that as unfair. Not just to Brennan, but to Hannah. Like he said in the car, Hannah is not a consolation prize. He loves her. But does he really love her?

Brennan swerved her arm around her thinning and paling body. Three days of non stop work taught her nothing. They only solved the case and maybe broke her spirit. Her once rational persona was now fading and being replaced with something irrational. What was happening was scaring her, and not having anyone to help her along only made it more lonely. Booth was even fading away in her light. All she wanted was to hear the truth. And she thought she got it. And she felt she deserved every horrible truth he threw at her. She waited too long.

Booth didn't know what to do. Should he leave Hannah right then and there so he could go in and comfort Brennan and tell her Hannah was a huge mistake? No. He could not do that to Hannah. Hannah loved him and she deserved much better than that. He didn't want to leave Hannah. He knew that it would hurt her. He had to choose the sacrifice. That was Brennan. Or was it? Was he sacrificing his happiness so another woman wouldn't feel pain? Did he not realize that his actions may just hurt two women?

Brennan couldn't stand another tearless minute. She didn't want to cry in front of Booth anymore, so she saved the rest of her tears for the rest of the lonely night. She walked away from all of it last year when he professed his love to her. Now she realizes that he must have had these same feelings of rejection on that night. She slid down the door and buried her head in her arms.

Booth realized that all he wanted was right in front of him, yet he could not have it. He could not have it because another woman invaded his life. That woman was at home right now, probably worried out of her mind. He felt sick when he realized he was more worried about the woman he rejected. He stared ahead and placed his head in his left hand, sighing to himself.

Why did I wait so long? What in the entire world is wrong with me? Since when did I become so irrational and unintelligent?

Why do I feel so guilty? She rejected me. Why do I feel guilty about rejecting her now? She waited so long, and now she expects me to leave Hannah for her? What the hell?

I feel so guilty. I told him now, and he's probably mad at me. He has every right. I was a fool.

I feel so wrong and stupid. She was right in front of me the whole time and I didn't persist. What kind of idiot am I?

As if sensing each others presence, they both opened their mouths. They said the three words they should have said to each other long ago, words that may bring them together.

"I love you." They both whispered those words. Neither of them left the door.