For the past year and a half, Booth and Brennan have not seen each other. There had been a case where Booth and Parker had almost been killed. The attempted murderer was sent to prison, but he said he had plans for Booth. After this, Booth decided it would be best if he left D. C. and Parker.
Brennan stood. She was mentally and physically exhausted. Malls. She shuddered as she closed her eyes for a brief moment before stepping into the last store. It was a small store filled with trinkets and plaques of that sort. Holding one bag in her left hand, she picked up a small vase and thought about whether Angela would like it or not. She put it down. Not artsy enough. She walked around the shelf and stopped dead in her tracks as she heard a laugh. Not just any laugh. Brennan frowned, and slowly took one step backward as she tried to hide behind the shelf.
It couldn't be. No. No way that of all the cities to vacation, she had picked the one where he would be. That was just too…serendipitous. But, it was. She was sure that it was Booth. She knew that broad shouldered back beneath that jacket, and she was positive that it had been his laugh. As Brennan watched him tinker around with some kind of jar, she had to suppress a smile. It had been so long since she'd talked to him. She had to admit, she had missed him. With that in mind, Brennan knew she had to go up to him. She took a step forward, thinking that it would be fine. And then, she halted.
The woman was tall and blonde. She had fair skin and perfect features. The way she came up beside Booth made Brennan take a step backward. The woman's arms wrapped around his waist and Brennan took another step back. Booth said something that made the woman laugh and slap his back playfully. Brennan took another step away. They both laughed and Booth leaned down to kiss her cheek. Without hesitation, Brennan turned around and walked briskly out the doorway.
She disappeared into the crowd and tried to block out the memory of what she had just seen. Why it had shaken her so much, she didn't know. But she knew that she wasn't ready to talk to him yet. When Brennan reached her car, she tried to put the key into the ignition, but in her agitation, couldn't find the slot. Slamming her hands on the steering wheel, she sighed and leaned back. Calm down, she told herself. It had been almost two years, of course he had moved on with his life. He was the type of man who wanted to be in a relationship, to get married, to have more kids. She shouldn't be surprised that he had probably found that.
Brennan finally started her car and backed out of her parking spot. As she drove in front of an entrance, she noticed Booth and his girlfriend walking out of the door. For an instant, she was nervous that he would stop her, but he didn't. He looked up at just the time she was barely past him, but he had still seen her. Had that been hesitation in his step? Had that been surprise in his face? Glancing into her rearview mirror, she saw him standing, staring. He pointed once, then turned back to his blonde. Too close, she thought. She'd have to be more careful in this city.