A/N: This is an idea that came to me while I was listening to the Cartel song, "If You Do, If You Don't". It's a really great song, one of my favorites, and it just reminded me of Booth and Brennan's relationship. This is my first ever Bones fanfiction, I hope it's true to character. I'd love to hear thoughts of any kind. )

Special thanks to my special beta friend, mugglecastlover31.

I don't own Bones or the Cartel song, I'm just borrowing them.

Hope you enjoy!

If You Do, If You Don't

Let's get out
Let's get out of here
I'll go at it alone if I have to, but I need you there
I'm honest with nobody else
Whether or not I make it there is will itself
And I'm honest with only myself
I can't afford to lose you now, not in this hell
And I'll stay with you

Special Agent Seely Booth was an honest man. He was an FBI agent after all. But being outwardly honest and being honest with oneself were two entirely different things. Which was why, after four years working with Dr. Temperance Brennan, he couldn't bring himself to admit that he loved her.

But after all that had happened to the two of them, after they had almost lost each other time and time again, it was becoming harder and harder for him to ignore his true and honest feelings. He loved her. And nothing would change that. Nothing could change that.

I'm a mess and so a wreck
A poor excuse without you near to keep me in check
So take me out, and take me anywhere
I'm out of touch with everything and I don't care
So I must be out of my mind
The offer I have to give to you is all my time
So I'll stay with you

Dr. Temperance Brennan was a smart woman; an extremely intelligent woman. Even so, she often didn't see the things that were right in front of her face. She was out of touch with most of the world, but he kept her grounded, cared for her all the time no matter how mad she made him or how much she offended him. He defied her fundamental knowledge of humans. Human nature was to avoid people or situations that caused anger or offense. But no matter what she said or did, he stuck with her.

The only rational conclusion she could come to regarding Agent Booth's actions toward her was that he loved her. What kind of love was another matter in itself. She had always hated psychology. It never gave you a straight answer.

But the solid truth of the thing was, without Agent Booth, she was lost.


We sing over and over
And baby I'm a waste of time

But even considering a relationship was out of the question. They were partners; they had certain duties to uphold. Getting involved would be messy and risky.

Then again, they already were involved. There was no denying the strong bond between the two. For the moment, all they really needed from one another was companionship; someone that understood all their quirks and oddities and wouldn't desert them. They were friends, great friends, maybe that was all they would ever be, and maybe that was all they should be. But at least they had that.

Thanks for reading! Come back soon!