Brennan pressed her head on Booth's shoulder, clutching Zack's acceptance letter in her hand. She remembered typing it, remembered identifying with him so much as an empirical scientist…oh…the tears fell onto his jacket and she felt his forehead press into hers.

"It's okay", he said, and she knew he didn't mean this whole thing with Zack. She knew he was referring to the pain that had been swirling around and between them for the past few days. He stood up and helped her up, then walked her through the lab toward her office.

"Booth" Angela said.

"Not tonight, Angela. I've got her."

Brennan could see the pain on her face was causing pain in her team. 'That's what it means to be close' she realized. When people feel pain because you are, you belong together.

"What's that Bones?"

"Hmmm?" He was shuffling her into her office and helping her gather her coat and purse.

"It sounded like you said 'you belong together".

"Oh…I was just thinking, I guess."

"Okay, want to talk about it?"

"Yes, but…not…not here." Another source of pain. Her 'house' as Booth called it now had pain…she needed to get out of there.

"Okay, Bones. I'll take you home." It had been a hard week for Booth too. He wasn't leaving her tonight until they had it all settled.

He drove her home, not asking, just doing, and she didn't complain. She'd gone into emotional shock, staring out the window. He didn't want to start this in his car, so he just waited.

As he walked her into her apartment, she crumpled. He caught her in his arms and moved to her couch.

"Bones."
"He was here, Booth. Zack was here, not that long ago. Helping you with my father's case."

"I know Bones."

She pressed her face to his chest and her hands curled in his jacket. He lightly stroked her hair and her back, knowing this was going to be hard.

"It hurts worse, Booth."

"What's that?"

"This hurts worse." She pulled her head to look into his eyes. "This hurts worse than my parents, than you…than anything I've ever faced…he was mine, you know?"

"Yes, Bones, I do know."
"I mean, it's like a child. He was MINE, Booth, and I didn't protect him…I should have. He wasn't ready…and now…" she pressed her face in his neck for comfort and he could feel fresh tears on his skin.

"You know, Bones. I feel guilty too."

"What?"

"Well, remember when we were blown up in the cab, and I chased after Gormogon? I tried to kill him, and I didn't. If I had, then Zack would never have killed that lobbyist. This thing could have been avoided."

"Booth…no…this isn't your fault. It's mine. It's all my fault."

"No, Bones. It's not all your fault. Cam was right. Zack is an adult, and he made his choices. I'm so sorry, Bones. And yeah, I get that you're feeling responsible. I'm proud of you for feeling that way, even if it's not rational." He kissed her forehead and she tightened her grip on his jacket.

"It hurts worse."

"I know"

"I don't want to hurt like this Booth."

"I know, I know."
"Make the hurt go away, Booth."
"Bones…I…"

"Please, Booth…"

"Bones, I can't."

'What?"

"I can't take away your pain." He tipped her face to look in her eyes. She saw sadness reflected in them. "No one can take away pain, it just has to fade away."

"Yeah, you are right."
"I'm not leaving though."

"What?"
"I can't take away your pain, but I'm not going to leave."
She started crying again.

"Bones, it's okay. I know it hurts. Betrayal is hard."
"Booth, I thought you were dead."
"Ah, Bones…I'm sorry I hurt you."

"I know…I know you are. I'm sorry I punched you in the face."

"No, Bones. It's okay. I mean, I was shocked, but I thought you knew, you know? You were right, I should have called you. You're my partner. I trust you. I'm sorry Sweets didn't tell you, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"It's okay. I'm just glad you are alive. Booth…"

"I know, I know….I missed you."

"I missed you too."