AN: So, here we go- my own take on Hannah's return. Also, in my own opinion, I think she wasn't just "transfered" to follow Booth- it doesn't quite work that way. So, I have her working in DC. If that conflicts with the canon, please, let me know.

As well, if you happen to be a Hannah hater, be forewarned- I'm trying to treat her fairly in this fic, although I am a B&B shipper all the way. I actually rather liked her character, so I feel she deserved some closure that the series didn't provide. Hence, this fic...

Lyrics are from Memories, done by the amazing band, Within Temptation. If you can, listen to them- you won't regret it.

Chapter 1: Memories and Fantasies

All of my memories
Keep you near
The silent whispers, silent tears,

Within Temptation, Memories

It had been such a simple plan.

Call Seeley up, say that she wanted to talk. Book the table at the bar, pick up the flowers at the corner shop- it may not have been traditional, her bringing the flowers, but since when was she a traditional woman?

The bar was cool that night, with gentle wisps of alcohol were burning deep within Hannah's nostrils. The flowers had weighed a bit heavier than normal in her hand, her own nervousness sending her heart aflutter. This was a journalist that had been able to stare down the firing line of insurgents- to huddle underneath the ruins of a broken hut as gunshots rang just an inch above her head without breaking too much of a sweat. Having dinner with an ex? Terrifying.

Maybe it wasn't just the ex, though- it could have been how they parted. A failed proposal, Hannah's belongings piled on the curb in chaotic disarray. She had barely been able to say "good-bye" to Seeley before the cab driver honked, and she was shuttled back to the center of town, now homeless.

It wasn't that difficult for her to find a job, despite the economy- she had snagged a position at a small paper, summarizing AP reports on the wars, or Obama's budget plans when she came back to DC. A year ago, she wrote the original articles. However, now, she was stuck in a small apartment in the lower end of town, making a more meager living than ever. She had saved up a rather small amount for tonight's dinner, having to cut out her coffee budget for a week, but it was worth it- or so she hoped.

She missed him- so damn much. She had loved him- the gentle quirks, his odd choice in belt buckles, all of it. It didn't matter that he had a son, or worked in a deadly job, or was rather old-fashioned at times- he was Seeley. Her Seeley.

And then, just like that, it fell apart. He couldn't accept her decision, her need to be free. She could see it in his eyes, then- the death of his feelings for her just dissipated in that instant. The light went out in a shot. She had known it to be a dead end when she tried to fix it- it was over.

At the moment, she was calm, numb to the shock. However, when she was in that hotel room that night, the waterworks had started with a vengeance. She had never cried that hard, not since her first date had stood her up on the night of the seventh grade ball.

However, she had hoped to change that.

She was ready. If marriage was what Seeley wanted, than that was what he was going to get. She could make that sacrifice- she just wanted him again.

Of course, it would only work if he ever picked up his damn cell phone!

She had waited for a while, hoping for some kind of contact. She had refused to order, hoping that Seeley would rush in, his tie a fly from running, and simply say, "Sorry I'm late," in his normal, goofy way. God, how she would have loved to see that.

However, as the wall clock ticked away, he didn't show. No sign of life, no call, nothing. So, finally starving, but not wanting to see the bartender's odd looks from behind the counter, she had headed back to the old café, that she knew Seeley loved to frequent, hoping slightly he may have stopped in there for a bite to eat.

But of course, he wasn't there. That left Hannah Burley, alone, to munch on her cold fries and a stale burger, which had been sitting for a rather long time, as it's connoisseur had been staring out the window for most of the time, looking for some kind of sign.

The sign came, but not quite in the way she expected.

"I'm telling you, bud, you'll learn to love bugs- just wait until you see your first Demestes lardarius in action- you'll be hooked!"

Hannah glanced up quickly, the familiar voice startling her. Sure enough, the source was attempting to squeeze an over-sized baby stroller through the diner doorway, his curled locks bouncing slightly from the effort. Behind him, a darker skinned brunette, holding a bundle of blankets and baby, rolled her eyes at her husband. "Honestly, Jack, do you think he'll get so involved in that, just because you did? He has the same chance to go artsy."

Jack Hodgins narrowed his eyes slightly at his wife. "Why not? Boys love creepy crawly things- with my preferences, it will come naturally."

Angela readjusted her holding of her son, while laughing at her husband's assumptions. "Oh, really? Remember, he has some of me in there too…"

Hannah blinked slightly at the pair, recognition finally emerging in the form of a smile.

Jack turned around towards Hannah, still in disagreement with Angela. "You just wait- he'll be bringing home so many- Hannah?"

Hannah grinned as Jack finally spotted her, his eyes widening as she glanced at his face. "Hello, Jack," she said, waving at Angela as well. "Fancy meeting you here."

Jack's eyes continued to bug out for a second, while Angela's gaze found Hannah, finally. Deciding to move the interaction forward, Hannah rose from her seat, and walked towards the pair. ""Do you need some help with that?"

Jack eyeballed his stroller again, and then back at Hannah."Uh, no, no, I've got it," he said, miraculously finding the correct latch. Hannah nodded at him, and turned back to Angela." This is your son, I would think?" she said, grinning at the bundle.

Angela gulped slightly, and than gave a small smile. "Yep, this is it- the little bundle of joy." She glanced back down at him, he smile alighting.

"More like the little bundle of noise," Hodgins mumbled, finishing up the collapsing of the stroller. Angela shot him a glare, and Hannah continued to gaze at the child.

"He's beautiful," she murmured, and glanced back at Angela. "How old is he?"

"About four months," Angela replied, her voice more curt than she intended. She stopped suddenly, and turned back to Hannah. "What are you doing here? I haven't seen you since…"

Hannah stiffened slightly. "I've been around, kinda." She said softly, glancing back towards the baby. "What's his name?"

"Michael Staccato Vincent Hodgins." Jack said proudly, coming around from behind Hannah. "That's your name, isn't it?"

Michael squeaked slightly at the sight of his father, and gurgled in delight, squirming slightly to get closer. Jack leaned in as well, a goofy grin stapled all along his face. Hannah stepped back slightly, uncomfortable to be right in the middle of the family's moment.

"You know, I have a big report due in the morning," Hannah said, going for her coat and keys. "I'm sorry…"

Angela's head snapped up, and gazed at the reporter. "Oh, yeah," she said.

"It was nice seeing you guys again- we should meet up sometime," Hannah replied, heading towards the cashier.

"Absolutely," Angela said, watching as Hannah headed out.

Hannah nodded, paid, and hurried out the door. "See you… later."

As he watched Hannah go, Jack turned back to his wife. "Do you think we should have mentioned Booth and Brennan?"

Angela glared at Jack. "Right now? How would you have proposed we do that?"

Jack opened his mouth, but his wife's harsh glare silenced him. He averted his gaze, peering out into the night

AN: And there begins Echoes. I hoped you enjoyed this first chapter, and please, do review- feedback encourages the writer.