Temperance Brennan had not been herself all day and it was starting to wear on the one person who knew her above all, Seeley Booth. If he knew one thing, it was Bones, his Bones, and today the frustration of not knowing was getting the better of him.

They were sitting at the bar waiting for their drinks when he saw her eyes begin to glaze over.

"Bones did you…" he began to speak but realized it hadn't registered to her that she was being spoken to or that he was even there.

He placed his hand on her skirt and she didn't even flinch. Something was wrong, horribly wrong. If someone had hurt her he would… it would end very badly. As he felt his anger build up he attempted to push aside those feelings for her sake.

The drinks were placed before them and without looking down Brennan picked up her bottle and chugged half of it. Booth snatched the bottle out of her hand and slammed it down.

She turned to face him but he knew she was still in her own little world. Her eyes danced about her face, glossy and dark. They almost looked hallow. In the five years they were partners he had not once saw this hue and it scared him more than anything else he had ever faced. Being tortured he could take but seeing his partner, the love of his life in so much pain it destroyed her was too much. The flicker of a flame that had resided in her eyes for years had given way to a black hole, complete emptiness.

"Bones?... Hey Bones?" He waved his hand in front of her face to no response.

He began rubbing small circles on her check with his thumb and sure enough that did it. She snapped out of her stupor and glared.

"Booth! What do you think you are doing?" She screamed as she leaned back.

"I just want to know what is going on in that head of yours."

"So rubbing my face was going to give you all the answers you needed? That is completely absurd Booth." She turned away and focused on the bottle before her. "No one knows what I think, no one." She spoke softly and turned away, waiting for the aftershock.

"I do." He smiled and began pulling at the bottle label.

"No you don't, no one does. I am just an empty vessel. Completely hallow." He could have swore he heard a sniffle. The Temperance Brennan he knew would never cry in public. He knew he had to press the issue further but a bar was not the place.

Plates were placed before them and they ate mostly in silence. Every few minutes Brennan would glance at Booth longingly, just to focus on her plate when his eyes met hers.

"I know your birthday is in a week Bones." Booth spoke as he took a bite of his hamburger.

"Yeah I know. Birthdays are great!" The sarcasm dripped from her lips, followed by an eye roll.

"Why so gloomy? I love birthdays. And parties, birthday parties are the best."

"Another year older, another year alone." She spoke with a hint if sorrow.

He just nodded his head and smiled. It all made sense now. The impenetrable emotional force that was Brennan was finally cracking. Bit by bit all her walls were falling down. She was finally letting herself feel and of all the feelings, she felt one of utter rejection and abandonment. He only had a week but he would prove to her she never had to be alone again. Plus well, if he was lucky, he knew birthday sex was the best.

He smiled at her and fought the urge to confess his undying love and devotion to her. That would have to wait.

"So Bones… want to dance?" He turned and flashed a grin.