PAIRING: Booth/Brennan
SPOILERS: The parts in the sum, The boy with the answer, The beginning in the end
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Bones or any of its characters… i wish i did though =)
NOTES: This is my first ever Bones fan fiction ! I really hope you like it.
The Sum of the Parts in the Start of the Beginning
The low monotonous humming sound of the aircraft engines is interrupted by the voice of the flight attendant coming over the intercom in clear and precise tones. "Please fasten your seatbelts as we are getting ready to land at Washington National Airport". Dr. Brennan sits up straight and follows the instructions she already knows by heart. She stows away her tray table and puts her seat back in its full upright and most uncomfortable position. As she reaches for her seatbelt, her eyes fall on the St. Christopher necklace dangling from her neck. Her fingers close around the medallion as memories of a year ago flash through her mind.
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"I've been offered the chance to head up the Maluku Island project…".
"Yeah, I heard. Daisy told Sweets and Sweets told me"
Booth avoids looking at her face but she can hear the soft accusation in his voice."Oh", Brennan replies guiltily. She knows that he is disappointed that someone else has broken the news to him before she has. It remains quiet for a brief second as Brennan tries to think of the best way to inform Booth about her decision.
"I'd like to accept."
In the list of numerous skills she possessed, subtlety was one of the few she was lacking.
"I thought you already had", Booth answers with a defeated tone in his voice. His answer surprises her. "We've been partners for five years Booth! I wouldn't make a decision like this before talking to you-". He forces himself to laugh. "Bones, look, you don't need my permission okay. It's cool". He turns his face away from her so she can't read the lies that cloud his eyes.
"You say that, but you won't look at me." Her voice is louder, even a bit frustrated now. "You're the one who taught me the value of making eye contact… so please?" She was begging. He never was able to deny her anything. This moment being no exception.
"I'm sorry" he sighs honestly, turning his head to her. Their eyes immediately lock and she nods knowingly. "I just don't do really good with change I guess."
"Better than I am", she confesses.
"Pyramids are better at change than you are" Booth retorts, trying to lighten the atmosphere. When Brennan opens her mouth to start, what he knows will be a literal interpretation or scientific ramble about pyramids, he cuts her off: "…it's a joke okay? I was being affectionate."
. *. * . * .
A soft smile plays around Brennan's lips as she realises that she still doesn't get the joke. She turns the medallion around in her palm and her fingers trace the engraved outline of Saint Christopher. As the story goes, Christopher dedicated his life to carrying people across a wild and dangerous stream. One day a child appeared before him and asked to be carried to the other side. As Christopher waded through the river he noticed that the little child steadily increased in weight until he found his tiny burden so heavy it was almost impossible to bear. When he asked the baby why he weighed so much, the child replied that he carried the world's sins upon his shoulders.
That story always reminds her of Booth. He's like that in a way, she thinks. She couldn't really determine whether it was Christopher or the baby that reminded her of Booth. "Both", she decides. She had learned to understand long ago that Booth, like the child, bore the weight of the world on his shoulders. During their cases together he took every death personally. Feeling like it was his fault the victims got killed. Because he didn't connect the dots in time to save them. She also knew that besides that, he carried his own 'heavy luggage' from his time as a sniper. That's why he joined the FBI in the first place. For him it was a way of making amends. Instead of taking lives, he wanted to save them.
Like Christopher he dedicates his life caring for the people he loves. Brennan knows that Booth's world revolves around his son Parker. That he would do anything for him. And for her. He would lay down his life for anyone he cares about. Including his men in Afghanistan. "Booth has the psyche of a true warrior. It's a miracle he hasn't gone back to the army long before this", she remembers Daisy telling her. Her thoughts drift back to their conversation.
. *. * . * .
Will you go back to the army?" she asks Booth.
He nods. "It's what's best for me right now".
"I'll only be gone for a year" she states, making it sound like she'll only be gone for a few days.
"Me too.", Booth copies her indifferent voice. "So what's a year right?"
"The time it takes for the earth to make a full revolution around the sun." she replies. As Booth just stares at her without blinking, she knows she's being too literal again.
"In the scheme of things, you know, the grand scheme", he explains to her. "Oh".
"I'm just saying: a year is just, you know, not too bad." He lies.
"Right."
"Right."
"We can come back, pick up where we left off." Brennan starts. "Nothing really has to change." As the reality of their separation is starting to kick in she's already beginning to feel uncertain about her decision. Booth nods but then changes his mind: "No, things have to change!" he says firmly. The way they've been circling each other these last weeks has to stop. Neither of them had talked about the kiss they'd shared. And just when he believed he had scared her away by confessing how he felt about her, she pulled him in closer, asking him to dance at the reunion. Hell, she had even nestled her head in his neck, right after telling him there was no future for them. He is confused. He needs time to think.
Brennan doesn't say anything and Booth raises his coffee mug. "Hey, I taught you about eye contact, you taught me about evolution, so… here's to change." His mug connects with hers. "To change" she says before taking a sip of her coffee.
"I have to go", Brennan tells Booth. "Caroline's already breathing down my neck for not finding anything solid on this hoarder case'. She gathers her stuff and stands up to leave as Booth grabs her hand and pulls her back.
"Wait", he says. His free hand slips in his pocket and he pulls out a tiny locket. She recognizes it immediately. "Your St. Christopher Medal." "I love you too Bones."
"I want you to keep it with you Bones". He places it in her hand. "It's the protector of travel. It will keep you safe." Booth half expects her to make a comment about the huge social contract such a gift presents, but instead she surprises him by placing a quick kiss on his cheek.
"Thanks Booth", she tells him with an emotion packed voice. He gently rubs his thumb over her knuckles and she squeezes his hand once before letting it go. "Be careful in Afghanistan… try not to get kidnapped or ambushed or …sunburned." Booth smiles inwardly at the fact that she presents a sunburn to be as dangerous as a terrorist attack.
She looks at him with a questioning look. "What, I.."
"The proffering of overly solicitous advice is indicative of love". His words linger between them for a moment until Brennan softly smiles at him.
"I love you too".
TO BE CONTINUED...
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N/B: I hope you like it so far. Reviews make my day... and encourage me to write another chapter =). By the way, I speak Dutch so if you came across some major spelling errors or detected funny sounding sentences, please let me know! *Constructive criticism is welcomed*
If you would like to beta-read my next chapter, I'll happily accept all applicants.
Big thanks to '206' for the little spelling check =)