She couldn't stop pacing. Her softly lit office swayed by over and over as she retraced her previous footsteps across a rug she found in Rome. She paused for a moment, her eyes locked on the many colors of intricate threading, though her mind didn't register what she was seeing. Her head snapped up at the sound of a knock.
There stood her partner, clad in worn out jeans and a black t-shirt. He was casual as ever, but his face held a peculiar look. Temperance stared at him for a moment, noticing the way his forehead was creased. His lips almost held a frown. She sighed.
"Hey Bones." He said softly, trying not to prod her with questions. Her glassy eyes and red nose were a dead give away to her freshly shed tears, but he knew how defensive she could be. He took a couple steps forward and closed her door. He had news of his own, but whatever was troubling her was more important. She was more important.
He sat on the arm of her couch, never breaking eye contact with her. He couldn't help but wonder how someone so troubled could still look so beautiful. "Talk to me."
Temperance looked away and ran her fingers though her shoulder length waves. The last thing she wanted to do was let her guard down, especially to someone who could see right through her anyway. Yet, she knew that if there was anyone she could trust, it was her partner. Unwanted tears sprang to her eyes and she turned to face him.
"Jason's dead." She whispered, crossing her arms in a last chance effort to keep at least a shred of her dignity. She blinked as the man in front of her lurched to his feet and pulled her against his body, his protective embrace taking her by surprise. Her mind screamed 'push him away', but her body refused to obey. She crumbled to pieces in his arms, her tears soaking his shirt.
"I am so sorry, Temperance." He whispered against her hair. He rubbed soothing circles on her back. "It's going to be okay…."
She choked on a couple sobs as her desperate hands clutched the back of his shirt in tight fistfuls. "I didn't love him." She choked. "I didn't love him."
Booth gently placed a kiss on the side of her forehead, and continued to sooth her. "You still cared for him. You have every right to be sad. Let it all out, Temperance…" He whispered, rocking her gently side to side.
"He'll never know…" She said softly, pulling back. She looked up into his deep coffee eyes and felt a wave if dizziness.
"What will he never know?" Booth asked in confusion.
She slowly turned away from him and walked over to her desk. She picked up a plastic zip lock bag with a thin white object inside, and returned to stand in front of him. Handing it to him with a shaky hand, she studied his face for a response.
Booth looked down at the pregnancy test, the bright pink plus sign stating the obvious. His eyes met hers, and he blinked a couple times. "You're pregnant."
She simply nodded, taking the test from him. She studied it herself for a moment, willing the plus to turn into a negative. "I need a miracle."
He sighed softly, placing his finger under her chin. Once again, her bright blue eyes met his, and he smiled. "There is no greater miracle than new life."
Temperance shook her head, walking over to the garbage can beside her desk. She dropped the test into it and crossed her arms. "It's not a miracle. I don't believe in miracles."
Booth knew she was putting her guard up. He also knew that she would do anything to take the focus off of her situation. He could tell simply by her changing expression. She was about to change the subject, and he had no control over it.
"Booth, I can tell there's something else on your mind. What is it?" She asked, leaning against her desk in a very fake casual manner. Her insides were screaming, and she felt sick.
He suddenly found his shoes very interesting, and he spoke barely audibly. "I'm going under cover."
She nodded. This wasn't news to her; he had done it many times. "Am I going?" She asked hopefully.
He shook his head, and looked at her once more. "I can't even give you the details. This is top secret, Bones." And I have no clue how to break this to you…
"Oh." She said softly. "When will you be back?"
Booth ran his hand through his hair. "Not for a while."
Temperance took a step closer to him. "Booth…When will you be back?"
He avoided her penetrating stare. "It could be months but…it could be longer."
She put her hands on his arms. "As in…years?"
"I hope it doesn't come to that." He sighed. "Bones, I didn't want this assignment. I wanted to…"
"Stop." She interrupted him. "It doesn't matter. You're leaving me, just like Jason. Only it hurts worse with you." Her mouth snapped shut at the realization of what she had just said. Fresh tears stung her eyes. "Well, have fun doing whatever it is you're doing. Send a postcard."
She strode out of her office, not giving him a chance to even try to cool the sting. He watched her disappear from sight and sank down onto her couch, burying his face in his hands. If only she knew what he would do for her, if ever given the chance.