Present Day.
Booth sat rigid on the cold, stone bench, just staring endlessly at his distressed partner, not comprehending what she was struggling to tell him.
"I'm sorry Booth. I am so sorry. I don't want to do this. I have gone over this constantly the past couple of days, and this really is what's best for all of us…"
Booth remained silent. He couldn't talk. If he didn't talk, he could pretend that none of this was happening.
"…You know how much I love spending time with you, and I have come to enjoy spending time with Hannah as well. She is smart and independent and successful. We really have a lot in common…"
Oh God! Why is she talking about Hannah? It's too fresh. I don't want to talk about Hannah! I don't want Bones to talk about Hannah!
"I don't really know how to say this, which why I am rambling, so I am just going to say it…"
Don't say it! God Bones! Do not say what I think you are about to say!
"We can't be partners anymore Booth…"
Nonono! NO! Do not do this to me Bones! I almost lost you a few days ago! I just lost Hannah! How much more do I have to lose?
"Why?" I finally manage to break my silence with a whisper of a question. She stops talking abruptly and whips her head to stare at me. Her expression is broken. She's serious.
"Booth…" She begins, but my shout interrupts her.
"No!" I jump up from the bench next to the coffee cart, our coffee cart, and rush away. I quickly change directions after a few paces, and I am standing in her face ready to confront her within seven seconds.
I grab her arms so she cannot run away from me. I want to shake her. I want to yell at her, demand an explanation, tell her she is wrong, do whatever it takes to change her mind. I open my mouth and look down at her.
Then I stop. She is crying. Bones is crying! She is looking up at me with those sad, beautiful blue eyes, and I just can't. So I take her in my arms instead and hug her like the world is ending. It feels like the world is ending. My world is ending! So I hold her and comfort her and whisper softly to her.
"It's okay, Bones. Everything's gonna be okay. I'm here. I'm right here. Shhh…"
"I'm sorry Booth. I'm so sorry."
