Timeline/Spoilers: Missing scene 4x08 The Con Man in the Meth Lab
A/N: Thanks to Space77 for planting this idea in my head. Once it was there, it wouldn't leave. :)
Disclaimer: Really, I wish I did, but I don't own them. Title from Nickel Creek's song This Side.
She found him at his office slumped over his desk, heels of his hands pressed into his eyes. It seemed like she'd left his brother on the floor of the bar seconds ago, but she knew it had been longer. Maybe as much as an hour. Idly, she wondered if they'd spoken to one another since. She almost laughed at herself; there was no way. Jared would never own up to it; he'd be embarrassed.
She reached for the door knowing she had to do this – try to fix it – but her hand paused in mid-air as she was filled with the urge to watch him unobserved, if only for a moment. Even hunched over his desk she could detect the tension in his shoulders and, though she couldn't see his face, she knew she'd find disappointment etched there. The artificial light filtering from above played in his hair and she had the overwhelming desire to run her hand through it. She pushed the thought away. This wasn't the time or the place.
Suddenly, his head lifted and, with a wave of his hand, he motioned her in. "Watcha got, Bones?" His smile didn't quite reach his eyes and nausea washed over her. What the hell had she been thinking? She felt herself sway slightly and knew there was no way he missed it. Sure enough, his steady voice came. "Hey, are you alright?"
"Yeah…I mean…I just --" She shook her head and sat down. "It's not about the case."
His eyes met hers, trying to work out the puzzle. She knew he'd see the shame circling there; she owed it to him not to hide it. Taking a deep breath, she opened her mouth to speak, but found the words were sticking in her throat. How could she let him know? Perhaps if she had time to sit down and compose something – put pen to paper – she could find a way to tell him, but it had seemed imperative that she seek him out immediately and now she found herself floundering.
"Bones, you're gonna catch flies."
She let out a tense chuckle. "I don't know what that means."
"It means you've been sitting there trying to say something for the past two minutes. What's going on?" Despite everything, his eyes were full of concern; it warmed her.
"I met with your brother earlier." And, knowing this really wasn't the way to start, she held up her hand begging him to let her find her way. "Actually, confronted might be a better word." She paused again, still clueless as to where she was going. "Booth, I wasn't…I wasn't thinking. I know it's no excuse, but…" She felt her throat closing again and gulped, willing it away. She took a shuddering breath. "I'm so sorr-"
"Bones," He cut her off, standing to make his way to the other side of the desk. He perched on the edge, eyes searching hers. Suddenly, a smile – slight, but the first full one she'd seen since their fight – settled on his face. He nodded. "I know." His knee nudged hers and she felt her own shy smile appear as he cleared his throat. "Now, do we have any word about the bullets..."