A/N- Another, longer venture into the Bones fandom. So far, I have three more chapters ready, but if nobody likes it I'll just leave it. I feel like a little kid at the edge of a pool, dipping my toes in before taking the jump. Consider this my jump.
Disclaimer- Funnily enough, they're not mine. Is anybody laughing?
Pretty Please?- Reviews? I'm down on digital bended knee here people.
Story Summary- Creased and worn, tired and faded, these are the fragments that remain.
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They were having one of their famous arguments again. She was trying to disprove a theory and he was backing it up with every ounce of strength he had. There was yelling, some name calling, and various references to their many faults.
She had gone home that Friday evening upset and intent on spending the rest of the weekend tucked away in her apartment, writing her books and listening to music.
He had gone home to a message on the machine with an offer that, at the time, he felt he needed to take.
She was going to stew for the weekend, mutually apologize Monday morning, and move on.
He was going to leave, God help him, and he was going to do it that night.
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Gordon Gordon had encouraged him to share his thoughts and feeling in whatever way possible. The good doctor sincerely believed that letting it all out, so to speak, would help him to understand and cope with the things around him.
That, and it would prevent any more holes in ice cream trucks.
Keeping the words Gordon had said to him clearly in his head, Booth settled down at his coffee table with a pen in his hand, intent on writing the most difficult thing in his life, even if he was still angry with her.
Bones,
It sounded too impersonal, like he was writing a sticky note he would attach to a case file.
Dear Dr. Brennan,
Too formal, he hadn't called her by her surname in ages.
Dear Temperance,
That was entirely too personal. He could count the number of times he had called her by her first name on one hand.
Finally, he settled on…
Dear Bones,
Simply because it was the only thing that fit.
Dear Bones,
How was he supposed to explain this? Eventually, he decided to simply right out what he imagined a conversation about the subject would be like, without the yelling.
Dear Bones,
I am so sorry that I could not tell you this in person, but our partnership has been temporarily terminated. Without going into too many classified details, even though you're probably privy to all of them, I've been asked to perform a service for my country and I intend to do so. I suspect Cullen will assign another agent to take my place. I hope that my replacement treats you and the squints with the respect due to an amazing team.
I know I don't need to remind you of this, but please be careful in my absence. Don't get into too much trouble and be aware if you go out into the field. You probably think I'm condescending, but I only want to make sure you are safe.
I am so sorry for leaving like this, sending my farewell in a letter and at the same time being "alpha-male." Yet, the truth is that I don't know when I'm coming back to DC and in what capacity I will be working in when the time comes.
Give my regards and goodbyes to Hodgins, Angela, and Zack. I will see you soon.
Yours,
Seeley Booth
It was short, sorrowful, and as Booth sealed the letter and dropped it off in his mailbox with his duffel bag slung over his shoulder, so very final.
He had said goodbye to Parker and Rebecca, his note was in the mail. He could count on the FBI coming to his apartment in the next few days, clearing out his stuff so that he wouldn't be paying the rent. It was small compensation for serving his country.
It was nothing compared to having to leave.
It was nothing compared to knowing that his Bones would hate him for leaving, just as everyone before him in her life had.