A quick little one shot for Hannah's benefit

I don't own Bones

Temperance and Booth were sitting happily at their table at the Diner. She had just received a call from Hodgins about the particulates they were studying and feeling like a stroll to work off her lunch, she decided to leave him to the rest of his meal whilst she got back to the lab.

Just as she lifted her head from their parting peck, Temperance spotted a familiar face.

"Hannah! Hi! I have to get back to the lab but, here, have my seat."

"Oh, Temperance… Wow! You're… Wow!"

"Gestating – yes. It was lovely to see you, Hannah. Take care!"

And after a swift, awkward hug, the doctor was gone and the journalist stood nervously in front of her ex.

Booth smiled comically over a mouthful of burger.

She cleared her throat and gestured to the recently vacated chair, "Seeley, hi… um, do you mind?"

He swallowed – allowing room for a proper smile, "No, Hannah – have a seat. How are you going?"

"Good, good."

The waitress took her order before he questioned, "Wow. So, you still here in DC?"

"Yes, well it hasn't really been that long Seeley. Though I guess… a lot can happen in ten months."

The smile drained off his face and he looked down like a scolded puppy, "Yeah… yeah it can."

"I'm sorry Seeley; it's just, it's a bit to take in. The baby is… is it…"

"Yeah it is. She's due in a couple of months."

Hannah nodded, clearly overwhelmed, "Wow! Um… congratulations… that's, that's great. You're a great father, Seeley. I just… Wow!"

The smile crept back onto his face, "Yeah, I'm ah pretty excited."

"So, you and Temperance?"

"Yup." He looked around uncomfortably before taking a gulp of his coffee.

Hannah nodded again – as if to some inner dialogue, "Makes sense" she gave a short laugh – unable to keep her cynicism from showing, "It really does make sense now."

Booth's brows furrowed, "What does?"

She analysed his reaction closely, "You do." At his unchanged expression she elaborated, "You knew that I didn't want to get married, Seeley. I told you on numerous occasions yet… you proposed anyway! Do you know how much guilt I have been carrying for that? What if I had said yes? Would we be married now? Or would you have had the guts to tell me of your feelings for Temperance?"

He leaned across the table so that he could quietly caution her, "Woah, woah, woah! Hannah, it's not like that! I was faithful to you one hundred percent! I would never cheat on a woman!"

Hannah held up a hand in surrender, "I know, I know, you're a good man Seeley. Better than any man I have dated before. I just…God, this is a lot to take in." She shook her head and whispered, more to herself than Booth, "I was the third wheel."

His anger vanished, "You weren't the third wheel, Hannah."

She looked up at him, eyes red and ready to spill, "I am happy for you Seeley. You and Temperance will make wonderful parents. Take care ok?"

With that she stood and left.

"Hey! Hannah! What about your… food…"

But she was already gone.

Tears finally breaching their bursting point – tumbled down her face. Despite what she had thought them to be, Hannah Burley knew now that her and Seeley Booth were nothing compared to what he had shared with the anthropologist for the last eight years; to what they now shared.

Yes, the truth hurt but she was nothing if not a good friend and so, she walked away – smiling through her tears.

So, do you feel sad for her? Just even a little bit?