A/N: One could argue this contains spoilers for the Parts in the Sum of the Whole since it's what inspired the writing. But there are no specific references to what happened in the episode... I figure this takes place a fair amount of time after said episode, but most circumstances are left up to your imagination. Enjoy!

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For once in her life, Dr. Brennan couldn't think. She ran, completely disoriented and more socially unconcerned than normal, through the pale beige halls of the apartment building. Her breathing was frenetic and her throat burned.

Booth was sitting on his couch with the television on when she burst through the door. His head caught at the sound and he listened to see what it was. However, he needn't wonder long as Brennan tromped into his living room. She stood in front of the screen with tears coming down her cheeks.

"Bones?" was all he could muster.

"I'm- I'm- I'm sorry," she could barely articulate anything. "I'm so sorry."

Booth stood up quickly and walked her over to sit down on the couch. She was a mess. Booth couldn't think of a time when he'd seen her quite like it.

"Bones, you haven't done anything wrong," he said, completely baffled at what she was doing in his apartment and what she was trying to say.

"I love you," she spat, confused herself. "I love you," she repeated.

Her shoulders shook with the sobs. Her face was covered in tears. Booth held her arms to keep her up. He was still completely shocked and uncertain of how to act. However, there was no possible presentation of those words from Brennan that could not merit a smile.

Baffled, but now relieved, he asked, "What's the matter?"

"I love you!" the words didn't gain any more confidence. They still only held fear, confusion, and most shockingly, a terrible grief.

"Yeah, you said that, and I'm glad." He smiled brighter now at the reassurance. But there was no relief for his confusion. "What's so bad about that?"

"I love you," she shook her head angrily, tears still streaming. "I love you but I'm too late. You don't love me anymore and you shouldn't. You never should have. It was logical for you to move on. But now you love that lively, narrow-cheeked, slender, Irish-American singer and I've lost my chance…" she spoke rapidly and hysterically.

As Booth tried to follow, his elation faltered at the reference to Isabelle. His spirits fell as he realized.

"Bones," he tried to interject.

"I've lost my chance," she repeated. "You're the only person who could love me, Booth." She finally looked up at him with heartbreakingly earnest eyes.

"And I've lost my chance."

Booth stared into her eyes silently for a moment. He couldn't find the words to say. He loved her still, without a doubt. But Isabelle weighed heavily on his conscience like Brennan knew she would. And Booth couldn't bring himself to say what he wanted. He couldn't kiss her and say how he felt. He couldn't deny her worst fear. All he wanted in that moment was to help her, bring the relief to her tortured and newly exposed heart like she had just done for him. But he couldn't ease the pain. Her acutely analytic vision saw this too and she cried even harder. Booth held her close as he would a hurt child. He stroked her messy hair. There was nothing he could say, and it killed them both.

A/N: I love Bones (the show and the character), but this is my first writing. Let me know what you think?