This story is set right after Judas on a Pole. I know it was awhile ago, but I've probably watched that episode more than any other. Just a note; this is continuing the same day as the last scene, and we're going to pretend that they went to Wong Fu's.

Disclaimer: As always, they are not mine. No matter how many stars I make a wish to.

Booth sat at the bar, watching as, across the room, Brennan downed another drink. He knew he should probably stop her, but at the same time, she needed an outlet for her feelings. She had been going through the motions, celebrating Zach's success with the rest of the squints, but he knew she was still reliving the memory of watching her father and brother drive away. Leaving her. Again. He couldn't imagine the pain she had been through, and he had an overwhelming desire to take her into his arms, and try to take that pain away.

He heard her laughter, floating across the room, and as he watched her, he wondered if he was the only one who noticed that her smile didn't reach her eyes. He knew she was in pain, and he also knew that she was never one to let her feelings show. That he knew what she was feeling was a testament to the bond that they had forged, as partners, and as friends. She let him see inside, more than anyone else, and he was honored, yet also terrified that she trusted him that much.

His eyes lingered on her, then he looked across the table, to Cam. Sitting among them at the booth, it seemed that she was finally becoming one of the team. He was glad; he knew they were better when they were all working together then they were fighting against one another. This could only make them more effective.

Cam looked up and met his eyes, waving him over. He shook his head, wanting, at the moment, just to observe. His squints. That's what Bones had called them, and he realized now just how true that was. He had never felt that more than yesterday, when they had all come together to solve the case, and help him get his job back. Led by Zach, of all people.

Lost in thought, he didn't notice when Cam got up and walked over next to him.

"Seeley?"

He looked up as she sat down beside him. "Hey Cam."

She noticed the lack of enthusiasm in his voice, and she knew instinctively that she was not the one on his mind. She wasn't stupid, she may be sleeping with him, but his heart didn't belong to her. There was only one woman for him, but he just refused to see it. "You're missing all the fun."

He gestured to his barely touched drink on the bar in front of him. "I'm fine."

She shook her head. "You know, I think I'm going to get out of here." He hardly seemed to be listening, his gaze once again wondering over to Dr. Brennan.

"Yeah, okay." He looked up at her as he realized what she had said. "Look, Cam, I probably won't make it tonight. I..."

"It's okay, Seeley. I didn't expect you to." She smiled slightly. "Actually, it would probably be better if you didn't come around at all anymore."

"Hey, Camille...don't be upset."

"I'm not, really."

"Cam..."

"I'm fine Seeley. Look, it was fun while it lasted, but we both know it's not what either of us wants right now." She stood up, preparing to leave. He didn't argue, and she knew she had done the right thing. She did want him to be happy, and she thought that maybe, if he wasn't caught up in a relationship with her, he might just wake up and realize what it is he really wanted.

Booth looked back over to the group, his eyes falling on his Bones, his mind barely registering the fact that he had just been dumped.

"Hey, G-man."

Booth looked up. "Hey, Sid."

"Looks like your partner's trying to drown her sorrows. Although I can't imagine what a beautiful lady like the good doctor there would have to be sorry about."

Booth sighed. "She'll be allright." Sid just gave him a look. "Don't worry, I'm on it." He stood and started to make his way across the room.

"Hey Booth." He turned back to look at Sid. "Good luck, man. I have a feeling you're gonna need it."

Okay, I know I don't need to tell you what to do!