I don't possess any legal rights to the TV show 'Bones', its characters or any other intellectual property related to this tremendous televison series.

This story is my version of the season finale.

Chapter – Epiphany

When she awoke the next morning, Booth was gone. She found a note on her coffee table.

Bones,

What a wonderful, peaceful night I spent with you. I've never felt so close to another person. I didn't want to awaken you; you looked so beautiful and peaceful. I stared at you for a long time. I didn't want to make our separation more difficult. Saying good-by is always difficult and being apart from you for this long is nearly unbearable, but I think you would agree we need this time from each other for good reasons.

I will pray for you every day for your safety and happiness. I wish you every success with this dig. I know it's an important time for you and I'm pleased your expertise will be a part of history. You deserve this.

I'm not sure if I will be able to obtain a pass to leave the base and say good-by to you at the airport. I will do whatever is possible. If I can get there before you depart, we have to promise each other not to hug or hold each other in any way. It would be too difficult to let you go.

One year from today, we meet at the Reflecting Pool, near the coffee cart. Will you promise to meet me there?

I will always be your partner; I have trust in you and will be there for you in whatever way you want. Take care of yourself.

Yours, always and forever,

Booth

Brennan lovingly caressed the note and then held it to her heart. She began to tear up, but knew she had to get busy packing. Her flight left later that afternoon.

She decided to go to the Jeffersonian first for some last minute paperwork. She was staring at her e-mails; over 200 remained unopened. She just didn't feel up to reading that many. Most were congratulatory in nature regarding her selection to lead the archeological dig. Angela entered Brennan's office, startling her.

Brennan couldn't ignore her responsibility to her profession and the Jeffersonian. She felt conflicted about leaving her team, however. It seemed to her that the decision to go on this dig was more difficult; it felt different now. She placed her head in her hands and softly wept.

"Angela, you're my best friend. Tell me, am I doing the right thing? I should want to go on this dig. It's such an opportunity! But, it feels different this time. I don't understand."

"Brennan, first of all, I'm your best girlfriend. Booth is your best friend, period. That's okay, really it is. Now, regarding this dig, it doesn't feel right, does it? I mean, deep down, is it really the most important thing to you right now?"

Brennan, responded, "I need to get away. These murder cases have worn me out. I need to get back to my real passion. Besides, I'll be back in a year, what's the big deal? Booth will have done his duty, again, and we'll be back investigating murders and solving crimes."

Angela said, "Sweetie, you didn't answer my question. You'll miss Booth and I think you have to admit this to yourself. What more do you want? What will make you happy?"

"You think I love him, don't you?"

Angela responded, "Yes, yes I do – you just don't realize it."

"But, Ang," Brennan replied, "I need evidence; it's what I am. I need proof."

Angela sat down next to Brennan, and gently explained, "Honey, love is not like that. It's an emotional condition. It does manifest itself in physical reactions. Even at the party, you never left his side. Look at your bookcase at home, the physical evidence is right in front of you. Plus, are observations as legitimate as physical proof?"

"Yes", replied Brennan.

"Well, what about your FBI cases? How many times did you spend special moments together? My God, Brennan, he took a bullet for you. He took you to your high school reunion. Whose idea was it to go as a married couple – his, right?"

"Yes."

"What about the rock-n-roll fantasy camp? 'Hot Blooded' is your song and you enjoyed singing with him, right?

"Yes."

"You worry about him leaving you, don't you? Sweetie, that man loves you so much. Think about it; you told him no romance, professional only. Yet, he agreed to still work with you. I would venture a guess that any other guy would have left. The pain he must experience to know that his soul mate does not feel the same way; talk about heart crushing. His strength of love is unlimited."

"I don't have his open heart, Angela. I'm afraid he'll not love me at some point or something will happen and our partnership will go away. I could not bear that pain, but mostly, if it's my fault, the pain he would experience would be too much. You should have seen his face after we left Sweets' office and he said he wanted a romantic relationship. No, better for him to feel the pain now then later, when I'd likely disappoint him."

Angela was shocked, "What do you meant you don't have an open heart? My God, Brennan, I could name a ton of examples, and I'll bet that Booth could name even more of your kindness and generosity."

Brennan was puzzled.

Angela, equally perplexed, exhorted, "Shall I list them for you?"

"You wanted to attend the Christmas Day funeral for that murdered exterminator.

You worked on Christmas Day to track down the lost love of that man in the fallout shelter when we were in quarantine.

You donated money to help me save that pig.

You adopted Ripley only to find out that he had to be put down, but you wanted to bury him. Booth told me about your eloquent eulogy, by the way.

You provided funds to rebuild a bridge for that West Virginia town.

I suspect you donated money to fund Wendell's scholarship.

You worked so hard to get that trailer for your family at Christmas when your dad was in jail.

And I know about you giving your pool key to Booth and Parker.

And, let's talk about that story you wrote while Booth was in a coma."

"I deleted that story, Angela."

"Honey, nothing gets deleted from a hard drive. I recovered it. No wonder he thought you two were really married and you were pregnant. I know it's what you want; it's why you wrote it in the first place. You must have been shocked when he recalled it in so much detail."

"Now, even you would have to accept all of that as proof. You don't give yourself enough credit. Furthermore, I'll bet that is one of the reasons he does love you so much is your kindness and open heart, especially to Parker and Pops. He is your 'forever' man."

"You want that kind of life with Booth. That is so beautiful and reflects your devotion and love for him." Angela paused for a moment. "Whoa, wait a minute. Sweetie, you think you're not good enough for him, don't you?"

Brennan replied, "I'm not made for permanent relationships. I'd disappoint him or I'd do something to hurt him. I couldn't it bear it if either of those things happened."

Angela thought for a moment, "Brennan, do you trust this man unconditionally with your life?"

"Yes."

"Would you do anything for him, even lay down your own life to save him?"

"Yes."

"Do you have faith in him that he would do anything for you?"

"Yes".

"Can you imagine your life without him?"

"No."

"You have to learn that trust in Booth and yourself is part of a loving relationship. You trust this man with your life and either of you would give their life to save the other. My God, if that's not a soul mate, I don't know what is."

"Sweetie, you have what most loving couples never had or will have. In my world, you are in love with him, unconditionally and unequivocally. You wanted Booth to father your child. Your own father thinks the world of him. Russ and his family idolize him. The team here at the Jeffersonian would walk through a wall for him. We all see it; you two are made for each other. What IS it that you are afraid of?"

Brennan was confused. "That . . . I . . . I don't have that ability to love someone forever. I don't want to hurt him."

Angela was frustrated. "He's a full, grown adult male. He knows there is risk in love, but he's convinced that you two are destined and I for one would not go against his gut. He knows you Brennan. If he didn't think you were capable of loving him forever, he would not have pursued a relationship with you."

"I just don't know, Angela."

"I thought you said you trusted him? There are no guarantees, Brennan. Didn't you tell me that Sully was worth the risk? Then why isn't Booth? And another thing, we both know you stayed because of Booth, not because of some crap Wyatt told you about not living a purposelessness life. We all have questions of the heart; look at Hodgins and me. You want facts to prove love; you DO have that and more. You have witnesses and evidence everywhere. Booth was right; you need to look and recognize these for what they are. Most 'settle' on their mate, knowing or feeling their partner is just good enough. Well, Brennan, you have the best man you could imagine. Trust your heart and trust Booth. Don't be afraid, he trusts you, unconditionally."

She was as confused as ever. "I have to go, Angela. I need to pack." With that, she exited her office and drove home.