5 years later
Temperance Brennan awoke early on a Saturday morning. The sun was shining, the bird's were chirping, and the smell of the fresh spring air was overwhelming. She had been living in Montreal for 5 years and still couldn't get over the smell, so much different than D.C.
She got out of bed and walked into the kitchen, putting a pot of coffee on the burner. She turned the mini TV on that she had installed in her kitchen and tuned in to the morning news. She bustled around the kitchen, cleaning the sink out and taking frequent sips of coffee. She was wiping a plate off when something caught her attention on the news.
"Dr. Lance Sweets, a forensic psychologist for the FBI, was in a fatal accident early this morning. Sources say that Dr. Sweets was driving down K Street when a drunk driver slammed into the driver's side of his car. When cops and ambulances arrived, it was too late. Lance Sweets died at the scene. The driver who caused the accident was injured and in critical condition at Washington Memorial Hospital."
Half way through the news, Brennan dropped her cup of coffee as the glass broke into hundreds of pieces. Before she could hear the rest, she turned the TV off.
"Sweets is dead?" she thought.
Suddenly, memories throughout the 5 years of her previous life gathered inside her head. She could hear their voices again. The laughter, the tears, everything.
She remembered the first time she ever met the ones she grew to love. Angela at an art exhibit, Hodgins at the Jeffersonian, Sweets for their first session, Booth….Booth at her de-fleshing lecture. He walked into that room, and as soon as she layed eyes on him, she was breath taken. Of course she didn't believe in fate, so she didn't believe they were meant for each other or some other ludicrous happily ever after.
"Are you a student here?" she asked, wondering why this man, who looked rather old to be a student, was so interested in her lecture.
"Special Agent Seeley Booth from the FBI."
"I'm Dr. Temperance Brennan from the Jeffersonian Institution." she said, smiling and shaking his hand.
He stared at her in awe and asked "Do you believe in fate?"
She laughed. "Absolutely not. Ludicrous."
That was the day her life would be changed forever. The next 6 years after that were filled with dedication, happiness, justice and love, but also sadness, fear, and separation. They had good times, and they had bad times. As the years went on though, it seemed that there were more bad than good, which was one reason Brennan decided to leave. Of course she regretted that decision every day of her life.
She had tried to convince herself that the phrase 'Booth & Brennan, crime fighting duo' was from a different time in her life, a time that had passed. Her efforts were unsuccessful though, as regret ate away at her for leaving what she had, back at home.
Sweets was dead. The one person responsible for the growth of her and Booth. She contemplated going back home, to attend her friends funeral. She was scared though. Scared of what Booth would say for leaving him. But she owed it to Sweets. He was a good person, a good friend, and he had become a part of her 'family.' It would be selfish and uncaring not to attend.
She called her assistant at her work and told him what was going on. She then packed her bags and went to the airport, buying a plane ticket.
"One ticket to Washington D.C. please."
Temperance Brennan was going home for the first time in 5 years.
Deputy Director Seeley Joseph Booth sat at his desk at the FBI. 3 years ago he had been promoted, and his life had only gotten better since. He was married to a woman named Ashley Wilson, who had finally gotten him over Brennan. Though he still thought about her everyday, and wished he could've been able to find her. But that was in the past. She was in the past.
He was at home with Ashley when he got the news of Sweets. He actually broke down crying, surprising enough. In the 8 years that he knew him, he had grown to respect, appreciate, and like Lance Sweets. He had become a good friend to him, and he was there every step of the way when Brennan left. And now, his friend was dead, thanks to some pansy ass drunk driver.
Now, he sat and waited for Sweet's wife, Alaina, to come and clean his office out. A knock came upon his door, revealing Alaina in all black clothing and bags beneath her eyes.
"Alaina. How are you?" he asked, standing up and walking over to give her a hug.
"I'm a mess. I'm dressed in black clothing. I hate black clothing. It makes me feel like a goth, I...I…I miss him so much. He was so important to me. I..I loved him." she said, crying half way through.
"I know you did Layne. Sweets was a good guy. A good friend. He was lucky to have met you. He deserved someone like you."
"Thanks Booth. That means a lot. I'm…scared, to gather his things. Those were his things, ya know?"
"Yeah, I know. I uh…I had to do the same. With Dr. Brennan."
"Oh. I'm sorry Booth. I forgot about her."
"No, it's fine. That was a long time ago. I got Ashley now. I'm happy."
Silence filled the air.
"You want some help?" he offered.
"That would be lovely. Thanks."
7 hours later
Brennan stepped off the plane that had landed in her former city, Washington D.C. She walked through the terminal, observing the once familiar airport. She wandered around, until she found herself standing in a familiar spot. A spot where she said goodbye to the only man she ever loved. She took a deep breath, as memories came flooding back.
"Sorry I couldn't get a pass. I had to sneak off base to come say goodbye. Listen, Bones, you got to be really careful in that Indonesian jungle, okay?"
"Booth, in a week, you're going to a war zone. Please don't be a hero. Please just….don't be you."
"One year from today, we meet at the reflecting pool on the mall. Right by the…."
"Coffee cart. I know. One year from today."
She could still hear his voice, the sadness, the hurt. It all seemed so real.
As tears fell down her face, she finally got up the courage to move, and walked out into the fresh spring air of her previous home.