Disclaimer: Bones and its affiliated characters do not belong to me. I mean no copyright infringement.
Spoilers: Season 6 (Includes Promos and spoilers for future episodes)
Author's Notes: You will notice that I have episode spoilers inter-mixed. Author's choice but still deals with the issues presented in the sides, interviews, and spoilers. I hope you like it! *u*
Thank you for your reviews: boneslover97 (Yeah, I think she needs a guy/life, too. And I thought that it would be a better way of her dealing with things other than retreating back into her shell. If the spoilers are what I think they are, she won't retreat.), Pirate Til The End (Jealousy is good!), SouthunLady (Not to worry. I won't drag it out. I want to finish certain story lines before related episodes air and have the story completed before the next hiatus.), Animagus-Step (Yeah, I thought it was violated, too, if it plays out like we think it will), Gemily5 (I dread it, too. And yes, it will have a happy ending because I really think it will after rewatching Harbingers the other day.), Aching Bones (I agree, he wants his cake and eat it too!), cast19, xoxokiss201, Tartantrace (Thanks for the praise!)
The Trouble in the Triangle
Chapter 3: Friends Need Friends
From chapter 1:
"Hannah, don't make more of it than it is. I love you. I don't want that to change."
"But you said you need time."
Booth felt nauseous. He couldn't lose Hannah. She was what made life continue every morning. She loved him. He needed her. "Hannah, please understand that this is just temporary. Everything will work out. You love me, right? Please tell me you love me."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Hannah's mind was in overdrive. Hannah wanted to trust him. Seeley and Temperance had a history. She believed it was possible that his feelings could possibly mirror Temperance's without even realizing it. She knew she could trust him with her heart, but could she trust him to do what's right with his own heart? The man was loyal to a fault. She loved him more than she had ever loved any other man in her past, but if he was accepting second best for his heart, she would end up hurt anyway. Neither one of them could be truly happy if that was the case. They would come up lacking. God, she loved him. Would she love him in a year from now? What about ten years from now? Seeley was going to want the whole package. Did he expect more children? She didn't think so. What if she's wrong? She needed to calm down. Seeley looked like he was panicking. One day at a time. She knew she loved him, today. The rest would come in time.
"Of course, I love you." Hannah embraced Booth and she could physically feel him relax. They stayed like that for a few minutes before she led him down the hall. She curled up next to him and held him until he fell asleep. Sleep would be a long time in coming for her.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Brennan was in her office consulting on the phone with an anthropologist in another department when she received a text from Booth asking if she would meet him at the diner for lunch. Once her call was completed, she sent a quick text back to confirm. She was disappointed that she hadn't heard back from Hannah. She hoped that she could find out from Booth what may be keeping her busy.
"Hey, Sweetie. You look puzzled. Everything okay?" asked Angela.
"Oh, it's nothing," explained Brennan. She looked skeptical. "Really, Ange."
"I'll let it go this time, but don't get used to it."
Brennan let a smirk slip momentarily. "It looks like we need to go shopping," she said nodding at her stomach.
"That's why I'm here. I was hoping you could come with me to my doctor's appointment and then we could go shopping for maternity clothes."
"You don't need me to pick out your clothes," Ange.
Angela sighed. "Of course, not. But it is a lot more fun!"
"That's what you keep telling me," she chuckled at her friend. "What time is your appointment?"
"At 3:00. I've already talked to Cam about it. Have you had lunch?"
"I'm meeting Booth at the diner."
Angela raised her brows. "Oh really? With Booth or with Booth and Hannah?"
"He didn't say but I expect Hannah to be there."
"She always is," mumbled Angela. Angela sounded annoyed but Brennan couldn't imagine why. "I'll see ya this afternoon, Sweetie. Say "hi" to that studly agent for me," she said as she walked out of her office.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Brennan walked into the diner a few minutes after Booth and found him seated in their usual Booth in the back corner. Brennan was taken by surprise when Booth stood and helped her with her coat. She stared at him for a few moments before she cleared her mind and sat down.
"It turns out I'm sort of in a hurry so I ordered for us already. I hope you don't mind," said Booth.
"No, of course not. What's the rush?" It was then that she noticed the haunted look in his eyes. "Booth, is everything okay?"
"Not really."
When had she heard that from him before? It wasn't like him to act defeated like that, yet it was very familiar. He continued to sit quietly. Usually the silence didn't bother her. Usually it was companionable silence. This was different. "Booth, despite all the changes that have happened, I'm still your friend and partner. I hope you know that."
His eyes softened. "Thanks, Bones. I don't think I'll get through this case without you. Honestly, you're the only person who will understand the significance of this case."
"I don't understand. Do we have a body to go see? We could have had lunch a little later." Then she remembered Angela and looked at her watch.
"Something pressing your time, today, too?"
"Oh, I have plenty of time even if we have a crime scene. I'm going with Angela to her doctor's appointment and then we're going shopping for maternity clothes."
"You are going shopping with Ange?" He smiled. "That will take awhile."
Brennan chuckled. "Unfortunately, you're right. So where's Hannah? I haven't heard from her although I sent her a text hours ago. Is she on a special assignment?"
"Uh, no. When I found out about my next case, I knew I needed to just talk to you."
"Oh," she responded genuinely surprised. "You keep referring to the case as yours. This isn't something I'll be working on with you? I don't understand."
He sighed heavily. "We have a serial sniper in the area."
Brennan's lips formed an "O". She suddenly knew the magnitude the case would have on him. She just didn't know why he was coming to her for help. "Booth, I will help in anyway I can. What can I do?"
"Thanks, Bones. I just think I'll need a friend through this one," he confided.
"You know I'll be here for you, Booth. I will always be here. But what about Hannah?" she asked hesitantly.
"She doesn't know me like you do," he admitted without continuing to make eye contact.
Author's Notes: The "Not Really" quote is from Harbingers. It's quoted in chapter 13 of my one-shots in Now That's More Like It. Or you can watch it in the episode. You'll find it in the scene when Booth confesses that he loves Bones and then retreats and says it's in a professional atta boy kind of way. We know how Booth has been feeling defeated for awhile now when it comes to Bones, but I don't think she's ever realized it. And professionally, I don't think it's normal for Booth to feel defeated.
Okay, the stage has been set. In future chapters, we will see the characters deal with the serial sniper, we will see how the relationships between Booth, Hannah, and Brennan change, we will see what will develop in Angela's pregnancy, and we will discover what Hodgins' secret is. I'd like to get these story lines more developed before Thursday's episode. Hope you are long for the ride!
