Chapter Three
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I couldn't sleep that night, but still it passed all too quickly. I never wanted this morning to come, I didn't want to say goodbye.
But now I was standing there, a million of people were running in a million of different directions and destinations. I've been here before, but today Dulles international was the last place on earth I wanted to be at. Brennan's plane would leave in only half an hour. Angela was crying as she was talking. I knew Bones was crushed, but she tried to keep that to herself as she was saying goodbye to her best friend. I watched them sadly from there I was standing. There were a million of people at the airport, but I didn't see any of them, the only person I cared about right now was Bones, and she would leave, maybe never to come back.
"Booth… Seeley?"
I was brought back from my thoughts. Seeley? It must be the first time she's called me by my first name.
"I have to go," she whispered. "Don't visit me, never… I want you and Angela to remember me as I am now… please…"
I only managed to nod.
"Bones…"
"Yes?"
"You're gonna be alright, you'll get home again and we'll all wait for you… hey, you're not alone, remember that…" I felt weird telling her that, but as much as I doubted the fact that I'd ever get to see her again, I wanted her to believe it. She couldn't lose hope…
Brennan nodded, blinking away tears.
"Thanks."
Suddenly Brennan moved closer, before I could think, she kissed me on my mouth, automatically I kissed her back. I don't know why she did it, I just know this is a dream come true. And with that, I knew I have to say something. If I let this go, if I let her go without telling her how much she means to me, I may never get the chance to…
Brennan pulled back, she looked up at me, "I'm sorry about that… there's just something I've wanted to do a long time…"
"I wish you had…" I said, feeling miserable. Brennan smiled a small sad smile.
"Bones…" I paused, thinking. "Temperance…" I took her hands in mine. "I love you…" the words only came out as a whisper, but I knew she heard me.
Brennan was struggling to hold back tears. The saying 'better late than never' suddenly got a whole new meaning and she was sure she would never get the chance to know how a life with Booth would feel. She loved him too, she'd loved him as long as she could remember, but now it was too late…
"Booth… you can't…" she started but I interrupted her, knowing exactly what she'd say.
"Yes I can, I love you I can't help it, and I won't stop…"
She looked at me with her big eyes all watery. I couldn't stand seeing her so sad. I put my arms around her kissing her again. I was surprised to feel her respond without hesitation. But something told me that she didn't care about that now. And the sad thing was, she didn't care because she thought she'd never live to see me again… the thought of that broke my heart.
We both pulled away for air, looking into each others eyes. It was time for her to go, but none of us wanted to let go.
"Will you look after Angela for me?" Brennan.
I nodded. "Yeah…"
"I have to go…" she stated the obvious.
"Yeah," I repeated. "Hey, go get better now and come home soon, I'm waiting for you Bones."
Brennan swallowed hard, looking up at me. She didn't need to say it, the look in her eyes said it all, - 'I'm never coming back'. I wanted to believe she would, I refused to say goodbye forever, that was more than I could take.
For the last time, I took her in my arms. Brennan wrapped her arms around me as if her life depended on it. I tightened my embrace, never wanting to let go. We stood like that for a long time. Her head pressed against my chest, her tears making a wet spot on my shirt.
"I'll think of you every day…" I whispered. "In fact… every second…" I swallowed, trying to pull myself together. "I don't want to say goodbye Bones…" a few tears escaped my eyes.
"Seeley," she didn't move. "Thank you for everything… I'll never forget you…" Brennan slowly pulled away. When she looked up at me again, as I saw the look in her eyes, I could feel my heart breaking. I forced myself to be strong.
I took her hand.
"Goodbye Seeley," she took a few steps back, our hands still linked as she moved away.
"By Tempe…" I could hardly say the words. I felt her hand leave mine as she turned and walked away. I watched her until she disappeared into the crowd.
I felt a hand on my shoulder. Slowly I turned my head and looked at Angela. She gave me an understanding look, it wasn't until then I realized I was crying.
"This is not the end, I refuse to think so, she'll come back… Right?" Angela.
"She has to…" I doubted she would, but I would never stop praying…
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TBC
