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Booth opened his eyes to sunlight. It was another day. Another day where he wasn't home. He'd already been away for five months. It felt like years, though. Chester grunted and shoved his nose into Booth's back.

"What?" Booth asked, reaching over and scratching Chester's ears. More grunting was given in return. Eventually, Booth forced himself out of bed and up to eat breakfast. He sat and looked out the window, wondering what to do. A soft knocking was at his door then. Chester sat up boltright in bed, growling.

"It's all right," Booth laughed. "Come in!" He placed his hand on the gun taped to the bottom of his table, just in case. Hannah poked her head around the corner.

"Hey," she said, smiling. "Thought you might need a wake up call."

"Nope," Booth said stiffly. Chester hmphed from his bed. Booth was getting the sense that his dog did not like Hannah. Something about her didn't seem right to him either.

"Well, I'm going to be heading out soon. Thought I'd come say goodbye," Hannah said. She lingered at the door.

"Goodbye then," Booth said.

"It was nice meeting you."

"Uh huh."

Booth didn't feel bad at her hurt expression. She closed the door behind her, and Chester settled back down. Booth looked over at him.

"I thought you liked everyone?" he asked. Chester didn't respond. It still seemed that the dog understood what he was saying, though. Booth just had a way of knowing.

Chester

I was glad that woman was gone. She smelled of nothing but trouble. And sweat. I knew that sweaty smell. I didn't smell it on Booth, though. He did not reciprocate the sweatiness. I was glad. After he finished eating, we went for a walk. I love walks. We went around the camp, and Booth stopped to talk to other soldiers while I ran around smelling and exploring. I got the occasional treat too.

"It's the boss's dog," one guy said, grinning.

"Boss dog!" another shouted. I was lost in memory suddenly.

Boss dog!

I bark in return.

Boss dog!

Bailey, Bailey, Bailey...

Ethan called me Boss Dog. I think I helped him to not be as afraid when his father was drinking that nasty smelling stuff.

"Chester! Come," Booth called. I trotted over to him and brushed against his legs. Cat had always made it look fun. We kept walking until we reached an important looking building, and Booth went inside, ordering me to stay out front. I sat and guarded. So many smells to keep me occupied...

Booth

"Another mission," Booth said bluntly. The man in front of him nodded.

"I know you were supposed to just be a teacher, but we need you, Booth," he went on. "You're the best of the best..."

"I have a kid to think about, Jones," Booth said.

"I know. We all do. Look, just do this one for me, and I'll look into keeping you out of the war zone," Jones said.

"I appreciate that, sir," Booth nodded. He walked out the door, feeling angry. Another mission. What journalist would they be saving this time? He went to find Lou. It didn't take him long. He was shooting hoops by himself.

"Howdy," Lou said, tossing the ball Booth's way.

"Horse?" Booth asked.

"Sounds good. You first," Lou indicated. Booth shot and hit nothing but net.

"H," he grinned. He passed the ball to Lou. Chester watched, interested. Booth mildly wondered if he would chase after the ball, but so far the dog seemed content to just watch.

"Rumor has it we're going out again," Lou commented, throwing the ball and scoring. "H for haha!" He laughed. Booth snagged the ball out of the air.

"Yea. I gotta admit, I kind of regret coming back here," Booth said, throwing and missing. Lou grabbed it as it bounced.

"I know what you mean. You were running away from something, though, weren't you?"

"I think I was. I don't think I want to run away anymore," Booth said. Lou made his shot.

"O," Lou said. Booth took the ball back and made his next shot too. They were tied. Chester was now lying on his side, panting in the sun.

"You taking him home with you?" Lou asked.

"Yes. Parker will love him," Booth answered. "R!"

"Damn it," Lou said as Booth passed him the ball.

"Hi, boys," Hannah said, standing to the side. Booth turned to see her and earned a ball to the chest as he wasn't paying attention. Chester was alert now too.

"Hey, Hannah," Lou greeted her. "Thought you were leaving?"

"I thought so too. Apparently that changed," she sighed. "May I?" She held up her camera.

"Why not?" Lou agreed. She snapped a photo of him.

"Can I get one of you and your dog?" Hannah asked Booth.

"Why?"

"So you'll have a photo of the two of you," Hannah laughed. "I'm not a stalker I promise." Booth felt reluctant, but then again, how else would he have a photo of Chester over here?

"All right," he caved. "Come here, buddy." He bent down and lifted Chester into his lap. The dog gave him a mournful look.

"I know, I know. Just one," Booth promised. He aimed Chester's head towards the camera. Hannah took the photo.

"Very nice," she smiled. "I'll give you copies as soon as I print them."

"Thanks," Booth said. Then she was gone, off photographing everyone else.

"She seems nice," Lou commented.

"Not interested," Booth replied.

"Maybe not yet," Lou smirked.

"S," Booth responded. "Come on, man you're losin'!"

"You're younger than me," Lou complained.

"Oh, not by much."

Lou missed the next shot, and Booth made his.

"And that's E," he said, triumphant.

"Well done, son," Lou congratulated. "I guess I'll see you at dusk. That's when we're going out, right?"

"Yea."

"All right."

Chester

We didn't do much for the rest of the day. Booth wrestled with me a little bit, and I earned a piece of bacon fresh from the pan. He knows my weakness. I'd do anything for bacon. Then, he sat down at his table and started writing. I watched. I wondered who he was writing to and what he was saying. He seemed tense and nervous while he wrote. It made me curious. I closed my eyes and started drifting off when I heard him shift. I opened my eyes again. He was staring at the paper. Then, Booth finished writing at his desk and sighed. Then I saw him put on all his gear, and I knew we were going out again. Booth allowed me to follow. He knew I'd just track him to where he was going anyway.

"Dog can't come," a guy said abruptly.

"Chester will just follow anyway," Booth said. I was surveyed. A grunt was given, and I took it to mean I was going along. I hopped up beside Booth, feeling excited. I wondered where we were going this time. I was just glad to be in the truck with him and not chasing after him in the dark. The truck started moving after a while, and I tried to settle down. No one said a word to each other. I wished I could lighten the mood. I figured it would end up with me getting kicked out of the truck, and I didn't really feel like walking. So I slept. I was very tired.

Booth

He couldn't stop thinking about her. It was starting to drive him mad. He hoped she was still alive. Her silence was deafening. Maybe she really was finished with their friendship. He didn't know how to repair it. He didn't know if it was even repairable. He wished he could take it all back, but he couldn't.

"Penny for your thoughts," Lou said, noticing.

"Just thinking about the past, Lou," Booth answered.

"The past never gets you anywhere, you know."

"I know."

"It's been my experience to look ahead while learning from the past. Analyzing it to death and wishing we could change things only brings you stress and heartache."

"You're awfully wise," Booth teased.

"I learned," Lou said grimly. Booth noticed him absently rubbing his ring finger. He wondered what happened. Lou had only said something about a fiance, nothing about a wife. He made a mental note to ask about it later.

Chester

Lou smelled intensely of sadness. I licked his hand to help him feel better, and I was rewarded with a lovely scratch in return. I could sense that Booth was intrigued, but he wasn't asking any questions. These humans were confusing to me. Then again, they don't go around sniffing each other's butts as a form of greeting like I do. I have so much to learn. Booth rested a hand on my side. I felt at peace. I could tell he loved me. It had only been a week or more, but I loved him too. I'm a dog. We love pretty quickly.

...

Dear Bones,

Five months. That's how long it's been since I've seen or heard from you. I miss you. We are going on another mission tonight. I'm writing this as I'm waiting to load up. I don't think it will be a hard one. Just a basic routine check. A learning experience for my students. I hope you are well. I hope you are finding lots of bones. I hope you find what you're looking for. Lou said something interesting to me today. He said I was running away by being here, and he's right. I ran away. I pushed you, lost you, and I ran away. What kind of friend am I?

I'm sorry.

Yours,
Booth