Note: Here we go, the last chapter. Sorry for the delay. If nothing else, this story has given my procrastination skills a workout.

Disclaimer: I don't own them.

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Her days were filled with activity – arranging for another professor to proctor the exams for her classes, finding a supervisor for Zach, and finishing up some of the backlogged cases from bone storage. She also had personal errands to take care of – going to the dentist, renewing her prescriptions, and arranging for her neighbour to watch her apartment. By the time she fell into bed at night, she was exhausted.

It would have been nice if she had been able to sleep.

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He finished the paperwork alone. It was his job, and there was no reason to expect her to help with it. She'd sent over an addendum to her original report covering the recovery and DNA analysis of the bone they'd found in the judge's car.

He checked twice to see if she'd included a personal note. She hadn't.

He told himself he was glad – no need to make things any more awkward than they already were. She'd been very clear that she wanted nothing more to do with him.

It was almost six when he signed the last page. His phone rang, and he listened as his caller invited him to dinner. He felt weird about accepting, but Bones had made it clear there was nothing between them any longer. An evening with a beautiful, pleasant companion beat grilled cheese alone.

He had to move on, to accept that a relationship with Bones was never going to happen.

Besides, he enjoyed Tessa's company. Dinner would give them a chance to reconnect.

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Angela forced herself to smile as her date droned on about the next election. That was the problem with political junkies – they couldn't leave work at the office.

She twisted her wineglass in her hand and contemplated making her excuses, maybe pleading an early morning meeting. One one hand, she wouldn't get to have sex. On the other, she wouldn't have to listen to … whatever it was Brad was droning on about. At least she could see most of the restaurant from where she was sitting – she could let her mind wander and still smile and nod in what she hoped were the right places.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the door open and a familiar-looking man walk in. By the time she realized who he was, he had woven his way through the crowded restaurant to a table where an attractive blond woman sat alone. The woman stood up and they hugged, exchanging a brief kiss before sitting down. As Booth gave the waiter his drink order, she touched her date's hand and smiled. "Excuse me for a minute. There's someone I have to talk to. I'll be right back."

Before he could answer, she was out of her chair, winding her way towards the unsuspecting FBI agent.

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They'd eaten together before – in restaurants, at her place, at his place – but he didn't remember the conversation being so stilted. It was almost a relief when they were interrupted by one of Bones's squints. What was her name again?

She smiled a dazzling smile and held out her hand to Tessa. "I'm Angela. I'm with the Jeffersonian Institution. We've been helping Booth out with a case."

"Tessa. It's nice to meet you", Tessa replied. "Would you like to join us?"

"I can't, I'm with someone." Angela waved at a bored-looking man sitting alone. He smiled and waved back. "I just wanted to say hi. Nice to meet you, Tessa. See you around, Booth."

"Yeah", he agreed, "Maybe there'll be another case."

"Better not be for a while", Angela answered. "Bren's off to Guatemala on Saturday."

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In two days, she'd be on a plane, hoping the person in front of her didn't recline her seat in the middle of the meal. In three days, she'd be in a tent in the forest, miles from modern civilization.

Tonight, though, she was at home, looking at Booth standing uncertainly at her door. She let him stand there for a few seconds, then swung the door open. "You might as well come in."

He followed her to the couch and sat beside her. He was the one to break the silence. "You're leaving."

"Yes", she nodded, "I've been asked to assist on a dig in Guatemala. I'll be gone a few months."

"Is it because of me?"

She gave him an incredulous look. "It's my job, Booth."

"You didn't mention it before."

"I wasn't aware I had to advise you of my schedule."

"Ever since we ..."

"Had sex", she supplied.

"Yeah. You've been avoiding me. You don't return my calls, you don't want to work with me. We were pretty drunk, and I wasn't as careful …" He took a breath and asked the question he'd been dreading. "Did I hurt you?"

He was pretty sure her surprise was genuine, and it was a relief when she answered, "You didn't hurt me. We had one night, and I'm not looking for more than that. And the case is over. There's no reason for us to work together."

He nodded, and pushed himself to his feet. Silently, she walked him to the door. He couldn't resist the urge to hold her one more time. He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her as if memorizing the way she felt in his arms, then let her go. "Stay safe, Bones."

She nodded. "You too, Booth."

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It was warm and muggy in the tent. Outside, she could hear the rustling of the wind through the trees and the unfamiliar call of a bird. It was late, and she knew she should be sleeping, but her body wasn't cooperating.

She wondered what was happening in DC. Was Hodgins still as unpleasant as ever? Had Angela gotten tired of a regular job and flitted off to Maui or Venice or London? Was Zach working well with Dr. Larsen?

What was Booth doing?

If her life had been different, if her parents had stuck around, if she'd been able to imagine a life with someone, would they have been able to make it work?

What would that have looked like?

She flicked on her lantern and, pulling a spare notebook from her pack, began to write.

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And that's it. Let me know what you think.