Disclaimer: Chapter One.

Reviews = More chapters.

Ange,

I know you're probably furious with me right now. I know how I felt when my family abandoned me and never bothered to tell me where they were, or if they were even still alive. I just wanted you to know that I'm alive. I'm doing okay. Really, I am. I miss you so much though. Please don't beg me to tell you where I am. It's too painful. If I see you in person, I'm more likely to come back home. The night that I left, Booth told me he wanted to give 'us' a shot. He wanted to be in a relationship with me. Ange, he kissed me. He didn't even hesitate; he just leaned in and did it. Then he explained how fifty years from now, he would be 'That guy who knew from the beginning that we would be in love.' I couldn't do it Angela. I couldn't begin a relationship with him. That's why I left. I got scared and ran. I know to you this is a foolish thing. But after I told him that I couldn't love him, he told me that he had to move on. I couldn't stand in the way of his happiness Ange. I had to leave so he could start over. But I'm in a decent place right now. I have a job, and the people are really friendly. My neighbor, Sam, is a lot like you. She always talks about men and sex, and she loves to gossip. Sometimes it feels like I'm almost back home when I'm around her. It feels like old times, when the two of us would sit in my apartment with snacks and beer and just talk about everything and nothing all at the same time. I really do miss you Angela. But like I said, I just can't tell you where I'm at right now. I can't take the chance of going back home. I'm sorry.

-Brennan

Angela didn't bother to wipe away the tears that spilled down her cheek. She was crying out of relief, anger, and sadness. Relief that her best friend was still alive and doing okay. Anger that she didn't contact her before now, and sadness because she didn't know where Brennan was or if she was ever coming home.

Angela exited out of her email account and turned to walk into Hodgin's office.

"Jack?" She asked quietly. Hodgins looked up and saw Angela's red face.

"What's wrong?" He asked as he walked to her.

"Brennan.." She whispered.

"Oh god." He replied.

"No, no. She-she sent me an email. She's okay. She's alive and living god know's where."

"What? Why? Did she say why she left?" He asked.

Angela considered whether or not to reveal this information to Hodgins. "No, but she's okay. That's all that matters right now."

"Joy, can you come into my office for a moment?" Lisa asked Joy as she walked past her in the Police Department.

"Sure." She answered.

A moment later the two of them were standing in Lisa's office with the door closed.

"I received a phone call this morning..." Lisa started. Joy sat down in a chair and waited for her to continue. "They're looking for you Tempe." She finished.

Joy's eyes widened as she took in a small breath.

"...Who?" She asked, although she already knew the answer.

"Everyone back at your home. The lab at the Jeffersonian. Booth."

"What did the phone call say?" She asked.

"It was Booth. He was asking me if our department had recently been in contact with Dr. Temperance Brennan. He wants you home Temp."

"I... I can't go home Lisa. I can't do that to him. Plus, I'm not ready to face them. I don't know if I'll ever be ready." She told her.

"Okay. I'm not trying to run you off or anything. You have a job here as long as you need it. I just thought I'd let you know about it." Lisa explained. Joy nodded and turned to walk away. "But, if I were you, I wouldn't be so quick to give up on him Brennan." Lisa added.

Joy felt as if she was going to explode before she made it in her door. Once she heard the lock click behind her, she couldn't hold it in any longer.

She let a sob escape from her mouth that was almost too quiet to hear. The next one however, was not so quiet.

Tears flowed down her face as she collapsed onto her couch in a heap. She buried her head in the nearest pillow to stifle her screams. One by one they came, and each was longer and louder than the last. She was shaking so badly that she could hardly hold the pillow tightly. The tears and saliva began to soak through the velvet pillow and get onto her clothes.

She was crying for herself, and for all of the people she had left behind. Especially Booth.

Especially Booth.

She cried because she was too afraid of opening her heart up, and she cried because she knew she would never be able to find anyone better than Booth. He had wanted to give her everything, and in return she had spit it back at him and ran like the wind to a place none of them knew about. She had started a whole new life without him. The last five years of hard work had completely gone down the drain, because she was too scared.

Thirty minutes later, Joy found herself sitting in her kitchen floor, nursing a bottle of wine. After her breakdown, she needed to calm down and relax as best as she could. While she was sitting down, she heard her laptop go off.

"You've got mail!"

Joy stood up and made her way to her bedroom where her laptop was located. She flipped the top open and read the screen.

One unread message.

Joy clicked on her inbox and waited for the message to load.

Jesus Brennan, I had no idea what the hell had happened to you. You could've been dead for all we know. Booth only told us that you had left; he didn't go into detail about anything. And trust me, I begged him for details.

I'm mad at you, but I'm so happy that you finally got in touch with me that I'll be over the anger shortly. I miss you so much. I wish you would tell me where you were, but I know you don't want to. Are you ever coming home? Is this even your home anymore? Or have you created another home wherever you are? Everyone here is worried sick about you. They assigned a new FBI liagson to the Jeffersonian. Agent Perotta. Booth doesn't come around here anymore. Hell, I don't think he goes anywhere anymore. Sweetie, I know you were trying to do well by leaving and giving him room, but that's only hurt him even more. He's in so much pain without you, Bren. Don't you get it? He doesn't want to move on. He isn't going to, because you're the only person he wants. He loves you Brennan. And you know that.

I really miss you, and I want you to come back home.

Love,

Angela.

Joy closed the lid of the laptop and closed her eyes. She had hurt so many people without meaning to. As her mind started to click together, she reached for her cell phone and dialed a familiar number.

After the first two rings, a voice answered.

"Booth."