A/N: the movie, the Bridges of Madison County, was directed by Clint Eastwood and written by Richard LaGravenese and Robert James Waller

The missing scene we're seeing now is what happened before the airport scene in The Beginning in the End.

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They both decide to leave. But it's only a year. What's a year?

He can't believe he's doing this. Going back to the one thing he said he never would. But it's for the best. He needs a break from her no matter how much he loves her. Because she won't openly love him back.

His son does the best he can to not cry when he goes to say goodbye. Parker takes deep breaths and acts brave. He's never seen his dad in uniform before. Only quick peeks from the photo albums on the top shelf of the bookcase. He doesn't want his dad to see him cry. He can see his son trying to stay strong, so he lets one tear fall, letting Parker know its okay. Parker breaks down and wraps his arms around his dad's neck. One year, he tells Parker. He promises to write Parker every day, to tell him all about the cool planes and tanks, to give him advice on his checking tactics and his jump shots. He gives Parker ones last hug and it last for a while. He gives him a kiss on the forehead and does his best not to cry as he climbs into his SUV. He looks in the rearview mirror, watching his son watch him drive away. It's the hardest thing he's ever had to do, something he said he'd never do, but is doing it for the sake of his livelihood, his sanity, his heart.

He has two more stops to make and one will be easier than the other. That he already knows.

He drives at a leisurely pace through Arlington, taking in the enormity of the cemetery. He pulls the keys from the ignition and walks through the grass. He keeps an eye on the headstone he's aiming for and it feels like the walk to the grave is becoming longer and longer with each step he takes. And when he arrives, he straightens the miniature cockeyed American flag wedged in the ground and brushes away some dirt from the etchings in the stone.

"I screwed up, Teddy. I've screwed everything up. Bones is leaving. It's my fault. And I'm going back. Do you see this?" he gestures to his fatigues, "I'm too old for this shit. I've got a kid. Parker's old enough to know what's going on over there. He's scared. He's going to go to bed every night wondering if I'm still alive. I said I was done after you died. I messed up. What am I doing?"

He rubs a hand over his face and over his shorter than normal hair. "I gotta go say goodbye to her and I'm not sure how to do that without wanting to kiss her. I love her, Ted. Like…more than I loved Rebecca. More than I've ever loved anyone. But…she doesn't want me. So, I'm going to move on. That's why I'm going. It makes sense in my head but when I say it out loud, I feel…stupid. Anyway, I'll see you when I get back, man," he speaks to his friend's headstone. He looks around, expecting to see Teddy's ghost. But he smiles when his Army buddy is nowhere to be seen.

The last stop. His last goodbye. He kills the engine and sits for a while. He's not sure what he's going to say so he goes with the only plan he's been able to come up with. He takes his time walking to her door and spends what seems like eternity trying to build up the courage to knock. He jumps a bit when the door opens.

"What are you doing out here?" she sounds annoyed, but worried at the same time.

"How'd you know I was here?"

"Mrs. Hinkle is a good neighbor. She said an Army man was lingering outside. Must not have recognized you."

"Right. Um, can I come in?"

She nods and steps aside. There's a suitcase by the door and her laptop bag is ready to be filled.

"All packed and ready to go?" he says, making small talk. He knows he came for more than that, but how much more?

"I suppose. Just a few more things to pack and I should be ready. Are you…"

"Yeah, I said goodbye to Parker already. I have to head over to the base this afternoon and I leave for Fort Benning tomorrow."

"I'm sorry you have to leave Parker. I can't imagine how hard it must be." Once she says it, she knows she shouldn't have brought it up. She clears her throat and says, "I leave tomorrow as well."

"Yeah, about that…I may not be able to come say goodbye tomorrow. I probably won't be able to get off the base. So I thought…"

She launches herself at him, wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders, hugging him tight. He relishes the moment, but only for a short time. They pull away at the same time.

"You have to stop letting me hug you when I get scared," she says at the same time he says, "I can't, Bones."

She looks at him, her head slightly cocked to one side, as if she's studying a set of remains. "What do you mean you can't?"

"I can't hug you or…I can't. If I do, I'm going to want to kiss you and that's not what you want so I'm not going to push it. We're both leaving. We both need a break."

She nods and wonders if leaving is what's best. He doesn't want to leave Parker, that much obvious, but he can't go back on his commitment to the Army now. It's too late. "Do you need a break from me?"

He takes a deep breath and wonders what to tell her. "Yes," he says with an amount of bluntness he's not used to. Normally, blunt and outright are her thing. Maybe that's why he decides not to beat around the bush.

She looks hurt. He expected that. So, he clarifies, "I can't move on if I'm around you. I need time and space right now. I need you, but you don't want me. And I don't want to need you, 'cause I can't have you. That's why I'm leaving."

His clarification isn't helping. Her eyes have clouded over and she's doing what she can to keep her tear ducts from going into overdrive. So she starts to nod slowly, telling the both of them that she's beginning to understand why he's leaving. She decides to respond to his last words and says instead, "If you can't come to the airport tomorrow, I understand. Stay safe over there, Booth. Come back in one piece."

He laughs wryly. "Yeah. That jungle's dangerous, Bones. Make sure Hodgins tells you which monster bugs to avoid."

It's silent for a moment and he decides that's his cue to leave. He leans over and places his lips on her cheek. She closes her eyes, trying to hold in her tears and fighting the urge to kiss him back.

He knows if he sees her tomorrow, he won't be able to kiss her. He won't be able to hug her. If he does, he won't want to let go. And that's what he needs to do. Let go.

"I'll see ya, Bones."