Partners No More

Chapter 9

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Brennan woke and looked at the clock. Her first instinct was to reach over to where Booth would be laying but he other side of her bed was cold this morning. This is the first morning and almost a week she had woken up alone.

The harsh reality came crashing down around her. I've lost him because of my past. She felt her eyes fill with tears and she was determined not to cry again. She saw the bad around her left finger and took it off, throwing it across the room. Work, I just need to work. That will help me get past this.

Brennan quickly got dressed and headed towards the Jeffersonian. She knew she would be the first one there since it wasn't even 6:30 yet but that is what she wanted, to work in solitude. She knew Angela would wonder what happened after she ran out of her office crying but she had to avoid her questions today.

Looking at the Bones she started speaking into her recorder "Mail approximately 45-50 years of age. Caucasian. No visible cause of death." She was silenced as she felt someone walk up behind her. She knew it was Booth and didn't bother looking up.

"You're here early Booth."

"Couldn't sleep very well."

"I assume you brought the papers by?"

"I am not going to sign them Bones. We need to talk about this. What happened?"

"Nothing happened. I changed my mind. I have the right to…."

She was cut off by Booth pulling her away from her bones to look at him. He pulled her into his embrace "Something is wrong Temperance. I know something is wrong. I am not going to let you push me away. And I will not sign those papers."

"Fine Booth, if you want to contest this then I guess we will have to settle this in court. I meant what I said. I want a divorce. If you love me you will just sign the papers…NOW." She didn't realize but she was yelling at him.

"But Bones."

"No Booth, I don't want to hear it. It was a mistake. I don't love you. I thought I did but I was wrong. I need you to sign those papers or I will be forced to end our partnership."

"You don't mean that Bones."

"Yes Booth I do, we both agreed work was the post important thing. Now sign the damn papers or I stop working with the FBI."

Booth knew she was serious if she would even consider breaking up their partnership. He reluctantly signed the papers and then tossed them on the examination table. "There are your papers Bones, I hope you don't end up regretting this."

Booth turned and walked out of the Jeffersonian slamming the door behind him. I will give her what she wants for now but this isn't over yet...not by a long shot. I just have to find out what is making her act like this.

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Bones wiped the single tear from her cheek and turned to continue examining the bones that lay in front of her. This is for the best. She felt if she told herself that often enough maybe she would begin to believe it.

It had been well over an hour before she heard another familiar voice "Sweetie how long have you been here?"

"Since a little after six Angela. I have a lot of work to get done today and don't feel like talking."

She walked off the platform and into her office. She started to sift through papers when a hand stopped her.

"Sweetie, tell me what's wrong. Why were you crying last night? And what is this about divorcing your night in standard issue FBI body armor? You can't do that!"

"It is none of your business what I do or don't do. I don't want to be married. You know how I felt about that since day one."

"Yes but I thought your mind had changed since you married Mr. Hott Stuff."

"Well you thought wrong. I don't want to be married. Now I would appreciate it if you would get out of my office Ange. I have work to be doing,"

"You are hiding behind your work Sweetie, don't run away from him. He is always going to be there for you no matter what. I know your scared but don't run from this sweetie. This is the best thing that has happened to you."

"Angela, you don't know what has happened to me, you don't know whether or not this is what I need. Do think just because you have the perfect relationship with Hodgins that you can judge my relationship with Booth. You don't know anything about my relationship to Booth. Get out Ange. Right now." Brennan found herself yelling at a friend for the second time in one day and it wasn't even nine yet.

Angela turned and walked out the door "Make sure you want to lose him before you do this sweetie. There is only so far you can push someone before they break. Booth won't be around forever so don't miss your chance at happiness."

Angela turned and walked out of her door, closing it behind her. Bren has never yelled at me. Something is definitely wrong. I should call Booth.

"Booth."

"Hey Booth, it's Ange."

"Oh hey Ange, what's up? Have you talked to Bones today?"

"Yeah I just got pushed out of her office after she yelled at me. Something is really wrong Booth. She has never yelled at me before."

"I know, she is acting weird. We have to find out what happened. What was she doing when you walked into her office last night to see her crying?"

"Well she was standing over her desk reading her mail."

"What mail?"

"You know it was probably that letter that she got that was addressed to Dr. Temperance Brennan-Booth."

"They used Booth in the name?"

"Yeah, it must have been someone who knew you got married."

"Hey Ange, do you think you could get her out of her office long enough for me to find that letter?"

"I can sure try."

"Great, I'm on my way. Give me 10 minutes then get her out of her office."

"Sure."

Angela went over to Hodgins. "Hey Jack, I need a favor."

"Meet you in Egypt?"

"Not that kind of favor…. I need you to get Brennan out of her office for about 10 minutes."

"Uh okay sure, why?"

"I will explain afterwards. Just a heads up though, she isn't in a good mood. Make it strictly work related and you will be okay. She is upset with me and don't mention anything about Booth."

"Sure, no problem."

"And Jack?"

"Yeah babe?"

"We can still have Egyptian for lunch." Angela gave him a seductive grin.

"Meet you there."

Hodgins walked over to Brennan's office. "Dr. Brennan?" Hodgins knocked on the door. When there was no answer he knocked again "Dr. Brennan?"

She opened the door. Hodgins could tell she had been crying and she was trying to act as if everything was okay. "What is it Hodgins?"

"I have some information on the soil particulates you asked me to run last night. Test results came back this morning. Can I show you them?"

"Can this wait?"

"It's very interesting; you will want to see this."

"Okay." She followed him over to his desk.

Booth walked in just in time to see Bones walk off with Hodgins. Thanks Ange, I owe you.

Booth quickly scanned her desk and didn't see anything. He hurriedly looked through the drawers and was just about to give up when something caught his eye by the trash can. It was a crinkled up piece of paper. He grabbed it and unwrinkled it. This is it.

He scanned over the letter Son of a bitch. I knew something had to be wrong.

He left the office and went into Angela's office.

"I found this."

"Thanks for having Hodgins get her out of her office. I found this." He handed the note to Angela.

"Oh my gosh Booth. Who do you think did this?"

"I have no idea…but I will find out. Until I do let's just keep this between us okay?"

"Okay, let me know if you find out anything."

"No problem." Booth turn and quickly left the Jeffersonian to find out what he could about the note.

"Was that just Booth?" Brennan asked from Angela's door way.

"Yeah, he brought some missing persons files over for me too match a face to John Doe out there."

"Oh okay. Well if you see him again tell him I need to talk to him."

"Will do."

"And Ange?"

"Yes sweetie?"

"I'm sorry about earlier. I shouldn't have yelled at you."

"That's okay sweetie. So what did you need to talk to Booth about? Did you have a change of heart?"

"No Ange, I just wanted to tell him I had the divorce papers sped up. It will be final by the end of the week."

"Oh sweetie, are you sure that is what you want to do?"

"Yes Ange, it is."

"Whatever you want sweetie, I will be here for you."

"Thanks."

"Anytime."

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