Dear readers around the world here is chapter 10. Still AU. Brennan's terrible past has unfolded and now she has to make a decision. Not an easy one though. The Mother Superior has come to talk to her. Enjoy the conversation and let me know your opinion on this.

A/N.: I want to thank you for the great response to this story. It started slowly but now I see more and more readers are curious to find out what my imagination comes up with. And thank you to everyone who reviewed so far. Your nice words and comments have made my day.

A/N.: I do not own Bones.

Thank you Gregg as always.

CHAPTER 10

"I have fallen into mortal sin, Mother," confessed Brennan, lowering her gaze, ashamed. "I gave myself to the service of God. I was willing to be his, totally devoted to Him. But now, I'm not sure anymore. I feel my will vacillate..." She paused, then looked at the woman sitting next to her. "He has showed me the light when I was lost in darkness. Has given me peace when all I had was pain and suffering. Has helped me find a new self when I wanted to die..." She was silent again as if by doing so she could let the Mother Superior see the storm she had survived thanks to the healing hand of God. "And I've been ungrateful, so unworthy of his love..."

The Reverend Mother took Brennan's hands and gave her a comforting smile.

"My child," she began. "How can you ever believe yourself to be ungrateful? How can we possibly forget what you have done for us, for our community? Look at this park. Six years ago when you arrived it was a beautiful piece of land... Now you can feel our Lord's breath in every single plant you've added. The shape you've given to the landscape reminds us constantly of His grace, the grace He's given to your hands... Your generosity has helped so many children to find a better place to live, to study in. To truly become better human beings... I know..., I've always known..., how you've struggled..., all these years. Fighting with what you've hidden deep down, unseen to many, but not to me. I know that struggle..."

Brennan raised her glassy eyes, puzzled.

"I've been there, too, Temperance."

The older woman took a deep breath and turned her head towards the rising sun. She sighed, and paused, letting the memories drift back into her mind.

"We were so young," she resumed. "And full of hopes. So happy. So lost in each other. How could two people be that happy and so self-absorbed when others just suffered? I was unaware of the destiny that was about to unfold for me... For us. He was a doctor... A good one. Committed to life, to saving lives... But he couldn't save his..."

She paused and tears filled her eyes. She swallowed hard and her gaze darkened as she pulled, from deep within, the strength to go on with her story. To relive the pain she had never forgotten.

Brennan knew what was about to come, and as she was helpless against her own tears, she simply let them fall silently once more down her cheeks.

"There was a robbery while he was buying this...," she reached inside her pocket, pulling out a small, blue, velvet box and handed it over. "He had just bought this for me. For something that was not meant to be. Not for us."

They lapsed into silence again.

"I died with him that day. I knew I would never, ever, love any other man the way I had loved him. There could be no one else but him in my life. So I decided to give myself to the highest form of love. Heavenly marriage with our Lord."

The two women looked at each other.

"But you, Temperance? You have been given a second chance. With life. With love. No matter how hard you fight, you'll have to face this. He," she said, caressing the silver cross on her chest, "has a different plan for you. You have a higher purpose in life, my child. You are meant to give a name to those unknown dead. To help families to ease their pain and cry on a tomb, though not in vain as so many have had to. God, in his infinite mercy, has given you this great gift. To help others find the peace they need to carry on."

"But Mother," Brennan said, never losing eye contact. "I can do that while working in Limbo, and staying here."

The Mother Superior never diverted her gaze and she could sense the emotional turmoil the younger woman was going through. She was aware that the rational, but scared Temperance Brennan she had welcomed to her convent was back before her so she remained silent to encourage her to let out what was hurting her.

"Mother," Brennan said after a long pause. "I have suffered too much. I don't want to hurt anymore... I couldn't possibly survive that again, and I am so afraid. But...,"

"... you feel this man is different. You can see love in his eyes. True love," the Mother Superior said.

Brennan nodded.

"Our infinitely gracious Lord is showing you that earthly love exists, Temperance, and he has allowed you to find it in the eyes of this man. In the words he has spoken to you. In the gentleness of his touch. You have doubts. You are vacillating. You are going back to life. To a life where joy struggles with pain. Where good and bad are the air we breathe. I cannot promise there won't be any more suffering for you, but God knows the depths of our souls, and he knows his too or He would have never sent him to you. Not now. There is good in him. I have seen it in his eyes, and I can tell he has been through a lot of pain, as well. But his soul is pure, and he will not hurt you. Look into your heart, and what you will find there will show you the way."

"I need time to reflect Reverend Mother. About my destiny... about all this. But I cannot do it here. I have to be alone and sort things out. You understand, don't you?"

The Mother Superior nodded.

"The Almighty has never abandoned you Temperance. You have never been alone when you crossed the darkest valley of your life, and he has carried you in his arms when you were unable to walk. He will help you make the right decision once again. Do not be afraid."

She opened her arms to invite her in. Brennan slipped in the warmth of her embrace and felt so light and peaceful, like a child who finds comfort and love in her mother's arms.

"How can I deserve this?" Brennan asked between sobs.

"My dear child, you will always be in my prayers, and I will be happy whatever road you decide to follow because I know it will be the one our Lord has shown you."

A/N.: how did you like this? there is obviously more to come in the following parts. Stay with me if you're curious to discover where I'm heading to. Thanks for reading and reviewing. Lilly