Ch.11
Yes it's long you may want to wait until you have time to read 7k words. I hope you like it.
It was almost four in the morning Booth couldn't sleep, but was trying too. Eyes forced closed he lay there. He should be happy today. He had found Lacey which would help close Cheyenne's case and make Hacker and Cullen happy, he and Bones closed the case on Astrid Lindbergh the woman who some teenager found on a camping trip while digging for worms to fish with. Her murderer was also dead. Though, it was natural causes, a heart attack in his sixties. Though, Astrid had finally received a proper burial and justice.
He thought of later that same night after they closed the case, of Hannah's presence at the lab. Max, the spat with Cheyenne, Hannah finding out that Bones had not only confessed her feelings to him but broke down in Cheyenne's arms. He told Hannah about her confession when he returned home that night. But he hadn't told her everything. Only that Bones said she had feelings for him. Hannah never said anything to him about it only nodded and said with a brush off answer.
"You two have been partners for what five years or more, that case probably shook her up. You know she identified with the victim." Hannah said softly.
Then Hannah comforted him knowing he needed it as he told her how he rejected Bones. That he didn't love her but her-the woman in front of him. How she was no consolation prize. That she was all he could see and how he loved her. Hannah almost could believe him but knew not a single word of it was true. She felt bad for him and wanted to ease his pain so she kissed his lips softly comforting.
They didn't mean to but had lost themselves in each other so they could feel something. So they both could forget that their relationship was doomed, that they were wearing masks, and that they were pretending for everyone. Hell even pretending for each other was becoming taxing. It was wrong and they both knew it.
Now he lay awake thinking of what a sorry excuse of a man he was. He wasn't drinking but he was still using. Booth knew Hannah was right when she said what she had about Bones. Hannah was right and so much more. When she pointed out how Bones was identifying with the victim and how the case had shook her up.
Booth hated himself for leaving Cheyenne to be the one to pick up Bones' pieces. Especially, when he was what caused her pieces to shatter and scatter everywhere in the first place. He knew deep down he should have been with her that night. He knew a lot but had held it all in. It was strange. Bones and he had seemingly traded places. Now he was the one struggling to let the words that rattled in his brain, soul and most of all his heart leave his lips.
He thought back to the spat between him and Cheyenne. Every word the teenager uttered was the truth. Then Hannah walked in Bones' office hearing her sternly speak to him telling him how deep down she knew he would have rather had Tempe comforting him than Hannah.
He remembered he had glanced at Hannah watching as she became uneasy as Cheyenne spoke. Then Bones walked in and Hannah left muttering apologies to all. Booth knew he had screwed up and let his mind wander to tomorrow or rather today's schedule to be specific. He had to catch a flight later and speak with Gabriel Cortez and he needed to sleep.
Hannah was feigning sleep she knew Booth was awake and she was too. Her thoughts raced of yesterday's events and of the night before. There were so many things that she was thinking of and all involved Booth and Temperance. Tempe loved him it was obvious, she had basically told him. Cheyenne even knew this. Booth was in a downward spiral without Tempe his emotions were out of control.
Hannah had never been the girl that felt bad for someone before and she knew she knew better than to stay. So why did she? She knew what she was doing was wrong, she knew a person couldn't change another person. What was wrong with her that she felt the need to stay with him, to comfort him? Especially when she knew he didn't really love her.
Then it dawned on her, he was the one who was with during the fire fight in Afghanistan. They had both seen men die together and he had saved her life. She never spoke of that event. But, tonight she knew that she needed to stop drowning her memories and forgetting this way. They both did. It wasn't her style and she suddenly realized she needed to face what had happened to heal the hurt for both of them.
It had been the first time she had seen anyone die and she found comfort in Seeley's arms. He was so nice to her and now for some reason she felt she needed to repay him. Though, she realized all they were doing was hurting each other and everyone around them. If she wanted to repay him for saving her she needed to talk to Temperance. That was all there was to it.
Morning came all too soon for everyone. Lacey followed Brennan and Cheyenne quietly through the automatic doors of Jeffersonian. She wished she could have slept in this morning. She chuckled remembering what Larry used to say about wishes. 'Wish in one hand and shit in the other and see which one comes true first.' It was a disgusting analogy but it made her chuckle inside when one of the girls had asked him what if you wish to crap? Larry was stumped on that one and laughed as he headed out of the door.
She eyed an African American woman that approached them as the trio ascended the steps to the platform.
"Dr. Brennan how are you today?" Cam said
"I'm well thanks Cam." Brennan said as Cam waited for her to introduce Lacey, she didn't.
Cam looked to the girl. "Hi, I'm Dr. Saroyan you can call me Cam."
"I'm Lacey." She said her voice strong, yet soft.
"Lacey is Cheyenne's half sister. She will be staying with us today." Brennan informed Cam as if Cam couldn't see the relation.
Cam smiled "Right, we are glad to have you Lacey." Cam said and Brennan walked to her office the two girls followed.
Cheyenne had been quiet lately, her sister put off an intimidating aura. Her silence made Cheyenne wonder what was going on in her head. She had a strong silence that constantly surrounded her. Cheyenne knew silence was key to observation and she knew Lace was still taking everything in.
Brennan nearly bumped into Angela as the trio walked the corridor to Brennan's office.
"Hey sweetie, hey Cheyenne." Angela said and Lacey felt the warm aura the pregnant woman with the large smile and wedding ring wore. This had to be Angela thought Lacey as she remembered Chey saying she was really nice and married. She had left out the pregnant part but then again Lacey had too.
"Hi I'm Angela you must be Lacey, Cheyenne's half sister. I'm glad you are finally here and I can put a face to a name." Angela smiled and Lacey smiled a tiny smile as well, lips barely curling up at the edges.
"Me too." Lacey said
"Oh, Bren Booth called Cam not long ago. You two have a case." Lacey watched as Angela thought a moment. "You guys can hang out with me if you would like. I wouldn't advise hanging out with my husband he already pulled your sister into helping him move boxes of bugs."
Cheyenne laughed and Lacey smiled her barely there smile again.
"Kay catch ya in a bit Angela." Cheyenne smiled as the three proceeded on their walk to Brennan's office.
"Thanks Ange." Said Brennan as they were walking away. Angela only nodded back in forth speaking louder to Brennan as she walked away. "Anytime sweetie, I don't want them to die of boredom or fright of the weird friends we have." Brennan smiled fighting the urge to tell Ange how no one here was weird and it was highly unlikely they would die of fright.
Once in her office Chey sat on the couch making herself at home. Lacey walked over following her younger sister's lead and sat.
"You know Tempe, Angela's really great. I think she'll make an awesome mom." Cheyenne said and Brennan looked up from the papers she was busy with on her desk to her.
"Yes, I do believe she will." Brennan responded.
Lacey's mind raced to the child she was carrying. She was almost two months now. She would make sure she was a great mom. She was terrified of being responsible for another life, but loved the idea all of the same. The child would always love her and need her. No one else had.
Brennan stopped with the files and booted up her laptop soon a million windows were open on the screen and Tempe was checking her e-mail. Cheyenne sighed a bit bored and looked to Lacey.
"So, what do ya think of the place Lacey?" asked Cheyenne
Before answering she thought to herself. It's what I expected a large building, eccentric scientists with expensive equipment. What should I think? I can see you sure have become chummy with everyone. "It's very nice." She paused adding "Angela seems nice too."
"She is. Her husband is a harmless entomologist." Cheyenne said.
Lacey had already gathered that from the bug comment plus Chey had told her he was last night.
"Oh." Lacey said trying her hardest to sound interested in their conversation.
There was a knock on the door and before Brennan could respond to the strange visitor Booth stepped in the door way. The girls became quiet and Brennan thought he looked tired.
"We got a case Bones." He smiled a forced smile and the girls eyes bounced back and forth from Booth to Tempe. Lacey picked up on her sister's change of mood as the man walked in the door. She became alert as well watching him and Tempe with a trained strategic eye. She observed their body language as she listened to their small conversation.
Booth looked at Brennan tired and sad he noticed her eyes reflected the same pain as his. "Guy was found in a shower." Booth said to her looking to the two teenagers on the couch, the two mini Bones. Lacey wore an almost blank expression yet out of the two girls it was her eyes that haunted him the most. They were Bones' irises, but younger. Full of pain, a black grey storm continually swirled in her orbs.
"Hey Cheyenne." Booth said and Cheyenne hesitated momentarily as her dark blues bore into Booth accusingly.
"Hi." Cheyenne responded flatly and Lacey wondered what her sister's problem was with the agent.
"Hey Lacey." Booth paused adding "I'm going to visit your step-sister today."
Before Lacey could say hi back Cheyenne responded. "We already know."
"Right." Booth said turning his attention back to Bones.
"I'm ready to go." Brennan said then looked to the girls and addressed Cheyenne. "Please don't leave the Jeffersonian again Cheyenne."
"Got it." Cheyenne said as Lacey eyed her sister as soon as the partner's walked out of the office.
Lacey thought about asking Cheyenne why she had left but remained silent she would find out eventually. Instead she asked another question as they walked toward Angela's office. "What's your problem with Booth?"
Cheyenne scoffed as she let her fingers trail lightly over the walls of the corridor. "He lied to Tempe about his feelings, he is trying to forget about her and mend his broken heart in another, and mainly because he yelled at me."
Lacey thought a moment. "Why are you angry at him? None of what you said concerns you. You shouldn't mess with other people's lives Cheyenne. You'd be best staying out of their business it's not yours."
The girls were almost to Angela's office and Cheyenne was thinking hard of something. Should she say it or shouldn't she? "Temperance is going to adopt me." She said it quietly, it was out.
Lacey looked at her sister sharply her expression was that of shock. Lacey didn't know what to say and didn't know if she trusted herself to speak. Cheyenne was still so naïve thought Lacey. They were about to open the door to Angela's office but Lacey placed a hand on her sister's hand and the two stopped their eyes were locked but the door to the 'adoption' conversation had just blown wide open .
"Get your feelings in check Chey, you don't even know Temperance. Don't get attached to a false hope. You should know better than to count your chickens before they hatch." Lacey said her voice soft a whisper as she held her sister's gaze then opened the door.
Brennan found herself at the story Hannah was covering. She saw Hannah walking toward her and inhaled. Hannah saw Brennan as well.
"Hi Temperance." Hannah's voice was light and airy, fake happiness filled her tone.
"Hello Hannah." Brennan said
"What are you doing here?" Hannah said
"I just…" Brennan looked away. "I needed to let you know…"
"Seeley, told me about your confession if that is what you are going to say."
Brennan looked shocked "That was a private conversation." Hannah saw the hurt in her eyes and heard the pain in her voice.
Hannah stopped walking and looked at Brennan. "We need to talk Temperance."
"We are talking." Said Brennan as if it was blatantly obvious but Hannah didn't laugh or smile at Temperance. Instead she inhaled a breath and let it out.
"I'm busy right now and already late for a meeting. Can we meet for dinner this evening? Seeley has to fly to South Florida can you join me at the diner for dinner?" Hannah said
"I don't know Hannah. I don't know where the girls would stay." Brennan countered trying to back out. Hannah must be mad at her for telling Booth what she felt. Why did she think he wouldn't tell her what she had said, she was his girlfriend after all.
Hannah was a bit desperate. "Bring them they would love to eat out I'm sure. Call Cam see if Michelle wants to go too. They could have a private table to their selves. I'm sure they would love it." Hannah said to Tempe as she walked away before she was out of hearing distance she added, "The girls can catch up and Lacey can meet Michelle. It's important Temperance. I'll see you at six thirty okay?"
Brennan nodded yes forgetting Hannah couldn't see her as she walked away from her. She then yelled back "Alright." Brennan exhaled and ran her hand through her hair tucking a strand behind her ear.
The techie in the white van for the television station Hannah was reporting for had a radio playing and no one could hear it but him. It was a good thing too as he sang along lightly and terribly.
"Step one you say we need to talk, he walks you say sit down it's just a talk, he smiles politely back at you, you stare politely right on through. Some sort of window to your right as he goes left and you stay right between the lines of fear and blame you begin to wonder why you came…"
Lacey was watching Angela work the Angelator with wide eyed wonder. "Do you want to try it out Cheyenne? Lacey?" Angela asked when she was finished with the reconstruction needed. "I'll show you how. You can create almost anything with this thing, it's pretty awesome if I do say so myself." Said Angela
Lacey smiled a bit and Cheyenne agreed to try it out. Lacey watched as Cheyenne held the controls Angela hovering over her. Showing her each and every control as she explained how each one worked. She watched as the two laughed lightly and Cheyenne smiled as a large image of a face appeared in the air.
Watching the two reminded Lacey of a time when she was much younger, when her mother was alive. Her mother was showing Chey how to tie her shoe and for some reason the image had stuck with Lacey. Her mother leaning over her little sister explaining bunnies and holes and the smile her mother wore as Chey laughed. Lacey shook the memory as Chey's voice drew her back to the present.
"Lace, you want to try?" asked Cheyenne as she and Angela starred at her waiting for a response.
"No, it's okay. I like watching." Lacey said forcing a smile. Cheyenne nodded and went back to messing with the control. Though, Angela held the nineteen year olds eyes a bit longer then slowly turned her head back facing Cheyenne's new creation.
Hours had past it was now five o'clock and Booth and Brennan had wrapped up the case a while ago. Booth took the manila file and dropped it off at the Hoover on his way to the airport. That was an hour ago. Brennan had spent some time talking with Angela while Cheyenne and Lacey were being held captive by conversation upstairs. They had run into Daisy.
"Bren, what's going on in that mind of yours?" Angela asked as she picked up her office.
"Hannah asked me to join her for dinner. She said it was important." Brennan spit it out not pretending she didn't know exactly what Angela meant. She knew Angela didn't really want to know what was going on with her brain and how it was functioning at this second. She merely wanted to know her thoughts.
Angela stopped gathering papers and tossing them in the trash as she looked up at Brennan. She starred back at her expectantly, afraid, and nervously. Angela walked over and sat down on the couch next to her friend.
"Sweetie, she isn't planning your death. It's okay, she probably just wants to chat with someone. Booth is out of town tonight and she doesn't have many friends here. She might just want company for the evening." Angela insisted.
Brennan was quiet a moment. "Why would she say it was important?" Brennan asked.
"I don't know Bren, you will only know the answer if you go to dinner with her." Angela said and Brennan sighed.
"You're correct I cannot assume anything. That would be stupid of me." Brennan stated matter of factly. Then she rose from the couch "I need to speak with Cam." Angela looked perplexed but when it came to Brennan perplexity kind of ran in everyday conversation.
"She went home." Angela said.
"Thank you Ange, I will call her." Brennan went to her office and called Cam only to find out Michelle had plans with a bunch of friends. When Cam hung up the phone she wondered what in the hell Hannah and Brennan were going to speak of without Booth there.
They only had one thing in common and he was on his way to South Florida. Cam thought to herself, she wished she could be a fly on the wall for that dinner. Cheyenne and Lacey walked into her office only a few minutes later both sinking into the couch, drained from speaking with Daisy.
Brennan eyed them both and Cheyenne spoke. "We ran into Daisy she talked our heads off."
"You both still have your heads Cheyenne and that's impossible to do." Cheyenne laughed and Lacey smirked.
"Believe me Tempe it's possible." Cheyenne said
"Actually, it isn't-"
Lacey cut her off. "Anyway, what were you going to say when we walked in here? Did you need to tell us something?" Lacey said waiting for Brennan to answer her.
"Actually I did, but how did you know that Lacey?" Brennan asked and Cheyenne looked to Lacey as curious as Tempe.
"You seemed anxious when we walked in the office. You were shutting the computer down and your expression looked like you were thinking of something." Lacey said and Brennan was impressed with how observant she was. It reminded her of Booth he was always observant of human needs or at least he used to be.
"Oh. Well, we are going to the diner for dinner. It's not far from here. Hannah asked us to join her at six." Brennan said and Cheyenne bit her tongue from keeping herself from saying anything.
"Okay." Lacey said wondering who Hannah was but remembering her sister had mentioned that name and believed it was Booth's girlfriend.
"Alright let's go." Said Tempe as the trio headed out of the Jeffersonian.
Hannah waited impatiently as she sipped on her tea her mind raced. She looked up to see Tempe, Cheyenne and Lacey walking in the diner. Then they stood in front of her. The girls looked at the table and its lack of seating. Hannah had purposely chosen a table with two seats.
"Hi." Was all Hannah managed to say.
"Hi." Tempe and Cheyenne said at the same time.
"Lacey I assume?" Hannah said to Lacey remembering Booth had said he picked her up last night.
Lacey nodded yes to Hannah. She noticed the thick silence brimming with unsaid words that were flying through the air. She didn't want to be here.
Hannah nodded yes in return. Hannah wasn't one to get nervous or have others make her feel that way. Though, between Cheyenne's accusing angry eyes, Lacey's mysterious dark ones, and Brennan's curiously wild eyes all starring at her it was a little unnerving.
"Is Michelle coming later?" Hannah tried to direct the attention to something other than her.
"No, I tried Cam but Michelle had prior plans with friends." Brennan said
Lacey glanced at her sister speaking some unsaid words of her own. Cheyenne understood and spoke up. "Is it okay if we sit over in that booth? It would be easier for everyone. The waiters won't have to bring extra chairs and you don't have to move." Cheyenne said
Lacey added to her sisters plea closing the deal, "It would be great to spend some alone time with Chey anyway. You know catch up with each other."
How could Brennan say no to that? Temperance starred nervously at the two and then back to Hannah then back to Cheyenne and Lacey. "Of course." Brennan said as she watched the girls turn and walk away from her. She was now alone with Hannah her mind racing.
"Temperance?" Hannah's voice brought Tempe out of her silent reverie and she looked at Hannah. "You can sit Tempe the girls will be fine."
Brennan inhaled as she starred at Hannah and finally pulled out the chair and sat down. "Why did you want to talk?" she asked and Hannah leaned back in her chair.
Booth knocked on the Cortez's front door. The house was huge almost as big as Hodgins' place. He was greeted by a woman who introduced herself as Milagros Cortez and then he was lead into the sitting room. He noticed Mr. Cortez and Gabriel walking into the room. Marcus Cortez introduced himself shaking Booths hand and Gabriel did the same.
"He loves you Temperance and you love him. He doesn't love me and that is why you are here. To talk about everything, everything I heard when I walked in your office and the other night when he picked you up after the Eames case." Hannah said
Brennan tensed then laughed lightly a puff of a chuckle escaped her lips as she spoke. "You are wrong Hannah. He doesn't love me he told me he loves you Hannah. I missed my chance. I didn't mean to cause any trouble between you two if that is what this is about."
Marcus Cortez, his wife Millie, and Gabby sat across from him on the couch. Booth went on.
"Gabby, do you remember anything about your previous life when you lived with your father and a woman named Lindy?" Booth asked.
The thirteen year old inhaled and something flicked in her dark almond eyes.
"Lindy was me and my older brother Michaels step-mom and Lacy and Cheyenne's actual mom. Lindy left eventually and after that Lacey, Chey and I were in foster care. Michael was too old to be placed in foster care I don't know what happened to him. I remember Lacey was adopted first, and then Cheyenne and I was last. Lindy tried to contact me once when she was sixteen or so."
She paused adding sadly a bit strained, "But, I didn't know who she was so I didn't accept her as a friend." She glanced to her parent's "I didn't know who she was." Millie put her hand on her daughter's back and whispered it was okay. Gabby inhaled and went on. "She contacted Chey too I remembered Chey, and Chey remembered Lacey… " Gabby continued with the story Booth was familiar with, minus the facebook message.
"Gabby how old would Michael be now?" Booth asked
Hannah smiled sadly at Brennan. "No, that is not what this is about Temperance. Tempe, do you remember when you asked me if I was serious about Booth? Because if I wasn't I would hurt him because when he loves someone he loves with his whole heart."
Brennan nodded yes remembering that day clearly. Hannah spoke "You were right when he loves he does so with his whole heart."
"I know that already which is why I told you." Brennan said
"Yes, you did. Though, you didn't tell me you knew this because he had given his heart to you before." Hannah said and Brennan was about to open her mouth but shut it as Hannah went on.
"Temperance, don't you see there is nothing for me to break it's already broken. You still have his heart, he has never stopped loving you." she paused adding softly, "I was only a band aid to him and a band aid is not sufficient in healing a heart. He needs you Temperance. He isn't well, he can't sleep and when he does he has nightmares." Hannah said watching, Brennan was withdrawing in silence.
"Nightmares?" Brennan said hoping it wasn't of the gravedigger. Taffet's trial was coming up very soon and he would need to be prepared.
"Yes he calls out your name in his sleep. The word Bones will never hold the same meaning for me again." Hannah said and Brennan felt tears wanting to form but she wouldn't allow them too.
"Why are you telling me this?" Brennan asked
"I had a realization as to why I'm with Booth last night and it's not for the right reasons." Hannah said
"What are your reasons for being with him?" Tempe asked and Hannah sighed.
Gabriel Cortez's look lingered from Booth to her parents. "I don't remember how old Michael was. I think he should be thirty by now. Lacey and Chey would probably remember. Have you found them? Are they okay?" Gabby asked.
Booth hid a frown thinking of Cheyenne and Lacey. "They are doing wonderful."
"Are they happy with the home they are at? The people are nice?" asked Gabby
"It couldn't have been a better home if I could have chosen one myself. Yes their guardian is a wonderful, caring and very sweet person." Booth said his mind still on Bones.
"All the wrong reasons Tempe. When I was in Afghan and Seeley saved me he wasn't able to save everyone. We both saw men die and that image hurts. It was an image that the two of us had seen together, we had a sudden connection." Hannah glanced to her left out of the window for a second.
Then Hannah looked back at Brennan and continued "I had never seen anyone die before and some of the men that died I had known for over a month and then they were gone. We were only together to forget that memory. Seeley was already hurting when I met him. He told me all about you." Hannah paused remembering she smiled sadly then continued again.
"We used each other. I did it so he could me to forget what I saw and he did it to ease the pain in his chest. We tell each other we love each other and while that may last a little while. While he and I being together may help ease the pain-no one is healing. Not the way we should heal."
Tempe just starred silently at Hannah, it was a lot to digest and her heart was fragile, her emotions were unpredictable lately.
Hannah spoke again. "Temperance have you ever heard the saying 'pleasure of love lasts but a moment, but pain of love that lasts a lifetime.' Booth's pain will last a long time. He and I… what we had was ephemeral."
The two women sat in silence for a while then Brennan spoke. "What you did is wrong. We all have been wrong about a lot. Though, I still don't understand why you told me what you have." Brennan stated.
Hannah leaned in toward Brennan "Because he loves you and you love him and some things are just meant to be Temperance. He needs you now and you need him. Cheyenne even sees that." Hannah said.
Brennan held back more threatening tears. "You are wrong Hannah."
"No Temperance you are the one that is wrong this time. Now what I did was wrong and I will admit to it because we all have made mistakes. I understand if you don't trust me, but just this once-trust me. He loves you." Hannah pleaded with the anthropologist.
Temperance said nothing. She only sipped at the coffee in front of her. The soft music in the dinner could be heard. In their lingering silence Brennan thought of Booth having nightmares and it killed her to know she wasn't able to be there for him.
"…Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend somewhere along in the bitterness end and I would have stayed up with you all night…had I known how to save a life."
While Brennan thought of Booth and his nightmares Hannah was thinking how she could convince Brennan what she said was true. Because she knew Tempe was the one to tell Booth of everything. She had always been all along and now Hannah only hoped the anthropologist could do it.
"…Let him know that you know best 'Cause after all you do know best…try to slip past his defense without granting innocence lay down a list of what is wrong the things you've told him all along… And pray to God he hears you, and I pray to God he hears you…mmm yeahh…"
Gabby looked happy that her step-sisters were okay. Booth stood and shook everyone's hand once more as he said goodbye. Suddenly, another girl around fifteen appeared behind him apprehensively she spoke not wanting to interrupt.
"Is it okay if I come in now it's been over an hour mom?" Jessie Cortez said and her mother smiled nodding yes.
Hannah pressed on the silence more than she could handle. "Just…he needs you Tempe and you need him." Hannah stood and before paying her bill up front she stopped at Lacey and Cheyenne's table.
Cheyenne and Lacey looked up at her and she felt like she was looking back into Temperance's irises when she looked into the teenagers eyes. "Cheyenne, I need to ask you a favor."
Cheyenne and Lacey both looked perplexed at her request. "Well spit it out." Cheyenne said and Hannah was drawn back to reality with Cheyenne's words.
"You have to make her believe and let her see he never stopped loving her." Hannah said and Cheyenne nodded.
"I will." Cheyenne said and Hannah took a pair of sunglasses and set them on the table between Lacey and Cheyenne. Cheyenne looked down to Brennan's sunglasses.
"They never fit me right. They are meant for Temperance." She paused and added "Thank you." Then turned and walked away.
Lacey looked to Cheyenne. "What was that all about?" She motioned to the shades on the table in between them.
"Not sunglasses." Cheyenne said a small smile on her face. "I'm going to go get Tempe." Lacey nodded and Cheyenne walked over to Tempe's table. The anthropologist looked up her eyes ready to spill with tears. Cheyenne sat down across from her.
"Hannah said he lied, you said he lied, but I don't understand. Why did he lie?" Brennan said
Cheyenne understood her rambling and did the best she could. "To try and convince himself he loved Hannah and not you. He didn't want to leave you with no answer as to why he couldn't be with you so he said he loved Hannah."
Brennan spoke, "If you are correct that is the stupidest reason I have ever heard."
Cheyenne thought a moment maybe she was wrong and Tempe was right. She really held no answers because she didn't know why. She wasn't in his head. Cheyenne was silent. Brennan had paid the tab already.
Softly Cheyenne spoke, "Come on, let's go home Tempe."
Brennan nodded and the three left. Once in Brennan's car Cheyenne turned the radio on.
"…These fickle, fuddled words confuse me, like, will it rain today? Waste the hours with talking, talking, oh these twisted games we're playing…"
Booth got home late and took a cab from the airport to his apartment. It was around midnight when he tiredly walked in the door. Though, Hannah was sitting awake on the couch. She looked at him with those eyes and he knew. No words were really needed but then again, they were. His eyes wandered to her bags already packed. He sighed and his eyes burned with tears at the idea of her leaving, of being alone.
Finally she spoke, "I can't pretend you love me and I love you when you are in love with Temperance. Seeley, she loves you. I can't…just I can't anymore. I'm tired of it and I just can't."
"…We're strange allies with warring hearts, what a wild-eyed beast you'll be, the space between the wicked lies we tell, and hope to keep safe from the pain…"
He started to protest, "Hannah I love you." He said already defeated.
Hannah shook her head back and forth a soft laugh escaping her lips."There's no need to act anymore Seeley. What we did is wrong and we both know it." She looked up at him.
"You scream out her name in the middle of the night for God's sake. So, don't tell me you love me and don't you dare tell her you don't love her." Hannah's' voice was heavy with sorrow, soft, and sympathetic yet stern. Their eyes locked onto each other's starring each other down.
"Seeley she is in love with you too. She told you, hell Cheyenne can even see it. She needs you and you need her. I'm leaving first thing in the morning." Hannah said her tone holding a bit of a strain in it now as well as frustration.
Tears fell freely from his eyes as realization sunk into his veins ebbing its way to his heart.
"…But will I hold you again? Will I hold?"
He finally spoke, "God I miss her Hannah. I miss her so, so much." His tears continued to fall as he realized how badly he missed her. How stupid he was being by hiding his feelings by lying and saying he had them for another.
"…But the space between where you're smilin' high, is where you'll find me if I get to go, the space between the bullets in our firefight, is where I'll be hiding, waiting for you…"
Hannah pierced her lips and looked at him a bit sympathetically. Her voice was a tad softer as she spoke. He starred in to her eyes as if they would answer him and they would. She exhaled as she sat on the couch.
"Then don't wait around and do something about it Seeley because she doesn't believe that." Hannah said as she starred at him and his red rimmed little boy eyes that were wet with unshed tears.
Cheyenne had gone to bed a while ago unable to convince Brennan that Booth had lied for any good reason. It was two am and Brennan couldn't sleep she walked out into the living room finding Lacey on the couch. She wandered over to her curiously.
"Hey." Lacey said as Tempe sat down next to her.
"Hey." Brennan repeated back.
They were both silent a moment. "Couldn't sleep?" asked Tempe
"Yeah." Lacey said.
Tempe nodded and Lacey looked at Temperance, really looked into her eyes for the first time since they had met. "Chey told me about you and the F.B.I agent."
"Oh." Tempe said although she wasn't surprised and they were both quiet a moment.
"Chey is wrong." Lacey said
"What do you mean?" Brennan asked
"It sounds like he did what he did because he is scared and hurt. It's nothing more and nothing less. It was wrong but at that particular moment he thought it the right thing to do. We all have moments." Lacey said
"I missed my moment." Tempe said and Lacey smiled almost chuckling.
"How do you know for sure? You don't know, because we all have the right to second chances too Tempe." Lacey said through a yawn.
"Maybe."
"Tempe moments are made up of time, right?"
"Yes."
"How many seconds are there in a day?" Lacey asked
"Eighty six thousand four hundred." Tempe responded
"Hhmm." Said Lacey
"What?"
"It just sounds like so little time for a whole twenty four hour day." Lacey said
"Time is ephemeral." Brennan
"Good thing not everything in this world is." Lacey said
"What isn't?" asked Brennan
"Time." Lacey said
"You just agreed it was ephemeral." Tempe said
"Yes I did, but it depends on what is happening in the moment that concludes if the time feels ephemeral or painstakingly slow. It's how you spend your time that makes it feel fast or slow Temperance. The same minute that feels like a second to you could feel like an eternity for someone else." Lacey yawned again.
Brennan thought a moment. "You are right."
Lacey nodded and Brennan spoke softly "Sometimes it feels like time has stopped. Even though I know it can't." Brennan said sadly.
Lacey looked at Tempe. "Temperance people lie, people cry, people hurt, people are lonely, people are stupid, people make mistakes, people break and sometimes people forgive. I don't know why people do some of the things they do I only know that they do. It's human nature."
Lacey paused tilting her head slightly so she made sure Temperance was listening. "The bottom line is time is what you make of it. So make it count Tempe."
"I already told Booth how I felt."
"I know but that was in the past, you don't know what is going to happen today or tomorrow." Lacey said
"Are you insinuating I should tell him again?" Tempe asked quietly.
"No, only that you believe in second chances and that you both deserve one." Lacey said curling up onto the couch. Brennan knew they both needed to sleep.
"What about Hannah?" Brennan asked
"What about her?"
"He has Hannah." Brennan said.
"I don't know Temperance. I think she was honest yesterday. She gave back a pair of sunglasses I don't know if that means anything to you." Lacey said
"They were a present they were mine and I gave them to her." Brennan
"Oh." Lacey "I don't think sunglasses are the only thing she is going to be leaving behind that was once yours."
"I don't know what that means." Brennan
Lacey smiled and met her eyes. "In time you might Temperance. Give the universe a little time."
Lacey got up but Tempe's voice stopped her and she turned looking at her. "I know this is a stupid question. But do you believe that in time the universe can grant a wish? Seeing how it is the universe which holds the stars." Brennan asked and Lacey thought a moment not believing in wishes she wondered too.
"I don't know but I sure hope so." Lacey smiled at her and headed back to bed as Tempe looked out the window to the large moon. The night's sky was pitched black tonight except for the glowing reddish yellow moon. Was the answer really out there lingering somewhere in between time and the universe.
"…The rain that falls splash in your heart, ran like sadness down the window into your room, the space between our wicked lies, is where we hope to keep safe from pain…"
It was irrationally stupid to think it was but when someone wanted to believe in something so badly. Tempe knew that one would do irrational things sometimes to try and make their belief come true. For, they actually believed that whatever irrational thing they did, may make whatever it was the person desired a reality instead of a fantasy.
So, Temperance Brennan did as Cheyenne had said when she first met her and screwed rationality and hoped that her wish hadn't vanished with the stars. That maybe just maybe she, they, still had another moment out there. Lingering in time like the lingering hope Lacey believed in.
"…The space between what's wrong and right, is where you'll find me hiding, waiting for you, the space between your heart and mine is the space we'll fill with time…"
songs-How To Save A Life and The Space Between (Hope it was okay-and thanks Candygirl05 -I believe that is your sn- for all of the loyal reviews :) Thanks everyone for reviewing and just for reading :) I just hope you are enjoying it.