(A Boy in a Tree)

Thank you for your continued interest in my story. I appreciate all of your reviews.

I don't own Bones.

Oooooooooooooooo

"We're sorry for your loss, Ambassador Olivos. You told me that all a mother wants is to know that she's raised her child well and that your biggest regret is you'll never know if Nestor would've grown up to be a good man, but he was a good man. He died because he was trying to do the right thing."

She heard Brennan's words and appreciated them even if they did nothing to relieve her broken heart. Nodding her head, the Ambassador left Booth's office.

Watching her leave the room, Booth felt a sense of pride for Brennan. "That was nice, Bones. You got that one right."

Pleased that she'd helped, Brennan turned to look at Booth. "Nestor was a very honorable young man and I thought she should know that. It's sad that the boy fell in love with someone that used him like that. It's another example of how love can lead to personal betrayal. It's much better to rely upon yourself and to not allow yourself to become emotionally attached to someone."

Appalled with her logic, Booth shook his head. "Bones, this wasn't about love. This case was never about love. Sure Nestor believed that he was in love with Camden, but his loving her didn't get him killed. It was her attempt at blackmail and Nestor's refusal to go along with it. That's what got him killed."

"Exactly, Booth." Calmly, Brennan explained her reasoning. "If Nestor had never fallen in love with Camden then he wouldn't have trusted her and he wouldn't have allowed himself to be vulnerable."

Exasperated with his partner, Booth shook his head. "Bones, even if he hadn't been in love with her and he'd just had had sex with her because he could, it would have still ended up the same way. Camden wanted to blackmail him and he didn't go along with it. Tucker and Camden would have still killed him because their reasons for doing it wouldn't have been altered . . . It's sad that the girl he loved helped murder him . . . hell, it's very sad, but it doesn't disprove love, no way."

Standing, Brennan shook her head. "I see it differently. I have to get back to the Lab. I'll see you at Sid's later."

After she left, Booth leaned back on his chair and thought about how he could get her to change her mind about love. "This is not going to be easy."

Ooooooooooooooooooooo

Upon entering Sid's, Booth spied the scientists from the Lab sitting at his booth. Annoyed that his privacy was being violated by people he worked with, Booth walked over to the bar and complained to his friend. "Come on, Sid, this is my place. Hell, I come here because I know no one from the Hoover comes here."

Unconcerned with Booth's feeling in the matter, Sid shrugged his shoulders. "As long as they keep it down on the subject of corpses and bodily fluids, I have no beef."

Trying to salvage his personal space, Booth marched over to where the squints were sitting. "Okay . . . new rules, that counter is mine." Pointing at the bar, Booth growled, "This booth is yours, everything else around here is mine."

Amused, Hodgins continued to eat and waved his chop sticks at Booth. Zach and Angela, uncertain what Booth's problem was chose to enjoy their meal. Watching him sit at the bar, they exchanged glances, but remained quiet.

After she entered Sid's and witnessed Booth's proclamation, Brennan sat down next to him at the bar. "You're ability to read body language is very impressive. I noticed during the case that you were very good at picking up subtle clues that I wasn't able to do."

Picking up some peanuts from a bowl, Booth smiled at the compliment. "Thanks."

Certain that he wanted to be alone, Brennan placed an ID card for Booth down on the bar. "I'll go join my colleagues since you don't wish you share your domain."

Reaching out and placing his hand on her arm, Booth shook his head. "No, you can stay . . . Please stay."

Confused with his contrariness, Brennan glanced at her friends and then back at Booth. "I don't understand. You said the bar is yours."

The skin on his cheeks turning a rosy color, Booth explained, "I'm pretty sure I've told you before that I don't play well with others, Bones. It's not like I hate them or anything because I don't. I just think it's easier to not get attached to a lot of people . . . That doesn't include you of course. You're my partner and my friend and I'd like to share my bar with you."

Sitting back down, Brennan commented on what he'd just said. "Even I know you have to have some attachments, Booth. You need a few friends just so that someone knows that you're alive. I don't have any family, so I need to connect to someone. Those people sitting at your booth are colleagues, but they are also my friends."

"Yeah . . ." Turing to look at the occupants of his booth, Booth sighed. "I see that. I told you I don't hate them Bones. I just don't want to get attached to them. My life is complicated and well. . . ." Turning back to face the mirror behind the bar, Booth moved the peanut bowl closer to where he was sitting. "You're my friend, Bones. Isn't that good enough?"

Sliding the ID closer to Booth, Brennan smiled at his image in the mirror. "Yes." Standing, she pointed at the booth where her friends were. "I'm going to let you have some solitude and I'm going to eat with my other friends. You may join us or you may enjoy your solitude and I'm fine with either choice, Booth."

Not willing to leave the bar, Booth picked up the ID card, studied his picture and smiled. Waving it in the air, he called out to her, "Thanks."

ooooooooooooo

Sitting in "Paradise Lost", Booth sipped his Scotch. "I don't have a lot of friends."

Surprised at Booth, Aldo continued to wipe the bar with a clean damp cloth. "No shit."

Flicking his eyes towards his friend, Booth finished his drink and placed it on the bar. "It's who I am. It's too late to change it now."

Curious, Aldo asked him, "I know you aren't shy so why the attitude towards people? You seem friendly enough with most people. Why don't you let more people inside those walls of yours?"

Moving the empty glass closer to Aldo, Booth shook it at him. "They can't hurt you if you don't let them in."

"How about that partner of yours?" Pouring more Scotch in the empty glass, Aldo resumed wiping his bar. "Are you letting her inside your walls?"

Pulling the glass closer, Booth stared at the amber liquid. "I'm trying to . . . She has her own walls though. Right now, I'm just trying to get her to see me as someone she can trust."

Curious, the barman asked his friend, "And do you trust her?"

Considering it for a moment, Booth finally nodded his head. "I do actually."

Sad for his friend, Aldo placed the bottle of Scotch back where it belonged and studied Booth in the mirror. "It's a start anyway."

Oooooooooooooooooo

Reviews would be wonderful. Thank you.