AN: I just want to say thank you so much to everyone who has read this story and stuck with me this long! I'm just amazed at how supportive y'all can be. So thank you so much! I'm so glad that so many of you are interested in a sequel. I'll try to post that first chapter this weekend :D

Until then, ENJOY!

CHAPTER 37:

It was a day they wished wouldn't come. If possible, they'd do everything in their power to go back in time and change everything. Brennan knew that was impossible though, and that thinking in such as way was ridiculous and unproductive. In reality, they couldn't change anything. What happened, happened. Nothing could change the past. However, they can, and adamantly will, pursue justice. They will make sure Tristian gets what he deserves.

But justice will only get them so far. It won't bring back the one they lost. Aside from her meltdown in Booth's arms, Brennan had been able to compartmentalize her emotions. She hadn't let on that she was unwilling to accept Morgan's death. There was no 100% certainty in identifying the remains. The logical side of Brennan knew that the evidence suggested that the remains were, in fact, those of Morgan Johnson. But something wouldn't let Brennan admit defeat, whether it be a 'gut' feeling or her intelligence telling her that things didn't really add up. Could she really accept that Morgan was gone forever? No, she couldn't. As illogical as it sounded, her heart was telling her not to give up hope, despite the fact that her mind was taking this at face value; Morgan was never coming back.

Brennan never really understood the significance of having a huge ceremony for a funeral. Once somebody dies, that's it. There is no afterlife. Once a person is dead, they can't see the people grieving, and they can't hear the people talking to them about how much they'll be missed. It took a lot of persuading, from both Booth and Angela, but Brennan agreed to attend the service. Angela had explained that she needed her best friend there for her because she couldn't handle this alone. Booth explained to Brennan that despite the religious aspect of the funeral, funerals are meant to provide closure to the people left behind. It is a way to say goodbye to a loved one and to open the door to continuing on with life without them.

Booth and Brennan arrived at Oak Hill Chapel about an hour prior to the beginning of the service. The chapel was small and quaint, yet beautiful. It was located in the historic Georgetown district of the DC metro area. The beautiful church was built in 1850, according to the cornerstone. The architecture of the chapel was modeled after the Gothic Revival, with its steeply pitched roof, buttresses, dark brick walls, red stone trim, and pointed arched stained glass windows with cream-colored tracery. The cream-colored door that served as the entrance to the chapel was protected by a wrought iron gate. It was a very pretty chapel with a lot of character. Brennan couldn't imagine a more perfect place for the funeral service to be held.

After parking the car, Booth walked over to Brennan and took her hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze. They both took a deep breath before embarking on the short walk from their car to the chapel. When they got inside, they weren't at all surprised to see the people who were already there. The chapel had informed them that immediate family of the deceased were to arrive an hour before the ceremony was to begin. So that's who was here: Morgan's 'immediate' family. Cam. Michelle. Vincent. Angela. Hodgins. Wendell. Sweets. Booth. And Brennan. Despite the fact that not one of them was a blood relative of Morgan's, this was the only family that mattered. The family that was created at the Jeffersonian.

The funeral was a typical Catholic ceremony. It began with a processional. Hodgins, Wendell, Sweets, and Booth were the pallbearers. There were readings from the bible. Cam gave the first reading. Michelle gave the second. The priest lead prayers and the presentation of the gifts, which were given by Brennan and Angela. Vincent gave the eulogy. During the eulogy, he had talked about Morgan's love for music and the performing arts. For one of their dates, he had taken her to an open mic night at a bar. She had performed a cover of a song entitled "Homeless Heart" by an artist named Jennette McCurdy. He filmed her performance. In his closing remarks, he had said he wanted to leave everyone with one final performance from her. He played the video for all in attendence. He pressed 'play' and soon everyone saw her image on the screen, bringing them a fresh round of tears.

A few moments later, Morgan's voice filled the silent room. "Hello, everyone," she said nervously. "My name is Morgan Johnson, and I'm gonna perform a cover of the song 'Homeless Heart' and I hope y'all don't go too hard on me for my terrible voice," she joked, pulling a guitar strap over her shoulder. She played a few chords on the guitar before she began to beautifully sing:

Lonesome stranger, with a crowd around you, I see who you are.

You joke, they laugh til the show is over, then you fall so hard.

If you're needing a soul-to-soul connection, I'll run to your side.

When you're lost in the dark, when you're out in the cold,

When you're looking for something that resembles your soul,

When the wind blows your house of cards, I'll be a home to your homeless heart.

Open, close me, leave your secrets with me, I can ease your pain

And my arms will be just like walls around you, come in from the rain

If you're running in the wrong direction, I will lead you back.

When you're lost in the dark, when you're out in the cold,

When you're looking for something that resembles your soul,

When the wind blows your house of cards, I'll be a home to your homeless heart.

Broken, shattered like a mirror, in a million pieces.

Sooner or later you've got to find something, someone to find you and save you.

When you're lost in the dark, when you're out in the cold,

When you're looking for something that resembles your soul,

When the wind blows your house of cards, I'll be a home to your homeless heart.

When you're looking for something that resembles your soul,

When the wind blows your house of cards, I'll be a home to your homeless heart.

I'll be a home to your homeless heart.

When the song ended, there absolutely wasn't a dry eye in the building. The priest stood up and finished the ceremony. He invited everyone to join them at the gravesite, located within the Oak Hill Cemetery, to bring Morgan to her final resting place. A few words were said from everyone as they dropped flowers onto her casket.

Wendell walked up first. "Hey Morgan, we're all gonna miss you down here. Do us a favor and keep an eye out Vincent. He's gonna need to know that someone's watching out for him."

Sweets was the next to walk up and give Morgan a flower. He may try to act fine, but in reality he was pissed. He couldn't understand why someone would take such a loving and caring person from this world. He was mad at the world, and it showed in the way his eyebrows were furrowed. "This totally sucks. Morgan, it wasn't fair what happened to you. We'll make sure you get the justice you deserve."

Hodgins and Angela were next in line to say their final goodbyes.

Hodgins took a deep breath before snapping the rubber band that was on his wrist. "I'll miss you, M. It's not going to be the same without you here." He then wrapped his arm around Angela.

"Sweetie, you were the sister I never had. I love you, girl." Angela and Hodgins both dropped their flowers, then walked away to make room for who was next.

Booth took Brennan by the hand and led her up to the casket. "Hey, kiddo. I should've gotten to you in time. I should've done my job just a little bit better. I should've been able to protect you. This is all my fault. I'm gonna miss you, kid. Keep an eye out for Cam and Michelle for me."

"Booth, this isn't your fault," Brennan whispered.

"I know," Booth replied. "But it is." He placed his flower upon her casket, then gestured for Brennan to say something.

"You know she can't hear us, right?" Brennan asked.

"She can, Bones. I believe she can," Booth explained. Brennan gave him a disbelieving stare. "Fine, then just say something that you wish you could've said to her before she died, or something you wish you could say to her now. It doesn't matter if she can hear it or not, at least you get to say it."

Brennan nodded her head. "I accept your logic." She turned her head back to the casket. "This...this isn't right, what happened to you. I may not be able to explain why someone did this to you, but I can assure you it wasn't fair." Brennan turned her head to look at Booth. He nodded for her to continue. "Despite everything I know about your past, you are the most open-hearted person I've ever met. It isn't fair." Brennan refused to talk about her in the past tense. She wasn't ready to let go. Guided by her heart, the scientist in her needed to know without a doubt that she was dead. She hadn't found that certainty yet. She placed her flower a top the casket to lay with the others.

Cam and Michelle came up together. Cam had her arm around Michelle, trying to provide the strength that she, herself, didn't feel. They set their flowers down, each saying their own silent, tearful goodbyes.

Vincent was the last to go. He looked horrible, like he hadn't slept since he found out she was missing. He lost the love of his life, and his whole world came crashing down around him. He felt the guiltiest out of anybody. If he had been there with her at her dorm while she was getting ready to go to Maine, maybe she'd still be here. He could have done something to protect her. Just like Cam and Michelle, he said a silent goodbye before placing his flower on her grave.

When everyone had said their final goodbyes, the priest stepped up by the casket and gave one last reading from the bible.

oOo

"Booth," Brennan whispered. They were laying in bed, having just recently arrived at Brennan's apartment after a grief-filled gathering at the founding fathers. The entire team had gone there to get drunk after Morgan's funeral. Despite having a few drinks, both Booth and Brennan remained sober.

Booth rolled over onto his side to look at Brennan, who was laying beside him. "Yeah, what is it, Bones? You doing okay?"

Brennan rolled over to face him and propped herself up on her elbow. She looked into Booth's warm chocolate brown eyes, contemplating her next words. "I'm ready."

"Ready for what?" Booth asked, genuinely confused.

It was only a whisper, but Booth still heard Brennan's reply. "Everything."

He sat up, eagerly looking into her eyes. "I'm gonna need a little bit more info here, Bones. I'm not really keeping up with you."

She sat up so that she was on equal ground with Booth. This time, she spoke with more confidence. "Everything, Booth. I'm ready for everything. I want it all. I want us. Marriage. Kids. A family. I want it, Booth. I do want it all."

Booth pulled her in for a passionate kiss. He was ecstatic about Brennan's revelation. He enjoyed the feeling of her lips moving in tandem with his. He could really get used to that. After a few minutes, he pulled away. "Are you sure about this, Bones?" He looked at her with hopeful eyes as he waited for her response.

"Yes," she said. "I am."

"And this isn't just because your emotions are running extremely high lately," Booth said. "Because of Morgan. And because we had to say goodbye to her today."

Brennan shook her head. "No. The situation may have contributed to my decision, but I'm saying this because it's what I want. If anything, Morgan taught me that life is ephemeral. And that we must live it to it's full potential. And I can't do that without you."

Booth's smile grew even wider. Despite the difficult time they had been having lately, things were really finally falling into place. Exactly how they were meant to be. Minus one member of their family, who will forever hold a special place in their hearts. He pulled her in for another passionate kiss.

When they broke apart, they both laid back down, finding comfort in each other's arms. Brennan drew lazy patterns on Booth's abdomen as he rubbed her arm with his hand. He was lulled asleep by her soothing touch and steady breathing.

When she knew for certain that Booth was asleep, Brennan allowed herself to admit her final thoughts aloud. Something she had been thinking since he questioned the motives behind her decision. "Morgan's alive, Booth. I just know it." After finally admitting that aloud, Brennan fell into a dreamless sleep for the first time in weeks.

AN: The End.

No epilogue to this one. There will be a sequel, which I am working on now. I'm also working on another story that explores Hodgins's family and the reasons behind his anger management problem and his decision to put in place the proof of life policy at the Cantilever Group.