*Brennan*

'I love you, Booth, I don't want you to think that Christine is the only reason we are together,' she told him, she had to tell him, to make sure that he knew how she felt before breaking his heart once again.

She doesn't say it very often, she doesn't even show it that much, not like Booth. They've been together for over a year now but still saying those words is a struggle for Brennan, not because she doesn't feel it, but because she still can't find a rational explanation for this connection she has with Booth, he called it fate, but Brennan didn't believe in fate. Every day since the night they crossed that last line between them, she was expecting something to happen with their relationship, but instead, every day they grew more and more into each other. She never, not once, expected a serial killer to be the one who separate them. She expected it to be the difference of their worldviews, the wash away of the hormones, the realization that they should have stayed friends, but this never happened, every day was a proof that they belonged together, as inexplicable as it was.

She was driving now into the night, her daughter was safe and with her and even though Brennan tried to rationalize, to explain to herself that this was the right thing to do, her metaphorical heart was heavy, her eyes were wet and she could still hear Booth's desperate voice when he was calling for her, she didn't look back, because if she saw his face, she would have stopped the car, she wouldn't be able to go with the plan, she hoped that her father will be able to explain to Booth why she left and hopefully he will forgive and understand her.

She was driving further and further away from the man she loved so deeply, thinking how broken he must be right now, she knew he would understand the reasons, but she also knew that Booth would have joined them if it was his choice. She couldn't let it happen, she couldn't take away is career, his son, his whole world. He needed to stay out there and catch Pelant, he needed to be clear of any suspicion, they weren't married, so there will be less pressure on him from the FBI, she was listing the reasons in her head, again and again, why this was a rational choice, but despite all of it being completely reasonable, it didn't feel right.

She took pictures with her, as much as she could grab so Booth wouldn't notice when they were leaving to baptize Christine. She didn't know how long will it take before they come back, but she needed to make sure that Christine doesn't forget her father. She wasn't afraid for herself, she was terrified for her daughter and Booth, but as Booth's friend Ken once told her, that if you are willing to sacrifice your life for somebody, you must be willing to sacrifice your happiness as well, that the price that love demands.

Brennan and Max made a pact, that if Pelant gets her or anything else happens to her, Max had to make sure that Christine comes back home to Booth, no matter what the circumstances, Brennan vowed to herself that one way or another Christine will never become an orphan, she will never get to the foster system, Brennan won't let it happen, no matter the cost.

*Booth*

'I love you, Booth, I don't want you to think that Christine is the only reason we are together.'

He was sitting on the stairs outside the church, her last words to him ringing in his ears. He closed his face with his hands trying to escape the reality he was in. He should have known it was coming the moment Bones agreed to baptize Christine, Bones is not sentimental, in fact over the whole time they've been together she told him she loved him only three times. He was OK with that, he knew what he was getting himself into when they became a couple.

Deep down he was always afraid that one day she might change her mind and leave him, but she never did show any intention, every day they spent together since that fateful night when the English kid was murdered, was a miracle to him, because being with Bones, having a child with her, was his ultimate dream. And now, all of it is gone and Booth didn't know if he will ever get it back.

In his mind he understood why she did what she did, that she didn't leave him by choice, but she still left. He knew she loved him, he was the only man she ever allowed so close to her, when she agreed to move in with him, it was the biggest testament of her commitment, of course it was influenced by them having a child together, but still it was Bones, her independence was crucial, but she was willing to put down that wall for him, even if they never get married, despite how much he wants it, this was enough for him. His heart was crushing with those thoughts, married…Given the circumstances, he just wants them back, his lover and his daughter, he just wants to be with them.

He barely remembered how he got home, being an FBI agent and all, he immediately noticed that the door was open, he ran into the house hoping for one mad moment that Bones came back, that he will see her and his daughter, he called their names but received no response, the silence was deafening and when Booth reached the baby's room and saw the empty crib he broke down, right there on the floor. He slammed his fist so hard on the wall he felt his knuckle cracking. This wasn't fair, this was not supposed to happen!

He managed to pull himself together, he knew that in a couple of hours Flynn will stop by and he can't show them how broken he truly was. He went downstairs checking the security cameras and his heart stopped, he saw Pelant walking in the house, touching their stuff, smiling arrogantly in Christine's room and despite his anger and hurt he was grateful that Bones and Christine weren't there, that they were far away. He knew that Max will be able to keep them safe.

After hours of agonizing questioning, after FBI techs searched their house from upside down, after a bottle of scotch, Booth was finally in his bed. It was empty and cold and he wished nothing more than to hug Bones' warm body, to kiss her, to hear her voice. He tried to imagine where they might be, he knew that Max still had a lot of secrets, maybe they went to one of his friends or hiding places he used in the past. Or maybe they went abroad, to Mexico or Costa Rica, Bones always wanted to go there. He knew that tomorrow he would have to get up and find patience, so he can fight for his family to come back home to him.