~~~

Brennan entered the room Josh showed him to and sat down on the bed. Placing the picture on the table next to the lap he laid down on the bed and thought about his last day at sanctuary

***

"I can't believe you are just going to leave" Jesse yelled at him as he packed his bags "What are you just going to ignore me?"

"I can't stay here anymore"

"You think it isn't hard for the rest of us? We loved her too"

"Not like me" he whispered

"No but she was like a sister to me and I'll be damned if I am just going to give up and leave"

Throwing the bag down he spun around "you think I am giving up? I tried to move on but everywhere I go I am reminded of her I can't stay here anymore. I'm sorry"

"Don't be sorry don't go"

"Think whatever you want I just can't do this anymore" he said zipping his bag, slinging it over his shoulder and walking past Jesse

"That's right man run away isn't that what you are good at?" Jesse yelled after him but Brennan just kept walking

***

He'd always regretted the way he left things with Jesse but he just couldn't bear to be in a place where at every turn he was assaulted by the irony of how happy they had been only to have it ripped away so violently.

Rolling over in bed he punched the pillow as he tried to get some sleep but it wasn't coming easily. Resting his head on the pillow he looked at the picture again. Even in the dark he could make out the two figures that seemed so happy and had so much to look forward to.  Over the years he constantly questioned his decision to leave but every time he thought about returning he would see the look on her face as she died and feel the heartbreak that followed in the months after her death.

He was brought out of his thoughts by a soft knock at the door. Lifting his head off the pillow he looked at the door "come in" he said softly

The door slowly opened and he was relieved when he saw Emma stick her head in "hey how are you?" she asked

"Hey come on in" he replied sitting up in the bed. She entered the room and sat down in the desk chair "I am as good as can be expected" he added trying to fake a smile

"You can't fool me Brennan"

"Not much has changed then, has it?" he asked rubbing his hands over his face "everywhere I look I think maybe the last four years have been a waking nightmare and she is going to come around a corner or jump out of hiding place and scare me like she used to.…….." he trailed off

"Then why did you come back?"

"I guess for closure it that is at all possible. How about you? What made you decide to return?"

"Closure, I guess" seeing that he wasn't convinced she continued "Ok maybe I felt a little guilty about leaving Adam the way I did"

They sat in silence just enjoying being each other's company after such a long time. Noticing the picture on the nightstand Emma smiled "I remember taking that"

Looking at the picture he smiled "yeah" was all he said

"Feels like yesterday you guys were saying 'I do.' Shal was so nervous I couldn't even get her to sit still long enough for me to do her hair" she replied smiling at the memory of the feral who could face down a ton of GSA agents and not get nervous but when it came to sitting still to get her hair done for her wedding day she had become an emotional wreck

"Yeah I nearly passed out when I saw her coming down the aisle, she was so beautiful" he replied trying not to choke on his words as he glanced back at the picture

Rising from her seat she walked over to him gave him a hug and kiss on the forehead before sitting down next to him on the bed.  They sat in silence for a while; just enjoying the solace of each other's presence.

After a moment Emma spoke "Get some sleep, we have a big day tomorrow" she said before rising to leave

"Hey Em" he said and she turned around and leaned on the open door "thanks, you know for everything"

She smiled "you're welcome now get some sleep" she replied then closed the door behind her as she left

Laying back down on the bed he had to admit that he missed Emma's presence over the last four years. She always had a way of calming him either with words or a hug; he missed that and was glad they were able to fall back into that situation so easily. Closing his eyes he hoped sleep would claim him soon and that when it did it wouldn't haunt him with memories of yester years.

~~~

TBC…….You guys starting to get what is going on yet? Hope you guys are enjoying it. R&R please