Chapter Twenty one

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It was late at night. The room was dark and cold. Booth was exhausted, but he couldn't sleep. Every time he closed his eyes he saw Temperance's face. It scared him how much he missed her. He had only stayed at her place for a while, but he had gotten so used to being around her. Now he was all alone and he didn't even understand why. Why hadn't she wanted him around anymore? It was all so confusing, so heartbreaking. She'd just thrown him out, without even a reasonable explanation. Maybe he should talk to her? Maybe he should go to her, make her explain, but somehow he wasn't sure he wanted to. He was afraid of what she would say, afraid of getting even more hurt.

All of the sudden the phone rang, wakening him from his thoughts. Booth sat up in the bed, hesitating. What if it was Bones? What was he going to tell her? What could her reasons for calling be? Booth grabbed the phone from the table next to the bed.

"Booth?" he was holding his breath. Bones, please say you're sorry. I can't live without you…

"Hi Seeley!" the cheery voice on the line made Booth want to vomit.

"What do you want?" he asked coldly.

"Baby, I'm sorry for what happened, maybe I crossed the line before, can I make it up to you?"

"Go to hell Lisa," Booth snapped the phone shut, throwing it at the end of the bed. He felt his eyes water with tears. She had ruined everything. It was Lisa's fault he was alone again. Or maybe it was his fault; if he hadn't told Temperance what Lisa had done maybe she would still like him… Booth shook his head. Maybe he was wrong, maybe she had some other reason…

Maybe if he hadn't been so damn weak that day Bones had found him in Lisa's apartment, they would have had time to wait until the police had gotten there. But no, Lisa had gotten away just because he needed to go to the hospital. Well, that was what the others told him, Booth was sure he would have been fine…

The phone rang again. Booth reached for it.

"What?" there person on the line was silent. "Hello?" Booth sounded irritated. Still silence. "Just leave me the hell alone!" Booth screamed, throwing the phone into the wall.

"Damn it Bones, why are you doing this?" his voice was filled with pain. And his head began aching slightly. Booth groaned, sliding down onto his back again. Tears were clouding his eyes as he kept on staring at the ceiling, trying desperately to hold himself together. At this moment, he wished he had never fallen in love with her. But he had, and now Temperance Brennan was all he could think about…

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Temperance let the phone slide out of her hand. "I'm so sorry Booth…" she'd just wanted to hear his voice. But hearing him like that didn't make her feel any better. He'd seemed so sad, so angry…

All of the time she kept on wondering if it was worth it. All this pain. But when she pictured Parker and Booth together, she got reminded of why she had to do this. She wasn't a hundred percent sure Lisa would actually kill the kid, but there was no way she would take the chance. She couldn't risk Parker's life…

Temperance couldn't sleep that night.

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Next morning Temperance arrived early at the Jeffersonian. She couldn't sleep and working was the only way to keep her mind away from Booth.

Almost four hours passed until Angela and the rest of the squints arrived. Angela hurried up to her best friend with a worried look on her face.

"I called him," Temperance almost whispered. Angela raised an eyebrow, questioningly.

"I just wanted to hear his voice..."

Angela smiled sadly. "So what did he say?"

Temperance shook her head. Explaining.

"Sweetie, you need to tell him the truth. This is not good, he'll break."

"I can't."

"You have no choice, you can't do this to him, you're killing him, gosh sweetie, he loves you so much!" Angela tried.

"What about Parker? She'll kill Parker!" Temperance yelled frustrated. "I can't let that happen Ange; Booth will never forgive me…" she looked down at her feet. "He'll never talk to me again after this, so what does it matter anyway…" she added bitterly.

"Yes he will. Tell him the truth and you'll figure something out together. Okay?"

Temperance shook her head, stubbornly.

Angela sighed. "Then I'll tell him," she said.

"NO!" Temperance yelled, startling both herself and her best friend. "Please, don't… just let me handle this, please?"

"Alright," Angela knew there was no idea to argue. She gave Temperance a hug.

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The first thing Temperance saw on her way to her car was the black SUV at the parking space. Her heart almost stopped in her chest as she stood there staring. What was she going to do? With trembling legs, she continued walking, pretending she hadn't seen the car. She couldn't talk to Booth now, it would be too hard.

Booth watched her as she walked up to the silver vehicle. Why did she just walk away? Secretly he had hoped that she would stop, talk to him, maybe tell him she'd done a mistake, and then things would be back to normal. Of course that didn't happen. But he had almost expected her to acknowledge him. But she acted like he wasn't even there.

Booth sighed. Maybe he should move on, forget about her? But he had promised her he would never stop loving her, and that was a promise he would keep. Even though he wanted it or not. He had hoped they would be happy together. But it had only lasted for a short time. Their happiness had been shattered all too soon and it had been her choice. Didn't she love him anymore? She'd said she did. She'd actually said it! Had it all been just a lie? No, Bones never lied. So it was true then, she didn't want him anymore?

Booth had never thought he would need anyone as much as he needed Temperance. He had never felt like this for any other woman. But it didn't seem to matter anymore. She didn't feel the same… what did he have to live for?

Booth turned the key, starting the car. Temperance's car was still there, he gave it a look, trying to get a glimpse of Bones.

Booth shook his head miserably. He gave Temperance one last look before leaving.

"Goodbye Bones…" he whispered into the darkness.

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TBC.

AN/ Isn't it at least a little fun to see Booth suffer?
Or maybe it's just my twisted brain that thinks so… Lol!

Well, I'm already working on the next chapter!