Brennan thought her biggest problem was trying to accept that Booth was getting married to Hannah and losing her best friend, But it seems a stalker is waiting to turn her life from complicated to nightmarish. Booth didn't know when he'd asked Hannah to marry him that he'd possibly lose his best friend. Just when he's starting to think things between him and Bones will be okay, she goes missing. Jokes on her kidnapper though. Because he will find her. Even if he has to burn the world to the ground to do it.

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A/N:WARNING!!! My work is often darker in nature and should be read with discretion. This particular work has graphic violence and rape. If you are easily triggered, this fanfic might not be for you as there will likely be untagged triggers. Thank you.

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One another note, I tried really hard to stay in character and while I think I did okay, forgive me if any of them, especially Bones is OOC. I struggled with her. Thanks! Enjoy.

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Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bones or its characters. All credit goes to their rightful owners

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Chapter One

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She didn't know how to react as Hannah excitedly told her about the way Booth proposed to her. It was, unsurprisingly, romantic. The Lincoln Memorial reflection pool, no doubt, made a beautiful backdrop, the night sky painted with stars. Booth looking at her with so much love in his eyes, you could almost believe that eyes could actually show emotion.

At least Brennan assumed that's the way he looked at Hannah. She'd once been on the receiving end of that look. So intense that it drew you in and made you want to kiss him. To drown in all the love he had to share. She imagined he'd be good at it. Not only sexually, but emotionally.

It wasn't that she wanted a proposal, as she had no intention of getting married. It was an antiquated ritual and was silly, in her mind, to bind yourself to another person legally. But god the images she conjured up as Hannah spoke had her heart aching with longing. Maybe she didn't want a marriage, but she did want a life with Booth. So much that sometimes she couldn't breathe. Which was just irrational.

She'd messed up. Her fear of ruining what she shared with Booth had kept him at arm's length. Fear of her happiness being contingent on another human. Fear of needing someone in any way.

But she knew the truth now and regret followed her around like her shadow. It was too late. Her happiness was already contingent on Booth and his happiness. She already needed him in a way that made it hard to breathe at the idea that Booth would pull away and eventually leave altogether.

She had wanted to protect him as well. He was so good at loving. At giving himself to someone so completely. She wasn't sure she could love him the way he needed. Wasn't sure she could learn to let him in. To share bare herself to him. That took a strength she hadn't been sure she had. Though now she realized she was strong enough. Or at least almost strong enough.

She hadn't been strong enough when he told her he wanted to be with her. She'd been impervious. She never had to be the kind of strong she'd needed to be to be with Booth.

She'd also been afraid. Booth knew her better than anyone. But what if after being with her, he decided she wasn't what he needed? She was no longer impervious enough to survive that kind of heartache. Once she had him, the idea of losing him seemed too much.

And now? Now he was going to marry Hannah and she only had herself to blame. He'd begged her to give him a chance. She turned him down and realized too late that she made a mistake. And thus, she made room for Hannah.

Despite her inner turmoil, she smiled and nodded as Hannah finished up the story and they clinked their glasses together in a toast to love and happy endings. Something she didn't see for herself. Men and relationships weren't where she shined.

With a smile on her face, she managed to do small talk through dinner and hugged them both as they parted ways. She wanted to cry when Booth enveloped her in a hug that felt like it lasted forever, though it couldn't have hardly been longer than a few seconds. Still, at that moment she was in his arms, breathing in his subtle scent of soap and whatever deodorant he used that managed to smell all man. Like dark spices and leather. Him. At this moment, they were them. She didn't want to let go. But she did.

"See you later, Bones," he said, his smile in place as he wrapped an arm around Hannah and lead her from Founding Fathers, both of them exiting with a final wave.

Brennen closed her eyes a moment before moving from the table to the bar, waving down the barkeep. She got two shots of bourbon, downed them, then asked for two more.

She wasn't good with feelings. Her own or others. But the feelings that flooded her now were overwhelming to the point of madness. She needed to drown them out just a little. Just enough to give her time to sort them out. To give names to them.

She held up her hand once more for two more shots. After this, she'd go home and sleep it off. She'd be fine in the morning. Yeah. Just fine. Screw Booth. She hung her head. God, she loved him.

…..

Angela groaned as the sound of her phone jerked her awake. She eyed her alarm clock before picking up the phone, Brennan, stretched a crossed it.

"Sweetie, it's two in the morning. Can't the body wait?" She yawned. She loved how dedicated Brennan was to her work, you had to admire her for her passion and drive to put murders away and give names back to the faceless victims, but she herself was pregnant and needed sleep!

"I've lost my keys." Brennan's words slurred before she let out a strange laugh. "I think. Or I've lost my apartment. I'm not really sure which." The laughter came again, ending in a snort.

"Brennan? You okay?" Angela sat up now, alarming Hodgins.

"Angie?"

She held up a finger to silence him as Brennan talked in circles. Something about drinking at dinner, then the bar. Giving the cab driver the wrong address, having to find it herself on foot and then not being able to find her keys. This was so unBrennan-like.

"Where are you now? I'm coming to get you."

Brennan made a sound of puzzlement before answering, though even her answer didn't sound so sure.

Ten minutes later they pulled up to Brennan, who stumbled over to them. "Hey! You found me!" She giggled much to Angela's surprise. Brennan didn't giggle.

"Wow, Dr. B," Hodgins said, his tone light, but when his eyes met his wife, they mirrored her concern. Brennan didn't get drunk like this.

"I'm fine," she said quickly as she drunkenly climbed into the car, laughing when she smacked her head on the way in.

"Oh, you okay?" Angela asked.

Brennan lay in the seat, waving away Angela's concern. "I'm fine, Angela. Just tired. And lost. Oh!" She popped up "Angela, do you know where I live?"

"Yes, but you're coming home with me," she replied, looking at Brennan through the review mirror. Had it been anyone else, she'd find humor in this. But Brennan? No this wasn't funny. This was kinda scary in a way. Brennan didn't let loose often, and she'd never seen her this drunk.

Once home, Hodgins helped her get a very drunk Brennan up the stairs, and into their house. Within minutes Brennan found herself on their bathroom floor puking everything she'd ever eaten.

"What do you think happened?" Hodgins asked as he poured a glass of water.

"If I have to guess? It involves Booth." She let out a sigh. "This is so unlike her."

Hodgins nodded his agreement as Brennan made her way into the kitchen, looking pale and a bit worse for wear.

"Feeling any better?" Angela asked as she handed over the glass.

Brennan shook her head before taking a tentative sip. She downed the rest quickly, needing to get the burn from her throat, before face planting into the couch.

About an hour later, Brennan was all puked out and looking a bit soberer, though her eyes were still glazed. She lay on her stomach, cheek to couch, focusing on her breathing.

Angela sat on the low ottoman in front of her. "What happened?"

Brennan's eyes flicked to her before roaming away. An array of emotions crossed her face before teary eyes looked back at her. "Booth is getting married." Brennan barely got out the last word before she dissolved in tears.

She wanted to hug her but knew that Brennan was already overwhelmed with emotions. Touch might be too much for her just now. Her heart broke for her best friend. "Oh, Sweetie. I'm so sorry."

"I can't even be mad." She sniffed. "I want to be. But I can't. . I'm just so incredibly…Heartbroken."

"Of course you are. No one would blame you." Angela took her hand.

"Don't tell Booth."

"Don't tell him what?"

"About tonight. Just…he will feel bad and then give me that look he gives." She let out a sigh. "I'll be okay. I'll adjust." She closed her aching eyes.

Angela nodded. "I won't tell him you got drunk." She was careful how she worded her promise because you can bet your ass she'd have words with him. Like, "how the hell can you break my best friend's heart?" And "you better be sure Hannah is worth all this!"

It wasn't that she was mad at Booth. That man deserves to be happy. Just as much as Brennan. But why couldn't they be happy together?

"I'm tired," Brennan murmured a few moments before going limp. Even in sleep, she looked pained.

"Oh Brennan," Angela whispered. What a freaking mess.

…..

Booth lay awake, Hannah wrapped around him, her soft snores telling him she was asleep. He held her to him with one arm, the other draped over his face. He couldn't get Bones' expression out of his head.

She'd been shocked. He could see her fighting to keep her composure and had to stop himself a few times throughout the night to tell Hannah to stop talking. When they finished dinner, he couldn't get them out of there fast enough to give her time to digest.

God, the way she hugged him. Had she realized she gripped his jacket? Held him tighter and longer than normal? He hadn't missed her deep inhale before she'd pulled away, looking at him as though she'd never see him again.

He hadn't intended for her to find out about the proposal at Founding Fathers. He'd intended to tell her about it in private so she could process it without an audience, but Hannah had been so excited to tell her, and he hadn't known how to tell her that he wanted to tell Bones alone without possibly causing a problem.

Bones was stoic. She smiled. She laughed. She toasted and made happy small talk with Hannah. She commented on how she was happy for them both and that she was happy he'd finally get his happily ever after. Hannah believed the show. He didn't.

He knew Bones. Knew that the smile was fake. Knew by the way she spoke, the tone in her voice, that she was fighting to keep emotions at bay. By the time they were done with dinner, he could see her eyes growing red as she struggled to keep the tears from falling.

It hurt. He knew she would be sad about this development, but he couldn't live his life based on what will and won't hurt her. He'd told her he loved Hannah. She accepted that. Seemed mostly okay with it. But the pain he was sure he saw hidden within her smile broke his heart.

She'd been so raw when she told him that she got the message. That she finally realized that she wanted him too and that maybe it wouldn't be the worst thing. When he'd told her she was too late, he'd meant it. He did love Hannah. She meant something to him. Still, when she started to cry audibly, her heartbreaking because of his words, it took everything in him not to pull over and hold her to him.

He still loved her. There was no point in denying that. He probably always would. She was a part of him. Like a limb that would be painful to lose. He couldn't imagine her not being in his life. Couldn't imagine not seeing her every day at work. Couldn't imagine her not being his best friend.

Hannah shifted, snuggling in closer to him. The woman in his bed right now was his future. He was sure of that. He wouldn't ever cast her aside. She was too important. He loved her.

He let out a sigh. This was hell. He was going to marry Hannah. Have a family with her. Love her. Cherish her. And he was happy. Beyond happy. This is what he wants. But there will always be that shadow. There will always be a painful reminder that he won't have this with Bones. That he has moved on and someday, so will she.

He will hate whoever she ended up with. He'd never admit it. No. He would make nice and be happy for her. The same way she does. But there will always be envy. There will always be a part of him that loves Bones.

But it was small in comparison. That's why he'd chosen Hannah. He'd moved on, and Bones knew that. The news was just surprising. She'd be fine.

Yeah. She was strong. She'd be fine.

He cursed to himself, trying to shake away the fear that she wouldn't be fine. The worry that this would break her. She always pretends to be fine. Pretends to have it all together.

It wasn't that he doubted her strength. Her perseverance. Her amazing ability to take things in stride. But that look in her eyes at dinner. The way he was sure she was going to cry. Sure he saw her heartbreak right in front of him. He regretted that.

……..

Hangovers were a punishment, Brennan decided as she walked to Angela's kitchen, feeling like her head was going to explode. Add to that the sore throat and raw feeling in her stomach that made her queasy, and she was feeling a bit like walking death.

How much had she drunk the night before? It must have been a lot because she couldn't remember. Six for sure. But she couldn't be sure there wasn't more. Probably was.

The smell of eggs made her even more nauseous, but she also knew she needed to get something into her stomach besides the aspirin and water Angela, no doubt, put on the coffee take for her.

Her head pounded as she walked into their kitchen, catching Hodgins bent over, talking to Angela's stomach. The scene made her emotional for some unknown reason. Maybe she was still drunk.

"Morning Dr. B," Hodgins said before kissing Angela's cheek. "I have some eggs and toast. And coffee on the way."

"Thank you." She sat at the breakfast bar as Angela leaned over the counter, resting her weight on her arms.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like I drank a liquor store."

"Are you okay?"

"I will be. The hangover will dissipate."

"No, I mean about Booth?"

Brennan's eyes flicked to Hodgins who was putting eggs on a plate. "I'm fine."

She knew that Angela know that 'I'm fine was her go-to. Even if she wasn't. Most especially when she wasn't. But neither of them spoke on the subject further.

She was thankful that the two filled the silence with talk of work, baby names, and what she was sure was supposed to be a funny story from Hodgins' past, but the story was lost on her.

As they headed to work, she knew it was going to be a long day. The sun hurt her eyes, the radio seemed way too loud and her stomach threatened to evacuate breakfast. Yeah, it was going to be a really, really long day.

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I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks :D