Hey guys! I know it's been forever since I updated, and I'm so sorry! I only write these chapters when I'm really inspired by a scene from the show, and unfortunately, another show has sucked me in. I haven't been watching Bones lately, but here's another chapter for you guys. This is the ending scene from season 6 episode 3, The Maggots in the Meathead.

~AG13


Angela and Cam walked out the door, leaving just Booth, Hannah, and me sitting in the living room. I set my wine glass down with some hesitation, waiting for someone to speak.

Booth grinned at Hannah. "Kay. Welcome home."

Slowly his eyes flicked to the telephone sitting on the table and he raised his eyebrows in confusion.

"What's that?"

Hannah stood quickly. "Oh. It's a housewarming gift. A Bakelite, original."

I watched his face anxiously, hoping he would appreciate the gesture. Hannah spoke confidently, not worried at all.

"Do you like it?"

He picked up the phone timidly and held it to his ear. He heard the ringing and a grin spread from ear to ear. He loved it. He was truly happy.

"Hey! It's a real one!"

I had made him happy. Hannah spoke, but I didn't hear her words. I just watched my partner's face "glow" with delight. All I ever wanted to do in life was make him happy, and now he was overjoyed with the gift. He was so handsome when he was happy; so full of life. I felt warmth spread across my body, and my heart rate quickened with excitement.

"Thanks…" He said softly, leaning towards Hannah.

"You're welcome." I replied, smiling. But as quickly as the feeling had come on, it vanished. He wasn't happy because of me, and he wasn't leaning in to kiss me. He was kissing someone else; he was thanking someone else. I hadn't made him happy, Hannah had. I could never make him happy.

I turned away and stared at the ground. My throat burned and I felt my smile disappear. I had turned him down for that very reason; I wasn't, and would never be, what Booth needed to be happy. I could never love him the way Hannah could. I could never love him the way he could love me. He wasn't mine. As much as I wanted him to be, he wasn't. I had to protect him. I could never be what he needed, and I knew that.

I bit my lip and stood quickly. I had to leave, I couldn't stay in his apartment any longer.

"See you tomorrow."

They turned and Hannah swiftly protested. "Oh no! Stay! Do you want to join us for dinner?"

"Yeah I can make my famous Mac and Cheese!" Booth chimed in.

Too many emotions were clouding my judgment. Too many thoughts that I couldn't understand crowded my head. So I turned to my fool proof philosophy: logic.

"No. Traditionally when two people share a domicile for the first time, the person who doesn't, leaves."

I shifted uncomfortably, trying to hide my pain from Booth. Those were feelings I couldn't understand, and I couldn't hold myself in control for much longer.

"See you tomorrow."

I turned to leave as Hannah called out behind me "Thanks for your help!"

I smiled tightly then walked down the short hallway, allowing my smile to fall. I didn't want to help her. I wanted that gift to come from me; I wanted Booth to look at me the way he looked at Hannah. I headed for the door, but a quiet voice stopped me.

"Hey Bones."

I turned, and Booth looked me in the eye. "I'll see you tomorrow."

I smiled slightly, the expression tight and forced. "Yes. Tomorrow."

All I wanted was to spend the night with him. There was nothing in the world I wanted more than to be with him. But I couldn't. For his sake, I never could. Turning away, I fought against the tears slowly forming in my eyes. Taking one last look at my partner over my shoulder, I shut the apartment door. And for just a moment, I slumped against the outside. I leaned my weight on the heavy wood door and closed my eyes wearily. I was tired. So tired. I was tired of fighting my confusing emotions, tired of hiding from everyone including Booth. I could already tell that something had changed. Before Hannah, he would have never let me leave his apartment in the state I did. He didn't notice me nearly as much, as a partner or as a friend. When he looked at me, it felt like he was looking through me. It made no logical sense, but he never seemed to really see me anymore.

Angrily, I wiped away a solitary tear rolling down my cheek and walked briskly away. He wasn't mine, and I just had to accept that. I wasn't the one making him happy, but he was happy. I would do anything for Booth, and all I wanted was for him to be happy. He could never be so with me, and that was a sacrifice I was willing to make for him. But every sacrifice requires pain, and I was just paying my dues.

Climbing into my car, I covered my face with my hands and shook. My entire body quivered as I fought my own body. Taking deep breaths, I tried to fight the tears, but a few slipped past my defenses. I released my face and gripped the steering wheel, forcibly calming myself. I couldn't cry. This was a pain I was used to feeling. And the other emotions, they were just too complicated to address. I just pushed them away, refused to think about them. They weren't logical, and they couldn't be easily explained.

I wiped my eyes furiously and pulled into traffic. I drove with one destination in mind. I didn't need sleep. Sleep only brought nightmares: the confrontation of the emotions I tried so hard to suppress. I only needed my work. I could handle anything if I wasn't forced to lay it all for everyone to see. I drove to the Jeffersonian, and I walked slowly to Limbo. Pulling a drawer from the cases, I laid out the skeleton and lost myself in my task. No one was going to fly down and save me. No one was going to show up and comfort me. Booth had Hannah, and he hardly recognized me anymore. No. I was better off alone. I was always better alone. When you're alone, no one can leave you. No one can betray you. And no one can hurt you.


I hope you all liked the chapter! Again, I'm sorry it's been so long. As always, please review and request any scenes you would like me to write from Brennan's POV

~AG13