A/N: Hello, my name is rubbish89 and I'm an angst whore. There I said it. But I would like to place all blame on watching five seasons of Angel, because lets face it, you really have to develop a taste for the angst when you watch that show. :) But you should be happy to know that I'm capable of giving characters happy endings. I would also like to point an accusing finger at my ipod for playing depressing songs without my consent. Tisk tisk. I just thought I should warn you before you read this chapter, cause well, I really don't want my readers jumping through my computer screen and attempting to gouge my eyes out! Hehe, okay well enjoy!

A/N: I wanted to give a special thank you to all the reviewers to whom I haven't thanked personally. Thank You! I've been a very busy gal. ;)

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"Only in the agony of parting do we look into the depths of love." – George Eliot

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Mother earth was weeping. Salty tears cascaded from the jaded heavens, blanketing the tragic scene in a sorrow of mist. Trees shivered under the whipping cries of the wind while grieving moans from the white doves mingled with the dry, amber leaves drifting over the ebony coffin.

Brennan tightened her thick coat over her frozen body, blue eyes moist and weary, a worn letter clutched between her manicured fingers. The priest's poignant words drifted by her, warming her cheeks, but she couldn't grasp the magnitude of their meaning. He was gone. Dead. Resting in that box. All her dreams, hopes ripped away by the terse, meaningless words of the man responsible for placing them in this situation.

Walking resolutely into her office, Brennan halted when she was met by the outstretched hand of the President. Papers fluttered to the floor in a heap, her fear escalading, "Where is he!"

"Dr. Brennan, Lieutenant Booth completed the mission, but was unable to make it out alive. He died bravely serving his country. We offer our deepest condolences for this saddening outcome." President Howell placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. Brennan felt the gentle warmth of his touch seep through her clothes—angered—she released all of her pent up fury.

A slap resounded through the lab as Brennan leaped up, hands waving around uncontrollably, fending off the confused security. President Howell's face blistered red, the outline of a hand etched into his wrinkled skin.

"Who the hell do you think you are, huh!? You can't just come in here, say you're sorry and then hope everything will be all right!" Brennan was screaming at the top of her lungs, the caged beast looking to tear out the throats of her captors. "You're lying! He's not dead! I would know if he was dead! Damnit, show me the body and I'll prove to you it's not him! I will…he's…!" Brennan's head was buzzing, small lights exploding in front of her eyes as she fainted in a heap. Fast hands caught her before she hit the floor, a breathless statement passing her white lips, "He's not dead…"

Stepping forward from the sobbing crowd, Brennan traced her hands across the smooth lid smothered in sodden flowers. What she would give to open that lid, check the body and rid herself of the inkling of hope sleeping in the back of her mind. So many times she had tried to sneak into the morgue, so much that she was issued a restraining order from the coroner. The man was a snob anyway. The Military's story didn't add up, it was too intricate for her taste, but she couldn't keep holding on to something that wasn't true. She had to learn how to let go; to move on with her life.

Ending the eulogy with a moving amen, the priest wandered off, the crowd falling in step behind him. Angela walked up to Brennan and whispered into her ear, "We're going inside sweetie. I'll leave you two alone…to say goodbye." Angela squeezed Brennan's elbow and turned around, seeking comfort from Hodgins.

Pastel colors filtered through the darkening sky as the mourning sun began to set. The throbbing rain and wind picked up, encircling Brennan in an icy blanket of frost. Hours had passed and she hadn't moved from her position. Her weeping body draped over the coffin, tears rolling over the shining tarnish, the love letter flapping in her hands. "You really were saying goodbye Booth," Brennan whispered weakly. "I guess it's my turn now." She took in a refreshing breath, ready to spill her secrets to the man who owned her heart.

"You were incredibly annoying when I first met you. I remember complaining to Angela that I hated your guts, that were pig-headed and obnoxious and I never wanted to see you again. Well, now I'm here crying my eyes out and letting my emotions do the talking because I fell in love with that gorgeous, cocky, FBI agent. To say I was happy before I met you would be a lie. I was a …walking skeleton … as you would put it; doing the same monotonous routine: living on the earth, never in it. That all changed after you became my partner, my friend.

Being wrapped up in your comforting arms is the greatest feeling I've ever experienced. Knowing that you cared about me and my whacked out emotions gave me the strength to pick myself up after a rough fall, to continue my journey knowing you were right behind me every step of the way. And when you touched me," Brennan shivered involuntarily at the thought. "It felt like raging lava coursing through my veins, like I'd been set on fire and the only way to smother the growing flames was to leave the room. Every time, every single time, I had to fight away the urge to run back in and take you for myself, to kiss you like there was no tomorrow."

Brennan couldn't hold back any longer, the desire to scream was boiling inside, ready to erupt. "WHY!? Why would your God take you away from me! He's supposed to set things right, he was supposed to bring you home to me!" Brennan's face was lifted towards the sky, the swelling clouds bursting forth floods of rain with each menacing crack of thunder.

"It's you Booth! You're the man who makes me want to live every moment like it's my last. You're the one who's shown me the world, every exciting adventure that's out there waiting for me! You're the one who's shown me how to connect, how to feel, to love! How am I supposed to carry on and find happiness when the only man who's capable of giving that to me is gone!?"

Brennan sank to the soaking grass, her chest pulsating wildly as the breathing fire within her finally died away. "I'm completely lost without you …" Folding the letter along the worn creases, Brennan placed it tenderly under a bouquet of beautiful flowers.

"I'll live life for the both of us Booth. I'll find a way to carry on and let go because that's what you asked me to do." Bending down Brennan kissed the drenched coffin with loving softness.

"I'm in love with you Booth. The "profound, intimate, your-my-soul-mate kind of love" and if believing in heaven is the only way for me to show you how that love makes me feel than you can consider that seat taken."

Cold and alone, Brennan walked quietly through the shower of dried leaves and pounding rain, hair whipping across her face when a sudden tug on her heart made her swivel around, a spark of joy lighting in her harmonious voice. "Goodbye isn't forever Booth! We'll meet again whether it be in this life or the next."

The golden sky melted into a bright, star-littered night, forever preserving the remnants of hope left behind in the fading goodbye of the two parting lovers.

Has the angst gotten to you, are you writhing in your seat, gritting your teeth in anger, on the verge of gouging out my eyes, well than calm down and reflect on these two words and you'll think twice about that anger: "context clues."