AN: This chapter covers a bit of a time period…about two to three weeks, so I've tried to put in as much information as I could. I hope you enjoy the chapter, and if anything seems truly confusing, please let me know so I can explain or at the very least, make it more clear.

Booth opened his mouth, but closed it quickly as he was unable to find the words he wanted to say. He wanted to scream and rage at the woman who was currently putting on an act of concern. He wanted to heal faster so he could…he flexed his good hand and held it so tightly his fingernails were digging into his palm.

Annie looked away from him and at the television screen as news of Temperance's passing continued. A frown formed on her face and she shook her head, her eyes downcast.

"I'm sorry Seeley; I know what she meant to you."

"You have no idea what she meant to me." The words spat out with venom and he watched as Annie's eyes widened in shock.

"Don't you use that tone with me. I understand what she meant to you. I know you love her, you told me, remember? I can only imagine how hard this has to be for you."

"Why did you have me transferred? Why didn't you leave me there? I didn't get to see her, didn't get to say goodbye…"

"Your parents wanted you transferred back. They're here by the way. When I told them that no one was allowed to visit you per the FBI, they told me to call when you were going to be released. They're really worried about you."

"Don't lie to me Annie."

"What is wrong with you? I haven't lied to you once during our association Seeley. I've always been open about everything I've come across pertaining to this case, and I gave you an out to have your partner take my place in this investigation. It's been hard on us both, but you haven't heard me complain." Booth looked at her intensely. Annie held his gaze, surprised at the vehemence that she saw there. But between the two of them, Booth was more surprised. There was something about her look, her stance that shouted of sincerity. What was going on here?

"Bro, you look like shit, you know that don't you?" Booth jerked his gaze away from Annie's and settled it on the doorway of the hospital room. His brother Jared stood there, an amused smile on his face.

"Jared, what are you doing here?"

"Are you kidding? My little brother gets into an accident and I'm going to just stay at home? I drove mom and dad down here. They're waiting at your house, and someone had to drive the van that's gonna take your ass home."

"You're all staying at the house?" He gulped, fearing the affirmative he was sure to get. He had to get his family out of harm's way, but he was powerless to do so. Because of that damn accident, he was relegated to a wheelchair and even proper bathing was impossible.

"Yeah, you do have those guest rooms you know." Jared moved aside as a nurse came in the room with a clipboard. She looked up from the papers and flashed a perky smile at Booth.

"Well Agent Booth, are you ready to go home?" She handed the clipboard over to Annie and pointed out the locations that needed signatures. "The casts will remain on for the next two weeks, at which point they'll be switched for soft casts. You'll probably be much more comfortable then, especially with your arm and shoulder so immobile. Take it easy and you should heal up just fine."

"Is there anything we need to know for his care at home," Annie asked when she handed the signed papers back over.

"Nothing the doctor hasn't gone over already. You've already got the potty chair for him as well as the condom catheters. He'll need to use them until the casts come off. Once that happens, he'll be able to use normal facilities again." The nurse looked over the papers quickly and nodded once she was sure all of the signatures were in place. "It looks like everything is in order. Let me bring the wheelchair in here and we can get you out to the car. How does that sound?" She left without waiting for a response and was back in with Jared following closely behind.

"All right Bro, up we go." Jared moved next to Seeley and positioned himself under Booth's good arm, hoisting the agent to his feet and into the wheelchair. Annie rubbed her belly absently as she watched the ease of motion.

"Thank you for coming with me Jared. I don't know how I'd get him home without your help."

"No problem Annie. Now let's get my pain in the ass brother home so my mom can dote on him."

"Mom won't dote," Booth muttered, wincing as he shifted and tried to get comfortable in the chair.

"Of course she will. Now stop being difficult and let's go." The nurse moved behind the chair and pushed it from the room, Annie and Jared following behind.

XxXxX

Booth was laid out on the couch, passively watching what was going on around him. His inability to do anything was irritating him more than anything, but it was his concern about Annie that bothered him more than anything else. She had to know what was going on with her fiancé, but he couldn't get the nagging feeling that she was genuinely clueless from his gut. That didn't sit well with him.

"Seeley angel, do you need anything?" Margaret Booth approached the couch and placed her hand on his good leg gently. Booth looked at her, taking a moment to answer.

"I'm fine right now, thanks mom." She smiled at him and sat on the very edge of a cushion, careful to not jostle her son in any way.

"I can't believe you kept Parker away from us all this time. He's a wonderful little boy."

"Yeah, well after everything that was said…"

"Don't you bring that up. Honestly, I don't know what the problem is between you and your father, but he loves you honey. He loves you and is hurt that you never call or visit. I am too for that matter."

"Mom, it's complicated, okay?"

"How complicated is it? Things were said and you both need to apologize." There was a knock at the door, interrupting Margaret's lecture. She looked to the door and smiled as she stood up. "That's probably Rebecca bringing Parker over. He really is a sweet boy." Margaret made her way to the door and opened it, frowning at the young woman standing there.

"Hi, is Agent Booth at home?" Booth could hear the soft lilt of the voice, and furrowed his brow as he tried to make out the figure standing there.

"Angela?" Margaret moved aside as the artist came in and practically fell onto Booth's good side, crying into his shoulder.

"Oh god Booth, is she really gone? She can't be gone, she can't!" Angela tried to take a deep breath, but only succeeded in making a loud hitching noise before her tears fell all over his shirt.

"Shhh, Angela, I know." He closed his eyes as he tried to hold back the tears that were rapidly rising in his eyes. He couldn't cry right now, not now. He couldn't show any sign of weakness.

"Honey, who's this?" Margaret closed the door and watched her son comfort the distraught artist. Angela pulled back and swiped at her eyes, making absolutely no difference to the falling tears that streamed down her face.

"This is a work associate of mine, Angela Montenegro. Angela, this is my mom, Margaret." Margaret looked from one to the other.

"Work associates don't have such a familiarity."

"Angela and my partner were best friends." His mother nodded in understanding and her look softened immediately.

"Annie told us how close the two of you were. I'm sorry, I forgot about her what with you coming home today." She patted him gently on the leg and left the two of them alone as she headed for the kitchen.

"I didn't want to believe that there was an accident," Angela said in a hushed tone, trying to keep the waver out of her voice. "I thought it was some ruse or a joke or something."

"No, it was real. God, Angela I felt so helpless. That semi slammed into my side of the car and all I could think was that I was grateful she wasn't in my position. I reached for her hand and gripped it." Booth shook his head. Why was that his last moment with his Bones? "She squeezed it once when the SUV stopped sliding, but then it went slack and there was nothing I could do."

"I'm so sorry," she murmured and wrapped her arms around his neck being mindful of his injuries. Neither spoke for a long moment before Angela pulled away again. "Have you had the chance to speak to Max?"

"No, I heard about it in the hospital and then got discharged. I haven't had a chance to…" He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he continued. "I need to help plan the funeral."

"Me too Booth, me too."

XxXxX

Max stared out the window of Russ' living room, not really looking at anything. His heart felt heavier with every breath he took. His little girl was gone. Swallowing, he turned from the darkened sky and moved to sit on the couch with his son.

"I'm going back to DC," he said, his tone of voice dead. Russ nodded, staring at the wall, his eyes glazed over.

"I figured as much."

"I want to keep her with her mother. We need to stay together as a family you know."

"I know dad."

"She'll need to wear her mother's earrings. She always did love those."

"And the belt buckle."

"Yes, the belt buckle too." Max put his head in his hands and leaned down over his legs. It was getting hard to breathe. How could his daughter be gone? How could strong and independent Temperance Brennan really be gone? "Ah god, this isn't how it's supposed to happen. I should be gone before her. I should be the one to leave, not her. I left her once and it wasn't easy, she can't be gone. She's supposed to be here and…"

"I know dad, I know." Russ placed a hand on his father's shoulder and squeezed gently. There was nothing else to say as they continued to stare at the wall, their memories of Temperance filtering through their minds.

XxXxX

"Booth, I'm surprised to hear from you. How are you doing, son?" Cullen turned his attention to the phone, cutting his meeting with another agent short as he waited for Booth's response.

"I'm…coping sir. Thanks for the concern."

"What can I do for you?"

"I need Annie to be under surveillance."

"Booth, I realize that Dr. Brennan's death has hit you hard, but taking out your frustration on Agent Chastain isn't going to help anything."

"You're aware that she is engaged correct?"

"Yes, of course I am."

"And you're aware that her fiancé is in fact Michael Randall?"

"Ah."

"I'm not sure how much involvement Annie has with this whole mess, and I need her to be followed."

"Done. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"If any evidence needs to be examined, I'd appreciate it if you let the team at the Jeffersonian do the analysis. I don't know who else is involved in this, and I trust them."

"Absolutely. Any information on the case will pass directly from me to the squints."

"Thank you sir."

"Of course. And Booth? Get better. We need you back."

XxXxX

"Temperance Brennan was an amazing woman." Booth shifted uncomfortably as he stood before the guests of the funeral. His soft casts were on, and he leaned heavily on a cane, the pain from his battered body was the only thing keeping him in focus. Behind him lay the casket, its lid opened and the body inside visible to everyone. Booth glanced back at it quickly, but knew that his Bones wasn't there. This body was just a shell, and without the soul of the person, it looked…artificial. "She was the most caring person I have ever had the privilege of knowing. She was intelligent, tough, and could whip a grown man in the blink of an eye. She wanted nothing but the truth from everyone and everything, and would do everything in her power to get to the truth.

"She was my partner and my best friend; she was the one person I could always turn to. She accepted me for who I am, flaws and all in a way no one else ever has. Temperance would do things for people without a thought about the cost or inconvenience to herself whether it was giving a funeral to an immigrant or making Christmas for her own family. She had a big heart, was selfless, and so beautiful. I don't just mean her looks though. She was one of the most beautiful people I've ever known.

"Though science was her faith, and she often argued with me about my beliefs in heaven and God, I know that if there was anyone more deserving of paradise, it was her. I know that one day I'll see her there, and we'll be able to be partners and friends again. I'll miss you Bones." Booth took a deep breath and limped over to his seat as many in attendance sniffled or wiped their eyes. Angela was openly bawling into Jack's shoulder, while Zack sat with the look of a lost little boy. As Booth sat down heavily in his seat and as Parker crawled into his lap for comfort, Max Keenan stood up and made his way forward. He took a moment and closed his eyes before speaking.

"My little girl loved dolphins and snicker doodle cookies. She also used to love watching old movies with me. One of her favorites was 'Casablanca'. She used to quote the movie, and even at a young age, she understood the theme of the movie. She understood that Rick was only trying to protect the woman he loved. She understood that he was sacrificing a lot to keep her safe, just as much as she was sacrificing for him, and she knew she loved him back." Max glanced over at Booth, who looked on as he clutched tightly to the little boy.

"I remember when she was little, and I would come home, she'd ask me to play the trying song. I've been thinking about all the times you told me you're so full of doubt; you just can't let it be. But I know if you keep coming back for more, then I'll keep on tryin', I'll keep on tryin'. And I've been drinking now, just a little too much. And I don't know how I can get in touch with you. Now there's only one thing for me to do, that's to get home to you."

AN: Okay, so there are only a few more chapters to go. There's a lot to be resolved I realize, and I know you all probably hate me right now, but please stick around to see the end of this story.