A/N: Ok, every time I upload stuff these days, I seem to start by apologising for the delay in getting stuff to you. And guess what folks, today's no different! I really am sorry that this has taken so long but suffice to say that time is not on my side at the moment. So I'll leave this in your capable hands while I go off to watch the latest Bones episodes. Is it wrong that I'm this excited about it being back? Seriously, I think I'm genuinely obsessed... Help me...

Doctor Temperance Brennan was completely focused on her work. At least, that's how it appeared to the other workers milling around her in the lab.

Inside, however, the hardened scientist was in turmoil. The events of the day seemed to have conspired to throw her in to a situation she wasn't sure she could handle.

Every few minutes, Brennan felt her gaze being pulled towards her office, the entrance to the forensic platform or the main doors to the lab. She kept looking anywhere and everywhere that might signal the arrival of her partner.

Former partner now…

With a heavy sigh, Brennan ran a hand across her face and stretched out her aching muscles.

What are you supposed to do when you realise how you really feel about someone you've already lost? I shouldn't have pushed him away but what else could I do?

Everybody's always left me one way or another. My parents deserted me, Russ left me in foster care before disappearing off with dad, even Michael Stires left me. The minute he betrayed me and my work, he left me.

Booth's basically done the same thing. By sleeping with Cam he deserted me long before I ever threw him out of my office. He must have known what might happen by getting involved with her.

Brennan stared down at the clipboard in front of her with a frown, not even focusing on the information swimming in front of her hand.

Or am I just angry that he picked Cam over me? I could cope with Rebecca in his life. They were in love once and had a child together. That meantsomething.

Even his relationship with Tessa was bearable. It served to confirm my suspicions about the type of women he was attracted to: tall, leggy, sociable, well-structured blondes.

Nothing like me.

That's why it was so easy to push my feelings aside. All of these women were nothing like me. It was obviously never going to be me. But Cam…

The sound of laughter from a nearby workstation made Brennan jump. Looking around her, the scientist jutted her jaw out in an unconscious act of defiance. The last thing she wanted was for the world to know how she was feeling, how her emotions were threatening to take control.

Turning back to the work in front of her, Temperance tried in vain to drive away the images flooding her mind.

All he's done by choosing Cam is prove that it's got nothing to do with types or physicality. It's just me. He doesn't want me.

So why the hell should I want him?

With a heavy sigh, Brennan realised that the pounding in her chest told her all she needed to know.

Because he's Booth.

The tears threatening to fall, Temperance practically sprinted back to her office. Kicking the door closed, she leant back against the wood and screwed her eyes shut.

He's my partner and my friend. He's a great agent and a good father, an honourable man who fights for what he believes is right and does anything he can to protect the people he loves.

Dropping to the floor with her head in her hands, Brennan finally admitted to herself the very thing she'd been scared to think in all her time with Booth.

He'll do anything for the people he loves.

I guess I'm just not one of them.

oo00oo

Special Agent Seeley Booth couldn't stop pacing up and down his office.

He marched from one wall to the other and then straight back again, well aware of the curious glances he was receiving from the agents milling about in the bull pen outside.

Everything seems to be going to hell in a handbasket and surprise surprise, Seeley, it's all your fault.

Flinging the small ball up and down with his right hand, he tried to formulate a plan. He knew that there had to be some way out of this situation. He just couldn't quite see what it was yet.

Temperance threw me out of her office. She doesn't want me as her partner anymore and who can blame her? The way I've acted, the way I've treated her… I just don't know how to put things right.

A loud knock at his door made him jump. Turning around, he was surprised to find Cam standing in front of him with a look on her face he had never seen before. Frowning, he moved towards her.

"Cam? Are you alright? You look like hell."

Rolling her eyes, she moved inside and pulled the door closed behind her.

"Gee, thanks. You really know how to make a girl feel good about herself."

With a sheepish grin, Booth motioned her over to the chairs in front of his desk. She took a few steps further in to his office and then stopped, shaking her head slightly.

"No, Booth. I'm not staying."

"Ok, then what's up?"

Cam sighed heavily and folded her arms across her chest as Booth just watched her intently.

Something's going on here and I'm pretty sure I'm not gonna like it…

After a long moment of silence, she raised her eyes to his.

"Seeley, I think we both know that things haven't exactly been great today. What with Angela going missing and your arguments with Doctor Brennan - "

Cam paused and Booth knew all too well it was because he had flinched at the mention of his partner's name.

Former partner…

Nodding to herself with a tight smile, Cam took a deep breath and continued on.

"I know that things have been a little hard for you today and I just wanted to say… I guess I wanted to say that I'm sorry. Not because of anything you've done but because of what I have to do."

What the hell is she talking about?

The phone started ringing on the desk behind him, pulling his attention away from his girlfriend. Cam took a quick step forward, her hands clasped together so tight her knuckles were turning white.

"Seeley, please just let it go to voicemail. I have to talk to you. Now. If I don't…"

She sighed and ran a hand through her hair as she averted her eyes. Ignoring the ringing behind him, Booth moved forwards, genuine concern on his face.

"Cam, what's going on?"

She didn't answer, she didn't look up. As the phone finally stopped ringing, he reached out to her.

"Cam, talk to me. Tell me what's wrong."

Without looking up, she tentatively took his hand and Booth was surprised by the coldness of her touch. He was even more surprised that it lingered as she quickly withdrew her hand.

Looking down, he found a key lying across his palm.

Ok, now I see where this is going… Way to kick a man while he's down Camille…

Feigning ignorance, he turned his gaze back to her.

"What's this?"

She locked eyes with his, obviously doing her best to not look weak in front of him despite the fact she had blatantly been crying not too long before.

"It's the key to your apartment. I thought it was only right to give it back to you."

I knew it…

"So, you're breaking up with me then?"

There was no hurt in his voice, no disappointment, something that obviously didn't surprise his girlfriend.

Former girlfriend…

"We both knew it was coming sooner or later, Seeley. You and I never manage to make our relationship work, not really."

This is verging on my worst day ever…

"So all that stuff at the lab before, all that talk about how I'm the one who wants to break it all off and that we're supposed to be partners, what was that about?"

The smile that crossed Cam's face wasn't one of happiness, nor was it one of bravery. It was the look of a woman who always attempted to be gracious in defeat.

"I've been an idiot, Booth, and so have you. Yes, today's been a tough day for all of us and it's not even close to being over yet. But can you honestly stand there and tell me that it hasn't made you realise what you really want? Can you honestly tell me that the woman standing in front of you right now is the one you really want to be with?"

Booth just stared at her, unsure of what to say. Cam's smile tightened as she offered up a shrug.

"That's what I thought."

She turned away and headed for the door.

Like that taxi driver said last night, "You can't choose the people you fall for but you should never resist it. Sometimes that means hurting others but when it's as obvious as this, trust me, the people around you will already know".

Man, that guy's got a gift… He should work in Vegas or something…

Booth took a brisk step forward just as Cam laid her hand on the door knob.

"Cam, I… I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I just… You're right. I've been a complete idiot. I really am sorry."

She stood there with her back to him for a moment before sighing heavily. Eventually she spoke, but she didn't turn to face him.

"I'm not the only one you hurt, Booth. And any fool can tell that she's the one you really care about. Call her. Before it's too late to fix this, just call the damn woman."

Booth stared at the spot she'd been stood long after she'd gone, weighing up his options.

I do care about Cam but she's right, it's just not the same as how I feel about Bones. I mean, Bones is Bones. Nobody compares to her.

I love her.

Spurring himself in to action, Booth grabbed his jacket and practically ran out of his office, praying he wasn't too late.

A/N: Almost forgot to mention, there's still time to give me your suggestions for the top 10 Bones Season 1 moments for the video. My next update (probably friday) will give you options to vote for. After that, I should have the vid up on YouTube by the next day. So please let me know what you think. I'm leaving this totally in your hands. That way if it all goes tits up, I can pretend I had nothing to do with it... Thanks for reading.