I want to just thank you all for the overwhelming responses to this story. It kind of just started off as a drabble in my head, and I wanted to leave it with something on the mind to think about instead of a full-fledged story, so I'm ending it here.
I'm bad with dialogue in stories, and the only person I feel I can fully capture in character is Brennan, so the end of this will linger, as if there could be more, but there won't be.
I don't promise it'll be that long either, but I do promise it'll be a super emotionally angst filled end.
Sorry this was so long haha. Thank you for all the positive feedback and love. I'll be back to write more. If you have any requests for Brennan, Angela, or Brennan&Angela fics, let me know. I'm more than happy to oblige. Xo.
A single drink more and the bottles empty. It's unlike her to finish it alone, but the bottom of the glass is a reminder of why she's drinking in the first place. She knows she should probably stop, but the numbing seems promising. The more the time passes, the less it hurts, and that's what she needs. She needs to emotional turmoil to end already, but it's only been two days, and she knows the brain doesn't even adjust to change that quickly.
The chatter in the background swims in her mind. She can't make out the words; it's all noise right now. She barely even recognizes the tap on her shoulder until the force of the touch becomes heavier.
"What are you doing here all alone?"
Fuck, it's Cam.
"Drinking, as you can see. I thought it was quiet obvious, but obvious things tend to be glossed over by people with lower intelligence than me."
Cam rolls her eyes and takes a seat at the bar next to her.
"Is everything alright? Last time I saw you, you were practically glowing and crying in Angela's arms."
She doesn't want to answer. Her posture stiffens and her grip on the empty glass tightens.
"You know, just forget I asked. I know something's wrong, but you've never been one to speak freely with your feelings. So as a friend, I'll just be here to take your mind off of it."
Brennan turns her head and her face softens, lips curly up into a slight smile.
"I'd like if you could stay as long as you can, if it's not too much trouble. While I would prefer being alone, I believe it's mentally unhealthy for me at the moment."
Cam smiles and turns around to face the bar.
"Of course."
Three meaningless, different conversations and half a bottle later, it's 11:30pm. Cam is leaving some cash on the bar and putting her coat on.
"You should go home, Brennan. It's been almost four hours since-"
"Booth called off the engagement."
Silence in the air.
"That sounds extremely unlike him."
"I don't know how to feel anymore, Cam."
Cam helps Brennan off the bar stool and helps her put her jacket on.
"Well, if there's one thing you do know, it's that you love your daughter, and she's at home, and I know, that even though you are the most rational and intelligent human being I've ever met, you need to take care of her, no matter what the consequences of your own life."
Brennan lowers her head.
"It's the only reason I want to be home anymore."
When Brennan unlocks the door, the kitchen light is on and the clock reads 11:50. She spent a ten minute car ride with Cam absolutely silent, and now all she wants to do is sleep.
She carries herself upstairs to Christine's room where the door is cracked open. Booth is asleep in the chair across the room, and Christine is in her crib.
She walks up to the crib and leans against it, reaching down to tuck in her daughter.
It's all for you she thinks to herself. I'll never leave you.