A/N: I hope to have the next part posted before Thursday's episode. I have the sinking feeling that I won't feel like writing anything remotely angsty after seeing that episode.

"Please, Bones, give me another chance."

Bones didn't reply right away, rather she savored the feeling of being in Booth's arms before reality set back in. Reluctantly, she pulled away from the embrace. Booth searched her face for any hint of what she was feeling.

Softly Bones said, "You love Hannah. You have a life with her. You wanted to marry her. Why would you give that up?"

Booth opened his mouth to speak the closed it again. It was true. He hadn't expected to love another woman, ever, but he did love Hannah. Or maybe, he just loved being loved.

"Every thing I love about Hannah – her fearlessness, her passion for her work – are the things I love about you," Booth said, bringing his hands up to frame her face, "But she isn't you, Bones. You're the one. I have known that since the day I walked into that lecture hall seven years ago."

He wanted, desperately, to kiss her, but knew that would only end up with her palms pressing against his chest, pushing them apart.

"Hannah can give you the things you want – a marriage, family, a house with a brown picket fence."

"It's a white picket fence," Booth corrected, "And I don't want that."

Bones looked at him curiously.

More softly, Booth added, "Yeah, I would like all of that, but what I really want is you. Marriage or no marriage, family or no family."

Tears slid down Brennan's cheek, and Booth wiped each gently away with his thumb. Bones leaned closer to him and their lips were mere millimeters apart.

"No," she muttered, "You aren't the sort of man who cheats, Booth. I won't be party to damaging your sense of morality. I have to go, Booth."

"Bones -."

"No, Booth. I won't tell you that you have to make a choice. I won't be that person," she said bringing her hand up to hail a cab.

And for the third time in his life, Booth watched Bones ride away, as she watched him from the back of the cab. He swore to himself that this time the outcome would be different. Booth promptly returned to his SUV and drove home to what he knew would be an unpleasant conversation.

"Seeley, where have you been? I was getting worried," Hannah asked when she heard her boyfriend enter their apartment.

"Sorry," Booth said then paused, "Hannah, we need to talk."

"No good conversation ever began that way," Hannah said sadly.

Booth sighed, "I guess I should start at the beginning."

And he did. Booth told Hannah about his first case with Bones, the partnership that ensued a year later, and how he spent five years in love with her, and how their relationship culminated in Bones' rejection of his offer at a relationship and their parting ways to Afghanistan and Indonesia.

"So, I was the rebound girl?" Hannah scoffed.

"No, you weren't –"

"I get it, Seeley. I'm the second choice. I don't want to be anyone's second choice."

"I know. You deserve to be someone's first and only choice," Booth replied.

"Like Temperance is for you," Hannah stated, saying the words Booth was thinking.

"You could have at least had the decency to tell me about your history with her. I gave up a lot to be here – with you, Seeley."

"I know. Hannah, I am so sorry. I thought -," Booth paused.

What did he think? That he could live happily ever after with Hannah? That he wouldn't have spent the rest of life wondering"what if"?

"I'll be gone in an hour," Hannah stated, not waiting for Booth to finish his thought.

"No, stay the night here. I can spend the night with –."

"With Temperance?" Hannah interjected bitterly, "No, I will pack my things and go."

Booth just nodded, knowing that his continued apologies were worthless. Hannah was true to her word and had her few belonging packed in less than an hour.

"Bye Seeley. I hope it works out with Temperance. I really do," she said as she walked out the door.

By the time Booth thought of a suitable reply, Hannah was out the door and out of his life. Booth grabbed his coat and walked out the door a few minutes later. He drove a route that he once took nearly every day of his life. With a hopeful heart, Booth ascended the steps to Brennan's apartment. Apprehensively, he rapped softly on her door.

As Bones opened the door a crack, Booth inhaled sharply, "Can I come in?"