A/N: I know, the chapters are short. Please just stick with me!

Booth stared at the notepad in front of him they way he might a particularly offensive suspect. He'd been sitting in the same spot for hours, trying to write the stupid letter Sweets was making them do. He was still hurting from what Bones had said during their session today, but he was still trying to convince himself that it didn't mean anything. Of course Bones wouldn't actually ask him before she decided to leave. They were both adults, they didn't need anyone's permission. But still it bothered him that she had said no. It reminded him of the coffee thing. It bothered him, though he told himself it didn't, that she always was making it clear that she thought they only connected through work. He had thought for a long time that it was more than that, that they meant more to one another. Trying to shake himself out of his thoughts, he looked around his office and finally noticed the time. It was after 8! He grabbed his things and made his way out of the now silent Hoover building to his suv.

At home, Booth decided to avoid writing the letter as long as he could. He grabbed a beer and sunk down on the couch, flipping channels aimlessly. After 500 channels and nothing on, Booth's mood took a turn for the worst. He couldn't stop thinking about their meeting with Sweets and that damn letter. With a growl of frustration, he angrily shut the tv off and decided to go to bed early. Hopefully he would feel better after a good night's sleep.

Instead of the peaceful dreamless sleep he had hoped for, Booth's dreams were haunted by awful images of a life without his Bones. He awoke more tired and cranky than he'd been the night before. Haphazardly tossing on his customary suit, he left and made his way to work with plans on avoiding the Jeffersonian, the squints, especially a certain squint, at all costs.

Like that would ever work out.

A/N: Thanks sooo very much to my reviewers!!!! You guys rock! I promise it won't be too much longer before we get to the letters.

Hugs and such to those who review! --SSidle--