Song "Lately" by David Gray

That the sky would lift
That I'd find my place
That I'd see your face in the door
And the sun would glint
An a time well spent
An a time that ain't no more

Taste the broken hearts
In the vacant lots
See the fruit that rots on the trees
Try to turn my head
Leave it all for dead
But it's in my mind always

Honey lately I've been way down
A load on my mind
Honey lately I've been way down
Load on my mind

Someone tell me where did it go
Darling I'm damned if I know
I seen that look in your eye
No-one ever gave it a chance
I could have said in advance
You saw it all at a glance
And goodbye

Chapter 8

Booth had withdrawn into a shell of sorts after being away from Brennan for two months. It had only been a week since he had taken over as Deputy Director, and not having Brennan there to support him was disappointing.

Even though Cam had hardly seen him in the last month, she had noticed how different he had seemed, and it concerned her. She wanted to help him get his family back. Her protective nature wouldn't allow her to stand by and watch it all unravel.

Cam stood outside Brennan's house. This should still be his house too. She couldn't bear one more day of the emptiness in Booth's eyes. He was listless and restless, and even his enthusiasm for his new position was ebbing. Cam sensed trouble when she visited him at his new place twice and found him half asleep with an empty bottle of whiskey sitting close by. She was afraid for him.

She kept thinking that Brennan would decide to come back, that she would somehow emerge from the dark place she had entered, but it never happened. She expected Brennan would at least keep in touch with some of them, but she hadn't. No phone calls, not a word since she walked out of the Jeffersonian.

Cam wanted Brennan to know that their friendship did not end with her leaving. They all truly cared about her, and they always would. She honestly thought that was understood. She wanted and needed to make damn sure Brennan got that.

The door opened slowly, and Cam did a double take at Brennan's appearance. She had lost weight, her face was deathly pale and her eyes were lifeless. She was a shadow of her former self. No make-up, no hairstyle – it hung limply around her face like a shroud.

"Cam, what are you doing here?" Brennan held the door mostly shut, blocking any chance of an entrance.

"I miss you, Temperance." Cam tried a sweet smile. "I thought you promised to keep in touch. It's been a while. I wanted to know how you were doing." She didn't want Brennan to see the shock she was feeling.

"I'm fine." Brennan wanted to leave it at that. She figured Booth had put Cam up to this.

"I can see how fine you are." Cam pulled no punches.

Brennan swiped her hair back with her hand. "What do you want? Did Booth send you to do his checking up?"

"Booth doesn't know I'm here."

Brennan said nothing. Cam wondered what had happened to Temperance Brennan. Where was she? This certainly wasn't the Brennan Cam had known for so many years.

"I'm fine," Brennan repeated.

"May I come in? I would love to see Cooper."

Brennan felt the urge to shut the door in her face.

"Please, Temperance, I miss him too. It's been ages since I saw him. I bet he's grown so much."

"Okay. He's upstairs. Come in." Brennan held the door open. She had always loved Cam, but she couldn't really trust anyone anymore.

"Thanks." Cam smiled gratefully.

Brennan hated having any company lately. She didn't go out unless she had to and when she did, she would take care of business and would return home as quickly as she could. She had her groceries delivered. She didn't call any of her friends. She wouldn't allow herself the luxury of a friend.

Cam looked around the once cheerful and bright home that now looked dark and eerie. All the windows were shaded, and the rooms that were airy and light before, were no longer inviting. The house felt cold and empty. She wondered how Brennan could stay there that way.

Brennan called to Cooper, who appeared out of his room. A huge smile brightened his face as he saw his 'Aunt Cam.'

"Hey, buddy." Cam grinned, opening her arms as his little body catapulted into her hug.

Brennan stood by watching. She wanted to grab him away, but she knew Cam loved him.

"I've missed you Coopie," She teased him.

"I've missed you too Aunt Cammie," he teased back. They had their own little nicknames. Cam had taken him and Liz quite a few times when Brennan and Booth had needed some 'couple' time. She had loved them both so much. Cam looked into Brennan's eyes, making a decision.

"Why don't you take a break, Temperance? I have some time. Cooper and I can play, and you can get some fresh air."

"No!" Brennan's clipped response was almost a shout.

"Why not? You need a break, you look…"

"I'm fine! I don't want to go out, and I don't need anyone to tell me what I need." Brennan took a look at Cooper's stricken face and relented a bit. "Look, I'm sorry. You can spend time with Cooper, but I don't need you to babysit." Brennan turned to her son. "Cooper, why don't you take Cam up to your room and show her the new computer game Daddy bought you?"

"Okay… come on Aunt Cammie." Cooper grabbed Cam's hand and led her upstairs.

Cam gave Brennan a worried glance as she climbed the stairs to Cooper's room. Brennan quickly walked towards the room she spent all of her time in once Cooper was in bed at night. She had taken Angela's suggestion and started painting. She had transformed half of her office into a studio. She had felt liberated when she painted, even though she wasn't good like Angela. She had even bought more canvas and paints, though she hadn't told Angela about her new pastime. She took a fresh canvas out and began a new painting.

X-X-X-X-X-X

Booth was sitting at his new desk when Cam walked in without knocking. His secretary was right behind her.

"I'm sorry Director Booth; I told her you were unavailable. She just walked in," Margaret said apologetically.

"It's okay, Margaret, she's fine."

Margaret left the office, leaving Cam and Booth alone.

"Why don't you come in, Cam?" Booth asked sarcastically.

Cam didn't waste any time. "Booth, I haven't wanted to interfere…" Cam shut the door quietly.

"What's going on?" Booth heard the doubt in her voice.

"I went to see Temperance and Cooper today. I miss him. I hope you don't get angry, but I miss them." Cam sounded like she was about to cry.

"I'm not angry, Cam. I know you love them; it's okay to miss them," Booth said simply. He leaned further back into his chair bracing his heart for her lecture.

"I'm so worried about them. What's happening is not good. She seemed more closed off than ever before. I don't think I've ever seen her like this."

Booth lifted his sad, tired eyes. So many things went through his mind, and he wanted to tell someone. God, he needed to talk. But he didn't dare. No one could ever know, no one would ever understand.

"I know it's hard for all of you to understand. I know you mean well, but this is what she wants. Maybe she's right. Maybe I did put too much pressure on her. I didn't mean to, but I guess I just needed her too much sometimes. I should have known it would scare her away."

"Oh, Booth…" Cam's heart broke for them.

"It's okay, Cam. She needs this time, she will be okay." He had told himself this so many times, and yet he was no closer to believing it.

"No! Booth! There is something different in her eyes. She has lost weight. She isn't fighting. She's giving up. She's like… it's as if she has thrown in the towel."

"I don't think so." Booth stared straight ahead. "She's still grieving, Cam. There isn't any set pattern to how that is supposed to happen. We deal in different ways. I can't really understand why she is doing this, but she doesn't believe in the same things or in the same way I do."

"Booth, there is more…" Cam said with concern in her voice.

"What?"

"Have you seen her lately?"

"Hardly at all. She sends Cooper to the door when I pick him up on the weekends. I go in the evenings, and the house is dark when I get there."

Cam didn't have the heart to tell him it was that way during the day too.

"Cooper is in his room, and I go up… she isn't ever around when I go there. I let myself in. She doesn't want to see me Cam." His voice broke as he rested his head on his closed fists.

"Ohhh, Booth… I don't even know what to say to you… I wish…"

"I know. Me too."

They sat in quietly for a moment.

"So, how's the new job so far, Deputy Director Booth?" Cam changed the subject, not wanting to leave on a sad note.

"Good, overwhelming and stressful so far. But I suspect that's what this job is all about."

"Well, you have only been here for a week; at first it's always overwhelming. I'm sure you are doing great."

"It's not the field that I miss. It's her," he said sadly.

Booth's phone rang, and Cam knew she had used enough of his time. She said goodbye and promised to keep in touch. She left as quickly as she came, saying a prayer for the family that was once so happy.

A/N: Thank you for reading. I know that this isn't a very easy fic to read, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel for them, and don't forget I have already written all chapters. But this is the last chapter I will be posting until I came back from surgery, which is Monday. So, hopefully it won't be too long before the next update. Please let me know what you think of this so far, reviews are always welcome and appreciate it.