Hi! Here's the next chapter. I had problems with commas, so if you see that I keep doing the same mistakes (or if you spot a mistake, for that matter), please let me know :) Thanks to Boneslover10 for help :D

Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize (in any chapter or story I post)

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The end of moving on

BOOTH's POV:

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I was always told as a young boy, that when you find the one that you are meant to spend the rest of your life with, you just know. Well, I knew from the beginning and I still know and I am going to let her know it… but there's something that needs to be done before; something, I wasn't really looking forward to doing...

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I pulled into a parking space right outside The Founding Father's. I was feeling anxious and most importantly, guilty. Guilty for not ending this relationship sooner, before I hurt people, that deserved better. Pushing the feeling to the side, I walked over the curb and headed to the door. As soon as my hand touched the door knob, my anxiety and guilt flooded back to my veins. I wanted so badly, to just get this done and over with, but at the same time, I felt so guilty for being a little bit happy to do what I was about to. And that was to end the relationship with a woman, I claimed to love.

I took control over my thoughts, pulled the door open and made two steps into The Founding Father's. Then I walked over to the bar, where I knew she would be sitting. Sure enough, when I reached the corner, I saw her sitting, where Bones usually sat, which sent a chill through my bones.

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She looked so sad; her usual neat long blonde wavy hair was up in a messy pony tail, instead of falling in vibrant waves down her shoulders. Her eyes were red, which, I concluded, was from crying, since the only drink she was holding in her hands, was a glass of water with a slice of lemon sitting on the edge of it. I made my way to my usual seat and sat down across from her. When she noticed I had arrived, she looked up at me with her sorrow-filled eyes. I looked at her with sympathy. That is when I realized, that we both came here to do the same thing. The silence was broken, when she spoke; her voice almost incoherent from how quiet her words were.

"Seeley… I …." she was having a really rough time with what she was trying to say, like she was contemplating which approach she should take.

I sat up in my stool a little straighter and scooted it so it was closer to hers. "Hannah, there is no need in trying to put cherries on top of this situation. I know what you are going to say and I need you to know, that I am sorry for putting you through this. But we both knew, this wasn't working and it is for the best, that we end it before it gets any more complicated and we end up being even more hurt. Wouldn't you agree?" I said, looking at her; hoping she'd understand.

She looked up from where her eyes were staring down at the floor and looked into mine, before returning a sad smile. "You stole the words right out of my mouth, Seeley. That is so not fair!" She said, with a hint of amusement coming to her face, and the spark returning to her eyes.

"But you're right; it is not fair to either of us…. And most importantly, it is not fair to Temperance. She loves you, Seeley. I could see it from the first day I met her at the Royal Diner. I know, I was never the most important person in your life..," I opened my mouth to try to object, but then she spoke, before I could form words. "not even after Parker." My mouth shut closed, knowing the argument was lost, before it had even begun. Right when I thought, this conversation was heading towards calmer waters, the rapids started coming at a roaring speed.

I knew that I was right, as soon as I heard her next words…

"If there was a shooting, you'd jump in front of her... as you've already done…"

"It's a reflex!"

Wrong way to put it, but my blood was beginning to boil now. Of course I would jump in front of her! She is my best friend, partner and, most importantly, I have loved her for almost seven years!

"Exactly; and since a reflex is an automatic action, I can't blame you… and I am not blaming you," her words were understanding, but her voice was accusing and sad.

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"I'm sorry, Hannah." I truly was; it was never my intention to hurt her, but at this point, it was inevitable.

"I believe you… And I'm sorry too; I thought we had something special….."

I wish, I could tell her the same, but it would be a lie; after what I've had with Bones, it would be difficult to exceed my standard.

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As if she was reading my mind, yet again, she pulled something out of her purse and put it on the counter.

"…well, I was wrong, because if what we had was special, then I don't know what this is," she motioned to the photo on the wooden polished surface.

It was the photograph, I had framed and sitting on my nightstand. The one, where Bones gave a speech to Jared, Padme and I, when they had announced their engagement. It was taken by the bartender, when Bones and I weren't looking; our eyes were too busy, staring into the depths of each other's souls. That was one of those times, when I saw, that she was capable of change – not that I ever wanted or expected her to.

Of course, after Hannah had come into my life, her photograph stood right there, next to the one in a navy-blue frame. But every night, before I would fall asleep, I looked at the way my partner's face was lit with a smile as her eyes continued to stare into mine and - like the old tale goes - the eyes are the windows to our souls.

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I looked up from the photograph after a long, silent moment and glanced up, towards Hannah.

"I don't know what to say, Hannah, except that I'm sorry. I know I'm repeating myself, but I truly am…"

"I know, you don't have to apologize; the heart wants, what the heart wants. Good luck. I already packed my things; I will be out in less than an hour."

She gathered her coat and wallet; left the photograph, and stood up to leave. But, before she left permanently, she kissed me, softly, on the cheek and, once again, wished me good luck with Bones. I couldn't bring myself to look directly into her eyes, as she pulled away, walked towards the door and out of my life…. forever.

A tear slipped down my face; after all, I was still sad, that it ended the way it did. She was a great person, but I also knew, she'd be okay. It's not like living a life in DC as a normal journalist, was what she had always wanted.

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I looked down to the photo, at the beautiful woman in it, and remembered, that she was most likely at home alone – or at the lab with skeletons - at this very moment. Then, I remembered the paperwork left, that needed to be signed by Monday and a discount coupon that I had gotten for Wong Foo's; memories started to form in my head.

I knew, right from the beginning, that I was that guy and I was going to prove it to her once and for all. I was going to speak those three little words, that I was too much of a coward to say to her that night outside the Hoover….

To be continued…

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Thanks for reading and reviewing :) Your reviews make me smile; don't you want me to smile? I really hope to update this soon and I'll do my best, but next week will be a mess at school… Also, if anyone has suggestions or ideas, please let me know!

Do you want BB to get together A)As soon as possible/before the book is published B)After the book is published?

You're all awesome! (I just had to let you know that :)

Have a nice weekend!

~K