Booth watched in horror as Luke untied her hands.
I can't let her do this!
She can't sacrifice herself for me. I just won't let her.
She can't take her own life. And especially not to save mine.
Mine won't be worth living any more without her.
When her hands were finally untied, she looked up at Luke and said:
"How did Susie die?"
"Oh, didn't you listen? I just told Booth how she died."
Luke said looking at her, shocked that she was talking to him.
"No, that's how she killed herself."
She took a deep breath.
"How did she die?"
"Alone?"
"Afraid?
Luke's eyes were slowly filling with tears.
"She died in my arms, begging me for forgiveness."
Booth was confused.
Why is she asking all these questions?
She should be trying to get out of here.
Her hands are free, for crying out loud!
She should fight, not just give in.
She can't just give up on life.
Give up on love.
Give up on me.
Luke felt sad and vulnerable.
It angered him.
I'm the one in charge.
Not her.
He took the painkillers and gave them to her.
"Don't forget our agreement, Bones."
She shivered.
With shaking hands, she started to open the bottle.
"Temperance, don't!"
Booth almost shouted it.
They were surprised. Luke, Temperance, but especially Booth.
She said, without once looking up to him:
"I can't let him kill you, Booth."
"Parker needs you."
I know that Parker needs me.
But if I have to sit here, with you so close, only to watch you take your own life, I just as well may die too.
Once the bottle was open, she took a deep breath and started to take the pills.
One by one.
Booth didn't care any more.
I have to stop her.
"Temperance, please, don't do this. We need you."
Luke smiled when he saw her continue.
His words are not working.
Booth continued.
"Zach needs you. How else is he going to become the second best Forensic Anthropologist?"
Still no reaction. She continued taking the pills.
Booth was getting desperate.
"How about Hodgins or Angela, did you think about what this is going to do to them, to her?"
Still no response. He'd expected that mentioning Angela might shock her out of taking any more pills.
"She is trying to find us, Bones!!!"
She stopped and looked at him.
Tears slowly filling her eyes.
Booth blamed it on the nickname.
Damn it! I did it again!
I can't help it. Every time it gets personal I call her that.
I should know better by now. I have to stop calling her that.
I can't put her through more pain.
It wasn't the nickname that had caught her off guard.
Why won't he just admit that he doesn't wan't me to leave him behind?
I know he cares deeply about me.
He may even love me, I mean if Angela's assumptions are correct.
With her eyes fixed on his, both pairs glistining with tears, she shook her head and took out the last pill in the bottle.
She tossed the bottle on to the floor.
"What about me?"
He had been scared to tell her that he loved her, especially since her rape.
But the thought that she was going to kill herself to save him, was far more scaring.
It scared him so bad that he forget about his fears to tell her that he loves her.
She looked back up at him and said:
"It is because of you that I'm doing this, Booth. I told you. I can't let you die. Parker loves you."
She put the pill in her mouth and swallowed.
Booth could feel his heart break.
I failed.
Now it will only be a matter of time before she...
He couldn't bring himself to end the thought that was haunting his soul.