A/N: Because that last chapter was so short and didn't feature a song. I'm giving you another. Call it a New Year's gift. ;)
Dedicated to the One I Love
Chapter 13
While he waited for her to arrive at the park, he sent a text to his partner. Now that he had a clear conscience he could send her the song he'd chosen.
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Brennan sat in her office with Angela, listening to her extol the wonders of pregnancy. She listened raptly, smiling at her friend's obvious delight and enthusiasm. "Sweetie, I just can't wait until you can experience this. I know it will change your life, just like it has mine. I know you said you wanted a baby, are you still –"
Angela was cut off by the beeping of Brennan's phone. "Excuse me, Ange." She looked at the screen and smiled; a text from Booth. "It's a text from Booth," she told Angela.
"Well, listen to it," Angela encouraged.
"I feel it everyday it's all the same
It brings me down but I'm the one to blame
I've tried everything to get away
So here I go again
Chasing you down again
Why do I do this?
Over and over, over and over
I fall for you
Over and over, over and over
I try not to
It feels like everyday stays the same
It's dragging me down and I can't pull away
So here I go again
Chasing you down again
Why do I do this?
Over and over, over and over
I fall for you
Over and over, over and over
I try not to
Over and over, over and over
You make me fall for you
Over and over, over and over
You don't even try
So many thoughts that I can't get out of my head
I try to live without you, every time I do I feel dead
I know what's best for me
But I want you instead
I'll keep on wasting all my time
Over and over, over and over
I fall for you
Over and over, over and over
I try not to
Over and over, over and over
You make me fall for you
Over and over, over and over
You don't even try to"
When the song was over, the only sound in Brennan's office was Angela's sigh of, "Oh, Sweetie."
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At the park…
Booth saw Hannah approaching him. She quickened her step when she saw him looking at her, and when she reached him, she leaned in to kiss him in greeting. When he offered her his cheek, she pulled back with a worried expression. "Seeley, what's wrong?"
He took a deep breath and began. "You wanted to know about the scar on my chest? I told you I was shot, and I was. But I didn't tell you how, or why. We were working a case with a stalker. I brought her in for questioning and she turned her attentions to me and began following me. We were all out one night right after we solved the case, at an open mic night. I had just convinced Bones to sing "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun", when I heard someone yell my name. I turn and there she is, the stalker, pointing a gun at Bones."
Hannah gasped. "Oh my God, Seeley that's terrible. What did you do?"
"I did the only thing I could do, when she fired the gun I jumped in front of Bones. The bullet hit me here," he tapped the scar through his suit. "I was rushed to the hospital. They told everyone I was dead. Bones still won't talk to me about what happened during those two weeks I was gone."
"You literally gave your life for her," Hannah concluded.
Booth nodded. "Not long after we started working together a rogue agent kidnapped her. I put him on a protective detail for her, while I was in the hospital because we were working a mob case. I told her she would be safe with him. But I didn't know he was one of them. He took her to an abandoned warehouse, tied her up, and was going to feed her to hungry dogs. I broke out of the hospital to save her." He looked at Hannah as he told his story, hoping she would understand.
"I understand now why she didn't look all that impressed when I told her you saved me. You've been saving her for years."
Booth shook his head. "We've been saving each other for years. Bones has saved me a few times, too. What I'm trying to say is that Bones is very important to me."
"I know that, Seeley. I would never suggest you change your relationship with Temperance," Hannah interrupted.
Booth let a short laugh escape him. "She's more than just a partner or best friend to me."
Hannah took his hand and held it between her own. "You love her," she told him quietly. He turned shocked eyes to hers. "I'm not stupid, Seeley. I know nothing has happened between you since your return, you are too honorable to allow that. But I also know the far away look I see in your eyes sometimes, the way your face is a bit brighter when you talk about her or when she's around. How uncomfortable you are when she and I are in the same room." She sighed. "And last night, I knew something had happened. I knew you weren't happy with me, and you wouldn't be. I'm not her, and she's the one who holds your happiness." She patted his hand. "That's why when you called I was just finishing up my packing. I called this morning and I'm going back to Afghanistan. I wish you every happiness, Seeley." She gave his hand a final squeeze and stood. Then she was gone.
A/N: The song in this chapter is "Over and Over" by Three Days Grace