AN: Finally, THE TALK! I hope you like it.

Chapter 20: Explanations

"Okay Seeley, what was that about? I'm a great liar. Almost had her believing you had dumped me for her?" Hannah shook her head in incredulity.

Booth and Hannah were seated in an otherwise empty small waiting room in the hospital. Acknowledging an urgent need to talk, they had roamed the halls until they found a private place. As soon as they'd entered the room, Hannah started shooting questions at him. No wonder she was such a good reporter. Right to the heart of the matter.

"Does everyone in the world - including me - know that you are in love with her - except her? That's rich."

Booth clasped his fists together between his knees. He was very tired after the day's events and he hated being away from Bones when she was hurting, but he owed Hannah an explanation.

"Hannah, I'm really sorry. It was never my intention -"

Hannah put her hand on Booth's knee. "No, Seeley, stop. That's not necessary. I had a lot of time to think while I was traveling. I looked back on our relationship. The circumstances under which we got together. The whirlwind nature of it all. Then I thought about all that you told me about your relationship with Temperance. Thinking it through, I realized I - we - never really had a chance. I met you at a time when you were running from your feelings for her, and you ran smack into me."

She smiled sadly, patted his knee lightly and then removed her hand. "I think I started to realize the truth the minute I met Temperance, saw you two together. Like too halves of a whole. I, of course, ignored all of the signs, that is until the signs decided to knock me in the head."

Booth shook his head. "Hannah-"

"Really, I'll be fine. She's quite the role model, our Dr. Brennan. I would swear that she's as in love with you as you are with her, but for her, that means first and foremost that she wants you to be happy. I have never detected any animosity from her towards me. To the contrary, she has always been gracious and inclusive. Who can say what internal strife she's had to go through to accomplish that? I hope I can be that strong."

Booth winced at that speech, remembering the night of Bones' confession in the car. Yes, she'd definitely had her share of internal strife. He heard the words he'd said to Bones that night emerging from his lips once again. "I don't want to hurt you Hannah."

She smiled, a bit sadly. "Sometimes it can't be helped. I'll adapt."

Another eerie echo from the past. Why did he hurt the people he cared most about?

Hannah stood up and looked at Booth with real affection. "I do wish you the best Seeley Booth. When I'm in town, I would love to visit with you and Temperance. If that's okay?"

Booth stood up. "What do you mean - when you're in town?"

Hannah slung her large bag over her shoulder. "I requested a transfer back to the middle east. The presidential detail really isn't my thing. I miss the excitement. I think the change will do me good."

"I will miss you, Hannah. Bones will too." He enveloped her in a hug. "Please keep in touch. And stay safe."

She returned the hug for just a moment and then stepped back. "I'll miss you…you both….too. Say good bye to Temperance for me, will you? And for goodness sake, tell her how you feel. If today is any indication, that woman would do anything for you."

She turned for the door, waving over her shoulder. "Good bye Seeley, and good luck."

AN: Bye Bye Hannah! Just one more chapter to go!