Chapter. Chapter 18. Clouds

Disclaimer. There are many things I own, but Bones is not one of them. All characters belong to Kathy Reichs, Hart Hanson and FOX.

This chapter is dedicated to mustanggirlz07.

Author's Note. Sorry about the long delay. I've been lazy. Many thanks to all of you who have made this story such a great success. Thank-you for all your wonderful reviews. That being said, this story has 111 reviews, 18,010 Hits, 41 story alerts, and been favourited 13 times.

As for the many complaints I received regarding the break-up of Booth and Brennan, I would just like to let you know that in the end, I will have them together for sure. It's just, I can't have Brennan's life be completely perfect from start to finish. And besides, it gives some drama to the story, which I love, dearly. I cried while writing the scene too.

**Please keep in mind that the events that happened in season 1-4 did occur for this story, except for the fact that Zack is still in the squint squad and not in the psychiatric facility.

Aside from the story, please note that I have changed my penname yet again. So, don't be freaked out. *winks* There is also a new poll in my profile, so vote?

Sarah

Truth enlightens the mind, but won't always bring happiness to your heart.
-- Star Wars: The Clone Wars

There are times where you wish you could go back in time and do things differently. There are moments where you wish you were a different person, with different beliefs and behaviour. But then, you remember that you can't and that you are who you are. That's how I feel.

I don't remember when I built my walls of security and started believing my beliefs. At the time, it seemed like a perfectly flawless idea. I could have amazing sex to satisfy my biological urges without having to deal with the cuddling and small talk aftermath. I could live freely and do whatever I wanted with my life. I didn't have to go home to support a family, after working countless hours with thousand-year old mummies, recently found bronze age cadavers, and murder victims. Life couldn't get better than that. Or could it?

There was a growing possibility that Booth may have been the best thing that happened in my life. He understood me. He was one of the only people--the other being Angela-- who looked past my social inabilities, and witness the real me, making me stronger everyday. He cared for me when even I didn't take care of myself. He comforted me during the worst situations. I found trust, security and a family with him, and now I blew it away.

I had no understanding of why I was here at the airport waiting for my flight to be called. Why I was even going away. Maybe it's all for the best. Maybe.

"This is the boarding call for Flight 918 for Heathrow Airport."

That's me.

I stood up and grabbed my suitcase and went to board my plane to London, England.

"Doctor Brennan!"

My ears quickly recognized the familiar voice. I turned around, meeting the grin of Inspector Cate Pritchard.

"Temperance, it's good to see you again!" she said, giving me a hug. "You never explained why you were coming. And may I ask where Booth may be?"

Booth.

"Um..may we discuss that matter at another, less populated area?"

"Of course. You need a place to stay, don't you?"

I nodded.

"So why don't you stay at my place? And it's much more convenient."

"Oh, I don't want to intrude. I can arrange for a hotel room..."

"Non-sense! No need to waste money, even though I know you have quite a nifty sum."

I smiled. "Well, if it's not a problem, then I accept your offer."

Pale purple walls. Light grey curtains. Simple, yet elegant furniture. Everything seemed to fit perfectly together. If I didn't already know her work as an investigator, I would of made a logical assumption that she was an interior decorator. I followed her into the kitchen, leaving my luggage by the doorway, as she invited me for some tea. The staple of England from what I've heard.

"Milk in your tea, Temperance?" she asked, as he poured our cups of tea.

"Yes, thank-you, Inspec--I mean, Kate."

She poured some milk in my tea before handing over the cup to me with a small dish underneath. I accepted and smelled the wonderful aroma of the tea leaves.

"Now, you were going to explain to me why you are here in England?" She stirred her tea.

"Well, I should start from the beginning shouldn't I?" She nodded.

"I think I told you that Booth supposedly died, then came back to life, a month before we came to England to meet you and um...Ian...for the very first time, correct?"

"Yes, you have. Go on."

"Well, he supposedly died again last year. This time it hurt me quite badly."

"Ah. I see. But that is not the reason you came here, I believe."

"No. He came back three months later at my door. He told me that he had called me every single day to tell me that he was in love with me."

"Please tell me you said you loved him back and that you finally took on Mount Everest." Her eyes almost begged for my reply of "yes."

"Yes, I did, but I didn't have sex with him that night."

"Oh well, at least you two finally admitted to each other that you have feelings for one another," she said, rolling her eyes slightly. She reminds me of Angela.

"That's not all though. We were a couple for almost a year before he proposed to me."

Kate spluttered her tea out that second. "He proposed to you?!" I nodded. "Let me see the ring!"

I started stumbling on my words. "I...I rejected his proposal. And following my guilt, I..um...brokeupwithhim and that is why I'm here in Eng--"

"You broke up with him!? How could you do such a thing, Temperance? That man is utterly in love with you!" she exclaimed.

"I felt guilty about rejecting his proposal and the fact that I know that I can't give him what he wants. He wants marriage, children, everything most women would dream about! I cannot but feel guilty for not letting him have that. I'm letting him be happy and move on with his life, Kate. I'm just a wall that's blocking his way. He should be with a woman that wants the same things as he does. A woman that can be a good, loving wife that he can come home to. I am none of that. I'd be a horrible wife."

"Temperance," she walked over and sat next to me, putting her hand on mine. "Don't you undestand that he's not that type of man? I know I don't know him that well, but from the way I see it, that man, Seeley Booth, wouldn't be with you if he didn't love you. He wouldn't have proposed to you in the first place, if he didn't. He doesn't seem like the type of man to fool around with love. He's a hopeless romantic, Temperance."

"Well, he should just move on. I don't deserve him." Yes, I don't deserve him. He is much better off with some attractive, blonde woman that would do anything he says. "Now, may we please stop talking about my personal life and Booth?" I almost begged.

"Yes, of course." She frowned a little. "I'll just show you to the guest room, so you can get settle in."

"Yes, that would be great."

I finished my tea, placing it in the sink, and followed her to the guest bedroom. It was painted a pale blue and had simple white curtains hanging from the window. A bed laid in the center of the room against the wall, with plain white sheets and a light blue comforter. A nightstand stood on either side of the bed, a lamp on both.

"Thank-you again, Kate, for allowing me to stay here."

"You are most certainly welcome." She smiled. "The bathroom is through those doors," she said pointing to the white door, located inside the room. "There should be spare toothbrushes, toothpaste, and towels in there. If you need anything else, feel free to ask."

"Okay Kate. Thank-you."

"Goodnight, Temperance."

"Goodnight, Kate."

My Free Gift: A cup of tea.
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