Sorry this took so long to post. I was having a really difficult time writing this chapter, hence the reason it is so short. I just need to get through the next two chapters and that's when the good stuff happens, which is actually already written.
Brennan sat uncomfortably across the table from the two lovebirds. Booth was smiling like she had never seen him before. He had moved on and she could see it in his mannerisms. She felt as though her heart was being crushed. Now, it was her turn to move on and she didn't think she could. If only she had told him at the airport a year ago. But a year ago, she was in denial that she had feelings for him. It took the trip to Maluku to understand her deepest feelings for him were love.
"So, Bones, how was Makapoopoo?" Booth asked, finally turning away from Claire, whom he had his arm around.
"Maluku." she corrected.
"Right, that's what I said."
"It was an exceptional find, if I do say so myself. The remains were in pristine condition for their age…" Brennan continued telling of the findings, allowing herself to get consumed with something other than the deep despair she felt over having Claire in the picture. "So, Claire, do you live in the area?" Brennan asked, when she finished her story.
"Yes, I do. Isn't that weird? I have had a practice in the area for many years and I end up meeting Seeley in Afghanistan."
"Yes, that is 'weird'." Brennan stated with a half-hearted smile.
Claire, too engrossed in Booth, didn't even sense the disdain in Brennan's voice. Booth did though. "Hey, Bones, could I talk to you outside for a second?"
"Um, sure…" Brennan hesitated. "What for?"
"Just come on." Booth said, standing up from his chair. "We'll be back in a second, Claire."
They both exited the diner and Booth sighed deeply. "Bones, I don't understand what is wrong with you? You seem to have changed a lot since a year ago. You don't even act like yourself anymore."
"Here's the thing, Booth. I have changed a lot. I came to learn a lot of things about myself and the ones I love. I realized things that I tried to keep hidden from myself. I have changed!" Brennan got defensive and didn't mean to raise her voice.
"Bones, calm down." Booth attempted to soothe her.
"No, Booth, I will not calm down. There are things I wanted to tell you about my time in Maluku. Very important things. But then you show up with a girlfriend and you invite her to the diner, which is OUR place and … and … I can't talk to you anymore." Brennan exclaimed. "I'm just going to go home. I need to relax. I need to be in my own space. I need to unwind. It has been a long year and I just want to go home and be by myself."
Booth was at a loss for words. He had never seen Brennan so worked up over anything. "Bones, just come back inside and we can talk about this later. I would love to hear everything about Maluku when Claire is at home, if that is what you want."
"No, I'm just going to go home. I'll see you later. We will discuss what we are going to do about our working relationship at another time." Brennan said, as she started off toward her car to head home.
"Bones!" Booth called.
Brennan didn't even turn around, just held out her hand to signal that was the end of the conversation.
