This chapter was written before all of the others. Hence the reason it has been quite hard to write the beginning, because I liked this part of the story. I hope you enjoy!

The next day, case file in hand, Brennan strode toward Cam's office to tell her the latest developments of the case. As she approached the doorway, she could hear that familiar voice that made her heart skip beats. Her time in Maluku and Daisy's prying, helped her realize that her heart skipping beats when she heard Booth's voice was because she was in love with him. She stood outside the door, not meaning to eavesdrop, just not wanting to interrupt.

"I'm in love with her." Booth announced.

Brennan's interest was piqued. Ever since Booth came home from Afghanistan with Claire, Brennan feared the day when he officially moved on. She hid herself behind the door, making sure to not be seen, not even daring to take a peek.

"You're in love with Claire?" Cam asked. There was a pregnant pause. "Oh, I see." she said, sounding surprised. "Are you going to tell her?"

"I don't know, Cam. I don't know. I don't want to scare her away. I'm just so … intoxicated by her. Every time I think I am about to tell her, I clam up. I'm afraid she will run. I don't want to risk losing her. I love her."

"Love is risky, Seeley. You can't let that fear run your life though. But love is worth it."

Brennan fought back the tears that the news brought. She lost him. She missed her chance to tell him that she loved him and she lost him. She wiped away a stray tear, put herself together and quietly knocked on the door. She poked her head in the room. Booth turned around, fear in his eyes.

"How long have you been standing there?" he asked nervously.

"Long enough."

"I never meant for this to happen, Bones. I just never wanted to …"

"Booth, you don't owe me an explanation." Brennan interrupted. "You should tell Claire. I've seen the way she looks at you. She loves you too."

"Bones … wait."

"No, it's okay, Booth. I understand." Brennan said, walking closer to Booth and Cam. "Here Cam, I brought you the new developments on the case." She handed the file over, smiled wistfully at Booth, turned and walked out the door. Brennan sped-walked to her office, but passed by an observant Angela.

"Bren!" She called, with no response. "Bren, what's wrong?" She attempted to catch up with her, but she was too quick and slammed her office door behind her, but not locking it. Angela knocked on the door and found Brennan sitting on her couch, her head in her hands. She was crying, but was trying to hide it. "Brennan, what's wrong, Sweetie?" Angela asked again, coming over and taking a seat next to her best friend.

"I lost him." Brennan cried into her hands. She looked up at Angela, tears streaking her face, her eyes red. "I lost him." She whispered.

"Who?"

"Booth. He's in love with Claire, I just heard him telling Cam."

"Oh, Sweetie. I'm so sorry." Angela responded, pulling Brennan into a hug.

"I just don't know what to do. I ran away to Maluku because I couldn't understand or deal with what I was feeling every time I was with him. It took me a year to become fully aware that I was in love with him. I am in love with Booth and I'm too late." Brennan melancholically concluded.

"Oh, Bren, I don't know what to say for once other than that I am so sorry you are going through this. I never would have seen this coming. You and Booth … are meant to be together and if Booth is too stupid to realize that, then I say the hell with him."

"I wish it were that easy, Ange. I don't think I can compartmentalize my feelings this time around. I've done it with every other relationship I ever had, but Booth is so much different. I am unabashedly in love with him and I don't think I can put my feelings for him in a metaphoric box and forget about it."

"I'm not expecting you to do that …" There was a knock at the door. Angela turned her head, while Brennan tried her best to hide the fact that she was crying.

"Bones." Booth said, hesitantly. "We need to talk."