Hacker waited 2 hours and called Dr. Brennan's phone again, this time he got an answer. "Brennan"

"Temperance, it is Andrew."

"Hello Andrew, how are you?"

"Well, I have been better. I had a conversation with Agent Booth this morning and I needed to confirm with you what he told me."

"If it is about terminating our partnership, then that is correct."

"Temperance, what happened …."

"You know I wish everyone would stop asking that question. Why can't everyone just let it go, why do you all have to ask. It … we just don't work anymore. Any other questions?"

"Temperance I am sorry, I will push the paperwork through. If you need anything…"

"Thank you Andrew." She hung up and took several deep breaths as she tried to fight the tears that were building up in her eyes.

The break was clean, maybe one day the center would be repair, but not now, not for a while.

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday came and went and Booth had found a reason to show up at the lab at least once a day, usually two to three times a day.

"Bones"

"Booth, we. are. not. partners anymore. Please refer you questions or comments somewhere else." All their friends watched helplessly as both partners struggled with their feelings for each other. They all knew Brennan loved Booth, but she never tried to fight for him, she just threw in the towel when he came back with Hannah. And one would have to be blind to miss the looks of longing he gave her. The pain of losing her in his eyes, he was not over her. He might be trying to convince himself he was, but one look at him watching her, it was written all over him. He might as well be a full page ad stating 'Property of Temperance Brennan.'

Finally having enough of Booth underfoot, Brennan took the next couple of weeks off work; it was time to try to turn her world back upright. Her first night she headed for a small out of the way bar and found a nice little corner to sit to do shots in. She had brought Booth there a couple of times, but no one would think to look for her there. She wanted to purge him from her system, but she didn't know how and now sitting in this bar extremely inebriated brought back memories of happier times that only made her more miserable.

She doesn't know how long she had been there she lost count of shots she had taken when a familiar voice was behind her. "Hey" She turned suddenly and almost fell off her stool.

"What are you doing here?"

"Sam" he motioned towards the bartender

"I am trying to drink you away."

"Is it working?" It killed him to see her hurting like this

"Apparently not, you are standing there aren't you." the words came out like venom.

"Temperance" Brennan turned her head and saw Hannah

"Oh, how quaint you brought Barbie." She looked back at book annoyed, "Just leave Booth and take her with you."

"Bones that was uncalled for." He glared at her. "Get up, I am taking you home."

"No! … no" her chin started to quiver while she fought tears "I will get a cab"

"Bones …"

"Don't call me that." she swung around meaning to slap him in the face, but knocking herself off balance and starting to fall off the stool, she was caught by his arms. "Let go of me Booth." She shoved him backwards and staggered away from the pair heading for the door. "Sam next time just call me a cab." She staggered outside and down the sidewalk.

Booth handed Hannah his keys, "Go home, I will get a cab, but I have to make sure she gets home safe."

"Seeley, just put her in the damn car and let's go. Or … or call that boyfriend of hers."

"I tried to call him, he is in surgery. If I force her into the car she would never forgive me. I will make sure she gets home and then I will be home." He kissed Hannah and headed down the sidewalk to catch up with Brennan.

"Bones"

She scoffed, "You just don't listen do you? Or is this all a game for you?"

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"I can't get over you if you won't let me. And I need to get over you. I need you to be gone. I can't put on this act anymore in front of you or anyone and pretend that everything is okay. I can't pretend that you and Hannah are okay, because its not. I know she makes you happy and I am glad you found that happiness. So can't you just go be happy somewhere else."

"You want me to leave DC."

She thought for a moment, "No, just be happy away from me. Why did you show up tonight? Don't you understand what it does to me? I can't see you or any progress I make in forgetting you is reset to zero."

"Bones, I never meant to hurt …."

"You never meant to hurt me. You moved on, you grabbed the first blonde bombshell you saw and you moved on. Didn't take you long did it?"

He looked hurt and confused at her. "That is what you think. That I just grabbed the first blonde I saw and moved on. I wanted to give us a chance and you pushed me away. Hannah was there, she wanted me … wants me and she makes me feel good."

"Well then I am happy for you. Now go feel good somewhere else." She stopped and turned around, "Don't I deserve to be happy to?" She searched his eyes. "For me to be happy I need to not see you."

"Well seems you moved on just fine with the good doctor there." His tone was sarcastic.

She moved to within inches of his face, "You have no idea what you are talking about. And my life is of no concern to you anymore Agent Booth. Who I date, who I have sex with is of no … concern to you. He is a good man, he keeps me going every day, and most importantly he. can't. hurt me. No one can hurt me again." She stumbled back from him and waved down a cab, hurried to it opened the door and looked at Booth again, "Stay away Booth." She fought the urge to look back as the cab pulled away.

Booth felt like the wind had been knocked out of him when she didn't turn around. She had always turned around and waved. She didn't this time. They were over, 6 years done, finished. Booth felt like someone had just stabbed him directly in the heart.

He knew he should call Hannah to come and get him, but he didn't want to be with her right now, he just wanted to think, he started walking with no destination in mind, just walking, he needed to think he needed to figure this out. She was gone; she has just really walked out of his life.

When Booth finally came out of his stupor he found himself standing in front of her apartment building. He looked up to the familiar window and saw a light on. How did he end up here of all places he could have walked, why here why now? Why can't I just let her alone? He rubbed his hands over his face and then shoved his hands in his pockets and headed home.

He arrived home to a very scantily dressed blonde who eyes told him all he needed to know about what she wanted. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her back to their bed. As he laid her down, he tangled his hand in her hair pulling her head back slightly exposing her neck. His kisses to her neck were not gentle and sweet as he normally would be. His mouth on her neck spoke of urgency and need. He stood quickly and removed all his clothing and slipped under the covers.

"Baby"

"Shh don't speak Hannah." Booth lowered his hand to her breast and began kneading as he settle his body on hers using his knees to spread her legs. He sat back on his heels and looked down at the woman in front of him as he began to remove the lingerie she used to entice him to bed.

His hands slid from her knee down her inner thighs and then to her hip. He held her firmly in place with his hands as he slowly bent down and ran his tongue over her nipples. He could hear her moan at his touch. This woman wanted him, he clasp both her hands in his and raised them above her head. He caught both her wrists in one of his hands as he slid the other one down her body to her hip. He moved his hand under her hips and raised her slowly as he entered her. Her breath left her as he watched her face. He never took his eyes off her face. "Don't close you eyes."

When it was over Booth rolled off her and she slid into his arms and rested her head against his chest. Not a word was said between them. He stared at the ceiling she stared at the wall. While it was very satisfying, it was different, Hannah felt it, what just occurred between them was a release. He had not been the attentive lover he usually was, she hoped it was only their relationship moving on and not because of Temperance.

Hannah loves me, she wants me, she makes me feel good, and she makes me happy. Any man would do just about anything to be in my shoes right now with this beautiful vibrant woman in his arms. Starting today, I am going to be the man Hannah deserves, she deserves my full attention. She is not a consolation prize, she is my choice. To hell with Bones, I can do without her.