Brennan watched him shift his weight from foot to foot. In a rare show of frustration, she threw her hands into the air. "I decided its time for me to get my geese in a row and change some things in my life."
"Ducks," Booth said with a hint of a smile. "Ducks in a row."
"See, that's exactly what I mean. You correct everything I say. Especially in front of other people. It's like you're embarrassed," her voice broke on the word and she swallowed before continuing. "Like you don't want to be seen with me anymore."
Booth opened his mouth to disagree, but closed it before speaking. Replaying the last several months in his mind, he was forced to admit she had a point. He had tried to distance himself from her, to form a barrier between them. But he had never meant to hurt her. It had been the only way to protect his heart.
"I didn't do it to make you sad," he said softly. He stepped toward her, but she just as quickly stepped back and he stopped advancing. A sudden realization occurred to him and his chest didn't just spark, it exploded. "I can't change your mind, can I?"
She shook her head. "No," she agreed. "You can't"
HIs eyes and face were sad when he asked, "So where are you going?"
Bones pressed her lips together and didn't answer. She met his eyes and his heart dropped.
"Don't ask that of me, Bones." He was desperate now and was willing to drop to his knees and beg if that's what it took. "Don't ask me to never speak to you again. I can't do it."