Thank you to all who have reviewed and read the first few chapters and encouraged me to continue. It means the world! – Mac

Chapter 4

Booth was distracted throughout dinner. He couldn't shake the feeling that he'd done something wrong. He'd left with Hannah. More to the point, he'd left Bones behind.

That wasn't that unusual. He was with Hannah. They were getting married. And Bones was… she was his partner. And friend, though… that had all felt rather complicated lately. Which is why he mostly kept to just work talk and nothing more. It's why they barely hung out anymore. It's why he tended to just keep his head down unless they were talking about corpses or suspects.

Because he was happy with Hannah. He was certain of that. He felt content. And… and that was a good thing.

But tonight felt off. He glanced down at his phone. It had been two hours and she'd never texted him. She probably was home. And fine. But… she'd said she would let him know. That guy had been… aggressive. And "a fan". He forgot about all of her stalkers and fans – those fans who'd sometimes been a little too obsessed, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. In the past, he'd sometimes attended her press events because some of those fans honestly worried him. She used to show him the letters. And tell him about her new releases and when those events were happening.

He thought back – had she mentioned releasing a new book? He honestly had no idea.

They mostly just talked about cases.

When he couldn't take it anymore, he texted her. Bones, are you home yet?

He looked at Hannah, who was eating her spaghetti marinara while also looking online for tuxedo tailors for children. For Parker.

He knew he shouldn't feel annoyed at Hannah. After all, it seemed like she was just oblivious to what had happened at the bar. But… he was annoyed. More at himself and his response to Hannah. He let her and the idea of being late to a dinner reservation lead him away from his partner who'd been hurt right in front of him, while he did nothing.

He kept seeing her in his mind's eye rubbing her wrist, that wounded look on her face he'd seen before. He saw her schooling her features into a calm indifference as she reassured everyone that it was not a big deal.

He should've stayed. He should've walked her home.

He looked at Hannah sharply.

And he should've made it clear to his fiancée that his partner mattered to him more than wedding planning and dinner.

Because if Bones was to have any role left in his life, Hannah needed to understand that she mattered. That she wasn't just some colleague.

But he'd made pretty damn sure to show her that that's all Bones was, really. Because their friendship couldn't be the same. They both knew that now. And after her admission in the car a few months ago, Hannah couldn't really be expected to want Bones to come along to much of anything.

Somewhere along the lines, he'd messed up. At least that's what it felt like. Because right now, he wanted to stop everything and go check on Bones. Like before.

But… nothing was like it was before. Nothing at all.

Just as he made up his mind to go over to Bones's place to check on her, his phone vibrated and he looked down.

I'm home. And I'm fine. I'll see you next week if we have a case.

He released a breath he didn't even realize he'd been holding. And then he did what he always did. He pushed Bones back, out of his mind. And he focused on Hannah.

Though he was aware of a stirring in the back of his mind. Like something was trying to shake him awake.

B*B*B*B*B*B*B**B*B*B*B*B**BB

"I wanted to tell you that… Hannah and I… we… we got engaged last night.

Booth's eyes. They looked nervous. He wouldn't make eye contact. Brennan struggled to catch his eye. She… she had to smile and seem excited. Because… because she was his partner. She had to.

She was his partner. It was the expected reaction.

But he wouldn't look at her. Couldn't look at her.

Because of her feelings. Because she stupidly admitted them to him when he was *with* her.

"Booth." She kept trying to catch his eye as they walked to an interview with a couple. Just another day at work. Except… she could feel the shift.

Everything was changing.

"Booth!"

Finally he looked at her. He looked nervous – like he thought she'd break. So she resolutely set her expression to an excited smile.

"Congratulations," she said. And she grabbed him into one of their guy hugs. But… well… it hadn't felt like their old guy hugs. Or maybe this was what a guy hug had always been meant to feel like. So… good on that. "I'm so happy for you," she said quietly. Tears threatened to fall and with her head on his shoulder, she forced those tears back. They would NOT fall right now. No! This was his moment. And she…

She was his partner.

His hand touched her back and held her gently. A tiny bit of pressure at her reassurance.

Everything changed.

Everything changed…

Brennan walked into a dress shop with Angela, wondering for the thousandth time why she had to buy a new outfit for tomorrow night's dinner.

"It's just an engagement dinner, Ange." She looked around, casual disinterest on her face. She and Booth didn't have a case so… she hadn't heard from him at all since that text the other night, when she'd been accosted by that man. That "fan." For once, his Alpha tendencies hadn't annoyed her. They'd… they'd made her feel safe and secure in a way that she hadn't in a long time. She used to rest easy in the knowledge that Booth cared about her. Now… she wasn't sure he cared at all. She was hyper aware that she'd ruined their chances by not being ready. That she was too late. Her walls had failed to protect her. They'd ruined her. And now… she would go to his engagement dinner.

And begin her exit from his life. Because once he was married, having kids…

She wouldn't be able to go on like this.

Their status quo was suddenly a cold reality that suffocated her. Their old banter was gone. Their tender looks. Openness. Sharing pasts. Sharing moments. Sharing food. It was all a memory. She hadn't known she was giving all of it up that day. She never would have given it up.

She would have kissed him back. Forced those walls down. And taken a step before she was ready. And…

She should have.

But she hadn't. So he was over her now. Moved on. So quickly. So easily.

Just like everyone who'd ever loved her before, it seemed she was easy to get over. He wasn't the first person to push her aside without a second thought. It wasn't the first time she trusted someone so implicitly and had them walk away anyway.

Dammit, that was why she built walls to begin with. And he'd had to break them down with his smile and his arms and his gentleness, his protection and his overprotection and his unwavering friendship.

Now, she was beyond angry at him. Because he wanted her to be his partner. He dragged her into his work and then taught her lessons about trust and family that she'd been ready to never let herself learn. She didn't ask for any of that. And now, she loved all of that so much she ached almost every time she inhaled.

So.

Step one: engagement party

Step two: wedding

Step three: goodbye.

She was done. Completely done with Seeley Booth.

"Earth to Brennan," Angela said.

She smiled sheepishly and touched her friend's belly. "You should be getting a new dress, Ange. Not me. You're the one who's in need of clothes that fit."

Angela lifted her eyebrows. "Thanks for that. I needed a reminder that I'm becoming a house."

Brennan laughed. "Or a mother."

"Kidding. And no. I'm okay. I have some flowy dresses I'll be fine in. I'm not springing for a nice new dress that I won't be able to wear in a year. I'm getting through this with peasant tops, leggings and loose-fitting dresses. And anyway, you do need a dress because this—" she said, pointing at Brennan's face, her somber expression and then her clothes – "this needs to change."

Brennan looked down for a moment and then met her friend's eye. "I need to change?"

How right you are about that, Ange….

Angela's face fell. "No. That's not what I mean. I just… we are going to this party, and there are going to be quite a few FBI agents there – plus I called ahead and there's two other private parties going on but we all share the bar."

"Your point…"

"…is that there are going to be some eligible men there!"

Brennan laughed. "I'm not looking for anyone right now."

"Why?" Angela asked, putting a hand on her hip. "I have stayed quiet, Bren. I have listened and then bitten my tongue. You deserve to be happy. And honestly? Screw Booth for bailing on you because things didn't move at his pace."

Brennan's breathing quickened. Because she was angry at him too. It was like Booth broke everyone' hearts when he 'moved on' like that.

"Do you want to be happy?" Angela asked, softly.

Brennan nodded as a tear slipped down her cheek. "Happiness is a condition that all humans seek. Anthropologically speaking—"

"I'm here for this anthropology lesson. Really," Angela said. "But right now – just tell me in a word. Do you want to be happy?"

"Yes."

"I want you to be happy too," she said, grabbing one of her hands in her own. "Tomorrow is going to be hard."

Brennan's eyes completely filled with tears and her nose felt numb. She nodded but said nothing. She had no idea that Angela had any idea how much she was struggling with all of this.

"I've told you not to go. But you've insisted."

"He's my partner, Ange. I'm expected to go."

"Even though sometimes it feels like you aren't welcome anymore?"

The question punched her in the gut and she found it hard to breathe, suddenly. She put a palm up to her eyes and tried to stop the flow of tears. She nodded.

"Okay. I'm going, too. But I promise you this. I'm going for you. I will be on Booth's guest list, sure. But I'm not there for him. Not now. Not after this. You, my dear, are my only concern."

Brennan looked around the store. "Why do I need to buy something, though? I don't understand. I have plenty of outfits and dresses."

"Because." Angela looked at her with her most serious expression. The face of a best friend. "I want you to feel as beautiful as you are."

Brennan looked down and Angela lifted her face back up, a finger under her chin, a gentle action – like the one Booth used to do.

"I want you to only think about yourself tomorrow night. Not Booth. Not whats-her-name." She rolled her eyes and smiled. "I want you to look around and remember that you have a long life ahead of you, friends who love you and can't live without you. I want you to remember that you have a lot of love to give. That you are the kind of friend people are lucky to have. And I want you to go into that party and remember that. Don't even look at Booth."

She tilted her head. "Don't look at Booth? At his engagement party?"

"Exactly," Angela said. "Don't. Look. At. Him. I mean it. If he comes over, say 'congrats' to both of them. Keep it quick and go get a drink with your best girlfriend. And together, you and I – we can play a game. Let's see how many men we can get to remind you that you sexy, desired, and hot."

She laughed. "I don't think I should make the objective of Booth's engagement party to see how hot I can feel in the eyes of other men. But I do appreciate you making me laugh."

Angela smiled and grabbed a dress off a hanger. "Do you want to be happy?"

"Yes."

"Find love?"

She hesitated because… finding love meant putting her heart out on the line again. And it took years to get exactly nowhere with Booth. Doing that hurt. But still. The answer came to her faster than any of her excuses. "Yes."

"Do you want to torture yourself by playing the role of perfect partner and talking all night with Booth and Hannah?"

She sighed. "No."

"Because talking to them so much… it hurts, Bren."

She nodded. "It does."

"So you're going to keep it simple. Do not look at them. Do not talk to them. Keep it simple and quick and do what he did. Move on. I'll help you. And you deserve it."

She nodded and looked at the silvery-blue dress in her friend's hands. "Won't I come off as rude?"

Angela shook her head. "Just smile when you say 'congrats'. Smile like the word and its meaning doesn't make you feel like breaking down. Smile like you mean it. And they won't think you're rude. For everyone else, including Booth, tomorrow will be about them. But for us… it's about you. And it will be from now on." She held the dress out to her. "So… what do you say?"

She took a deep breath. For the first time, she felt like tomorrow wasn't so daunting. Showing up suddenly felt possible. And… and if she really did need to move on from Booth – survive his wedding – she wanted to feel beautiful and confident. See who else might be out there for her.

She took the dress from Angela and hugged her friend tightly. Because if it weren't for Angela, she didn't know how on earth she'd ever have gotten through any of this.

B*B*B*B*B*B*B*B*B

While Brennan was in the dressing room, Angela opened up the "Squint Squad" text thread.

Easiest job ever. Telling her to forget Booth exists for a moment – I got to play my part without acting for a single moment. Anyway… done. She's going to look hot.

She looked up as Brennan walked out of the dressing room in the dress, new shoes on her feet.

Take that back. She's going to look unbelievably gorgeous.

It was Jared who replied first.

Serves Booth right. See you all tomorrow.