Chapter 2

Several days later, the case was solved and the paperwork was filed. Hannah and Brennan had agreed to meet for a drink at the Founding Fathers. Although she had admitted her feelings aloud for Booth, she did not blame Hannah for her loneliness and was trying to be a supportive friend.

"Angela says I need to move on", she admitted to Hannah. "I still can't believe that Booth shared my feelings with you."

"Well, Temperance, we are a couple. We share almost everything."

"I just find that it is a bit embarrassing, that's all."

"If you are willing to listen, I have an idea that may help you move on", suggested the smiling blonde.

Swallowing hard and turning to look her in the face, Brennan replied, "Go on."

Ordering more wine, the two women talked well into the night.

Since there was no current case, Booth surprised Hannah with an extra- long weekend getaway. Tuesday morning, he bounded into the Jeffersonian and headed straight for Brennan's office. When he arrived, the lights were out. He flipped the switch as he entered the room and noted immediately that the shelves were nearly empty. There was no indication that the office belonged to anyone. Confused, he made a bee-line straight for Cam's office.

"Cam! Where's Bones? What the hell is up with her office", he shouted louder than necessary.

Prior to addressing Booth, she closed her eyes, took at huge breath, and then peered at Angela who was sitting in front of her.

"Seeley, you don't have to yell", she commented as she gave him a somber look.

"What's going on?" he questioned again.

Angela couldn't look at him, so she put her hands in her lap and looked down.

"Seeley, come sit down, please" Cam requested.

With intrepidation, he moved to sit next to Angela. "What's going on, Camille?"

"Seeley, Dr. Brennan is gone."

"What do you mean, 'gone'?"

"She left the Jeffersonian while you were away on your trip with Hannah."

"Where did she go?" he asked with confusion written all over his face. "She didn't say anything about leaving.

"She is on her way back to Maluku, Seeley."

"Why!?"

Angela took this moment to jump into the conversation. "You may want to ask your girlfriend the answer to that one", she spit out.

Whipping his head around, Booth asked incredulously, "What does that mean?"

Irritated and with a bit of anger, Angela stated, "If it weren't for your desert Barbie, Bren would still be here instead of escaping to the opposite end of the earth again."

Furrowing his brow, Booth started to admonish Angela, but was interrupted by Cam.

"Angela, hold on. Seeley, while you were gone, we had dinner with Dr. Brennan one evening at her request. She shared with us that she would be leaving immediately to return to the Maluku Islands. She needed it to be while you were away. She was afraid if you knew she was trying to leave again you would attempt to stop her."

"Why? And what does this have to do with Hannah?"

Angela broke in. "We spent last Thursday with Bren as she explained that Hannah gave her advice on how to 'move on' since she confessed her feelings for you. Hannah told her that since her confession, you had become very uncomfortable working with her and being around her. However, she added that you were much too kind to tell her. Hannah expressed that she was being your voice and knew that Brennan would appreciate the honesty. So, she suggested that perhaps time away by returning to Maluku would be the best way to move on and both of you could have a productive life. She was broken, Booth. It destroyed her." With that being said, Angela wiped tears from her face and walked out of the room.

Shocked, Booth looked to Cam, not knowing what to say.

"Seeley, I don't want to rub salt on a wound or be an' I told ya so', but do you remember when you first told me you were in love with Brennan? I advised you to be sure, because if you changed your mind, she would die alone. I can't blame you for falling for Hannah. She is lovely, and if she makes you happy, that's wonderful. I do think Dr. Brennan was truly trying to adapt to that and really wanted you to be happy. But, when Hannah told her that you were uncomfortable….. she felt that she had lost her partner, her best friend, and that you really did leave her just like everyone else she cared about did.

"Cam, I swear, I did not feel that way…. I never said any of that."

"Well, Hannah was very convincing apparently."

As Booth began to say more, the telephone rang.

Cam answered, "Dr. Saroyan. Yes. Yes. Oh, my God. Are you sure? No, I understand. Please keep us updated. Thank you for calling." Hanging up the phone, tears ran down her cheek. She put her hand to her mouth and choked back a sob.

"Cam? What is it?"

"The small plane that Dr. Brennan chartered in Borneo has been lost. They fear it crashed into the sea."