It had been five years. Five years, two weeks, four days, six hours to be exact since Seeley Booth had seen, spoken to, or heard from Temperance Brennan.

It had been a shocking day when Booth had turned in his job transfer request. It was shocking that he would even consider leaving his Bones. This was a man who had taken a bullet for her, raced against the clock while she was buried alive, and held her in her weakest moments. It always seemed that nothing, and no one, could ever come between them.

Things are not always as they appear.

In a moment of weakness, assisted by large quantities alcohol, they had crossed the line that Booth has so clearly drawn between them years before. It wasn't just a slip up; it was an all road blocks down, no protection, not even a thought to it, kind of moment.

That's when it happened.

Booth, we need to talk.

Whatever it is Bones, you can tell me. I mean, it's just me.

I've never been very good at being subtle, so I'm just going to tell you. I'm pregnant.

You're pregnant? Are, are you sure?

Positive. I went to my doctor to confirm the results of the home test. And I'd like to just get it out of the way now, we're not going to get married and this doesn't change our relationship. We both agreed that after that night, we should just go back to the way things were. It was a mistake.

I didn't agree, you told me I agreed.

Well, I also think you should know that I don't intend on keeping it. I'm not having an abortion or anything of that nature, but I've already spoken to an adoption agency, and they are very willing to work with me, so…

You're just going to give the baby up? You don't even want to consider keeping it?

I have considered it. And I've decided against it. This is for the best, Booth.

Don't I have to agree to this arraignment too? Or do you just get to make all the decisions?

Of course you have to agree, that's why I'm telling you. I'll be needing you to sign some forms releasing your parental rights and allowing the adoption process to go forward.

What if I don't agree?

Please don't make this anymore difficult than it already is Booth.

What if I take it?

You're going to raise the child by yourself? Our child?

You've made it pretty clear that you don't particularly care who raises OUR baby. You're willing to give it up for adoption, so why not give him or her to their father. To family.

I don't think that would be right, you raising a child while we're still partners.

I completely agree. So I'll apply for a transfer to a different location. We'll never bother you again.

Brennan remained speechless for several moments. She'd never seen Booth act so cold, so distant. She had no doubt that he'd be a wonderful father to their child, that wasn't the issue. No, her doubts lay somewhere else entirely, somewhere deep inside. "Would I be a good mother?" she asked herself. No. That was the only answer she felt could possibly be right. "What child would want me for a mother?" she thought. No child. My baby deserves to be born with a clean slate, a good life.

Alright, I'll call the adoption agency. You can have the baby.

She closed her eyes at her own words. And that was the first time that Seeley Booth had every walked out. He walked out and left her crying silently in her office. Then she was alone. She could no longer hold back the sobs, and, slowly, the ripping in her chest began to escalate. The pain was unlike anything she'd every felt. It felt like everything in the world was coming to an end, like it was going to impale on her right then and there. That's when she realized what the pain was.

A broken heart.

No, she reasoned. It wasn't heartbreaking. It was heart crushing.

It didn't matter what you wanted to call it.

She just hoped it didn't last forever.