Disclaimer: I never have and never will own Bones

Author's note: Thanks for all the reviews and to Alicia for beta-ing this. This is the last chapter unfortunatly, but i hope you like it. I have a new story that i have just put up if anyone wants to check it out, it's called Staring death between the eyes.

One Bones too many

Chapter 17- One death doesn't stop the world

"We have entrusted our brother Max Kennon to God's merciful keeping, and now we commit his body to the ground: earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus, who died, was buried, and rose again for us. To him be glory for ever and ever." The priest shut his book with a slam. He hobbled away from the grave with the book shaking in his hands. He pulled at bright spotted hanker chief from his pocket, which stood out from the blackness of the clothes around him, and coughed loudly into it.

The coffin was lowered. The wind picked up blowing leaves off the surrounding trees and a woman's hat off her head. She chased it along the ground with one hand holding her skirt down. A few people stopped to stare at the grave before making their way back to their cars. Not one of them really knew the man that had been buried that day. Few of them even remembered his name or his face. They had no grief or tears for this man. He was just another person that had died, no attachment.

But as the people dispersed 4 people were left. These were the ones who knew the man. The only people, who knew how he had died, cared that he was dead and knew what the man was really like. Booth stood at one side of Brennan his head lowered in respect for Max. He had no tears for the man, but he hadn't known the man for too long.

Russ stood on the other side of Brennan. His eyes were red and wet from the tears he had shed. His father was gone. He looked at Brennan; he was all she had left out of the family. He had to look after her now.

"He always wanted a religious funeral, he said he just wanted to feel like he belonged to something." Russ said quietly looking at Brennan. She made no sign to show she had heard him. Russ sighed and walked away.

Sarah was stood in front of Brennan. She barely knew her grandad. She had seen him once when he had saved her in the building her and her Mom were trapped in. She wished she knew more about her Grandad. She could tell her Mom was really upset, but she didn't know what to do.

Brennan stood surrounded by people, but she felt alone. She barely noticed Booth as he touched her arm gently to comfort her. Silent tears ran like rivers down her cheeks. Brennan didn't notice as Russ walked away. All those years without parents, without family, and now once again it was gone. All it took was one moment. One shot. One bullet. At least the man who caused this was dead. But that was no comfort to Brennan. He was still gone, and nothing would bring him back. Brennan saw when a killer was caught the happiness the family felt. But Brennan felt none of this, why would it matter whether the man who had done this was dead?

All Brennan could feel was a pain in her chest, like a massive hole. She just wanted to curl up into a ball and cry herself to sleep. But she refused to let this happen. Brennan walked away from the people around her and walked to the grave. No one moved to follow her; she was now as alone as she felt. She stood in front of the grave. Max Kennon, it said Perfer et obdura; dolor hic tibi proderit olim.

"Be patient and tough; some day this pain will be useful to you." Brennan muttered. It was like her father was still there encouraging her to stay strong. Brennan bent down and placed the black tulip in her hand on the grave. A slight breeze blew around Brennan's face. She sighed; the world didn't know her grief. Everyone else would carry on with life, oblivious to the fact that her life had been stricken by this grief. Brennan stood and ran her fingers along the headstone. Another person gone from her life. Another sorrow. Brennan turned her head to look at Booth. He was stood waiting for her.

She couldn't let this grief take over her. She had a daughter that needed her and she had work. The death of her father didn't stop the world turning. People were still being killed and Brennan was needed. She sighed. Then she felt Booth besides her.

"Life goes on Bones. Max wouldn't have wanted you to stop everything because of him." Brennan knew this was true. He died to save her. He wanted her to continue her life and that is what she had to do. She nodded to Booth. And together they walked from the grave. Brennan took one last look at the grave before putting all the pain behind her.