Title: What Could Have Been

Disclaimer: Bones and its affiliated characters do not belong to me. I mean no copyright infringement.

Summary: This is what Booth should have said at the Hoover and how it could have affected the outcome of the storyline presented to us. It wouldn't have freaked-out Hart while leaving the fans hopeful.

Spoilers: Season 5 (& season 6 in the last chapter)

Rating: T for later chapters.

What Could Have Been

Chapter 1: Leaving the Hoover Building

"Bones, before we went to see Sweets, I asked if we were going to talk with him about his opinion that we are in love. Why did you say you didn't care about that?"

"He's the author, Booth. He's entitled to his own opinion." She paused before adding, "Does it bother you?"

"What? No. It's just…"

Brennan looked at Booth with concern. "It's just what?"

"It just got me thinking." A quick glance told him she was concerned. "It just got me wondering if you could… if you could ever love someone like me."

"I don't know what that means."

"Well, you're a genius, Bones. And you're a best-selling author. You're rich. I'm the opposite of a rich, creative genius."

"Booth, none of those things matter. You have many great qualities. Any woman would be lucky to be loved by you regardless if they were rich or any of those other things you said."

"Maybe," he said softly.

It was a few moments before Brennan realized that Booth was no longer walking beside her. She turned around to look at him. "Booth?" She looked puzzled in addition to being concerned. "You don't believe me? Because I'm…"

"I know what you're going to say, Bones. You're always right." He gave her a smirk which she returned.

"Then, what's the problem?"

He shrugged. "Sweets reminded me that I'm a gambler."

"We both know that you're a reformed gambler. Sweets knows that, too. He should have never said that."

"Maybe not. Bones, do you think you could ever love me?"

"You know that partners can't…"

"That's not what I asked," he said softly. "Do you think you could ever love me?"

"We're partners. You're my best friend, Booth."

"I already know those things. What I don't know is if you could ever love me."

An uncomfortable silence hung in the air for far longer than Booth was comfortable with.

"Look, I'm sorry. I should have never said that. I'm still hungry. Do you still want to get something to eat?"

Later that evening, Booth slipped his poker chip into Brennan's coat pocket without being noticed.

Author's Notes: I'm currently planning on writing 4 more short chapters – In Front of the Coffee Cart, At the Airport, In Afghanistan, and At the Homecoming.