Wow! Two updates in 24 hours – GO ME! This would've been up last night, but once again, the stupid computer was being an ass. Here is the second and final part to the story.

Enjoy!

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Whether it was because she didn't want to break down in front of Hannah or for other reasons, Brennan was unable to express how much Hannah's words about Booth really affected her. She couldn't bring herself to break the bond that had formed between Booth and Hannah. If she had another shot at things with Booth, she would go down a different path than the one she'd once chosen. But she wouldn't hand build one; if it happens, it happens. If not, she'll sit there and smile. If you cant be truly happy, pretending with suffice. Pretending for the sake of others; for Booth's sake.

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August 2011 (2 ½ Months Later)

Everything was back to normal; mostly. Booth and Brennan were both back in the field working cases. Hodgins tagged along sometimes, though he mostly spent his time at work in the lab, examining particulates and bugs. Angela was a little hesitant at going back to all the 'death stuff', not wanting to burden her unborn baby, but still did reconstructions anyway. Cam was happy, everyone was back in the lab and back to work.

Brennan had kind of gotten used to Booth and Hannah's relationship. She was used to seeing them together; holding hands, kissing, all the things that ordinary couples do. But being used to something doesn't always mean you dislike it any less. She hated the fact that Booth now turned to Hannah in his times of need, instead of her. She hated that Booth would decline drinks because 'Hannah is waiting at home' or 'Hannah and I are going out tonight'. She hated how it was Hannah that Booth invited to Parker's baseball games, instead of her. She hated that it wasn't how it used to be. She hated that it wasn't easy anymore. Her and Booth still occasionally had Thai food if they had to stay late at the office or if Hannah had to go somewhere overnight for a news story. But it wasn't the same, and she hated that.

Sitting on the couch one night, reading through their latest case file and sipping her cup of tea, Brennan was startled by an impatient knock on the door. She got up quickly; no one came 'round this late anymore, not since Booth came back with Hannah.

"Booth, what are you doing here?" she asked in surprise as he walked past her into her apartment, fuming with anger. His brow was creased in concentration and his jaw was set. His fists clenched and unclenched slightly as he stood uncomfortably in her apartment, staring at her with angry eyes.

"I – I just – I – How could you?" he stumbled on his words, becoming only more frustrated.

"Me?" she managed to say. "What did I do?"

"You...Hannah told me about the conversation the two of you had that time you went out for drinks..." Booth prompted.

Thinking back to that conversation, Brennan said, "I thought it was okay to talk about us. She was the one who brought it up, because you told her."

"No. Not that," he said, aggravated.

"What then, Booth? I truly have no idea what you are referring to."

"She told you I love you, Bones!" he cried. "She told you I love you and you brush it off like, oh I don't know, it doesn't matter?"

"Of course it matters!" she retorted. "Do you have any idea how much sleep I've lost thinking about that?"

"If you knew, then why didn't you do anything?"

"I don't know what you mean," she said simply.

Sighing, Booth ran a ran through his hair, "I see the way you look at me and Hannah when we're together. I see the way you try to put on a brave face. A face to cover the resentment. I know that you still fell something for me. If you'd known that I hadn't really moved on at all, why didn't you speak up?"

"Speak up? You mean, like you did outside the Hoover?" She was weary as she brought this up. Ever since it had happened, it had kind of been taboo to talk about it.

"Yeah. Why didn't you, when you knew how much I still love you?" he asked, though it sounded like he was pleading.

"Hannah knew. Hannah knew she was 'the rebound', as she put it, but she didn't care. She knew your heart wasn't in the relationship, but she was so dedicated to making it work for you that she didn't care. I thought that someone who cared that much for you deserved a chance," she admitted truthfully.

Booth stood there, as if he had been stunned into silence by her words.

"Did you want me to speak up?" Brennan asked quietly, almost a whisper.

"Yes!" he exclaimed. "That's all I've ever wanted. Bones, just, speak up."

Her heart stalled. When this conversation had begun, she had not expected it to turn to this. She had not expected to be put upon the spot and lay her soul bare.

"Okay," she started. "Booth, I hate some of the things I've done. I hate myself for saying no to you, and for telling you it was okay wit me if you moved on, because it wasn't. I hate that we went our separate ways and I hate that you came back with Hannah. And I know you're happy now, happy with her, and I have no right to say this, but I would like to give us a shot. That is, if you want to."

Beaming, Booth said, "hell yes!"

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THE END.

Thanks so much for reading (and reviewing) this story. I really enjoyed writing this and hope you enjoyed reading it just as much. Please review and let me know what you thought.

Em xXxXxxx