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Booth didn't make a sound when he received the letter. At first glance, he thought it might be from Rebecca with stories about Parker. He even thought it might be Parker writing to him.

When he saw the address, his heart jumped, and he couldn't open the letter fast enough.

Booth,

I've tried to write this letter so many times, but somehow, words seem to fail me. Surprising, right? The scientist doesn't know what to say.

I even thought about calling you despite the fact the satellite phone is only supposed to be used for emergencies, but that seemed more daunting. At least with the letter, I can think about the words and rewrite them if necessary.

And now I'm rambling which is unusual. That must be your influence.

Focus, Temperance.

Booth, I know it has been five months, and maybe I should have written this letter sooner, but I was scared.

I hated the way we left things. I know you think I chose to come to the Maluku Islands because I was running away. You thought I was running away from murder, you, and your confession, but you're wrong.

I needed perspective, and I couldn't get it if I was seeing you every day. I wanted to see what it would be like if I temporarily went back to my old life. My life before you. If I went on a dig for months with no contact with anyone outside of it.

I used to love it. I relished the solitude and academia of it.

Do you know what it's like for me know?

t was lonely. I found myself thinking about you. About Doctor Hodgins and Angela. About Doctor Saroyan. I even thought about Sweets.

Before you, I never thought about people. I was happy being alone.

That's no longer the case. I feel like I should be angry at you. It was so much easier to not get hurt if I didn't depend on others for my happiness.

But now, without everyone here, I feel incomplete. Sounds a bit flowery for me, but it's true.

No matter how much I miss the others, the reality is I miss you ten times more. I miss seeing you. I miss your jokes. I miss hearing you laugh when I do or say something incredibly awkward. I even miss you correcting me on my phrases or explaining a pop culture reference.

I think about you all night, every night.

There are many handsome, intelligent men here that would be interested in satisfying our mutual biological urges, but they have one fatal flaw. They're not you.

I regret letting my fear tell you no that night outside of the Hoover building. It's probably one of my biggest regrets.

Maybe I'm too little, too late, but I had to try.

I hope you're staying safe and keeping your promise to not be you, to not be a hero, but knowing you, the wish is a lost cause.

I'll see you in seven months by the reflecting pool

Temperance Brennan AKA Bones

P.S. if you haven't figured it out, I love you

Booth blinked until the words began blurring. His heart raced at her words, words he had so wanted to hear before they left.

He wished he actually heard them instead of just reading them, but beggars couldn't be choosers.

He knew what was going to happen. He didn't even have to think about it.

He had met up with Hannah a couple of times since the fig tree incident, and it was fun and easy. But that feeling of easiness didn't compare to what he felt for Bones, and if she wasn't having sex, he could be celibate for a few months as well.

He wouldn't see Hannah anymore.

The next time he saw Bones, they would kiss, and this time, he wouldn't be pushed away.