CHAPTER TWO LINK: /s/4420538/2/Youcantalwaysgetwhatyouwant

Brennan sat in the passenger seat of Booth's SUV. He had just gotten back from an undercover mission that left a vacancy in her life for the past two months. It had taken her by surprise, the sudden feeling of loss she felt the day; no, the moment she knew he had left D.C. She hadn't expected the rush of emotions she felt to hit her so hard; to feel so off kilter that she would need to use a sick day to merely recuperate from his journey over the state line. She had felt saddened by his lack of presence in the two months that he was gone, but knew that there was nothing that she could say to him about it because of his new fling Anna.

She could never have Booth the way she truly wanted because not only did the two of them work together, but because of their line and the fact that Booth was head over heels for someone else. She was disheartened by it, but remained stoic whenever she was around people, making sure that they knew that she was okay with it; No, not that she was okay with it, but that it didn't effect her one way or the other. It didn't kill her to see the smile he gave Anna when they met at the diner to leave for home, and it didn't hurt her feelings when the sparkle in his eye that used to be solely for her was now shared by the mention of Anna's name or the sound of her clacking heels on the floor coming toward him. It didn't bother her because Booth's love life had held no interest in Temperance Brennan's mind. She didn't care.

She knew that this was all bullshit, but she remained firm in her decision to merely stop being in love with Seeley Booth. It wasn't rational to be in love, and after a while of desensitizing herself to his smell, eyes, smile, warm greeting, touch, breath, blissful tone of his voice, the concern in his eyes for her… she would be fine. The dopamine and nor epinephrine wouldn't course through her bloodstream as quickly as it had and she would eventually loose interest in him and be completely fine. She would be just FINE.

"You okay?" he asked glancing at her out of the corner of his brown eyes.

She snapped out of her daze and looked around like she had been startled. He fists were clenched and her jaw was so tight that she could feel the pang of hurt sizzle through her head, "Yes," she said coughing, "I'm fine." She rolled her eyes at her response and looked out the window.

It was dark out. They had just eaten dinner at the diner, and since he had picked her up early that morning to go to a crime scene, he was now obligated to drive her home as well.

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, "So, how is Anna?" she asked. In all honesty, she really liked Anna. She was a sweet girl and she really was the perfect mate for Booth. She wanted children; she was kind and sensitive just as he was. Parker was also fond of her as she would take him shopping for toys and play with him like a friend rather than an adult. She was a special education teacher at one of the public schools in the area and most importantly, she made Booth happy which is something that Temperance believed she could never accomplish with such grace and dignity.

"She's good, Bones." He said, eyeing her up again in his peripheral vision, "I actually wanted to talk to you about that."

Brennan cleared her throat and shifted again, "You know I'm not good discussing relationships, Booth. Maybe you should try Angela."

"No, I need to talk to you about this. My best friend."

Brennan's eyes widened and she slid away from him, propping herself up against the passenger door, "Oh my God. You proposed to her, didn't you?"

Booth let out a loud laugh and slapped the steering wheel with his left hand, "No, Bones!" he said calming down, remnants of giggles escaping his lips, "I've only known the girl for a little over three months, two of which I was undercover for!"

Brennan visibly relaxed and moved herself back into the appropriate automobile seating arrangement, "Okay then, what is it?"

"I'm not in love with her." He said straight forwardly.

"But you two are perfect for each other!" she said in shock. She was both happy and sad for this sudden revelation. She knew that if he didn't love Anna that she had a chance, but she also knew that not only would she not make the grade for him, and worst of all he was most likely throwing away a relationship that was worth pursuing and investing time into.

"I know!" he said, "That is what I keep telling myself."

"Love is… a ridiculous ideal anyway, Booth." When she made this statement, she could help but look away from him, knowing that every syllable was a lie.

The car pulled over in front of her apartment and he shut off the engine and got out of the car. She followed suit, unbuckling her seat belt and opening the passenger door. Booth held the door open for her as she slid out and then closed the door behind her. She began to ascend the stairs toward her building and stopped when she noticed that he wasn't following her, "What?" she asked.

He shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his coat and looked down for a moment, "She is perfect for me, Bones. She loves Parker. She's kind and generous. She is also very smart; I mean, not smart like you, but smart nonetheless." They both laughed, "She believes in God and wants to get married and have kids; white picket fence and a dog. But she has one fatal flaw, Bones."

He looked up at her and Brennan was looking down at her feet, feeling the presence of the man she felt she could never have, "What is that?" she said feeling more destitute and alone than ever.

"She isn't you." He said simply.

She looked up at him, confusion written in the lines on her face. Her eyes began to water and his smile became even brighter than it had ever been. She immediately ran down the steps and launched herself into his arms; feeling whole for the first time since she was fifteen years old.