Brennan watched Booth, wondering had been bothering him. He'd seemed fidgety today; on edge, jumpy, as if he was expecting something bad to happen. There was no cause for it that Brennan could discern. She knew there had to be something he wasn't telling her, but when she asked he simply blew up at her and insisted that nothing was wrong, why did everyone keep asking that, she was turning into Sweets, didn't she hate psychology, etc, etc.

She did hate psychology, and yet… she thought Dr. Sweets might say that whatever was bothering Booth had something to do with her.

So she waited, and watched, and as they sat together in the diner, she thought maybe he'd resolved whatever was troubling him. He was happy, eating his favorite pie and giving her the usual business about what she was missing out on. "It's un-American, Bones," he teased her, taking a big bite. "Downright un-American to dislike pie." He swallowed. "Besides, you never really gave it a fair chance."

It occurred to Brennan that maybe, just maybe, she should indulge Booth in his pie delusions. After all, that was part of compromise, right? A good partnership needed compromise. "Alright," she conceded. "I'll give it a 'fair chance' – an unbiased taste test." She took a moderately sized piece of the pie on her fork and hesitantly put it in her mouth. Hmm. The texture and flavor of the crust was passable, but the fruit… "No, I still don't like pie," she retorted. "Are you satisfied now?"

He smiled. "Nope."

Typical Booth. Brennan couldn't help but smile, despite her exasperation at his hardheadedness. "You are extremely stubborn sometimes."

"I musta caught it from you," he quipped.

Brennan gave him her disapproving look. "Stubbornness is not contagious, Booth."

"Yes it is." His eyes were mischevious.

"No it's not! There is no 'stubbornness' pathogen and it is widely acknowledged that -" Brennan realized that Booth was trying not to laugh, and understood.

Booth smirked. "Aaaannd now she gets it."

Brennan simply made a face. It was impossible to pursue a logical argument when he insisted on being ridiculous. It was an irksome habit of his. For some reason, though, ever since his surgery she didn't really mind. Maybe it was because, when faced with the prospect of losing him forever, she realized that she'd miss his silliness if he was gone.

They ate in silence for a minute, Booth working on his pie and Brennan eating a salad. They exchanged a glance, satisfied to sit quietly in each other's presence without needing to say anything.

Suddenly Booth's face darkened, as if a switch had been thrown in his mind. Abruptly he dropped his fork with a clatter onto his plate. "Goddamn it, Bones," he snapped. "I love you, alright? There, I said it. I'm in love with you." He took out his wallet and tossed a few bills on the table. "Now, if you make a big fuss about it, the bureau will assign a new agent to the case and then find you a more permanent partner. However, that'll really throw a wrench in the investigation. If you can tolerate me until the end of the case, we'll be able to catch this guy." He stood up. "I'd apologize, but I'm really not sorry and I can't help the way I feel. I am sorry that I won't be able to be around you anymore, but don't worry, I won't stay where I'm not wanted. It's been an honor working with you, Dr. Brennan." And with that, he turned and started to walk away.

Brennan's mind was racing, trying to process everything he'd said. "Wait!"