I really don't want to imagine this, everyone leaving, growing apart, even though they still manage to keep in contact... But it's never the same, I know that from experience and it's hard to come to terms with it.

Beautifully captured, I really like this take on the song and the ending is perfect :o)

I really did like this story. And it's true-how everything came full circle. I've never heard the song, but I suppose I'll have to check it out. I'd love to participateas well, so I guess we'll have to see. Great job!

Low blow there, Jemb...you TOTALLY had me going and I was trying to rationalize with myself, "No, it's OK, their lives CAN go on, they're still friends, it's not sad..."

Excellent job, as always, and way to go on the new challenge!

I love it. How adorable.

That was an awesome job jemb. Loved it.

)bandi from the boneyard

You had me worried when ya said the chemistry had started to disappear...but I see it's not...good it's what makes things so much more interesting...keep it up!

I love this new challenge you guys have set up and I'm interested to read them every month. I have always found it fasinating how everyone can look at the same thing in different ways so I absolutly love the idea behind this challenge. I liked your fic as well. I liked how you had everyone move on but come back. It really was a full circle. Great job!

Well, as part of my commitment to be a better reviewer, here I go.

I think the story is amazing. You manage to cover a large span of time without getting caught up in miniscule details or ignoring the main events. Thank you for not making everyone leave the Jeffersonian in one fell swoop. The reasons for each person leaving is so completely in character that I can imagine it perfectly.

The line about Zack coming back from Iraq only months older physically but emotionally wiser was so moving. It really made me think about my boy in the Navy who's coming home from the Gulf in a month. Seven months in a war zone changes people whether we like it or not. I also liked the idea that Booth didn't enjoy ignoring the new squint quite as much as he did Zack.

As for Booth and Brennan, as I am firmly committed to these two hooking up as soon as possible, I was a little peeved when Brennan moved away. Granted, it was only to New York, not a long drive, but still! I think you pulled it off beautifully though, explaining how the spark that was fueled by the pressure of the job diminished once they were apart. Booth's response was reminiscent of their conversation at the pier when Sully left, that everything happens eventually.

I would be very interested in another oneshot maybe picking up with this new case. I love those six little words. Kudos on a great interpretation of a great song.

Nice piece, very nice! I liked the fact that there was nearly no dialogue - well, in the end a little bit, but not really. That was nice - you were the narrator all the time, telling us about their future. It was a little sad at first (Zach leaving, Angela quitting, Brennan heading to NY), but very believable. I liked the way you showed what could happen if "the group" fell apart ... slowly, but "inevitably".

And the ending was just very nice ... I'm still grinning having the imagine in mind of Booth leaning casually against the wall, saying: "Hey Bones, we got a case!" I say: Some things never change, even though time has passed! :-) Well done, is all I can say! :-)

Kat

Hi Jemb,

Firstly, I love the premise of the challenge, as songs can evoke such different emotions to different people - it'll be interesting to see what people come up with for this, especially since I've often found it can be difficult to verbalise the way music makes you feel.

The 'inevitability' you spoke about in the author's notes certainly came through. I felt like the writing had a lovely, sparse, almost detached note to it when describing how they drifted apart, which fit so perfectly with the narrative. I think if you'd gone with overtly emotional writing it wouldn't have had the impact that it did. Very subtle, very nice.

I was happily surprised to see the direction you began to take B/B in with this line: "But they soon realised that away from the pressures of the job and when allowed to just be friends, that spark, that chemistry they had, seemed to disappear." So refreshing, a concept I've never seen written about before - I loved it! That whole paragraph made me feel so sad - that awful little feeling you get when you realise that you don't feel the same way about someone and you know you'll never get that feeling back. Especially in this piece: "There were no more lingering looks at each other across the room, no double meanings to anything they said, no hugs that suggested more."

It was for that reason I found the ending not quite as satisfying as I otherwise may have. While the ending you have written is absolutely moving (I love this line: "He flashed his infamous charm smile, spoke six simple little words and Brennan knew right then and there that everything had come full circle, just like she had been promised"), I was expecting something else, and so it didn't move me as much as it normally would have.

All in all, though, a fantastic, intriguing piece of work with professional, emotive writing. Nicely done!

Cheers,

Steph

Really enjoyed this. I thought the way the team drifted apart was on the money. I particularly like your explanation of Zach's decision and how Booth and Hodgins developed a real friendship. I also like how you addressed the idea of whether they missed their moment. That particular piece of dialogue was perfect. I could hear it in my head. And, of course, the ending completely worked. Booth, his poker chip, and case...sounds about right...

that was so good!

okay, i'm absolutely IN LOVE with this fic! i can't even find words to explain why, it just is. absolute utter love.

and i love the idea for the new challenge, i definitely have to think about doing it...

I owe you an apology because half way through the story I was beginning to think you were in a bad mood. Then with the little scene between B&B and the moment, I thought you were plain mean. I doubted you and I should have known better. Because you ended it perfectly, with the only six words I needed to read.

I loved it and I will never doubt you again.

Oh my gosh, "Rain" is a beautiful song.

Beautiful.

Very good story, seeing as I too am a definite BB shipper, I loved the 'full circle' moment at the end.

I'm interested in the monthly challenge, think it's an excellent idea. I'll see if I can come up with anything for this song.

Love it.