Thank you, thank you, THANK you for that!

I feel a little tied-over now. ;)

ok, squeezing like a little girl over here...that was hilarious...and quite entertaining!

I found myself really conflicted after watching 'The End in the Beginning'. It was kind of fun and I can appreciate that, and I can even enjoy speculating on what we were actually seeing (I'm in the 'It was Brennan's writing' camp, because I think there's a ton of little things in the episode that sort of give her away, notably that she always seems way more into going undercover than Booth does and the fantasy seemed to centre on everyone living different lives. Plus, she asks Booth if he loves her but never says it to him. If it were Booth's fantasy, I'd suspect that he'd at least want to dream that she were capable of saying the words to him someday. Lots of other little stuff, too, but I won't bore you with them).

But, on the other hand, the episode was kind of silly and I can't say I'm much of a fan when Bones goes in that direction. The previous episode is a great example — we have Brennan admitting that she wants to have a child and instead of exploring that in a hesitant, conflicted manner that seems much more appropriate given the enormous turnaround that has taken place in Brennan's mind considering her views throughout the series, it comes out in a jokey, weird way during a cheesy therapy game. And then we have Booth suddenly getting a brain tumor and seeing cartoon characters, but I won't get into that.

Plus, amnesia... yeah. Never a good plot twist.

So based on my strong (and long-winded!) opinions on the finale, it makes sense that I have similarly conflicted feelings reading fanfic based on that episode. Part of me doesn't even want to read stories relating to it, but another part of me wants to see how sense can be made from that chaos and it comforts me when I read a story like yours that shows that something interesting can emerge next season. Naturally, I don't think the writers will give us anything nearly as satisfying as what you've given us, simply because it's television and nothing can ever really be completely resolved or the show will come to an end. But if the writers can navigate this story arc with even a fraction of the sensitivity and pathos that you've shown in this chapter, I'll feel a lot better about where the show is going.

Thanks for writing.

very nicely done.

whoa! intense!

I know there are cliches but its how you use them and and how you interwove them with mythology (please tell me that you did not read epic poems in Latin). And how you made me feel better, less cheated. How it felt so... romantic.

Jane

This is a random review, and not really based on any particular chapter or story. I just wanted to say that I absolutely love how you write Brennan. I think you get her more than just about any other writer on this site.

When Gordon Gordon noted that 'one of them is struggling with their attraction everyday' during Mayhem, most people (and most writers) seemed to assume that he meant Booth. But I'm 100% with you on this one — he meant Brennan. I absolutely think Booth has feelings for her, but I don't think he 'struggles' with them, per se. I imagine he's come to grips with how he feels on some internal level and has just decided to let things be right now — I could go into why I think that, but I won't bore you on your own review board.

But I think Brennan is really struggling. When I read some of your latest stories, I always think to myself, "Yes, this is just what she's feeling in this episode". I believe the way you have Brennan interpreting and being increasingly disappointed by Booth's 'line' is perfectly accurate. To me, it seems pretty obvious that when she's admitting to Booth that she wants to believe in transcendent and eternal love—to lose herself in someone—she's fishing for a more personal response from him. And when he doesn't provide it, she believes it's just further evidence that she is alone in her feelings.

Anyway, sorry for the really long review. I just wanted to let you know that I'm really enjoying your stories. Thanks so much for taking the time to write them.

I liked this. It worked. And it settled everything for me nicely. How on EARTH did you come up with the idea of Brennan renting an apartment to spy on Booth? Brilliant, and the perfect way for him to realize he loved her. (I was scared he would freak out on her though, and thank you for not doing that to us. They don't need MORE complications and heartache.)

The first paragraph where Booth remembers, and he's talking about why he called her Bones? It took me a while to figure out what was going on, possibly because the transition was TOO abrupt. I had no idea which memories and which dreams and which realities were which. I believe that transition could somehow have been clearer, even if it was supposed to be shocking.

And by the way, I LOVED all of the references in this episode. I mean, come on..."You're the kind of guy who goes to jail for a murder he didn't commit"? Brilliant. But that ending SUCKED.

Loved your "real" version!

Glad you're feeling better.

My biggest problem with the finale was that the regular characters weren't in it - the actors were, but not the characters, which is really odd for a finale.

I like this line - it nicely captures how difficult it would be to be there for someone who doesn't recognize you:

She choked on another sob then as her head lay on his chest, and it only then fully struck him how much it must hurt every day to have your heart ripped out of your chest. He didn't have the contrast of what he didn't remember to make it even more bitter than it already was

Glad to know that you are feeling better, I was startin to worry! Pneumonia can be such a bitch. And Im glad to know that Im not the only one out there who loves mythology! Nice detail there. But I was kinda wondering... Dont you feel like there is too much crying in strange moments? I dont know... personally, when I start crying, I get all red and puffy, and then theres the choking and always, and I mean always, I end up with a horrible, all-day-long headache. So I really hate crying. So, my personal view on the matter is that if you are in an intensly emotional situation and there is sex in the mix, sort it out BEFORE or cry AFTER,or you will land in a George-Meredith moment and dear, thats just sad. And make sure that you always have numerous tissues! :S

Sorry for the too long review and all, Glad that you are back in your game!

Sorry to hear you weren't a fan of the finale.

This was great though. I loved it.

Leah

I love this :) The show would have so many more viewers if you wrote for it.

Inspired, intelligent, remedial, healing. By far my favorite tag.

Thank you.

UGH! That stupid ep was just shenanigans! TOTAL SHENANIGANS! The little AU thing was fun and all...but come on!

Your story is lovely though. Makes me feel better about waiting til Sept for season 5. :D