Question: when do agent booth and hannah break up

title: Seeley Booth
text: In Season five , Booth realizes his love for Brennan as he recovers from his tumor . However , he is cautioned by both Dr. Saroyan and Dr. Sweets to be sure of his feelings before confessing his love to Brennan . Afraid that his feelings for her are related solely to his tumor and coma , Booth is conflicted about whether or not to tell Brennan . Afterwards , their relationship remains fraught with sexual tension . Although she shares his feelings , Brennan rejects his advance and states her uncertainty about the possible outcomes of such a relationship given their seemingly conflicting personalities . Booth agrees to respect her wishes and attempts to move on as they continue to work together . In the episode `` The Boy with the Answer '' , Booth is confronted with the possibility that Brennan , claiming she is `` tired of dealing with murders and victims and sadness and pain '' , might leave the Jeffersonian permanently . In the final scene of this episode , Booth watches as Brennan turns to face him while riding away in a taxi . Brennan departs for a year - long anthropological expedition to the Maluku Islands , while Booth agrees to spend a year in Afghanistan , training soldiers to apprehend terrorists . They say goodbye at the airport , agreeing to meet one year later . Their relationship takes a downturn after their return to DC due to Booth 's relationship with journalist Hannah Burley ; Brennan is apparently disappointed after learning that Hannah gets along with Parker . When Brennan admits that she still has feelings for Booth , he turns her down and says that he loves Hannah . Hannah departs after she turns down Booth 's rather half - hearted proposal . Brennan and Booth begin to rekindle their relationship . 

Answer: answer: After returning to DC upon spending a year in Afghanistan, Booth says that he loves Hannah.  Hannah departs after she turns down Booth's rather half-hearted proposal.