Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bones or its characters. All credit goes to their rightful owners

She didn’t know how to react as Hannah excitedly told her about the way Booth proposed to her. It was, unsurprisingly, romantic. The Lincoln Memorial reflection pool, no doubt, made a beautiful backdrop, the night sky painted with stars. Booth looking at her with so much love in his eyes, you could almost believe that eyes could actually show emotion.

At least Brennan assumed that’s the way he looked at Hannah. She’d once been on the receiving end of that look. So intense that it drew you in and made you want to kiss him. To drown in all the love he had to share. She imagined he’d be good at it. Not only sexually, but emotionally.

It wasn’t that she wanted a proposal, as she had no intention of getting married. It was an antiquated ritual and was silly, in her mind, to bind yourself to another person legally. But god the images she conjured up as Hannah spoke had her heart aching with longing. Maybe she didn’t want a marriage, but she did want a life with Booth. So much that sometimes she couldn’t breathe. Which was just irrational.

She’d messed up. Her fear of ruining what she shared with Booth had kept him at arm's length. Fear of her happiness being contingent on another human. Fear of needing someone in any way.

But she knew the truth now and regret followed her around like her shadow. It was too late. Her happiness was already contingent on Booth and his happiness. She already needed him in a way that made it hard to breathe at the idea that Booth would pull away and eventually leave altogether.

She had wanted to protect him as well. He was so good at loving. At giving himself to someone so completely. She wasn’t sure she could love him the way he needed. Wasn’t sure she could learn to let him in. To share bare herself to him. That took a strength she hadn’t been sure she had. Though now she realized she was strong enough. Or at least almost strong enough.

She hadn’t been strong enough when he told her he wanted to be with her. She’d been impervious. She never had to be the kind of strong she’d needed to be to be with Booth.

She’d also been afraid. Booth knew her better than anyone. But what if after being with her, he decided she wasn’t what he needed? She was no longer impervious enough to survive that kind of heartache. Once she had him, the idea of losing him seemed too much.

And now? Now he was going to marry Hannah and she only had herself to blame. He’d begged her to give him a chance. She turned him down and realized too late that she made a mistake. And thus, she made room for Hannah.

Despite her inner turmoil, she smiled and nodded as Hannah finished up the story and they clinked their glasses together in a toast to love and happy endings. Something she didn’t see for herself. Men and relationships weren’t where she shined.

With a smile on her face, she managed to do small talk through dinner and hugged them both as they parted ways. She wanted to cry when Booth enveloped her in a hug that felt like it lasted forever, though it couldn’t have hardly been longer than a few seconds. Still, at that moment she was in his arms, breathing in his subtle scent of soap and whatever deodorant he used that managed to smell all man. Like dark spices and leather. Him. At this moment, they were them. She didn’t want to let go. But she did.

“See you later, Bones,” he said, his smile in place as he wrapped an arm around Hannah and lead her from Founding Fathers, both of them exiting with a final wave.

Brennen closed her eyes a moment before moving from the table to the bar, waving down the barkeep. She got two shots of bourbon, downed them, then asked for two more.

She wasn’t good with feelings. Her own or others. But the feelings that flooded her now were overwhelming to the point of madness. She needed to drown them out just a little. Just enough to give her time to sort them out. To give names to them.

She held up her hand once more for two more shots. After this, she’d go home and sleep it off. She’d be fine in the morning. Yeah. Just fine. Screw Booth. She hung her head. God, she loved.

Angela groaned as the sound of her phone jerked her awake. She eyed her alarm clock before picking up the phone, Brennan, stretched a crossed it.

“Sweetie, it’s two in the morning. Can’t the body wait?” She yawned. She loved how dedicated Brennan was to her work, you had to admire her for her passion and drive to put murders away and give names back to the faceless victims, but she herself was pregnant and needed sleep!

“I’ve lost my keys.” Brennan’s words slurred before she let out a strange laugh. “I think. Or I’ve lost my apartment. I’m not really sure which.” The laughter came again, ending in a snort.

“Brennan? You okay?” Angela sat up now, alarming Hodgins.

“Angie?”

She held up a finger to silence him as Brennan talked in circles. Something about drinking at dinner, then the bar. Giving the cab driver the wrong address, having to find it herself on foot and then not being able to find her keys. This was so unBrennan-like.

“Where are you now? I’m coming to get you.”

Brennan made a sound of puzzlement before answering, though even her answer didn’t sound so sure.

Ten minutes later they pulled up to Brennan, who stumbled over to them. “Hey! You found me!” She giggled much to Angela’s surprise. Brennan didn’t giggle.

“Wow, Dr. B,” Hodgins said, his tone light, but when his eyes met his wife, they mirrored her concern. Brennan didn’t get drunk like this.

“I’m fine,” she said quickly as she drunkenly climbed into the car, laughing when she smacked her head on the way in.

“Oh, you okay?” Angela asked.

Brennan lay in the seat, waving away Angela’s concern. “I’m fine, Angela. Just tired. And lost. Oh!” She popped up “Angela, do you know where I live?”

“Yes, but you’re coming home with me,” she replied, looking at Brennan through the review mirror. Had it been anyone else, she’d find humor in this. But Brennan? No this wasn’t funny. This was kinda scary in a way. Brennan didn’t let loose often, and she’d never seen her this drunk.

Once home, Hodgins helped her get a very drunk Brennan up the stairs, and into their house. Within minutes Brennan found herself on their bathroom floor puking everything she’d ever eaten.

“What do you think happened?” Hodgins asked as he poured a glass of water.

“If I have to guess? It involves Booth.” She let out a sigh. “This is so unlike her.”

Hodgins nodded his agreement as Brennan made her way into the kitchen, looking pale and a bit worse for wear.

“Feeling any better?” Angela asked as she handed over the glass.

Brennan shook her head before taking a tentative sip. She downed the rest quickly, needing to get the burn from her throat, before face planting into the couch.

About an hour later, Brennan was all puked out and looking a bit soberer, though her eyes were still glazed. She lay on her stomach, cheek to couch, focusing on her breathing.

Angela sat on the low ottoman in front of her. “What happened?”

Brennan’s eyes flicked to her before roaming away. An array of emotions crossed her face before teary eyes looked back at her. “Booth is getting married.” Brennan barely got out the last word before she dissolved in tears.

She wanted to hug her but knew that Brennan was already overwhelmed with emotions. Touch might be too much for her just now. Her heart broke for her best friend. “Oh, Sweetie. I’m so sorry.”

“I can’t even be mad.” She sniffed. “I want to be. But I can’t. . I’m just so incredibly…Heartbroken.”

“Of course you are. No one would blame you.” Angela took her hand.

“Don’t tell Booth.”

“Don’t tell him what?”

“About tonight. Just…he will feel bad and then give me that look he gives.” She let out a sigh. “I’ll be okay. I’ll adjust.” She closed her aching eyes.

Angela nodded. “I won’t tell him you got drunk.” She was careful how she worded her promise because you can bet your ass she’d have words with him. Like, ”how the hell can you break my best friend’s heart?” And “you better be sure Hannah is worth all this!”

It wasn’t that she was mad at Booth. That man deserves to be happy. Just as much as Brennan. But why couldn’t they be happy together?

“I'm tired,” Brennan murmured a few moments before going limp. Even in sleep, she looked pained.

“Oh Brennan,” Angela whispered. What a freaking mess.

Booth lay awake, Hannah wrapped around him, her soft snores telling him she was asleep. He held her to him with one arm, the other draped over his face. He couldn’t get Bones’ expression out of his head.

She’d been shocked. He could see her fighting to keep her composure and had to stop himself a few times throughout the night to tell Hannah to stop talking. When they finished dinner, he couldn’t get them out of there fast enough to give her time to digest.

God, the way she hugged him. Had she realized she gripped his jacket? Held him tighter and longer than normal? He hadn’t missed her deep inhale before she’d pulled away, looking at him as though she’d never see him again.

He hadn’t intended for her to find out about the proposal at Founding Fathers. He’d intended to tell her about it in private so she could process it without an audience, but Hannah had been so excited to tell her, and he hadn’t known how to tell her that he wanted to tell Bones alone without possibly causing a problem.

Bones was stoic. She smiled. She laughed. She toasted and made happy small talk with Hannah. She commented on how she was happy for them both and that she was happy he’d finally get his happily ever after. Hannah believed the show. He didn’t.

He knew Bones. Knew that the smile was fake. Knew by the way she spoke, the tone in her voice, that she was fighting to keep emotions at bay. By the time they were done with dinner, he could see her eyes growing red as she struggled to keep the tears from falling.

It hurt. He knew she would be sad about this development, but he couldn’t live his life based on what will and won’t hurt her. He’d told her he loved Hannah. She accepted that. Seemed mostly okay with it. But the pain he was sure he saw hidden within her smile broke his heart.

She’d been so raw when she told him that she got the message. That she finally realized that she wanted him too and that maybe it wouldn’t be the worst thing. When he’d told her she was too late, he’d meant it. He did love Hannah. She meant something to him. Still, when she started to cry audibly, her heartbreaking because of his words, it took everything in him not to pull over and hold her to him.

He still loved her. There was no point in denying that. He probably always would. She was a part of him. Like a limb that would be painful to lose. He couldn’t imagine her not being in his life. Couldn’t imagine not seeing her every day at work. Couldn’t imagine her not being his best friend.

Hannah shifted, snuggling in closer to him. The woman in his bed right now was his future. He was sure of that. He wouldn’t ever cast her aside. She was too important. He loved her.

He let out a sigh. This was hell. He was going to marry Hannah. Have a family with her. Love her. Cherish her. And he was happy. Beyond happy. This is what he wants. But there will always be that shadow. There will always be a painful reminder that he won’t have this with Bones. That he has moved on and someday, so will she.

He will hate whoever she ended up with. He’d never admit it. No. He would make nice and be happy for her. The same way she does. But there will always be envy. There will always be a part of him that loves Bones.

But it was small in comparison. That’s why he’d chosen Hannah. He’d moved on, and Bones knew that. The news was just surprising. She’d be fine.
Yeah. She was strong. She’d be fine.

He cursed to himself, trying to shake away the fear that she wouldn’t be fine. The worry that this would break her. She always pretends to be fine. Pretends to have it all together.

It wasn’t that he doubted her strength. Her perseverance. Her amazing ability to take things in stride. But that look in her eyes at dinner. The way he was sure she was going to cry. Sure he saw her heartbreak right in front of him. He regretted that.

Hangovers were a punishment, Brennan decided as she walked to Angela’s kitchen, feeling like her head was going to explode. Add to that the sore throat and raw feeling in her stomach that made her queasy, and she was feeling a bit like walking death.

How much had she drunk the night before? It must have been a lot because she couldn’t remember. Six for sure. But she couldn’t be sure there wasn’t more. Probably was.

The smell of eggs made her even more nauseous, but she also knew she needed to get something into her stomach besides the aspirin and water Angela, no doubt, put on the coffee take for her.

Her head pounded as she walked into their kitchen, catching Hodgins bent over, talking to Angela’s stomach. The scene made her emotional for some unknown reason. Maybe she was still drunk.

“Morning Dr. B,” Hodgins said before kissing Angela’s cheek. “I have some eggs and toast. And coffee on the way.”

“Thank you.” She sat at the breakfast bar as Angela leaned over the counter, resting her weight on her arms.

“How are you feeling?”

“Like I drank a liquor store.”

“Are you okay?”

“I will be. The hangover will dissipate.”

“No, I mean about Booth?”

Brennan’s eyes flicked to Hodgins who was putting eggs on a plate. “I’m fine.”

She knew that Angela know that ‘I’m fine was her go-to. Even if she wasn’t. Most especially when she wasn’t. But neither of them spoke on the subject further.

She was thankful that the two filled the silence with talk of work, baby names, and what she was sure was supposed to be a funny story from Hodgins’ past, but the story was lost on her.

As they headed to work, she knew it was going to be a long day. The sun hurt her eyes, the radio seemed way too loud and her stomach threatened to evacuate breakfast. Yeah, it was going to be a really, really long day.

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks :D

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bones or its characters. All credit goes to their rightful owners

…………….

Chapter Two

…………

Never again would she use drinking as a way to numb emotions. Brennan found it nearly impossible to focus on the bones in front of her. Her head pounded, she was queasy, and her mind kept lingering on the fact that Booth was getting married. Married. That made him even more out of her reach than before.

It would change things. There’s no way it wouldn’t. He would spend more nights going home to Hannah instead of staying out with her. Their celebrations of closed cases will include Hannah more, and it would only be the beginning. No doubt they would have children, taking away even more of Booth's free time until the only time she will have with him is when they are at work. And of course, their conversations will often include his wife and children and how incredibly happy they are.

She would become a background character in his story. Someone who used to be important to him. It would happen gradually, and chances are, he wouldn’t realize it was happening until she was nothing but a memory.

Brennan tried to shake away this train of thought, but she couldn’t. Hannah had talked about going back overseas. She wanted to follow bigger stories. Have more adventures than DC offered. Would he go? Would he leave her behind completely?

He wouldn’t leave Parker, she knew that, but Rebecca was considering moving to London for work, and she would be taking Parker with her. That meant nothing kept Booth from leaving if that’s what Hannah truly wanted.

“Dr. Brennan?” Wendell pulled her from her thoughts, giving her an expression that told her he’d been trying to get her attention.

“Yes, Mr. Bray?”

“I was letting you know I found striations on the right Ulna and Radius.”

“Very good, Mr. Bray.”

“Are you okay, Dr. Brennan?”

“I’m fine. What do you think caused these striations?”

Before he could answer, Dr. Saroyan stuck her head into the bone room. “Incoming. Two were found dead in an abandoned factory. Their remains are being transferred.” She left as quickly as she came.

Brennan instructed Wendell to put these remains back into limbo before going to her office where she took a few minutes to compose herself and convince her queasy stomach to keep itself together. Her throat already burned from throwing up during the early morning hours, and she didn’t want to make it an encore.

“Bones!” Booth’s voice boomed as he followed her onto the platform. “Oh man,” he grimaced that the remains. “What have we got?”

“I don’t know, I haven’t started the exam yet.” She’d tried to sound as normal as possible, though she wasn’t sure if she had.

“This one is female. Blunt force trauma to the frontal, maxilla, and mandible. All on the left side.”

“Crime of passion maybe,” Booth said, giving her that cocky smile.

“I don’t speculate.” He knew this. They all did. But she always felt the need to remind them.

“Given insect activity, and the growth of these larvae, I put death at about a week to a week and a half ago.” Hodgins put in.

“I concur.” She did another pass on the body. “No immediate apparent cause of death.”

“Blunt force trauma can certainly cause death,” Angela said as she looked down at the skull. “This won’t be easy to reconstruct.”

“This one should be easier.” Dr. Saroyan said, drawing attention to the other victim.

“They were both found inside a factory?” Angela asked. “Why is this one all meaty?”

“Agh. Don’t say that,” Booth said, scrunching up his face.

“Same insect activity on this body as the other. Same time of death.”

“According to the report, she was found just outside the door. Carrion birds got to her. He was leaned up against the wall by the door.”

“I hate when we can’t investigate the crime scene,” Brennan muttered. 

“He looked like he was stabbed in the heart.” All eyes went back to Dr. Saroyan. “Stab wound to the left ventricle.” He was also beaten pretty badly, but no facial bones seem to be broken. So if we can get an id on his face, we might be able to figure out who she is.”

“Will do.”

After finishing her exam, she surrendered the remains to Cam and Bray and went to her office. It was difficult to see Booth. To see that he didn’t seem at all affected by this. Though why would he? He was getting what he wanted. And that was no longer her. She needed to accept that. It was irrational to feel this way. Everyone left. She knew that.

“Bones, you want to grab lunch while we wait on Angela to do her thing?” He fiddled with his sobriety chip as he spoke.

“I’m not hungry.” She sat, pulling up the report on the bodies.

“Come on, Bones.” He’s leaned a hip onto her desk. “We can go to that Thai restaurant you like.”

“I’m really not hungry. I have work to do.” Her words were cold.

“Bones.”

The tone of his voice had her looking at him. He looked at her with worry. She hated that. How caring he was. How he seemed to read her like an open book. This was the problem with getting close to people. They start to know you too well.

“I’m fine, Booth. Really.” She went back to pretending to read the report and couldn’t take a real breath until he walked away.

She wasn’t fine. Booth knew that. She did this thing where she turned inward when upset. Like she flipped a switch and became cool and uncaring. I’m fine, should be the name of her theme song.

She looked pale, and her eyes looked tired. Had she gone home and cried? The idea made didn’t sit well with him. Hurting her wasn’t something he wanted to do. It was the last thing he wanted to do.

He knew better than to push the issue so he went to the one person who might know the truth.

“You bastard,” Angela said the moment he walked into her office. “Don’t you think you should have broken the news to her in privet?”

Yep. Claws out. “I didn’t plan on Hannah doing it last night. I wanted to tell her alone. But what was I supposed to do?” Angela gave him an Mmhmm expression. “Is she okay?”

“No, she’s not okay. She loves you and you’re breaking her heart.” She sounded angry, her words clip and sharp, cutting into him.

“I wanted to give us a shot, Angela. She turned me down!” He took a deep breath, calming himself. “I didn’t mean to hurt her.”

Angela let out a breath too, putting down her tablet. “ I know. I want to be mad at you. But I know she turned you down. I can’t be angry for you moving on. I'm just sad that it hurts my best friend.”

Booth let out a slow breath. “I don’t want to hurt her.” Yep. Broken record.

“Are you sure? Of Hannah, I mean.”

Booth looked her in the eyes. “Yes. I love Hannah.”

“Then what can you do? Give her time. She will compartmentalize and be back to herself.”

She didn’t sound like she believed her words, and Booth wasn’t sure he believed them either.

A beep from the computer brought both their heads around. “Okay, the male victim is Jenson Alberta. Thirty-Five years old. He’s a Doctor. Owns his private practice in Virginia. He was reported missing by his fiancé Natalie Brace two days ago.”

“Okay. I’ll grab Bones.”

“Booth?”

He turned.”Yeah?”

“You’re a good guy. She will be okay. She’s strong.”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

The ride to the Victims residence was an awkward one. Brennan looked at Booth, only to look away. Booth looked at Bones, knowing she’d been looking at him. Both wanted to say anything to make the situation better, but neither had any idea what could be said. So they rode in silence.

“Natalie Brace?”

“Yes?” A pretty blonde replied, leaning against the open door, her brow cocked in question. She was dressed to impress in her white pantsuit over a frilly pink blouse. 

“I’m special agent Seeley Booth, and this is my Partner, Dr. temperance Brennan.”

“Did you find Jensen?” She asked, opening the door wider and motioning them in. “Is he okay? Can I see him? I’ve been so worried.” She stepped back, her pink heels clinking on the marble flooring.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Brace. But your fiancé was found in an abandoned factory. Murdered.” Booth paused as she absorbed the news. She’d let out a gasp as she sat on a white modern chair.

“Ar…are you sure? I mean, could it be someone who just looks like him?”

“No. I’m sorry. We got DNA verification.” Brennan said. “We’re sorry for your loss,” she added on.

“Oh god. I can’t believe it. I. What about Jenny?” Her blue eyes looked big with worry. “She’s been missing too.”

“Jenny?”

“Yes. She is his partner. They own the practice together. My fiancé is a doctor. Was a doctor. When I couldn’t find him, I tried to call her, but she went missing too…did you find her?”

“We did find a second set of remains but that victim has yet to be identified.” Brennan looked at Booth who gave her that look that told her she was being insensitive. “Do you happen to know how tall she was? How much she weighed?”

“Um.” Natalie sniffed, wiping at her cheeks. “Maybe five-five, one hundred and thirty or so pounds. She’d not much shorter than me. And about the same in dress size. She’s borrowed clothes from me.”

“Are you all close?” Booth asked, taking a seat in the chair across from her.

“Oh yes. Jenny and Jensen have been partners for years. They opened the practice in their late twenties. I met Jensen two years ago. He was so kind. Hard not to fall for. He introduced me to Jenny. We became quick friends. They were best friends and it was great that I just kind of fit, you know? Jensen and I… are getting married next month. What…what am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to move on? What if Jenny is gone? Oh god. What if I’ve lost both my best friends?”

“I’m sorry, but I have to ask, is it possible that Jenny and Jensen ran away together?”

“What? No. Of course not.”

“So there’s no way that they were having an affair?”

Natalie stood, strolling to the kitchen counter closest to them. She took a breath and faced them. “They once had feelings for each other. I know that. But they both knew they wouldn’t work. It was like fitting a square inside a circle and neither of them wanted to hurt their friendship. Their partnership. I know he loved her and she him. But no, agent Booth. Theirs no way they were having an affair. He wouldn’t do that to me. He wouldn’t do that to her.”

Brennan’s eyes flicked to Booth, her stomach flopping when she realized he was already looking at her. They’d both caught the resemblance to their own situation.

“What is Jenny’s last name?”

“Sanders. Jenny Sanders.”

“This is Jenny Sanders,” Angela confirmed a few hours later. “She was pretty. Very pretty.”

“Yeah, and someone really didn’t like her,” Cam said, shaking her head. “Dr. Brennan said she was killed by swelling in the brain. Someone beat her to death.”

“And she was pregnant. I estimate about eight weeks.” Brennan said as she walked into the room.

“Pregnant?” Angela echoed, placing her hand on her belly. She couldn’t imagine something happing to her baby because something happened to her.

“So someone beat a pregnant woman.”

“And stabbed her best friend.”

“I think the fiancé did it.” They looked at Angela. “Think about it? Jensen and Jenny have been working together, avoiding the feelings they’ve both been feeling. Maybe a bad day in the office leads to drinks and a night of reckless abandon. Jenny gets pregnant, and that puts Jensen in a very sticky situation. He tells Natalie everything, ending with a breakup because no way would he leave Jenny to raise his baby on her own. Natalie gets pissed. Beats Jenny over the head until she’s unconscious, bleeding internally, and then stabs Jensen in the heart. Just like he did to her.”

Brennan scoffed. “That’s completely anecdotal.”

“I know. Sweetie.” Angela smiles. “I was just putting forth a scenario.”

“That’s Booth's job. I found nicks on ribs three and four. If I had to guess, I’d say he was stabbed with the average kitchen knife.”

“I agree. I was going to have Angela run a simulation.” Cam said with a nod.

“Alright. Let’s see if that fits.”

“I need the key I gave you,” Brennan told Booth as she joined him at the diner. She had wanted to decline, but he insisted, and she relented.

“Okay.” He pulled out his keys, taking off her spare house key. “Why?” He asked as he handed it over.

“I lost my key last night. I went to Founding Fathers, but no one turned in a key and I can’t be sure that’s where I lost it.”

“You should change your locks.”

“I’ll be fine.” She waved his concern away. “How’s Parker?”

“Good. I think Rebecca is taking that job.” He looked how he sounded. Pissed. And like his heart was broken.

“Are you going to fight her on it?”

“I don’t have rights to Parker. I’d have to take her to court.”

“Isn’t Parker with the fight?”

“Yeah, of course, he is. But she’s promised me vacation time with him and he wants to go. I can’t take him away from his mom either.”

“Doesn’t seem fair.”

Booth said nothing.

“Soo…have you guys come up with a date?” Yep, that made her heart twinge. She hated this, but she wanted to be supportive. She didn’t want to be the reason she ended up not having Booth in her life at all, and if he had to choose, he’d choose Hannah.

“No.” He chucked. “We just got engaged. We haven’t discussed the wedding at all. But I know there’s one thing I want.”

“What’s that?”

“I want you to be my best man.”

Brennan blinked at him, her heart kicking up. “But that’s meant to be given to a man. Hence best man.”

“I know. But it’s usually given to a best friend. That’s you, Bones.”

“I’m.” Heartbroken and don’t want to watch you get married. “Hannah asked me to be her maid of honor at lunch.”

“Oh.” He laughed. “Look at that. We both want you to be a part of the wedding. Did you say yes?”

“Yeah, of course.” Because I’m an idiot, she thought. She had sat there in shock, not wanting to say yes, but needing to. How do you decline something like that?

“Thank you, Bones. That probably meant a lot to her.”

Brennan smiled as she sipped her drink. “So, did you get in contact with the family?”

They shifted the conversation to the case. Jenny had no one. Just a mother who was constantly in and out of prison. Currently, she was in. Jensen has a brother and father, who both had been distressed at the news and had no idea why he would be at an abandoned factory.

After they ate, Booth drove her home and they fell into the easy routine of bickering. After last night and today, it felt good to bicker with him. For a moment, it felt like things were going to be okay.

“Bones.” He’d called as she opened the door. She looked at him, his reassuring brown eyes drawing her in. “I’m here.”

She narrowed her eyes. “So am I?” She said slowly.

“No, I mean emotionally, I’m here. I’ll always be here.”

Brennan took a deep breath. “I know.” She just didn’t believe it.

“Hey,” he said, grabbing her hand before she could get out. “Bones I mean it. Just because I’m marrying Hannah doesn’t mean you aren’t important to me. We’re still us.”

She blinked at him as his words confused her. Not because she didn’t understand them. She did. But how can they still be them when everything was changing?

“I’m sorry. I just don’t know what that means.” She pulled her hand free and hurried inside her building.

She just needed time. Time to be okay with all the change. Time to adjust to the idea that she and Booth will only ever be partners. Even though she ached for more.

Once inside, she showered, changed, and started to clean up. Not that there was much to clean. More like put books away, and straighten the papers on her table.

She went to the counter where she’d left the book she’d been reading the night before last, except it wasn’t there. She looked around, spotting it on her coffee table, which was confusing because she was sure she’d left it on the counter.

Maybe she didn’t. It felt like it had been days since she’d been home. She was just tired.

She put the book on the shelf, then finished straitening up before heading to bed where she lay awake for hours.

“And at lunch, Temperance and I talked about the wedding. She agreed to be my maid of honor. I’m so happy she agreed.” Hannah sat on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. “She’s the best.”

Booth laughed. “She is.” He kissed her, moaning into it.

“I think we should have an outside wedding.” She pulled away, and he studied her face. “What?”

“Nothing. I just really love you. And I’m so happy you said yes.”

“Soo, outside wedding?” She drawled.

“I was kinda hoping we could do it in a church?”

“But that’s soooo traditional. I’m just not sure I’d be comfortable having it in the church.” She gave him a concerned look. “Is that a deal-breaker?”

Booth kissed her. He wasn’t thrilled about not getting married in a church, but he was willing to compromise. “If we get married outside can we have a priest?”

Hannah smiled. “Deal! She nuzzled against him, making him smile. “I love you, Seeley.”

“I love you too.”

She stayed like that for a moment before moving so she could see him. He took her in, her kind face. Kissable lips. Caring eyes. This woman who had agreed to marry him. She was everything.

“I’m sorry about Parker.” Her tone was sincere.

“It sucks. I wish she’d care about how I feel in all of this. How can I be a good father when she takes him thousands of miles away?”

“You’re a great father. Parker knows that.”

Yeah. He knows. But it was still hard. He wanted to be in Parker’s life. Everyday. He wanted to go to bed with his kid under his roof. Wake up the same. Take him to school. Be there for all the ups and downs. Be the father every child deserves.

“I just want to be an active part of his life. I want him and all my future children to know that I’m a good father. That I care. That I will do anything for them.”

“You want more children?”

He smiled. “Of course I do. Don’t you?”

She sucked in her lower lip, chewing on it thoughtfully for a moment before releasing it. “I’ve always wanted to adopt.” 

He was surprised by her answer. It wasn’t that he wouldn’t want to adopt. He’d love any child regardless of biology, but he’d always thought he’d have more of his own. Hoped even.

“Is that to say you don’t want biological children?”

“I don’t know. Maybe. But I’ve never really considered the possibility. I’d like to give an existing child a home. Someone who needs us. Hey,” she placed a kiss on his lips. “We have plenty of time to discuss how to have a family.”

He gave in to her kisses, allowing her to seduce him. She was right. They had time to figure those things out. Right now, it was him and her and nothing else mattered.

……..

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks :D

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bones or its characters. All credit goes to their rightful owners.
………….

Chapter Three
…………..

“I still can’t believe they’re dead.” Olivia Berkeley cried as she spoke. “I just…I assumed they ran off together.”

Brennan and Booth exchanged looks. “Why would you assume that?” Booth asked.

Olivia leaned in closer, taking a deep breath as if she were getting ready to unload a burden. “I’ve known Jensen and Jenny since college. Jenny is my best friend.”

“Then why didn’t you report her missing?” Brennan cut in. If Angela had gone missing, she’d report it.

“Because I thought they finally ran away together.” She paused a moment and sniffed. “Look, Natalie…she’s great. She’s kind and smart, and Jenson seems to be happy when he’s with her. But his love for her is… topical. It’s fueled by lust and physical touch. She doesn’t seem to know much about him, which tells me they don’t have a lot of serious conversations. But Jenny? I’m not sure there isn’t anything she doesn’t know about him. She knows him. In a real way. And you can just see the love they have for each other. Their love is that deep kind. Where there isn’t anything they wouldn’t do for one another. The kind you read about in romance novels.”

“So you’re saying that you think he loved Jenny more the Natalie? Why would he ask Natalie to marry him if that were true?”

Brennan looked at Booth as he spoke. She’d been about to ask a similar question. This wasn’t making a lot of sense to her. If Jensen was more in love with Jenny, why was he marrying Natalie?

“Not necessarily more. Jenson…he’s a lover. Idealistic. He wants it all. A marriage, kids. A wife who he adores. For a long time, I always thought it would be Jenny. But…sometimes, you can love someone, but it’s never the right moment to start a relationship. It’s like they’ve been pushing and pulling and I just assumed that someday, they’d finally collide.” She paused, taking in a shaking breath. “Jenson joined Doctors Without Borders and was away for almost a year. Jenny was miserable, she told me that this was it. She knew she couldn’t be happy without him. She was going to put her fears aside and tell him that she was ready for them. But he came home with Natalie.” She wiped another tear. “I don’t think he loved Natalie any more or less than Jenny. Just…differently.”

“Yet you still suspected that he ran away with Jenny?”

Olivia looked at Brennan. “They share something special. I don’t think Jenson and Natalie could ever just be Jensen and Natalie. He would never cast Jenny aside. He loved her too much. And I know he and Natalie argued about a week before they disappeared. I was in the break room and they were outside the door. She was mad that He’s stayed out with Jenny the night before. They’d had a difficult procedure to perform that day. The death rate is a little high. Their patient came through. They always celebrate after a successful surgery. He’d tried telling her and she was just not hearing him. She told him that she just wanted him to pick her over Jenny. He told her he wasn’t picking Jenny. That he wasn’t even out that late. Natalie told him that Jenny was too important in his life. That she should be the most important person. Jensen walked away after that.”

“You okay bones?” Booth asked as his mind wheeled. He couldn’t help but see the parallels, couldn’t help but feel what Jensen was feeling. He’d be devastated if Hannah had told him he had to choose between her and Bones. It hit him hard that the choice wouldn’t be an easy one. Shouldn’t it be? Shouldn’t chowing Hannah be an automatic thought?

“Yeah.” She replied without looking at him.

He glanced at her a moment. Would he choose Hannah? If he had to choose? The idea of having to made him feel a little sick. He couldn’t. Wouldn’t. Bones was too important, and there was no reason for him to have to choose. He loved Hannah, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t have bones as his friend, right? “Bones I.”

Her phone rang, cutting off what he was about to say. “Brennan.” He could hear what sounded like Hodgins on the other line. “Feline? Natalie Brace has a white cat. Thank you, Hodgins.” She hung up and looked at him. “The white fibers Hodgins found are feline hair.”

“Natalie has a cat? I didn’t see a cat? Besides, they live together. It makes sense that he’d have the cat hair on him.”

“We found it on her. It’s a stretch, but we should look into it.”

“Bones.”

“I’m fine, Booth.” She cut him off.

Was she? They drove in silence, with him glancing at her every so often. She did look better today than she had yesterday, but she still seemed tired. Not to mention she was short with him. She wasn’t using big words or joking around with him. Yeah, something was wrong and he knew what it was. He just didn’t know how to make it okay.

“Listen, Bones. I…”

“Booth, I really don’t want to talk about it, okay? I’m fine. Really. I’m happy for you. I just need time to adjust.”

“So then it does bother you.”

“Of course, it bothers me!” She looked away, lowering her voice. “I…care for you, Booth and that’s not going to change overnight. So please, just give me time.”

Knife, meet heart. She was going to say she loved him. Shit. He wanted to pull her to him. Hold her. Tell her that he still loved her too. Part of him always would. But it would be cruel. He loved Hannah more. They both knew that. Even if seeing Bones hurting made him feel like someone was stabbing him in the heart.

“I’m sorry, Bones. I really am.”

“I’m fine.” She said again, squaring off her shoulders.

He didn’t believe her. But he didn’t push the issue. She would come around on her own. At least he hoped she would.

“Why would I kill him? I love him!” Natalie cried, big fat tears falling down her cheeks.

Brennan used her light to look at the kitchen knives. When she spotted the blood, she nearly rolled her eyes. How stupid can someone get?

“Booth. Blood.” With a cloth, she held up the knife. “Looks to me like it matches the wounds too.”

“That’s not…No!” Natalie yelled as she was cuffed. “I didn’t do it! I didn’t. I didn’t kill anyone!”

Booth talked over her, reading Natalie her rights as he walked her to the cop car. He helped her in before looking at Bones who stood by the front door, shaking her head. People baffled her. No matter how long she did the job, their motives alluded her most of the time. Why did he love that about her?

Natalie looked terrible. Her makeup was smeared, puffy eyes from crying. Her hair messed as if she’d been running her hands through it.

“He was mine.” She said breaking the silence.

“What happened?”

She shifted in her seat, not looking at them as she spoke. “I knew. From the start, I knew. But I didn’t want to know, you know?”

“No, we don’t,” Brennan replied. She didn’t understand why people assumed other people knew their thoughts.

“The only people who didn’t know that Jensen was more in love with Jenny, were Jensen and Jenny.” Her face screwed up as she spoke like she smelt something vile. “He didn’t know it, but the way he looked at her? It was as if she were the most breathtaking thing he’d ever seen.

“Then why did you stay with him? If you knew?”

“Because Jensen was one of the good ones. He was worth the fight.” She looked up now. “He would have done the right thing by me. I know that. So I held on.”

“So what happened?” Booth asked.

“Jenny was having a hard time with it. Us getting married. She’d told him she was afraid of losing him. That she could live with not being his, but the idea of him leaving her Indefinitely? She didn’t want to lose her best friend.”

“Seems reasonable.” Brennan didn’t miss the way Booth looked at her.

“One night about two months ago they stayed out together. I don’t have all the details, but Jensen confessed that they slept together. Alcohol had been involved, but he said it wasn’t an excuse. Told me that he still wanted to marry me, but he’d understand if I couldn’t forgive him. I was heartbroken. But he’d come clean about it. Honesty was good and I love him. So we were working through it. About a week before I…they died, he’d been out drinking with her again. I was furious. He assured me it was just drinks but after last time? I’m just not sure I can trust him. Trying to reconcile, we all went to the factory. It’s near the lake and we were going to go swimming. It was our secret place. I arrived after them and heard Jenny telling Jensen that she was pregnant. The look on his face, the way he touched her belly? I just lost it. I picked up a broken piece of wood and just started hitting her. He tried to stop me. So I got him with it too. Then I threw down the board and pulled out the knife from the basket. We fought. I stood between him and Jenny. He begged me to let him get to her. Kept telling me that Jenny could be seriously hurt. I don’t know how it happened. He shifted around me, trying to get to Jenny and I stabbed him. The last words he murmured was Jenny’s name. So I pulled out the knife and left them both in the factory.”

“Wait, you left them in the factory?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure Jenny was dead?”

“Bones what are you getting at?”

“Jenny was found just outside the door. She must have still been alive and tried crawling to get help.”

Natalie laughed. It was a deranged kind of sound.
“So she suffered as I have. Kinda poetic, huh? He stabbed me in the heart, so I stabbed his. She made me suffer, so I made her suffer.” She laughed once more before that laugh turned to tears.

Sweets sat, still a bit surprised to find Dr. Brennan in his office. She’d stormed in about ten minutes ago, looking as if she had something to say, but the moment she sat, her expression changed to uncertainty and she’s said nothing.

“Dr. Brennan?” He finally said, hoping to pull her from her thoughts.

“Did you read the case files?” She finally asked.

Ah. Yes, he had. And yea, he imagined both she and Booth were reeling with the similarities to their situation. “I have.”

“Booth asked Hannah to marry him.”

She said the words matter of factly, though her eyes told him that this development hurt. “I know. What does this mean to you?” Pain showed on her face and his heart squeezed. Dr. Brennan was one of the strongest people he knew. To see her look so hurt over something was new to him.

She sat, saying nothing as she tried to compose herself. Tears were threatening, and he knew she hated to cry in front of him. It made him all shrinky she would say.

“Jenny probably felt loss. Even though Jensen wasn't going anywhere. No way.”

Dr. Brennan looked at him. “You don’t think so? He was going to marry Natalie. That changes things. That would change their dynamic. Natalie would become central to Jensen’s life.”

Good. She would get her answers through their situation. He’d hoped she would. “Jensen might have married Natalie, but that wouldn’t change how important Jenny was to him. After everything they’d been through? Being partners for as long as they’ve been partners? They were more than just friends, Dr. Brennan. They were engraved into each other’s lives.”

“People drift apart all the time. It’s inevitable. Change is the only constant we can count on.”

“No. I don’t believe that. People who feel the way Jenny and Jensen get don’t easily drift apart. Because that means breaking habits and changing lifestyles. It’s not that easy. They weren’t casual friends. They were a part of each other's everyday lives.”

She shook her head. “People break up all the time. They go from having someone in their lives every day, to never speaking to that person again. How can you possibly be so sure that they wouldn’t end up strangers? It’s irrational.”

“Because they loved each other. And not some fickle dalliance. They had a deep, symbiotic connection. Their love was based on friendship and trust gained repeatedly by being there regardless of the situation. Never failing to show up. Never failing to walk through fire with it for each other.”

“Would they have been happy? If they weren’t murdered?”

Sweets let out a sad sigh. “Yeah. They would have been. Extremely happy. I’ve never seen two people who belonged together more.”

Minutes passed. She said nothing, which was odd. Either she spoke, or she left. This was new territory for him. “Dr. Brennan?”

“I’m just so incredibly sad.” She let out silent sobs, putting her face in her hands as if to hide the tears from him.

Yeah. She had to be incredibly sad to find herself here when she hated psychology. He said nothing, just letting her cry it out. He had a feeling she just needed to be allowed to speak her truth with someone she could trust not to say anything to anyone.

He hated to see her like this. Hated that he couldn’t even be mad at Booth for breaking her heart. Because Booth deserved to be happy too. He just wished Brennan had realized sooner that she was capable of loving someone. Then this whole mess could have been avoided.

“I don’t know how to be okay with it. I don’t…I don’t want to lose him.

Oh, okay. We are going to talk about this head-on. This was a big move for her.

“But I feel like I’m losing my mind every time I see Booth and it's just not like me. I just want to put the emotions in a box and lock them away forever.”

“And who would that help?”

“Me!” The word came out a passionate plea. “I need things to be right again! I need us to be right again. And in order to do that, I have to be right again. So I have to let go of the love I feel for Booth. I have to. Or it will ruin us as I’ve always been afraid it would.”

“Dr. Brennan.”

She stood, halting his words. “Thanks, Sweets.”

“Wait! Dr…” he sank back down in his chair, his chest tight with worry. Nothing worse than feeling helpless to help the ones you love.

“To another case solved.” Booth tapped his glass to Bones’ relieved to see a smile on her lips.

“You think they would have been happy? Jensen and Jenny if Natalie hadn’t killed them?”

Booth thought on it a moment. Yeah. He thought they probably would have been. Had they had the chance to. “Yeah. Probably.”

“Hey, guys!” Hannah said, leaning in to give Booth a quick kiss. She sat beside him smiling at Brennan. “This was a quick case, huh?”

Booth smiled at her, trying not to focus on the fact the Bones stopped smiling and got that sad look on her eyes again. “Yeah. And you’re home early. I’m glad.”

She nodded. “Yeah, not much of a story it turns out. Hey, Temperance, you okay?” She asked as Brennan stood.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Tired. I’ll see you guys later, okay?” She quickly grabbed her things, then waved before heading out.

He wanted to call after her. Beg her to stay. These last few days have felt so off between them and he hated it. He was worried his marriage would put a wall between them, and he wasn’t sure he could live with that. She was his best friend. She knew him better than anyone and the idea of losing her made his chest tight.

“Did you two get Into a fight?” Hannah asked, the crease between her brow telling him she was worried.

“No. She’s just been distant lately. She will be okay.”

“Do you know why? Maybe I should talk to her?”

He did know why. And she absolutely shouldn’t talk to her. “I’m not sure why, but Angela is on it. If she’s going to open up to anyone, it will be her.”

“Hey, what do you say we plan a weekend getaway? I’ve got time off coming up and you certainly have enough vacation time saved up. We can go hiking? Maybe bring Parker? Temperance if she’d like to come. Maybe help her destress?”

Booth leaned over, kissing her. “I love you. And that sounds like a great idea.” Maybe if he could show bones that nothing was going to change, she’d be okay. They would always be Booth and Bones. Always.

“You have got to get out of the lab.” Angela took the tablet out of Brennan’s hands, forcing her to listen. “You haven’t don’t anything but work and sleep for two weeks. Tell me you are going on that hiking trip next weekend?”

“No, I’m not. I’m busy. And I do more than work and sleep. I got drinks with Hannah yesterday. She wanted my opinion on flowers.”

“Brennan.”

“Angela, I’m fine. Really. The first couple of days were hard, but I like Hannah, and I’m happy for Booth. Really.” Okay. So not really, but she was trying. And that’s all that mattered. Right? Yeah.

“Sweetie, do you actually expect me to believe that? You haven’t even gone out in the field for the last two cases. Booth thinks you’re distancing yourself. And so do I.”

“Angela, I’m doing the best I can!” The words came out snapped and loud. To make things worse, Booth had showed up and clearly heard them because he’d stopped his approach when she yelled. “I’m sorry.” She added in a whisper.

Angela gave her a knowing look before smiling at Booth. “Looking good, Booth. Very James Bond. What’s the occasion?”

“The FBI Gala. Hannah was supposed to come but…” He looked at Brennan with pleasing eyes. The eyes she had so much trouble saying no to. “Please come with me? I don’t want to go to this thing alone.”

“Booth I’m. I’m busy.”

“No, she’s not.” Angela cut in.

“Angela!” Brennan said incredulously.

“Come on, you need a little fun.”

She knew that Angela had good intentions, but sometimes she could be pushy. “I don’t have time to go home and get dressed.”

“Luckily, I have backup clothes here. She will be ready in twenty minutes.”

And she was. Angela wasn’t kidding about her backup wardrobe. She had all kinds of outfits tucked away for times when she couldn’t make it home to change. Angela did a quick but elegant up-due and added smoky eyes and light lipstick. The dress was black, hugging her curves. It dropped down in a dramatic V showing off her breast. The silver shoes matched the silver necklace that was simple and hung between her breast. The earrings were simple teardrops.

Brennan walked felt a little flushed when she walked over to Booth who waiting for her by the platform. Booth blinked at her a couple of times and even had to swallow before he could speak. “You look..wow. You look beautiful, Bones.”

She hated the smile his complaint pulled out of her. Hated that she liked his eyes on her. Because she shouldn’t. She really shouldn’t.

He cleared his throat again, holding out his arm. “Shall we?”

Brennan laughed. “We Shall.”

“Booth!” Brennan mock yelled when he forked a bit of her chocolate cake. “You if you wanted cake, why did you get pie?”

Booth laughed as he ate his stolen goods. “Because I love pie. And you always get cake.”

“Not so you can steal some.”

“You want some pie?” He offered, laughing when she wrinkled her nose.

“You know I don’t like pie.” She shook her head but laughed.

“It’s too bad. This is good pie.” He took a bit and smiled when she rolled her eyes. As he chewed, their eyes locked, and he couldn’t seem to look away.

He was always aware of how beautiful she was. But damn, sometimes she took his breath away. And not just when she was dressed in the sexiest dress he’d ever seen. Or maybe it was sexy because of the woman who was wearing it. No. It wasn’t only her looks. It was her. Her voice, her big brain. The look she got when she was trying to figure him out. The way she moved. Her confidence and strength. Everything about her. Even the things he didn’t necessarily love about her he wouldn’t change because it was her.

“You want to dance?” She asked, clearly trying to shake away whatever was passing between them.

He stood, holding out his hands for hers. “Absolutely.”

He missed this. Brennan’s laugh. Their easy banter. The ease in which she reached for him, touching him in one small way or another. The night had been like old times. If you add in dancing.

He absorbed it all. The big words she used. The look on her face when someone spoke in metaphor and she didn’t get it. He loved that about her. How she could be so incredibly smart but confused by something as simple as a metaphor. He found it endearing.

They came together once more, dancing slowly to the last song of the night. She was still smiling, making him smile.

“What?” She asked, her cheeks turning pink ever so slightly from his gaze.

He wasn’t even sure how to answer her question. His heart was doing that thing where he was so filled with awe for her that it threatens to explode. “Nothing. I just missed you.” He spun her before pulling her back to him.

She laughed as he did so before her eyes told him she was pulling away again. “I missed you too.”

His phone went off, and he pulled it out, and sent a reply before tucking it away again.

“Hannah?” Bones asked, feeling like reality was crashing down over her.

He nodded. “You should come out in the field with me on our next case. It’s not the same without you.”

“Yeah. Maybe.”

She was retreating. He could feel it. “Bones, what can I do? How can I make this easier?” He didn’t want to have this conversation. Didn’t want this great night to end in tension.

They’d stopped moving now. They just stood still, in each other’s arms, staring into each other’s eyes.

Brennan let out a shaking breath as her eyes darted to his lips for just a moment. “I think. I need space.” She pushed away from him, taking a step back. She fought the tears that threatened.

“I don’t want to hurt you, Bones. I don’t know what to do.” Please. Please know that. Please don’t leave me. His mind raced with the possibility that she would. That she would pull away completely, cutting him off.

“I know. I know. I just. I need time. Need to get my feelings under control and I can’t do that when I’m near you. Booth, I can’t breathe when you look at me. I can’t be objective. And that terrifies me. So, I need time. Space.”

“Please, don’t make me choose.”

“I’m not.” She stepped closer, taking his hand. It was irrational, but she needed to touch him. “I would never ask you to choose. This is not an ultimatum. You love Hannah and that’s okay. Booth, you deserve to be happy. I want this for you. I just need time to be okay.” She said the last part slowly.

She let go and took another step back and he felt as if she were taking a part of him with her. He hated the pain and panic in her eyes. Hated that he put that there. “Work.” That’s all he could say. It wasn’t what he wanted to say. Not really. But it was the only thing he could focus enough on to make sense of it.

“I’ll still assist on cases. I’ll just do it in the lab.”

“How long?” No. No. No. No. shit. Oh god. He felt like his heart was going to beat from his chest. This felt like a goodbye. This felt like an end.

“However long it takes me to get over you.” Her words broke as she spoke, and before he could say anything else, she turned and left.

He stood there, numb. As if she’d broken up with him. His eyes stung as tears threatened, but he wouldn’t let them fall. Not with so many eyes.

He was so confused. How could his life be simultaneously falling into place and falling apart?
……

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks :D

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bones or its characters. All credit goes to their rightful owners.
………….

Chapter Four
……………

Brennan sat at her desk, her eyes drifting close. She hadn’t been sleeping well. It had been two months since she told Booth she needed space, and she was starting to wonder if she could ever work in the field with him again.

They still saw each other and spoke when he visited the lab for an update. She still had weekly lunch with Hannah who’s been trying to get her to tell her why she and Booth weren’t together as much as they used to. She refused. Simply saying things will work out. Even if she didn’t believe it.

She disliked this. Disliked that she couldn’t simply close the feelings down and found she blamed Booth for that. Because before him, none of this would bother her. She wouldn’t have allowed herself to get so close. She would have fallen back on her habit of running when things became too real. It’s what she did. But Booth had inched his way close. He moved in so slow she hadn’t realized he was there until he was disabling her alarms, bypassing her defenses.

By the time she’d realized what he’d done, it was too late. She’d already allowed him in, and there was no going back, no running away. And when he’d told her he wanted to give them a go, she couldn’t stop her heart from both soaring and sinking with fear. Because she wanted it too, but she was too afraid.

Before him, she never wanted anyone the way she wanted him. So instead of facing those terrifying feelings, the ones that told her becoming reliant on someone other than herself wasn’t good. The ones that made her fear needing someone other than herself. The ones that told her she was in love with Booth, and nothing could save her from that, she pushed them away.

Now she spent her night's missing Booth so bad it made her stomach hurt and she resented that. This is why she tried to avoid relationships. They made things complicated and messy. Booth was complicated and messy.

A knock at her door had her jerking awake, looking to the door and found Booth standing there.

“Hey. You okay?”

“Yeah.” She cleared her throat. “Just tired. I was just completing my notes and was getting ready to have them sent over.” She gathered said notes as she spoke.

“Yeah okay. Listen, Bones.” His tone had her looking up at him, surprised to see him closer than she expected. “Parker’s birthday party is Saturday.”

“Yeah. I remember.”

“He mentioned that you said you’d be there. And he’s been asking about you. I know you need space, but he’s my kid and he wants you there.”

“I’ll be there.” She’d thought about it before. She had already bought him a gift and was considering going. She had promised him after all and she didn’t like the idea of breaking a promise to a child. Especially Parker.

“Oh. You will?” He’d thought he’d have to push.

“I made a promise to him, Booth. I wouldn’t break a promise to Parker.”

There was an awkward pause, something that hadn’t been an issue before. She used to be so comfortable around him. Never afraid to say what was on her mind.

“So, how are you?” Booth asked, breaking the silence. It had been a while since they spoke of anything personal, and she wasn’t sure she was ready to break the streak.

“I’m fine. I have a date. Sweets thinks it will help me.” She spoke matter of fact. No emotions.

“You’re seeing Sweets?” He was surprised by that.

“No. Not really. Just dinner and when we talk about cases. It was just something he mentioned.” She moved about the room, feeling antsy. She wanted to tell him she didn’t want to go on the date. But she wouldn’t.

“Well, good luck. On your…date.”

“Thanks.” Pause. “Anyway, here are the notes. I need to go.” Without another word, she pushed passed him, ignoring the flutters in her stomach when her arm pressed against his. How ridiculous.

“She’s good with him,” Hannah said as they cleaned up from the party.

“Yeah, he adores. He’s known her since he was four, though.” He tacked on. Parker likes Hannah, but they seemed to clash quite a bit. Or more like Parker seemed to pull back and had no problems making it clear that he liked Bones more. The way they both were currently leaning over the coffee table, doing the homework Parker convinced Bones to help him with, looking as if they were thick as thieves probably didn’t sit well with Hannah who tried so hard to please the kid. “Give him time. He will feel the same way about you, too.”

She nodded, though she didn’t seem to believe him. “Temperance seems happier today. Maybe it was good for her to have a couple of hours of careless fun. I know I needed it. I love the way children think. It’s like seeing the world through different lenses.”

Booth looked at her and had to disagree. The smile was fake. Her laugh wasn’t real either. It was that fake laugh she did when she didn’t get a joke or when she was forced to associate with donators at the events she hated. The only time he’d seen a genuine smile is when Parker freaked over the Disney Land tickets she’d gotten him, along with hotel fair and a few gift cards.

He should have realized that’s what she got him. They’d discussed it once a couple of days after they’d returned from their seven-month detour from their lives. The one where he came home with Hannah and she’s come home with no one.

“Yeah, she seems a little more at ease.” Especially now he noted. She was in her element helping Parker, and Parker had always liked when she helped him. Surprisingly, he understood when she spoke. Booth wouldn’t have thought Bones would be good at teaching a kid. But she was. At least his kid.

He shouldn’t like the way they looked together. Shouldn’t feel that pull at his heart because two people he loved at the very least liked each other.

Hannah hopped up on the table, wrapping herself around him. “Hmmm. It’s been a long day.”

Booth allowed her to pull him in, pressing his forehead to hers. “Kids have a way of wearing you out.” He placed a quick kiss on her lips. “I love you.”

“I love you.” She singsongs the words and then laughed before kissing him again.

“Oh gross.” Parker’s words made them pull apart.

“Right?” Bones said, wrinkling her nose right along with him. “Grownups.” She rolled her eyes and laughed with Parker who obviously realized she was teasing.

“Don’t act like you haven’t kissed anyone, Temperance. Speaking of kissing, how did that date go?”

He had no right to feel jealous. No. Nope. And yet, he felt that twinge at the mention of Bones dating someone. It just didn’t sit right. “Yeah, how’d that go?” He asked as Parker left the room to put his homework away.

“Good. His name is Branden. He’s an architect. We had dinner. He brought me home.”

“And?” Hannah prompted, leaning on as of Bones was going to give a juicy answer.

Booth didn’t miss the way Bones looked at him for just a moment. Before replying. “Nothing. He brought me home, walked me to my door, kissed me goodnight.” She shrugged like it was nothing.

“So…are you going to see him again?”

“Yeah. We have plans to get breakfast tomorrow.”

“Do you like him? I mean, is he cute? What do you have in common?”

Booth laughed. “What’s with the interrogation?”

Hannah laughed too. “What? I’m excited for her. I really like the idea of you being happy, Temperance. That’s all.”

“Branden is very nice. Yes, he’s attractive. I’m not sure how much we have in common, but he makes me laugh and provides stimulating conversation.”

“You’re dating someone?” Parker asked from his bedroom door.

“Sort of.” Bones replied.

“But what about dad?” His eyes were wide, and his bottom lip seems to tremble a little.

“Buddy, I’m with Hannah.” He stood going to Parker, but Parker backed away some. “Parker.”

Parker moved past his dad toward Bones. “Please don’t not be in love with my dad. You guys are supposed to be together! I want you to be my stepmom. Not her.”

“Parker!” Booth said, not wanting him to hurt Hannah’s feelings. He wasn’t sure what to say beyond that. He realized that Parker was a fan of Bones, but he’d thought Parker had warmed up to Hannah enough to accept things as they were.

“No! Please, Bones. Don’t give up on dad. He loves you! I love you! We were supposed to be a family!”

Hannah stood, going back to the cleaning. She was clearly hurt by this outburst. “Parker, you are being extremely rude. I’m going to marry Hannah. I love Hannah.”

“I don’t want you to!” Parker ran to his room, slamming the door closed.

Booth looked between Bones and Hannah, feeling uncertain about what to say. “Hannah, he just needs time.” He decided on going to her.

“I know. It’s okay. I’m okay. We will get there.”

“He’s just used to me.” Bones put in. She gave Hannah an uncomfortable kind of smile. “Do you mind if I go talk to him?”

“Yeah. Go ahead.” Booth replied, keeping his focus on Hannah.

“It’s fine, Seeley. Really. I’m not mad,” Brennan heard Hannah say as she walked into Parker’s room after he okayed her entrance.

He was laying on his bed, feet hanging off one end, head off the other. He was crying and for a moment, she worried this was a bad idea. She wasn’t always sure what to say to children. Though she always managed well enough with Parker.

“Can I sit,” she asked moving toward the bed. Parker sat up and nodded. “You were pretty angry out there.”

“I don’t want dad to marry Hannah. I want him to marry you.”

“I’m flattered. But, you’re dad and I, we aren’t going to get married.”

“Why? Don’t you love him?”

“I do. But, not that way. And he doesn’t love me that way either. And regardless of all that, I’m not planning on ever getting married.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s an antiquated ritual and I have no interest in taking part in it.”

“Would you be with him if he didn’t want to get married?” Parker looked hopeful.

She shook her head. “It’s more complicated than that. We do love each other, but not the being together kind of way. And your dad loves Hannah. A lot. So you should really try to like her too. She’s a good person. She just wants to be your friend.”

“Do you like her?”

Brennan nodded. “I do. And I think she’s perfect for your dad.”

“I don’t hate her. I just don’t like her as much as you.” He picked at a loose thread on his quilt. “I don’t like that you don’t come around as often. I think it’s because of her.”

Brennan had to give him points for his observation skills. “No, it has nothing to do with Hannah. I’ve just been really busy.”

“So, you can try to come around more? Or maybe we can go to your house and swim?”

“How about this? If you promise to make an effort to like Hannah, I will promise to try and come around more.”

Parker perked up, though she wasn’t sure if it was a genuine emotion “Yeah okay, I’ll try.

“Hey, sorry I’m late!” Brennan hurried in and sat down. She was supposed to have breakfast with Branden, but he had some kind of work emergency and had to reschedule for dinner. So she decided to meet up with Angela instead.

“You okay? Look a little frazzled there.”

“Yeah. I just couldn’t find my grey scarf. That light one that you got for me on my birthday?”

“Yeah, I remember. It’s odd for you to misplace something.”

“Yeah.” She thought about it for a moment, but her mind shifted to Angela. “So, I have a venue for your baby shower and I just need you to okay the menu.”

“I really appreciate you doing that for me, Sweetie. It’s really kind.” Angela smiled at her.

“I don’t mind. I find I’m excited for you. I want to help you celebrate.”

Angela took her hand. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Sooo, tell me about the architect.”

Brennan blushed a little. “There’s not a lot to say. He’s very attractive, and so far he’s held my interest. He likes to leave me goodnight texts and good morning texts.”

“Oh, that’s sweet.”

“Yeah. It is.” She didn’t mention that she liked it more when Booth send her a goodnight text. Which he does nightly. He’d started doing it years ago, and still does it now. Though now she doesn’t reply. But she wanted to. It just felt too personal now.

“I miss Booth.” The words flew out of her mouth and hung between them for a moment.

“He’s still here, Brennan. All you have to do is reach out to him.”

“I know. I hate this. I’m not good with emotions. But I was at Booths for Parker’s birthday and I felt…” she let out a sigh. “I don’t know what I felt, but I miss him. I miss us.”

“So what’s stopping you from reaching out? Going out in the field with him? He misses you too. Trust me on that.”

“What if too much has changed? What if we can never get back what we had? And what if Hannah decides we are too close? I don’t want to get in their way.”

“I think you’re overthinking this. You and Booth were you and Booth before they got engaged and it didn’t seem to be an issue. Why would it be one now?”

“I hate psychology.”

Angela laughed. “Yeah, sweetie. I know.”

Brennan let out a sigh. “When did my life become so complicated?”

“When you teamed up with this hot FBI agent who looks at you like you’re his whole world?”

Brennan laughed and rolled her eyes. “He doesn’t look at me like that.”

“My answer still stands,” Angela said out loud. And he most certainly does. Even now. But she’d keep that to herself.
……………..

“Female. Late twenties.” Brennan got closer to the teeth. “Hodgins, there’s something stuck between the first and second molar, top left. Broken hyoid.” She moved her way down the bones. “Broke ribs.”

“These marks on the wrist and ankles suggest bondage,” Daisy said. “This woman struggled.”

“Yes. It would seem so.”

“I put time off death about three weeks ago.” Hodgins put in. “These babies might have more evidence in them.”

“How about an ID?” Booth asked.

“Well, she’s about Brennan’s height and weight. Angela has already started on facial reconstruction.” Cam replied.

“Correction, I’ve finished and I’ve got a hit.” Angela went to the computer, pulling up their victim. “Meet Lyra Harris. She’s a hairstylist. Was reported missing by her boss three weeks ago.”

“That’s consistent with time of death,” Brennan said, looking back at the bones, but looking back up when the silence told her something was wrong. “Why did we stop working?”

“Sweetie, this woman, she looks a lot like you.”

Brennan looked at the woman a moment. “A little. But it’s hardly relevant.”

“Bones is right. Just because she’s similar, doesn’t mean anything.” Booth looked at Brennan for a moment before turning to Angela. “Does she have a family?”

“Yeah. But given the hour, you might want to wait until morning.”

“She has a point. It’s late and there isn’t much to be done at this hour. Everyone go home, and be back early.” Cam took off her gloves, squeezing Booth’s arm as she walked passed him.

Brennan bent back over the body. She would work a little longer before going home.

Brennan yawned as she poured herself some juice. It had been a long day. They had closed one case, only to open another the same day. She would take a bath, and get to sleep. She planned on being back in the lab early.

She turned, reaching for her phone. ‘Goodnight’ Booth's nightly text read on her screen. She smiled at it. She’d told him before parting ways that she wanted to go out in the field with him on this case. She couldn’t help but smile when his smile spread on his face.

“Yeah? Really?” He’d asked, his voice husky with excitement.

“Yeah, really,” she’d replied, smiling herself.

She was looking forward to it. It wasn’t that her hurt had been forgotten. Nor was she over Booth. It was more that she didn’t think she’d ever be over Booth and she was trying to reconcile their friendship before that too was destroyed. She’d lost him as a romantic prospect. Losing him as a friend was not an option. She hated it, but she needed him.

A wave of vertigo hit her out of nowhere, causing her to sway. She reached out, trying to grab the counter to stop herself from falling. Nausea hit next, making her stomach roll.

She looked to the left when she’d heard footsteps. “Who’s there?” She asked, unable to focus enough to make out the face.

Whoever it was, they said nothing. Remembering the phone in her hand, she fumbled with it, hoping to call for help but the man, at least she thinks it was a man, knocked the phone from her hand.

Instinct kicked in and she ran from him. Kind of. She’d knocked into the lamp on her side table, and trying to avoid the debris, she shifted, tripping over the clothes basket she’d left there that morning. Still, she scrambled away, grabbing whatever her hand fell on and throwing it in the direction of her attacker.

He dodged it, then grabbed her ankle, yanking her toward him. She kicked out, or she thinks she did. Her limbs felt as if they didn’t belong to her. She flailed her arms and cried out when something cut into her forearm.

“Now look what you did,” a jarring familiar voice said. ”Now we have to worry about infection.”

That voice? She knew it. But she couldn’t place it through the haze and she felt as if whoever voice it was, it didn’t belong to someone who would hurt her. But who? Who was it? She screamed as her body went completely still, no longer able to control it. She felt herself being hauled up.

She smelt cigarettes and rum as well as aftershave and harsh body spray. The combination burned her nose.

She couldn’t move, but she could still see and he was heading for the door. “Booth! Booth help!” She cried out, fear overriding logic. “Booth.” His name came out mumbled. “Booth.” She mouthed before losing consciousness. Her last thought being this man must have been the one to take her keys.
…………..

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks :D

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bones or its characters. All credit goes to their rightful owners.
……………

Chapter Five
……………

Angela knocked on Brennan’s door. It was eight in the morning, and considering Brennan had said she’d be back at the lab by six? She was late. Brennan was hardly ever late.

She’d called Booth, who hadn’t heard from her. He’d offered to stop by her place, and she could hear him getting out of bed, but told him she was already up and dressed and heading out the door.

“Brennan? Sweetie?” She felt the panic try to sink in as her knocks remained unanswered. She tried calling again, but the call remained unanswered as well.

Bang. Bang. Bang. “Brennan!” She called as she tried the nob. She’d assumed it would be locked. Brennan was a stickler for that. But the nob turned, and the door swung open. Her instincts went into overdrive. Something was wrong. She’d known from the moment Cam called her this morning that something wasn’t right.

She hesitantly stepped in, trying to breathe through the panic. Surely she was being… “Oh god.”

The scene before her had her heart in her throat. Things were knocked over, others looked to have been tossed from their normal place. There was juice and broken glass on the floor. And with bile in her throat, she realized there was blood on the living room rug.

Within moments of taking it in, she had her phone to her ear. “Oh god, Booth. You have to come quick!” She could hear the hysteria in her own shaking voice. The bile was building, burning her throat.

“Angela? What’s wrong?” Booth's tone is alert.

“I think Brennan is in trouble. Booth, there’s blood.”

Booth barked orders as he stood in Brennan’s apartment. Bag everything that’s out of place. Leave nothing unturned. He wanted every surface inspected for anything that might tell them something. He looked over when Cam walked in.

“Is that too much blood?” He snapped. He felt bad. But fuck he felt like he was going to explode with the rage he felt. Someone hurt her, and they will pay.

“It’s quite a bit, but doesn’t look to be enough to suggest she’s…” Cam trailed off. “Easier there, big guy. We are going to find her.”

“I want every surveillance camera within ten miles confiscation! I want no leaf left unturned. I want every street sleeper talked to. Every door in this building is to be knocked on. Everyone you run into needs to be shown a picture of Brennan. We never know who might have seen something.

He turned to Hodgins who was picking up something off the floor with tweezers. As if he could feel his gaze, Hodgins spoke. “I won’t miss a thing. If there is evidence here to lead us to her, I swear I’ll find it.”

“You do that,” Booth replied because he had to. Because he needed to feel like he covered all the bases.

Booth turned to Angela who sat at Brennan’s breakfast bar, crying silently. She rubbed her stomach and he wondered if she was soothing the baby, or if the baby was soothing her.

“I will find her. I swear it to you.”

She looked up at him, eyes red. “She can’t. I can’t.” She swallowed, shaking her head.

Booth bent over, giving her a hug. It was the last thing he wanted to be doing at this moment, but he felt the need to soothe her in some small way. Hell, maybe he needed soothing. Or maybe he didn’t want the pregnant woman to stress. Who the hell knows why. But it didn’t matter. Not really.

“This was planned.”

He narrowed his eyes in question. “What do you mean?”

“Brennan has said things over the last few months. Like the night she was told you were engaged, her keys went missing. She told me that she’s been home a few times and things aren’t where she left them. A scarf I bought her went missing not long ago. I bet you those things mean something. Someone has been in here before and they planned this. I feel dumb for not seeing it before.”

“You can’t see the future.”

“Still. Had I realized?” She shook her head as Hodgins pulled her to him, rubbing her back to comfort her.

“I will find her.” He said out loud. Even if I have to burn the world down to do it. Anger built in his chest along with the fear. He would find her. And whoever dared hurt her was going to pay.

Nothing! Nothing on surveillance cameras, nothing from people on the street. No one in the building saw or heard a fucking thing!

“Tell me you guys have something!” He bellowed as he strode into Angela’s office. All eyes went to him, all eyes were red from tears. “What?” Oh god, don’t be dead! His heart sank.

“Agent Booth.” Sweets started, but he cut him off.

“What? What did you find?”

“We found her phone,” Angela replied. “We have the audio of the last couple moments she was in her apartment. She must have turned on the recorder somehow. Probably by mistake.”

“We got the voice of the suspect,” Cam added.

“You all looked like you had horrible news,” Booth spoke through a tightened throat. He thought they found evidence that she was already dead.

“It was just hard to hear.” Hodgins rubbed Angela’s back.

“I need to hear it.” He needed to hear the voice of the man who dare put his hands on Brennan.

Angela’s eyes flicked to Sweets, who nodded as if they could stop him from listening if Sweets hadn’t given his approval.

Angela hit the play button and a crashing sound filled the room. They heard Bones grunt before it sounded as if her body hit the ground. Footsteps, more sounds of struggle. A cry of pain ripped into Booth's soul. A man's shockingly familiar voice. ”Now look what you did? Now we will have to worry about infection.” There was another thud, then Bones’ terrified voice filled the room. “Booth help! Booth! Booth!”

Booth left the room, not getting very far before punching the wall. His angry “fuck” escaped him as Brennan’s voice filled his head. She cried for him. In her time of need. In her moments of fear, she cried for him.

“Booth,” Cam said gently from behind him.

“That voice. I know that voice.” Booth spun to face her.

“We thought it sounded like him too. But Booth? Sully? Really?”

He shook his head. No, it made no sense to him either. But no leaf was left unturned and while he had no idea where to find Sully, he’d find him.

“Are you serious?” Sully asked, nearly laughing with nerves. “Booth, you seriously think that I would do anything to hurt Tempe?”

Booth's jaw ticked as he looked at Sully. The man had been in the keys. Chances of him having anything to do with this, are slim. But it’s been twenty-nine hours since she’s been gone and he was losing his mind.

“Where were you between the hours of midnight and five AM?”

“I was in a hotel room. Alone. But just before midnight I was having drinks with a friend, and I met up with that same friend for breakfast around seven. Booth, I swear I have nothing to do with this. I would never hurt her.”

“I’m going to need the name and contact number of this friend.”

“Gladly.” He wrote the information down.

“Let me help.”

Booth left the room without an answer. First, he’d check the alibi. Then he’d have to listen to that audio again. It sounded just like him. Just like him. But even he didn’t think Sulky would do this. And given that the man was in the keys? He didn’t think he’d have enough time either. Sully was a dead end.

Brennan drifted. It felt as if she were on a boat that rocked with the waves. Nothing was right. She couldn’t feel her physical spell. Yet she rocked. There was a sudden Jolt that made her fly up into the air, so high it felt like she was floating. Falling! She was falling! She tried to reach out and grab something, but she was bodiless.

She felt as if she were a feather, swaying back and forth lazily on the wind. At least she was falling slowly. Maybe that meant the landing wouldn’t hurt. Drifting. Ever. So. Slowly.

She drifted until she was nothing on the wind.
…..

She was so heavy. It felt like gravity was doubling down on her, making damned sure that she wasn’t going to float off the earth.

Her mouth was dry. It felt like she had cotton balls in there, and as she tried to move her tongue, it felt heavy too. But she was sure she was moving it.

Her dry tongue licked dry lips. She tasted copper, dirt, and mint. Copper? No. No, it was more specific than that. There was something familiar about the flavor. Blood. Yeah. It was blood. But why? She swallowed painfully, her throat as dry as her mouth. Were her lips bleeding? Maybe. But why?

Confusion settled in her as she became acutely aware of her heart. The sound seemed to fill the space around her until she get it everywhere. Her chest, head, belly. Even her hands seemed to pulse with the thump, thump, thump of her heart.

Her hands were numb. Numb. Cold. Heavy like the rest of her body. She couldn’t figure out where they were though. She felt like there was a disconnect between her and her body. She knew it was there, but couldn’t quite feel it.

After some time. She couldn’t say how long, she realized she was sitting, prop up against a hard surface. The ground beneath her was also hard and cold. She moved her hands, trying to feel the ground beneath her, but no. Something wasn’t right. Where were her hands? She had them. She could feel them. Numb. Aching.

Tired. So tired. She tried to fight the empty darkness that started to claim her. She wanted to wake up. To understand that prickling part of her that told her something was wrong. Really wrong.

She came to, she felt more aware. She was still heavy, but now her mind seemed more awake. Her thoughts made more sense.

Taking stock of her body, she tried moving her legs to find they only moved a little. Not because she couldn’t use them. She could, but they were shackled at the ankles.

Working her way up her body, she could now feel, she realized there was pain in her legs. Probably for the same reason her butt was numb. How long had she been in this same position? Her stomach ached, both on the inside and out. Her chest moved as she breathed, and she realized she was breathing frantically. Probably because her heart rate was way elevated. She was afraid. Yeah. That was why she shook. Why adrenaline was pumping through her. Her body already knew what it was taking her mind a moment to understand.

Her arms hurt. There was a slash on the left one. It felt deep. Her numb hands were chained over her head. She could feel the shackles digging into her wrist. She wiggled her fingers, glad that they still moved.

She couldn’t see anything. She tried blinking, but that changed nothing. She thought maybe she was in a dark room. So dark she couldn’t even make out her arms, which were right next to her. After some time, she feared she’d gone blind. But she could figure out how. Her mind was still confused. She knew it was bad. Knew she was in danger. But could grasp why.

She was blindfolded. The longer she sat there, she realized there was something on her face. That’s what the strange pressure on her eyes was. She tried getting it off, rubbing her face in her arms, but the damned thing was on too tight. And now that she realized it was there, she couldn’t stand it.

She must have fallen asleep again because she came to with a start, her mind seeming to come alive all at once. She remembers standing in her kitchen. Feeling suddenly strange. Her hand dropped the glass. A man was there and he used a voice she knew. At least she thinks he did. The. She was fleeing, but her body wasn’t working. Kidnapped. She’d been kidnapped.

She jerked, fighting the restraints. That held her. They were too tight. She could slip her hands through them. Her feet either. She let out a sound of frustration as she wished she could see. She hated that she couldn’t see. Why did they have to blindfold her? She clearly wasn’t going anywhere.

Booth’s words came to her mind. “They try to disorient you by taking away your senses.” He’d told her this once when she’d saved him after being tortured. He hadn’t been wrong. Not being able to see made her fear much worse.

She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm her frantic heart. She played her kidnapping over again in her head. Drinking the spiked juice. Falling. Trying to get away. Recognizing the voice and realizing that the figure was way too big to be Sully. Crying out as something sliced into her arm. Yeah, her left arm did hurt more than her right arm. Crying for Booth like he’d magically appear. Blacking out.

A door opened and she fell still immediately. She couldn’t tell how far away it was but heard footfalls descending. She was downstairs. Likely a basement. Makes sense.

“Who’s there?” She croaked out, her throat dry and horse. She cleared it. “Hello?”

“Temperance.” The voice was male, higher in tone, and breathy. “You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this.”

She said nothing, her mind reeling. “Oliver?” She asked when she finally placed the name.

“I knew you’d remember me. He didn’t believe me, but I told him you’d remember me by my voice alone.”

“Who?” Stay calm. Panicking won’t do me any good.

“My partner. He helped me get you here. As you know, I’m not very strong. And I know that you are excellent at self-defense. Did he manage to sound like your ex? He said it would be fun to use a voice you knew when capturing you.”

She said nothing. ”Don’t give them anything,” Booth had said. “Remain as passive as you can. They want to hear you scream. They want to know they are scaring you. Don’t give them that pleasure.”

“Don’t worry, Temperance. I will not hurt you. You are important to me.”

She jerked when his hand caressed her cheek, startled by his sudden touch. She didn’t like not being able to see. There was too much left to the imagination. “What do you want with me?”

He let out a chuckle. “I just want you. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. To know you. Be beside you. To have you love me in return. I know you don’t right now, but you will.”

“And if I don’t?” She countered.

“You will.” She could hear the smile in his voice as he moved over her. She could feel his hot breath on her face and she turned her head to get away from him. “Don’t fight me, Temperance. It’ll only make this worse for you.” He kissed her cheek before backing away.

She took deep breaths. Apparently staying calm was going to be easier said than done.

“I’m so happy you are here.” His voice came from further away this time. “I’ll be back. Don’t worry, I shouldn’t be gone long. And Willis might show up before I return. Remember, he’s good with voices and likes to play with people. I Love you.”

She waited until he went up the stairs and she heard the click of the door. Then she tried again to get herself free.

“Come one!” She cried, after a while. She couldn’t get her hands to slip through whatever had her wrist, and she couldn’t reach the wall behind her to try and break her thumb either. It would hurt like hell, but it might allow her hand to slip through.

She stilled after some time, labored breath and exhaustion taking over. She wasn’t sure how long she’d struggled. Couldn’t be sure of anything. She tried to fight the sleep that overtook her but found she couldn’t. Maybe whatever drugs they gave her were still on her system. Regardless of the reason, she slipped into sleep where nightmares haunted her.

“We have to look at every possibility.” Sweets said as he laid out folders into different piles. “This pile is people she’s helped put away that have recently been released from prison. These are people who’ve threatened her in the past. This is ex-boyfriends or anyone who was once a romantic prospect. And these are the crazy fans. Those who seem to be just a little too in love with Dr. Brennan.”

“This is taking too long,” Booth growled. He was at the end of his rope in the patience department. Still, he grabbed the first file, reading through it, then tossed it aside. “We need to break these up into even smaller piles, then pull everyone in for an interrogation.”

“We will help,” Angela said walking into the room with Cam on her heels. “Hodgins is still looking over particulates and whatever else he found at the scene, but we don’t have anything to do.”

“Don’t you guys have another case?” Sweets asked.

“No offense? But screw the other case. She’s already dead. Brennan is still alive.” Angela sat, pulling a pile to her.

Booth nodded, pulling his pile to him. They had work to do. He looked up when Sully walked in. “What are you doing here? You’re not in the FBI anymore.”

“I know. But please, unless you seriously think I’m a suspect, there’s no reason why I can’t help. I’m good with fieldwork. Good in interrogations. I’m a profiler.”

Booth looked over at Sweets. “We have a profiler already.”

“Booth.”

“What do you think, Sweets?”

“I agree with you’re assessment, Agent Booth. Sully isn’t a likely suspect.”

“Fine.” Booth motioned for him to sit. The more help they help the better. And Sully had been great at his job. “But don’t think for one second I’m not keeping a close eye on you.”

Sully smiled. “Wouldn’t dare.”

“Oliver Laurier, Dexter Trudoe, Nathaniel Pratt, Jeffery Harper, Branden Marshal, and Gram Patrick,” Booth said as he put their names and pictures on the board. “So far, these are our most Likely. We will start with them and go from there.”

Oliver Laurie, stalker. Dexter Trudoe, freed convict. Nathaniel Pratt, super-fan. Jeffery Harper holds a grudge. Branden Marshal, recent date. Gram Patrick freed convict.

Booth stood, ready to jump into action until he noticed the time. Shit. Looking around, he could see they were all tired. They’d been working this none stop since she disappeared. His eyes landed on Angela. He was such an ass. When was the last time she ate? He was working everyone to the ground, and no one even complained.

“Okay, everyone go home. Eat. Get some sleep. We will pick this up in the morning.”

Cam went to him, her face set in a serious tone. “You get some sleep too. You being tired isn’t going to do Brennan any favors.” He nodded, though he couldn’t imagine how’d he get any sleep.

“Hey, we will find her. Tempe is strong. She won’t go down without a fight. I will start compiling a send group to interview if this last one proves useless.”

Booth nodded but left without saying a word. He felt like he was going to explode. Like there was a bomb inside him and anything could make it go off. Where was she? Was she afraid? Hurt? Alive? He swallowed the fear. She was alive. She had to be. She…god, please don’t take her away. He pinched the bridge of his nose, the pressure making his head hurt. She was alive.

“Seeley!” Hannah went to him the moment he entered his office. “Is it true? About Temperance?”

“Yeah.” Getting the word out was hard, sitting heavy on him. He couldn’t stop the tears that sprang to his eyes as he looked at her. Hannah pulled him to her, her worry evident.

“What can I do? I have connections. Maybe if we get it out there, get her face put on every news station?”

“It’s already out there.” And yeah, he got his ass handed to him when Max found out about it. The man looked as ready to murder as he felt. He just hopes Max didn’t do anything stupid in an attempt to find her. He had his hands full. He didn’t need extra things to worry about.

He’d been right though. He should have called. Under normal circumstances, he would have. But he was so angry, so scared, he couldn’t seem to think straight.

“Hey, she’s going to be okay. She’s smart and strong.” Hannah rubbed circles on his back. “Let’s go home, eat dinner, and sleep. Then we can start fresh in the morning.” She leaned up to kiss him, frowning when he jerked away.

“I’m sorry. I just…” can’t kiss you when I’m thinking about Bones. “I’m wound up.”

“It’s okay. Come on. Food, sleep, and kicking ass tomorrow.”

“I’m worried about Booth.” Sweets sat in Cam’s office not at all surprised that she didn’t go straight home.

“I know. I’ve never seen him so worked up before. Then again, someone has Brennan. I’m not sure they could have picked a worse person to kidnap.”

“You think he will kill them?”

“Oh yeah, I do. Have you seen the rage on his face? He might not do it if he can’t justify it, but I’m willing to bet that he’s willing to make it justifiable even if it’s a stretch.”

Sweets let out a sigh. He’d been watching. Booth the last two days, and the man was a live wire. He’s ready to let the world burn to find Brennan.

“Do you think she’s alive?” Cam asked, pulling him from his thoughts.

“She has to be.” Angela walked over to them looking far too tired. “Right? She has to be.”

“Angie.” Hodgins followed in after her. Come on, we said we stop in to grab your things, but you need sleep.”

“How can I?” Tears blurred her vision. “My best friend has been kidnapped and we don’t know by who or why. How can we just go home and sleep like she’s not out there possibly scared out of her mind?”

He went to her, pulling her to him. “Because, Baby, she’s Brennan. And she’s resilient. And we will be more helpful to her if we aren’t dead on our feet.”

Sweets stood now, nodding his agreement. “He’s right. This isn’t going to break her. She’s strong and we will find her.”

“I hope so. Because I’d anything happens to her, I don’t think Booth will ever be the same.”

Angela nodded her agreement. “Cams right. I don’t think any of us would be, but Booth? He’s not handling this well.”

“Hey, someone took you away from me and I’d react the same way.” Hodgins held her closer for just a moment. Like the idea freaked him out.

Sweets said his goodbye before heading out. Cam was right. Booth would never be the same. He just hoped that It didn’t take losing Dr. Brennan for Booth to understand he was still madly in love with her.
……………….

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks :D

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bones or its characters. All credit goes to their rightful owners.
…………….

Chapter Six
…….

Brennan jerked awake with the realization someone was touching her. Her face, her neck, her arm. She stayed completely still, hoping that he’d stop, but when she felt A large hand traveling up the inside of her thigh. She tried moving away from the touch, but it was useless.

“Don’t touch me.” She bit out. Her words were the only weapons she had.

“Are you sure?” The voice that came back made her freeze. His voice crashed into her, seemingly breathing her back to life. That soothing voice, smooth as water. The voice that she knew so well had tears forming in her eyes.

“Booth?” She was confused. If Booth was here he’d untie her. He’d hold her close she was sure of that. “No. Not Booth.” She added when she remembered what Oliver had said that Willis did voices. He did a good Booth impression, but something was missing, making it less flawless. She didn’t know what it was, but she’d use that difference to know this isn’t Booth

“Are you sure?” His voice cut into her again. She wanted it to be him so bad. His hand found her core, stroking her. “I can make you feel so good, Baby.”

“Don’t touch me!” She struggled to get away from the touch. “You’re not Booth, and your impersonation of his voice sucks.” It was a lie, but he didn’t need to know that.

He removed his hand from between her legs, only to wrap it around her neck, giving it a squeeze. “You think so? I haven’t had much time.” This voice she didn’t know. Must be his own. “How about this voice?” He switch again, and this time it sounded like Sully. “If I use this voice can I touch you?” His lips were suddenly on her neck. “Can I kiss you?”

“No, you may not.” She hated that she was shaking now. She was afraid, tired, and hungry. Her hands ached and she really had to pee. Which, in the grand scheme of things, didn’t seem like it should matter, but it did.

“Get off her, Willis. It’s time to eat.” Oliver said from somewhere.

“I’ll be back,” Willis said in his own voice. She didn’t like it. It was low, breathy, and creepy.

“Sorry about him.” There was a sound as if Oliver had moved a chair or something close to her. She was confident that he was settled between her legs. “Unfortunately, for now, he’s someone we must put up with. Open wide.”

“What is it?” She could smell that he had food. It made her mouth water and her stomach let out a growl. But it also smelt like meat.

“Steak, asparagus with baby potatoes. Now open wide.”

“I don’t eat meat.” There was a silence that told her he didn’t like her response.

“You will learn.” His controlled tone grated on her nerves. “Now, open.” The last word was a demand.

She choked down the food, her stomach rolling with the reintroduction of meat. She’d have to go to the bathroom and that was an unpleasant experience. Sure, they let her go. But it was in a portable potty and since they refused to unchain her, they wiped for her. She tried to tell herself that this was a normal bodily process and nothing to be embarrassed about, but there it was. She hated how degrading it felt. Hated the feel of someone else touching her like that.

“I had a long day,” Oliver told her as he forced her to eat. He complained about his job, and how his boss treated him poorly. “He will regret crossing me one day. They all will.”

She said nothing as she wasn’t sure how to respond. He talked to her as if this were something everyone did. Like they were friends.

“Do you have anyone who doesn’t like you at work?”

“A lot of people don’t like me. They think I’m cold and heartless.”

“Oh, Temperance.” She flicked when he caressed her cheek. “They just don’t know you. Not like I do. They don’t see what I see.”

“Booth sees me.” She wasn’t sure why she said it but felt the need to. And Angela. I have people. People who will find me.”

“Don’t speak of him!” Oliver snapped. “Booth is nothing, do you hear me? He’s nothing!”

“Booth is everything.”

The sting of his hand slapping her cheek surprised her. “We don’t talk about Booth!” His words came out harsh.

She heard him take a deep breath as footfalls told her he was moving around. “Now. It’s time to get you washed up and changed. I bought you a few sleeveless dresses. It will be easier to put on and off.”

She imagined so. Her feet were weighted down by heavy weights. She was able to move her legs, but it wasn’t easy.

She hated the feeling of him cutting her clothes off her. Hated the way his breath caught when she was fully exposed to him. Her stomach rolled when he ran his fingers over her nipples, squeezing one. “Oh, Temperance.”

She cried as he jerked onto her, the sounds of him working himself, the noises he made, made her skin crawl. When he was done, he gave her a sponge bath, touching her way too sweetly. As he washed her, he spoke soothing words of love. It was sick and wrong and made her want to scream.

The dress he put her in was light and shorter than she’d like. Especially considering she was underwear-less. Maybe it was irrational, but she would feel so much better if she’d had underwear.

Once Oliver had her back on the floor, her legs and arms back in a position in which she could hardly move, he’d kissed her goodnight and left.

She took a few minutes to absorb the last… however long she’d been here. She closed her eyes, thought of Booth, and cried herself to sleep.

“Agent Booth. Long time no see.” Oliver cooed. “Is Dr. Brennan here?”

Booth leaned against the table, ready to punch this creep out. All the other leads were dead ends. Oliver was his last hope out of this bunch of suspects.

“Funny you should ask,” Sweets put In. “We would like to know where you were Wednesday morning? Between midnight and five?”

“Wednesday? I was with my mother in Iowa. She’s been terribly lonely. Why?”

“Someone has kidnapped Dr. Brennan. And I’m not convinced that it wasn’t you.” Booth said tightly.

“You’re welcome to check my alibi. It must be unpleasant for you? To not get to see her every day? Imagine how I feel? Not being able to see her? Know her? Touch her?”

Booth moved fast, jerking Oliver from his chair, and holding him against the wall. “I swear to god, if you have any idea where she is, if you’ve hurt my partner, the woman I love!”

“Agent Booth!”

“I will end you!” He pulled away before he did real damage. He had to pace the room before looking back at Oliver, but couldn’t manage to unclench his fist.

“I promise you, agent Booth. I wasn’t even in town on Wednesday. I didn’t get back until Thursday afternoon. Besides, where would I keep a prisoner? You’ve seen my apartment.”

“His alibi checks out. “ Booth ran his hands down his face before pinching the bridge of his nose. “All of their alibis check out.”

“It’s been three days. The likelihood of.”

“Don’t.” Booth bit out.

“I’m sorry, Agent Booth. I don’t like it any more than you do, but it’s my job to keep things in perspective. Given the state of her apartment and how carefully this whole thing seemed to be planned? This guy is smart. He wanted to have time with her. There is no ransom demand. This is personal. And she won’t go down without a fight. If he doesn’t get what he wants from her? Or even if he gets what he wants from her?” He didn’t have to elaborate his meaning.

“Shut up, sweets. She’s not dead! She’s not.”

“Agent Booth.”

“No!” He stood, slamming his hand on his desk. “She’s alive.” God, please let her be alive.

“She’s not invincible.” Sully held his hands up when Booth shot him with daggers. “Hey, I want to believe that she’s alive too.”

“Why? You left her. Broke her damn heart doing it. Why do you care?”

“I asked her to come with me. I wanted Temperance by my side. Don’t for one minute think I don’t care!”

“If you cared so much, you wouldn’t have left!” What was he doing? He didn’t care that Sulky left. Selfishly, he’d been glad Sully left.

“What about you?”

“I never left!”

“No? You’re not getting married? You don’t think that’s breaking her heart!”

They were nose to nose now, both throwing off aggression like two male lions ready to fight for their mate.

“Enough!” Angela’s voice broke through them. Both taking a step back. “That’s not going to help bring her home.” Angela put the food bags down. “Now let’s eat so we can get back to work.”

As he ate, he thought over what had happened in the interrogation room. He’d lost his cool, yeah that wasn’t great, but his words are what kept repeating. My partner. The woman I love. That’s what he’d said. The woman I love. He’d spoken the truth. The problem was, it was more true than he’d realized. Bones was the woman he loved.

“Let me go!!!” She yelled and screamed as she pulled on her chains. They had adjusted her ankle chains so she could move her legs a little better, but it was her wrist chains that restricted her the most. She wanted to go home! Wanted to get this fucking blindfold off!

“Oliver!” She screamed more, so much that her voice grew horse. “Let me go! Please! Let me go!”

“Help!” She cried, growing frantic. She hated not being able to see. She just wanted to see! “Help me! Please! Someone help me!”

“Would you shut up?”

It’s not Booth. It’s not Booth. It’s not Booth. She chanted over and over because, god, she wished she could allow herself to pretend it was.

“Where’s Oliver?” It wasn’t that she liked Oliver. But Oliver was at least kind in his own messed-up way. Willis was an ass and one of these days she was afraid he’d have his way with her.

“He was called into the FBI. Your partner is working hard to find you. It’s a shame that he will find Oliver had an iron-clad alibi.”

His footsteps drew closer, making her stomach clench. Oliver wasn’t here. He’d likely be gone a while.

The sound of a switch being flicked was her first warning. Then she felt her chains being pulled, forcing her into a standing position. She clenched her jaw, refusing to cry out in pain. When her feet barely touched the ground, he turned the switch off.

“Finally we can be alone without the worry of interruption.” His finger grazed over her covered breast. “Should I use this voice?” He asked switching back to Booths, or this one?” That was Sully. “Or I can switch it up and use this one?” Hodgins. How did he know their voices?

“I prefer you not to touch me at all.” She replied through clenched teeth

He laughed. “You all say that. But at the end of the day, all you whores are the same. All of you come on my cock.”

“You’re delusional.”

He sucked at the skin of her neck as he pulled her dress down. “Sticks and stones, baby.” He pulled painfully on her nipple, no doubt trying to make her cry out. “But whatever you think of me? Whatever you say? I will have my way.” As his to demonstrate, his other hand went to her core, painfully entering her.

She grew still now, trying to do what Booth told her she should do. Don’t give them the satisfaction of your pain. She closed her eyes as he touched, pinched, licked, and prodded her.

To remove herself from the invasion, She walked herself through her first case with Booth. Trying to allow the memory to override what was happening to her body. She was proud of herself for not crying out. But she couldn’t stop the tears that silently fell as Willis violated her body.

Booth was looking for her. She had to survive long enough for him to do what he did best. He wouldn’t stop until he found her. None of them would. She just had to hold on.

Ten days. Booth took a shot of his favorite bourbon, feeling the warmth it created in his belly. Ten long and unproductive days with nothing to show for them. Not. A. God. Damned. Thing.

Anger, fear, heartache, and confusion bubbles up in him, making him feel like he was ready to panic with the emotions. Angry that he couldn’t find her. Fear that it was too late. Heartache for what she might be going through. For the idea of losing her and being confused because he loved her.

He loved her. It wasn’t a surprise. He’s loved her for years. Before he even realized it for the first time he loved her. No. It was how much he loved her that surprised him. He’d meant it when he said he loved Hannah. That she’s wasn’t a consultation prize. He’d been heartbroken about bones’ confused, but he’d been sure he wanted Hannah more.

But after this, he wasn’t sure. These past few months with Bones pulling away and now the kidnapping has made him really look at what has been there all along. He was madly, crazily, stupidly in love with his best friend. His partner. The one woman who can drive him insane in one moment and have him laughing in the next. They don’t make sense. They never did. But he loved that woman.

He loved Hannah too. Was engaged to be married. And he would marry her. He wouldn’t ever make her feel second best. He wouldn’t ever make her feel like she wasn’t good enough. He would give her his heart and their marriage his all.

But he would always know the truth. That Bones is his soulmate. She was the one he felt the safest with. She was the first person he wanted to share his thoughts with. The only person he’d share his darkest moments with. His shitty past. She was the person who he felt like he could be his truest self with. And that didn’t sit right with him. He knew Hannah should be that person.

Bones would forever hold his heart and she was gone. Overwhelming anxiety gripped him and he swept everything off the table, screaming at the top of his lungs. “Fuck!!!!!” Fuck. Oh god! Fuck!

“Seeley!” Hannah rushed over, kneeling next to him because he’d fallen to his knees as he buried his face in his hands. He had a cut on his bare arm, and blood dripped down onto the wooden floor.

“Seeley.” She pressed her head to his, placing one hand on his neck, and the other on his bare chest that was heaving with his labored breaths.

“I’ve failed her.” He choked on the words, sorrow overtaking the anger. “I. Oh god.” He pulled her closer to him, wishing she were bones. Feeling like shit for wishing she were anyone else.

“Seeley.” Hannah held him as he cried, saying nothing more because she was afraid that he was right. Not that he failed. None of this was his doing, but even if they found her, at this point, it’s likely she’s dead.

“I know. I know.” She ran his fingers through his hair, just holding him.

Later, she was cleaning the cut on his arm. It wasn’t deep but deep enough to need proper cleaning. He looked past her at nothing, his blank expression worrying her. She’d never seen him like this.

Truth was? Outside of the pressures of a war zone, she’d never seen him any other way but happy. They’d never been through anything bad. Never had a serious conversation about their past. About their future. The past has been left in the past and the future was left to the future.

That was how she liked it. She hated planning the future, hated worrying about the past. One you couldn’t change, the other you couldn’t plan for because you never knew where life would bring you.

Before these things weren’t a problem, but now she was getting married. To someone she loved dearly, and while she was sure he loved her, she was afraid he loved temperance more.

Once she was done with his arm, he thanked her, kissed her, and wished her a goodnight. She was left feeling lost and confused. She didn’t know how to handle this side of Seeley. And that gave her a lot to think about.
…………..

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks :D

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bones or its characters. All credit goes to their rightful owners.
……..

Chapter Seven
……….

One day you will accept me.” Oliver said after kissing her. “We will be happy, Temperance.”

“Take off the blindfold. Maybe that will help.” She had no real hope. She’s been asking for its removal every time he came in here. Much to his dismay.

“You know I can’t do that, Temperance. Not yet.”

She licked her dry lips, feeling them crack. “Water?”

“Not yet. You still have twenty-four hours to go. I told you if you kept head butting me you’d regret it. The more you fight, the longer you will have to stay tied up.”

Twenty-four hours. It had already been about a day since she had water. Longer since she had food. “I will be no use to you if you kill me.” Her throat hurts. Her everything hurt for that matter. She was sure he bruised her ribs. Well, Willis did, but who did what hardly mattered to her at this point. She was just their okay thing.

“Oh no, baby. Don’t worry. I won’t let you die. I promise. I love you, don’t you know that?” He caressed her cheek. She jerked away from his touch the best she could.

“Death would be nicer.” Her words were mumbled.

“Oh Tempe. One day you will love me the way I love you.” He touched her face again. She hated his gentle touches. She prefers Willis’ slaps. At least his slaps weren’t intimate. God, it made her skin crawl the way Oliver touched her with kindness.

“Booth will find me.”

“Don’t talk about him!” Oliver snapped. Booth was a sore spot for Oliver. One Brennan touched often. Maybe it wasn’t the smartest approach, but she was caring less and less. One way or another, this had to end.

“Booth will find me and he will kill you. And then he will hold me and I will let him. I would let him hold me all night long and love it.” She could hear Oliver’s sharp inhale, the anger practically radiating off of him.

She heard him take a few steps and heard the flip of the switch. Felt herself rise, from sitting until she was on her toes. “You will stay like this until you learn to respect me.”

This hurt and it put more strain on her already strained muscles. She knew she shouldn’t show the pain. Or the fear, but she was so tired, and if she couldn’t show the pain, the fear took over.

“Take it off!” She yelled at his retreating steps. “Take the blindfold off! Take it off!” The door slammed closed and she sobbed. “Please. Please take it off. Please.” She fought the restraints, crying out when they cut into her already raw wrist. “Let me go!!!”

After a while she calmed again, closing her eyes to pretend closed eyes were the reason she couldn’t see. Yelling won’t help. Demanding won’t help. She knew this. She knew this well and yet logical thought seemed to be slipping away from her. Her emotions seemed to have taken the wheel and she couldn’t seem to stop the emotional outbursts. She couldn’t seem to stop saying everything that she was thinking.

It was as if the emotions clawed their way to the surface, choking her with the demands to be free. And seeing as there was nothing she can do to logically free herself, the emotions continue to take command.

She shook, the fact that she couldn’t reach the ground making it hard to ignore the constant cramping in her legs. The itch on her freaking nose! Something so simple, seeming almost painful.

“Next case.” She said out loud. “Someone sends a mandible to the Jeffersonian. I’m still in shock that Booth is alive and pissed he didn’t tell me. Zack alerts us of the delivered package. Within minutes we know it’s related to the Gormogon case.”

“What was the dirt found on the body?” Booth asked sounding as if he didn’t really care. Because he didn’t. He wasn’t ready to move on from Brennan’s case, but his boss gave it over to missing persons and he was told to focus on the unsolved case that had landed in their laps the night before Brennan’s kidnapping.

Hodgins gave him an annoyed look but answered anyway. “Dust. It’s make-up suggesting it can from maybe a basement. All it really tells us is that it’s somewhere in Virginia.

“Signs of sexual assault, but no DNA.” cam added on.

“There’s a fracture on her Iliac crest suggesting that someone hit her with a blunt circular object. Like the top of a baseball bat.” Wendell let out a sigh. “I’m no Dr. Brennan.”

“You’re doing great, Wendell,” Angela reassured him.

“Yeah, you’re doing great.” Booth gave him the best smile he could. “I’m going to go talk to Rachel Delaney. She’s the one who reported her missing.”

“What about her parents?”

“I’ve spoken with them. They were informed of her murder the day after she was found. I spoke to them again a few days ago. They don’t know much of anything. I guess they were estranged. I’m hoping to have better luck with the boss.”

“How’s it going in here?” Angela asked though she was finding it hard to care. It felt as if they were abandoning Brennan. How could they stop looking for her?

“We haven’t stopped, Angie. We have nowhere else to look.”

She looked at him with surprise, then smiled a little. “Are you sure you’re not a mind reader?”

“Nah. I just know you. I promise we won’t stop looking. If we find a line to tug on, we’ll tug.”

“I know. I just.” She eyed the scarf he was pulling particulates off of. “Where did you get that?”

“It was with the victim.”

“Is there a hole? A small one where the tag should be?” She could hear the hysteria in her voice.

Hodgins inspected the scarf. “Yeah, how did you know?”

She shook her head, trying to understand the connection. Trying to understand what it means. “I bought that scarf for Brennan two years ago for her birthday. She told me it went missing about a month ago.”

“Angie, surely this isn’t a one-of-a-kind scarf.”

“No, but the hole? The fact that now it’s here on a dead woman? A dead woman who looks an awful lot like Brennan?”

“You two aren’t going to believe what I just found.” Cam hurried in. “I ran the hair for DNA, and I was expecting it to be the victims but.”

“It’s Brennan’s.”

“Okay,” Cam said in surprise. “How did you know that?”

“Because I recognize the scarf. This is Brennan’s scarf.”

“How did it end up with our victim? Brennan would have said if she recognized her?” Hodgins looked between them with so many questions.

“I don’t know, but I have to tell Booth. In the meantime, we need to work this one fast and properly. Finding this woman’s murder might lead us to Dr. Brennan.”

“She was so full of life.” Rachael waved for him to take a seat in her tiny office as she pulled out a tissue. “Even when life seemed to kick her down she’d show up with a smile on her face.” She sat, running her hand through her short pink and green hair.

“Do you know of anyone who’d want to hurt her? Anyone she had a falling out with?”

Racheal shook her head. “Not that I’m aware of. She was the kind of woman you are drawn to. She never had anything meaningful to say. I can’t imagine anyone who didn’t like her. She was requested a lot. She was great with hair, but I think people felt comfortable with her because she was just that kind of person. Easy to talk to. Had a way of making you feel like she cared. And she did. Always remembered the names of her client's important people. Kids, husband, wives, friends.”

“Did she have a boyfriend? Girlfriend?”

“There was one guy. She’d bring him up every so often, I believe she said his name is Nick Mills? They were on again and off again. She always said it was her, but I don’t know, like I said, I can’t imagine anyone who didn’t like her.”

Booth’s phone buzzed, and he held up his hand to Racheal. “Booth.” He listened as Cam explained what they found and how it seems that Brennan might be connected to this case. “You’re sure? Okay. Thank you, Cam.”

“Can you tell me, have you seen this woman?” Booth pulled up a picture of Bones that he had on his phone before showing her.

“Um. I mean, she looks a bit like Lyra wouldn’t you say? But no. I don’t think I’ve seen her.”

“Okay. Thank you for your time.” He stood, handing her his card. “If you think of anything.”

“Sure. Of course.”

“She’s. Are you sure?” Nick stood, pacing the room. “God. I thought she just took off. Figured she was finally brave enough to leave.”

“Why would she want to leave?” Sweets asked.

“Because she felt stuck. Her parents were nightmares. Constantly trying to control her. She dreamed of just taking off so they wouldn’t know where she was. She wanted that freedom so bad. But she was afraid.”

“Of?” Booth prompted.

Nick sat now, eyes red. “The unknown I guess. She was…so vibrant. So ready to take on the world. She saw the best in everything. Always smiling and making others smile. But that was just a mask, you know? Deep down she was afraid of the life she desperately wanted.”

“And when you thought she left you? Without a word? Without a goodbye?”

“Lyra and I? We’ve had our ups and downs. I’m not sure what we even were to each other. Partners? Lovers? Friends with benefits.” He let out a sigh. “I wasn’t angry. I missed her. But I figured when she was ready, she’d find me.”

“So you just accepted she left?”

“What else could I do? I knew she wanted out. I couldn’t cage her in. God are you sure it’s her?”

“Yes. Do you know of anyone who had a problem with her? Or anyone she seemed afraid of?”

“No, I…”

“What? What is it?” Booth leaned forward, hoping for anything that will help them.

“She told me about the husband of a client once. Said he came in once with her and he seemed enamored with her. She started running into him a lot after the fact. She was worried he was following her, but she had no way of actually knowing he was and it wasn’t just a coincidence, and he never did anything wrong. Just waved and went on his way.”

“Did she give you a name?”

“Willis. That’s all I know. I’m not even sure if it’s a first or last name.”

She sat still as Oliver undid her ankle chains. Apparently, he was worried about infection and wanted to tend to the raw skin there.

“Please take off the blindfold.” She asked yet again.

“Not yet,” Oliver said as he put something on her ankle that burned. “You’re not ready yet.”

She was ready. So freaking ready to see again. She hated what her mind conjured up in the absence of sight.

Feeling a surge of anger, she kicked out, striking Oliver. His yelps of pain brought her a sliver of pleasure. She continued to kick, hoping to get him again as he tried to get control of her.

“Temperance! Be still! No, stop.” He grunted when she got him again, seemingly knocking the air out of him.

“Let me go!” She growled out.

A large hand suddenly gripped her throat squeezing it until it blocked her air. “Be still. I won’t let go until you’re tied down again. Whether you live depends on you.

She flirted with the idea of fighting till the end. Surely death would be better than this? She could have it all end now. But then Booth came to her mind. The look on his face when he found her dead. Angela too. Both of them would be so sad. She had to survive for them, so she went still.

“Good girl,” Willis said, making her stomach lurch.

Oliver got the chains back on and the feeling of them weighing down her feet made her want to scream.

“You are definitely not ready for the blindfold to come off,” Willis said as he let her throat go. She gasped in air, mentally cursing them both.

Five minutes later she was alone again. Her throat was sore, and the kick to the ribs she received furthered her struggle to breathe. Assholes. She didn’t even know if it was Oliver or Willis who kicked her.

She moved, trying to get comfortable. Or, as comfortable as she can get. “A fisherman and his son find a body in a frozen pond. Upon initial examination, Booth discovers a necklace that leads to the identity of the victim. Pete Carlson. Booth becomes our first suspect as he fought with the victim before he was killed. I never believe for a moment that Booth killed him. But we must work the case and pursue all angles of investigation.”

“Angela!” Hannah called, getting Angela’s attention.

“Oh, hey, Hannah. How are you?”

“I’m okay. Mind if I join you?”

“Oh yeah. Of course. Would you like some fries? I have way too many.”

“Sure,” Hannah sat, taking a fire. She seemed a little uncomfortable. Not that Angela was an expert on all things Hannah.

“You okay? Looks like you have something in your mind.”

“I do. I’m just not sure it is appropriate to talk to you about it, but the thing is, I need insight. Perspective. I thought about talking to Sweets, but seeing as he’s Seeley’s physiatrist, he wouldn’t morally be allowed to answer my questions.”

Angela nodded thoughtfully. “Well, you can ask the question, and I can tell you if it’s inappropriate or not.”

She hesitated, clearly unsure. “I know that Temperance was in love with Seeley.”

“Is.” Angela corrected. “There is past tense.”

“Okay. And Seeley told me that he once returned the feelings. Be he also said he’s moved on.”

“Can I ask you a question?”

Hannah nodded as she took another fry.

“Are these questions going to be used against My friends? What’s the purpose?”

“I have no intentions of hurting Seeley or Temperance. I just…I’m trying to understand how deep this ran. I’m…” she let out a defeated sigh. “I think it’s bigger than he leads me to believe.”

Angela took a moment to gather her thoughts. Maybe she shouldn’t be answering these questions, but she did believe Hannah had the right to know. “It was serious. The feelings of love were serious. And if you ask me? They both still love each other. And I don’t mean in a friendly way. You can’t be in love with someone the way they are in love and erase the feelings completely. I'm sorry. I can see that’s not what you wanted to hear.”

“It’s what I expected.” She took a minute to mull. “Temperance doesn’t believe in marriage.”

Angela laughed. “No, she doesn’t. She believes that it’s an antiquated ritual. She’s made it very clear she’s not ever getting married.”

“Do you think she’d ever change her mind?”

Angela shrugged. “I can’t claim to know what the future holds. But I wouldn’t hold my breath. Why? Oh.” She nodded understanding. “Because Booth does believe in marriage and you’re trying to figure out what that would mean for them as a couple.”

“Booth does believe in marriage. I guess it’s another reason why it wouldn’t work. He wants it all. Marriage, kids. Happily ever after.”

“I don’t know. Booth, he knows Brennan more than anyone. I’m sure of that. Even me. He knows she wouldn’t ever do the marriage thing. I don’t think it mattered. He loved her that much. He would sacrifice that to be with her.”

“You think so?”

“Oh yeah, I do. But hey, he chose you. He loves you and is excited to spend his life with you. I wouldn’t worry about his feelings for Brennan. Booth is a good guy. One of the best, really. He would never do you wrong. You can be sure of that.”

“Do you know a Lyra Harper?”

“Nope,” Willis said, popping the P.

Booth let out a humorless laugh. “Yeah. Well, we have proof that you do. She’s your wife’s hairdresser.” Booth threw down a few pictures of Lyra. “Ringing any bells?”

“My wife left me months ago.”

“Good for her.” Booth tapped the photo. “See Lyra here mentioned that she met you at work, and then ran into you everywhere.”

Willis shrugged. “Don’t mean shit. I’m a busy man. Yeah, I saw her a few times. Gave her a wave. Don’t mean I killed her.”

“What about a Temperance Brennan?” Booth put her picture down. “What do you know about her?”

Willis picked up her picture, something crossing his face. Recognition? “Well?”

“She’s that author, isn’t she? The one who writes those crime books?”

“Yeah, she is. Very good.”

“She looks a bit like Lyra. What do the two have to do with each other?”

“I don’t know. You tell me?”

Willis tightened his jaw, looking put out. “Wouldn’t know. She missing?”

Booth sucked in a sharp breath, losing his patience with the creep. “How about you drop the attitude and tell me where you were on the twelfth? Between midnight and five?”

Willis cocked his head. “This seems personal to you, agent Booth. Ever think that maybe the bitch just left you?”

Booth jerked from his seat, his fist finding the man's face before he could stop himself. Anger just hitting its boiling point. This fucker was playing with him. He allowed Sweets to pull him back, standing between the two.

Willis laughed, wiping the blood from his lip. “I have no idea where I was twelfth. That was days ago. Now either arrest me or let me go.”

Booth’s nostrils flared but had no means to keep the man. He hadn’t done anything wrong, and there was no evidence to suggest he hadn’t simply run into Lyra.

He closed his eye, getting his anger under control. He hated that he lost his cool. Never wanted to allow anger to propel him to throw fists.

“You good, Booth?” Sweets asked.

“Yeah. I’m good.” He wasn’t. But Sweets didn’t need to know that.

Her screams echoed around her as Willis burned her hip. She’d tried not to scream, but after the third time, she couldn’t keep them in anymore.

“He was so fucking cocky.” Willis spat.

Brennan struggled to catch her breath. She leaned a little, trying to stay on her feet. “Who?” Whoever had pissed him off sucked because now he was taking the frustration out on her.

“Me.” He said in Booth’s voice.

She hated when he used it. It made her feel like she might break. She ached for Booth to find her. Longed to be safe with him, working cases. She wanted him to make her laugh and remind her that she was okay.

“He pulled me out of work and into the interrogation room.” He continued, still using Booth’s Voice. “Asked me about Lyra. Then you. I’ll give it to you? They are good. But not good enough. They will never find you.”

Brennan laughed as she filled with a hope she hadn’t felt in a long time. She had no idea how long she’d been down here. Weeks? Months? Who knew. But Booth and her people were getting close. And what he didn’t know is, that once they picked up the scent, they wouldn’t let it go. “He’ll find me. He always finds me.”

“I think he will give up eventually. He’s got the pretty blonde of his. Soon you will be nothing more than a memory while he makes a family with his whore.” He kissed her cheek where a tear fell. “Don’t worry, baby. I’ll always love you. I’ll show you.”

And he did, in his messed up way. And as he penetrated her painfully, she focused on the case she’d been reciting before he’d showed up. She allowed herself to get lost on the case where she learned of Sweets' tragic past and gave him a glimpse into her own crappy memories.

Hannah paced the apartment, waiting for Seeley to return home. Yes, it has occurred to her that this wasn’t the best time. Yes, she’d considered waiting, but there wasn’t any end in sight. And she was doing this regardless of the outcome of Temperance’s kidnapping.

While it was this mess that had brought this to the forefront, it has been brewing in the background for a while. She’d felt it there, simmering.

It was all the little things that started to add up to something big. It was the smile he got when they talked about Temperance. It was the way his eyes lit up when she entered a room. It was their shared jokes and innocent shoulder bumps that felt like they said so much more.

Then Temperance pulled away and it was in the pain she could see in his eyes. It was in the way he pretended to be unbothered by it, but she knew better. It was in the way he spoke to her on the phone, clearly glad to simply hear her voice.

And when Temperance was kidnapped? It was the murder in his eyes. The set of his jaw, the clutch of his hands. The consuming anger was both terrifying and honestly sexy as hell.

But it wasn’t all him. It was her too. She was naive to think that they could just figure things out as they went. She knew he wanted marriage and she didn’t. Then she realized he wanted more children. Biological ones. She didn’t. He wanted everything marriage was. The house. The kids. The commitment. The white picket fence and quite possibly a dog. She didn’t want to set down roots yet.

And then she realized what she hadn’t realized before. Seeley was in love with Temperance. Who didn’t want marriage. She’d only said yes so she wouldn’t lose him. But he knew Temperance wouldn’t want marriage and he was still willing to be with her. He wanted to make a life with her. And that said a whole lot.

The door opened and she turned to the sound. She watched as he disarmed, putting his gun in the hidden safe. He gave her that sad smile that seemed to be a new permanent feature. She hated it. With a smile like his? He should be smiling for real.

He went to her, pulling her to him and giving her a kiss that almost made her abandon her plans. Almost. “Hey.”

“Hey.” She cleared her throat as his eyes landed on her bags.

“You leaving? You just got back.” He seemed to slump a little. This wasn’t going to be easy.

“Hey, sit down with me.” She sat on the coffee table, motioning for him to sit on the couch in front of her.

“Okay?” She could see that he was bracing himself. Ready for the bad news he knew she was going to give him.

“I’ve thought about how to do this for days.”

“Hannah…” she covered his lips with her finger, silencing him.

“Please, let me talk.” He nodded, and she moved her finger. “I love you. I don’t want you to doubt that. But, I think we both need to take a hard look at the reasons why I can’t stay.”

She paused as he closed his eyes, looking so beyond tired. “I don’t want children. Not yet anyway and when I do? I want to adopt. I don’t plan on budging on that. You do want children. Biological ones and you want them soon. I don’t want to buy a house and set roots. I don’t even know if I want to stay stateside. I don’t want to get married. I never did and I never should have said yes.”

“Then why did you?” He sounded so hurt, and looking into his hurt stricken eyes, she felt her heartbreak.

“Because I wanted you. Because I love you. I wasn’t ready to let go and at the moment? God, at the moment I thought that marrying you might be worth bending my views on marriage.”

“What changed? Why back out now? Hannah, I love you.” He took her hands.

“Temperance doesn’t do marriage. Would you have stayed with her? Knowing that she wouldn’t marry you, would you pursue her anyway?”

His eyes met hers and she knew once and for all what she’d already suspected. “And if I had said no? What would happen? Would you have stayed with me?”

He took his hand back, looking defeated. “I think that says something, Seeley. The fact that you would forgo marriage to be with Temperance, but not to be with me.”

“Hannah I.” He shook his head. He couldn’t dispute her words. His throat get tights as he swallowed. “I’m sorry.”

She nodded as she fought back tears. “We were both not thinking. Neither of us thought of the future. Not when you asked. Not when I said yes.”

“No, I did. I wanted that future. I wanted you, us.”

“But we never discussed it. Not past the hypothetical. We never talk about anything serious. It was why I loved being with you. You never pushed and neither did I. But it wouldn’t sustain us. I think it was always leading to this.”

“I’ll miss you.” He looked so disoriented. “I’m sorry. I never wanted you to feel second best.”

“I never did. I know you’d marry me. I know you’d be faithful and never make me feel like you were longing for another. But I would know it all the same.” She put her hand on his cheek. “You’re a great man, Seeley Booth. But you can’t give me the freedom I want, and I can’t give you the life you want.”

“So this is goodbye.” It wasn’t a question. It was more a statement of acceptance.

“Yeah. This is goodbye.”
…………

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks :D

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bones or its characters. All credit goes to their rightful owners.
……………..

Chapter Eight
…………….

Booth stood in Cam's office as she went over her newest findings. She was clearly leading up to something big. “Cam, get to the point?”

“We found a partial fingerprint. And it belongs to one Ronnie Jonathan Willis.”

“You’re sure?”

“Hey, I’m good at my job. I’m positive.”

Booth’s heart seemed to kick up to overdrive. As he all but ran to his car. By the time he was in it, he’d already called Caroline to get a warrant.

Maybe it was a dick move, but he didn’t even bother knocking before walking into Sweet’s office, and all but dragged the guy from the room.

He wasted no time filling Sweets in, from the scarf and Brennan’s hair found with their victim and then Willis’ partial print.

He felt as if his heart was going to beat out of his chest as they approached the house. Was Bones in there? Was he minutes away from having her in his arms?

Knock. Knock. Knock. “Ronnie Willis, this is agent Booth and Dr. Sweets.” He banged on the door again. “We have a few more questions for you.”

When there was no answer, Booth kicked the door down, consequences be damned. He would handle that later. Right now, he wasn’t leaving this property without knowing for certain that Bones wasn’t here.

“Nothing!” Booth boomed a little while later. “Willis is MIA and we found no evidence that anyone was ever held there. The house is clean.”

“I’ll send a team over anyway. Just to be sure there isn’t something that was missed.”

Booth lowered his head, leaning on the rail. “I thought. I thought we were close. That we’d have her back today.”

“Seeley, I feel like you need to prepare for the possibility that even if we find her, it might be too late. It’s been two weeks.”

“I know that Camille” he ground out. “I have to have faith. Faith that God wouldn’t take her from me. Not when…Not when she’s my person.”

“You’re person?” Cam smiled softly at that.

He glanced at her, knowing she was waiting for an explanation. “Hannah and I broke up.”

“Oh,” she put her hand on his arm. “I’m sorry.”

“No. No, I’m. It’s for the best. Otherwise, I’d be lying to her. When I was interrogating Oliver Laurier, I lost my cool and told him that he would regret it if anything happens to my partner, the woman I love.”

“And so you realized what everyone else already knew.”

“I love Bones. I guess I just didn’t want to love her anymore. Hannah, I loved her too, but she made me realize that my feelings for Bones were more. Deeper.”

“I found sand!” Hodgins said as he and Angela hurried over to them. Manufactured sand that makes its grit a very precise size. That makes it easier to track the brand. It was found on the victim’s shoes.”

“Why didn’t we find this sooner?” Cam interrupted.”

“Because it was mixed in with the soil. I barely caught it.”

“So I looked up the manufacturer, and they sent me a list of everyone who bought their product in the last six months.” Angela handed a piece of paper to Booth as she spoke. “Oliver Willis incorporated. That’s too much of a coincidence if you ask me.”

“Oliver and Willis are in it together. That’s why Oliver had an alibi.”

“This property is in a secluded area. No one has neighbors for miles.” Cam looked at Booth. “We might have found her.”

Booth was already heading out the door as he pulled out his phone. “Caroline.”

Water. She needed water. It’s been longer than normal since anyone has come down here. She knows Oliver and Willis had argued. It had started down her with her before they moved it upstairs. She knew it was because Oliver was pissed about the shape she was in. But she doesn’t know the conclusion of the argument.

After a while, they came back down, something had spooked them, and they were talking about moving her to a different location. They injected her with something. She didn’t know what, but it made her groggy. A phone rang, then both of them were gone again, once again arguing.

She hated to admit that part of her was ready to die. She was so tired. In so much pain. But she couldn’t give up. Couldn’t stop fighting because Booth was out there, looking for her. She knew that. Booth wouldn’t give up so neither can she.

She just hoped he’d find her soon. Her will to keep fighting was draining. She was too weak. Too tired. In more pain than she’d ever been in.
Especially right now as she hung here. Her arms would never be the same after all the abuse. She was confident that her left shoulder was out of place from Willis’ last beating. Her breaths were painful from bruised ribs. Her wrist was cut open again. She could feel blood fall down her arms.

She focused on her breathing as she fought whatever they’d given her. It wasn’t the same as the first time. She was awake and aware, but it felt like everything was further away. Her mind slowed to a crawl.

She heard footfalls upstairs and hated how fear made her squirm. Those were heavy footfalls. Willis. He was back. She cursed the tears that fell. She didn’t like that she was afraid. Hated it in fact. If she could just see! She wanted to see. So her imagination wouldn’t make things worse.

Arguing. She could hear arguing. More than two voices it seemed. She tried to make out the words, but she couldn’t. The argument seemed to escalate. That wasn’t a surprise. She figured the two of them wouldn’t be able to get along, long term. They both wanted her. Sooner or later, they’d fight to have her. But what of the other voices? Was it an illusion? The drugs?

The sound of a gun made her jerk in surprise. There was a thunk. A body falling to the ground. More heavy footfalls. More than one. There were several. Oh god.

Willis has told her he had friends and when he could, he’d bring them by to have their way with her. Was that what this was? Had they argued about that? And someone got shot. And now they were headed down the stairs. She knew the sound well. But what about moving her? The two theories didn’t seem to connect.

Fear overloaded her as the steps grew closer. “Don’t touch me!” Someone was trying to console her. Or at least she thinks that’s what he was trying to do. She couldn’t make out his words over the panic. Someone touched her cheek. “Don’t! Don’t touch me!”

“Don’t touch her!”

He was using Booth’s voice again. “Don’t! Please don’t do this. I can’t take any more.” She sounded defeated, yet she fought against the chains. She wanted out. She wanted to go home. Wanted Her lab. Wanted Booth.

“Easy. Easy. Bones. It’s me. It’s me.” A finger touched her cheek, wiping away a tear.

“No! Don’t touch me. Don’t. Please I’m.” Her throat tightened. Wait, did he call her bones? She fought against the fog that was now trying to pull her under.

“Bones. It’s me. Okay? I’m going to take the blindfold off. Okay.” Was this some kind of joke? In all the time she’d been here he’d never called her Bones. And was he actually going to remove the blindfold? Was this really Booth?

“B— Booth?” This could be a trick, but this voice really did sound like the real Booth. That authority it carried that Willis couldn’t pull off was there. That had been the difference.

“Yeah, it’s me.” She went still as he drew closer. She breathed in his scent, that familiar scent of dark spices filled her longs and as he removed her blindfold, she blinked, the lights too bright. But there he was. Booth. Just inches from her, his brown eyes, saying it all. All the fear and worry and relief.

She cried silent tears as he took her in his arms, lifting her bridal style to take the strain off her arms. “There’s a switch somewhere.” She croaked out.

“Found it.” Sweets called out. “Give us the room, guys.”

She winced as her arms went down, her wrist getting relief for the first time since she woke up here. Her arms ached. Her whole body ached. God, she was tired.

“Are you going to put me down?” Booth held her to him tightly.

He looked at her, eyes red with tears. “Not yet.” He whispered the words, pressing his forehead to hers.

“This is real? You’re here?” Her mind reeled and she feared this was just the drugs. If this was some kind of messed-up dream, if she woke up back in hell, she’d never survive.

“I’m here. This is real. I’m here.”

A sob escaped her as she threw her still chained wrist over his head, hugging him to her. She didn’t even care that she shouldn’t be holding him like this. Didn’t care that he wasn’t hers. What mattered was he was here now. That he’d found her. That he was just as relieved to find her as she was.

“Don’t let me go.” She said as Sweets took the restraints off, making her limbs feel odd. She squeezed him tighter, not caring that her wrist screamed in protest.

“I’ve got you,” Booth said in reply, holding her tighter. “I’m not letting go. I’ve got you, Bones.”

“Say it again.”

“Say what again?”

“Bones. Call me Bones again.” Because it meant that he was really him. That this was real and because she’d missed it so much. Hearing him call her.

Booth let out a soft chuckle. “Bones. Bones. Bones.”

She buried her head into the curve of his neck and shoulder and cried.

He’d imagined many horrors over the days. What Bones might have been going through. All the things they could have done to her. He’d learned about torture, and had enough information to imagine things from one's nightmares.

But nothing could prepare him for this. It wasn’t that he hadn’t imagined a similar scenario to what he’d walked into. It was simply the very fact that it had been done to her that hit him hard.

Her screams of “don’t touch me!” Had him bolting down the stairs before he’d finished his sweep of the ground floor. Seeing her like that? Hanging off the ground, her toes barely reaching the floor? It made his blood boil.

She’d been afraid of him. Even after he spoke. Like she hadn’t recognized his voice. She’d been uncertain to believe he was him until the blindfold was removed. She’d squinted at him as if the light was too much for her eyes, she took him in as if she were couldn’t believe he was there.

Unable to stop himself, he'd pulled her to him, lifting her in his arms as Sweets found the switch Bones spoke of to lower her arms. She stared at him with an expression he didn’t quite understand, silent tears streaming down her cheeks

When her arms were lowered she seemed a little confused. “Are you going to put me down?” She’d said the words slowly, almost sounding like a child with the rhythm in which her words were spoken.

“Not yet. His own words came out in a whisper. He pressed his head to hers, just needing to be closer.

“This is real? You’re here?” Her voice cracked as she spoke. Fuck this, was killing him.

“I’m here.”

A sob escaped her as if reality had just hit her. She moved, putting her arms around his head as she buried her face into his neck and just cried. She held him tighter when Sweets got the restraints off, even though she had to have been in pain. Hanging like that pulls the muscles, and makes you ache. Her wrists from what he saw were raw and bleeding.

When she requested that he call her Bones he couldn’t stop the chuckle. She hated when he called her Bones. Or at least she’d always said that she did. But if she needed to hear him say her name, he would. Over and over.

She was so light. Too light. Had they been starving her? What else had they done to her? Had she spent the entire two weeks chained like that?

He’d wondered if she’d been raped, but he didn’t get the answer to that question until they were at the hospital. Everyone kept trying to make him leave, but by the time they got to the hospital Bones was in a state of panic and when they tried making him leave, she’d lost it.

“No! He can’t go! Please, don’t leave me! Don’t. Don’t touch me. Booth!”

Her cries of terror had made his blood run cold. He’d never seen her like this before. Never saw that terror on her face.

They allowed him to stay as it was the only way they could examine her, and she refused drugs to sedate her. She’d told them she was already given something. She didn’t know what. After some time, she calmed down and allowed them to do a quick exam and put in an IV. After she had time to calm further, they were back with questions.

“Sexual assault?” The nurse had asked so gently it was as if the words were a caress.

He’d stiffed, bracing for her answer. Her hand squeezed his as she nodded. “Yes. Three times. Each by Willis. Oliver only over masturbated on me.”

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! His mind reeled and he fought to keep his face blank as he imagined all the ways he’d like to kill Willis. Oliver was already dead. But Willis was MIA, and he’d better hope he wasn’t the one who found him.

“Did he use protection?”

“I don’t know. I was always blindfolded.”

“And your last menstrual cycle?”

“Is this necessary?” Booth snapped. Couldn’t they just let her rest?

Bones squeezed his hand again. She was calmer now, her eyes seeming more focused. “It’s okay Booth. She’s asking important questions.” She looked back at the nurse. “Given that I was contained for two weeks, It was three weeks ago.”

“Okay. We can give you a plan B, though it might be too late.”

“Please. Yes.”

It was as if the hits kept coming. She could be pregnant? From rape? Yea, he knew it happened but, shit. She shouldn’t ever be pregnant from such a horrific act. Babies should be made from love.

“Agent Booth?” The nurse called him to attention.

“Yeah?”

“We need to do a rape kit, Dr. Brennan asked you to wait outside.”

He looked down at her. “Yeah? You’re okay?”

“Yes, Booth. I’ll be okay.”

He swallowed, feeling as if leaving her was physically painful. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “I’ll be right outside. You call me, I’ll come.”

Bones smiled. It was a small shadow of a smile, but a smile nonetheless. “I’m fine, Booth. I promise.”

“Okay.”

He left the room. They did that exam and a few more. Sweets had shown up to take her statement which pissed him off because he wanted her to rest, but she insisted on giving it.

Every. Horrible. Sorted. Detail. She spoke as if she were giving details on what someone else went through. Her words were spoken matter-of-factly, cold, detached. As if it didn’t affect her one bit. Meanwhile, every word she spoke made his stomach sick and his heartbreak. It made him feel murderous with how angry he was.

He’d seen the evidence of said abuse. Bruises, cuts, and three angry-looking burns that were each about two inches long and deep. They’d scar and it will be painful to wear pants as it was on her hip.

When Sweets was finished, she was finally able to sleep. He had to promise her three times that he wouldn’t leave before she allowed the meds to lull her to sleep.

Angela and Hodgins showed up soon after she fell asleep. They didn’t want to wake her so they just stayed with her for a few minutes before telling Booth they would be back. Cam showed up a few minutes later. She and Booth talked for a little bit in hushed voices before she too promised she would be back.

Max showed up, looking at Bones with fire in his eyes. Booth imagined that Max was feelings a rage very similar to his own for the men who hurt her.

They exchanged a few words before Max took the extra chair and they now sat in silence.

He was content with just watching her breath. In. Out. In. Out. In. Out. In….-and out. Something so simple as breathing was likely causing her pain. But it made him feel high with relief. Her breathing meant she was alive.

But he hated that she was in pain. Torn rotator cuffs. Both shoulders. Lesions on both wrist and ankles. Cuts on right ankle we’re infected. Most of her ribs were bruised, and one was cracked. Broken toe on the right foot. Sprained right ankle. Left wrist partially fractured. Tears in… In her vagina. Yeast infection. Various lesions and bruises throughout her body.

Booth stood, feeling anxious. He wanted to be out in the field, looking for the asshole who did this to her. According to her, most of this was Willis. But he didn’t want to leave her and he promised he wouldn’t.

“You look like you’re about ready to kill someone,” Max said softly.

“Willis. Ronnie Willis.” Booth said his name as if they were poison on his tongue.

“I know you don’t want to hear this. But don’t kill him unless you have to.”

Booth’s eyes shot to Max. Usually, he’d never considered killing unless necessary. But what he did to Bones? How could he let that monster live?

“She won’t like it. It will bother her. Make her feel like she’s the reason you abandoned your belief system. Besides. She needs to help you catch the SOB. To get closer. Justice.”

He hated that max was right. “Funny advice coming from you. I know you’ve imagined all the ways in which you could kill him.” He’d said the words a bit harsher than he’d meant to.

“Yes. But she holds you to a high standard. Higher than even me. She needs you to be what you’ve always been to her.”

“And what’s that?”

“The good guy, with a steady aim and a heart of gold. Don’t let your rage take that from her.”

Closing his eyes he nodded. Because he knew max was right. Bones didn’t need his rage. She needed his strength. His honor to do the right thing. Even if doing the right thing would kill him.
……..

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks :D

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bones or its characters. All credit goes to their rightful owners

…..

Chapter Nine

…..

"Hi," Angela said as she approached the bed. She'd whispered the word as if she's was afraid to speak too loud.

"Hey." Brennan let out a surprised chuckle when Angela teared up. "No, hey, don't cry."

"I'm sorry sweetie. I'm just so happy that you are alive and so sad for what you went through and an array of emotions in between."

Brennan waved her over, moving her legs to give Angela a place to sit. Angela sat handing her the teddy bear she'd brought her. "Thanks"

"Are you sure you're okay? Is there anything I can do?"

"Not at the moment and I'm going to be fine." Brennan looked to Booth, who was on the phone, pacing outside her door.

Angela followed her line of sight and smiled. "He's guarding you."

Brennan rolled her eyes, though she was secretly grateful that Booth hasn't left. "He's like a dog and a bone."

"It's, he's like a dog with a bone, sweetie. And you have to admit, it's hot."

"Hmm," the word came out as a soft chuckle. "I should be annoyed. He's been hovering. Worrying. Asking me every ten minutes if I'm okay or if I need anything." She sighed, trying not to let her emotions show. "But I'm glad he's here. He's…I feel safe. With him."

Angela smiled, her eye softening. "You are safe. He will make sure of that." She lowered her voice. "You should have seen him these last two weeks. He was going crazy that you were gone. He had murder in his eyes. Sweetie, he would have burned the world down to find you."

"I believe you. I would do the same thing."

"So. I heard Willis did voices. Messed with you using Booth's voice." Brennan nodded, Making Angela's stomach drop. "God. What is wrong with people?"

"It was a form of control. He got off on it."

"Brennan I," she was tearing up again.

"It's okay, Angela. I'm okay. I promise."

Angela nodded as she cried. "Why am I crying? You should be the one crying."

"Because you have a good heart. It's who you are. And you're pregnant."

"Right," Angela let out a giggle. "We will blame hormones." She looked back as Booth pinched the bridge of his nose. He was on the phone and was looking stressed. "Believe it or not, this is the least miserable he's looked in two weeks."

Brennan looked at him too. He seemed tired. "He won't leave. I know he wants to aid in the search for Willis, and I told him he can go. I'll be fine. But he just says he's fine where he is."

Angela took her hand. "Sweetie, Booth was in hell. He was angry, scared, worried. He's not going to let you out of his sight until Willis is caught. And you should try to accommodate that."

"I'm not helpless, Angela."

"No. You're not. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't be under protection. And Booth is one hot as hell bodyguard." Brennan rolled her eyes. "He needs to do this. For two weeks he felt helpless. He needs to protect you now that he can."

Brennan let out a sigh. "I'm afraid that the longer he's always around, the harder going back to my normal life will be. My life without Booth."

"Hey, I don't think you will ever have life without him."

"You know what I mean."

"I do. But that's something to worry about when the time comes. For now, just take comfort in his presence."

Brennan laid her head back, the pain meds taking effect. She was so tired of sleeping but too tired to fight through it. And she did seem to feel a bit better every time she woke up.

"I'm sorry. I'm having a hard time staying awake." She let out a nervous kind of laugh.

"That's okay. Sleep. I will be back."

She was free. Still sore, and honestly the idea of going home had her stomach aching. She refused to say so and refused to acknowledge the fear. Something horrific happened to her. She knows that. But she wouldn't submit to the fear. She was stronger than that.

Booth took an unexpected turn, pulling her from her thoughts. "Where are we going?"

"My place."

"What? No? Why?"

"Bones, Willis is still out there. He obviously knows where you live. There is no way you are going home while that SOB is free."

"Booth, I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."

"I know you are, and I know you can, but I'm not letting it happen. You can either stay with me or with Angela and Hodgins, but you are not going home when that lunatic knows where you live."

She let out a sigh. He was using that authoritative tone he used when there was no moving him. She could see he wasn't going to budge, and the set of his jaw, and that look on his eye only confirmed that.

"Fine. But the moment he's behind bars, I'm going home." She said it for her own benefit because the idea of staying with Booth had eased that knot that had been forming in her gut at the thought of going home.

"That's fine." He agreed. As if he could actually make her stay.

A few minutes later they were walking into his apartment. Well, she was limping into his apartment. He'd offered to carry her. She'd rolled her eyes at him and limped away with her head held high. He'd laughed. She'd smiled. It was good.

She'd expected Hannah to be here, but they'd walked into a dark room, and she had to ignore the way her skin grew clammy with fear. In the hospital, it was never dark.

She felt Booth lean over, flicking on the lights. "You can take the room." He'd said as he moved past her into the apartment.

"Is Hannah out of town?" She asked as she followed him. She felt a sense of ease envelop her as she took in the familiar surroundings. Why had she expected everything to look different? His apartment smelt the same too, that clean scent mixed with whatever scented candle Booth had at the time. Today it was cinnamon.

"Yeah. Booth put her hospital bag on his bed. "The sheets are fresh. There's a heavier blanket in the closet if you get cold. I asked Angela to go with a few cops to your house to get a few things. So if there's anything in particular you want, let her know. She is supposed to message me when she gets there and when she leaves."

"When is Hannah getting back?" She eyed him when he looked uncomfortable. "Booth?"

"She's not. We broke up."

"Oh." Wait? What! Why? What did that mean? Wait, Woah. So many questions flooded her mind. "What happened?"

"She didn't want to marry me. Ever."

The words came out as of they pained him. "She didn't love you?" That didn't seem right. Hannah did love him. There's no way she couldn't.

"Bones." He groaned, looking uncomfortable.

"What? I'm just trying to understand." Because when she'd been kidnapped, they'd both seemed so happy. So sure. She was confused.

"She does love me." He sat on the bed. "She just doesn't want to get married. And I do."

She doesn't want to get married either. But Booth still wanted to be with her. Would they end up like this? At an impasse? "I don't believe in marriage."

Booth let out a quick laugh as he stood. "I know that. You've made it plenty clear." He pulled clothes out of his top drawer, throwing them into a basket. "You can have this drawer. I'll empty another one of you end up needing more."

"Booth?"

"Yeah?" He turned to her.

"You wanted to be with me at one point. Knowing I wouldn't ever marry."

"I know."

She shook her head, so confused. "Did you think I'd change my mind?"

"No, Bones. I don't think you would. Hoped maybe, but it wouldn't matter either way."

"Then why does it matter that Hannah doesn't want to get married? If you love her, shouldn't that be all that matters?" What was she saying? Was she trying to get them back together?

Seeming slightly exasperated, Booth picked up the basket and headed out of the room. She turned to see him pause and look back at her over his shoulder with an expression she didn't understand. "Because she's not you."

She blinked as he walked away, going into Parker's room. What did that mean?

"What are you doing?" Brennan asked as Angela opened Booth's dresser drawers.

"Snooping. You know, I've never been in his room. It looks exactly as I'd expect it to." She smelled the soap bottle he had sitting on the dresser. "Mm. This smells like him."

"It's his soap so…that makes sense."

"Listen, sweetie. You've got to tell me all the little secrets you learn living with Booth, okay?"

Brennan laughed. "What does that even mean?"

"You know, is he messy? Does he cook? Does he sing in the shower? Which you should totally join him in, by the way."

"Angela." She rolled her eyes as Angela joined her on the bed. "Did you know he broke up with Hannah?"

"Suspected. Hence the shower comment." Her expression shifted, looking more serious. "Did he say what happened?"

"He said she didn't want to marry him and he wasn't okay with that."

"Booth wants that. The whole thing. Love, marriage. Kids."

"But I don't. At least not marriage. When I pointed out to him, that I don't want to ever get married he said he knew that. I asked him why that was okay with him, but Hannah not getting married wasn't. All he said was, she's not you."

Angela's eyes softened as she smiled. "That's so sweet."

"It is? Because I don't know what he means."

"Honey, it means that he loves you so much, that he's willing to let go of the idea of marriage if it means he gets to be with you."

Brennen shook her head. "No, he told me he loved Hannah. When I told him I wanted to give us a go. He said he loved Hannah. That she wasn't a consolation prize. He picked her."

"Yeah. And I think he realized he made a mistake. That he doesn't love her more than you."

Brennan's mind raced as she thought it over. Would he give them a chance now, did she still want to? Would her fear of losing herself in him keep her from him. Wait? He loves her more? Really?

"Hey, don't freak out, okay? You guys have time to figure this out. Just know that he loves you and I believe this will end the way you both want."

"I'm scared."

"I know. But Booth is worth it."

She nodded. She knows he is. Still, that didn't make her any less afraid. But she couldn't not act either. She didn't want to give anyone another chance to come between them. Now wasn't the right time. But soon. She would bring them up soon.

"How is she?" Sweets asked as he popped a fry into his mouth.

"She seems okay. Mostly. She's with Angela now."

"Do you believe that she's okay?"

"Sometimes it seems that way. But I'm not sure she actually is. I think there will be some healing. She's strong, we know that, but even Bones is human."

"You anxious about having her stay with you?"

Booth eyed Sweets. "We aren't in therapy anymore, Sweets."

Sweets put up his hands. "I'm asking as a friend. I'm concerned and want to help."

"No. I'm not anxious about having her stay with me. I want her with me. I'm anxious being away from her, but I have two cops on the door and she's not alone."

"Then why are you here with me instead of there with her?"

"Hannah and I broke up." The words flew from his lips as if he needed to get them out before they killed him.

"Oh... Oh." Sweets replied, emphasizing the second oh. "So? What does this mean?"

"It means I'm no longer with Hannah."

"Okay?" Sweets let out a quick laugh. Booth always hated getting mushy. Unless maybe with Dr. Brennan. "Does that mean you're going to peruse Dr. Brennan?"

Booth sat back in his seat, crossing his arms, then leaned forward onto the table as if he can't get comfortable. "When she's ready, yes. But not until she's ready. I don't want to push her."

"Of course not. And you won't." Sweets paused, watching Booth. "There's something more." It wasn't a question.

"Just anxious to have Willis behind bars, that's all."

"Behind bars? Is that what you really want?"

"What the hell are you suggesting?" He hated when Sweets saw through him. Hated these feelings.

"There is a man out there, who hurt the woman you love. Hey, don't look at me like that. You just admitted that you wanted to still try things with Dr. Brennan. Anyway, Willis is out there and you're struggling between doing what you know is right, and avenging Dr. B."

Booth ground his jaw. "I will put him behind bars."

"That doesn't mean you don't want him dead."

Booth looked down to his half-eaten burger. He did want him dead. And he didn't wish a quick death on him either. He wanted him to hurt the way he'd hurt Bones. He wanted him afraid and begging for his life. And these wants didn't settle well on him. That wasn't who he was. Then again, how many times had he threatened to take a life if that life hurt Bones? Because there wasn't a damn thing he wouldn't do to see her safe.

"Booth, it's okay to feel that way. It's natural. What matters is what you do when you finally catch up to him. That's what matters."

I hope he gives me a reason to kill him. "I will put him behind bars. It's what I do."

Brennan woke with a startled jerk, a small cry escaping her lips. Breathing heavily, she looked around the dark room for a source of light. Any light to prove to herself that she was safe.

The clock on the bedside table. Three forty-five. Okay. She wasn't blindfolded. She was in Booth's bed. Safe.

With a sigh, she rolled out of the bed, going to the bathroom. She was sticky with sweat and needed to wash her face. Once done, she glanced back to the dark room. She didn't like it. Didn't like how she could hardly see anything.

She went out the other door that lead to the living area of the apartment. The living room was lit up with the TV. This was better. And Booth was in this room. Not that she'd admit to anyone that having him next to her made her feel safe.

She didn't understand this sense of security with him. He wasn't Captain America. He couldn't protect her from everything. And yet, she almost believed he could.

She quietly settled on the floor by the couch, leaning against the front of it. She winced, trying to get comfortable. The meds were wearing off, but she wasn't ready for more. They made her groggy. So for now her ribs would ache and her shoulders would burn. And all the other aches and pains would make themselves known.

The TV was on the history channel and she watched some documentary on the proof of Mermaid existence. Obviously, it was a fake documentary, there was no proof of merpeople and the evidence could have all been faked. But still, she enjoyed it for what it was.

The show changed and her eyes drooped. She was exhausted but wasn't ready for sleep. Not quite yet. One more show and then she'd try to go back to sleep.

Booth rustled behind her, and she looked back at him. She was down near his feet, so she could see his face pretty easily. He looked tense. Even in sleep. She reached over to touch him but decided not to.

With a sigh she focused on the show, letting it take her from her thoughts. From the places inside her that still feared she'd wake up and be back in that hell. No. She was here. In Booth's apartment. Safe. She was safe.

Booth woke to the morning light streaming in. It was probably just six in the morning based on the amount of light, but he knew going back to sleep wasn't happening. He needed to check on Bones and make coffee.

What the? He had moved to get up when his feet landed on something that wasn't the floor. Looking down he saw Bones, sleeping.

"Bones?" He moved so he was kneeling beside her. He shook her arm gently. "Bones. Wake up."

She stirred, started to move, and winced. "Ow."

"Yeah, ow. What are you doing sleeping on the floor, Bones?" He watched as her cheeks turned ever so slightly pink. God he loved when she did that. "You okay?"

"Yeah. I just couldn't sleep so I watched tv." She shifted, trying to get herself up, but struggled.

"Here," he stood, helping her off the floor as pain-free as he could, which he knew she hated. "Give it time, Bones. You'll be back to your independence soon."

"Not soon enough," she grumbled.

"Hey, what do you say I make breakfast? I got eggs, toast, bacon for one?"

She laughed and god he loved that sound. Could listen to her laugh for hours. Had been afraid he'd never hear it again. "Is that a yes?"

"Yes. I would love breakfast."

Booth clapped his hands together with a smile. "Great. Let me start with the coffee."

"Jesus!" Brennan yelled in frustration as the cup shattered on the floor. It was late, and she was, once again, having a hard time sleeping.

"Bones? What are you doing?" A sleepy Booth asked as he came running. No doubt to the clashing of the cup and her shout.

"I was trying to make a cup of tea, but my stupid ribs hurt, and when I pulled out the cup, I moved wrong and the pain made me drop the cup. I'm sorry about the cup."

She said all this a bit snappy, but she was so freaking frustrated! Everything hurt. Everything she did hurt.

"It's just a cup, Bones. Don't move. I'll grab the broom."

She nodded as tears stung her eyes. He returned with shoes on his feet and the broom and dustpan. "You okay?" He asked as he cleaned up the mess.

"I'm just so frustrated! Everything I do hurts! And I can't sleep and then I'm stuck here, bored out of my mind. I was mad that I couldn't even make a cup of tea without incident. I can't even shave my freaking legs!" She shook her head, trying to take a calming breath.

"Okay." Booth dumped the broken pieces into the trash before going to her and lifting her onto the counter by the sink. "Don't move." He ordered as if she could even if she wanted to. Her sprained ankle and broken toe would protest. Along with the jarring her ribs would receive.

When he returned, it was with naproxen, her pain meds, a towel, soap, new razor and he pulled water from the fridge.

"I know you don't like the way they make you feel, but take them so you can sleep." He said, handing her one of her pain pills. Apparently, the naproxen was for him. "It's a good thing you're wearing shorts."

"Why?" She eyed the razor.

"I'm going to shave your legs. Unless you have objections?" She shook her head and helped as Booth turned her so her legs were over the sink.

Neither of them spoke as he shaved her legs for her, making sure to not hurt the wounds on her ankles. Nor the cut further up her leg.

Brennan couldn't believe how intimate this was. Nothing about it seemed like it should be, but as he worked, she couldn't stop the butterflies that were set loose in her belly. He was so careful with her, making sure not to cut her or hurt her injuries.

Her heart squeezed as feelings of love flooded her veins and she nearly told him that she loved him. The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she fought them back. She wasn't ready yet. Not yet. But she would say them. Because she did love him.

After her shave, which she was so grateful for, Booth made her a cup of tea after settling her on the couch. She drank her tea as they watched TV.

As the pills started to take effect, she scooted closer to Booth, resting her head on his shoulder. She was going to tell him she should go to bed, but instead, she fell asleep.

….

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks :D

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bones or its characters. All credit goes to their rightful owners

…

Chapter Ten

….

"I can't just stay here indefinitely. It's been two weeks, Booth. I'm going crazy!"

Booth let out an exasperated sigh. "I know. But Willis…"

"Isn't going to be dumb enough to show up at the lab. And this is Broadsky we are talking about. I want to help."

"Bones." He sounded pained. Like the idea of her being out in the world was physically paining him.

"Booth, I'm on the mend. My sprain is better, my wrist is better. Most bruising is gone. Even my ribs are almost pain-free. And I'm not asking to come out in the field. And," she said loudly because he was getting ready to interrupt her. "I can walk out that door if I want to. I don't need your permission."

"I'm just trying to keep you safe here."

"And I'm going nuts sitting here, doing nothing. You can take me to the lab and I swear I won't leave it until you pick me up. I'm doing this, Booth."

He ran his hand down his face. "I don't want you to even think about leaving the lab. And I'm going to have everyone constantly check in on you."

"Fine. As long as I get to be in the lab."

The fact that being back at work made her so happy might seem odd to some, but this was one of her favorite places. And the fact that she could do something outside of heal and watch TV made her giddy.

It was odd though. She thought coming back would feel normal. It felt good, but she still felt a little odd. Maybe because unlike normal she was stuck in the lab. She was cleared to be in the lab, but she wasn't cleared for fieldwork, and even though she felt she would be fine, Booth was right. It wasn't safe for her to be out and about.

By the end of the day, she found herself in her office, ready for a nap. Her brain was tired, and her muscles ached. Her shoulders felt like they were on fire. And she was worried about Booth. He was currently on a mission to take down Broadsky, whose target seemed to be at the courthouse. They just weren't sure who that was.

A knock on her door had her looking over. With a greeting, Sweets walked in. "So you want to do this at your desk, or over there?" He asked, pointing her where her couch and chairs were.

She knew she had a session with Sweets today. Knew he was coming to her since she couldn't leave the lab, but she still hated psychiatry.

She stood, going to her couch. "This will likely be more comfortable." She asked him to shut her door before sitting.

"How are you feeling today?"

Right to it then. "Good. I'm glad to be back in the lab. I wish I was able to be in the field with Booth, but I'm not medically cleared for that." Not to mention mentally cleared, but Sweets knew that.

"And did you find it easy to adjust to being back?"

"Yeah. This is my domain. I could never be uncomfortable here." Except now because she was getting questioned. At the beginning of the day, she'd get a bit odd. But no need to mention that to Sweets.

"How about other things? How are you adjusting?"

She shifted, uncomfortable. She'd told him about the nightmares. Told him about being afraid. Told him about her aversion to darkness. She couldn't sleep without a light on. Couldn't stand being in a dark room.

"I'm healing up satisfactory."

"Dr. Brennan, I'm well aware your body is healing. What about your mind?" He waited. There was no sense in pushing. She would tell him only what she wanted him to know.

"I still have nightmares. And I'm still afraid of the dark. The nightmares I can handle. Being afraid of the dark? I don't like that. It's irrational and irritating."

"I don't think it's the dark you are afraid of. It's what the dark reminds you of. You were blindfolded for two weeks. Stripped of your sight. It left you feeling vulnerable. You have to come to grips with what happened, and overcome that fear."

"How?" Seriously, because she couldn't stand not being able to be in the dark without feeling like she couldn't breathe.

Sweets thought on it a moment. A direct approach seemed best. A head-on collision. "Blindfold yourself." She stiffened, but tried to act as of his suggestion didn't freak her out. "Blindfold yourself and be in control of what happens while blindfolded. It's not the loss of sight. It's the loss of control while you couldn't see. Remind yourself that you are still in control. Even in the darkness."

She let out a nervous laugh. "You want me to just walk around blindfolded?"

"No. I want you to be with someone you trust. Let them blindfold you. Let them help you with whatever you decide to do. Your captors fed you. Maybe let someone feed you, but you are in control of what you eat. Let someone help you do a task. Just be around people you trust, and be blindfolded."

"That seems silly." She sounded scared. Did she look scared?

"I think a head-on approach is best for you. You're strong, Dr. Brennen. You don't do well with beating around the bush. So you must face that fear."

"This whole thing is absurd. I know that I'm safe. I know that, just because the light is off, it doesn't mean Willis with suddenly appear."

"I know you don't like this answer, because to you, if it's not rational, it has no meaning. But sometimes? The human psyche simply isn't rational. And as absurd as you feel it is? That fear isn't going to go away overnight."

He was right. She didn't like it. "I don't know that I can. The idea of putting a blindfold on?" She didn't finish the sentence. Wasn't sure how.

"That's the purpose of the exercise. Do what you fear. So you can conquer it. You don't have to do it. And certainly not before you're ready. But if you do, make sure it's with someone you trust undoubtedly."

Booth looked over at Bones as she moved a piece of broccoli, back and forth, absentmindedly. She'd seemed okay when he picked her up from the lab. Seemed okay when they got home, and she'd listened to his frustrations about losing Broadsky, and his worries about who might be next on his list. She'd even seemed okay when she left him to take a shower and he ordered takeout. But now she seemed tired, and a little down.

"First day back make you tired?"

"Hmm?" She looked over at him.

"You've hardly touched your food."

She looked down at her plate as if she were surprised to find it there. "Oh. Yeah. I am tired. But not from work. My session with Sweets was a little hard today. Talking about what happened takes a lot out of me."

"Are you okay?"

She gave him a sweet smile, taking his free hand and giving it a squeeze. "Yeah. I'm just going to turn in early. I can take the couch?"

"Not happening. I'll take the couch." Every night since she's been here she's offered to take the couch. And every night he refused.

"Night, Booth."

"Night, Bones."

Her screams jerked him awake. He was on his feet and heading to her before his mind had a chance to catch up. The screams stopped before he reached the room, but that didn't stop him from going in.

Bones sat up, tears running down her cheeks, eyes round with fear. "I'm sorry." She closed her eyes, looking ashamed. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"Never mind that." Booth sat next to her, pulling her to him, though she resisted.

"I don't need you to comfort me. I'm fine."

He studied her. Her hair messed with sleep, eyes red from tears that still fell making the blue in her eyes pop. She shook with remnants of the nightmare.

"It's not a crime to let someone comfort you." And he wanted to. He wanted to hold her, remind her that she was safe here. He also wanted to hold her for him. To remind him that she's real. She's here and she's safe.

She thought on it a moment. He could practically see the gears in her mind spinning. Whatever conclusion she came to, it had her moving to him and allowing him to hold her close. Thank god.

"I dream of darkness." Her voice broke the silence around them, slicing Into him like a knife. Her words came out in shaky whispers as she spoke again. "That's it. Nothing bad is happening. I don't dream of being abducted. I don't dream about the pain or lack of food and water. I don't even dream about being raped. I just dream about waking up to darkness. I call out and no one is there, and then I fear what I cannot see and that fear builds and builds and builds until it's choking me and I scream because it's better than the deafening darkness."

Booth held her tighter, though he wasn't sure if it was for him, or her. Maybe both. He hated that there wasn't anything he could do to take away the lingering fears she felt. Nothing he can do to take away the trauma she suffered.

Anger settled into him, and he had to force himself not to tense up. He wanted to find Willis and kill the SOB. The rage he felt for that man, made his blood boil.

"I spoke about the cases we worked on." She pulled him from his thoughts. "When things became unbearable, I recounted the cases we worked on out loud."

"Did it help?" He asked through a clenched jaw.

"Yes. It gave me something to focus on. And reminded me that you were out there. Restored my faith that you would find me."

Booth let out a long breath, stroking up and down her arm in circles. "I'm sorry it took so long."

She moved so she could look at him, but her body was still pressed into his. Her lips were so close that all he'd have to do to close the distance was lean over ever so slightly. And he wanted to kiss her so bad he swore his lips tingled with need.

"You had nothing to go on. And you did find me. Don't beat yourself up over something that's not you're fault."

"I never would have stopped. I would look for you forever."

She let out a laugh, and the sound made his heart soar. "I believe you. If the tables were reversed, I'd look for you forever too."

It was his turn to laugh. "If the tables were turned. Or if the roles were reversed."

She shook her head but smiled. "You know what I mean."

"I do. And I know." His eyes drifted to her lips, lingering only a moment before going back to her eyes. To give his hands something to do, he tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Booth?" He didn't miss her eyes flicker to his lips and god he hoped she'd lean in and close the distance.

"Yeah?"

She said nothing for a moment, then sighed before falling back into her back. "We should try to get some more sleep."

"Yeah." He cleared his throat as the word came out a little strained. "Are you okay in here?" He'd stay. If she'd asked him to. He wanted to offer but didn't want her to feel pressure. Even if it was just so he could hold her as she slept.

"Yes, Booth. I'm okay. Thank you."

He nodded, getting off the bed. He checked to make sure the bathroom light was still on, though he didn't comment on it. He knew she didn't like her aversion to darkness. Knew she chose to leave the bathroom light on after he purposefully left it on the second night she was here. Because he'd realized that darkness freaked her out.

"Night, Bones." So much he hoped she understood with those words. I'm glad you're here. Glad you're safe. I love you. I want you to stay. I want to be with you and to live with you and grow old with you. I'll never let anyone hurt you ever again. Please stay.

"Night, Booth."

"Bones?" Booth gave her a smile when she looked at him. They were at the diner for lunch, but she hadn't taken a single bite of food. She seemed a little off today.

"Our victim was starved to death." She replied, looking down at her food. "She was dehydrated. Bound, raped, and we found a blindfold shoved into her mouth."

Booth dropped the fry he'd been about to eat. That's why she wanted to fill him in at the diner. She wanted to make it so he couldn't react the way he wanted to. Because fuck. His fist clenched and released. "You guys think it's Willis?"

She nodded before looking at him. "I think it's a message. He's saying that he's still out there. And he'll do to others what was done to me."

Booth took her hand. "This isn't your fault."

"I know. I can't control what other people do." She squeezed his hand. Needing to reassure herself. Hated that she needed him for that. Needed him to feel safe. Happy. "I'm angry."

"Me too. But he messed up, Bones. He sent us a body. And you and I? We have an excellent closure rate. He gave us the tools we need to find him."

She looked at Booth, her stomach fluttering with nerves. There was that anger again. That murderous look in his eyes. "When we catch him, are you going to let him live?"

Booth sat back, clearly surprised by her question. Or maybe he was just surprised she'd ask it out loud. "I will put him behind bars. Unless he gives me a reason to shoot him."

"Is that the outcome you're hoping for?"

"Bones."

"I don't want to be the reason you abandon your belief system." It unsettled her.

Booth leaned as far forward as he could, getting so close she could feel his breath on her face. "I'm not abandoning my belief system. I protect what's mine and I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe. If that means shooting him dead? Then that's what I'll do without hesitation. If he comes without a fight? I will see him put behind bars for the rest of his sick, miserable life."

Her cheeks warmed. Sure, maybe she shouldn't like that he called her his in that possessive tone, but she did like it. Because she's been his since the moment she started going out in the field with him. And she couldn't find it in herself to truly hate that.

At first, she was his to protect. He'd always been protective. Always trying to put himself between her and possible danger. Even when she resisted and ignored his commands because she doesn't need his protection. Then she was his to cherish. He'd always made her feel wanted. Always made her feel like she was the most important person in his world. Even when Hannah was in the picture, he always wanted her around. Now? Whether he knew it or not, she was his to love. Because while it was so confusing. While she wanted to resist her need for him in every way, she loved him. She needed him. She was bound to him.

She looked away from him, breaking whatever it was that had her wanting to bridge the distance between them and kiss him. "You're right that he made a mistake." She took a bite of salad, to ease Booth's worry. "We will catch him. And this woman's death won't be in vain."

"Megan was a bitch." Heather let out a nervous laugh. "I guess maybe that's not what I should be saying, right? I should say she's a peach and everyone loved her. But that's a lie."

"Why didn't the two of you get along?" Brennan asked.

"It wasn't that we didn't get along. We got along most of the time. She just didn't have regard for anyone but herself. She never did anything that didn't benefit her in some way. She talked about everyone behind their backs and wasn't afraid to tear you down." She shifted in her seat. "She didn't deserve to die. But you're going to find most people who knew her to feel the same way about her that I do."

"Can you think of anyone who hated her more than anyone else?"

"Marcy. She's the new intern at the firm. Wicked smart and efficient. She has a stutter. Sometimes you don't even know she has one. But sometimes it's bad. Megan wasn't too kind to her about it. And often made jokes at Marcy's expense."

"M-M-M Megan's de- dead?" The woman shook as she spoke. She tried to go on, but let out a sigh when the stutter became too much.

"Please take your time, Ms. Santiago," Brennan said

Then she nodded, composing herself. "I s-suspect you he-heard we don't get along."

"We heard she doesn't get along with most people. But that she made waves with you."

Marcy laughed. "She liked to re-re-remind you that she was su-su-su." She paused and took a deep breath. "Superior."

"She made fun of you." Booth looked at Brennan.

"Yes. She'd make fun of a-anyone. Unfortunately, she m-made m-me nervous. That makes it worse."

"The stuttering?" Booth clarified.

"Yes. Lack of s-sleep. Being nervous. Upset. A-a-all those things can d-do it." She shook her head. "I wouldn't k-kill her though. Sh-sh-she isn't the first mean girl I've ever en-encountered. She won't b-be the last."

"Do you recognize this man?" Booth gave her the picture of Willis. When her eyes grew wide, hope filled his chest. "You know him?"

"I don't know him. B-But Megan showed me his p-picture. They had a d-date. The next day she was s-so h-happy. Said she found the one. He to-took her to a cabin. Said it was so romantic."

"Nothing. No forensic evidence to lead us to him!" Booth paced Brennan's office. "We can't even get a lead with the cabin."

"We will find something, Booth," Cam said, though she didn't sound like she believed it.

"I have an idea." Both of them looked at Brennan as Angela walked in. "I think I should go home."

"What?" Booth said with an incredulous laugh. "Are you out of your mind?"

"I'm with Booth in this one, sweetie." Angela put in.

"No, hear me out. He wants me. If he thinks that I'm going back home, then he thinks I'm easy picking. He got me once, he can do it again. He's cocky that way. If he thinks I'm going home and going home alone? It might draw him out."

"No. I'm not using you as bait."

"And I'm not taking no for an answer. We can do it safely, Booth, and I'm not helpless. The only reason he got me the first time is because he drugged me. This time he will be more careless. He's pissed. I'm positive he's watching my place."

Booth shook his head. She had a point. He'd thought it once too, that he was likely stalking her place. He would try to get her again. Sweets even agreed. "I don't like it."

"I know. But I think it's the best way to catch him. And if he's out there hurting and killing? We have to try."

Booth looked at her. She looked calm. Sure. Except for her eyes. He could see the fear in her eyes. But the set of her jaw was stubborn. She wasn't going to back down from this idea.

"Fine. But we do it my way, and you are never to be truly alone." He wanted to reach out for her but stood his ground. He hated this idea. But it was likely their best shot at getting Willis quickly.

…

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks :D

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bones or its characters. All credit goes to their rightful owners

….

Chapter Eleven

…..

Yes, this was her brilliant idea. Yes, they've gone through the details over and over again. Yes, she knew that even now, as she walked toward her apartments, she wasn't alone. Yes, she was terrified.

As her apartment building came into view, the adrenaline started pumping through her as she fought back the impulse to run in the opposite direction. She hated Willis and Oliver for creating this irrational fear in her.

That anger kept her on the path to her door. She looked over her shoulder as she went in, pretending to be scared she was being followed, then pulled open the lobby door. She took a couple of minutes getting her mail before taking the elevator up to her apartment, taking deep breaths as her heart tried beating out of her chest.

She cursed when she dropped her keys because her hands shook so bad and she felt like maybe she was going to be sick. But this was her idea. And Booth was in the apartment already, and there was no way he'd let Willis hurt her. Not to mention they had backup waiting in the wings.

She opened her door and followed her routine. Put her keys in the bowl. Take off the jacket, leaving it on the hook. Put mail on the counter.

Her legs felt numb as she went down the hall to her room. She took off her shoes and socks, throwing her socks in the hamper.

Through all this, she tried to spot Booth. She wasn't sure where he'd decided to hide. She wished she knew so she could stay close to that spot.

With another deep breath, she made her way back to the living room. She'd put on her TV, the one Booth insisted on buying her, and just…"

"Temperance."

She jerked to a stop as her blood ran cold. Her breath caught, and the tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. It took everything in her to turn and face him.

"You are supposed to be a genius. And yet you are dumb enough to return home?" He laughed. She noted the knife in his hand and the look of desperation in his eyes. He was desperate and pissed.

"I had to come home at some point." She was proud that she spoke without wavering.

He took a step toward her, and she winced but didn't step back. "I knew you'd have to come back. That's why I watched for you. You never should have left. I'm going to make you wish you never…"

The sound of a gun being cocked had Willis breaking off mid-sentence. "Take one more step towards her and I'll put a bullet in your head."

Willis laughed but didn't move. "You wouldn't shoot a man in the back."

"Try me." Booth bit out. "Drop the weapon."

Willis' nostrils flared as He dropped the weapon and Booth put him in handcuffs. "You will regret locking me up, Temperance. You will be looking over your shoulder every day for the rest of your life. One day I will get out and I will come for you."

Brennan moved until she was in his face. "I will spend the rest of my life knowing you will never touch another woman. And every time I think about you I will laugh because I know that once they find out what you did, they will surely make you their bitch." With that, she balled up her fist, drew it back, and decked him with everything she had.

"That's assault!" Willis yelled as Booth escorted him from her apartment. She could hear Booth talking, but couldn't make out his words.

She sat slowly, allowing the fear she'd held on to take over now. She shook and tears fell. It was over. Willis would be locked up forever, and she was no longer a walking target.

Booth stopped the elevator, turning to Willis as the alarms blared. Rage filled him as he grabbed the man by the throat. "Now that we have a few moments alone I want to have a little chat. You're going to go to jail. And if I have it my way? Your ass will get the death penalty. But if by some miracle you get life in jail? And you happen to escape? I will hunt you down and I will kill you without thinking twice." He put his gun to Willis' head. "And know, while you rot in prison, that the only reason you are walking out of this building alive is because of Brennan. She needs you behind bars. She needs justice. But me? I want you dead. So try it. Just try to escape and come after her. Because I will gladly end your life."

Willis started making choking noises as he fought for the air that was denied him. Booth held him there just a moment longer before letting go and moving as Willis fell to the floor.

"Get up," Booth said as he helped Willis to his feet and hit the button to make the elevator move once more. He wanted to do so much more than just threaten this asshole, but he said his peace and that was just going to have to be good enough.

Brennan sat on her ottoman, trying to get herself together. He was in custody, she was safe. So why was she still filled with fear? Why couldn't she seem to stop the tears?

Arms came around her, and she leaned back into Booth's solid chest. She knew it was him without having to look. She knew his touch. His scent.

"It's okay, Bones." He whispered against her neck. "I've got you. I've got you."

"I don't even know why I'm crying." Brennan shook her head. "It's silly."

"You just faced off with the man who tortured you. It's not silly." Booth took her chin in his fingers, making her look at him. "Don't pretend like this meant nothing. You were extremely brave."

She laughed as she wiped at the tears. "It's over."

He smiled too. "It's over."

He didn't like it. Sure, he should have seen it coming, but still, he didn't like her not being here. He'd gotten used to her being here. Now his place seemed too quiet. Empty even.

He turned to his side, annoyed with his bed. Because it was empty. After that night he held her, they'd been sharing a bed. It had been only a week or so, but in that week, he'd gotten used to holding her to him. He hated not having her here.

With a sigh, he turned to his back. He wanted to call her and make sure she was okay. It was her first night spent in her apartment. But he'd called her at nine and she'd said she was fine. It was nearing one in the morning. Surly she was asleep.

Annoyed with himself he got out of bed. He would have some coffee and watch tv. No way he could sleep now that his mind was racing.

Now that Willis was put away, he couldn't stop wondering about where he and Bones when from here. He needed her to know that he was in love with her and wanted to take that step. She probably knew this, but he needed to say the words.

Problem was, he didn't want to push. He didn't want to take advantage of her vulnerability. Fuck. How was he supposed to know when the right time for this was?

He poured the freshly made coffee as he shook his head. Maybe it would come up naturally? Yeah. For now, he'd had to play it by ear. But he would only wait for so long. No way was he letting her slip away again.

She shook as she stood in the middle of her kitchen. Every light in the apartment was on, and she even had the radio on to drown out the silence.

When Booth had called earlier in the night, she'd been so glad to hear his voice. She had managed to keep him on the phone for half an hour just talking nonsense. Since the moment they hung up, she'd been fighting the urge to go to his place.

She wanted to stay here. Wanted to find her independents again. But this apartment freaked her out. She couldn't look around without the reminders.

She let out a sound of frustration as she headed toward bed. She was a grown-ass woman with self-defense skills. She could stay the night in her own damn apartment!

She stood in the doorway to her room, trying to get herself to calm down. She was alone. No one was going to come jumping out at her. All the lights were on. She could see everything.

She jumped back when there was a sound inside the closet, and without a second thought, she ran to her front door, put on her slippers, and grabbed the keys.

She ran to her car, fear choking her. She didn't even care that she wasn't sure it wasn't a box falling over. No way was she staying there tonight.

By the time she got to Booths, her anxiety had lessened, and now she sat in the car park, feeling stupid. Was she going to run to him every time something scared her?

"What's wrong with me?" She groaned, putting her head on her hands that were still gripping the steering wheel.

A loud laugh echoed through the parking garage, making her nearly jump out of her skin. It was just a woman getting into their car, but it was enough to have her getting out of her car and running onto Booth's building. She would worry about how irrational it was later.

She knocked, maybe harder than she needed to, and looked around her as if she were waiting to be jumped at any minute. Which she supposed she was.

The door opened, and Booth stood there in flannel sleep pants, and a white sleeveless shirt. "Bones?" He seemed surprised to see her there. She was surprised too.

Booth had just rinsed his coffee cup and was going to give bed another go when there was a frantic bang at his door. He hurried to it, yanking it open when he saw it was Bones on the other side.

"Bones?" He was surprised to see her, but he put that on the back burner. She looked terrified. She wore sleep shorts and a threadbare T-shirt he recognized because it was his. The one he'd left at her place a while back.

Before she could say anything, he pulled her to him, hugging her. Thank god she was here. Because he was about ready to go out of his mind. He closed his eyes when her arms went around him, and she buried her face in his chest.

"Can I stay the night?" Her words were muffled, but he heard them clear enough.

You can stay forever. "Yes." He pulled back, even though he didn't want to.

"Want anything to drink?"

She shook her head. "Willis confessed."

He turned to look at her. She sounded weary, but she stood with confidence. That's his girl. "He did. To the murders of Lyra Harris and Megan Queen as well as kidnapping you." She knew this. She'd watched him do the interrogation.

"I know. I didn't mean I needed to be reminded. I'm just surprised he confessed." Worry creased her face.

"Hey. He took her hands. "He's going away for the rest of his life. Caroline is going to fry him."

"Sweets said I need to face my fears head-on."

"Okay?"

She looked at him now, clearly uncomfortable. "Sweets thinks I should be blindfolded by someone I trust. And I should let them feed me and whatever. To regain the trust that, just because I can't see, doesn't mean I'm out of control. That even blindfolded, I have a say."

Sweets. That kid. That's the strangest thing he's ever heard. "Bones, sweets…"

"I need to do it." She blushed now, and shit, he loved when she blushed. "I feel silly even thinking about it, but it also scares me, so I think I should. Would you help me with that?"

"Of course. I'd do anything for you, Bones." He wanted to kiss her. Jesus, he wanted to hold her and kiss away all her fears.

"Okay. Then tomorrow." She left him standing there, making her way to his room. He loved that she felt at home enough to just plop onto his bed. One day, he hoped she'd spend every night beside him.

Brennan sat completely still. Blindfolded. She was at Booth's dining table, and she could hear him moving about his kitchen. Her heart was frantic as she kept taking long, slow breaths to keep her panic at bay.

"You okay?" Booth called to her. He'd been doing this since they put the blindfold on. Him asking if she were okay. And that helped put her at ease.

"I'm fine." She laughed, hoping he believed her.

She'd been surprised that Booths voice didn't scare her while blindfolded. Well, no. Maybe she really wasn't. Booth was Booth. And he'd never hurt her. And Willis, while he sounded a lot like Booth, was never Booth. He never got the tones of Booth's voice right. So, yeah. Maybe she wasn't at all surprised not to be afraid of the voice. Because it belonged to Booth, who she trusted more then anyone else in the world.

She turned her head slightly when there was a sound next to her. Probably the plate of food being placed on the table. That was followed by the sound of a chair moving. Booth sitting.

"Okay," Booth chuckled. "This is strange, Bones."

She nodded, but couldn't speak. Booth took her hands and put them to his face. "It's just me, Bones. You and me. No one else is here. No one will hurt you."

She nodded again but cleared her throat. "What did you prepare?"

"I ordered in. I got you that Alfredo tofu and broccoli. From the little restaurant down the street."

"I do like that." He knew that. She was just nervous.

"I know." He moved. "You ready?"

"Yes." She replied, opening her mouth. The bite he fed her was small, delicious. She chewed, and swallowed. "I forgot how amazing that place is."

Booth laughed, though it sounded a bit off. "I got dessert too. The chocolate cake. Ready for another bit?"

She nodded, opening her mouth. As time went on, she stopped feeling afraid. Booth always prepared her for her next bit. They talked in between. Laughed when he dropped pasta on her chest. Her breath caught as he used his fingers to remove said pasta because he'd never touched her there before. Heat licked at her, and she hoped he didn't realize how he'd affected her. The rest of dinner was uneventful, and she was laughing more tonight than she had since she'd been free.

He moved them to the living, putting them on the couch, where they reminisced about the past. Nothing deep. Just funny stories they both remembered, one thing leading to the next.

Once she was ready, they moved on to the cake. Just like dinner, he told her every time he was coming in with a bite and just like dinner, the cake was blissfully good. She couldn't help but moan as the flavor exploded on her tongue. "God that's good."

"Yeah." Booth cleared his throat. "That's why I picked it.

The rest of dessert was done in comfortable silence, though Bones could all but feel the heat coming from Booth. She hadn't meant to be sexual, but her moan had turned him on. She could tell by the way he'd had to clear his throat.

The idea of his arousal sparked her own, making her both wanting and afraid. She hadn't been touched by anyone since Willis. Hadn't been with anyone in a long while since before Willis either.

The thought of him made her shake, and she had to fight back the nausea that came with the fear he provoked in her. She hated him! Hated what he'd done.

"Easy, Bones." Booth pulled her closer to him, so close she was practically in his lap. He put her hand on his chest. She could feel his heart beating. Maybe faster than it should. "It's me. Remember. Just me."

It was him. Strong, warm, compassionate Booth. He was everything to her. She'd been so blind to not having seen it sooner. Or maybe she'd not been strong enough to take that chance.

She hesitated for only a moment, her hand sweeping down, then pulling up at the hem of his shirt. She couldn't see his face, but he moved, taking the shirt off, so he must have been okay with it.

Hesitant fingers glided up his stomach, feeling his muscles twitch as she moved. It was easy to forget how fit he was under his suit. The hard muscles that spanned his stomach and chest. His body was powerful, ready to take action at any given moment.

Yet with all that power, Booth was soft. Kind. Never using his strength to overpower the weak. Never using it to intimidate anyone who didn't warrant it.

Her hand stilled on his chest, feeling his strong heart pounding. His chest rose and fell in a cadence that suggested he was nervous. As nervous as she was.

"Touch me." Her voice came out small. Not like her at all. But she was afraid even though she wanted his hands on her.

"Bones." His voice came out tortured.

She moved, taking her shirt off, wishing she'd worn a sexier bra, but it was what it was. She loved the way his breath caught. She'd surprised him. "Booth, it's okay."

Silence. Nothing but the music that was playing softly in the background. She waited, feeling his hand twitch on her knee. "Bones, I don't want to do this while you're afraid and can't see."

"Please?" She reached back, undoing her bra. With shaky hands, she pulled it off. "I had no control before. Nothing. He touched my body without permission. Used my body to hurt me. His hands were unkind and painful."

"Bones."

"I want to be touched on my terms. By hands I chose. Please. Let me have that control. Unless you don't want to? But if you do, please Booth. Please."

She waited, her eyes filling with tears because she thought he wouldn't do it. She'd put herself out there and…A large hand landed between her breast. Her breath hitched with surprise, but she blew out slowly as a thousand sensations overtook her.

He rested his hand there for a moment before his fingers glided over her skin, following the outline of her breast. Her skin came alive with his touch, her nipples getting hard as he moved.

His touch was slow, lazy. He touched her everywhere but over her nipples where she desperately wanted him. She touched him too, exploring his chest, stomach, and arms. Taking in the feel of him.

She let out a gasp of pleasure when his thumb ran lightly over her nipple. His other hands did the same to the left one, and this time she let out a low moan, unable to keep it in.

"You're beautiful, Bones." His tone was one of awe, and it hit her hard. He'd always managed to make her feel beautiful. More so than she thought she was. Not that she didn't think she was, she did, especially once she grew into herself. But Booth made it seem like she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

She yelped at the sudden movement. Booth stood, taking her with him. He wrapped her in a hug, holding her tightly. "Strong. So incredibly strong, Bones. You constantly amaze me."

He shifted them so that her hand was in one of his, but his other arm still held her close. He moved slowly, rocking them side to side to the slow beat of the song that played. He was dancing with her.

She rested her head on his chest, breathing him in. Holding him back. The lingering fear she'd been feeling faded as she relaxed into him. She was in control. But with Booth? She didn't need it because he'd never hurt her. Never let anything happen to her even if she couldn't see.

"I want you." He continued swaying as he spoke.

"I know." She could feel his want pressing into her. "I want you too."

"Bones." His phone rang, cutting him off. "Damn." He moved away from her. "Booth. Okay. You're sure? Okay. Yeah, I will be right there."

"What is it?" She looked in the direction he was in. Fingers touched her cheeks before sliding off the blindfold. "Broadsky. He was spotted in the cemetery."

Before she could respond, her phone rang as well. "Brennan. Okay. Yeah, I'll have Booth drop me off." She hung up. "We have a body."

"Okay. I'll drop you off on my way in."

Brennan let out a sigh as they dressed. They had so much to talk about. But it would have to wait. At least for now.

…

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks :D

Chapter Text

…

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bones or its characters. All credit goes to their rightful owners

….

Chapter Twelve

….

She stood on the platform with Booth and Vincent. The day was long, and they were still no closer to catching Broadsky.

Booth had showed up at the cemetery, Broadsky was already gone. Though he'd left a phone that Angela put a tracker on so if Broadsky called again, they could get a track on him.

Brennan turned to Booth and Vincent, who were talking excitedly about the mechanical arm Hodgins put on the dinosaur skeleton replica that Vincent could wear so they could have a real simulation of a human vs dinosaur arm wrestle. "Mr. Nigel-Murray, focus please."

"Ah, yes. Sorry, Dr. Brennan."

She proceeded to demonstrate how Broadsky killed Matt, using Vincent as a replacement for the victim. Just as she finished and Booth was helping Vincent off the floor, the phone Broadsky left rang.

Booth handed the phone to Vincent, telling him to let it ring three times before answering. What happened next happens so fast she could hardly get her head around it.

Vincent answered the phone. The skylight above them shattered, sending down glass shards. Booth pushing Vincent down and out of the way.

For a moment she thought everyone was okay, but then she realized Vincent had been shot. "Please don't make me go!" He cried.

She couldn't understand why he was asking her not to make him go. She wouldn't. Didn't want him to. She told him so, but it was too late. Vincent was gone.

It wasn't a surprise when Booth told her he wanted her to stay with him. She was grateful to stay with him. Though she needed to go home. She had to get past her fear of her apartment. She was safe there. But for the night, she'd be with Booth.

Her mind reeled with the events of the day as they drove home. She couldn't shake the thought that Booth could have answered that phone. Booth could have been the one to get shot. Was it terrible of her to be glad he didn't? She was hurting over Vincent's death, hurt that he thought she was making him go but had it been Booth? She'd never recover. That scared the hell out of her.

She needed him. In a deep way she never wanted to need anyone. She'd fought to never feel afraid to lose someone ever again. After her parents. But Booth? Yeah. She couldn't imagine a world without Booth. The very idea made her heart hurt.

They ate dinner in silence. Well, more accurately, they pushed food around on their plates in silence. Neither of them took more than a few bites.

Afterward, they took turns in the shower, then proceeded to head to bed. Neither of them said anything as they got into bed together. At this point, it felt so normal to have her in his bed. And tonight, he was more grateful that she was here.

He couldn't ignore the fact that he could have just as easily handed the phone to her. She'd have been the one to take the bullet and would have been dead before he could do a damned thing about it.

How many times would he come close to losing her before he said all the things he needed to say? Like, I love you? I need you? I want you to be mine? I can't imagine my life without you in it?

Sure, she knows he loves her. But he's never said the words to her. Not yet. But he will. Because things like this are bound to happen again. With the kind of work they did, he had to remember never to take a moment for granted. The next time that the words crossed his mind, they would come out of his lips.

Booth jerked awake when the bathroom

door to his room opened. On instinct, he grabbed his gun, pointing it right at Bones. She looked back at him, eyes wide with surprise.

"Sorry, I just needed the bathroom."

"Bones? Everything okay?"

"Yeah."

"Want me to put the gun away?" His heart slowed as his body registered that there was no danger here. Just Bones. When she nodded, he put the gun down.

"You okay?"

She stood still, looking as though she were trying not to cry. "Vincent, he was looking at me and he was saying 'Don't make me leave.' He said that he - he loved being there. Why would he think that I'm the one making him leave?" She shook her head, no longer able to hold back the tears What kind of person am I?"

Now that broke his damned heart. He held his hand out for her. "No. Come here. No. No. No. No, Bones. You got that all wrong." He took her hand, squeezing it.

"No, I heard him. You heard him too. He said, 'don't make me leave.'

"But he wasn't talking to you."

"We were the only ones there. And he wasn't talking to you."

He squeezed her hand again. "He was talking to god. He wasn't ready to die

She let out a scoff. "No. Vincent doesn't believe in god. Like me, he's an atheist, Booth.

"He was talking to the universe, then. He didn't want to die. He wasn't ready to go."

Her tears fell faster now. "Well, if there was a god, he would have let Vincent stay here with us."

"Unfortunately, that's not how that works, bones."

She let out a sob as she moved into him, hugging him close as they fell back on the bed. "It's okay. I'm here. I know it's hard. I know. I've got you." He said, hoping to soothe her.

After a while, she was cried out. Just as he was wondering if she'd fallen asleep, she spoke. "I keep thinking that it could have been you. I could have lost you. In a blink of an eye."

He took in a sharp breath. "I've thought about that too. I could have just as easily given you the phone. And just like that, you've been taken away from me."

"I don't want to waste another minute, too afraid to take action." She shifted, placing a kiss under his jaw as her hand rested on his stomach. "Booth?"

He had to swallow, his pulse quickening. "Yeah?"

He could her heart it was beating so loud. "Love me with your body. Make me believe all the things you believe about love. Make me believe."

He shifted on top of her, settling his hips between her legs as his mouth found hers, kissing those soft lips as if he'd never be allowed to kiss them again.

She sighed into him, her hands resting on his back as he deepened the kiss, rolling his erection against her, teasing a gasp out of her. Hell, teasing himself while he was at it. And that sound of pleasure he brought out of her made his cock pulse with need.

His hand traveled up her shirt as he kissed her, her soft skin prickling as he moved his fingertips up her side, cupping her breast. She moved her hips, trying to get friction where she wanted it most.

"Patience, Bones. You asked me to love you with my body. Next time, I can fuck you, but this time? Oh, this time I'm going to love you."

He kissed her again, his thumb rubbing over her nipple, feeling it pebble as he teased. He sat back, long enough to remove his shirt, then hers. His breath caught at the sight of her naked chest. She was beautiful.

He kissed her once more, not sure if he'd ever get enough of the way kissing her made him feel alive, before peppering her with kisses across her jaw, down her neck, sucking in the skin there, enough to taste her, but not enough to leave a mark, before continuing down. He loved the way she moved for him, telling him she wanted him. But he'd take his time.

She moaned as he sucked her nipple into his mouth, swirling his tongue around the peak, before doing the same to the other one. He took time, sucking, licking, nipping her before continuing down, kissing her soft belly as he removed her sweats.

Oh, sweet Jesus. With her completely naked beneath him, he nearly gave in to the temptation to just slip into her, and give them both the relief they needed. But no. He wasn't ready.

He went back to kissing down her body, moving over to the hip that had three healing burns. She'd commented the other day how ugly they were. "So beautiful." He kissed each one and didn't miss the way she stilled for a moment.

Not wanting her to linger on her scars, he moved to her center, kissing the peak, teasing her before flicking out his tongue, licking at her clit. Her breath caught, and her hips moved, eager for more. He complied, sucking her into his mouth, sucking, and licking her sensitive flesh until she came.

As she caught her breath, he kissed his way back up, until his lips were on hers again, and fuck it was hot that she let him kiss her even though he'd just gone down on her.

He broke the kiss, long enough to get his pants off, before moving back between her legs, this time putting the tip of his erection against her. His lips crashed against hers before punching into her, both of them gasping in pleasure as he entered.

He moved slowly, lazily as he focused on not coming before giving her another release. But fuck she was so wet and hot, her body squeezing at him, making him moan.

He felt her orgasm begin to build, her sounds of pleasure prompting him to shift slightly before pumping into her faster and faster until she cried out. The sound of her pleasure and the strength of her orgasm caused him to go over. He held her hips, coming just moments after her.

Not ready to be out of her, he shifted her hips so he could enter her deeper, bringing her back to the edge, loving the sound of her pleasure, the feel of her body enjoying what he offered. After she came once more, he collapsed on her, though was careful not to crush her.

They lay together, giving each other lazy kisses as the morning sun rose.

"I love you, Booth." Her words settled into him, making his heart squeeze and his soul soar. His eyes watered as emotions crashed over him. Here he was, in the arms of the woman he loved, and she'd just told him she loved him. "Oh, don't cry." Her words were kind, no hint of mocking or judgment.

"You have just made me the happiest, luckiest man in the world. I love you too, Bones. So very much." Her eyes watered, and the sight made him even happier. She felt as deeply for him as he did for her.

"Tell me again?"

He smiled as he kissed her. "I loved you, Bones." He said against her lips. "I loved you. I love you. I love you."

Brennan studied the bones, though to be honest, she really wasn't paying attention. Her focus was beyond spit. She couldn't keep her mind from wandering to last night. She didn't know sex could feel like that.

Don't get her wrong, it wasn't that she'd never had good sex. She had. Sully had been an amazing lover. So had a few other guys. But she'd never had sex with someone she'd loved before. Someone who she shared a profound emotional relationship with. That somehow made the sex so much more than she'd ever had before. She'd understood the physical need for sex. But now she understood what it meant to emotionally want sex.

He'd taken her to places she'd never been. To an emotional high she'd never experienced before and if she were being honest, it frightened her. She felt the urge to pull away. To run from those strong emotions. But she would. No. She couldn't. Not after that. Not after knowing what she now knew. His touch. His kiss. His love. The things he could do to her. The way he made her feel. She could get drunk on that feeling.

To her surprise, she hadn't been afraid once. She thought she might be. After Willis. She'd been afraid that experience would take away from future sexual activity, but she had thought of him once. Never felt afraid or overwhelmed. Well, not overwhelmed in a bad way.

She was beyond happy about that. I'm fact, she hadn't thought about Willis or her kidnapping once since Booth had received the call about Broadsky. She wasn't naïve enough to think she would be affected by her experience. But for the first time, she was confident she'd overcome it.

She was sure a lot of that had to do with Booth. It wasn't a truth she felt overly comfortable with. She felt her need for him grow more every day and it was a terrifying reality for her. But she'd be okay. This was Booth. She could trust him with her heart. She was sure of it.

"Honey, you okay?" Angela asked, pulling Brennan from her thoughts. She'd been inspecting that same bone for about an hour, and she told her so.

"Yeah. In. I'm just distracted."

Yeah. She could see that. "Is it Vincent?"

Bones nodded. "Yeah." Angela nodded too. She was about to leave when Brennen spoke again.

"And…because I got into bed with Booth last night." There was a long pause in which Angela could only gape at her. "Why aren't you saying anything?"

"Because I don't want to shout Hallelujah so close to losing Vincent!" She was shocked. Happy. No, elated! How long have they all been preying this would happen?

"I think it happened because of what happened to Vincent."

Angela stood there trying to get her head around the news. "Woah, okay, what happened after you got into bed with Booth?"

Brennan looked away for a moment before a shy smile spread across her face.

"I got the GC mass specs on the bullet that killed Vincent," Hodgins announced as he walked into the room.

"HONEY, no! Not right now! I'm sorry. I love you but go tell Cam. GO... Away... AWAY!" Maybe she should yell at him, but she had so many questions.

She refocuses on Brennan. "Okay so, I mean?" She laughed. "Was it good?"

"Better than you can imagine." Brennan blushed. Blushed!"

"Whew." Angela laughed again. She was so damned happy for them. Wait, it did mean they'd be together now, right? "Wait, this does mean you two are an item now, right? Please say yes, because if you don't I'm going to lose it."

It was Brennan's turn to laugh. "I don't think I can live without him, Ange. I told him I love him."

Angela's eyes soften as her heart melted. "Oh." She had to fight back tears. "I'm so happy for you."

"Me too. I'm scared. But this is Booth. And I don't think he'd ever hurt me. I don't think he will ever leave me."

"No, Sweetie. Not if he has anything to say about it. You're safe with him."

"He's really good." Brennan laughed.

Angela laughed too, fanning herself. "Oh, I bet he is. All that muscle and strength. Oof." They laughed together for a moment, then Brennan made Angela promise to keep this to herself before they set off to find Hodgins.

"Are you glad you didn't have to kill him?" Brennan asked as she handed him a drink. She sat beside him on the couch, happy to feel more at ease in her apartment than she had the last time she was there.

"Yeah, I am." Booth took a sip. "I wouldn't have liked killing him."

"I know."

Booth looked at her, then looked away. "He was once a good man. I'm sorry he lost his way."

"He became megalomaniac. He believed he had the power to make these kinds of decisions. That kind of thinking warps people. What?" She asked because Booth was smiling at her.

"I love you, Bones."

She smiled, loving the warmth his words held. "Why?"

He chuckled. "Why what?"

"Why are you saying you love me right at this moment?"

He leaned forward, putting her glass on the table before pulling her to his side. She laughed a little as she snuggled into him. He took a moment to breathe her in before kissing the top of her head.

"It's because I've missed you."

"I'm…right here, Booth."

He held her tighter. "I mean when you were gone. Not just when you were held captive, but when I was going to marry Hannah, and you pulled away. I've missed you. Not having you in the field? Not having drinks with you? Not talking to you every day? It was slowly killing me. I missed you every day."

She shifted so she could see his face. "I missed you too."

Booth cupped her cheek, leaning in for a kiss. Once. Twice. A third time. "I'm not sure I'll ever get enough of kissing you."

Brennan smiled, feeling the same. Kissing Booth was something she hoped she get to do for the rest of her life.

"So, I have Parker this coming weekend. It's my last weekend before he leaves for London."

"I'm sorry. That sucks."

"I'm going to miss him like crazy. But he's excited to go."

"I'm going to miss him too."

"Yeah?"

Brennan nodded. "Of course. I care for Parker. Very much so."

"Hmmm." Booth moved, pulling her onto his lap so she was straddling it. "Why do I find you even more attractive when you show affection for my son?"

"Because anthropology speaking, we desire mates who not only love us but love our children too because then they are less likely to…" he cut her off by crashing his lips to hers.

"Bones." He moaned when she shifted, so she could kiss his neck. "Keep kissing me like that and we will miss dinner."

"That's okay, she said against his neck, her breath brushing against him went straight between his legs.

"Fuck, Bones." He groaned as she stripped him of his shirt, kissing down his chest. The image of her working her way down him made him impossibly hard.

"That's okay," Brennan replied as she unzipped him. "I'd rather taste you."

And she did, dipping her head and taking him into her hot mouth, sucking him deep into her warmth. His breath caught, as she did something magical with her tongue, nearly making him come right then. "Oh god."

She moaned on him, making his cock twitch. "Bones, you're getting me close."

She shifted, cupping his balls, squeezing them as her other hand gripped his shaft, working in tempo with her mouth. He hissed when she took him in so deep it hit her throat. "I can't. Bones, you're going to…Fuck." His head fell back and his hips jerked as he exploded into her throat.

She swallowed before sitting back, looking satisfied with herself. He blinked at her slowly, waiting for his pulse to slow back to normal.

"That was…" shit the best head he's ever head. He knew she'd be good. Heard from last lovers that she'd been dynamite in the bedroom, but damn. And even better? She was his. And he loved her. God he loved her.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it." She stood, reaching her hand out to him. "Do you want to join me in the shower?"

She loved that look in his eye. The one that told her he'd been completely lost to her. His smile grew bigger at her offer, and he took her hand, allowing her to pull him off the couch.

He kicked off his slacks before they started down the hall, but they didn't get far before he pushed her against the wall, kissing her.

She laughed for just a moment before his hand dipped under the waistband of her pants and found her, wet, and so ready for him she whimpered when his fingers rubbed over her clit. "Oh god," she moaned tilting her head so he could his her neck as he worked her.

She laughed again when he lifted her and carried her to the bedroom. "The shower can wait," he said as he laid her on the bed.

Nope. Not this time. She stood, pushing him down onto the bed. She felt his eyes on her when she went to the bedside table, pulling out a condom.

Her skin prickled with anticipation, as she rolled the condom onto him. She loved the list in his eyes as she straddled him, slowly taking him onto her, both letting out a sigh of pleasure.

She rolled her hips, slowly at first, working them both slow and steady. She watched him, his eyes glazed with sex as he watched his, his fingers dug into her hips as she rode him, urging her to move faster, and she did. His fingers rubbed at her clit, ramping up her pleasure, bringing her closer to climax. As her body warmed, and her muscles tightened, she rocked her hips faster, until her the orgasm rocked through her, and she cried out, unable and uncaring to keep her pleasure to herself.

She didn't stop, her attention now on Booth, who pulsed in her, letting her know that he was close. She allowed him to move her hips, moving her faster and faster until he jerked his hips once more, holding her hips in place. He was the vision of pure male ecstasy, and the view overwhelmed her, making her heart ache in a good way. Booth was a gorgeous, wonderful, amazing man, and she'd never get used to the fact that he was hers.

She collapsed on him, both of them hot and sweaty, trying to catch their breaths.

"Wow," Booth said with a laugh.

"Good?" She asked though she didn't need to. She was confident of her sexual prowess.

"Better then." He moved her up his chest so he could kiss her. Slow, steady. He could kiss her forever.

"Now we are going to be really late for dinner." Brennan laugh.

"We can order in. I'm not done with you."

She allowed him to shift them so his hips were settled between her legs, his mouth on hers. They made out for god knows how long, and loved every second of it.

Brennan put Parker's plate down in front of him. It was Saturday, and Booth insisted she join them for dinner. Which she gladly did.

She was happy to report that she spent the night at her apartment, one of her own, and only had a little anxiety over it. She still didn't like sleeping in complete darkness, but she'd work on that too. At least now she felt like she could be in her apartment on her own, without losing it. Progress.

"Thanks, Bones," Parker said as she took her seat.

"You're welcome."

They were about halfway through the meal when Parker brought up Hannah's absence by asking where she was. Brennan looked at Booth, allowing him to take the lead.

"Hannah, she's probably overseas." He cleared his throat. "She and I aren't together anymore."

Parker seemed conflicted. "Was it because of what I did after my birthday party?"

"What? No, buddy. It had nothing to do with you. It just turns out that Hannah and I wanted different things in life. Sometimes it happens."

Parker nodded, getting back to eating. It seemed to her that he was processing what his dad had told him.

"So…Does this mean you and Bones can be together?" He asked after a while, interrupting Booth.

Brennan and Booth exchanged looks. "We are taking it slow, but yeah. Bones and I are together."

The smile that spread over his face made Brennan feel good. It was irrational of course, but the idea that Parker liked her more than Hannah did make her happy. It shouldn't. But it did.

"Good. I want Bones to be my stepmom."

"Oh, Parker, I don't ever plan on marrying your father."

This confused him. "Why not?"

"Because it's an antiquated ritual."

This seemed to confuse him further but he pressed on. "But do you love my dad?"

Brennan smiled. "I do. Very much."

"And do you want to spend the rest of your life with him?"

"Parker," Booth started, but Brennan put her hand up to halt his interference.

"I do want to spend the rest of my life with him. We will be like any married couple, but without actually getting married. I can't imagine my life without your father." She glanced at Booth, the smile on his face making her stomach flutter.

"Okay. Good." Just like that, the topic was over.

"Good." Booth laughed before he and Parker got into sports talk.

Brennan had to admit this topic was a little over her head, but she loved seeing Booth like this. He was an amazing father. It was sad that Parker would be so far away from him. Booth deserved to be an everyday father. And any child would be lucky to have him.

…

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks :D

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bones or its characters. All credit goes to their rightful owners
……

Chapter Thirteen
…….
Booth woke, reaching out for Bones, only to find her side of the bed empty. He sat up, looking out the door, noting the light that was one. Likely from the kitchen.

He got out of bed and slipped on a pair of boxers. He’d been right out it being the kitchen light. He watched as she reached for a cup, the t-shirt she wore rising up, exposing her bare bottom. He smiled at the sight. Beautiful.

He walked up behind her, pulling her against his front, burying his face into her neck to place kisses there. “It’s early.”

He could hear the smile in her voice as she spoke. “I couldn’t sleep. Not after the nightmare.”

He held her closet for a moment, placing a kiss on her shoulder. “Are you okay?”o

She turned in his arms so she could see him. “Yeah, I woke and you were there. So yeah.”

He smiled. It was so odd that he took pride in giving her comfort, but he really loved that he could. He did feel bad that he please him while knowing it threw her off.

He wasn’t blind to the fact that she was uncomfortable with letting him. He knew this terrified her. Being vulnerable. Or, more accurately, not being able to stop being vulnerable around him.

But he loved that she was comfortable enough with him that she couldn’t help it. Loved that only he got to see this side of Bones. A side that he was sure not even past boyfriends got to see.

Unable to help himself, he kissed her nose. “You want breakfast?”

“Pancakes?”

He smiled. “Absolutely.”

He felt her eyes on him as he pulled out what he needed. It felt like she had something to say, but was hesitant to say it.

“Booth?”

“Yeah?” He faced her, and she looked mortified. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m fine. Just, we should stay at my place tonight.”

“Okay?” That wasn’t what she was going to say, but he wouldn’t push the issue. She’d tell him whatever it was when she was ready.

Brennan sat on her couch, drinking a warm cup of tea as her mind reeled. Her period was late. The thing was never late. Not once. Not ever. Oh god.

She closed her eyes as she thought back to her first night with Booth. Sex hadn’t been planned and when they did it, both had been too into the moment that clearly neither of them gave condoms a thought.

It could have only been that night. Well, okay, condoms weren’t one hundred percent guaranteed, but seeing as that was the only time they had sex without a condom, that night was the most likely culprit.

No. She shook her head. She was only three days late. And it wasn’t like she’d been exactly stress-free. Given everything that has been going on, surely she’s due for a late period.

Right. She’d likely wake up in the morning with her period. Yeah. She was stressing over nothing right now. She didn’t know for sure she was pregnant.

She swallowed the lump in her throat. Who was she kidding? She was pregnant. Maybe she hadn’t taken a test to confirm it, but deep inside, she knew. Her nipples were sore. There was a tugging in her uterus that was different than normal period cramps and she could stand the smell of her juice the last couple of mornings.

“Bones?” Booth pulled her from her thoughts. He stood in front of her in boxer shorts and an undershirt, his hair messy from sleep. ”you okay?”

She stood, smiling at him. “I’m fine. Just wanted some tea.” She put her cup in the sink before going to him. He wrapped her in his arms, kissing her forehead.

“You sure you’re okay?”

She nodded. “Yeah. Just needed a drink. But I’m ready for sleep now.” She really was. Yesterday and today she couldn’t seem to keep her eyes open. Her stomach clenched with nerves. What if she really was pregnant?

Booth stood on the second floor, looking down at the lab platform at Bones, who was examining bones. He looked over when Cam joined him.

“You okay?” She asked.

“Yeah. Just have some downtime.” His eyes shifted back to Bones. He couldn’t help the smile that crossed his face. These last couple of weeks have been the best few weeks of his life. Save the good times with Parker.

“So you’re going to spend it staring at Dr. Brennan with heart eyes?” Cam teased.

“She seem okay to you?”

“Yeah. As the weeks go on she seems more and more at ease. I think she’s going to be just fine, Booth.”

“No, I don’t mean because of that. I don’t know. She seems a little off lately. More tired, and she’s been a little standoffish.”

“Hey, if you’re worried, ask. She likes things to be straightforward. You know that.”

Booth nodded. Yeah, he did know that. Except when he asks if everything is okay, she ignores the question or says she’s fine and changes the subject.

He knows she’s still dealing with the fallout of her kidnapping. Who wouldn’t? Even though she’s stayed at her apartment a handful of times alone, she’s getting better in the dark. Their blindfold sessions do really seem to help. Even though it’s always strange. So yeah, she could be dealing with that. But this feels like something else.

“Don’t overthink it, big man. She’s strong. And whatever she going through, she will share it with you when she’s ready.”

He nodded. Cam was right. But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t worry.

“So, how do you think you’re doing?” Sweets asked.

“I’m good. Really. And I think that you should clear me so I don’t have to see you every week.” Because she still hated psychology.

Sweets laughed. “Well, how are the nightmares?”

“I still have them, but the frequency is lessoning. And I’ve spent five nights alone in my apartment and only once did I get a bit freaked out. I’ve also been doing my blindfold sessions with Booth and even did one with Angela, though both experiences are completely different.”

“I imagine. And you and Booth? Are things going good there?” Yea, he was being nosy now and loved that smile she couldn’t hold back.

“We are doing extremely well. It’s had its awkward moments.” She let out a laugh. “It’s strange being with someone you’ve been friends with for a long time. Bit despite trying to figure out our new boundaries, everything is great.”

“Okay. How do you feel about Ronnie Willis pleading guilty? Meaning he gets life in prison.”

“I’m satisfied with that outcome. I wasn’t sure at first how I felt, but after sitting on it, I’m satisfied. There’s no chance of parole. So that helps too.”

“Okay. Well, I’m happy enough with your progress to promote you to therapy only once a month. We will do that for a few months and if you continue to show signs of improvement, we can stop sessions altogether.”

“Great!” She stood, ready to get out of there. She hurried to the door, but paused, looking back at Sweets. “I still think psychology is a soft science, but thank you, Sweets. Really.”

He smiled. Wow. Did she just thank him? For shrinking her? “You’re welcome, Dr. Brennan.”

“The plane ride was soooo long and I fell asleep. Then when I woke up, we were in London! You should see the size of our new house, dad! I think Stefan must be loaded because this place is huge! My room even has a bathroom attached to it! And there’s a pool inside!”

“Wow! Really?” Booth rolled his eyes as Park talked on. Not at Parker, but at the mention of Stefan. Another factor in Rebecca taking his kid and moving across a damned ocean.

“Tell Parker I said hey,” Bones said after leaning down and kissing his cheek on her way past him. He smiled at the show of affection and watched her cross his living room, wearing nothing but his boxers. It might be morning, but they haven’t been to bed yet.

“He says hey back.” Bones smiled before going into his room, no doubt to get dressed.

“No way!” Booth faked enthusiasm as his chest ached. Man, he missed Parker already and it’s only been forty-eight hours.

“Yeah! It’s so cool, dad!” Parker’s voice dropped a little. “But I wish you and Bones were here. It’s going to be strange not seeing you. I miss you.”

“Hey, I miss you too, Kiddo. But we will see each other over the summer and then again at Christmas. So try not to miss me too much. You have a whole other place to discover.”

“I know. But I still miss you.” There was a noise in the background. “Oh, sorry dad, Mom needs my help.”

“Okay, well you be good and take care of your mom. No arguing with her.”

“I know, dad. Love you!”

“Love you, too.”

He hung up just as Bones walked out of his room, dressed. “Hey, who said I was done?” He teased, pulling her to him.

“Possible murder does. We have a case. A dead body at a bowling alley.

“Okay. Looks like we are in for a long day.”

Bones laugh. “Isn’t the first, won’t be the last.”

Brennan sat in the waiting room, finding herself anxious. Not only was she tired after the case, but she’s been more focused on Angela’s labor than she’d probably normally be. Though given the fact that she was pregnant, she couldn’t help but feel compelled to focus on this.

She took a pregnancy test and still felt in denial until yesterday when she went to the doctor just to confirm. And she was one-hundred percent pregnant. She was going to have a baby. With Booth. Mother. She was going to be a mother.

The idea scared her more than she thought it would. Would she be a good one? Sure, she’d love her kid, but she wasn’t sure how motherly she’d be.

Then again, she loved Parker. Had maternal feelings towards him and he wasn’t even hers. And Andy. She’d felt strongly for that baby, and she hadn’t even known him long. So surely, she’d love her own child even more.

Still, it scared her. She’d once wanted this. To have a kid. She even wanted to use Booth to get one. But this was a surprise and now Booth was so much more to her than he’d been before. They were going to be parents.

“Bones?” Booth took her hand, pulling her from her thoughts. “You okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“Angela will be okay.”

“I know that.”

The doors opened and Hodgins came out with a small bundle. Everyone huddled around as Hodgins introduced everyone to Michael staccato Vincent Hodgins.

Brennan took this moment to slip away. She wanted to check in on Angela. “Hey.” She walked in, handing Angela a stuffed animal Booth insisted on. “How was it?”

Angela smiled, though she looked exhausted. “Magical? Wonderful. Beautiful. Did you see him? He’s beautiful.”

“He is.” Brennan smiled. “Hodgins is certainly proud.”

“I know this sounds funny, but I think I fell in love with him all over again.”

“Actually it’s the…” she stopped. “Normal. It’s normal. And sweet.”

“Angela, are you scared?”

“I’m…terrified.” She let out a laugh. ”But excited and every single emotion in between. Brennan? You okay?”

She took a deep breath. “I’m pregnant.”

Angela’s mouth popped open. “Wait, what?”

“Booth is the father. I haven’t told him yet. I just confirmed it with the doctor yesterday and I’m. I’m terrified. This is a really big thing. And I’m still mentally…” She shook her head. “And Booth and I are still so new. What if he’s disappointed? What if I make a bad mom? What if..”

“What if it’s perfect? What if Booth is astatic and you make an amazing mother? Oh, honey, this isn’t bad news, and Booth, I can’t see him being anything but happy. He loves you, sweetie. And you guys have been together for years. You guys will be okay. Better than okay.”

Brennan blew out a breath as she fought back tears. “I just wasn’t. It wasn’t planned. But, I’m.” She let out a happy chuckle. “I’m happy. Scared. But happy.”

“Oh, Sweetie. I’m happy for you. Not just the pregnancy. But Booth. You two have been dancing around each other for a long time. I’m so happy you’ve finally come together.

“Me too, Ange. If you had told me years ago that I’d be with Booth I wouldn’t have believed you. But he.” She smiled. “He makes me so happy.”

“I know. And I know for a fact you make him happy too. You can see it in the way he looks at you.”

“Your son is beautiful, Ange.”

Angela’s smile widened. “Isn’t he though!”

“They looked so happy,” Bones said as they walked to the diner.

“Well, yeah. They had a baby. Of course, they are happy.”

“But their whole lives have changed. You would think they’d be a little more apprehensive.”

“Nah. They had a baby, Bones. That’s a good thing.”

“Really?”

Booth looked over at her, seeing the worry. “Yeah, really. Bones, Listen, the baby is healthy, and Angela and Hodgins are in love. This is the happiest day of their lives.” She still looked a little sick. “What’s wrong?”

“Booth, I’m pregnant.”

His heart sank as her words hit him. She’s pregnant? From Willis? He gets sick at the thought. He’d assumed she’d been cleared of that possibility. But he’d never asked.

“You’re the father.”

Booth blinked, then pure joy shot through him as her words sank in. Wait! He was the father? He was going to have another baby? With Bones? His Bones? He was going to have a family with her? He couldn’t stop the smile as everything he’s ever wanted stood in front of him. “Yeah? Really?”

Bones looked relieved, and he realized she’d been worried about how he’d react. “Yes. Really.”

“You’re pregnant! We’re going to have a baby Bones!” He went to her, lifted her into a hug, and spun her around. “Bones I. Oh wow. I.” He laughed because what else could he do? “A baby.”

Bones laughed too. “So this is okay? Really?”

“Seriously? Bones, this is better than okay. This is…I’m so happy I don’t even have words for it.” She looked worried again. “Are you happy?”

“I am. I was shocked, then happy and terrified.” she smiled again. “I’m overwhelmed, but I’m excited. And the fact that the baby is yours? Fills me with... I don’t know the word. But I know it’s a good feeling.”

“Love Bones. That feeling is love.”

“Are you crying?” She asked, laughing, though she seemed a little alarmed.

“Love, Bones. I’m so in love with you. And our baby.” He placed his hand on her belly, trying to imagine her pregnant and getting a sudden urge to claim her as his and threaten anyone who dares to hurt her or their baby. He kissed her, and though he wasn’t usually be on PDA, he couldn’t help it. He needed to kiss her like he needed air.

“A baby.” He shook his head but smiled. Then her stomach growled. The urge to get food into her was intense. It made him laugh. “Okay, gets get some food into you. You shouldn’t have gone all day without eating.”

“I didn’t. I had chips.”

“That’s not enough for both you and the baby, Bones.”

They bickered as they made their way to the diner, and Booth's heart soared. A baby. With the woman he loves. It didn’t get much better than that.
……………
The End
…..

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks :D

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this story! I had planned to write a few more chapters beyond this point, but life is starting to pick up and I’m spread a little thin lol. So I’ll end it here and if inspiration hits, I may add to the story. But in the meantime, thank you all so much for reading! I hope life finds all of you well.