While I was working on LOVE HEALS, this idea came to me when I wrote that Brennan didn't believe in God. Hope you enjoy!
CHAPTER 1
Brennan walked into the lab to find several people waiting for her with mixed emotions. Relief that she was ok was a big one but anger and worry was also there. So was hurt—especially on Booth's face. She held up her hand to stop them from talking. "Can we go to my office so we can talk privately?"
A minute later, they were all seated or standing in her office. Brennan closed the door and took a big breath.
Booth watched her intently. He was hurt and angry that she hadn't called him—that he had to find out about the events two days ago and her involvement in it from someone else. He was even more so when she had disappeared and hadn't been in contact with anyone following.
She had left her car and the Jeffersonian and taken a taxi here to return to work. She had completely left.
But she looked different. It was hard to explain—she didn't look different in a bad way. In fact, it was rather the opposite. She looked at peace. Like she really didn't have a care in the world. And she looked like she had a lot to say.
Normally, he would pounce on her about not thinking about everyone else and handling this on her own but he held back that instinct because he had a bigger one that noticed that she needed to speak first.
She wasn't brushing anyone off. She wasn't avoiding confrontation. No, she was right there. A lot more confident than she normally appeared. She looked like she hadn't a worry in the world.
That would scare him normally but not today. Not the way she looked. He couldn't describe it but he knew he had to let her speak, and then he would yell at her.
"Before any of you say anything," Brennan began. "Let me tell you what I was thinking and briefly what happened. Then if you want--" she caught Booth's eyes and smiled—"you can yell at me. I don't expect any of you to understand but I'll try to explain the best that I can. First off, I'm ok. Physically I was never hurt. Yes, I was slapped by one of the men but other than that, I was never touched. I don't know what all you know so if I go into too much detail or you already know what I am saying, tell me to skip over it for the time being, ok?"
All eyes nodded. Like Booth, they noticed something different about their friend. But they couldn't quite place a finger on it. So they waited.
"This last case was still bothering me so I went for a walk to let my mind wonder. I've been told," once again she looked at Booth, "that walking can set your mind free if you are open to it."