Hello! You might remember me from stories such as A Change of Events, Booth & Bobby FBI: Friends, Bros, and Inspirations, We Have Each Other, The Love Story in the Old Journals, The Science Teacher in the Public School, The Hidden Love in the Two Friends, and the three co-authored stories: The Love in the Heart, The Ghosts in the Babies, and The Siblings in the Foster Home.

I had this idea hit me, and I really hope you all enjoy it. I am borrowing the idea from the book The Midnight Plan of the Repo Man and Repo Madness because I thoroughly enjoyed those books and found them very entertaining. I want this story to be more humorous than sad. I do plan on having some kind of happy ending, so bear with me! I don't intend for this story to be very long either. Maybe 10 chapters.

Without further ado, I present: The Woman in the Mind.

Seeley Booth couldn't believe that he was hearing this. It all sounded as though he was underwater. The doctor's voice was distant and hard to hear.

"But...I just saw her," Booth said. "She was fine."

"Yes, we don't know why it happened, but she had a massive heart attack," the doctor said. "There was nothing we could do."

"But she was fine!" Booth insisted. He had gone to bring her Chinese food as the hospital food was terrible, and when he'd come back, she was swarmed by nurses and doctors, and he had no idea what was happening.

"These things happen, unfortunately," the doctor said sympathetically. "I'm terribly sorry for your loss." He turned and left. That was it. No other words. No more explanations. Booth hit the wall with his back hard and slid to the floor. Temperance Brennan was dead.

...

Booth managed to get back to his apartment. How, he had no idea. He was hammered. So hammered. He couldn't handle the idea that he'd never have another argument with Brennan again, that he'd never see her smile or tell her that he loved her. Good Lord what was wrong with him? Why didn't he tell her?! He flicked the light on and immediately regretted it. His head pounded and his eyes burned. All he needed was a good night's sleep. He crawled into his bed, sobbing. How could this have happened? She was in very good health, so how could she have had a heart attack? He didn't understand. The mortician was prepping her for the funeral. Booth couldn't bear it. He just couldn't. How was he going to face life without her? He thought back to the last conversation they ever had.

"I was very afraid," Brennan admitted. She shifted on the hospital bed. They had her in there to do a thorough check up and make sure she hadn't suffered any head traumas from the explosion. Hodgins was down the hall getting his leg worked on.

"I can only imagine what you were feeling," Booth said. "But you're safe now. I got you."

"You did," she smiled. "I knew you would save us. You and our team are very smart."

"Our team?" Booth asked, smiling widely.

"Well, yes," she answered. "I think of them as our team. We all work together, but you and I are the leads."

"Cam won't like that you said that," Booth smirked.

"I don't care," Brennan responded. She fiddled with the bed sheet, lowering her face.

"What?" he asked, noticing she was crying a little. "What's wrong?"

"I just...I did a lot of thinking when I was trapped in that car," she started. Booth leaned in closer.

"Yea?"

"Yea. I mean, thinking about death, it was frightening. I know I put this front on, but I was scared."

"Everyone's afraid to die, Bones. It's the unknown that makes it so scary."

"But you know. You're going to heaven."

"Well, I hope so," Booth chuckled.

"I feel I have so much left to offer this world," she sighed. "I don't want to leave yet. I have more victims to help."

"You're not going anywhere, Bones. Not on my watch," he promised. She smiled at him again.

"Thanks, Booth."

"My pleasure. Hey, you want me to bring you some real food?"

"Yes, please. I can't do this food it's so bland. I might take a nap while you're gone. I'm suddenly feeling exhausted."

"All right. I'll be back," Booth said, standing up. He leaned forward and kissed her on the top of the head.

"What was that for?" she asked, puzzled.

"I dunno," he answered. "Just a reflex really."

"It was pleasant."

"I'm glad you liked it."

They grinned at each other. Then Brennan made herself comfortable on the bed. Booth took one last look at her as he went out the door and found that she was watching him. Smiling to himself, he headed to the exit.

How could that have been the last time? Booth just didn't understand. His heart was broken. He didn't know if he would ever smile again.

A Day Later-Evening

"God, this is just horrible," Angela whimpered. Hodgins squeezed her hand.

"I can't believe she's really gone," he said, choking up. He didn't understand why Brennan had to die. He was confused as to why she had a heart attack. The conspiracy theorist in him was trying to cook up a reason.

"It was a tragic circumstance," Cam said. "Nothing anyone could have done differently."

"I should have been there," Booth muttered. "Not out getting damn Chinese food. I could have saved her."

"Booth," Angela said, putting her hand on his arm. "You can't do this to yourself."

He ignored her. Zack was strangely quiet. He hadn't said much to anyone after he learned of Brennan's death.

"All right," the mortician said, coming out. Conveniently, he was also the funeral director. "She's ready."

"Oh God," Angela breathed. It was time to go in and look at her. Cam went first, the others following. Booth went last. He dreaded this moment. His breath caught when he saw her lying in the casket all cold and still.

"I can't do this," he said, shaking his head.

"She would want you to be rational about this," Zack finally said.

"I can't, Zack. I can't do that. I'm not the rational guy. I'm the gut guy," Booth said.

"I don't know what that means," Zack said, echoing Brennan. Booth turned away, biting his fist. This was all too much. Angela started to cry, and Hodgins soon joined her. Cam, who hadn't known Brennan very long, had wet eyes too, and she didn't say anything. Zack left the room. Booth presumed it was to go cry alone. He forced himself to look at Brennan one more time.

"I'm sorry, baby," he whispered. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to save you."

I really don't like the way he's done my face. I look nothing like that.

Booth froze. Where had that voice come from? He swiveled his head around, looking at Cam and Angela. They were not looking at him. Hodgins had left by now as well. He looked back at Brennan. It sounded like her voice, but that was impossible. She was dead. He shook his head hard. He knew he was still hungover from last night. Perhaps he was starting to have auditory hallucinations too.

If this is my funeral, I have to say, I'm a little disappointed that more people didn't come.

There it was again! Booth swallowed hard. These were not his thoughts. He didn't understand what was happening to him.

"Are we okay with this?" the mortician/funeral director asked. "Does she look like she usually does?"

"Yes," Booth answered.

I disagree.

Booth whipped his head towards the source of the voice. The mortician/funeral director looked at him, puzzled.

"Are you all right, sir?" he asked.

"Huh? Yea," Booth answered. He rubbed the back of his neck. This was all too strange.

"She didn't really wear makeup," Angela said, finally having a moment where she wasn't crying.

"Oh, okay. I will fix that then," the man nodded. "Sorry about that."

Thank you, Angela!

"Gah!" Booth shouted, spinning on the spot.

"Booth? What's wrong?" Angela asked. He stopped abruptly.

"Nothing. I'm fine," he said.

"You were spinning."
"I'm upset. I do irrational things when I'm upset," he argued.

"Oookay," Angela said, looking at him funny. So was Cam.

"I'm gonna...I'm gonna take a walk," Booth said, gesturing. He fled through the doors. He hurried towards the men's room, opening the door with a bang and heading right for the sink. He turned on the tap and splashed water on his face. Then he looked in the mirror.

You look terrible.

Booth turned his head again. No one was in there with him.

"Who's there?" he asked out loud.

There doesn't appear to be anyone in here with you, the Brennan-like voice said.

"I'm losing my mind," he muttered. "I'm losing my f***ing mind."

It is physically impossible to lose your mind.

"What is happening to me?" Booth asked nobody. These were definitely not his own thoughts he was hearing. He did not think in a woman's voice, especially a voice that sounded like Brennan's. And definitely not in the first person.

Are you asking me or yourself?

"Bones?" he asked. He felt ridiculous, but he had to know.

Yes?

"Where are you?"

It appears that I'm in your head.

"You...you're stuck in my head?"

Yes.

"How is that possible? What the hell is going on?" Booth asked, looking around for someone still.

I'm just as confused as you are. I woke up in here.

"You woke up inside my head?"

Yes.

"Oh my God. I'm on the first bus to the crazy house," Booth said.

I wouldn't say that. You're very intelligent.

"I'm talking to myself," he argued. "How is that intelligent?"

You're not talking to yourself. You're talking to me.

"How is this even happening right now?!"

"Booth?" Zack asked, opening the bathroom door. "Are you okay?"

"I...I'm fine," Booth lied.

"It sounded like you were yelling," Zack went on.

"I'm just mad, Zack. I wish she was still here."

But I am here.

"Shut up," Booth hissed.

"What?" Zack asked, confused.

"Nothing. Look, I'll be right out, okay?"

"Okay," Zack agreed, closing the door behind him. Booth waited a moment before talking again.

"Bones?"

Yes?

"You can hear me and talk to me?"

It seems that way, yes.

"Can you hear my thoughts?"

I'm not sure. Try thinking something.

I'm going out of my mind, Booth thought. Out loud, "Did you hear that?"

I only heard you ask me if I heard anything. So no, I can't hear your thoughts.

"Well that's a relief."

Why? Are they that bad?

"No. It's just an invasion of privacy is all," Booth said. He felt ridiculous standing here talking to himself.

So, I'm dead?

"Yes, you're dead."

How did I die? I thought you were bringing me food? I was taking a nap. What happened?

"They said you had a massive heart attack and died," Booth explained. "It happened when I was out getting you food."

That's preposterous. I am in perfect health.

"I agree," Booth said.

You're just going to believe what they told you? You don't feel at all suspicious?

"I don't know how to answer that," Booth confessed.

Did Cam do a tox screen? You do know that a heart attack can be caused by certain drugs being shoved through an IV right?

"Shit. No. The mortician is done with you now. There's nothing left to test."

You could take some of my hair.

"How am I going to just walk up to you and rip out some hair without anyone thinking I've lost my freaking mind?" Booth asked. "They'll think I'm taking it for myself."

So tell them about me.

"Oh, God no. Bones, they'll ship me right to the nut house. I'm not saying a damn word about this."

I find I'm hurt by that statement. I would tell someone if you were in my head talking to me.

"Well, I'm not, so you'll just have to deal with it," Booth said irritably. Not only was Brennan stuck in his head, but she was her usual self too. This was going to make things complicated as he couldn't physically make her stop interrupting like he could when she was alive. He straightened himself up and went back to join the others in the room with Brennan's body. He stood far away from it so as not to have Brennan comment on it inside his head anymore.

"You okay?" Cam asked him. "You look pale."

"Did you see a ghost?" the mortician/funeral director asked, chuckling. Booth glared at him.

"No, I did not."

"I see them sometimes. Hear them too," the man shrugged. "You get that in this business."

"Ghosts are not rational," Zack pointed out.

"You're not rational," Hodgins snapped.

"So, Jim," Angela interrupted, addressing the mortician/funeral director. "When can we arrange the funeral?"

"Whenever you'd like. Doe she have any family?"

"Just her brother. Oh God, Russ!" Angela gasped. No one had called him.

"I'll do it," Cam said. "I'm the boss. I do those calls." She went away to do this.

Russ wouldn't care.

Booth flinched. He forgot she was there.

"No parents?" Jim asked.

My mother is dead and my father is probably still a criminal. So no, no parents.

"He can't hear you," Booth hissed.

"What's that?" Jim asked, looking at him.

"Nothing."

You could tell him what I said.

"Forget it," Booth said under his breath. He coughed to cover it up.

So I'm just supposed to sit in here and have no say in anything? That's not fair.

"Excuse me," Booth said, going out of the room again. He found an isolated area and stopped. "Look, you can't keep rambling on in my head, Bones. It's distracting, and I look like an idiot when I react to it."

So control your reactions.

"Not that easy," he countered.

I don't like what's happening here either, Booth, but here we are. I'm in your head. I don't know how it happened or why, but I have no voice. You are my voice. I think I was murdered, and I want you to solve it. I'll help of course.

"You think you were murdered?" Booth asked, incredulous.

Yes. It is the only thing that makes sense. I was completely healthy. Someone wanted me dead. It was probably the Gravedigger.

"Then why didn't he kill Hodgins too? He was right across the hall," Booth said.

I don't know. Why are you doubting this? I thought we were partners.

"We are! We were," Booth corrected. "You're dead. You're somehow talking to me and trying to convince me that you were murdered. How would someone miss that?"

Because a heart attack is deemed as something that happens. They probably chalked it up to all the physical stress I was under being buried alive. Doctors aren't all that competent sometimes you know.

"Don't get snotty," Booth warned.

I'm not! Look, are you going to do this or not? I would do it for you.

"I know you would," he muttered. He sighed loudly and rubbed his head furiously. "All right. I'll do this."

Thank you.

"Will you disappear from my head if I solve this?" Booth asked.

I don't know. I didn't exactly get a rule book here.

"Okay. We'll figure that out later," he sighed. He headed back to the others again. They were busy making plans for the funeral. Cam had returned from talking to Russ. He was coming as soon as he could.

"Are you okay?" Cam asked again. Booth took a moment to respond. He had Brennan in his head, which was impossible yet happening anyway. He was grief stricken but now confused because she wasn't exactly dead. He couldn't tell anyone because they would think he was completely crazy. Was he okay? Not really.

"I'm hanging in there," he answered.

Liar.

"We'll get through this," Cam said, rubbing his arm.

"I know we will."

"I miss her."

You didn't even know me.

"I'm sure she misses you too," Booth said.

Booth! That's not true and you know it.

"That's sweet of you to say," Cam smiled. "But I somehow doubt it."

See? Even she knows. I thought you knew me better than she does?

"If it's okay with you, I gotta get going," Booth said. Cam nodded.

"Sure. See you later."

Booth split. He had no idea what was going to happen next. He got home and made some dinner for himself. He sat around for a bit wondering what to do. Brennan was quiet during all this, and he wondered if she was getting used to their predicament as well. When he went to get into the shower, he paused.

"Bones?"

Yes?

"What do you see? I mean, what can you see when you're in there?"

I see whatever you see.

"Okay," Booth said. So all he had to do was not look down or in a mirror when he was naked. No problemo.

Are you worried I might laugh at the size of your genitals?

"No," he spluttered.

I calculated that you would be average if not bigger than most.

"Geez, Bones. Would you knock it off?" Booth huffed, embarrassed. "Just keep your eyes shut."

I can't. Not unless yours are.

"Well, I can do that," he said. He shut his eyes and stumbled into the shower. It was harder than he thought.

I won't make fun, I promise. You can open your eyes.

"This is the craziest thing I've ever experienced," he said. "I must be losing my mind." There was no way this was happening. It just wasn't possible.

We've gone over this. You can't lose your mind. I'm in here. I don't know why or how, but I am.

"Okay, well, you gotta promise to not interfere and make me look nuts, okay?"

I promise.

Booth didn't respond. He finished his shower and got out, wrapping a towel around himself. This entire thing was so bizarre that he half debated going to a doctor about it, but he figured they would just cast him off as crazy and lock him up. No sense in doing that. He would just have to deal with her living in his head. Maybe he'd do some research. Maybe someone else had this happen to them as well. Maybe the people who were in the mental hospital hearing voices really were hearing voices. This gave him a whole new perspective on things.

This isn't schizophrenia, Booth.

"You said you couldn't hear my thoughts," Booth accused.

I can't, but I know you, and I know you're probably trying to figure out why this is happening, and your mind would go to the other people who hear voices and wonder if it's this that's happening and not mental illness.

"Wouldn't you?"

Of course. It's a logical thought. Are we going to start working on my murder soon?

"Tomorrow. I need to sleep," he said.

Well, don't sleep too long. I want this solved.

"Relax will you? You're in a good place," Booth reasoned.

You're right.

"So what happens when I sleep? What do you do?"

I have no idea. I guess I'll find out.

"All right. Well, good night," he said.

Good night.

He turned off the light and crawled into bed. He had no idea what was happening to him, but a part of him felt happy that Brennan wasn't truly gone after all. Yes, she as being her usual annoying self inside his head, but he was happy she was still with him. He just wished she was in her human form. He'd have to take what he could get he guessed. Tomorrow, he'd start looking into her murder.

So what do you think? Should I continue? All I ask is that you don't make predictions as it ruins surprises ;) Thank you.