Hey guys! So this fic is a continuation of the scene in Judas on a Pole where Brennan realizes that the priest is her dad. My first fanfic, so please be kind and hit that button!

Disclaimer: Ok, here goes…. I DON'T OWN BONES!!! *sob*

"Still, I should have seen it."

I turned for the door of the diner, when I realized I didn't have a car. I turned, and Caroline threw me her keys. As I got in the car, I dialed Bones. "Come on Bones! Pick up your phone!" She didn't answer, which both pissed me off and worried me.

I pulled around the corner just as Max Keenan started towards the car. I jumped out of Caroline's car and held up my gun. I started to yell at him, but his demand cut me off.

"You take care of her!"

He then jumped in next to Russ. I didn't want to lose any time.

"FBI! Stop or I'll shoot!"

That's when I heard her. She called my name, begging me not to do what I know I should have done. "Booth."

I didn't lower the gun. "Booth. Booth." She was pleading with me. Temperance Brennan never pleads, and it broke my heart.

Finally, I put down the gun, but only because she asked me to. I ran to her as Russ backed up, hit Caroline's car, and sped away.

"Did he really have to hit the car? I wasn't going to chase him."

Exasperated, I sat down next to her. She wasn't saying anything, so I put my hand on her back. "You okay?" She turned and looked at me, her eyes filling with unshed tears. I could tell she was trying to keep her composure, so I gave her shoulder a squeeze and said something else.

"Let me make a call and get you out of those handcuffs." I started to pull my phone out, but she put her hand over mine.

"Please."

I looked back at her, and understood. I kept hold of her hand and started stroking it with my thumb while I let her think.

After a few minutes she spoke. "He told me something before he left." I turned towards the sound of her voice. It was usually so strong and confident, but I could hear that she was struggling to keep it steady. "He said that if I found someone I trust I should hang on to them." When she said this, her voice broke and she started crying. I quickly got on my knee in front of her seat on the bench and used my finger to tilt her face up. She angrily wiped away tears while I struggled to make her look at me.

"Listen to me, Temperance." At the sound of her real name, she met my gaze. Her eyes were red and dull. I hated to see her so vulnerable. As I spoke, I held one of her hands with my own while the other wiped stray tears off her cheek.

"I will never leave you. You can count on that. I will always be here for you. Whether you like it or not." I tried flashing her a charm smile, but it didn't affect her like it usually did.

She nodded slowly. I could tell she didn't believe she was worth staying for, so I would have to prove it to her over time. I decided to start then. I took my seat next to her on the bench and pulled her as far as I could into my arms. She didn't resist. I rubbed circles onto her back as her head found the crook of my shoulder. After a couple of minutes of silent crying, she sniffled and whispered, "Thanks, Booth."

I kissed the top of her head. "Anytime." With that, she resumed her silent crying.

As I sat, holding her while the tears silently rolled down her cheeks, I made a promise. Not to Max Keenan, but to myself.

I WOULD take care of her. Whatever it took.