2 weeks after "The Graft and the Girl"

Saturday, 11am

Special Agent Seeley Booth had just finished his morning work out, and was on the way to the office to go thru a massive pile of mail he'd been neglecting the last week. Things had been hectic during the ongoing investigation on his boss's daughter Amy's Cancer case; the next part of that case would be the court and justice proceedings.

He knew he had to get thru some of that mail before Monday, when all new problems and cases got thrown his way. Typically, he didn't let the pile get this out of hand, but he'd been distracted to say the least.

I bet Bones doesn't take days off. Bet she is at the lab right now, up to her ears in some pile of remains, he thought to himself and smiled. Maybe I will swing by and see what she is up to when I am done. Its not like I have anything better to do, besides maybe she could use some help with something. Not wanting to admit to himself that he missed her, he told himself it was just that he hadn't seen nor spoken to her in over a week. Just want to check in on what she is up to, that's all. That's what partners are for right? He told himself.

Maneuvering thru traffic, he switched on the radio, to hear about the most recent serial killer in the area "the ice man" the press was calling him, some freak who was abducting women, drugging them, raping and then leaving them in a bathtub full of ice, to either be later found dead or nearly dead by the authorities, most cases too late. So far, there had been no evidence found on the scene of the crimes, and no evidence on the bodies either. Not one had been found in time. One had been found alive, but in a coma induced from hypothermia. Horrible he thought to himself, switching off the radio, not wanting to be depressed about something he couldn't control.

Thankfully, he wasn't working on that case, not yet anyway. One of his co-workers, Agent Angelo was leading the investigation on this one. God I hope I don't get called in on that one he thought to himself.

"Hey Booth, surprised to see you here on a Saturday, man" Bill, the front desk weekend security guard said to him, clicking the automated lock to let him pass

"Yeah, well, you know, someone has to wade thru that pile of papers on my desk" Booth smiled as he walked passed the older guy, jogging up the stairs to his office, bypassing the elevators. Not many people in the office, a few cleaning people, one or two agents, he noticed, looking around. He poured himself a cup of coffee and head down the hall.

Booth turned into his office, and sat down with the coffee and started to sift thru the pile of mail. I can't believe how much junk mail gets thru to the FBI he thought to himself, as he methodically went thru each piece of mail, filing, answering or discarding it.

He finally neared the bottom of the pile. Looks like the mail department just put the envelopes in order by size he mused. At the bottom of the pile, he spied 5 identical 8 x 10 envelopes with no return address, and simply reading "Special Agent Seeley Booth" – Photos – do not bend. 1 of 5. Each envelope had a #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and so on attached. Guess I am supposed to open these in order he mused.

"Huh" he said aloud, frowning to himself. Something isn't right here…he thought.

Careful not to damage or tear the first envelope too much, he used a slim letter opener and tore the envelope open. He slid out a black and white 8 x 10 glossy photograph, and his heart stopped in his chest, a cold sweat enveloping him, it was a shot of Dr. Brennen at a coffee shop, paying for a cup of coffee. He turned the photo over, and it said, "I'm watching". He carefully set it aside, and shakily, he picked up the #2 envelope, tore this one open, a little more recklessly.

Another 8 x 10 glossy black and white…. of Dr. Brennan again, this time she was walking alone to her car at night, in the parking structure of the Jeffersonian. He turned the photo over, and said "alone, at night, still watching" Why the hell does she walk out alone? He thought to himself, she should have someone walk her out if she is going to stay late, he raged inwardly. Come on, she knows 3 types of martial arts, she can take care of herself he argued with himself. Right, like she took care of herself with Kenton, and in New Orleans, right? Pushing those thoughts aside, he moved on.

Not wanting to go to the next, but feeling powerless to do so, he picked up he third and this time took no precautions with the paper of the envelope, anger taking its toll on it as he shredded it to open to see the next 8 x 10, showing Bones walking into the FBI building with him a week and a half ago. The back of the photo said, "still watching her Agent Booth", this time it was specifically addressed to him, his name, his presence by her side that day .

By now his heart was thundering in his chest at an alarming rate, as he picked up his office phone and quickly dialed the Jeffersonian, no answer. He then tried her cell phone…. no answer. She's probably out with Angela he tried to reassure himself, glancing at the last 2 envelopes that seemed to mock him from this desktop.

He picked up the next, and tore into it, desperate in a strange way to see what the picture had in store this time. His stomach did a lurch, as he saw the contents of the next shot. It was her…again, alone this time; at home in her apartment…all that could be made out was her silhouette as she took a shower. Agent Booth stood quickly, knocking over his chair, his hands placed hard on his desk, staring down at the picture he'd just opened. The bastard had been in her APARTMENT! And she didn't know! Dosen't she lock her doors? How did he get in there? Didn't she hear the guy! He picked up his half emptied cup of coffee and threw it at the wall opposite his desk.

Pacing around his office for a minute, running his hands thru his hair, he glanced across the room at the last picture that lay on this desk, almost taunting him turn it over, and see what the freak had to say this time. He turned the photograph over, the words screamed out to him "time's running out"

Before he knew what he was doing, he snatched up the last envelope and stared at the front, where it had his name, and #5. He was scared. He knew what was inside and he knew he had to open it, but was terrified at what he'd see. Finally he opened the remaining photograph, and it was her. Again, as if it could have BEEN anyone else. She was walking into a local grocery store. He turned the picture over, and on it, it said "its time".

TBC – end ch. 1

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