Title: Ransom

Rating: T

Disclaimers: I don't own Bones, or any of the characters.

Authors note:

This is my first fanfic, so please review. Constructive criticism is always welcome. I hope you enjoy it. I will update as often as possible.

CHAPTER 1: Kidnapped

Jogging across the street, Dr. Temperance cursed. She was already over 25 minutes late for her lunch date with Angela. Of course, her best friend would expect nothing less. Temperance had a habit of getting so absorbed in her work, that she would lose track of time. What could she say? Bones were her passion.

Entering Wong Foo's, she immediately spotted the gorgeous brunette leaning against the bar, talking to Sid. Temperance couldn't help but grimace as she made her way to Angela, afraid that her friend would be angry. "Sorry I'm late..." She began. Wondering briefly why so many of her sentences began with an apology.

"Let me guess. . . you got caught up in your work." Angela smiled then, taking the edge off her words. "It's okay Sweetie, I'm used to it. So what has you so enthralled this time, that you lost track of the time?" Once again, Temperance was amazed at her friends understanding nature. She had never met anyone as carefree as Ange. A lot of people wondered how two women so different could be best friends. Yet, that very thing is what created their bond. Where Angela made Temperance lighten up, and have fun on occasion; she kept Angela grounded.

"I've been working on identifying an authentic Highland warrior; dating back to the early 1300s." Her voice took on a dreamy note, that only occurred when she spoke about her work. "It's amazing Ange, he could have been affiliated with William Wallace. It will be a great addition to the Jeffersonian."

Angela couldn't help but smile at her friend's enthusiasm, and yet at the same time it made her sad. Her biggest fear was that her best friend would miss out on life, because of her obsession with the dead. She was about to tell her as much, when Sid approached with two steaming bowls of noddles. It gave Brennan a pause, as she wondered once again how Sid seemed to know just what they wanted, before they knew themselves. Booth told her it was a sixth sense, but she always scoffed at him. She didn't believe in that sort of thing. There was no evidence to prove it existed.

The women ate their meals with relish, hardly speaking until their bowls were empty. Placing her fork on the table, a mischievous smile danced across Ange's face. Temperance knew that smile; nothing good ever came from it. "So... how is our very own G-man?"

Covering her face with her hands, Temperance groaned. "Why do you always have to bring Booth in the conversation."

"Because sweetie, my life is so dull, I have to live vicariously through you."

Temperance snorted."That is an inaccurate statement. You have far greater social activity than I do."

Angela waved her hands in the air. "Do you see me chasing down bad guys, with a genuine hero-type. Not to mention the fact that the man is oozing with sex appeal. And he has saved your life on more than one occasion," She paused to catch her breath. "Face it, honey, you have a real life knight in shining armor." Brennan let her mind stew over what Angela was saying. He did seem to show up just when she needed him most. Plus the facts that he had that irritating habit of letting her hug him every time she got upset. That thought alone scared her. The dependency she had for Booth grew with each day. She hated the vulnerability it gave her. Temperance had always prided herself on being someone who needn't rely on anyone. Of course, that all changed the day she met Special Agent Seeley Booth. He began knocking down her walls one layer at a time. The strange thing was... part of her welcomed it. It was a nice reprieve to lean on someone else for once.

"You have reflective face." Angela observed. "Are you finally realizing what I have told you all along? You and Booth are meant too be."

She shook her head in denial, more out of habit than anything else."We're only friends, and partners. Nothing more." She shrugged, "besides, he's seeing Cam. You know that." Temperance checked her watch, needing an excuse to get out of the uncomfortable conversation. "I should go." Rising from her chair, she threw thirty dollars on the table. "I got this one."

Angela laughed, "you aways say that." Climbing to her feet, she pulled her friend into spontaneous hug. "Please, honey," she pleaded, "don't let him slip away. He could be your only chance at true happiness." Temperance gave her a quick squeeze before releasing her.

"I promise to not discount the idea." That was the best she could do right now. She had a plethora of issues to work out before she could even contemplate the idea. "I should go. I really am needed back at the lab."

"Of course, Sweetie. We can't let Mr. Highlander wait, now can we?" Angela teased.

After saying goodbye to Sid, she and Angela left the restaurant. They were just out the door when Temperance spotted a couple of familiar faces.

"Dr. Bones!" Cried 5-year-old Parker. Bouncing up and down excitedly; he slipped out of his mother's grasp, and all but dove into the Doctor's arms. Temperance couldn't help but chuckle, as she gave the boy a tight squeeze. She didn't know Parker well, but he elicited a feeling of deep affection from her. She was at ease with him in a way, foreign to her. Brennan was used to feeling panicky around children. Claustrophobic. Yet, Booth's son was different. Maybe it's because he is the smaller version of your partner, she mused. Refusing to go there right now, she turned her attention back to the boy. "How have you been, buddy?" She asked.

"Great! I got a toy car for bein' a good boy in the supermarket." He exclaimed with pride.

Smiling at his smug little grin, she returned him to his feet. "That's terrific." She told him, then looked to his mother, who stood beside him somewhat impatiently.

"Hello, Rebecca." Temperance said. Trying her best to keep her tone jovial. Rebecca was not one her biggest fans. She despised the way the woman used Parker as a tool for hurting his father. Booth was an amazing dad, and deserved better than that.

As Brennan and Rebecca exchanged pleasantries, Parker's attention was strayed to a man who stood a few feet away, holding a puppy. Parker loved animals, and wanted desperately to pet the little guy. He inched closer to the stranger, his appeal for the dog outweighing the caution in which he was taught. He was just about to reach for the puppy, when all of a sudden the man dropped the leash and wrenched Parker off the ground in one quick swoop. He dove into a pickup truck that was parked against the curb. It all happened so fast, that Rebecca barely had time to scream. Rather then submit to the uselessness of screaming for help; Brennan sprang into to action. Her mind had already noted that the truck had only one route for escape. The driver would have to take a right, because of a one way road. Wong foo's parking lot would cut out the entire corner, if she was fast enough, she could get to the truck before it disappeared down the road.

Temperance ran with speed born of pure fear. She was well aware of the statistics in kidnapping cases. The child had a significantly larger chance of being found dead than alive. That was not an option.

Reaching the road at the same time the truck was passing; she acted without thought of consequences. Leaping through the air, she landed with one foot on the hood of a car, and threw herself with all her might, this time landing in the bed of the moving pickup truck.

The anthropologist couldn't be certain how long she lay there for. The impact leaving her momentarily stunned. After catching her breath, she scrambled into a sitting position. Watching with trepidation as the back window slid open. The first thing she noticed was a .45 revolver pointing straight at her head. The second was the man smiling evilly at her. "Two for the price of one." He looked over at the driver, "Booth is gonna love this."

Again, this is my first attempt at fanfiction, so please review, and tell me what you think. I am going to try to update as soon as possible. Hope you enjoyed it.