A/N: This is my first Bones Fan Fic. I am not new to fan fiction I just haven't published in a very long time. I am new to the Bones world and I am still learning. So please be patient with mistakes. Any similarities to other fics are unintentional. I can assure you that this story is from my warped mind. Please read and review. I like good reviews as well as bad ones. I can't learn if I don't know what I am doing wrong.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but these words. The characters are being borrowed from Fox, Kathy Reichs and Hart Hanson. I only own the Adlers.
Chapter 1
"Come on, Bones, this will be fun." Seeley Booth exclaimed to his passenger as they sped along Interstate 95. "How often do we get thanked for a job well done with dinner?"
"Booth, we have paperwork to complete and when that is done, I have the remains we started with today that were found in Gettysburg." Dr. Temperance Brennan huffed watching the passing scenery.
"You need to have some fun once in a while and get out of that Boneyard you are in all the time." Booth explained calmly, waiting for her argument.
"That 'Boneyard' you are referring to helps a lot of people."
"The guy from Gettysburg is how old?"
"Approximately 148 years old." Brennan answered with a sigh.
"He can wait another day. We kinda don't have a choice. This is a command performance." Booth gently told her.
Brennan sighed and stared out the window. Last week she and Booth were called to a bayside mansion not far outside of Quantico, Virginia. While a landscaping crew was working in a garden on the property they discovered the decomposed bodies of two young boys. The homeowner, Senator Jeremy Adler and his family, had been away when the discovery had been made. After getting the bodies and samples from the area around the grave, Brennan and her team found the bodies had been dug up and moved to the Senator's home. They had no leads in who killed the boys nor who moved them. To thank them, Senator Adler asked them to dinner.
"I don't understand why. We are no closer to figuring this out then we were a few days ago. All we know is who those boys are. Not really a job well done."
"Bones, we pretty quickly took the spotlight off the Senator and his family. He appreciated that." Booth told her patiently.
His "Bones" was stubborn when she wanted to be. Truthfully, he also wanted to be working on this case. There were too many unanswered questions and with the discovery they made this afternoon that this may be part of a larger case, he wanted to give this his all. Unfortunately, you don't turn down a United States Senator no matter what.
"Bones, just try and enjoy yourself. We have no choice. When we finish, we will go back to the Jeffersonian and continue working. Deal?"
"Deal, Booth." Brennan sighed, giving up.
"Oh and try not to talk too much squint talk tonight. I don't want to bore our hosts." Booth said with a smile.
They fell into a comfortable silence as they continued their drive. Both Brennan and Booth had been working together as a team for four years. Together they have solved some of the biggest crimes in recent memory. Recently, one of those crimes had affected one of their own and they were still reeling. Booth himself had killed the Gorgomon but Zack still had to pay for his crimes. Booth glanced over at Brennan. She was the best partner he had ever had. Sure, the things that came out of her mouth sometimes gave him a headache they were so complicated but he trusted her completely and she him. He would go as far to say she was his best friend. Someday, though, he was going to make their relationship more. Since he met her, there was always something simmering between them. Things always got in the way. The time to make a move was fast approaching. His feelings for her were getting stronger. His only problem was how the Bureau would react and honestly, it was the only thing stopping him. When he figured out how to get around regulations, he was going to romance her like she has never been romanced before. He was going to crush all her notions on love and marriage.
"We're here, Bones." Booth said a short time later.
Brennan straightened up and glanced at the house in front of them. The house and property were quite imposing. Lawns and flower gardens surrounded a large stone mansion that overlooked the Chesapeake Bay. The house was an incredible example of early American architecture. Even to Brennan it was an impressive sight. Regardless of everything on her mind, Brennan intended to enjoy the company of the Senator and his family. It was nice to get recognized for what they do once in a while, she admitted to herself.
They stepped out of Booth's bureau SUV and walked to the door. "This place is still impressive." Brennan stated as they walked to the front door.
"I know. Depressing that neither one of us can afford this place. Even you with all your book money." Booth told her with a smile.
"Maybe if I hadn't bought a bridge, maybe I would be able to afford it."
Booth just smiled as he rang the bell. They waited only a moment until a petite woman with dark hair answered the door.
"Hey Julia." Booth greeted the woman much to Brennan's surprise.
"Hello, Booth, Dr. Brennan. Come on in. They are in the kitchen. Follow me." She answered with a smile.
"You know the Adlers?" Brennan asked.
"Maybe." Booth said with a smile as he led Brennan to the kitchen.
"Look who I found wandering around outside?" Julia said to the four people in the kitchen.
"Agent Booth!" A young boy yelled from the table.
"Hey Jackson." Booth answered approaching the woman at the stove. "Special Agent Adler." He said kissing her cheek.
"Special Agent Booth" Felicia Adler answered, returning the kiss. "You know my husband is going to get jealous if you continue to romance me in such a way."
"Never. He could never deal with you like I do." Jeremy Adler answered with a smile. "Dr. Brennan, it is such an honor to meet you. I have heard a lot about you. Your books are brilliant."
"Thank you." She answered, shaking his outstretched hand.
"Bones, let me introduce you to the Adlers. This is Senator Jeremy Adler and his wife Felicia Adler. At the table is Jackson and this is….."
"Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod, your Temperance Brennan. My favorite author ever! Hey, Booth."
"And this is Sammy. She has a girl crush on you." Teased Booth.
"Actually, I prefer Samantha and Booth knows it." She said, rolling her eyes at Booth. "It is such an honor to finally meet you. Booth has been promising me FOREVER he would introduce me to you."
"And I have." He said with a smile.
"I didn't realize Booth knew you all when we were here last week." Brennan said.
"I thought I told you." Booth said looking at her.
"You probably didn't. I requested you both when Julia called to tell us what the gardeners found. He is all focus when it comes to a case, as you know." Felicia said with a smile.
"Yes, he is. You're with the FBI, too?"
"Seeley, don't you tell her anything? Yes, I'm with Domestic Terrorism."
"Oh." Brennan answered.
"We went through the Academy together, Bones. I'm responsible for everything she is today." Booth boasted.
"You taught me to shoot, Booth. I did the rest." Felicia retorted, turning her attention back to Brennan. "A glass of wine, Dr. Brennan?"
"Certainly." Brennan answered. "I suppose you have all the garbage on Booth here."
"Its dirt, Bones, and yes she has all the dirt on me."
"We have lots of dirt on Seeley Booth but we want what you have." Jeremy told Brennan with a laugh.
"I think that could be arranged." Brennan answered accepting her wine.
"This I got to hear." Felicia said with a laugh.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The Adlers were wonderful people and Brennan was enjoying her time with them. They were nothing like she imagined. Both Jackson and Samantha were equal participants in the conversation. Samantha, a Senior in High School, had indeed read all of her books and was going to be studying Anthropology next year in college. Brennan had enjoyed talking with the girl. Jackson was a typical ten year old boy. Booth and him had talked video games and FBI stuff. The boy had been sorry not to be around to see an actual crime scene. Jeremy and Felicia had also been very open. They loved teasing Booth and telling her stories of Booth's early career adventures. She had found out during dinner Booth and the Adlers were actually good friends. While she felt betrayed for a moment about their relationship, it was nice to see everyone relaxing and having fun. The meal had been delicious and they were now on the patio sitting around a roaring fire from the fire pit.
Brennan had learned a lot about the Adlers. Felicia and Jeremy had met four years ago when Felicia was assigned to investigate a stalker the Senator had gotten during his first year as one of Virginia's senators. After Felicia had solved the case, one thing had led to another and they married two years ago. Jackson and Samantha were the Senator's children from his first marriage. Their mother had died tragically and they now saw Felicia as their mother. Booth and Felicia Adler went through the Academy together. Booth had taught her how to shoot when she first began and she was a fast learner. So fast both she and Booth had been assigned to the same sniper squad for their first assignment and many of their records still had not been broken.
They had been sitting quietly for a few minutes. The kids were playing basketball in a nearby court and the adults were sitting watching the kids.
"Whatcha thinking about Bones?" Booth asked quietly. Both of them were sitting together on a love seat.
"Nothing. Just enjoying the evening." She answered smiling up at him.
"Its good to see you relax once in a while. It looks good on you." Booth said rewarding her with that smile meant just for her.
The Adlers watched the exchange and smiled. All through dinner both of them had denied anything more than friendship between the both of them but Jeremy and Felicia knew better. They could see it in their interactions. Felicia had been hearing about Dr. Brennan since Booth had been paired with her. Every time they get together it was always Bones this and Bones that. They were secretly thrilled Booth had Brennan in his life.
"So how goes the investigation on those bodies from our garden?" Jeremy asked.
"Sweetheart, you know Booth can't talk about an active investigation." Felicia scolded.
"Felicia, its fine. We need to talk to you about something anyway. I highly doubt Jer is gonna go out and talk about it." Booth told her. "Does the name Swanson sound familiar to you?"
"Yeah. As in Joseph Swanson from the Green Mountain Boys?" Felicia asked. "The very dead Joseph Swanson?
"Yep, that be the one. The two bodies from your garden are Thomas and Joseph. Swanson Jr . How long has that case been sitting on your desk?"
"Years, Booth, years. You think I was targeted?"
"That's what we're looking into. How'd the boys die?" She asked.
"Honestly, it looks like torture. They'd been dead a while." Brennan answered. "How'd the other Swanson die?"
"Torture." Felicia responded. "Not their MO at all, until recently. We have been finding a lot of remains have been tortured."
"Interesting turn of events." Booth stated.
"What was their MO?" Bones asked.
"Not torture. They were very protective of their own. They wouldn't kill anyone unless they were snitches and they only had one snitch." Felicia answered.
"What do you think the change is from?" Booth asked.
"No idea. We have a team assembled in Green Mountain to monitor the community."
"Sounds like road trip time, Bones. Can you make it happen, Fe?"
"Consider it done. As a matter of fact, I think I'll come with you." Felicia decided.
"Booth will love to have someone else to torture." Brennan told her teasingly.
"He still likes to sing badly on long car trips. When are you going to grow up." She asked.
"Probably never." Bones answered teasingly.
"Looks like you have another person to gang up on you." Jeremy told Booth as he watched on amused.
"Looks like that may be true." Booth answered sardonically.
"Senator, you have a very important phone call. It's the Governor's office." Julia stated interrupting the conversation between the adults.
"I'll be back." Jeremy said kissing his wife's forehead.
"Take your time." She answered to his retreating back. "Wanna go play with the kids?"
"Feel the need to get your butt kicked, Adler?" Booth asked, helping Brennan up.
"Nope but you do, Booth." Felicia said with a mischievous glint.
"Its on. Its me and the kids versus you and Bones." Booth said.
"Booth…" Brennan began.
"We'll beat him. Just cover the kids." Felicia soothed with a laugh.
Brennan had to admit it was fun. She had made several shots when she got the ball away from the kids. She and Felicia were winning. Suddenly, she had a bad feeling. She couldn't quite pinpoint what it was but she didn't like it. Something was very wrong.
"You know, its getting late." Brennan said, her facial expression suddenly changing.
"What you don't want to give us the chance to catch up with you two?" Booth said teasingly as the kids giggled.
"We wanted to give you a graceful bow out." Felicia said as she noticed Brennan's change in demeanor.
"Bones, you ok?" Booth said jogging over to her.
"Yeah. I just have this feeling someone is watching us." She answered with a shiver.
"Its probably Jer. He'll watch us out here when he is on the phone a lot of times." Felicia answered. "How about one more round?"
"OK." Brennan answered resuming her position covering the kids. She still couldn't shake the feeling something was wrong.
Suddenly, there was a thwack on the pavement. The pavement exploded four more times. The kids screamed. Both Booth and Felicia realized what was happening.
"Gunfire." Booth yelled.
"Get in the house." Felicia yelled. "Run."
Brennan turned to run but noticed the kids were frozen in place. More shots surrounded them and the kids screamed in terror as they watched one of the bullets pierce the basketball.
"Come on, Samantha, Jack…" Brennan yelled pushing the children into moving. The shooter renewed his shots as they got closer and closer to Brennan and the children. Grabbing the kids by their shoulders, she put them in front of her to shield them with her body. They collapsed into the house as Booth pulled the door closed. They dove behind the large brick island in the middle of the kitchen.
"What the hell is going on?" Jeremy yelled from the hall.
"Can you close the storm shutters?" Felicia yelled as a window exploded over them. "It'll stop the bullets unless he has armor piercing rounds."
"Doing it now." Jeremy stated as more windows exploded around them.
"Gun?" Felicia yelled over the din to Booth.
"In the truck. Didn't think I would need it, tonight?" Booth yelled back.
Booth and Felicia shielded each of the children. Sounds of sobs from the children mixed with the sounds of the drywall and kitchen cabinets splintered. Both Felicia and Booth knew to keep their head down. Booth knew they would comfort the kids when the storm shutters came down. It was only then it would be safe to look up. Suddenly the sound of grinding steel sounded as the storm shutters began to lower. Two more windows exploded before the shutters came down with a loud clink. The bullets clinked uselessly against the steel shutters. They stayed quietly until they were sure the bullets couldn't pierce the storm shutters.
"You guys ok?" Jeremy asked slowly coming from his hiding place in the hall.
"I'm calling it in." Felicia said grabbing her cell phone off the counter.
"You guys ok?" Booth asked. "Bones?"
"Yeah, I think so." Sammy answered, tears staining her face.
"Dr. Brennan protected us." Jackson sobbed as Jeremy comforted his son.
"Bones, you ok?" Booth asked again, concerned at her lack of answer.
"I don't think so Booth." She answered breathlessly. It was then Booth noticed the pool of blood beginning to form under Brennan.