Chapter 1: Hero in Afghanistan
It was eleven months into special agent Seeley Booth's yearlong deployment. Nearly one year ago Booth was asked to return to duty to train young snipers and other troops. Booth was hesitant to leave because that would mean he would be separated from the love of his life, Dr. Temperance Brennan.
Suddenly rounds of gunfire interrupted Booth's thoughts.
"Sergeant Major Booth they're attacking from the hills!"
Booth turns to see about twenty men dressed in black firing and succeeding at lowering the United States Army's amount of snipers in training.
"Everyone to your stations!"
As Booth runs towards his station he notices a young Afghan boy the age of his nine-year-old son Parker. Without hesitation Booth races to protect this young boy from the gunfire. As Booth reaches the boy and shields him with his body, POW! A bullet hit Booth's right shoulder. Then another POW, the second bullet hit Booth in the abdomen.
"Ahh! Ahh! Ahh!" The young boy terrified that his rescuer might have just been killed.
Booth collapses on the sandy ground barely conscious. He hears the boy screaming next to him. He listens more intently and notices that the ambush has stopped. Booth grabs the boy's hand and manages to whisper something to him.
"It's not your fault."
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" The boy cries frantically.
Suddenly everything went black, and the only thing Booth could manage to do was think of the emotional goodbye he had with Dr. Brennan.
He was walking briskly to her terminal looking around for her long brown hair, and light blue eyes. He sees her; it's as if time stops, and she starts rapidly walking towards him suitcase in hand. He speaks and she listens.
"Sorry, I couldn't get a pass. I had to sneak off base to come say goodbye. Listen Bones, you gotta be really careful in that Indonesian jungle ok."
"Booth, in a week you're going to a war zone. Please don't be here. Please just don't be you."
He takes a step closer; now they are only inches apart, and he takes her hand and he speaks again.
"One year from today, we meet at the reflecting pool on the mall right by the…" She interrupts, anxious to finish his sentence.
"Coffee cart, I know. One year from today."
He looks down not wanting to let go of her hand, but he must. He turns leaving her waiting. Then she turns back towards her terminal. He looks back hoping she will do the same. She does look back, and they share a long moment of staring at each other, wondering if they really will see each other again. They both turn and go in their separate directions.
Two days later Booth wakes up in serious pain.
"Ahh Bones. Bones where are you? Temperance please help me."
There was no answer, so Booth tried to rise when a nurse stopped him.
"Whoa! Hold on soldier take it easy. You're lucky to be alive. We are sending you home just as soon as we confirm that there is someone there to take care of you and so that you can receive your reward."
"What reward." I don't remember doing anything that deserves an award.
"You really don't remember do you? You saved a young boys life, and you're considered a hero now. The army is awarding you the silver star, for saving that boys life."
Booth was confused he didn't remember what had happened; in fact he didn't even know where he was. Then he looked around the room and noticed he was at a hospital in Germany.
"Well, my son and his mom are on a cruise in the Caribbean and Bones… Um Dr. Brennan is in Indonesia."
"We can't release you until we know that you have someone to take care of you."
Booth thought for a second, he couldn't go back home, even though he had two friends there. He wasn't going to let his old girlfriend or his and Bones' therapist take care of him. He smiled knowing exactly what he was going to say.
"I guess I'm going to Indonesia then."