Just one more chap to go, thanks to all you brave souls who have been reading, I promise it will be worth your while after you read the next chap.
Brennan took a moment to breathe deep before heading inside the lab. The air was thick and difficult to pull into her lungs, but she forced herself to do so.
She knew she should have stayed home, no one would have objected. But when she'd burst into tears over Mathew's spilled Orange Juice, she knew there was no way she could do that. Her routine was the only thing that would get her through this.
The only way she would survive.
Once inside the lab Brennan wrapped her arms around herself, goosebumps tightened her skin, the lab seemed cooler than usual.
After dropping her bag off in her office and grabbing her lab coat, which was now nearly impossible to button over her enlarged stomach, Brennan set off to find Cam.
She found her outside one of the autopsy labs talking to Angela.
"Hey Sweetie!" Angela said brightly when she spotted her friend approaching.
Brennan made her best attempt at a smile, which came off more like she was smoothing her lipstick, and turned immediatly to Cam.
"Cam I need to take this afternoon off."
Cam stuck her hands in her pockets and furrowed her brows. "Why?"
"I have...I have an appointment." Brennan responded, hoping not to have to go into details. She really didn't want to talk about this. Of course, she should have known that was not an option with Angela not even an arms length away.
"An appointment? Sweetie you just went to the doctor last week. Is everything okay? Is Matty okay?" Angela asked worriedly, already on edge from the strange greeting Brennan had just given her.
"Yes, he's fine. I'm fine. I just have an appointment."
"What...what kind of appointment?"
"I have to...pick out a casket." Brennan stated calmly, as she made a point to avoid eye contact and look past both women at the wall.
"A casket? Why would you need a..." Angela began. Then, noting Brennan's slightly disheveled condition and faint red circles around her eyes, realization hit.
"Oh God." She whispered, her face betraying the tears already on the way. "Brennan...no...not Boo..."
"The US Marshals came to the apartment this morning." Brennan cut her off, afraid hearing his name would shatter what little control she had over herself.
"Oh Bren." Angela took a step forward to hug her but Brennan stepped back, shaking her head just slightly.
"I'm fine Angela. Now, Cam, is it alright if I..."
"Of course Dr. Brennan. I mean, you can take the whole day if you'd like. The rest of the week..."
"Thank you but that won't be necassary Dr. Saroyan. I'll go...on my appointment and I'll make up the time I miss this evening." Brennan interrupted cooley.
"But Dr. Brennan..."
"You can watch Matty for me can't you Ange?" Brennan ignored Cam's protest and turned to her best friend.
"Bren you really should..." Angela tried to reason with her. She felt like her own heart was breaking, she couldn't imagine the agony her best friend was going through. But then, she didn't really need to. It was written plainly in those tortured blue eyes. While Brennan's face and posture remained neutral, the pain in her eyes gave her away.
"No. Angela," Brennan sighed, rubbing one hand absently over her stomach, "I need my routine, okay? I need to work."
Angela caught the desperate undertone in the request and simply nodded, dabbing her eyes with the sleeve of her lab coat.
"Of course I'll watch him."
"Thank you." Brennan took another deep breath and glanced around the lab. "Has Agent Stevens come by? Do we have a case?"
Angela answered without thinking. "Yea, but you remember what Booth said about you working cases in your third tri..." She stopped and Brennan whirled around on her.
"Yes. Thank you Angela, I remember what he said." Brennan said sharply.
I remember every word he ever said.
Without another word she turned and moved as fast as she could to her office, slamming the door behind her and causing the drawn blinds to rattle against the window.
I'll always be here Bones.
I'll be back for you Temperance.
Brennan shook her head but his voice wouldn't leave.
I love you Bones, I'll always love you.
"Liar." Brennan shivered at the harsh whisper and almost took it back. Almost.
Angela chased her to her office, but the door was locked by the time she got there.
"Brennan?" She knocked softly, "Brennan open up. Please Sweetie let me come in."
But the doorknob didn't move and quiet sobs were the only answers to Angela's pleas.
I too am an angst junkie, as you can tell, but I am also a fluff junkie...
