In another apartment not too far away, a big FBI agent snapped awake, all his senses on alert as he pulled his sidearm out of the nightstand drawer next to him and came to his feet in one swift movement. His expressive brown eyes searched the room, his sniper instincts screaming that there was danger nearby as his girlfriend sat up and asked fearfully, "Seeley, what's wrong? Why do you have your gun?"
Special Agent Seeley Booth didn't answer, relaxing slowly as he put the gun back where it belonged before climbing back into bed. He stared at the ceiling, his mind in a whirl as he wondered, What was that about?
He was unaware of Hannah's presence next to him, nor was he cognizant of her fear. She was scared and he was not even trying to comfort her. All he was aware of was his instincts, and he knew better than to ignore them. They had saved his life more times than he count. Something is wrong. Somewhere, something is wrong, he thought as a cold feeling in his gut filled him with dread at what was to come.
XXXXX
It was a routine Saturday morning at the Jeffersonian. Angela Montenegro came breezing in, her joy for life and living apparent as always as she burst into the office of Doctor Temperance Brennan.
"Morning Sweetie! I know you haven't eaten breakfast yet so I figured..." She had quickly scanned the room as she entered, and she stopped speaking when she realized that she was alone. "Sweetie?" She asked in confusion, checking the room once more before heading out into the main area of the Medico-Legal Lab. Not on the platform, she thought. Maybe she's in Limbo?
The forensic artist checked and re-checked every common area that Brennan could usually be found in before ending up back in her friend's office, an expression of annoyance on her face as she pulled out her cell phone. She told me she'd be here to finish up the paperwork for that case. Maybe she overslept... Angela thought as she hit the speed dial for Brennan's number. As she did, her husband walked in. Doctor Jack Hodgins, renowned entomologist, was playfully known as the Jeffersonian's resident bug and slime guy. "Hey Angie! What's up?"
Angela held up a hand to silence him as Brennan's voicemail kicked on. "Hey Sweetie, it's just me. I'm here at the lab, wondering how I, of all people, managed to beat you here. Call me please, Sweetie. You know how I hate to worry. Bye." She snapped the phone shut as her husband's eyebrows shot up.
"No Brennan yet? That's a first." He said as Angela bit her lip, her dark eyes showing her concern for her best friend. "She did take that case really hard last week. She has not looked good at all since then." Angela replied as one of the Jeffersonian's security guards approached.
"Doctor Hodgins? Miss Montenegro? A package was just delivered here. It's addressed 'Doctor Brennan's Team' but I was unsure who to give it to. You two are the first I've seen this morning so..." Angela reached for the package as Hodgins said, "We'll take it. Thanks Beau." The guard nodded and walked away as they took the package up onto the viewing platform.
They opened the package carefully, Hodgins taking the packaging to one of the tables and placing it gently on the smooth surface as Angela studied the photo packet that the package had contained. She opened it and removed the photos as Hodgins studied the packaging. His head snapped around at his wife's horrified gasp as she cried, "Oh my God! Brennan!"
Hodgins was at her side instantly, his eyes scanning the photos in his wife's trembling hands as he whipped out his cell phone and hit a speed dial. "Booth, it's Hodgins. You need to get to the Jeffersonian, right now!" He listened to the agent's usual grumbling about what time it was before his fierce temper took control and he yelled, "Listen to me, you idiot! Someone has kidnapped Doctor Brennan! She's in danger!"
