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I don't own Bones.
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Sitting on the couch in Max's living room, Booth sipped beer as Max showed him his scanner, "See, no electronic bugs. Nothing is being transmitted from this apartment. Your phone is in your truck and my phone is in the bathroom. My TV and my radio are unplugged too." Sitting on the chair next to the couch, Max shook his head, "Booth, you need to do something. It's been a month since you turned down Tempe and she's really depressed. I've never seen her so depressed. I don't know how much longer she can go on the way the things are between you two."
Placing the bottle on the coffee table, Booth leaned back against the couch and rubbed his eyes, "You don't think I don't know that? She's barely speaking to me as it is. She'll only talk to me about work or Christine. If I start to talk about anything else she walks away or cuts me off. I don't know what to do. I'm still looking for Pelant. It's taking too long. I thought I'd find him before now."
Despondent, Max advised him, "Just tell her what's going on. I can't stand to see my baby hurting like this. It's awful. She's going to leave your ass if you don't tell her and I don't know what will happen if she does."
Letting his hands drop to hip lap, Booth shook his head, "I can't. Pelant will start killing people. What if he decides to kill my son or daughter? What if he goes after Pops or you or Mom? I can't take that risk . . . I can't risk lives like that."
Exasperated, Max leaned forward, "Look, so far I haven't been able to track him down and neither have you. The FBI and the Jeffersonian have all failed to find him. What are you going to do if she leaves you?"
Closing his eyes, Booth agonized over that possibility, "I don't know what I'll do then. I just don't know. Do you want me to risk the lives of my family or friends? That's what you're asking me to do. She'd never forgive me if I told her and then Pelant killed you or Russ or . . . or Parker or Christine. . . "
Interrupting him, Max held up his hand, "Okay, I get it, but, she's saying things. She's doubting you and I think she's starting to hate you because she thinks you don't love her any more. You know that don't you?"
"I know." Staring at his hands, Booth felt close to tears, "I know that, Max."
Standing, Max moved over to the couch and sat down next to the younger man. Placing his hand on Booth's knee, Max consoled him, "You need to prove to her that you love her. These long hours you're putting in to catch that bastard is not helping the situation. Tempe told me that Angela thinks you're having an affair."
Opening his eyes, Booth glared at the old con man, "Angela can kiss my ass. She's supposed to be my friend and she's making the situation worse. Bones wouldn't even consider something like that but Angela has to put those damn ideas in her head."
Shrugging his shoulders, Max remarked, "Angela is Tempe's friend first, she always has been."
Standing, Booth looked down at Max, "Apparently I don't have any friends any more. They're all Bones' friends. At least I know where I stand."
Pointing his finger at Booth, Max shook his head, "Hey, you are not friendless. I'm your friend and so is Tempe and Caroline and those guys at the FBI."
Snorting, Booth shook his head, "You're wrong. You may be the only friend I have left right now." Walking over to the front door, Booth looked back at Max, "Thanks."
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Entering the house, Booth placed his gun in his safe along with his ID, walked into the kitchen and checked the fridge to see if Brennan had cooked anything for dinner. Finding a covered plate, he removed it from the cold interior and placed it on the counter. Removing the top plate he found some mixed vegetables, some stewed apples and a grilled chicken breast. Staring at the plate of food he wiped a tear from his eye and placed the lid back over the plate. Placing it back in the fridge, he pulled out a bottle of water and drank it.
A sound near the doorway catching his attention, Booth turned and looked at his partner, "Thanks for leaving me dinner."
"Aren't you going to eat it?" Her arms across her chest, Brennan presented Booth with a stern visage.
Shaking his head, Booth threw the now empty water bottle in the recycle bin, "I'm not hungry, thank you."
Turning, Brennan took a step into the living room, when Booth called out to her, "Bones . . . I love you. You know that don't you?"
Pausing, Brennan shook her head, "No I don't."
Like a blow to the chest, Booth stood in the kitchen almost breathless. Fighting to maintain control, he leaned on the counter and lowered his forehead onto his arms. Sick, he didn't know what to do and time seemed to be running out.
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Marching upstairs, Booth entered his bedroom and found Brennan sitting on their bed typing on her laptop. Moving swiftly, Booth moved the lap top on to the nightstand, yanked her from the bed and pulled her into the bathroom.
Unsure but unafraid of Booth she allowed him to guide her into the smaller room. Standing near the door once he released her, she witnessed him turn the shower on full strength and hurry back across the room. Pulling her over to the shower, he placed his hands firmly on her arms and placed his lips near her ear, "I can explain what's going on but not here. We're being monitored. Give me a chance."
Standing away from her, Booth searched her face and spoke in a normal tone. "Bones, we're a family but lately we haven't been acting like one. I want to take the day off tomorrow and do something with you and Christine. Maybe we can go somewhere. You pick the place and we'll go. . . . Please?"
Confused, Brennan stared intently are her partner and considered his hurried words. Coming to a decision, Brennan spoke, "Alright, if you insist. We can just go for a drive. Perhaps we can have a picnic."
Stripping off his clothes, Booth stepped into the shower, "Thank you."
Leaving the bathroom, Brennan walked back over to the bed and sat down. Staring at the bathroom door for a few minutes, she finally climbed back into bed, covered herself and closed her eyes.
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The next day, Booth and his little family were in his truck and driving through the back roads of Virginia. Unsure what Booth was doing, Brennan remained silent.
Spying a picnic table on a little pull over next to the road, Booth pulled his truck off the road, parked the SUV and turned off the engine. Placing his index across his lips, Booth took his phone out of his jacket pocket and placed it on the console. Holding out his hand, he waited for her to hand him her phone. Once it was in his hand, he placed it on the console, took his jacket off and covered both phones with it. Pointing at the table, Booth exited the truck and then opened the back passenger door. Removing his daughter from her car seat, Booth advised Brennan, "Why don't you get that picnic basket we packed and we'll eat lunch here. It seems nice enough."
Grabbing the basket from the back seat, Brennan carried it over to the picnic table and placed it on top. Standing she waited for Booth to join her at the table.
Sitting down, Booth faced away from the truck and patted the seat next to him. Once she was seated, Booth placed his daughter on top of the table and held her there with his hands on her waist.
Leaning next to Brennan, Booth spoke very softly, "Pelant threatened to kill people if I accepted your proposal. He said if I told you then he'd kill people. He wanted me to keep it a secret to drive a wedge between us. I'm sorry. I can't see you in anymore pain, Bones. I can't do it."
Enlightenment not the relief she thought it might be, Brennan stared at the top of the picnic table, "You still love me?"
Filled with a sense of worry, Booth responded, "God Bones. How can you ask me that? I never stopped loving you. I love you so much I'm taking a huge risk doing this. I'm risking people's lives telling you that this is Pelant's doing. Do you understand?"
"How is he monitoring us?" Glumly looking back at the truck, Brennan answered her own question, "He's using our phones and computers, isn't he?"
Nodding his head, Booth continued to speak quietly, "Yes plus cameras where we work, on the streets, anywhere really. We aren't even safe in our home."
Her supposition confirmed, Brennan leaned closer to Booth, "So, I need to continue to act despondent? To act like our relationship is in trouble?"
Leaning closer, Booth kissed her, "Yes, I'm sorry. Until I find Pelant and capture or kill him then yes. Can you do it? Bones, I've put a lot on the line by telling you. You can't change how you've been treating me. Be angry or sad but whatever you do don't be happy. It will cost people their lives if you do. For all I know that psycho could go after Christine or Max. Do you understand?"
Thinking about it, Brennan replied, "I do and I will. At least for now. Let me think about our situation. Maybe I can think of something that will allow me not to be mad at you anymore."
Kissing her again, Booth shook his head, "Don't risk it Bones. Please."
Returning his kiss, Brennan pulled away and spoke in a normal tone, "I have salad and sandwiches."
Pulling Christine closer to him, he kissed the child on the nose, "A sandwich sounds good."
Christine leaning over and patting her father's cheeks, laughed at the goofy look he gave her, "Da-da."
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That evening, after Christine had been placed in her crib for the evening, Brennan walked downstairs in search of Booth. Finding him in the living room, she walked over to where he sat and stood in front of him, "Booth I wish to speak to you."
Placing the remote on the coffee table, Booth nodded his head and waited.
Unsure she was doing the right thing, she cleared her throat, "I've been angry with you since you turned down my proposal. I don't understand why you did what you did, but I'm sure you have your reasons. . . . Angela has told me that she thinks you may be having an affair and for awhile I thought it might be possible . . . "
Standing, Booth shook his head, "Bones, I . . ."
Interrupting him, Brennan smiled, "Booth, I know that you wouldn't do that. I trust you, I always have. I want you to know that this thing that is happening between us will stop now. I'm not leaving you and you're not leaving me. I trust you and I love you. I'm sure that whenever you're ready, you're going to tell me what's going on and in the mean time, I will wait patiently. I let myself forget what kind of man you are and I'm sorry."
His emotions barely under control, Booth stepped forward and engulfed her in his arms, "Bones . . . I'm sorry. I'm sorry but someday . . . someday soon I hope I can fix this between us. I do have my reasons and when I can, I'll tell you what they are. I love you and I never meant to hurt you. I love you so much."
Resting her head on his shoulder, Brennan felt the tears fall from her lashes, "I love you, Booth. No one and nothing will change that."
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