Here I am

Chapter 1

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"Baby stop crying," Lynda pleaded with her little one.

Ever since they had left DC Aurora cried each day, but only for the hour that Booth used to come and spend with her since birth. Rory knew who her daddy was and missed him.

"Sorry baby but there is half a continent and the Pacific between you now. When Uncle Sam catches the bad guy we can go home and you can see him again."

Rory just kept screaming. She glanced at the clock 45 mins left, so she picked up a photo Angela had sent with her and showed Rory.

"Look Sweetie! Can you see? It's Daddy."

She quieted so Lynda used this opportunity to tell her stories of her old life as Dr Temperance Brennan fighting crime with Booth and the Squints, trying desperately to only tell the kid friendly stories, jokes and anecdotes leaving out the gruesome details.

When she finally got her to sleep she put her down and glanced up the door feeling eyes on the back of her head.

"Hey dad."

Max smiled at his daughter. "I am sorry I left you, you know?"

Lynda walked to the door and gave her dad a hug. "You did what was best for me even if I didn't think so. It's good to have you now though."

"Thanks. I am glad you found those friends of yours. Better family than I could be."

"You are all my family from you, Mum and Russ, to the Squints, Rory here and Janice. I got told once 'There is more than one type of family. This is my family."

"Booth told you that." It wasn't a question.

"Yes."

"Is he family?"

"He is my baby's daddy."

"Doesn't answer my question."

She walked past him toward the kitchen. "Coffee?" She called over her shoulder.

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Later that night she composed an email to Cullen to pass on the Angela. She had more conditions this time round. Though she was able to have contact with her old life; he had to check all correspondence. Kinda like wartime letters to family. No information of locations, times and dates just general stuff, 'work is good, baby cute, miss you', kinda stuff. But today she needed an Angela type favor.

She added a couple of photos of Rory and hit send. Hopefully this could solve her screaming hour.

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Angela read her email and goo'd and gaah'd over the photos before starting the project Lynda had asked her to complete.

Booth walked into the lab and straight to Angela's office flowers in hand. He was still trying to make up for trying to shoot Hodgins and actually shooting her. What he was yet to realize was that Ange forgave him before it had happened but Jack was still seething but trying to forgive.

"Hey Booth," she smiled, "For me? How sweet but," she lowered her voice and held up her hand to whisper her secret, "I'm married and your making Jack look bad."

"I'm sorry," he looked around thoroughly chastised.

Angela giggled. "I actually need a favor though?"

"Anything." Booth just wanted to make up for everything no matter what it took.

"I need an hour long voice recording of you reading stories, telling jokes," she shook her head and pulled a face, "Just you talking… please."

"Um, sure." His face screwed up just mostly confused, "Why?"

"One special little girl misses the hour with her Daddy." She handed him the email and the photos.

"Oh." He grinned looking at the photos and chose his favorite, "Can I get a copy?"

Angela nodded. "Let me have a copy and those are yours." She rifled through her draw, "And so are these." She handed him a pile of photos from the six weeks leading up to her wedding.

She watched him flick through the photos, "Thanks Ange, I really appreciate it." His face was whimsical.

"Booth," He didn't even lift his head to look at her, "They will come home."

"Maybe."

"You didn't screw it up. She is gonna come back to you."

"I miss her. Both of them."

"She's coming home. I know she is. Come on Booth where is your Catholic Faith?"

"It left with her." He smiled in appreciation. "I know what your doing Ange. I will have that recording for you tomorrow." He held up the photos. "Thanks for these. I have to go talk to Zach bout the case."

"See ya then." She watched him walk out the door and Jack walk in. "Baby."

"Are we gonna have one?" Jack asked smirk on his face.

"One day, I want you to myself for a while yet."

He kissed her gently. "I think we may need some practice for that then. What do you think?"

"You are insatiable." She grinned and leaned into his embrace. "I wish…"

"I know. Its gonna take some time."

"If they could just find him. How did he get out of custody?" She shook her head. "I don't get it."

"Conspiracy."

"Insatiable and crazy."

"Love you too." He kissed her again. "I have dinner reservations tonight." He broke away from her and walked toward the door. "Dress is casual."

"What for?"

"2 month anniversary." The voice came from the hallway. Angela grinned. She really did love that man. If only Bren could come back and get her man too.

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"Mail," Janice called through the house as she sorted out the pile. The Lynda Morris' pile was left on the table while she took her own to the study.

When they had arrived nine weeks ago everything had seem slightly off… the landscapes, accents, money, houses, even the mail man. All the same yet slightly different. She was getting used to it now. She was enjoying living here with Lynda and Rory, though she hadn't forgotten the reason she offered her services and followed them halfway across the world. Leaving her son and beloved truck stop was incredibly hard but hearing her daughter's terrified sobs on the phone was harder. She had no idea how or why this man was after Lynda but now because of her, Lana was in danger.

One envelop caught her eye. It had no logo or return address and was typed. Putting it to the bottom of the pile she worked her way through the bills and bank statements first.

Tearing open the mystery envelop she had to stifle a scream. Inside was a photo of Lana blood dripping down her cheek, congealed blood had caused her hair to be knotted and filled with bird's nests and her once pale blonde locks were now tinted copper. She had one eye fused shut with swelling and bruises, the other was rolled back in her head, her nose looked broken and her tongue was hanging out of her mouth. She was tied to chair all her limbs covered in bruises ranging in color from the fresh bright purple to the week old yellow green. She flipped it over to read the message.

I have what you want. Remember that.

Await further instructions.

Janice could feel the prickle of tears behind her eyes as she hardened her heart to the other souls in house. Lana was an innocent and whatever they had done to upset this monster had put her daughter in the middle.

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Lana wiped off the last of her 'blood'. "Oh show me," she whined until her companion gave in and waved the photo in front of her face. "Ooooh it's good. That is the money shot." She smiled. "I can't believe my mother tried to replace me. Silly bitch." She turned her face to her companion. "I am an actress aren't I?"

He smiled back as he took back off her and started writing on the back. "The best." He put the cap back on the pen and leaned up to kiss her.

She wriggled out of his embrace after a couple of minutes and pouted, "How long is this gonna take. I don't get why you are dragging it out. Just shoot her and get it over with."

"They need to suffer the same fate they sentenced me to." He answered while thinking, 'If Booth had just let me kill her then I would have no need to kill the child.'

"He has another. Why not take the boy?"

"Parker is not Dr Brennan's." He replied simply. He knew she had other questions so he kissed her soundly disrupting her thoughts and effectively stopping her questions.

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