Brennan was at first unfamiliar with where she was when she woke in the morning. It wasn't her bed. It definitely wasn't Collins' bed, nor was the arm wrapped around her waist belonging to him. At some point during her nighttime slumber she'd rolled from her side onto her back. She craned her head to see Booth still sleeping right besides her, though he had moved onto his stomach. That protective grasp had continued even in his unconscious. Staring at his peaceful expression conjured images from the night before into her mind. Oh yes, that was right. She'd all but suffered a meltdown. Uncharacteristic for her. Predictable that she'd reach out to the man who'd always been there for her, even when he hadn't been.
As though he could feel her eyes on him he stirred. He made a strange groaning sound as he lifted himself away from her. His hand that had been cupping her hip flattened, and smoothed across her stomach as he pulled away. He sat up, his knees still hidden underneath their blanket rising to his chest. Groggily he looked to her. "Hi. How are you feeling?"
"Better. Thank you."
He nodded. He nearly half closed his eyes again. He may have been awake but he wasn't yet alert. "You hungry? I could make us something for breakfast."
"I would like that." She agreed.
He slid forward out of bed. Stretching, she winced as his various overly abused joints popped. "I'll check on your clothes. If they're not dry yet I'll go downstairs and throw them in a dryer for a bit." He started out of the room.
"Booth? I-I mean it. Thank you. Last night…"
"You don't need to say any more, Bones. It's all right." Of course he wanted to know what had put her in such a state outside of his apartment in the first place. But he wouldn't push. When she was ready to share more of her story he'd be patiently waiting. In the meantime he sensed someone needed to take care of her through whatever crisis she was struggling through. That person he intended to be was him.
She lingered in bed for a bit longer, enjoying the sounds of Booth puttering around his kitchen. Pots and pans crashed. Dishes clanged. She heard the unmistakable sound of water from a faucet being poured into a coffee pot. She was surprised to realize that these were sounds she could get accustomed to. But no. She couldn't. With all else she had going in her life that was a slippery slope that couldn't be explored. Not now.
The depression that had sent her into her mental anguish paid a second visit. She forced herself to depart from the bedroom before she suffered from a second episode. Although, having Booth with her fueled her strength. She was never a fragile being. But being with him instilled a feeling of security within her. Even through a strained relationship he'd die before he allowed something to happen to her.
In the kitchen he already had a bowl of fruit sitting out for her. Appreciatively she sat herself down in a chair at his island counter. His back remained turned to her but the aroma in the air told her he was making pancakes. Without breaking stride he handed her a fork. She accepted it.
A fist banging against his front door caused them both to jump in surprise. "What the hell?" Booth muttered mostly to himself. Who would be at his door addressing him with such an aggressive manner first thing in the morning? He turned off the burner on the stove, not wanting to burn breakfast. Behind him Brennan had frozen. Her blue eyes had taken on a look that he rarely witnessed in them. In fact, he could see the tears welling up, creating two oceans of fear. His guard rose. Obviously she thought she knew who was there. "Relax." He told her. "Just stay here."
For a second time his visitor was beating against the door when Booth swung it open. Collins stood waiting for him with a hardened glare. "Is she here?"
He was most definitely the cause for Brennan's reaction. Booth tightened his grip on the doorknob. He didn't like the sense of danger he was feeling. "Is who here?"
"You know who I'm talking about. I know she's here."
"Who? Bones? Why would you think she's here? Why isn't she with you? I thought you two were practically living together. At least, that's the idea she gave me."
Collins' defensive stature softened some. "Look, we got into a fight last night. I said some stuff I didn't mean. She ran out on me. I can't find her. I know she never went back to her apartment all night. I waited for her. I just want to talk to her. Apologize, you know?" He gave his best convincing grin. "I have to, I guess. You know how it is with women."
Booth didn't share his amusement, or believe his lame explanation. Something more had happened. He was sure of it judging purely on Brennan's response to his sudden appearance alone. "Yeah. Well look, like I said, she's not here. Maybe you should try Angela."
"Yeah." Collins shoulders fell with defeat. "If you see her though, will you tell her I stopped by, and that I'm looking for her?"
"Sure." He barely uttered a goodbye before closing the door. Hurriedly he strode back into the kitchen. Brennan had stopped eating. Her anxiety had increased ten fold and Booth could spot it easily within her mannerisms. She exhaled hard. "He's following me, Booth. You heard him. He staked out my apartment the entire night."
"I know." All the more disturbed he was becoming as he learned more and more of the situation. Collins was a police officer. He had access to a greater network of help than the average stalker. "You're staying with me." It was an order, but said with delicacy. She left the stool and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He held her without hesitation. In one moment everything between them had changed. "You know what? We're not staying here, either."
"What?" She pulled back. "Booth, we can't just leave. Where would we go?"
"For the weekend, we can." He insisted. "I have a place in mind. We'll take off today through Monday. The place I'm thinking of is a perfect hideout."
"I can't just continue to run away from him. Eventually I will need to confront him. I have to." She added the last sentence in a whisper. "I don't get a choice."
Booth agreed slowly, "maybe not. But we can take the weekend and you can use it to get your head straight. Figure out some stuff. I'll feel better knowing he won't know where we're at."
She blinked in surprise. "You think he's dangerous?"
"I think something's not right here. Bones, when you want to tell me what happened, I'm here. But in the meantime I gotta go with what I'm feeling. And what I'm feeling right now is that I need to keep you near me. I need to keep you safe. And I'm going to do just that."
"What about your job?" She tried as a last ditch attempt.
"I have some sick days. Taking two of them isn't a big deal." He shrugged. In all truth he would have taken all his sick days if it meant protecting her life. Perhaps he was going a bit overboard. There was an obvious chance he was reading the situation incorrectly. But behavior on neither Brennan nor Collins end were persuading him he was wrong.
"What about clothes? And personal items? I can't go back to my apartment. And I can't continue to wear your cast offs."
"We can get some on our way out of town. We'll figure it out."
She laughed at the absurdity of the situation she'd gotten herself into. Booth took her back into his embrace. "We'll figure it out," he repeated, softer.
That night when I tried to phone Booth I found myself regretting the decision. I had wanted to discuss a few specifics of our assignment. He had left earlier in the day while I had stayed in the lab to work. Though it was early in the evening I was well aware of what activity he was participating in from the moment he breathlessly answered the phone. "Do you have a moment?" I requested.
"What is it, Bones?" His words were nearly sewn together. I tried not to let my impatience show in my tone. I was above jealousy or irritation. "I wanted to discuss the remains from the driving alley."
"Range." He corrected. In the background I could clearly hear Hannah giggle. "Yeah. Uh. Do you mind if I call you back in a little bit?"
"Um. I guess not. I-" At that point I discovered there was no reason to continue the conversation. Booth had ended the call. I dropped the receiver back down onto the base with frustration. I understood his deep involvement in his relationship with Hannah. What I was unable to fathom was how he seemed to be letting the rest of his life go in wake of it. Before Afghanistan I couldn't recall him ever behaving in such a way. Unless I'd been blind to it.
That instance was what motivated me to dial Collins that evening. Sharing companionship over dinner would lighten my mood. Also, there was always the potential for sex. Much of my tension and aggravation over Booth could be relieved in a rush of endorphins.
Collins and I met at the Founding Fathers bar. We treaded over an array of different topics over dinner and several beers. Although through my slightly intoxicated state I knew there was nothing remarkable about the two of us. There was a connection of sorts but it didn't compare to what I had with Booth. Nothing did. There was a possibility that nothing ever would. I had ruined what could have been between us. With Hannah's presence I believed we would never get it back.
The alcohol in combination with those feelings of isolation brought Collins back to my apartment. It brought him straight to my bed where we made love time and time again throughout the night. In the morning when I woke he'd already left for his job. Beside me on the bed he'd left a sentimental note. However I believed our one night of passion was just that - one night of lust.
I would learn soon that my assumption was wrong.
