Chapter 6
"I'll talk to Cam and have her increase security until we get this guy" Booth started to say something else but Bones stopped him.
"You can't say anything Booth" Booth ached at the fear in her eyes. "I don't want any of them to know…about this."
Booth thought about her request for a minute. He understood she was embarrassed but that was no reason to allow herself to be vulnerable. "Do you remember when Howard Epps escaped and we tried to convince Caroline to go into protective custody?"
"Yes. She didn't want her knew boyfriend to find out about Epps." Brennan shook her head at the memory "Caroline let her embarrassment get her killed." Booth spread his arms out with an expression that said "Well."
"Oh. I guess I understand what you mean." Brennan admitted grudgingly. "You don't have to tell them everything do you?"
Booth breathed a sigh of relief. At least she wouldn't fight him anymore on the security. In exchange he was willing to be selective of what to tell Cam. "No. If you'll be reasonable about additional security. How about if I tell her that the three of you all went through the same foster home? That will establish a credible link as well as keeping the rest quiet."
Brennan didn't like the thought of revealing even that much but she could accept the logic. "I suppose that much will be all right. But nothing else." The last she stated firmly, giving Booth one of her no-nonsense glares.
"Good" Booth clapped his hands together "So, I'll go talk to Cam and when you'll call me when you're ready to leave tonight."
"Wait. Why would I call you before I leave?"
Booth rolled his eyes "So I can come pick you up."
"I agreed to stay with you, not to be completely dependent." She continued "Besides if I am going to your place I need to stop home to gather some necessities."
"Fine. I will pick you up and then we will swing by your place." Booth held up his hand as she began to argue "No arguments. Or else I may change my mind and let everyone know what's been going on." Booth wasn't a fan of blackmail but he was willing to use whatever he had to get her to agree.
The look Brennan gave him made him uneasy about continued physical health but she eventually gave in.
Brennan walked up to the platform, grateful to find Angela absorbed in conversation with Hodgins. She hadn't realized until now that Angela could have easily observed her fight with Booth.
"You said you had ID's for both victims?" She already knew the answer but Angela didn't know that. Mentioning that would mean discussing…other things. Brennan wasn't ready for that , even with Angela.
"Um Yea." Brennan carefully avoided Angela's very curios gaze. "Judy Davids and Angel Martin. Booth is checking into their backgrounds…" Brennan knew the exactly when the information clicked in Angela's head "Oh my God. You knew them, didn't you?"
Brennan took a deep breath. She couldn't bear the thought of lying to her best friend anymore than she could tell her the truth. So, she decided on a compromise. Angela didn't need to know anymore than Cam did. "We both spent time in the same foster home. I haven't spoken to either of them in years." Since the trial Brennan added in her mind.
"Sweetie I'm sorry. Is that why Booth is over there talking to Cam?"
"He wants Cam to increase security. You know how over-protective he can be."
Angela watched Brennan carefully during the brief explanation. Then she tilted her head and spoke "Uh-huh. Not good enough Brennan."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you are way to calm about this. Every other time Booth has wanted you to have more security you fight tooth and nail. Even when he wins you sulk and gripe. Now you're standing here all calm about it? No way. What gives?"
"Ange!"
"No I mean it." Angela grabbed her friend by the arm, intending to lead her down to her office for further discussion. Brennan hissed in pain and pulled her injured arm away. "Okay, what's with you?"
"It's no big deal, really."
"You don't even believe that." Angela said "How long have you known me? Do you really think I'll give up on this? You've been acting funny for more than a week and it's time to talk."
Brennan closed her eyes. Maybe Angela was right. Booth had gone all alpha-male protector on her. Maybe Angela could provide better perspective.
"Fine. But not here. Let's go to your office."
Booth caught up to them as they were about to enter Angela's office. "Cam's going to take care of adding security. I'm heading back to the Bureau but you give me a call when you're ready to leave."
"I still don't think that's necessary."
"You know Bones, I'd rather you be mad at me and a live than get your way and be dead. I'll see you later." Angela gaped as Booth headed out of the Jeffersonian.
"Is this really that serious?" Angela asked.
"Booth thinks so." Brennan said as she watched him leave "Come on."
They sat down in Angela's office. Angela was in tears by the end of the story, horrified at what her friend at endured and upset that she had kept quiet. Brennan had managed to get through the whole sordid tale. "Sweetie…I don't even know where to begin…"
"Do you hate me?"
"Hate you? I could never hate you. I'm upset you didn't tell me but I understand."
"Do you…do you think Booth thinks less of me?"
"Why would he?"
"Because. I couldn't stop it. I couldn't stop him."
"Bren, you were 16 years old. There's nothing you could have done."
"I don't want anyone else to know. Which means you can't tell Hodgins. Booth only gave Cam the essentials."
"Sweetie…"
"Ange I want you to promise me."
"Okay. I promise. I don't like it, but I promise." Angela watched as Brennan headed back to her office, still in shock over the reality of it all. Her friend had been carrying a terrible burden. Angela was concerned that despite Brennan's assurances, she'd never really dealt with the emotional fallout. Not that that was anything new. Brennan didn't do emotions. But still, there had been so many buried traumas surface lately. In the last two years they'd found her mother's remains, she reconnected with Russ, her father popped up and Angela lost count of how many times Bren's life had been threatened.
Then there was the more recent revelations concerning Zack. How much more could one person be expected to deal with? Angela made a mental note to watch Brennan more carefully over the next several days.
The rest of the day was uneventful. Booth called once to let Brennan know he'd put out an APB on Davis. He also took the opportunity to remind her to call him when she was ready to leave. She informed him she did not appreciate the reminder, still doubtful as to the necessity of it, but agreed nonetheless.
Angela walked into Brennan's office just as she hung up with Booth. "Hodgins and I are leaving for the day. I've been thinking…I know you'll hate this idea, but that freak does know where you live…maybe you should come stay with us for a few days." Brennan opened her mouth to let Angela know about Booth but her friend continued "I mean it isn't like there isn't room. Jack lives on a freakin' estate." Angela thought if she rattled it off quickly enough Brennan just might say yes.
"Thanks Ange, but it isn't necessary."
"Sweetie, I know you take a lot of pride in defending yourself and all that but…"
"No Ange, I mean it isn't necessary because Booth is making me stay with him."
Brennan's declaration was met with stunned silence. Then Angela broke out with the biggest smile Brennan had seen in ages. "Really? Maybe some good will come out of all this craziness after all."
"Ange it isn't like that. Booth doesn't want me staying alone. I told him I could stay with you but he thought that might be too dangerous for you and Hodgins."
"Yea right. Hodgins is a conspiracy nut. He has more security than Fort Knox."
Brennan merely smiled "Good night Ange."
Angela smiled back knowingly "'Night Bren."
Booth arrived several minutes later. Despite her outward protestations, Brennan was relieved not to be going home alone. Driving to her apartment Brennan stole a glance at her partner's profile and sighed. When had he become the safest place she knew?