Cloths of Heaven
Written by gwmclintock9
A/N:I do not own Bones. This story is a continuation of the one shot Regrets.
I must say that I had hoped to get this out by the start of the new season, however I failed to produce a chapter that I thought was up to being posted. I hope that you will enjoy this.
On the note of the new season, I must say that I am enjoying it. I try to not read spoilers, but bad me, I do. Don't worry, there will not appear in this story, at all. I plan on following the rest of season 2, then see where I go from. I had expected to go into what happened to Booth this chapter, however, I found this segue easier to lead me to that point rather then just diving right in.
I hope you enjoy this.
I0I
"The course of true love never did run smooth"
-Lysander, from Midsummer Night's Dream (I, i, 132-140) by William Shakespeare
I0I
Booth sat up in the bed, flipping mindless through the channels on the cableless television. His chest was hurting more than it was earlier, but he refused to press the button for the drugs. He hated them, and it was going to take a a force of nature for him to press that button again.
He let out a painful sigh. Visiting hours were long over, and he knew that Bones had gone home for the night. he asked Angela to make sure that someone was with her. She looked broken almost, like she did not know what to with herself. He felt the same.
He didn't know what to do, now that she was back. Her last words to him, told him that Sully hadn't been with her, he hadn't figured that she would up and leave her boyfriend like that. She seemed so serious about him, something he really hadn't expected out of her.
Booth let out another painful breath. He was in this for the long haul. He had worked too hard to get into the FBI to allow some small injuries stop him for making things right. He had crawled out of that hole he dug for himself more times then he'd like to admit, but he was back in it. It was a metaphor he had long used for the struggles that had been pushed and he pulled upon himself over the years.
Until that moment, staring at the now static on the television screen, he hadn't realized why that metaphor haunted him so much over the past several months. But Bones wasn't there to remind him, to show him, that she was alright. Over the past few months, his guilt wasn't about pulling himself out of the hole he dug.
No, it was more than that, it had turned into a more powerful symbol to him then simply that.
His guilt was now about not making it in time, not being able to pull them out,pull her out of that pit. Not catching the bastard that buried her and Hodgins. Not -
"Agent Booth!" Booth looked over at the door, staring at nurse who was glaring at him. His chest felt heavy and it hurt more than usually to breath. He was sweating badly and felt like his heart would explode out of his chest. "We told you to relax." She stomped over to him, and Booth could not help but glance her over.
A very attractive Latino woman in her mid-thirties though she looked at least five, maybe ten years younger stood before him, her hands on her hips. He tried to give her a charm smile, but he couldn't manage that on his good days the past few months. Now wasn't any different.
"I'm sorry, Isabella," Booth said, happy for the distraction for his berating direction of thoughts. They had given him strict orders to relax because the consequences would be painful, as evident by the load of bricks that felt like they had been moved onto his chest. Isabella immediately began to make his bed recline, removing the remote from his protesting hands.
"Sorry isn't good enough, you need to get better so that 'wife' of yours can do a proper checkup," Isabella said, causing Booth to nearly sit back up again. The smile on her face and laughter in her eyes must have been about a joke he wasn't told. "Oh, is this a surprise to you? Please, honey, we get people who want to see someone all of the time. You think you're the first?"
"My 'wife?' But I don't even have a girlfriend," Booth said aloud, followed quickly by a blush that covered his face and tied up his tongue as Isabella laughed at him.
"Like I'm going to believe that," Isabella said, checking his readouts as she moved around his bed. "The way that white girl was standing out your door. If that isn't love, then the rest of us must be doing something wrong."
"White girl? You mean Bo- Temperance?" Booth caught himself as he tried to sit back up, only to be roughly pushed down at Isabella.
"Temperance, yes, that's her, your 'sister-in-law,' Angela, said that your wife, Temperance was out of town on business, but from the look on surprise on both of your faces, her arrival was a bit of surprise, more for you."
"She was supposed to be on vacation with her boyfriend." Booth tried to hide the disdain in his voice when he said 'boyfriend.'
"Yet she jumped ship, literally, to come here to see you," Isabella said, patting his uninjured arm. "She cares for you, more than either of you will let yourself see. She'll come around."
"Come around to what?" Booth asked. Isabella just gave him a smile before checking his IV. "You're not going to tell me?"
"Its more fun for you if you can figure it out on your own," she said. She began to walk out the door before stopping and looking back at him. "What's the boyfriend's name?"
"Tim Sullivan, Sully for short," Booth asked, cocking an eyebrow at her for a moment before smiling widely. "Going to tell him the wrong room or something?"
"Something like that," Isabella said, with a mischievous smile on her face that reminded him of Angela before she made some comment about him and Bones getting together. That smile should have scared him, but it never did. Instead he let out as deep of a laugh as he could without hurting himself, lying back in the bed. "I'll have them send up some more pudding, for you tomorrow. Sweet dreams, Booth."
"Thanks, Isabella," Booth yelled back as she left the room. The nurses, unsurprisingly had taken a liking to him, most women did in fact. He didn't feel up to flirting with them as he might have been. Not with Bones being back, now apart of his life.
He did not know how she fit into his life. A few months changed everything between them, but he knew it wasn't the time that changed things between them. It was her decision, the one she made to leave with Sully, even if it was only for a little while. She made her choice, and he wasn't it. He knew that was probably going to be the case when she started going out with Sully, and felt the tension because of his interactions with her when Sully was around. Booth should have seen the decision from a mile away. His gut told him so, but he refused to listen. He did not want to believe what would...break his heart.
With a sigh and an errant tear drop that got away, Booth closed his eyes, fighting the dread that settled him, knowing that he'd have to spend the night, another night, alone. Everyone had someone. Even Zack had managed to get into a long term relationship the past month.
He was left to his own nightmares and dreamscapes, and he could not help but remember similar days in the Army. With a shiver, he tried to relax, and let sleep come, hoping for a peaceful night.
I0I
Brennan awoke to find herself covered in the throw blanket from her couch. That didn't surprise her as she often fell asleep on the couch when she worked late, going over something for a case.
"Marco?" Brennan turned to see her brother carrying in a large tray into her living room. She wrapped the blanket around her, as her brother settled next to her.
"Polo," she tried to give him a smile as he handed her a plate.
"What do you want to do today? Visit Booth?" Russ looked at her, before starting on his own plate.
"For a bit," Brennan acquiesced, "but I think you need to take me to see Max." Russ froze, the bagel he was eating halfway to to his mouth. He looked over at her, and the room was suddenly uncomfortable it seemed. Brennan didn't, as she continued to sip the hot coffee. She set it down as Russ still seemed in shock of what she had proposed. "It really is not out of the question. As much as I would like to hear it from Booth, I do not want to put him through it again, and Max was there as well. Leading to the logical conclusion that he will the most about the story then anyone else. Plus, he will not shelter me from the truth."
Brennan knew her father did not want to hide anything from her, not any more. Too many years had been placed between them, and after what he had done for Booth, she would grant him a chance. He deserved that much at least. His sudden return in her life was one of the reasons she felt like she needed to leave, even if for a little while. She should have confided in Booth about that, he would tell her...well she did not know what he would tell her, but he would have been supportive, he always was supportive of her.
They ate the rest of breakfast in silence, though Russ did look like he wanted to tell her something, he dropped it. Brennan was thankful for that, at least she could take the moment to think about what she wanted to ask her father. Years still felt like they stood between the two of them, but she wanted to work at removing those years, removing the blocks she had put into place to protect herself.
She knew she had to change, at least, in some small way. She did not show the people who cared about, that she cared about them enough. It wasn't that she could not feel, though when she had been told that by several ex-boyfriends she had almost believed it. She felt too much at times, at least in the beginning when she first was put into foster care. It was why the walls went up in the first place. They stayed up to help her deal with her job. She saw too much horror to let it show that it effected her, especially the newer cases. Booth made those cases bearable and the burden of emotions lifted when he talked with her about the cases.
She went through her motions of starting her day, showering and changing into something she hoped was presentable for meeting her father. When she got into the car, she figured it was time she at least tried to talk to Russ. He was making a large effort here, helping her, and she wasn't being the most accommodating.
"How have you been, Russ?" Russ looked at for a moment, surprised by the question. Brennan kept her eyes on the road, knowing she would not be allowed to drive much once Booth was healed, she wanted to enjoy this chance.
"I've been fine, trying to find stable work," he spoke to the window, but she could tell he was uncomfortable with his situation. "When did you start dating this 'Sully' guy?" Brennan tightened her grip on the wheel as she struggled for an answer. "He called your place several times before you came home."
"I figured," Brennan said, trying to remain calm. A combination of fear, trepidation, and anger ran through her. Fear that Sully would come back and in some way wreck what she had been trying to rebuild these last few days. Trepidation at what Sully's return would do to the fragile calm she had found here, and how she would deal with him returning. But most of all anger. She tried to rationalize that Sully was worried for her, and part of her agreed with the sentiment, yet she could not but feel strangled by Sully. He took her away from all of this, and he was to blame as much she was.
"You going to call him back?" Russ looked like he was trying not to smile.
"In a few days," Brennan said. "I know I should call him sooner, but I just don't know how to deal with all of this, let alone his questions on top of all of this." Russ just shrugged his shoulders, not committing to any answer.
Brennan concentrated on the direction Russ had given her, and trying to calm her heart rate. She could deal with Booth's recovery. She could deal with her father now in federal custody. She could deal with a lot of things. But the fact that she ran out on her boyfriend, not a first when she really thought about it, specifically a boyfriend she felt more for than she thought was possible for a romantic relationship (Booth did not count, no matter what Angela said), was something that she did not know how to deal with, or let alone fix.
As she pulled into the parking spot at the prison, Brennan found herself wondering if she even wanted to fix what she had with Sully.
I0I
Booth tried to stay calm, to keep his breath steady. He did not need Isabella come in and yell at him again, or worse, stop that endless supply of pudding he knew was going to kill him to work off, but well worth it. His grip was tight around the blanket in his left hand and held Jasper lightly in his right. He did not want to risk Bones' wrath if he broke his gift to her.
Angela and Hodgins were nervous and for good reason. They were the messengers and Booth mentally was repeating that you were not allowed to kill the messenger. Not messengers from the FBI, no, Booth figured they were not going to even tell him, or at least not yet. This was information was from the Jeffersonian.
"One more time," Booth said, taking a deep painful breath, "please." He tried to keep the pain out of his voice, but it crack. He did not know if it was because the physical or the emotional toil all this was taking on him.
"Cam has a case for Bren," Angela said, taking a seat next to Booth. Her hand rested over his tightened one, trying to get it to relax.
"I'm fine with that part," Booth said, choking out a laugh, "Temperance needs to work like the rest of us need to breath." Angela smiled at this as Jack laughed as well. Booth kept the thought silent but they all were thinking it: 'at least she used to.'
"Your old buddy is going to be her 'temporary' partner," Jack said, with obvious disdain in his voice.
Booth let out a deep breath and leaned back against the bed. His ribs were thanking him, but his right hand wasn't. "This isn't going to end well is it?"
"Depends on who's seat you're sitting in," Angela said. "Could end up good for you. Bren wasn't too excited to deal with him once he called." Booth gave Angela a look, loosening his grip on the blanket just enough for her to pry it away. He tried to give a sheepish grin, but he couldn't even form that.
Booth tried to ready a response, as Hodgins was eying the pudding he had left on the cart. Booth nodded even before Angela realized what Hodgins was asking. Before she could even tell him not to, Hodgins had the pudding in his hand.
"How did you get so many of those? Bribe a nurse with something special, agent?" Angela asked. Booth moved in his bed a little, trying to move out of her gaze. It was the same type of one she teased him with whenever she talked about sex in front of him. At least she wasn't talking about him and Bones. Angela let out a laugh, her self-congratulating smile on her face.
"No, they just happen to like me," Booth said.
"Oh, please, if I wasn't married, I'd be all over you," Isabella said as she came into the room. Booth felt his face flame as Angela began to laugh again, and Hodgins joined in between bites.
"So, this is your source," Angela said. Booth was torn between trying to hide underneath his sheets and attempting to make a break for it. "Angela Montenegro."
"The 'sister-in-law?'" Isabella asked as she began to check the machines. Angela nodded, smile still on her face as the two of them shook hands. "So, would you like to hear the gossip?" She sat on the edge of Booth's bed.
"Ladies, please," Booth said, trying to hide his embarrassment through a laugh. He had heard the nurses talking about him, or at least he had to assume it was him as they kept looking at him.
"Relax, honey, you've got nothing to be ashamed about," Isabella said, patting Booth on the leg. Booth doubted that it could any worse than this.
"So, how 'not ashamed' are we talking here?" Angela leaned forward. Booth felt most of the blood rush to his face, the bed becoming suddenly uncomfortable. In fact the entire room was uncomfortable at the moment. Booth looked at Hodgins for a moment, noting that the man looked how Booth felt, before his head began to play a tennis match, bouncing back and forth while looking at Isabella and Angela.
"Am I interrupting anything?" The group turned to see Cullen standing in the doorway, looking mildly amused at the discomfort Booth was being subjected to by Angela and Isabella.
"Not at all so, just discussing the great strides Special Agent Booth's health has made these past few days," Isabella said, standing up. Booth hid his face his hands as the girls laughed. "I'll tell the doctor you're here, but just between us, he's about ready to head out." Isabella left with a smile and wave, and Booth could not help but be thankful at least one source of embarrassment had left the room. Unfortunately for him, he knew Angela would pick up where she left off.
"Why am I not surprised to see you two here?" Cullen said as he stepped into the room. Hodgins just glared at the man while, Angela smiled. business as usual with those two. "We have another case."
"I know," Booth said. "they were just telling me about it." Cullen nodded, but Booth could tell he was anything but happy. "Did you want Dr. Brennan on the case?"
"I need her on the case," Cullen said with a shake of his head. "It fits right up your team's alley." He motioned to Booth as he spoke, causing Booth to swell with a bit a of pride. Although he couldn't be apart of the process, at least this time, to be included with the squints made him feel a little bit better. "Once you're out of here, are you up to work as a consultant?" Booth nodded, trying to offer what he could for a smile. All he wanted to do was get back to his job; it was one of the few things that he had left.
"Why have him consult on this case?" Angela asked, looking confused. "I thought you had another agent working with Bren." She looked over at Booth, who shrugged his shoulders. He figured Cullen was trying to ease into talking about Bones' temporary assistant. While at times Cullen was about a brutal as Bones was when it came to telling him things, but Booth knew the man could handle giving out the difficult news better then some people he knew.
"I do, however, I believe that your presence will help calm certain parties," Cullen said. He looked at Hodgins for a moment before looking at Booth. Booth held back a chuckle; Hodgins had expressed his dislike of Sully, which Booth did not deny sharing, over a couple of beers. For a squint, and a bit of conspiracy freak, the man wasn't bad. For a squint.
"What would my job entail?" Booth did not need to be playing babysitter, no matter how Cullen spun it. The squints could take care of themselves. "Because if it is just to watch over them, I'm going to have to decline, sir." Angela looked stunned, but the guys nodded. Booth had better things to do then just
"I understand, Agent Booth, but you must know that I had to offer it to you first," Cullen said.
"What do you mean? Why give him the chance if you knew he was going to turn it down?" Angela asked. "Oh, wait, is this one of those guy things?"
"No," Booth said. He pushed himself up, grunting from the exertion. Sitting up right felt good for his stiff body, but he knew he'd be feeling it later. "I'm refusing it because I know that you can take care of yourself, and I do not want to be apart of a case where I can not actively work it."
"Understandable, " Cullen said. "Agent Sullivan will be taking the lead on this case, filling in for you like before." If Cullen was expecting some kind of response, Booth's lack of surprised was not it. "It was not my intention to have Agent Sullivan come back and work for us, however, he offered his services as a temporary agent. By placing him as the temporary agent, I am not forced to remove another agent once you return."
"Thank you, sir, but you didn't have to explain it to me," Booth said.
"I believe I owed you at least that." Cullen turned to walk out of the room. "Dr. Hodgins, Ms Montenegro."
They sat in silence for a few moments, before Booth lay back, letting go of the breath he was holding. "Well, that could have gone worse." He looked over at Hodgins before letting out a slightly less painful chuckle. "You sure not working on this a good idea, G-man?"
"Temperance can take care of herself and make her own decisions," Booth looked over at Angela before giving them a small smile. "Besides, if she's pissed at him, this isn't going to make it any better for the guy." The two squints laughed at bit, the awkwardness of the conversation leaving the room.
"Just get better soon," Angela said, standing up from her seat. She gave him a hug, then stepped back to let Hodgins shake his hand. "I don't know if we can deal with another case without you."
"Just keep me posted on what happens." Booth had to yell this as Angela dragged Hodgins out of the room, away from the pudding cups still next to his bed.
He let out a deep breath, trying to calm himself enough so he could fall asleep. This wasn't going to end well, for any of them. He did not want Bones to be hurt, no matter how much it hurt to see her walk away. Still, she deserved something better, someone better then Sully. She would find him eventually though. Wherever this guy may be, whoever he may be.
Everything happens eventually though. Booth just hoped the guy didn't hurt Bones like he thought Sully inevitable would.
