Hey guys! Anyone else thinking that Booth has fallen victim to a body snatcher? I totally do. Anyway, enjoy ;)

Disclaimer: I think you would know if we owned Bones…there would be a lot more kissing…

Booth

My work schedule has been hectic…hellish in fact. Bang my head against the wall kind of deal. My to-do list is overwhelming, to the point where I don't even know which way is up. Filing papers, answering emails, phone calls, interrogating suspects who don't budge…faces that show neither truth nor lies, making sure Michael is taken care of at the FBI daycare center one floor below my office…

Only one more day of this, I can take it. I've faced worse, right? Thank god it's Thursday. Sparing a glimpse through the blinds, I can see that the day's sunlight is wearing thin. Slower on the uptake than usual I realize its past six p.m.

Shit.

I badgered Bones about coming home early today. Since we all know she hasn't ditched the nasty habit of losing track of time at the lab, I thought pestering her would get her home earlier. And here I am, not even one foot out the office door…filthy hypocrite.

Running my hands over my face to relieve some pent up tension, I hastily shove the papers that are wallpapering my desk to the side. Everything will be here tomorrow. Paperwork has the inhuman ability of reappearing. No matter how much you get through it comes back and in copious amounts.

I can't wait to put my feet up at home. There's just something comforting about everyone being home and safe and sound in their beds.

Grabbing Michael from the FBI daycare center, he beams up at me as I bend down to hoist him up on my hip. "Hey bud, ready to go home? Let's go see your Mama and sister okay?"

Bright brown eyes show a shine of happiness, but the smile is all Bones…Although I'm feeling haggard, looking at my baby boy is revitalizing. Thinking of Bones and Alice makes everything worth it. Somehow, it's always worth it.

Lights in the parking garage are already aglow, gracefully signaling the end of the day. I walk briskly to our car and buckle Michael safely into his car seat. Soon we find ourselves driving through the jam-packed streets of D.C. I find my way down a peaceful road that is lined with trees.

I am led into a cul-de-sac of homes. One that is half stone and half tan siding, it sits regally with a black door and shutters upon a hill. The red sky beautifully frames the outline of our home. Bones car is already sitting in the garage. There was a lot of convincing done to end up here, but eventually, the decision was embraced. Bones has adapted to the so-called "family dynamic" quite well, stepping into the shoes of wife and mother proudly.

Jogging up the walkway with Michael in my arms, I make my way into the cozy foyer. Every inch of the room shadowed in a welcoming ambiance.

The pitter patter of tiny feet can be heard. "Daddy, daddy!" Before I know it, small arms tackle my shins…Alice always gives the best hugs. "Hey sweetie…"

"Mamma! Daddy!"

Alice runs to the kitchen and returns with Bones in hand. Alice is practically dragging her but Bones is always a good sport.

"How are my two favorite men?"

Michael smiles sweetly at the sight of his Mother. Bones takes him in her arms and gives him a kiss on his forehand. I step forward for my turn.

"A little beat." I say smiling, but lean in and share a kiss with her. Warmth seems to spread through me. "But you always make me feel better. How are my two favorite ladies?"

"I'm not a woman yet Daddy. Little girl," Alice says tugging at my pants leg. The confidence and intelligence makes it apparent that she's Bones' daughter.

"You're quite right, you're Daddy's little girl." She runs giggling into the family room to continue her coloring.

"She is the budding scientist…"

"She'll be sure to make us both proud, I'm sure." Bones says.

Dinner passes in friendly conversation and soon both children have been snuggly tucked into bed with many "love you's," and "I'll see you tomorrow's." Bones and I have made our way downstairs. A few candles rest on the mantle, draping the room in a soft light. We sit on the couch and her head rests on my shoulder.

"So we're having dinner with my Father tomorrow."

"Hmm, will be nice to not have to cook-"

"That's what I said."

"I'm sure. I know you so well." I say.

"What? Am I that predictable?"

"It's not just about knowing you really well, even though I do. I can read you. You can read me right? It's about knowing what a person is feeling, being able to sense it, with a touch, a look"-

"What's in a person's eyes…"

"Right." She is amazing. Her eyes are wide and thoughtful, the small amount of light filling the room makes them shine.

We both sigh and sit there in silence for a bit, feeling comfortable. The anticipation of Friday eases my nerves. I don't even remember my eyes drifting shut.

What presumably is an hour later, loud bangs on the front door jerks me awake…Bones relaxes for a minute against my side, but gets up before me. She makes beeline for the door. I stop her.

"I'll get it, meet you upstairs?"

"Okay. Don't make me wait too long."

Yawning while making her way up the dark steps, I make sure she is gone before I open the door. I can't deny that it doesn't unnerve me that someone would approach our door so late. Staring out the peephole I can see that no one is there…My defenses have not yet peaked, but I still feel cautious. I crack open the door.

Nothing.

Before turning to go back into the house, a flash of white stops me. A note at my feet with a messy handwritten sprawl reads:

"A happy family is but a blissful heaven…but a fiery hell consumes all."

A lump in my throat causes a wave of anxiety to surmount. Someone is threatening me, threatening Bones, threatening our family. Memories of a long hospital corridor months ago and an Agent revealing the importance of a case involving the deaths of families puts me on edge…

I will not be manipulated, I will not be vulnerable, I will not break. Grabbing an evidence bag and gloves from Bones' purse (that sits by the door), I fumble with the bag but shove it into my pants pocket. Someone at the Jeffersonian will be able to test it for fingerprints. I give one last look down the deserted neighborhood. Not a soul can be found.

Locking the door tightly, I take the stairs two at a time. Bones is perched on the edge of our bed, still dressed and waiting for me.

"Who was it?"

"No one was there."

"They were banging on the door quite incessantly."

"It was nothing Bones, don't you worry about it."

"I wasn't really; I just find it slightly out of the ordinary…"

"Probably someone just selling something…" My poor attempt at trying to put the subject to rest, even though she wasn't pressing the matter.

"At 11:00 at night Booth?"

"Some poor sap stuck with the night shift…"

"That's highly unlikely…" I give her a quizzical look, "Right, you were being humorous. You were joking right?"

"Yes."

Both of us crumple to our bed at the same time…I turn to my side and reach over to rest my hand on hers.

There's no way in hell someone is going to take this life away from me.

Reviews will be greatly appreciated ;)