Booth dropped his duffel on the floor in his new quarters. It had been a difficult time while he had waited for his new orders to be finalized and it had taken phone calls from Director Cullen and Caroline Julian to finally convince the powers that be to allow him to stay stateside. He was finally reporting to duty at Fort Benning and would spend his year as an instructor for the Ranger school. He was excited and confident that it was the correct choice. He would remain safe for his family and he would be waiting when Bones returned. It also hadn't hurt him any when General Stark had learned that he was married to the one and only Temperance Brennan. The General knew Bones and must have owed her something. As soon Caroline had explained who his wife was, the General had almost immediately complied with Booth's request.
He had never asked Bones about the work she had done for the military, but he knew that her security clearance was higher than his and that she had been in places that she wasn't allowed to talk about. He knew about El Salvador, Iraq, and NYC when the towers fell, but he also imagined there were other places such as Kosovo and Rwanda.
Booth eyes absorbed his new home away from home. His quarters were sparse and tiny, but at least he would be alone. It looked like any other dormitory and he rolled his eyes imagining how much the bunk would hurt his back. In a few days, when he had time, he would see about obtaining housing off base so that Parker would have a place to sleep when he came to visit. The small room consisted of the small bunk, a desk, a dresser, and a desk chair, not the best in the world but at least it wasn't in the desert. He pulled his newly purchased laptop out of his bag and sat it on the desk. He hadn't written Bones during the time that his orders were up in the air because he wanted it to be a surprise and he knew that he wouldn't be able to keep it a secret. He hoped that she had remembered their agreement of no news being good news. He sat down in the small chair and opened the laptop to log in. He clapped his hands when he saw three emails from his wife and at least five from Parker.
He read through each of Bones letters before replying. She told him of her day to day activities and the primitive state of their base camp. She ended each letter reminding him that she loved him and asked him to stay safe. He couldn't wait to tell her about his change in plans and was surprised when he saw that she was online. He clicked the icon and requested a video chat.
"Bones!" Bones jumped as his face came into view and he shouted her name.
"Booth. Why haven't you emailed me?" Booth laughed, of course she would cut straight to the point.
"Baby, remember that no news is good news?" Bones nodded her head remembering their pact.
"I remember, but I missed you. Are you in Afghanistan? Have you been in danger?" Bones reached out and touched the screen, her fingertips tracing his square jaw.
"I fine and I'm not in Afghanistan. I'm sorry I haven't written. I had a change in my orders and I didn't want to tell you until it was confirmed." Bones' eyebrows shot up in surprise. Anger surged through her.
"Where did they send you? They can't just change your contract can they?" Booth leaned back in his seat.
"I requested it Baby. It took two weeks, but its official. I am the new instructor at Ranger School. My new home away from home is Fort Benning. I'm staying stateside baby!" Bones laughed at Booth's exuberance.
"That's wonderful Booth. I've been so worried." Booth offered a sympathetic smile.
"I'm sorry Bones. I knew I wouldn't be able to keep it secret and I didn't want to jinx it. So anyway. You look good. You look real good." Bones watched Booth's expression change to something more animal and her body responded.
"You look good too Booth. I miss you. Angela and Miss Wick know about us now." Booth laughed.
"When did you tell Angela?"
"I didn't. My dad did. Parker is still attending the after school program with him." Booth's eyes widened.
"Oh. We forgot to tell Max. He's going to kill me Bones." Bones couldn't hold the eye roll back.
"My father won't kill you. After all, this was my idea. I emailed him and explained everything. Oh, before I forget, Jean-Paul, Daisy and I are flying to Java tomorrow. To celebrate our marriage, we are staying in overnight and I can't wait to have a hot shower or sleep in a real bed. I just wish you were with me."
"I wish you were with me too. When this year is done, we are going to have a long honeymoon. I miss you so much but baby, I've gotta run. I have a briefing in thirty minutes. Stay safe for me and I love you." Booth held his fingers to the screen and Bones did the same, mimicking a touch.
"I never thought that I would feel this way about anyone. I love you. Until next time."
"Until next time." With that, Booth logged off and closed his laptop.
Three days later Booth awoke by the ringing of his telephone. Groggily he glanced at the time and saw that it was 4:47 a.m. Only twenty minutes before his alarm. At least he wasn't going to lose a lot of sleep.
"Booth."
"Sergeant Major Booth, General Stark has requested your presence immediately. He said to tell to throw on some sweats and hall ass, Sir." Booth held the phone out and looked at the caller ID, shook his head and brought it back to his ear.
"Did he say what this was about Staff Sergeant ?"
"No Sir, just that you are to be here now."
"On my way." Booth disconnected the call and jumped into a pair of fatigues and a t-shirt. Not taking the time pull on his boots, he slipped his feet into his running shoes. His gut screamed that something was wrong.
Booth knocked on the General's door and immediately understood that his gut was correct. The General had dark circles under his eyes and several empty coffee cups lined his desk. Booth tried to prepare himself for the worst. He took a step forward and saluted, standing at attention.
"Sergeant Major, at ease."
"Yes Sir. I apologize for my dress Sir but Staff Sergeant Adams said it was important." General Stark's expression became dire.
"I've been on the phone with the State Department. There really isn't any other way to tell you this. I'm afraid that Dr. Brennan's plane is missing over the South Pacific." Booth's stomach rolled and his heart stopped. He stepped forward and collapsed into a chair.
"Is she?" General Stark's expression offered sympathy and maybe a little hope.
"We don't know. Daisy Wick and Canadian national Jean-Paul Renaud were also on the plane. The US and Canadian governments are working with the Indonesian governments. All that we know for certain is that they left Java at noon nearly four days ago, but they never arrived at Maluku. The plane lost communication somewhere around the halfway point. I'm sorry Booth. I wish there was more I could tell you." Booth remained silent. Bones couldn't be gone. They hadn't even started their lives together yet. There was no way he could lose her, not when he had finally gotten her.
"Thank you for letting me know about my wife Sir."
"Sergeant Major, I asked you here this morning because the DOD has asked us to send a search and rescue team, and I recommended that you be a part of it. You leave at 0600, go get your gear." Booth was once again stunned.
"Sir, I don't understand." General Stark laughed.
"Your wife is an extremely valuable asset both to the military and to the government. I was told to put the best together, and that's what I've done. Dismissed." Booth saluted the General and raced to his room to pack his gear. He was on his way to Maluku.
Please review
