Chapter seven – Somewhere down the road

It was getting dark outside when the car finally stopped outside a house. They'd been driving for more than two hours and the city lights had turned into fields and trees. The small house looked abandoned, the color had peeled off and some of the windows were broken.

"I don't think there's anyone here," Brennan sighed, eyeing the dark house.

Booth felt disappointed. Had they been driving all this was for no reason at all?

"Look Booth!"

He did. There was a pale light in what he guessed was the attic. Without hesitation Booth got out of the car and ran up to the door. His legs felt weak but he didn't care. If Steven was in there, he wouldn't let him get away...

Brennan hurried after him. "You're not gonna knock?" her question was left unanswered as Booth kicked the door opened. It fell down onto the floor with a loud crash, making Brennan jump. She stared at Booth, wondering what he would do to the person they'd find up there.

There was no time to think of that now. She had to run to catch up with Booth as he made it up the stairs. The door to the attic was ajar and he pushed it open so hard it hit the wall with a loud crash.

"FBI, stop or I'll shoot!" Booth had his gun pointed at a small woman, trembling in a corner. "Where is he?" Booth moved closer to her. "Where the hell is he?"

"Please don't hurt me... please," the woman started to cry. She tried to back away from Booth. He didn't see her fear, or perhaps he just didn't care. But Brennan did, and she knew she had to stop him before he'd do something he'd regret.

"Where is he?" Booth grabbed the woman by her throat and slammed her hard against the wall. The gun was pointed to her head.

"Booth stop!" Brennan yelled. "She doesn't know anything, you're scaring her!" he didn't listen and she ran up to him and grabbed his arm. "Booth!" he didn't listen. "It's not him, let her go," she gently tugged at his arm. Booth slowly loosened his grip of the woman and she was gasping for air. Bruises were already beginning to take form on her neck.

Booth backed away, but he kept his eyes on her, and the gun was ready to be used.

"Who are you?" he asked in a harsh voice. "Where is Mitchell?"

"I don't know who you're talking about... I haven't done anything wrong..." the woman sobbed.

"What's your name?" Brennan asked, trying to make her voice sound soft so she wouldn't scare the girl even more.

It took a while before she answered. "Jasmine."

Brennan nodded. "What are you doing here Jasmine?" There had to be a reason. No one would want to stay at this place without a good reason. Brennan scanned the room while waiting for the answer. It was an old attic full of dust and spider webs were hanging in heaps from the roof. The only furniture was an old table with only three legs. It looked like it would fall at any second, and the lamp sitting on top of it, giving the room a soft yellowish glow surprised Brennan. Seeing the condition of the house it was a wonder there was any electricity left. Brennan couldn't help but shiver. Jasmine looked so small and delicate. What could she possibly be doing there?

"I'm..." Jasmine's voice trailed off and she was silent a while again before she went on. "My car was stolen, he kept me here. Then he left just before you arrived. He took the car and I'm... I want to go home." Jasmines voice was weak and it trembled as she spoke.

"We'll take you home, it's okay. You're safe now," Brennan said. She threw a look at Booth. The anger burning in his eyes had faded, but he still looked tense as he was glaring at Jasmine.

"Who is he?" he asked abruptly. Jasmine cringed at the harshness in his voice.

"I don't know," Jasmine whispered. "I don't know anything."

"You're lying."

Jasmine just shook her head, not daring to meet Booth's eyes.

"How did he look? And if you say I don't know, I'll shoot you."

Jasmine shot Brennan a terrified look. "I can't... I don't remember..." she whispered. Brennan nodded. She turned to Booth. "You have to stop, she's too afraid."

"She knows something."

"It doesn't matter right now. Come on Booth, let's go home," Brennan put her hand on Booth's arm, forcing him to lower the gun. "Put that away," she said. Booth did as she said, but didn't look happy about it. "You should get some rest, you look horrible."

"Geez thanks Bones," Booth muttered feeling irritated. He turned to face the other wall, and the movement caused his head to spin. Groaning, he pressed his hand against his skull, closing his eyes for a moment. The dizziness didn't go away as he'd hoped. In fact it got worse. Booth rubbed his eyes, realizing he'd need to sit down before he'd pass out.

Staggering toward the door, he mumbled something incoherent. He didn't hear Brennan call his name.

"Booth?" she tried again. He didn't answer. Brennan threw a quick glance at Jasmine, then she followed Booth. She found him sitting at the top of the stairs, leaning against the wall. He had one hand pressed against his head.

"Booth are you ok?"

He just groaned in response. Brennan sat down next to him. "Hey," she whispered. "What's wrong?"

"I'm ok Bones, just tired," he whimpered. Brennan shook her head at how stubborn he was. She knew he was lying, but didn't push him into talking.

Getting to her feet, she took hold of Booth's arm. "Get up, I'll help you to the car."

He groaned "Not now Bones..."

"You can't sit there," she tugged at his arm.

"I can't...dizzy..."

"Booth come on, get up. I know you're tired but we really have to get going. I'll help you, okay? We're going to drop Jasmine off at the police station back in DC so she can report her car stolen."

Booth finally did as she said and his head immediately started to spin again. He had to grab her to not fall down the stairs.

Brennan placed her arm around his waist, making sure she was holding him properly before calling out to Jasmine. The girl peeked around the corner of the door. She looked anxious and scared, but she silently followed them as they made their way down the stairs to the car.

When Brennan had managed to get Booth into the passenger seat and placed herself behind the wheel, she allowed herself to really study him. He didn't just look tired. He looked sick. Brennan tried to not worry, but failed. Dragging her eyes away from him, she started the car and drove off.

"We'll find him," she threw a quick look at Booth expecting him to answer. He didn't even move. "Booth?" she reached out to touch his arm. He didn't respond. "Booth?" she raised her voice, shaking him, probably with more force than she should have. But there was still no response.

"Is he alright?" Jasmines soft voice was concerned.

"No."

Booth wasn't just sleeping, he was unconscious.

XxxxX

"So much pain and no good reason why
You cried until the tears run dry

And you say why, why, why, does it go this way.
Why, why , why, and all I can say is,

somewhere down the road, there'll be answers to the questions
Somewhere down the road, though we cannot see it now..."

TBC

A/N: Hey I just checked the story stats and saw that a lot of you have faved this story and has it on story alert.
Thanks so much! I'm really glad you like it : ) Maybe you could leave a little review as well, you know, just a few words to let me know what you think? ; )