A/N: I can't believe I'm on chapter 8 already! So now that you know who the father is, I thought it was time to check back in with the rest of the crew at the Jeffersonian to see how they were handling things, especially Angela and Booth. As always, reviews are very much appreciated! You guys are great!
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It seemed everyone arrived at the Jeffersonian earlier than usual that morning, each with a different excuse.
Zack claimed he was eager to get to work examining the remains he had just finished cleaning the previous evening, as well as reconstructing the victim's skull so that Angela could begin facial reconstruction.
Angela feigned interest in continuing progress on a Jane Doe from limbo while she waited for Zack to finish the tissue markers on the latest FBI skull.
Hodgins professed an interest in further analyzing a unique combination of particulates pulled from the victim's jacket pocket.
Booth claimed he was there to keep the squints on task and get updates on their progress, even though he knew that his presence often did nothing but distract and annoy them.
In reality, none of them were really concentrating on their work, as evidenced by the constant glances they all stole at the front entrance. They were all waiting for Dr. Brennan to walk through the door.
When the door finally opened, they were all disappointed to see Dr. Saroyan walking in, her cell phone pressed to her ear, looking very stressed as she tried to calm the angry archaeologist on the other end of the line.
"Yes, Dr. Hoffman, I understand that this dig is highly important to your university…
…Yes, I am aware that Dr. Brennan told you she would have the authentication completed by Friday…
…Dr. Hoffman, I'm sorry, we are an active forensics lab and are involved in a number of pressing cases for the federal government. Things come up, and you were aware of this fact when you selected the Jeffersonian to conduct this authentication…
…Yes, Dr. Hoffman, I am well aware of the constraints of your publishing deadlines. Look, I'm sorry, but there is really nothing I can do right now. You can make arrangements to send the skeleton to another lab, which would take weeks and certainly cause you to miss your deadline, or you can simply be patient and wait until Dr. Brennan is able to give it her full attention next week."
And with that, Cam hung up quickly, before the man could dump more of his frustrations on her shoulders.
Turning to the assembled team, she tried to steer things back toward the case at hand.
"Zack, how are you progressing with the remains from our latest case?"
"Fine, Dr. Saroyan, I've just finished my initial exam and have placed all the tissue markers Angela should need to complete her reconstruction. I did also locate some unusual pitting on the left femur. I have several theories as to how this could have occurred, but I would like to get Dr. Brennan to take a look before I make any determinations."
"Sorry, Zack-a-roni, you're going to have to fly solo on this one. Dr. Brennan is taking a little personal time. She'll be back on Monday, and I'm pretty sure the FBI would like your results sooner than that."
"What do you mean, personal time? Where the hell is she?" Angela cried out, clearly shocked.
"I'm afraid I don't know. She called me yesterday evening and asked for the time off. Given how busy we are this week, I was reluctant to give it to her, but she was insistent. Said something about having a personal matter she needed to take care of immediately."
Cam was interrupted by the ringing of her cell phone.
"Excuse me. If you need any help, Zack, I'll be in my office."
Angela turned to Booth.
"Did she tell you anything about this?"
"Me? No! I haven't spoken to her since yesterday in the garage."
Angela quickly grabbed Hodgins' keys out of his pocket.
"Hey!" he protested.
"I'm going to her place to talk to her. Something isn't right."
"I'm going with you," Booth announced. "And Angela? Give Hodgins back his keys. We're taking my car – no way am I getting back in that sissy toy he calls a car!"
Angela laughed at Hodgins' playful hurt expression as she kissed his cheek as she slipped the keys into his pocket, before turning and running off after Booth.
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"Bones! Bones, open up!" Booth was getting more and more worried as he banged on her door, still getting no response from within.
"Her car's gone." Angela reported as she returned from checking the lot.
"What? Where could she be? Are you sure she didn't say anything about leaving when you talked to her yesterday?"
"For the millionth time, Booth, yes I'm sure! All she said was that there was something she wanted to tell me, but that there was someone else she needed to tell first. Whatever it was, I assumed she was talking about you!"
"Well clearly you assumed wrong!" Booth yelled angrily.
"Watch it, buddy. That's the sort of yelling that got you into trouble yesterday. I might not cry, but I might just kick your ass. Calm down!"
Booth leaned against the wall, defeated.
"I'm sorry, Angela. I just don't know what to do anymore. I want to fix this; I want to make it better. I just want Bones and I to be us again."
Angela put her arms around his shoulders, trying to comfort him.
"I know, but sometimes you have to accept that Brennan is a complicated woman. You can't always fix her – especially if she doesn't want to be fixed."
Angela had a sudden idea as to what might make him feel a bit more useful.
"Hey, here's a thought. Why don't you flash that shiny badge and see if the neighbors know anything?"
"I don't know, Ange. Bones isn't terribly friendly with any of her neighbors."
"Well, sure, but every building has that one nosy neighbor who gets into everyone's business, right?"
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Booth had to admit, Angela sure knew her stuff. Less than an hour later, he'd found a charming old lady who had reported that Bones had left early that morning, telling her that she was going out of town for a few days.
"Well, at least we know she wasn't kidnapped," Angela remarked, clearly relieved.
Booth didn't say anything, just pulled out his cell phone and began making calls.
"Booth, what are you…?" She stopped as he waved a hand to silence her.
"Yes, this is Special Agent Seeley Booth with the FBI. I need to know if you have a Dr. Temperance Brennan booked on any flights today…Yes, I'll wait."
"Booth, this isn't a good idea! You could get in trouble for using your…"
"Not now, Angela!"
"Yes, I'm still here…She did? To where? Alright, thank you very much for your assistance."
"Well, what did he say?"
"Feel like taking a trip to Miami?" Booth asked Angela.
"Miami? What would she be doing in Miami?" Angela was clearly confused.
"I don't know, but I fully intend to find out," Booth said as he dialed another number on the phone.
"Yes, reservations? I need to get a flight from D.C. to Miami, today if at all possible…hey! Angela!"
Booth was interrupted by Angela grabbing the phone out of his hands and slamming it closed.
"Oh no you don't, Seeley Booth! Are you trying to save your relationship with her or destroy it? Because if you go to Miami, you might as well take her off speed dial now, because she'll never speak to you again."
"Angela, I have to figure out what's going on!"
"No, you most certainly do not! I don't know what's going on with Brennan, and yes, I'm confused and worried too. But you know her. If you push too hard, you will push her away forever, and even you won't be able to get her back. She's going through something, God only knows what that is right now, and when she's ready, she'll come to us. But not before, you know that."
"Angela, I…" Booth began, but again was not allowed to finish.
"No! Mark my words, Seeley Booth, if you go to Miami, your relationship with Temperance Brennan will be over, end of story."
Booth sighed, knowing she was right. They climbed back into his SUV and silently headed back to the Jeffersonian, although not until Angela had confiscated, in addition to his cell phone, every last one of his credit cards to keep him from changing his mind and going after her.
