They held off until Monday afternoon to make their descent back to Washington D.C. Neither one of them were quite so willing to give up the paradise they'd found in one another. The cabin was the perfect secluded place to be able to live without the fear of what the future was to bring. But both of them had to come to terms that their fantasy had to be short lived. Like or it not they were forced to face what lay ahead.
Collins hadn't phoned Brennan anymore. This left Brennan feeling ill at ease. "What do you suppose it means?" She asked Booth as she was preparing her suitcase. "He's never been one to back down. I can't imagine he would now."
Booth remained silent but was mentally agreeing with her. He didn't dare speak it out loud for worry of causing her more anxiety, but he was sure Collins was plotting something. As she said, he knew a man like him wouldn't give up. She'd proven that there was absolutely nothing she could do to discourage him. Once they returned home Booth was required to watch her with hawk eyes.
"I don't really want to go," she admitted as she joined him in placing their luggage in the back of his vehicle. "I'm surprised to find myself saying that."
"I'm not. What we got waiting for us," he slammed the trunk and turned to her. "I'd rather stay here, too. We don't have to worry about anything here. It's just us."
"Perhaps we can come back here soon?" She suggested lightly with a touch of hope in her voice. He chuckled. "Yeah. We'll come back." It concerned him to admit that the next time they visited may be more out of necessity than relaxation.
The trip home, just like the trip to their destination, was full of silence. This time the cause was very different. Pleasure mixed in with apprehension over what awaited them kept them both immersed in their own thoughts. Not before too long Brennan drifted off. Booth took that as an allowance to slow down his speed. He'd favored a later arrival.
His plan worked. Just past one in the morning he was pulling into the parking lot of his apartment building. He ushered her inside before returning for their suitcases. She was busy scribbling away on a notepad when he shuffled back in. "I'm making a list," she explained without looking up. "Of the most important items I'd like you to be able to bring to me. I'm trying to limit it since I know you can only carry so much at once."
"Yeah. And I don't want to stay too long. One trip and I'm out. I'd rather go once every day than be there for hours. I don't want to run into Collins if I can help it." He yawned. Since she'd had a nap in the car she was wired. "Go to bed." She instructed him.
He agreed, planting a kiss on her lips before heading off into his bedroom. She smiled at his departing back. Perhaps letting Booth into such an intimate part of her life hadn't been as worrisome as she'd pictured. Always she'd had every reason in the world to trust him. Her concern now stemmed over the dangerous situation she was letting him put himself in. Then again she knew he wouldn't have it any other way. Brennan and her baby were his main priority now.
I told Bones I was going to bed. I had every intention of laying down and going to sleep. The drive back exhausted me. Not to mention I'd been on edge ever since we turned onto the main route heading home. This guy Collins was an idiot. I knew his type; hell, I've known plenty like him. He was a loose wire. That made me more than aware the violence he was capable of producing. The bruise on Bones' back enraged me every time I thought about it. No. I wouldn't let him get anywhere near her.
But those thoughts kept me wide awake. I couldn't stop thinking about her, or the baby. If given the chance I would have changed the situation in a heartbeat. Bones had thought all about being a mother before. She'd asked me to be the father I was volunteering to be now. The difference being, of course, that this wasn't my kid. I was shocked to find myself wishing it was.
Me and Bones hadn't had that kind of relationship in a while. After Hannah followed me back to D.C. I pushed out everything from my old life. Hannah was my future, or so I thought. Another round of rejection from a woman I loved wounded me deeper than I ever imagined. So yeah, I knew Bones had feelings for me. She'd told me as much while I was still involved with Hannah. But after our breakup I just wasn't ready. I was angry, and perfectly happy with being alone. It was much easier than being in pain.
Yet here we were. When I asked myself to step up my heart responded. Making love had sealed the deal, and if possible I'd felt her give all of herself to me in that moment. Together I was more confident than I'd ever been. We'd get her through this. Collins would be stopped. That kid would be born and I'll raise it to have the kind of life a child should have.
But it didn't stop me from wishing, or dreaming.
In the morning Booth dropped Brennan off at the lab. She rather enjoyed him playing personal bodyguard to her every whim. He left her in the security of her office before heading to her apartment. In his pocket he had tucked away the list she'd made. The knots in his stomach were encouraging him to get in and get out as soon as he could. It was an unpleasant task and he just assumed be done with it.
He should have predicted Collins would have been waiting for him. Brennan was correct in that he couldn't call off work every day. But he certainly could use a few sick days to check up on them. His steely eyes glared daggers the minute Booth unlocked the door and stepped inside. He chuckled. "I should have known she'd send you to be her whipping boy."
Booth remained silent. He let his strong presence do the speaking for him. If given the opportunity he would have been more than happy to beat Collins until he was begging for mercy. However, for the sake of the law he couldn't act unless provoked with violence. It bothered him immensely not to interact, but he tried to concentrate on the task at hand. He walked by Collins to retrieve Brennan's possessions.
"She can't hide from me, you know." Collins remarked. He rose from his seat on the couch. "I'll find her. I'm willing to bet she's staying with you."
Booth offered no emotion outwardly, but inside he cringed. Damn. Although it wasn't that hard to figure out. Maybe he needed to talk to Brennan about finding a new place for the two of them. The baby would need its own room when it was born, anyway. It never hurt to get a head start.
"I'll make her regret ever leaving me."
That was all Booth needed to hear. Smoothly he yanked his gun from his holster and aimed it straight at the man's head. "You come anywhere near her, and I'll kill you. I won't think twice about it." He clicked off the safety to illustrate his point. "Don't test me, Collins."
He was taken aback, but not afraid. His face resembled that of a jackal's. His only reaction was to grin a full mouth of teeth at Booth. Then he quietly slipped through the front door. Behind him it closed with little noise. Booth exhaled a sigh. He replaced his gun but left the safety off. Somehow he had a feeling their confrontation wasn't over.
Brennan hadn't made an exaggerated list. Within minutes he'd fetched everything. Cautiously he'd placed the items in a box. If anything broke he didn't think he'd be able to forgive himself since he was well aware these were all things that carried sentimental meaning for her. She wasn't by nature nostalgic. Therefore he knew to be extra careful.
His eyes scanned the hallway before stepping out. The coast was clear. Down on the floor he set the box. He then turned around to lock the deadbolt on the door. His only warning was the sound of two single footsteps before something sharp jabbed into his side. The blow stunned him. His palm flattened against the door to keep himself upright. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Collins step off to his side. A gloved hand held up a hunting knife with a near six inch blade. "Next time I see you," he growled in a low voice. "I won't think twice about plunging this all the way into your body. Maybe it's you who shouldn't test me, Agent Booth. Nothing gets in the way of what I want. It'll be your death if you do."
He took his time walking away as if to make a show of the power he carried. He'd been underestimated. It occurred to Booth to fire at him. Certainly stabbing a federal agent was grounds for murder out of self protection. But his arm refused to move. His mind had slowed from the pain. His eyes closed and he near collapsed onto the floor. No, he willed himself. You're stronger than this. Get yourself together and get to Bones. It's not a deep wound. She can fix you. He fought his way through the pain and summoned up enough strength to get himself to the Jeffersonian.
Brennan hadn't noticed Booth limp into the lab. She'd been up on the platform assisting a few squinterns in opening wooden crates; shipments of remains found in Rome. Since the bureau had yet to assign Booth a new case the Jeffersonian team had turned their attention to their latest arrival. She was almost giddy with excitement.
Angela had been the one to spot him. "Uh, sweetie." She joined the group on the platform. "Booth's here. And he looks… strange."
She lifted her gaze from the crate's packing. Booth was nowhere to be seen. "I don't know what that means. And where did he go?"
"He was pale. It looked like he went into your office."
She frowned. "Why would he not just come to me?" Down the stairs she hurried after him. Angela's sight had been dead on. She strolled in to find Booth laying on her couch. His eyes were closed. Not only was he sheet white, but sweating profusely. She inhaled harshly. "Booth? What's wrong?"
His eyes opened. He was weak. She knelt down on one knee next to him. "What hap-" Just then she happened to see how tightly he was holding his hand to his side. She pried it away to find it coated with sticky red liquid. His shirt was soaked with more of it. Frantically she peeled it away from him. "Booth." She cried. There was so much smeared blood it was difficult to find the wound. "What happened? Did Collins do this to you?" She left him to get a towel which replaced over the area. He winced when she applied pressure.
"Son of a bitch," he murmured tiredly. "Wasn't prepared."
"Why didn't you go to the hospital? We have to get you help!"
"Have to explain myself. Didn't want police involved."
"Why?" She shouted at him. "We should be making a report of this, Booth! He needs to be brought to justice for what he's done." For some reason she was more distraught over Collins attacking Booth than she was over the hell he'd put her through.
"They're cops, Bones. Nothing'll happen. Comradery. Won't… not one of their own." His eyes shut again. "Stitch me."
"I can't stitch you! I'm not a medical doctor! We're going to the hospital!"
He didn't have it in him to fight with her.
I never would have thought this to happen. Reflecting back now I guess I should have. I should have done more to protect Booth just as much as myself. Judging by the vicious attack Collins must have gathered some truths. I was so important to him that Booth was deemed as a threat. I tried not to let myself sit with these thoughts, though it was difficult when I was cordoned off into the waiting room.
Booth's wound wasn't deep. It was blood loss that had caused his delirium. I didn't doubt it. The scene of blood he'd left behind in his car confirmed it. I was still greatly angry at him for not pursuing medical assistance first thing. In that anger I was also scared. What was to happen if they were to face off again? I refused to lose Booth. And not for something as trivial as this.
After a while of his strong insisting the hospital agreed to discharge him. I brought him back home to his apartment where he settled himself down upon his couch. Before he'd left a nurse had given him a strong painkiller. I could see it was activating now as he could barely keep conscious. I kissed him and stroked his hair. "Sleep."
He obliged with no resistance. Down besides him I sat down on the floor. Through his rest I kept an eye over him. This was only the beginning. We still had nine months to try and get through. I was unsure of how Collins was to react when I began to show. I hoped we could fool him into believing it was Booth's just like we planed to mislead everyone else. But still I couldn't help but to think.
If Collins had so easily been able to stab Booth without a thought of repercussion, then what was he willing to do to me?
