thank you all for the reviews/adds! i appreciate the comments. was ch 8 not long enough? its just that i started this story a while ago so i kind of cut them off when i think it's a good cliff hanger/"cadence."
so i'm putting up 2 chapters because this is a little short. hope you all enjoy and don't be afraid to tell me what you think!
9
The gang had gone to the mall and the Reflecting Pool before hanging out at Angela's until dinner. Booth dropped his backpack by the stairs and helped Jared set the table. Jared was chattering on about his day at school when there was a bang on the door, followed by a series of loud, pounding knocks. Both boys started to stand up, but Pops bolted from his chair. "Stay there, boys," he commanded.
"Where are my boys?" they heard. "I know they're here!"
Booth and Jared turned to each other. "Jared, run," Booth whispered. Jared pushed back his chair and started making his way to the stairs.
"STOP!" Jared froze, still responding to those commands after all those years. "Where do you think you're going, boy?" Jared swallowed; he knew better than to lie. "Huh. Well, well, look at you, Seeley. All grown up, I see."
"Leave them alone," Pops warned.
"Now, now, I just want to talk to my boys."
"What do you want?" Booth ground out.
"Oh, come now. Not even a hug for your old man?"
"What do you want?" Booth repeated, slower.
"I want you back."
"Get out," Pops told him.
"They're my boys."
"Legally they're mine, and this is my house. Get out."
The boys' father snorted. "Fine. I'll cut you a deal. I'll take Jared, and you can keep Seeley." He started towards Jared but Booth grabbed him. His father swung his fist but Pops grabbed him by the collar and jerked him backwards.
"Boys, go."
"But, Pops-," Booth started to argue.
"I said go! I'll be fine." Neither of them moved. "I tell you to do something, you do it! Now!"
Booth sprung into action, grabbing Jared and hauling him out the front door and into the Camry. Booth sped down the narrow, one way streets until he was a few blocks away, then parked the car. He unbuckled his seatbelt and reached for his phone, which had fallen under the seat in the rush. "What's this?" he asked himself, pulling out a black duffel bag. Inside was a change of clothes, pajamas, a toothbrush, and cash held together by a rubber band.
"I have one too," Jared remarked, pulling out his own bag.
"Good," Booth answered.
"Are you calling the police?" Jared asked.
"No, Jared." Finally the person on the other end picked up. "Bones. Jared and I need to come over if that's OK."
She could tell he was in trouble by his frantic tone and panting. "Yeah, of course. I'll pick you up."
"No. Don't come near this house, do you hear me? I'm already in the Camry."
"Seeley, what's going on?" she asked worriedly.
Booth took a deep breath before saying the words he feared most. "My dad's back."
