Chapter 10
Age Of Not Believing
Brennan was frozen in shock. Goodman had only recognized her because he used to be her boss. This girl could tell the whole school. Or worse more people could be reading her book. This couldn't happen, they needed to stay safe.
"Don't worry." Eileen said, "I'm the only person in this school that reads at this level, no one will recognize you, and I won't tell anyone." she turned back to her book trying to concentrate on it.
Brennan needed to talk to this girl and now! Thank god (figuratively of course) this was last period and it was almost over, "Can we talk after school?" Brennan asked the girl.
"I don't know," Eileen said, "I have to get home or..." she trailed off not wanting to go into further detail.
"I'll give you a ride, we just really need to talk." Brennan pleaded.
"Alright." Eileen agreed
"Thank you." Brennan said.
It was no less than five minutes later when the final bell rang and students started pouring out of classrooms ready to escape for the day. Eileen stayed to talk to, 'Ms. Williams'. She waited in her seat until all her classmates had left. Brennan rose and shut the door so no one could over hear their conversation.
"Okay, where to begin..." Brennan said pacing trying to organize her thoughts.
"How about we start with who you are here with and why." Eileen suggested feeling bad for the woman.
"Right good idea. I'm here with my partner, Special Agent Seeley Booth, his allias is Jonathan King. My Daughter Sam is also with us, her new name is Rinna Willaims. Booth's son Parker is here too, he is Nate King. Long story short Sam's dad and Parker's mom were murdered, by a mob member, and now the person responsible is coming after us." Brennan said
"Well it's a good thing you chose Clinton. It sucks here, nothing happens." Eileen replied day dreaming of places far away.
"That was the idea." Brennan said
"So whats your relationship with Booth?" Eileen asked, wanting to change the subject.
"Undercover we are engaged. Normally we're partners." Brennan said refusing to make eye contact. She was afraid her eyes would show how much she wanted it to be more.
"Well that explains the inspiration for the novel." Eileen said with a smirk. She stood and stretched raising her arms above her head. This action caused Brennan to be able to see what looked like bruises littering what little skin was shown. She inwardly gasped. The sweatshirts made sense now. Brennan had had to go through that daily torcher in one of her foster homes. This poor girl was probally hit for no reason at all, just whenever someone needed a punching bag.
"Have dinner with us?" Brennan asked wanting to keep her away from the house as long as possible.
"I really can't. Dad won't be happy with me not coming home on time." Eileen said, adding under her breathe, "like he'd even notice if I didn't"
Brennan had heard the last part and vowed to help this girl, in any way possible, "If you want to you could spend the night, just tell him you are working on a project at a friends house." Brennan tried desperately.
"Are you serious?" Eileen asked
"Completely." Brennan answered, "I have plenty of clothes that will fit you so you don't even need to go home, just call."
Eileen sighed. She really did need to get out of that house, if only for one night, "Okay, thank you." She said, more thankful than she thought this woman could understand. unfortunately she understood all to well.
"Booth can you come pick us up?" Brennan asked when he had picked up the phone.
"Us?" he asked, more than a little confused
"Long story." Brennan answered, "Come on Booth its getting late and its cold, hurry up." Brennan pleaded using the tone of voice she knew had him bending to her every whim.
"Okay I'm getting in the car as we speak, calm down." Booth answered
"Okay see you soon." Brennan said hanging up. She turned to Eileen, "Booth is on his way to get us."
Eileen looked up from the book she had somehow managed to start reading while Brennan was on the phone and said, "Okay." before going back to reading.
Brennan sighed and sta down next to Eileen on the sidewalk of the school. Five minutes later Booth pulled up and stopped the car right in front of them. He got out and kissed Brennan's cheek.
"Booth she knows. No need to act like a couple." Brennan said. Booth was a little disappointed, he loved being able to do that.
Eileen stood up when Booth walked over to her. "Hi I'm Booth, which you probally already figured out." he said sticking out his hand
Eileen shook it but visibly flinched whenever her wrist was moved, "Eileen Duggan. Nice to meet you Mr. Booth."
"Ugh Bones whats with you and girls that call me 'Mr. Booth." Booth stared at her incredulously before turning back to Eileen, "Its just Booth."
"Okay just Booth." Eileen answered before getting into the car.
Before Brennan could follow her Booth pulled her back, "Bones what the hell is going on?" he asked
"You saw her flinch, I just need to know shes okay. She's afraid of her dad I think" Brennan whispered Before getting into the passengers side
"Hey kids!" Brennan yelled as they all walked through the front door. Two tiny bodies came running ang collieded with her in 30 seconds flat. Brennan let out an audible, "umph" upon impact.
Eileen giggled slightly but other wise remained silent. Booth leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Get used to it, they do it every day."
"Guys, guys, air!" Brennan warned.
"Oh haha right that." Sam said sarcastically.
Booth tapped Brennan's shoulder and motioned towards Eileen. Brennan nodded her head in a silent gesture that meant, 'I got this'.
"Hey kids I want you to meet someone." Brennan addressed the kids while motioning Eileen forward, "This is Eileen Duggan, one of my students." Brennan said, "She's spending the night."
Sam looked at her like her mother would examine a skeleton. When she came to a conclusion she announced, "She's pretty."
Eileen blushed but did say, "Thank you."
"Eileen this is Sam and Parker." Brennan told the teen.
"Uh mom, you forgetting something?" Sam asked trying to remind her mother of their new names.
"Baby she knows its fine." Brennan replied.
"Oh okay." Sam said walking off with Parker hot on her heals.
"Eileen, you hungry?" Brennan asked.
"No thank you I'm fine." She said. Brennan thought she was unusually skinny but decided she'd ask later. "Is there anywhere I can do my homework?" Eileen asked
"Dining room table I guess." Booth said.
"Okay thanks, that works." Eileen picked her bag up and headed into the other room.
Brennan sat in the living room, in the only seat that allowed her a view of the dining room. Eileen was doing her homework but that wasn't what she was watching. Every minute or so she would stop, wipe a tear away, and attempt to move her wrist. Every time it didn't work. Brennan wanted desperately to comfort her, ask what happened, and kill the bastard that was causing such a perfect young lady this pain. Brennan clutched her coffee cup harder when her thoughts wandered to the foster home where she had had to endure the same torcher for almost a year. With her mind made up Brennan walked into to dining room and sat down next to Eileen.
"What happened to your wrist?" Brennan asked bluntly
Eileen stiffened. No one could figure out, no one could know, "Nothing why?" she tried.
"Because I'm pretty sure it's broken." Brennan answered
"What no, not a chance. How can you even tell without an x-ray?" Eileen accused.
"You mean besides being a forensic anthropologist?" Brennan asked sarcasticly
Eileen looked down and whispered, "Right."
"Eileen, sweetheart, you have to admit what's happening. If you do I can and will get you out of there." Brennan pleaded.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Eileen said quickly
"There was this one time when I was in high school, I was a foster kid, and I used to wear sweatshirts or long sleeves all the time. Even in the summer...I still have scars from my foster dad." Brennan admitted.
Eileens head snapped back up to look at Brennan and she saw the sincerity in her eyes. Eileen looked back down but finally spoke, "My mom died when I was five. My dad has been drinking ever since. If I piss him off even just a tiny bit he...he..." Eileen trailed off with tears streaming down her face in a steady stream.
Brennan automatically hugged the girl and comforted her until the tears subsided. "Eileen. I need to see what else is hurt. I can tell if you need medical attention." Brennan told her quietly.
"I know." Eileen answered in an even quieter whisper. She stood up and pulled her sweatshirt over her head revealing her in a black tank top. She lifted the tank to just below her bra and this time Brennan actually did gasp. her entire torso was littered with bruises, all in various states of healing. The freshest looked no more than 24 hours old and the oldest could have been there for months.
"You're father did this to you?" Brennan asked. Eileens only answer was to nod. "Booth!" Brennan bellowed down the hallway.
"Why are you yelling so- what the freaking hell?" Booth asked. Eileen had forgotten to put her shirt back down.
Sheepishly she pulled it back down and pulled her arms around herself, "Sorry." she whispered
Booth turned to Brennan who simply answered, "Her father."
"Where is the bastard?" he asked through clenched teeth.
"No don't. If you do anything he will hurt you, maybe kill you." Eileen said fearfully.
"I don't give a damn what he does!" Brennan announced, "There is no way in hell you are going back there."
A/N: If you have any ideas like names or a story twist let me know. The really good ones will get added. Good luck!