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"Why would I drive you to the airport?" Booth demanded into his phone. Rebecca was squawking at him about how he owed her this favor, and Booth disagreed.

"Yes, I do want to have Parker for a few days," he went on. Her voice amped up, leaking out of the phone. Nora tiptoed out of her room and saw him pacing.

"No, Rebecca, do tell me why I'm such an asshole," Booth said angrily. When he turned, Nora fell to the floor out of sight. She waited, holding her breath, until he turned away again. She quickly slid around the kitchen island as he stormed to his room. Once his door was shut, she made a break for it. Then, she paused. He had to take his ex to the airport? That would mean he would be gone, and she could leave once he did. She hurriedly stuffed her bag behind the couch just as he returned.

"I apparently have to drive my ex wife to the airport," Booth said. "Are you okay here by yourself?"

"Duh," she snorted, leaning back on the couch and trying to act natural.

"If Dom comes back, try not to kill each other," Booth warned. Nora sniffed in response. He grabbed his keys and wallet and left. She waited five minutes before grabbing her bag and rushing out the door herself.

Dominic

"Wow," Dominic said, staring at all the paintings. Cole had brought him to a museum, and he was thoroughly enjoying himself. He had asked Booth not to tell Nora he was with Cole as he knew it would only upset her. That and it wasn't her business.

"Right?" Cole asked, laughing. "I told you it was worth it."

"My Mom used to take me to museums, but we never went to this one," Dominic said absently.

"I didn't ruin any future plans of coming here with your Mom for the first time did I?" Cole asked, worried.

"No. It's okay. She'd understand. Hey, if she's ever found, maybe you could meet her. I think she'd like you," Dominic said shyly. He wanted desperately to tell Cole that he thought of him as a father, that he dreamed of his mother falling in love with Cole and making him his father, but he didn't want to be any weirder than people already thought of him.

"I think I'd like her too," Cole agreed. "She sounds incredible."

"She is."

They stood admiring more artwork for a while before deciding to go have lunch. It was the perfect day.

Max

He was in his car deciding whether or not he was going to confront Booth when Booth himself came charging out of the building and got into his car. Max watched as he sped off, wondering if the kids were up there alone. Within moments, Nora appeared, and she had a bag.

"Hey!" Max called, making her turn quickly towards him. She hurried over.

"I was going to look for you," she said, getting into the car.

"Why's that?"

"I heard you tell Cam I'm not safe here. I'd rather be safe. I think that's my choice, not theirs," Nora said. Max beamed at her.

"Smart, just like your mother. She'd be proud of you," he said.

"Where do we go now?"

"Well, Booth knows where I live, so I had to get a different place. We can go there until we get your brother. Then we can disappear. I've left a coded message for your mother at your home to find when she comes back so she can find us."

"You think she's coming back?" Nora asked hopefully.

"She's my daughter. If she's anything like me, she'll be here in no time," Max reassured her. He had to keep this hope alive. He couldn't bear the thought of losing Tempe.

Brennan

"Here," Vincent said, handing her sunglasses. "Just say you have a migraine and these help with the lights."

"Thanks," Brennan responded, adjusting her ball cap. She looked around suspiciously. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Perhaps they could get out of here. They went through customs without any issues, and Vincent was off getting his car. Brennan stood waiting.

"I know how to pick up my kid from a friend's house," a man was saying angrily. Brennan spied a couple coming towards her, and she lowered her hat more to hide her face.

"I'm just saying that you can sometimes get so wrapped up in a case that you forget about your son," the woman replied.

"Honestly, Rebecca, I'm not an idiot," the man snapped. "We're here. Do I need to hold your hand through customs?"

"No," she sneered, storming inside without looking back.

"You're welcome!" he shouted after her. Brennan studied him carefully. He had a wonderful body build, and he was quite ruggedly handsome. She felt warm inside suddenly. He looked at her then, and she turned her head. When she looked back, he was on his phone, still taking peeks at her.

"I got it!" Vincent hissed, rushing up to her. "Let's go!"

"That man," Brennan murmured. "He's watching us." Vincent turned to look. The man was openly staring at them both now.

"Come on," Vincent urged, tugging her arm. They hurried away, but someone bumped into Brennan hard, knocking her glasses off in the process.

"Sorry!" the woman called over her shoulder as she raced inside. Brennan caught the rugged looking man with the phone still staring at her, and his eyes widened in shock when they met hers. She knew he recognized her.

"Run!" she hissed to Vincent. They bolted.

"Hey!" the man shouted after them.

"Hurry, hurry, hurry," Vincent chanted. They jumped into his waiting car and pealed away. Brennan ducked her head but not before seeing the man running after their car.

"He'll trace your plates," she said urgently. "We need to ditch this as soon as possible."

"It went so bad so fast," Vincent said, more to himself than her. He sped away, and the man was left behind in their dust.

Cam

Cam was bending over remains when Booth charged in.

"I couldn't stop him," Hodgins said behind him.

"Seeley," she said, surprised.

"Beat it," Booth said to Hodgins, who glared as he walked away.

"What's wrong?" Cam pressed.

"Do you know this man?" Booth asked, showing her the photo of the man and the woman from the airport he'd taken on his phone. He knew it was her. He just knew it. But was the man her kidnapper?

"Oh my God," Cam said, grabbing his phone and bringing it closer to her face. "That's Vincent!"

"Is that...?"

"Dr. Brennan!" Cam gasped. She looked up at Booth. "Where did you see them?!"

"At the airport. Just now. I sent in his plates for an address, but I thought I'd ask you first before diving into his personal records," Booth answered. "Do you think he's behind the kidnapping?"

"Vincent?!" Cam asked, starting to laugh hysterically. Booth glared at her until she composed herself.

"No," she shook her head. "Vincent is totally harmless. He's a walking fact machine who can get a little annoying, but he wouldn't hurt a fly. I don't even think he swears to be honest."

"Then why is she with him?"

"Well, they came from the airport. Obviously she ran into him somewhere, and he's helping her get back here unnoticed."

"I don't think we should tell the kids yet," Booth said after a moment. "Not until I talk to her."

"She's probably scared they'll be harmed if she reveals herself. I know her, Booth. She'll have a plan," Cam reassured him.

"Will she trust me?" Booth asked.

"If you go with Sweets, maybe," Cam answered, nodding slowly. "She trusts Sweets."

"Okay. I'll go round him up. I'm waiting for Vincent's address," Booth said, turning to go.

"I can give you that," Cam interrupted, going to her computer. She handed it to Booth, who thanked her.

"Good luck!" she called after him. Inside she was thrilled that Dr. Brennan was still alive and looking well.

Brennan

"That was too close," Brennan said when they got into Vincent's apartment. They had left the car parked blocks away and had run to his place.

"I have a friend we can stay with," Vincent reassured her, rushing around and grabbing some extra clothes. Brennan looked out onto the street.

"Mr. Nigel-Murray?" she asked, seeing a man coming to the door.

"Yes?"

"Do you happen to own a firearm?"

"Um, no," Vincent shook his head. "Frankly I'd probably end up shooting myself with it. Did you know that..."

"We do not have time for a fact, Mr. Nigel-Murray!" Brennan cut him off.

"Of course," he bowed his head. The pounding on the door began.

"Is there a back door?" she asked.

"No, but you can climb down the fire escape," he pointed. "I'll stall."

"Thank you," she said, squeezing his arm and hurrying off.

"FBI!" the man shouted. Brennan froze. Sweets worked for the FBI. They were supposed to be the good guys. She hid herself and watched as Vincent opened the door.

"Oh, hello," he said nonchalantly.

"Are you alone, sir?" the agent asked.

"I am. Who are you?"

"I'm Special Agent Daniel Hoy with the FBI. We have reason to believe you were with a woman today who is on our missing persons list."

"I think you have the wrong person," Vincent started.

"I don't think so. My colleague saw you running away with her. He advised me to come to this residence and bring her to the FBI building."

"Who is this supposed missing person?" Vincent asked, buying some time. He hoped Brennan was gone by now. What he didn't realize was that she was listening intently from the hallway.

"Dr. Temperance Brennan. She was last seen on the Maluku Islands. She had been reported as missing and potentially kidnapped. If you are involved in this..."

"Do I honestly look like a kidnapper?" Vincent cut in. Agent Hoy looked him up and down.

"They come in all shapes and sizes," he answered curtly. Vincent was starting to feel scared.

"I'm Dr. Temperance Brennan," Brennan said, coming out of hiding.

"Dr. Brennan!" Vincent spluttered. Agent Hoy smiled at her.

"I thought you might be," he said kindly. "We've been looking all over for you. Did this man hurt you?"

"No, no. He's an intern at the Jeffersonian. He was helping me get home," Brennan replied, patting Vincent's shoulder. "I need to talk to Dr. Sweets. Can you take me to him?"

"Of course," Agent Hoy said with a slight bow. "Right this way."

"Thank you for everything, Vincent," Brennan said, giving him a small hug. "I'm in good hands now." Vincent watched in shock as she left. He realized it was the first time she'd called him by his first name.

Dominic

Dominic couldn't hold it in anymore. Especially after Cole gave him a treasured necklace and stated Dominic was his best friend. Dominic had never felt more special to someone besides his own mother. He had to say something.

"Cole?" he said.

"Yea?"

"I wish you really were my Dad," he said. Cole put his hand to his heart.

"That's the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me," he replied. His phone rang then, breaking up the moment.

Cole answered his phone and turned away for a moment. Dominic finished up his hamburger while he waited.

"That was a friend of mine. He needs me to meet with him and make a decision regarding a charity event," Cole said, coming back. "Is that all right?"

"It's okay," Dominic said.

"I promise it won't take long. Then we can go on an adventure."

"Cool," Dominic smiled. They went out to Cole's car and headed off.

Booth

He pounded on the door until his fist started to ache. He had the niggling feeling that he was forgetting something, but he didn't know what.

"Hello?" the man answered. Booth showed his badge.

"Vincent Nigel-Murray?" Booth asked.

"Yes?"

"Is Dr. Brennan here with you?"

"She left," Vincent answered, confused.

"Left?!" Booth exclaimed.

"Yes. With Agent Hoy. He was taking her to Dr. Sweets," Vincent answered. "Didn't you tell him to come here?" Booth stood there frozen, his mind whirling. Damn it, he'd forgotten about Sweets, but more importantly, what was happening here?

"When did they leave?" Booth demanded.

"About twenty minutes ago."

"Shit. All right. You stay here," Booth ordered. He ran to his car. Something felt wrong. He dialed Agent Hoy's number, but he didn't answer. He floored the gas and pealed out of there. He had to find Agent Hoy.

Brennan

"This isn't the FBI," Brennan said when they pulled up to a warehouse.

"Sweets is in hiding with Daisy," Agent Hoy replied. "This is our rendezvous point."

"Did she make it back here?!" Brennan asked, shocked but happy.

"She did. Then someone tried to kill her. This way," Agent Hoy said, leading her around the back. He seemed a little anxious, which made Brennan feel that something wasn't right here. She hung back a little.

"I don't bite," Agent Hoy laughed, but his eyes seemed hard. She smiled nervously back. Something was definitely not right here. He opened the door, and she reluctantly stepped inside.

"Hello, Temperance," a voice said. She stared in shock as Jamie turned around, staring at her with his cold, empty eyes.

"Jamie," she said back, working hard to control the fear in her voice.

"You're a hard woman to find," Jamie went on. Agent Hoy gripped her arm tightly, and she felt the gun in her back.

"I like my privacy," she responded. She desperately hoped Vincent had told someone who she had gone with.

"You can have all the privacy you want once you're dead," Jamie sneered.

"How did you get out of jail?" Brennan asked.

"Good behavior. I did my time despite you trying to put me there forever. Now, I want my son."

"You can't have him."

"Oh? Who's to stop me when you turn up dead and I'm the only living relative left?"

"You can't do this!"

"Watch me," Jamie said, his lip curling. Agent Hoy went to push her forward when she went into action. He was down in seconds, and she fled to the door. Gunshots went off behind her followed by cursing. She bolted towards the street anxious to get away. She had known better than to trust that agent, but there was no use in berating herself over it now. Mind racing, she had no idea where to go from here. She decided to just run for it and figure out something later. The only chilling thought was that if Jamie was alive, her children were not safe.

Booth

He was driving aimlessly when he saw her running. He cranked the wheel in her direction and hauled ass behind her. He saw her look at him, fear in her eyes. She would never trust him. He just knew it. He dialed Sweets.

"Agent Booth," Sweets said. "What's wrong?"

"I need you to stay on the line until I catch her," Booth answered.

"Catch who?"

Right. Sweets didn't know because Booth had completely forgotten to go get him to accompany him or even alert him to what was going on.

"Dr. Brennan is here in D.C., and she's fleeing who I now suspect to be a dirty agent. When I catch her, I need you to reassure her I'm not a threat."

"I...I...wow...I'll try," Sweets stammered. Booth put him on speaker then.

"Hold on," Booth said, parking quickly and bolting from the car to chase her. "Wait!"

Brennan ran faster, but she was no match for Booth. He caught her quickly, tackling her and taking her down.

"Help me!" she screamed as he held her fast.

"Dr. Sweets!" he shouted, shoving the phone into her face.

"Dr. Brennan!" Sweets hollered, making Brennan freeze and stop struggling. She stared at the phone and at Booth.

"It's Dr. Sweets. I'm not a bad guy," Booth said fast. "He can vouch for me."

"Agent Booth was assigned your case," Sweets said on cue. "He...he has been ruthlessly searching for you. He's not going to hurt you."

"How do I know?" Brennan demanded. "The last agent said you sent him."

"I did not," Booth rebutted. "All I did was ask him to get the owner's name and address from the plates I sent in. Clearly he's working for someone else."

Brennan was breathing hard and feeling scared, but something in Booth's eyes made her feel calmer. He let her go, holding up his hands to show her he wasn't going to hurt her. She got to her feet, still holding the phone.

"Dr. Brennan," Sweets went on. "Agent Booth is an honorable man. His ethics are of most importance, and he does everything by the book."

"Thank you, Dr. Sweets," Brennan said finally.

"Does that mean you'll come with me?" Booth asked.

"Only if Sweets stays on the phone."

"Of course."

"I'll be right here, Dr. Brennan," Sweets reassured her. She nodded and followed Booth to his car.

"Where are my children?" she asked.

"Nora is at my apartment. Dominic is with a friend. See I'm a foster parent, and they were placed in my care..."

"What?! Why aren't they with Russ?! Or Cam?!"

"He had family health emergency so he couldn't look after them, and Cam had Michelle."

"And Angela?"

"Just returned from Paris. She's been trying to take them, but legally, they're in my custody until you return."

"Well, I'm back now, so they're coming with me."

"That's fine," Booth agreed. He noticed his hands were shaking. She made him feel nervous. "We have to report Agent Hoy first, so we'll have to stop by my office."

"No. I want my kids right now," Brennan ordered.

"I think that's the best plan," Sweets chimed in.

"All right. I'll call Cole and arrange to meet him and pick up Dominic."

"Who's Cole?"

"He works at the library. Dominic befriended him. Don't worry I had him checked out," Booth said, but then he faltered. He had asked Agent Hoy, the dirty agent, to check him out. He dialed Cole's number, but there was no response. His heart rate picked up.

"What?" Brennan asked, seeing his face.

"Let's get Nora first," Booth said quickly. He didn't want anything happening to her while they went looking for Dom. When they reached his apartment, he knew something was wrong.

"She's not here," Brennan said, staring at him. Then she spied the note and snatched it up. "She's with my father?!"

"That bloody asshole," Booth growled.

"How is she with him?!"

"I asked him for help to find you, and he kept sticking his nose into the case. He's convinced her she's safer with him."

"Maybe he's right," Brennan said, glaring at him. "You left her here alone?!"

"She's almost twelve. I followed the rules according to my training," Booth defended himself. "If she's with Max right now, then she's safe. We need to find Dom."

"Why? Is this Cole person a bad guy now too?"

When Booth didn't answer, Brennan paled.

"What does he look like?" she asked. Booth pulled out the paper that Agent Hoy had given him to show he was clean. It had Cole's photo on it. Brennan stared at it, horrified.

"That man is not 'Cole,'" she said.

"What?"

"What?" Sweets's voice echoed. They jumped, forgetting he had been on the phone still.

"That's Jamie," she finished, looking at him. Booth knew she was terrified now.

"Jamie? As in Dominic's dead biological father, Jamie?"

"Yes! Your Agent Hoy obviously rigged this!" she cried, shaking the paper in his face.

"Oh my God," Sweets said.

"I didn't know he was a dirty agent!" Booth cried, snatching it back from her. He was furious and scared.

"We need to find them NOW," Brennan said angrily. "Jamie wants his son. He'll disappear with him forever if we don't get there first!"

Dominic

Cole came back to the car with a smile on his face.

"Good news! I just talked to Booth, and he's fine with us taking the train to check out a historical site a little ways from here!"

"Awesome!" Dominic cheered. Cole grinned back at him. Dominic felt very comfortable with him and couldn't wait to continue their perfect day together. He only wished his mother could be there with them.

Jamie

As they started to drive away, he began to feel triumphant. He had won. Temperance had lost her son. Too bad Agent Hoy had screwed up and failed to kill her. No matter. He wasn't needed anymore, and it would take a while before someone found him. He was off to start a new life with Dominic. No one and nothing could stop him.