Chapter eleven – Expect the unexpected

It was Saturday and Brennan didn't have to work. But as she sat in her sofa staring into space, she almost considered going to the Jeffersonian anyway. She didn't know what to do to make the time pass. Booth was still sleeping in her bed. Brennan shook her head in amusement as she thought back at last night. He'd been so drunk he'd barely been able to stand. She couldn't deny the fact that Booth was funny when he had been drinking, but that didn't mean she liked it when he did, especially not now when she knew his reasons.

Brennan had eaten breakfast hours ago, and was seriously considering waking Booth up. She couldn't understand how he could sleep for so long, hung over or not.

She'd just picked up a book when she heard noises from the bedroom. She put the book away.

"Slept well?" she asked as Booth finally walked into the room. He was wearing nothing but black sweatpants, which had slipped dangerously low. Brennan had to remind herself to not stare at him.

Booth mumbled a response, dragging his feet up to the sofa and collapsed in it. He groaned.

"You're hung over," Brennan stated the obvious.

"Tell me something I don't know Bones. I have the worst headache ever."

"That doesn't surprise me."

Booth just groaned. Brennan got up and left the room, when she came back she handed Booth a huge glass of water and a white pill.

"Take this," she said. He did as she said, taking the pill and a few sips of the water.

"Thanks Bones," Booth put the glass on the table. Brennan picked it up, giving it back to him.

"Drink, the water will help your body clear out the alcohol faster."

Booth sighed, but emptied the glass before putting it away a second time. Then he leaned back, closing his eyes.

Brennan took the opportunity to watch him. He didn't look tired anymore, not physically at least. But he didn't look like the carefree fun guy he'd used to be, and it saddened Brennan. She wondered if he'd ever look like that again. As she studied him, she couldn't help but let her eyes travel over his bare muscular chest, across his stomach down to… Brennan blushed as she realized what she was doing. She tore her eyes away, only to find them wandering back just as fast.

"Are you checking me out?" Booth suddenly asked. There was a hint of amusement in his voice. He opened his eyes to look at her.

"Were you?" he grinned, enjoying Brennan's embarrassed look.

"No."

"Yes you did. Like what you see Bones?"

Brennan was humiliated, but it didn't stop a smile from taking form on her lips. She hadn't realized how much she'd missed hearing his jokes and bickering.

She suddenly realized he was waiting for an answer. "I uh…" she paused. "Yes, I find you very attractive to look at," she finally confessed.

Booth laughed softly.

"So I guess the headache is starting to wear off?"

"It's better."

Brennan nodded. "You hungry?"

Booth hadn't thought of it. But now when she mentioned it, he was actually starving. He nodded.

"You have anything?" he smiled knowing at Brennan.

"Hey don't use your charm smile on me," she chuckled.

Just as she was about to get up, Booth's phone started to ring. He lazily brought it to his ear.

"Hello?"

"Agent Booth?" a nervous female voice spoke.

"Yeah it's me."

"It's Jasmine. I have to tell you something."

Booth sat up abruptly. "What?" his voice changed back to its nowadays hard, weary tone.

"I lied to you, but I was so scared."

"It's ok. You're safe now. Tell me everything."

"I think I know where this guy… uh… Stephan is."

"Steven?" Booth could barely say the name.

"Oh yes, that's his same. He's the one who stole my car. He threatened me, and I…" Jasmine's voice trailed off. She was silent for a while and then she went on. "I overhead him talk to someone on the phone. He said he'd be going to Highlands Terrace out in Accokeek in the morning. And then you came and I guess he could have gone there earlier. It's all I know."

"You sure there's nothing more?"

"I promise."

"Ok, thank you."

"Agent Booth?"

"Yes?"

"I don't know what he did to you, but the pain in your eyes tells me it's bad. I thought you'd want to know this so you can find him. "

Booth nodded and sighed. "Thank you," he whispered. Jasmine hung up, Booth listened to the dial tone for several seconds.

"Booth, what did she tell you?" Brennan's voice snapped him back to reality. He put the phone back into his pocket.

"That was Jasmine," he stated. Brennan nodded knowingly. "She thinks she knows where Steven is."

They started at each other a long time, and then Booth shot up, rushing into the bedroom. He was back almost before Brennan had realized he was gone, this time wearing jeans.

"Come on Bones," he yelled as he rushed toward the door trying to take his shirt on at the same time.

"Wait, Booth!" Brennan chased after him. "We can't just run, we need a plan. Take it easy."

"I know this area, it's just a few houses there; we'll get him Bones!"

Before Brennan could stop him, he was dressed and on his way through the door. "You coming or what?"

Brennan sighed, running after him. If they'd actually find Steven, Brennan wasn't sure she knew what Booth would do. He'd promised he'd kill him if he'd ever get the chance, and she actually feared that he'd meant it…

XxxxX

TBC