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CHAPTER TWELVE:

She wished someone was there all the time. Because every time she was alone, she found herself trapped by the ghosts of her horrible experience. And during night time, it only got worse…and worse. Least she could do was hide under her covers…waiting for daylight. Even when Angela was there by her bedside, it made no difference. She was still unease, and she didn't want anyone to see that. That she'd made them believe she was still the same Brennan they knew three years ago. But the truth was a far cry from what she actually let on.

The only person she didn't want to see was the young psychologist. Sweets.

Because she knew no matter how hard she'd try, he'd know something's wrong. And everything felt wrong.

And she'd been thinking of having Booth. It would be odd if she didn't.

She was ready to lose the last string of imperviousness inside her…but after two years and eight months…the trait built up inside her again. And she doubted if it will ever be gone.

She doubted if she'll ever allow anyone in her life again.

She just couldn't trust anyone.

Maybe even Booth. He said it himself…when a loved one passes away, you feel it. Even without the actual information. Had he felt it? Was I his loved one? Hannah was…helping him. And now Julia…she'll be there for him.

But no matter what...she'll never try and get him back. He's happy now.

Maybe I shouldn't stay with him. Maybe I should…leave. Start fresh.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Booth hadn't slept at all. He and Julia came home early from their dinner reservation, and since then, he'd been itching to be with his partner in the hospital. His Bones. But something inside him told him that he should give Angela some time with her best friend. Besides, Brennan will be with him the moment she will leave the hospital. He'll have all the time with her. And he promised that he will take the best care of her.

His bedside alarm went off…

"Great!" He scoffed. He already filed a leave of absence covering only a week. He wanted to make sure he'd adjust to Brennan again and that he'd meet with her needs. And Booth knew it wouldn't be easy.

He got to his feet, and made his bed before stepping in for a warm shower. He had the quickest shower in history. He didn't want any moment wasted without progress, and that became his motto. Then he changed into his usual getup, jeans and shirt, though this time he made sure he looked presentable, appealing…and charming.

He grabbed his keys, and headed to his living room where all his footwear scattered. He made a mental note to have someone clean his house before Brennan comes.

Booth jogged to his door.

Turned out, someone else was there. He was surprised to see Julia.

"Good morning, Seeley." Julia smiled.

Booth flashed a smile back, happy to see his fiancé though there were some things that he preferred doing at the moment. "Hey Jul…why didn't you knock babe?"

"I didn't bother. I knew you were coming out. So…" She grinned cockily. "Let's have breakfast. The lab is not so busy today."

"Oh I…" Booth choked. He wanted to be with Julia. He really did, but Brennan…Bones was his priority at the moment. "I…you know, I have to pick up Bones at the hospital. She will be discharged today."

He watched Julia's smile subside into a frown. Immediately, he felt bad. He had to think of a compromise.

"Why don't you join us? You know, get to know Bones better. She's a really good person, Jul."

"Uhm…" she hesitated. "Maybe next time? Because I have an urgent meeting in Miami. My flight is at eleven. I'll be back in three or four days maybe."

"Oh…" Booth nodded. If it was an ordinary day, he'd be wondering why she hadn't told him that before…but she said it was urgent. And this wasn't just another day. "Okay, babe. Just keep yourself safe, okay?"

She returned a confident smile Booth had learned to love. Then, his day didn't start without a loving, heated kiss from her fiancé. That made his day coincide with what he expected.

"Let's…grab…some coffee." Booth said in between kisses.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

While Brennan slept, Angela dealt with the discharge papers, billing, and everything that needed to be taken care of. By nine thirty, Brennan was set to go home. Though she was still buried deep in her slumber. Judging by the weight of the circles around Brennan's eyes, she had not slept during the night and the nights before.

So she waited…

For Booth, and for Brennan to wake up. With a cup of coffee in one hand, she leaned against the seat beside Brennan's bed, the other holding a remote as she flipped through channel after channel.

"Hmmh." Brennan croaked. She was half awake, half asleep. It had only been an hour since she really fell asleep, but she couldn't stay asleep for long.

Angela snapped from her seat, and turned sideways to the bed. "Hey sweetie. You're breakfast is here."

"Later." She murmured.

"Okay." Angela nodded. "Booth is gonna be here soon. Your discharge papers are all set."

"How did you do that? The offices won't be open until ten."

"Well,"—Angela smirked. "Hodgins' family is kind of a stockholder in this hospital. Talk about the perks we get. Your food is personalized, the room is very pretty and much more."

Brennan smiled back. "That's very nice. And thank you, Ange. Thanks to you and Hodgins."

"Sweetie, don't even think about it. You're family to us. Me and Hodgie both, and even to our kids."

"Just let me say thank you." She insisted. "I'm…very glad that I'm no longer lost."

"We're happy you're okay, sweetie. And there's only one person we'll entrust your safety. That's…"

The door swung open abruptly, and Booths stepped inside in a hurry. In one hand, he had a tray with three coffees. "Sorry Bones…I dropped Julia to the airport."

"Speaking of which…" Angela teased. Brennan shrugged, and gratefully took the coffee Booth gave her. "Where is Julia going?"

"Uhm…Miami. Urgent meeting." He answered.

Angela nodded approvingly. "Oh. I see."

Brennan then got to her feet, and adjusted the ties of her hospital gown. "Hmmh, I…I have to shower. I can leave this morning. Angela took care of everything."

Booth grinned, "That's very nice of you Ange…but…the offices…"

"Well G-man, don't ask. Let's just say…I worked my magic on them."—Angela bragged. "Go ahead sweetie, I'll have everything ready."

Brennan disappeared into the bathroom, and called out from inside. "Thanks Ange."

While Angela did what she promised, Booth sat on the edge of the bed.

From this day on, Brennan would depend on him for security. In other things, like food, shelter and company, he was sure he could provide her that. But protection? He let her slip away almost three years ago. And now he was doubting himself if he could keep her safe now.

"Something wrong Booth?" Angela asked, easily noticing the blankness in Booth.

"Uhm…" Booth cleared his throat. Not only Brennan expected him to protect her. Also Angela and all others. Even Max. "Do you think I could keep her safe, Ange? I failed to do…"

"Booth." Angela cut him off, and now she was standing face to face to him. "Of course you can. You're the best in your field, and not only that. Brennan means something to you, and…I know you can keep her safe. We trust you. You should trust you too."

"But I failed to keep her…"

"Stop talking Booth." Angela now raised an eyebrow. "It's alright. You can do it. And, you're the best person Brennan should be with these days…" she sighed, and the next words she spoke came out as a soft whisper. "…she's very fragile. She's not the same Bren cause of what the bastard did to her. And you know her. You'll understand."

Booth sighed. "Bones means a lot to me. And…I'll do my best."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"Miss Bayou is waiting in her office." One big man said.

Violet nodded nervously. She didn't know what to expect of her boss now. Their three-year project has come to an end because of a call. She walked briskly through the familiar hallway, the bottom of her heels making a soft, click clack sound on the polished Italian granite flooring. On the very end of the corridor, was a big, white door that led to another hallway. She swiped her access card on the side, and continued on to her trail. The lighting was dimmer, and there wasn't any other door besides a grand entrance to what seemed like a room in a ten star hotel.

Once again, she swiped her access card and the door slid open.

Her boss was facing the wall, staring at nothingness. She must've felt Violet, and she turned around. She was very disappointed, and oozing with anger. "Violet Summink."

"Miss Bayou, I…"

"Shut your ass up. Where is Temperance Brennan?"

Violet felt a shiver slide down her spine. "I'm…"

"Bitch. Find her, or else…" The woman smirked. "You know who'll be gone next."

She felt a hard lump form in her throat. "If I find her, what do you want me to do?"

"Kill her. She doesn't have to come back to her old life anymore, does she? Kill her without a doubt. Use your sniper skills, strangle her…throw her on a river, I DON'T CARE. Find Temperance Brennan!"

"Yes, Miss Bayou."