Update! OMG! They're having a girl! xD So happy right now! Anyways, enjoy!
Chapter Twelve
"Hello?" Seeley said, knocking on the door at the bottom of the steps. The door creaked open and Seeley stuck his head in, gasping at the sight that met him.
Jared sat at the far corner of a large room, encased in a cell, his hands tied together with rope and his mouth taped closed with duct tape. His eyes were wide and frantic when he saw Seeley. He seemed to be trying to warn him of something. Seeley didn't understand until he heard the door close behind him and he turned swiftly to see a hooded figure now standing in front of the door, leaning against it with a small teapot in it's hands.
Seeley glared at the figure. "What's going on here?" he demanded. "Why is my brother tied up? Where's Roxanne Hart?"
The hooded figure took a step forward, and Booth could swear he saw a smile behind the black hood. "You fool." A woman's soft, yet cold, voice sneered. "I am Roxanne Hart." He took one hand and lifted the hood off her face, causing Seeley to gasp as she unveiled her horribly disfigured face.
There were scars running all over her cheeks and her forehead, making her otherwise beautiful features seem horribly ugly. And the way her hair was cut so short and uneven made her look as if she'd gotten into a bad fight with a pair of scissors.
Seeley stepped back in fright and she glared. "Yes, I know." she snarled. "I'm hideous. Get over it."
Seeley saw a flash of pain in her eyes and instantly regretted his disgust. He knew that, in some cases, it was better to look past the exterior, but in this case he had no idea. She did tie up his brother.
Seeley paused where he stood. "It's not that...it's just...Why exactly is my brother tied up?"
Roxanne looked down at the teapot in her hand and shook it and, much to Seeley's surprise the teapot sprout eyes and a pleasant smile. "I can explain that." it said, startling Seeley enough to cause him to fall backwards onto the floor.
The teapot winced and jumped down from Roxanne's hands, hopping towards him. "Sorry for the scare, Sweetie. I know this may be confusing for you, but you see we needed to get you here so-"
"So that your brother could leave." Roxanne interrupted. "You need to take his place in order for him to go."
Seeley's eyes widened. "What? Why?" he turned to Jared. "Did you know about this?"
Jared shook his head fervently, trying to speak to him but the words came out muffled and unintelligible.
"He didn't know." Roxanne said. "We tricked him into giving us the name of somebody that could take his place. Finding your information was easy. We didn't need him for that. Just a simple computer. Now, are you willing to stay here as my prisoner in order to let your brother free?"
Seeley looked back at Jared, whose eyes were pleading with him, then he turned back to Roxanne, whose eyes seemed softer, but still very stern and serious, and somewhat cold. "I...I have a little girl." he said, weakly. He turned back to Jared. "You'll take care of Parker, right?"
Jared nodded, his eyes determined, but showing a little relief. The teapot noticed Seeley's look of distress and sent one of her own to her mistress, who pointedly ignored her. The teapot sighed.
"Is that your decision?" she asked. "I mean, do you wish to take his place?"
Seeley sighed. "I don't have much of a choice...so yeah. I'll take his place."
The teapot nodded and nodded towards Jared. Suddenly the rope untangled itself from around him and the tape ripped itself from his mouth. Jared hissed in pain and took a few gulps of fresh air, before looking over at his older brother.
"Seeley..." he said, sounding truly sympathetic.
Seeley shook his head. "Don't say anything, Jared. Just get out of here. Tell Parker I love her and give her a big hug and kiss from Daddy." He looked away before anybody could see the tears in his eyes.
Jared nodded and was released from his cell. He walked over to Seeley and threw his arms around him. "I'm so sorry, Seeley." he whispered in his ear. "I promise I'll get you out of here, but don't try anything stupid until I do. "The walls here have ears. Literally."
Booth chuckled without humor. "Why is it that I actually believe that?" He squeezed his brother. "Take care of yourself, Jarhead."
Jared chuckled at the childish nickname. "You too, Seel." he said, before straightening up and making his way out.
"Jack will set you up with a carriage out of here." the teapot told him before he left.
Jared nodded and patted the teapot, sparing one more parting glance at his brother as he left.
When Jared was gone, Seeley stood and began walking toward the cell.
"What do you think you're doing?" Roxanne asked.
Seeley turned to her, a hateful expression on his face. "I'm getting into my cell."
"That's not where you'll be staying." Roxanne turned to the teapot, completely missing Seeley's confused look. "Angela, take Mr. Booth to his room and prepare him for dinner." She turned back to Seeley. "Dinner will be served at seven sharp. I expect to see you there promptly."
Seeley huffed. "Fat chance."
Roxanne's gaze sharpened. "If you do not eat dinner with me, you will not eat anything at all. Your choice."
And with that, she was gone.
REVIEWS MAKE ME SMILE =D
