Chapter 12

Brennan made her way to the parking garage with a silent Doggett in tow. The news that Booth had been checking up on her was unnerving. Sweets was correct: of course Booth would have trouble relinquishing control of his job. He had invested much of himself to his work over the years, and as she thought about it, it made sense to her that he would find it difficult to detach. That her name was brought up in the conversation with Sweets was the part that bothered her; she felt as if he was trying to control her involvement in this case, even though it wasn't his. Already feeling as if Doggett and Sweets were babysitting her, the fact that Booth was attempting to do the same thing from afar made her claustrophobic and angry.

They reached the parking garage, and she climbed in Doggett's SUV and slammed the door. He opened his door and paused before climbing in. "Dr. Brennan, please know that my only motive for not telling you about Booth was concern for your feelings. Considering the conversation we had just had about him on Sunday afternoon, I just didn't think it was a good idea to share."

Brennan looked down into her lap. "I'm a big girl, Agent Doggett. I can handle Booth and his actions," she muttered.

"I know," he said, finally sliding in behind the wheel. He put the keys in the ignition but didn't turn the switch. Turning in his seat towards her, he said, "Look, I apologize for keeping that from you. It wasn't meant as a breach of trust. I have great respect for you and care about you as a friend, and I was just trying to look out for you."

Brennan sighed. "I know. I'm sorry for being angry. I just wish he would leave me alone. If this is what he wants, then he needs to quit…turning up everywhere."

Doggett nodded and turned on the truck. On the drive back to pick up her car, Brennan did more brooding, and by the time they had reached the lab, she knew one thing for sure: she was weary of everyone looking out for her. She was going to show Booth, Sweets, Doggett, and anyone else who cared that she could handle herself, even if she had to take down Jacob single-handedly.

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Booth trudged out to the firing range, reflecting on that morning's disastrously humiliating phone call to Sweets. He had been slightly hung-over, tired, and had awakened that morning after having some alcohol-induced dream with Bones in it. He woke up angry and had called Sweets impulsively to lodge his complaint about Bones being undercover with someone who obviously didn't know her and her danger-prone ways.

Sweets had told him to butt out. As much as it pissed Booth off to hear it, he knew that Sweets was right. He had to let it go. Bones wasn't his responsibility anymore, as Doggett had reminded him, and he really did need to focus on his new job. He had a little over two weeks left of training, and then he would be out in the field again. Because of his expertise as a sniper and his impeccable record as an agent, they had assigned him a unique position that was a blend of intelligence gathering and field sniper duties.

His superior had already brought him in on some chatter they had received about a homegrown terrorist cell with anti-Israel leanings that was located somewhere in the greater D.C. area. Their intelligence had uncovered the purchase of large amounts of bomb making materials, and the information Booth's supervisor had received pointed to a possible suicide attack sometime this spring. Booth was to assist in gathering intel, but was also to be on high alert in case he was needed to take out a bomber at a moment's notice.

Booth was looking forward to the opportunity. His cosmic balance sheet did not apply to assholes who wanted to kill Americans in their own country.

It had been awhile since he had had to use his sniper rifle, and as he stepped onto the range, he pushed Bones to the back of his mind, ready to sharpen his rusty skills. He was ready to focus on the task at hand, to be fully present, and to give all of his mental faculties to his new mission. That it didn't include Bones could no longer concern him.

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After a quick dinner with Doggett and the other two agents, Brennan changed into clothes that were a better match for her undercover persona, put on the hidden mic, and took off for Cheverly with Doggett following at a safe distance in his truck. After an uneventful twenty-minute drive, Brennan pulled onto the tree-lined street that Ashley had directed her to, found the house number, and parked on the curb. The house was a modest tract home with red brick and black trim, small and unassuming, framed by a large front lawn that was neatly trimmed but not overly landscaped. There were no other cars in front of the house, causing Brennan to worry that she had the wrong house.

"Going up to the house now. It doesn't look like there are any other people here," she said, addressing Doggett softly over the mic as she walked up the drive. She rang the doorbell, and before long, the door opened, revealing Ashley's smiling face.

"Hello, sister Joy. Come in! We are so happy you are here!" she gushed, pulling Brennan inside.

"Thank you," said Brennan. "Am I…early? I didn't see any other cars out front."

"No, right on time. There are no cars because we live here. You will, too, if you pass Jacob's test."

Brennan hesitated momentarily, wondering if they intended to take her in as a resident tonight.

"Don't worry," laughed Ashley, reading her expression. "You'll feel right at home here. You'll see how it all works soon enough, and then you'll be rushing home to pack your things to move in!"

Ashley led her through the house and down a flight of stairs, which opened at the bottom to a much larger room that must have been dug out underground. It was spacious enough to hold the thirty or so women that were milling about, its white walls and cement floor completely void of any décor, and the pungent odor of incense filled the room.

Ashley grabbed Brennan's hand said, "Come on, let me introduce you to everyone!" She led her through the group, introducing her to each young woman, each of whom hugged her and said, "Welcome!"

After they had made their rounds through the room, a bell chimed, and a hush fell among the women. They all made their way towards the center of the room and sat on the floor in tidy rows of four across. Brennan watched as they bowed their heads in unison.

Ashley leaned over and said, "Let's sit in the back. Follow my lead, okay? It seems a little weird at first, but we have a reason behind everything we do. It's really beautiful." She led Brennan to the back row, where they sat and bowed their heads as well.

The bell chimed another time, and Brennan could hear the shuffling of feet at the front of the room.

It was quiet for a few minutes, and then a man's soothing voice addressed the group:

"Sisters. Handmaidens of Mercy. My beautiful and perfect daughters. As you near the day of your atonement, you must purify yourselves and be ready for the coming battle that we have been appointed to fight. As a vessel of God, appointed to speak his words to your hearts, I am here to assist in that purification through the washing of water and through the holy communion of purifying drink. We do not take this ceremony lightly, for we know that only through purification can we truly be cleansed and made fit for the work that is before us.

"As we have sadly learned, fire and brimstone awaits those who refuse this calling of purity. Despite their sin and hard-heartedness, we remember our beloved lost ones with sadness. Let us take a moment to reflect on their lives, and remember the hope that we have that we will be made pure and escape the same fate as they."

He paused, and the room was filled with the sound of weeping, prayer, and even some singing.

After several minutes, he said, "And now, we will pass the cup of fellowship, which will purify you from your sin and redeem you for this great calling."

Brennan lifted her head and saw that the women had done the same. Jacob (as she presumed him to be) lifted up a large chalice from a table behind him and gave it to a woman on the front row. She drank deeply, bowed her head, and passed it to her right.

As the cup was being passed, Brennan nudged Ashley and whispered, "What is that they're drinking?"

Ashley whispered back, "It's just wine. Don't worry. You don't have to drink it because you're not part of us yet."

After the cup made its way back to where Brennan was seated, Ashley drank from it and passed it to the woman on the other side of Brennan, who drank, and then stood and took it to the front of the room.

"Soon, my daughters, we will take up arms against the great scourge of evil that has overtaken this country. We will bruise the heel of the enemy, striking a heavy blow to his agenda. Lives will be saved because of your devotion and willingness to sacrifice all. Prepare your hearts. The day draweth nigh.

"Now," said Jacob, fixing his attention on Brennan, "we have a newcomer in our midst. I trust that you have all been blessed to meet Joy. I would like us to surround her and lay hands on her, blessing her as she begins the journey towards holiness with us."

Ashley nudged Brennan, signaling her to stand, and the women in the group immediately hemmed her in on all sides. They laid hands on her, and then Jacob led them in a prayer, thanking God for bringing her to them.

When the prayer was finished, the women stepped away, parted by the presence of Jacob, who was making his way toward her. When he reached her, he reached out his hand and lifted her chin gently to look into her eyes.

"My child, you are lovely. I believe that it is providence that has brought you to us – to me. I have heard of your incredible heart for the Kingdom, and your compassion and mercy for the unborn. Your work has been tireless, and you are a good and faithful servant to God. I have asked him about your worthiness, and have received an answer. You are fairer than all women, and God has told me that you are to inherit the seat at my right hand as your eternal reward."

He bent down and kissed her lightly on both cheeks. Brennan resisted the urge to recoil: his presence was repulsive and serpent-like, and she felt defiled at his touch.

"Soon you will come and live with us, and you will make your home with me. This is the way of your salvation. You will leave your father and mother and will become one with us."

Brennan nodded and smiled weakly, making every attempt to appear grateful and willing. Everything within her was urging her to run from Jacob's grasp, but she was desperate to keep her cover intact.

"Do you have anything to say, beautiful one?" Jacob asked.

"When?" she whispered. "When can I come and live with you?"

"Soon, child. No one knows the day or the hour, but you will be with us soon. God has mighty plans for you, and you will learn of them soon." He clasped both of her hands and kissed her again, this time on the lips. Then he turned, and disappeared through the crowd of women, and she did not see him for the rest of the evening.

Ashley rushed up to Brennan as soon as Jacob was gone. "Oh, Joy! I am so happy for you! Not only does Jacob accept you, but he has also given you a place of honor among us! He has been so grieved about losing his Brides, but now he has chosen you!"

Brennan was horrified, but only smiled in demure acceptance. "That is wonderful. Can you explain to me what I am supposed to do? What does it mean to be Jacob's Bride?"

Ashley's face went solemn. "It is a great responsibility, but it's also a high honor. You will be privileged to know Jacob's most private thoughts and plans. You will be required to cut all ties with the outside world, so no contact with family, and that boyfriend of yours will have to move on to greener pastures! But you'll see that nothing compares to life here with Jacob."

"So…as a Bride, is this an actual…bride in the literal sense?" Brennan asked, afraid of what the answer would be.

Ashley laughed. "Oh, you mean…well, no one really knows because Brides are not allowed to talk about their lives with Jacob. But our group is celibate. It's the highest path to holiness. Jacob believes that with all of his heart, so I would think that it also applies to his Brides. But he is wise and knows what's best, so you can trust him."

"Brides? Are there more than one?"

"There are three. Two others who have just joined us, and you. You complete the trinity! Oh, I know Jacob is so happy."

"Who are the other two? Did I meet them tonight?" Brennan asked.

"Oh, no. Jacob found them and we haven't been introduced to them yet. They are others who, like you, were outsiders. He's been looking for a long time for suitable candidates, and he's finally found all of you."

"Where did he find them?" Brennan knew she was dangerously close to prying, but she couldn't help wonder if Katie Lopez was one of his "candidates."

"Not sure. But we all trust that God himself has led Jacob in his selection."

Brennan smiled in faux happiness. "So, now that I'm here, can you tell me what you have planned? What is this battle that Jacob spoke of?"

"Only the Brides and Jacob know fully the plans he has for us. We will know when the time is right. You heard Hilary talk about our big event on the steps of the Supreme Court in a few weeks? I think that is the 'appointed time' he keeps talking about. It won't be a typical protest, but that's all I know."

"What does a 'typical protest' look like?"

Ashley's eyes lit up. "You know, demonstrating, providing graphic props and pictures, general civil disobedience. But this – this will outdo them all."

A few of the other women came around to wish Brennan well and congratulate her on her new status within the group, and then Ashley said, "You should go home now and get your house in order. He'll be calling you to join him soon." She began to make her way upstairs, and Brennan followed.

"What…I don't know what that means. Do I give up my apartment? Pack clothes?"

"No, don't worry about any of that. Jacob wants us to keep our homes intact as much as possible. Since we are a secret group, he wants us to keep all appearance of normal life to the outside world. We work, we go out on the weekends, we lead normal lives. The only thing that changes is where we sleep. To an outsider, we just seem very busy. Anyway, I will call you when it's time. You'll have a few days' notice. It's all up to Jacob and his perfect timing."

They passed through the kitchen, where several of the women were conversing over a plate of cookies, and when they reached the front door, Ashley said, "So, do you run? We should go running sometime. I'm always looking for an accountability partner."

"I usually jog on The Mall trail every morning around six. You are welcome to join me any day."

"Wonderful! I just might do that! So, thanks for coming! I'm so excited about you coming to live here!" Ashley hugged her and saw her out.

"Hope you got all that," Brennan said to Doggett as she headed down the sidewalk to her car. "I'm coming to you right now."

When she got into her car, her cell phone was ringing. She glanced at the display and answered.

"Good job, Dr. Brennan!" Doggett's voice was full of pride. "Don't come to us. You may be watched. Let's meet up once we get out of Cheverly. Founding Fathers okay?"

Brennan cringed at the meeting place he had chosen, but agreed and set off, eager to spend some quality time with "normal" people again. Normally, she liked undercover work, but doing it alone was much more nerve-wracking than she imagined. She worked best when she had Booth to play off of, and going it alone now made her feel unsure of herself. She had been on edge the entire night, afraid of saying the wrong thing, Booth's familiar way of admonishing her -"Bones!" in that half-whisper of his - ringing through her mind.

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The Founding Fathers was quiet, and as Brennan stepped through the entrance, she regretted immediately that she had agreed to this meeting place. She was instantly hit with a barrage of memories: drinks with Booth. Angela and Hodgin's baby announcement. Booth's birthday. Booth.

She had not set foot in this place since that night almost six weeks ago, when she had found Booth after his breakup with Hannah. Despite the awkwardness and his unkind words to her when she first arrived, the latter half of their time here had been the last time things were "normal" between them. And then, somehow, it had all come apart at the seams.

Brennan choked back the growing tightness in her throat, shaking off the heaviness that pressed in. She noticed Doggett at a table in the back, so she made her way through the crowd and sat.

"So," he said, standing as she approached. "You did great. I think that was the creepiest group I've seen in awhile – and that's saying something."

"Thanks. It was very strange, and for some reason I feel as if I need to take a shower now," smirked Brennan.

"I'll say! Jacob is a slimy individual. He sure took to you, horny bastard. He'll be pretty bummed out when he realizes that you won't be coming back."

Brennan looked at Doggett in disbelief. "Agent Doggett, we haven't gotten any solid evidence from them yet. I need to go back in if we are going to find out anything else about his plans."

"No way, Brennan. No way in hell am I letting you go back in. Regardless of what Ashley said about their 'purity,' I can guarantee that his plans for you do not include respecting your boundaries, if you know what I mean."

"Agent Doggett, we owe it to the victims' families to follow this through. It's highly likely that Katie Lopez is one of the 'Brides' he's recently taken. She could be in grave danger. And I don't think it is a coincidence that he recently lost his last three Brides. I have no evidence to support it, but our three victims could very well be the three."

"Which is exactly my point. You go in there and he tries to put the moves on you and you refuse, he'll know right away that you're not 'fit,' or whatever he calls it. You'll end up like the others. No way, Dr. Brennan."

Brennan was agitated. "Then how do you suggest we find Katie? There's no other way to get in to that house. It's swarming with people. The logical thing to do would be to follow through. Without emotional attachments, he would be unable to manipulate me. I would simply be doing a job."

"Dr. Brennan, it may be logical to you, but it's not rational to sacrifice your dignity here. We're not spies. There's a line – especially since you are a civilian and not an agent. I've already gone against my better judgment by putting you in there as it is, but I will not allow you to be used as that man's plaything. We'll figure something out. At the very least, we can stake the place out. You continue to build your relationship with Ashley. Maybe running with her will get her to open up some more."

"And when they call on me to move in, Agent Doggett, how do you want me to handle that?"

Doggett thought for a moment. "Tell them you've been sent overseas for work. As soon as that call comes, we'll move you to a secure location to keep you from being spotted. We'll just have to find another way to take this guy down."

Brennan was not happy at this turn of events. She made her opinion known to Doggett, but he held fast in his position. Realizing that the subject was closed for discussion, she resigned herself to the matter, ordered tequila, and eagerly let it carry her to a state of relaxed detachment from the events of the last several weeks.

Oh, the places we'll go… stay tuned, my friends. It's about to get very interesting…