A/N: This story takes place during the summer between seasons 3 & 4. For the record, I do NOT in any way condone kidnapping, rape, murder, recreational drug use, or anything like that. If any of these subjects – or strong language - offends you, please DO NOT READ. This fic is NOT work safe, nor is it recommended for those with a weak stomach. Reader's discretion is advised!
At last, chapter 12. I'm soooo sorry it took so long to write! I had issues with starting the chapter, and got busy – and sick – in real life. I hope y'all enjoy it! Please R&R! And again, I'm sorry!
Disclaimer: I claim no ownership of these characters, and no affiliation whatsoever with Hart Hanson, "Bones", Fox, its affiliates, subsidiaries, etc. Please don't sue me!
Chapter 12
Homecoming
All her friends showed up the next day to take Angela home. A part of her wanted to scream. The other part just wanted to cry. Fortunately, she didn't listen to either side. Thanks to some pain medication, her head felt very heavy, for which she was actually pretty grateful. It meant that no one expected her to smile, or talk, or even really be there. When her nurse, Marsha, wheeled her out of the hospital, Angela blinked, flinching as the sunlight hit her eyes. While they weren't light-sensitive anymore, she'd been inside the hospital for so long that the sun itself hurt a little.
Her eyes focused on Booth, who stood at the curb, the rear driver's side door of his Sequoia open. He offered her a smile, but she looked away rather than return it. She barely listened as Dr. Sommerset, who'd walked down with them, gave a few last minute instructions to Hodgins, as well as her prescriptions. A moment later, the doctor herself shifted in front of Angela, squatting a bit so that they were eye to eye.
"Angela, listen to me. Here's the number for the psychologist you've been talking to." She passed her a business card, smiling kindly. "And here's my number." A second card. "If you have any questions, or need to talk, or feel any pain at all, don't hesitate to call either of us, alright?"
Her dark gaze slowly lifted to the doctor's face, and she nodded faintly. "Thank you," she responded softly. The doctor nodded in return, and stood, giving Hodgins a sympathetic smile. "The same goes for you. If you have any questions, you can call either of us."
Hodgins nodded and shook the doctor's hand, then stepped closer to Angela. "Baby, it's time." Her gaze moved to him, and she swallowed hard, then stood slowly and began to walk towards Booth. As she reached the curb, he held out a hand to help her in, causing her to flinch backwards a little. "S-sorry . . ." She hated that her body had reacted that way. Still, she didn't take his hand, getting in and sliding into the middle. A few minutes later, Hodgins slid in beside her. Brennan walked around to the other side and sat next to her as well, and Cam got in the front passenger seat. Through the window past Hodgins, she watched as Sweets and Booth talked for a moment, before the psychologist walked back to his car, wheeling a cart that had all the flowers, cards, and stuffed animals that had been showered upon her while she was in the hospital. Booth shut the rear door, then walked around to the driver's side and slid behind the wheel.
"Everyone ready?" There was no answer. Biting back a sigh, he started up the vehicle and pulled away from the curb, checking once to be sure Sweets was following. For several minutes, they drove in silence, until he heard a faint whimper come from the back seat. His gaze shifted quickly to the rearview mirror, a question on his lips, when he bit back the words.
Angela was curled up in the middle, her right hand limp in Brennan's tight grip, and her head turned towards Hodgins, her face buried in the seat cushion of the back. His heart broke for her. People like Angela weren't supposed to go through things like this. Especially his people. He glanced at Hodgins and blinked, realizing the man was staring right at him. As their eyes met in the mirror, he silently read the plea in the squint's gaze, begging him to drive faster, and he gave a faint nod. His eyes returned to the road, and his foot pressed the gas pedal closer to the floor, leaving Sweets in the dust.
He made it to Hodgins' estate in record time. When they pulled up, Hodgins immediately pushed open the rear driver's side door, stepping out. "Angie? Baby, we're here." It took a minute, but finally Angela slowly looked up, her hand sliding out of Brennan's grasp as she looked past Jack towards the house. Relaxing a little, she nodded faintly, sliding out of the car and standing. As he watched her take in her surroundings, he wanted desperately to advance, to pull her into his arms and never let her go. But even though she'd let him hold her the day before, she still shied away when he moved too fast. As Angela took a few steps away from the car, she seemed, somehow, shorter. It surprised and unnerved him, seeing this beautiful Amazon appear only as a frail shell of her former self.
Sweets pulled up behind them, getting out of the car and joining the group. It was then that Hodgins realized everyone else had gotten out as well. Sending Booth a look – Take care of her – he turned and headed up to the door to unlock it. He'd sent the staff home for the day, not wanting to overwhelm Angela with too many people, discreet as they were.
Pushing open the door, he turned and went back to Angela. He reached out to put a hand on her back, but stopped in mid gesture. "Ready to go in?" She looked at him and he forced himself to maintain his smile in the face of her blank stare. Unsure as to whether or not she heard him, he started to repeat the question, but she nodded before he could.
"Yeah . . ." It felt good to be home. Safe. Almost. Taking a deep breath, Angela glanced around at her friends and coworkers. "Um. Thanks for . . . everything." Inside, she wished desperately she could say more. She wanted to, honestly. She didn't want to feel the panic that had begun to churn in her stomach, caused by the presence of so many. Slowly she turned back towards the house and headed inside. Hodgins followed.
Booth's eyes watched the two until he could no longer see them, noting that Hodgins left the door open. Finally he turned to Cam, Bones, and Sweets. "Alright guys. Let's get her stuff inside and then leave the two alone." They all nodded, and the group began unloading Sweets' car.
Inside, Hodgins followed Angela slowly, watching her as she headed upstairs to the room they shared, staying a few feet away. Angela knew what he was doing, giving her space. She hated that he felt it necessary. She could tell that she hurt him, everytime she looked away, or flinched, or shuddered; she despised her own body for treating him this way. She wanted so much to be herself again, but that didn't seem like it would happen anytime soon, if ever.
When they had both reached their bedroom, she stood for a moment near the window, watching as Booth's and Sweets' vehicles drove off. Her eyes shifted focus, studying herself in the window pane, then shifted, catching sight of Jack behind her. She took a deep breath and turned, crossing the room to him and stepping into his arms. Her eyes slid shut as his arms came around her, and the breath was let out slowly. Here was home. Jack shut his own gaze and rested his chin against her hair. She was home.
They both had tears in her eyes when she broke away only a few minutes later, unable to handle the hug for too long.
