Disclaimer: All characters portrayed here are fictional. No infringement of rights intended. Bones & its characters are a product of Fox Inc. & not mine. No financial gain is received from this work of fiction.

Summary: Bones is FREE! (Almost) Pelant still is too but the evidence against him is mounting - will it be enough though? "Nothing is what it seems…" - Seeley Booth.

Rating: M

Thanks: Jsboneslover: delighted you liked that word! Thx SVM 4 the stunning reviews & comments. Any theories about the postcards? XX. To all the Guest reviewers: Humble thx for UR comments & thoughts. *blushes* Hugs & XX's 2 all.

Ok. Pour the wine, sit back and relax, dear reader…

Pelant

Chapter XIV

Blue Dragon Pagoda

Laiyuan

Dusk

Ange couldn't remember being more nervous in her life. Yonyto had arrived earlier full of smiles and pleasantries but with no sign of any chips. They'd been brought to the spectacularly candle lit pagoda by a small bamboo punt that Leo manoeuvred efficiently through the water lilies. Lin had explained that from this point they would see a beautiful setting sun and could watch Leo fish for their supper. Her mother was playing the fine hostess and lavishing Yonyto with her very best hospitality and plenty of excellent Chinese red wine.

They all watched from the steps of the pagoda as the suns last rays dipped below the Blue Dragon mountains that surrounded Lin's home on all sides. As the sun back lit the mountains it threw into stark relief, the Great Wall on their loftly peaks. She couldn't deny it, it was a gorgeous sight and worth taking time out from her anxious thoughts to appreciate the spectacle.

Leo suddenly drifted out onto the lake: back on the punt lit by a single lamp hung from a wooden stand off the end of it. Lin explained for Ange's benefit, 'Arrh. Here he comes,' she said softly. 'Leo is using the traditional method that the cormorant fishermen of Guilin use to catch our supper this evening.' Yonyto looked extremely impressed and intrigued, watching Leo avidly. 'The lamplight attracts the carp to the surface much like the full moon does - and you'll see a large black bird - a cormorant, trained by Leo from a hatchling, perched on the long punt pole.' Ange nodded, sipping her wine, very impressed too by Leo's seemingly never ending talents. 'The cormorant is encouraged into the water and catches the fish but is unable to swallow as its gullet is gentle restricted by a twine noose.' Ange snagged her head back, thinking that was slightly unfair. Lin smiled warmly, glancing to Yonyto who didn't look perturbed by that information though. 'Don't concern yourself, Angela, the bird is unharmed, I can assure you. They are very fast and efficient swimmers that work in perfect syncopation with the fisherman. They know its easier for them to catch fish when urged to the surface and energy efficient - it will catch one and come to the surface then Leo will... Arh!' she exclaimed suddenly, 'do you see?' pointing. 'Leo will use the pole to lift the bird from the water now.'

'Haa. That's incredible,' Ange gushed, seeing Leo remove the fish from the cormorants gullet, and put it in a covered wicker basket which was draped in the water to keep it alive and fresh. Then she saw the bird eagerly dive again from the pole to catch another. 'Once Leo and his cormorant have caught enough fish -,' Lin went on, 'he'll remove the noose and feed the cormorant from the catch. Both parties are satisfied and well fed with minimal effort. A wonderful harmony between man and beast, don't you agree, Angela?'

'It is, Mom,' she agreed, feeling the gentle touch of Lin's palm on her back. Ange turned her head to smiled hard at her mother, grateful for the explanation. 'Thank you,' she said graciously.

'I'm glad you enjoyed that lesson,' she said extremely softly, with a delicate smile curving her lips, with a clear reference to yesterday. Yonyto quietly sipped his wine, hearing their affectionate exchange.

Fifteen minutes later Leo returned to the steps where they were standing to show the catch to Yonyto. Lin gestured to it, saying, 'Please, choose your fish.' Yonyto did inspecting the fish critically, while Ange watched on, but more interested in the cormorant perched on the pole. Lin saw her squat down to peer at the cormorant that seemed to be terribly proud of itself. 'You may touch him - he's extremely friendly. And I suspect will enjoy your admiration and touch.'

Ange tentatively caressed its damp jet breast feathers, asking, 'Does he have a name?'

Lin laughed softly, then informed, 'Cormorant.'

'U'oh,' Ange sounded and looked very disappointed. 'That's a bit boring. Leo, you need to give him a proper name,' said still stroking the bird. Leo flicked his eyes to Lin with a handsome smile, then nodded to Ange as if accepting the challenge. 'Something cute and noble like, Lincoln or…' Just as she said that the cormorant stretched out its wings, and flapped them several times, shaking his head from side to side. 'Ooops. I don't think he likes that,' Ange grimaced. Everybody laughed, then she suggested playfully to the cormorant, 'What about Genghis then?' He craned his neck, and waggled his throat in a clear display of acceptance. 'I think we got a winner,' Ange beamed over her shoulder to Lin and Yonyto. They nodded with charmed smiles.

!_!_!_!_!_!_!_!_!_!_!_!_!_!_!_!_!_!

3AM

Ange couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned constantly; unable to get comfortable. Her mind was constantly racing with doubt, frustration and questions. The evening had gone very well, she thought. The food prepared by Leo was outstanding. He'd smoked the fish on a wood burning grill on the large deck and prepared, what she was to discover, was a local delicacy called sticky bamboo rice. Which was roasted inside tubes of bamboo with cut handles Leo had prepared earlier from the surrounding forest. They'd had at least seven courses and as they ate the banquet Leo entertained them with music played by him on a stringed instrument, the haunting melodies of which drifted across the lake in the warm moonlit air. It was a magical evening but with no remote reference to chips. She was obsessing about what was happening back in the States with her friends, and missing Jack and Michael so much she ached.

In the hour before dawn she rolled again to see a note had been slipped under her thin door. She immediately jumped from her bed, and snatched it up, to read, "Come to the pagoda. Mr Yonyto." With her heart pounding and a sense of some relief and chronic anticipation, she slung the silk robe over her pyjamas, slipped on trainers and ran around the lake shore towards the pagoda. En route her mind went into overdrive; she prayed he had something to give her but she also feared what he may ask of her in return.

As she crossed the small jetty from the shore which led over the water to the pagoda she slowed down, and tried to calm herself by taking several deep controlling breaths. Only then did she realise in her haste, she was not properly dressed for this important meeting. She thought Yonyto may misconstrue the symbolism of what she was wearing and decide sex was on the table for negotiation. But she tossed that paranoid thought aside, and walked into the pagoda.

On entering the hundreds of candles were still flicking in the gentle breeze that seeped through the structure and she could see, dead centre on a table, a large chrome oblong case. She came to a standstill, and looked around. Yonyto was no where to be seen.

Ange went straight to the case, and flicked open the five latches, paused to take a deep breath she needed suddenly, then lifted the heavy lid. Her jaw slackened with what she saw inside.

From the spiral stairs that led to the next floor, a suited Yonyto slowly walked down the stairs. Spotting him, she closed the lid, and smiled at him nervously. He said nothing until he was directly opposite her on the other side of the case, and stood with his hands behind his back, then bowed deeply. Ange bowed respectfully too.

'Ms Montenegro -,' Ange nodded for him to continue, he went on but very slowly and cagily, 'I understand now, you understand the delicacy of this - situation.' She nodded firmly several times, and swallowed hard. 'We discovered the culprit who stole our technology and corrupted it. Inside is a mini disc video player and two discs. One marked A - the other B. Please, remove them.' Ange open the lid again, and took out the tiny player, and put it beside the case as carefully as if it was ticking bomb. He nodded. 'Please, insert disc A and push play,' he instructed. She did as requested with her heart pounding so hard she could hear the rush of blood in her ears, and throbbing through her tension-filled hands. She twitched on the spot, and waited.

The screen flickered to life then Ange saw a man sat behind a nondescript desk in room backed by a pale grey wall equally as nondescript. Her initial reaction was that this was a video of an interrogation of the culprit. Thankfully she saw no sign that he'd been beaten or coerced in any way. There was a date and time stamp on the bottom right hand side. On the table he was sat behind was a jug of water and an empty glass and nothing else. The man looked terrified, then he began to speak in remarkably good English, and Ange listened intently to his statement and full confession. Mr Yonyto walked away slowly as if disgusted by him; not wanting to look at his face, and peered over the lake as the man went on. He explained who he was; his address, age and how he was contacted, why he decided to corrupt the chips, how many he altered, and expressed his deep remorse for what he'd done and the humiliation he'd brought on the company and his country in doing so. At one point an arm came into view to pour water for him into the glass, and pushed it slowly towards the nervous young man. Ange noted on the wrist of the man who poured the water was a small number tattoo not unlike the tattoos the Nazi's put on concentrations camp victims. The culprit picked up the glass, and drank a little, then continued after swallowing hard. He then said he'd created, to the exact specifications again another chip, to hand over to the authorities in an attempt to assist in the capture of his accomplice.

Ange had the evidence she needed and her excitement almost overflowed in a whoop of triumph. She knew the chip was in the case: she'd seen it. This statement was damming but she was cautious and wondered if it was acceptable to an American court which tempered her enthusiasm slightly. She took a leaf out of Leo's book and said nothing, but flicked her eyes to Yonyto: who still had his back to her.

The video ended and Yonyto returned to the table, saying, 'Now - please insert disc B...' Ange hurriedly did so, and pushed play. This was even more interesting especially for her. It showed a clean room; and an original chip under high magnification, then the camera panned back to show the culprit who explained precisely what he'd done to alter the chip. Ange's excitement then did overflow.

'This is remarkable evidence, Mister Yonyto.' He nodded once stony faced. Then Ange returned to watch the culprit create the chip and it being placed in a sealed numbered unit which was in the case she now had possession of. The tape ended, and Ange blew out her remaining anxiousness in a breathy gush.

'We hope you have all the evidence you require to apprehend this criminal - Christopher Pelant who plagues you, your friends and comrades of the Untied States.' Ange nodded, knowing she had more than she'd ever expected to receive. Yonyto straightened his back as if standing to attention, as he concluded sombrely, 'It is with our humble apologies that these events caused so much distress. We hope that by giving you this honest account and the chips - you can forgive us…' Then he bowed from the waist with great solemnity, and held his position for five whole seconds.

Ange felt suddenly very emotional by his humility and the fact that this man had tainted everybody with his betrayal: and the people of China felt that humiliation equally. Ange realised it wasn't about the individual, but the whole that were disgraced: as her mother had tried to explain yesterday.

With the echo of her mother's words resonating in her mind, she became a fledgling diplomat as the dawn broke, and she said, 'Mister Yonyto -,' he came up from his bowed position to look into her eyes, 'with great respect and compassion we accept your humble, gracious, apology unreservedly.' Then she bowed low to him. When she came up he was smiling tentatively: she mirrored it.

His demeanour changed almost with the wind as he said, 'You will discover inside the case we have given two other chips which are not corrupted.' Ange grinned, flaring her eyes excitedly. 'At the very bottom you will find a document which is the transcript of this interview on this disc. It has been witnessed and signed by predigest lawyers from Beijing. We would appreciate if this episode could be kept as quiet as possible but we understand if it cannot.'

'I assure you, Mister Yonyto, I will do my utmost, whatever happens, to ensure your nation and your excellent company is represented in the most honourable way.' Ange replaced the compact video player carefully in the case, adding, 'You've been excessively generous here, I cannot thank you enough. However, without appearing rude or too forward, I understand it is customary to ask a favour of me after such a transaction. I return to the US shortly I would appreciate it now if you could give me some indication to what you may be calling on me to do…'

'You have been well versed in the ways of business here in China, Ms Montenegro. There is - something we would like you to do for us in return…' Ange nodded slowly, expressionless, and held her breath.

!_!_!_!_!_!_!_!_!_!_!_!_!_!_!_!_!_!

Excitedly and eager to give the good news to her mother, Ange arrived back to the large deck. She placed the case carefully on the table, then went to open the sliding doors to Lin's bedroom. But she paused when she heard the unmistakable gentle sighs and moans of two people being intimate inside. Ange froze, then stepped back from the paper thin doors, revealing moving silhouettes of that love being made on the thin screens internally highlighted by many candles. It was obvious the only person she could be with was Leo; as Yonyto had already left. And Ange didn't know what she made of that revelation to begin with. So Ange stepped back further, then spun, trying not to watch those fascinating slow moving figures. She cover her ears with her palms, and closed her eyes, grimacing, knowing now what it was like to catch a parent in flagrante. It wasn't that they were loud, on the contrary, but he was half her age, and her house boy too, and she thought Lin was probably taking advantage of her powerful position with him, and that disgusted her a little.

Ange sat down at the table, deciding to distract herself by re-watching the videos she'd been given, and wait for them to finish. She had a surprisingly long wait and mentally calculated, much to her shame, Lin had been pleasured to completion at least four times in that hour in various ways. She'd twice been through both sets of video and the whole of the case before the silhouettes stopped dancing on the screen doors and the breathy sounds cumulated with her mother urging distinctly, 'Release, Leo.' Then they slowly ceased to move with elongated combined sighs of bliss.

Ten minutes or so later Ange heard movement from inside the room, then the doors were slid wide. Ange slowly turned her head with a, caught ya, expression on her face. Lin, wrapped in silk with a loosely covered, snoozing, Adonis-like Leo behind her on the bed, paused when she saw her. She turned slowly, and slid the doors closed again, then paused.

Lin turned on a smile, and sat down opposite Ange, saying cheerfully, 'Arrh. You got what you came for, I see.' Ange dropped her jaw in shock at her unperturbed expression.

'Mooom,' she whined, then pointed towards the bedroom, whispering, 'What are you doing - he's your house boy?'

Lin sighed deeply, reached for her cigarettes, and lit one. 'Leo is not my house boy, Angela. He's not paid, he's with me of his own free will.'

'He's half your age.'

'No he isn't. He's thirty four and don't be such a prude. I have physical needs, like any woman.'

'Eeewwww,' Ange chastised. Lin laughed softly, shaking her head at her daughter. 'Its kinda icky, if you ask me. What is it with him anyway? He's your gourmet cook, driver, helicopter pilot, fisherman, t'ai chi partner, butler, masseuse, lover… its not hard to see or hear he excels at all of those,' she said, implying she heard how good a sex partner he was too.

Lin rebuked, 'Don't be crass, Angela,' blowing out her smoke high into the air above her head in a loud blow.

'Come on, Mom, he's not for real, surely, no one is that fucking perfect?' Just then and obviously hearing, Leo slid the doors open, wrapped up in a robe. He bowed politely, closed the doors again, then walked softly away without looking at either of them directly. Lin visibly sagged, watching him walk off.

'Now look what you've done - you've embarrassed him.'

'How would I know - he never says a word! Is he mute?' Lin ignored her questions, and looked inside the open case on the table between them.

'Did Yonyto ask a favour of you?' Ange nodded, then sagged. Lin watched Ange look over the lake with the warm sun rising on her face. 'Can you deliver what he asked for?' Ange nodded slowly.

'Yeah - but it's probably gonna be illegal though.'

'Probably?' Lin queried. Ange waggled her head to suggest it could be perceived as such but she wasn't sure. 'Humm,' Lin pondered on Ange's body language for a few moments. 'Are you considering handing back all this evidence knowing now what his favour is?' Ange looked into her mother's eyes again, then shook her head. 'So I take that to mean you are willing to risk delivering on this favour for the greater good?' Ange didn't reply, as her mind was clearing, and sifting evidence in a logical way.

'There will be repercussions whether I deliver on this favour or not - rock, hard place, me in the middle,' Ange explained, gesturing with her hands her catch 22 position. Lin smiled.

'I understand completely. You'll have till you leave to make your final decision. I can return the case to Mr Yonyto for you. Then you can find another way if your feel you cannot risk these repercussion.'

Ange studied Lin as she took another draw on her cigarette. Then as Lin blew out that puff, Ange asked, 'What is it you do, Mom, I mean, exactly what do you do?'

'I run a business. A very successful one, as it happens,' Lin said evasively.

Ange sneered up her features, and shook her head at her clear avoidance in answering her, 'Too vague, Mom. What do - you - do in the course of your daily job - there, a straight question expecting a straight forward, honest reply, please.'

'I solve problems, Angela - usually very, difficult problems that most would rather either ignore or hide.' Ange narrowed her eyes at her, clearly making a connection. 'I come up with solutions to these problems, ease conflicts, or consciences in a practical way. Sometimes I even see problems before they arise and make suggestions to avoid those on coming issues. Individuals, companies, politicians, all sorts come to me and if I'm successful they pay me handsomely.'

Ange peered into Lin's eyes, and asked, 'Give me an example.' Lin sat back, then looked to the lake, contemplating Putting out her cigarette, she then nodded, and said, 'Let's walk then.' She stood, and gestured the route. Ange got up, and they began to circumnavigate the lake slowly.

Lin began with, 'Twelve years ago this country went through some political changes and its move into open relations with other nations caused a shift in policy. I was asked if I could resolve a problem which had potential to embarrass and cause offence worldwide if the truth were discovered. I went to visit the place where this problem was conceived and assessed the options. My remit was to disband a project that had been running for many, many years in a discreet way. That was when I first encountered Leo.' Ange looked into her profile, and nodded. 'What I'm about to tell you is dangerous information if you breathe a word it will mean you life and most definitely that of your family, me included,' she warned gravely. Ange gulped, and nodded her vow of silence.

'Leo was - is a product of a secret project to create the flawless ultimate human being. Let me clarify. He was conceived in a test tube. The donors were selected from the purest gene pool with specific characteristics. And then genetically modified to possess extremes of strength, intelligence, empathy, loyalty: all manner of what was considered at the time to be the perfect mixture of attributes. He was then implanted into a host and born. In a closed environment he was trained in martial arts, the arts, sports, languages, mathematics, hundreds of skills and techniques most with a military edge. He was a sponge for knowledge like the other test subjects. But the practitioners found, what they considered to be, a flaw manifest when most became teenagers or beyond. Most rebelled against their creators and the closed off environment they were forced to live in. My options were euthanasia of these subjects or placement with a politically trusted individuals. You see by creating a person with a rabid thirst for knowledge all he wanted to do was learn and serve. His loyalty was inherent, his empathy inbred; he is what he was made to be.' Ange nodded, having her curiosities and questions about Leo answered. 'I told him the project was being shut down, that I only had two options. He understood but told me all he wanted was a purpose in life or there was, to him, no point in living. The answer was so simple in the end. He's very astute and knew that I had a difficult job which was often very stressful and secrecy was paramount on occasion. He was fully aware that I was vulnerable in my position and because of some of the decisions I make, I've made enemies. So he offered his services as a bodyguard to me, therefore giving him purpose. He gets to fly my helicopter, travel, fish, build that pagoda and do all those things for me he takes great pride in. All the while fulfilling his reason for being.'

'That's some scary shit, Mom.' Lin quirked her lips to agree. Then she asked with a slight grimace, 'What about the sex thing?'

'The sex thing? You make our union sound sordid, Angela, and its nothing of the sort. He'd been with me for two years before he came to me one night, having never been intimate with anyone before. I won't deny it, of course, we'd grown very close in that time and he was privy to many secrets. But I was as shocked as you were this morning when he wanted to make love to me. I refused at first because I feared things would change between us and alter our working dynamic, and as you say, it was culturally a little icky. But one day - a year later, my life was physically threatened by one of my enemies. Leo disarmed, killed and disposed of them in three lightening fast moves, then he held me, comforted me as I wept with shock, and we kissed - and it didn't feel icky at all. We were physically intimate that evening. The next morning nothing had changed, except maybe I smiled a little more, as did he.'

Making her assessment, Ange smiled warmly at her, stating, 'You love him.'

Lin came to slow halt, and said with an enigmatic smile, 'Angela, he's perfect - how could I not?' They moved on again slowly with the whispering phoenix tail bamboo swaying and creaking around them.

Ange asked, 'Where are the others?'

'Leo is the last survivor to my knowledge. Most commited suicide or went insane and died in institutions. He speaks very little because he says he learns more when he listens. But when he does - its often something very profound.' Reaching the far side of the lake to the sprawling bungalow that sat gently on stilts, they paused to look back towards the island amid emerald reeds and iris. They could see Leo on the deck setting up their breakfast. Lin said, clearly emotional, watching him, 'He has no one else but me - and when I've gone…' Lin trailed off as her voice cracked, and dropped her head, turning her face away from Ange, not wanting her to see her brewing tears.

Ange touched her forearm, saying softly, 'Ooh, Mom.' Lin patted her hand on her forearm sweetly, then looped her arm through hers, and walked on, regaining her composure. Ange's mind ran amok though: pondering why her mother would talk about when she's gone, and thought worriedly there was something she wasn't telling her.

Lin went on, with a smile, and stiffening her spine, 'So I've left him my fortune and the company barring what provisions I've made for you and Michael. And I've left him this place -,' she gestured over the lake and towards the bungalow, 'because this is where he found a home and where he's most happy - our little sanctuary. He's unaware of what I've done in the event of my death, and I don't what him to know until that time comes.'

Ange nodded, squeezing her arm to her flank to assure her. 'Ok. One more question, are you ill, Mom?'

'Haa! No,' Lin assured solidly, then confessed, 'I'm hungry though and in desperate need of shower,' waggling her brows with a positively sultry smile.

Shocked, Ange wailed, 'EEWWW! T-M-I, Mom!'

'Haa! Come on, Angela, lets swim back.' Lin stripped off her robe, it pooled at her feet, and dived straight in off the nearest jetty. Ange dropped a hip, then thought: what the hell. She stripped, and dived in too.

Hearing Angela's reprimand carry the water, Leo looked up, seeing them laughing as they breast stroked towards the deck side by side. He rushed off to get them towelling robes, with a charmed smile on his handsome face.

Swimming back, Lin told Ange, 'Leo suggested that you might enjoy learning to fish with Genghis after breakfast. He'll take you out on his punt.' Ange chuckled, totally up for that, and thrilled the name for cormorant had stuck. 'He's probably already arranged a diplomatic flight back to the US for you this afternoon too.' Ange glanced at her, amazed by their efficiency. Lin smiled wryly, seeing her astonishment, rolling onto her back, and gently swam. 'I know you want to return as soon as possible - and this way your luggage will not be checked at either end. The record of the flight can be kept quiet as well. We don't want Pelant knowing you're nipping at his heals, do we?' she said with a flare of her steely eyes.

'You're incredible, Mom, and a great couple. Thank you.'

'Umm. We do make a formidable team and you're welcome, Darling. I'm just delighted everything has turned out right for you.' Reaching the deck, Lin drew herself out of the water and was immediately cocooned in a soft wrap by Leo. 'Thank you, Leo,' she said, brushing her palm over his cheek in a rare open display of affection.

Now it was her turn, Ange warned. 'You're not to look, Leo.' He sniggered bashfully, closed his eyes, turning his head to the side, holding out the robe. Her mother laughed. Ange pulled herself out, not as elegantly as Lin, then slipped her arms into the robe, noting a small number tattoo on the inside of his wrist. 'Thank you, Leo,' she said too, tying up her robe thoughtfully. He bowed, and gestured to the breakfast he'd set up. 'This all looks delicious,' she remarked, taking a seat.

Lin sat too, while Leo poured tea, and she asked, 'Did you arrange the flight, Leo?' He nodded, stirring her sugar in silently. Ange watched him closely, then her mother, as the nickels started to drop. 'Angela would love to go fishing with you and Genghis.' He smiled hard at Ange, clearly delighted she had accepted his invitation, then he drifted off to prepare.

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An Hour Later

'I've never fished and I like this idea because there's no squirming maggots to put on a hook.' Leo smiled warmly, as he punted them to the middle of the lake with an eager Genghis perched on the end of the punt. While Leo prepared to release Genghis to her astonishment Leo finally spoke softly, 'Miss Angela, please, stand up, take the pole, and gently throw Genghis from it towards the water.' His silky voice was rich, deep and soft. It reminded her of the sensation when a warm blanket is wrapped around you on frosty morning, and made her smile at how pleasant and comforting it was.

'Are you sure - just throw him?' He nodded to confirm, so Ange did as instructed. Genghis immediately arrowed his body, and pierced the water like a jet torpedo. 'Ha! Look at him go!' In the crystal clear water they could see him dart around, looking for fish as diamond sparkling bubbles rose to the surface from between his feathers. Then he popped up empty beak-ed. Leo motioned for her to scoop him up and throw him again, which she did.

Then Ange ventured, watching Genghis stalk his pray, 'My Mom has done some things in the line of her business which she struggles with, hasn't she?' Leo lost his smile a little, then nodded once. 'That man on the tape said he was angry because his sister and brother were on a train that crashed and the Government had buried it and them without saving who they could. He wanted to kick back at somebody, his company, anybody in his grief and outrage at the establishment and found somebody wanting to do the same.' Leo sat down, looking into the water. 'She proposed the decision to bury the train and feels responsible for what happened, in some part, in the States, which directly affected me and my friends.' Again Leo nodded to confirm. 'So she's tried to solve the problem she believes she created and you helped her do it. You were on that tape - I saw your tattoo, Leo.' She motioned towards it with her head. 'She didn't ask me about Mister Yonyto favour either because she already knew what it was going to be, didn't she? I also suspect that favour, when I repay it, will solve a few of her problems. But she was never going to tell me that, was she?' Leo shook his head, as he took a fish from the gullet of Genghis, and put it in the wicker basket. 'Mom also knew the chips would come because she'd insisted they hand them over.'

Watching the meandering trail of bubbles rise and break the surface from Genghis' feathers, Ange reflected hauntingly, 'From every perspective my Mother has a privileged life; she's respected, has money, power, influence, helicopters, boats, anything she desires - even you, the perfect partner.' Leo flicked his eyes to her then away again. 'But in truth, she lives in a beautiful gilded cage she can never escape from - neither can you. She can't leave because she knows too much about the dirty side of life here, and of course, she's sometimes added to the slush. They won't release her she's too valuable to them which proves she's not quite powerful enough.' Ange scooped up, then threw Genghis back into the water. 'At least she's not lonely in her pretty cage.' Leo smiled cautiously at her, Ange deepened hers, and said, 'She loves you, you know - does she tell you that?' Leo casts his eyes to the water again, staying noncommittal. 'You know her better than me, Leo, will she want me to know what she's done for my friends.' Leo looked up then, shook his head. 'Ok. I'll say nothing then.' Genghis popped up again with another fish, and Ange scooped him onto the end of the bamboo pole. Leo removed his noose, and Genghis swallowed his prize.

'I love her,' he said sweetly, bashfully. 'This life has taken a toll on her inside.' Leo gently tapped his knuckles over his heart. 'Please, do not leave it so long to return to our pretty cage again.' Ange felt tears well in her eyes, having her gut suspicions confirmed, and nodded her promise…

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Correctional & Remand Centre

12.35PM

Sat on her stripped bed with the grey blanket folded neatly at the end, with a small full case beside her, Bones checked her watch for the umpteenth time. With thoughts of home and Booth racing around her mind, she checked her emotions. She wanted to go home obviously, but she was dreading it too. Her stomach was healing but she was only half way through her course of antibiotics which meant she'd have to hide them from Booth. More secrets, she thought. She'd have to hide too her stomach scars because she knew how it would devastate him to know she'd been cut so badly which marred her skin he loved so much. She feared what reaction he might have, and decided it best to avoid letting him see them for as long as possible.

What she dreaded most was her own reaction to stepping back into Christine's nursery without her being there and not knowing when she might be returned. In some respects she'd been protected in prison from the events outside it. And she'd become used to her environment and routine, and knew it was bound to take time to adjust. She had a mental list of things she needed to do when she got out and so many thanks to give to people that it was so long she hadn't finished writing it. That in it of itself was almost overwhelming.

She checked her watch again, then looked around the bare walls of the cell. In a macabre way she was going to miss this small bland room. Much had happened to her in here that would never leave her. The walls had witnessed her depths of despair, physical pain, but moments too of laughter, joy and emotional bonding.

She checked the time again, then got up, and went into the common room where most were either watching the large TV or playing ping pong. Some inmates were chatting around the central tables, gossiping or writing letters to loved ones. Seeing everyone engrossed, she turned away without saying goodbye just as the burly guard that accompanied the Governor everywhere walked towards her. 'Ready to go?' he asked, with a barely visible smile. Bones nodded, and went to retrieve her case from the cell, tingling inside.

When she came out of the cell a large bunch of cheering, clapping women whistled and whooped their jubilant goodbyes to her, edging down the corridor. "Go get the fucker, Temps!" one hollered. "Give Boothy-baby one for me!" another bellowed over the din. In a flash of unleashed emotion, Bones dropped her case, and ran into them all, and gave them all a group hug, with tears mixing with her smiles.

'Beee good, but if ya can't…' she warned, wagging a finger in their collective smiling faces.

They all hollered back, '…Be good, be FUCKING CAREFUL! HAAA!' Bones picked up her case again, and was back patted all the way through the doors. She gave them all one last wave, a promise to write, and a solid smile as doors relocked behind her.

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Governors Office

13.03PM

Her guard tapped the door with his knuckles, then a buzzer sounded and a green light came on above the door. He opened the door for her, and nodded for her to go in.

With a welcoming smile, and standing up from behind her desk, the Governor reached forwards to offer her hand. Bones shook it politely, but looked around the room, noting with some sadness, nobody was here to greet her.

'Please, sit down, Doctor Brennan. We just have some formalities to go through before you are officially released.' Bones sat immediately, and placed her case beside the chair; her euphoria subsiding. It was then Bones finally found out her name from the brass plaque on her desk. It read: Gov. Antonia Lopez.

Before Antonia, or Tony as she was called by her friends, could say any more, another door swung open and banged into the wall, making them jump in their chairs. Then in barrelled a jubilant Caroline, pointing at Bones, bellowing, 'Get that FER-REEE Doctor a large glass of fancy French wine!' Laughing, Bones leapt to her feet, and embraced Caroline so hard she staggered back, and laughed, cuddling her back. 'Ok-ok! Save that sugar for someone who deserves it.'

'Where's Booth?' Bones asked, finally releasing Caroline from her clutch.

Perching on the Governors desk, Caroline grimaced, saying, 'Slight hitch in proceedings, Cher…' Bones lost her smile instantly.

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A/N: Whaaaah! What's the hitch now? Yes, and where is Booth? Will Ange get on the plane with the case; committing herself to something illegal? Yet more intrigue but answers will follow shortly in the next instalments of: Pelant. Brace yourselves. Encouragement always appreciated. Hugs, Lebxeb XX.