Here we go! Please don't hate me after this chapter. I hope this explains some things... Enjoy and review please!
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Tempe reluctantly left Booth's side and headed down the hall to the main office. Opening the large wooden door, she went inside. Somehow the office seemed much bigger and scarier than when she had come that morning with Booth.
"Miss Brennan, please sit." The principal ordered. A teacher that Tempe had not yet met stood next to him.
When she spoke, her voice was sickeningly sugary sweet. "I am Mrs. Boyle, the guidance counselor. Do you know why you are here, Miss Brennan?" The fat, blond woman asked condescendingly.
Tempe had stiffened when she mentioned that she was the guidance counselor. That was as good as a psychiatrist. They always tried to get her to talk, and never succeeded.
"No, I don't." She answered truthfully.
"You are here because Miss. Valentine issued a complain of assault. We are trying to locate your records. So far we have been unsuccessful. Do you know why that is?" Mrs. Boyle asked. Tempe had the feeling that she wasn't supposed to answer 'yes'.
"No, I don't."
"Did you know that the foster system of Seattle is looking for a runaway child by the name of Temperance Brennan?" Tempe's eyes widened. She remained silent.
"I asked you a question, Miss. Brennan."
"No I did not." She replied in monotone. Control your temper, Tempe. Booth's right. You'll only get in more trouble.
"Do you have any way to prove that this run away child is NOT you? Birth certificate, DNA test proving that your parents are-"
"I DON'T HAVE PARENTS, OK? ARE YOU HAPPY NOW? TAKE IT ALL OUT ON THE ORPHAN, THAT'S IT!" Tempe screamed, jumping up out of her chair. "I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE! EVERYONE CONSTANTLY TELLING ME THAT I'M WORTHLESS, GOOD FOR NOTHING!" Pointing at Mrs. Boyle, she continued. "IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU! I'm leaving. Don't try to stop me." With that, she stomped out of the office and fled down the hall. Not even looking where she was going, she ran out the first maintenance door she found. Right then and there she decided that no one was ever going to tell her what to do. She was going to be a forensic anthropologist- and be the best of the best – then she could be her own boss. No more angry social workers, no commitments except work and school.
"Tempe? Are you ok?" Whipping around, she saw Mr. Keenan leaning against the side of the school, eating a sandwich.
"I'm not ok, Mr. Keenan. I think I just got expelled and arrested."
"Arrested?"
"By social services. I... I have to go, run." Tempe said, fear in her voice. She started walking away.
"Tempe!" He called her back. "Once you get your stuff from the Booth's, come see me. There is something you should know." She nodded, taking the offered slip of paper. On it was an address.
Sly Keenan watched her until she rounded the corner. Then, swallowing the last bite of his sandwich, he got in his car and sped off. The substitute could take care of his class – he had something more important to do.
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Arriving at his small house, Sly immediately went inside and grabbed the phone, dialing a number. It picked up on the third ring.
"Sly, I told you this number was never to be called!" A gruff, male voice said.
"I know Maxie, but it's about Temperance. She's here in Boston, and she's in trouble." Sly explained.
"Boston!? What the hell is she doing there? Last I checked she was with a family in Seattle."
"I guess she jumped ship. Social services are on to her. She got in a fight in the lunch room and the school tried to locate her file. Guidance got wind of a run away foster kid, and pieced two and two together. She bolted, and is on her way to my place now. I can tell her some things to keep her out of too much trouble, but it would be so much easier if I could just tell her who I am." Keenan pleaded.
"No! That will endanger way beyond anything that the Social Services could ever do to her. She can't know of our family. Please, Sly, help her out. But don't tell her who you are. Too much is at stake."
"Alright, little brother. Only for you. How's Ruth?"
"We're alright. Traveling at the moment, with McVicker. Listen, I have to go. Take care of her for me."
"I'll try, Max." A dial tone ended the conversation. At that moment, Sly heard a tentative knock at his front door. Opening it, he saw Tempe clutching her backpack and a black trash bag.
"Got everything?" He asked. She nodded. "Come in." He lead her to the kitchen. Sitting on one of the wooden chairs, Sly motioned for her to do the same. Once she was seated, he began.
"Social Services knows who you are and where you are. They are NOT going to let you stay here in Boston. Even though it is only two weeks until your birthday-" He stopped at her surprised and suspicious look, "I heard you and Booth talking." He explained.
"Even thought there are only two weeks left, they will still take you away. Now, I'm assuming that they do not know about you staying with the Booths yet. I can cover that on my end, but I recommend that you stay away from him for a few years at least until this all blows over. I know, I know-" He said sympathetically when her face fell,
"It's a long time, but if they were to EVER find out, the Booths would be in more trouble than you could ever imagine. If you want, you can write a letter to Seeley. I'll give it to him, but you can't see him again. These people are smart- they can piece two and two together faster than I can say 'equation'. I will warn Seeley too to not go looking for you. Here, take this-" Sly said, handing Tempe a wallet.
"Inside is some money and a metal medallion. As soon as your two weeks is up, take the money and fly down to D.C. Find a man by the name of Dr. Goodman. He's a friend of mine and owes me a favor. Show him the medallion, he will find you a place to stay and he can get you into a high school to finish your schooling and get your diploma. From there, it's up to you. I highly recommend you see Goodman. Too many other schools will want records and background checks. They ask too many questions. Goodman can pull some strings and get you in easy. Now," He paused,
"In half and hour, Social Services will get an anonymous tip that you are at the park down the road. You have until then to write your letter and get to the park. Trust me, please, Tempe. If you run, you are going to have an extremely hard time getting a job, or even into a school. This is the best and easiest option."
"What's the other option?" Tempe asked, still wary.
"To change your name, but that can get icky with the details." It took Brennan a minute or two to absorb all of this.
"'Why should I trust you?" She asked suspiciously. Sly ran a hand over his face. See, Max? She's too dam much like you. I told you this would be hard. He thought.
"Tempe, you have no other choice. I promise that someday I will explain. Now write that letter and get out of here."
Twenty minutes later, Temperance Brennan was picked up by Social Services and flown to Seattle.