(AN: Please mind the rating and warning posted on chapter one.)

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The most important question in the world is, 'Why is the child crying?'
Alice Walker

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"So? Want to go with me?"
"Yes," she said adamantly. "I would very much like to be there."

I heard those words and a cold fist clenched around the heart I no longer had. I didn't hear the rest of the conversation, the chatter as the group stood and gathered the remains of their morning break. The break they'd created just for Dr. Brennan, to distract her from the worry they all saw.

Booth had them, the men who'd killed me. All of them.

A roar of unidentifiable sound filled my ears and blocked everything else. My thoughts scattered. I couldn't think. I couldn't concentrate. He had them. He had put them in separate rooms and left them alone to worry about what the others might be saying. There, those words, that thought. Something I could hold onto.

He had them.

I tried to follow Booth and Dr. Brennan but I couldn't move. I saw them walk briskly to her office. I watched every step they took and gave orders to my feet but I couldn't move.

He had them.

They were coming out of her office and his hand was on her back. I should follow them. I tried. He has them. She's going. Dr. Brennan. She'll be there. I should be there. I should follow them . . . I should . . .

"Hey, pretty girl, you need a ride?"
Don't look. Ignore them. Keep walking.
"Don't be like that, pretty thing. Come on, get in, we'll give you a ride."
Don't look. Just don't look.
"You sure have pretty hair, baby."
Head down. Walk faster. Don't look. Just ignore them.
"Annie!"
An involuntary look over. How do they know my name? Justin. Homeroom.

I can't breathe. I can't breathe.

They're going downstairs I need to catch up Abe and TJ were so brave they came that book Abe heard and TJ saved my picture they were so scared I can't breathe I'm dead I can't move so hard to breathe it hurts move faster catch up he has them he has them all

Brakes squeal.
Car doors slam.
They're all around, circling.
Walk faster. Head down. Walk faster.
Head jerks back.
He grabbed my hair.
"We're offering you a ride, baby."
Low voice. Mean eyes.
"Get in the fucking car, bitch."
"No, please . . ."

He has them all I should be there make them admit she'll be there he will too they can't hurt me anymore he won't let them hurt me again so scared Abe and TJ brave they were brave they were scared and they were brave TJ was alone for so long I can't move my feet won't move catch up catch up they'll see me I can't I don't want to see them hurry hurry can't breathe can't breathe

Back seat. Crowded. Too many.
'Please, I won't tell."
Laughter. Fabric ripping. Screaming.
Zipper opens. Marcus yelling.
"Watch what the fuck y'all doing back there! I'm busting that bitch, I already said!"
Fist striking. Whimper.
"You bite me, fucking cunt, and I'll knock your fucking head off."
Gagging. Harsh breathing.

Downstairs they're talking stopping she's having a baby he has them all I don't want to see them again she's having a baby I sang a song the baby boy I sang to him and Angela drew a picture move faster catch up strong I have to be strong Abe and TJ my hair nailed to a wall TJ had nightmares so scared they were so scared but they came and Abe wrote it down

"My turn, my turn, give her here."
"Please, I won't tell, please."
Crying.
Laughter.
"This is what that hair's good for, watch this."
Cry of pain.
"Hurry up, man, it's my turn."
Sobbing.
"Please, I won't tell."

Catch up they're walking again they'll leave me I should be there he has them all he has them all I don't want to see them don't make me see them make it stop make it stop I don't want to remember make it stop can't breathe can't breathe heart pounding how can I feel my heart pounding so scared don't make me go don't make me go don't make me go

Brakes squeal. Doors open.
Rough hands. Cold air.
Kick. Fight. Scream.
No one hears.
Fists strike.
Jeans pulled off.
Crying, begging.
"Look at me, bitch."
Please.
Please.
Hand over my mouth.
Bite down.
Backhanded hard blow.
Blood.
"My turn, Marcus, get the fuck off."
"Look at him, fucking cunt!"
"My turn."
"My turn."
Laughter.
No more.
No more.
No more fighting.
It doesn't hurt anymore.
"We're done with you, bitch."

They're leaving she's having a baby she was so afraid for him he has them they're all there he brought them there she shouldn't go he'll make them tell what they did don't go don't go don't make me go she's having a baby I hope it's a girl I loved Abe and TJ so good so brave Miss Dottie is nice so brave TJ saved the drawing the door is closing I can't go don't make me go don't make me go I can't I can't I can't I can't . . .

There was a whisper of movement and then the old guide was in front of me. I could feel the body I didn't have shaking. I felt the real sting of tears on my cheeks.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I can't . . . I know I should be stronger . . . Abe and TJ were so brave . . . I can't. I'm sorry."

His eyes were gentle and sad. "You have endured much, child. There is no shame in refusing this."

There was a flicker, a hint of light behind me and when I turned they were there. The others. They'd left the room where their bones were stored. I didn't know they could do that. They were there with me, surrounding me, circling me where I stood frozen, facing the sliding glass doors that led to the outside world.

They moved in unison, taking turns as they slipped in close and whispered words of support and praise and love. Hands grazed my cheek or touched my shoulder or brushed my hair and with each gesture, the darkness and sorrow I'd carried with me for so long began to disappear. The pain and anguish and fear that lurked inside me faded. They carried it away, these lost souls, and replaced it with something else. A memory of laughter, a moment of happiness, a few seconds of peace. They filled me with bits of their spirits until I felt . . . whole. Until the memory of my death and the pain of my last moments alive became nothing more than an indistinct shadow. It was part of me, but it was no longer all of me.

The dead had made me whole.

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The workday continued. Dr. Brennan and Booth didn't return.

The day ended but no one went home. Angela left for a few minutes and came back with her son and everyone gathered around and passed him back and forth.

And they waited.

Another hour passed and although nothing was said, they gathered in Dr. Brennan's office. Dr. Hodgins and Mr. Bray left and came back with dinner and everyone ate and spoke in low voices and cast occasional glances at watches and phones. I stayed in the shadows of the corner, watching.

Suddenly, they were back. Dr. Brennan looked tired and worn and Booth's face was tight and I was sorry for what I knew they'd had to hear.

There was a beat of silence and then everyone spoke at once as they shifted in their seats and pulled in more chairs.

"Are you hungry?"
"We bought extra, have some."
"Do you need something to drink?

The two of them, my champions, waved off the offers of sustenance.

"I don't think I could eat," Dr. Brennan said quietly. Booth held her hand and the warm glow of his concern enveloped her. She breathed deeply and added, "Later. I'll eat something later." And he was appeased.

Another moment of silence passed and then Angela shifted the baby in her arms.

"Well?"

Booth leaned back in his chair, long legs stretched out in front of him and cracked his neck twice.

"We have two confessions and three who want to do things the hard way. One was a juvenile when the crime occurred. He broke first, thought he'd get a pass because of his age."

"Will he?" Mr. Bray asked.

"Not if Caroline has anything to do with it." Booth's smile was hard. "They've been a busy bunch, these guys, and pinning this on them should be enough to lock them up for a while."

"And the Marcus guy?" Angela bounced her son against her shoulder.

"Ah, Marcus." Booth leaned forward to look at the food containers. "We left him for last. I don't think he appreciated the wait."

"He attacked Booth. . ." Dr. Brennan began, but when he caught her eye, she stopped and restarted. "He fell. Again."

"Tripped, Bones." Booth's grin was cocky as he sat back in his chair. "He tripped again."

"He's quite clumsy," she agreed primly, and they smiled at each other as the colors of the rainbow danced in the room.

"The search warrants are being prepared right now," Booth added. "They should be ready in an hour or so."

"I told Booth and Caroline that we would process the evidence recovered."

"Of course," Dr. Saroyan nodded. "We should be the ones to finish this."

A phone beeped as everyone else agreed. Angela looked at the display and stood up.

"I'll be right back," she said. "Don't go anywhere."

While she hurried out, I watched and listened and tried to enjoy what I knew were the last moments I would have with them. I would miss these warriors for the dead. They hadn't just given me justice. They'd given me peace.

When Angela came back, she wasn't alone.

"I'm sure you all remember Avalon."
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I appreciate the wonderful things you've all said about this story. Thank you.