A/N Okay now I have only one fic on the go I am going to be able to update a little quicker. Thankyou to everyone who has reviewed it really keeps me going.
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Chapter 21.
For the first time in his entire career as a federal agent he found himself sat across an interrogation table answering questions instead of asking them.
"I already told you everything I know!" This was the fifth time he had repeated himself and now he was getting rather tired and pretty pissed off. Why wasn't this getting through to those two numbskulls. That was right Cullen had assigned two agents who had introduced themselves as one Agent Taylor and an Agent Steddler. Booth had no recognition of either men, yet here they were carrying out the line of questioning, however nothing he was telling them seemed to to registering.
"Agent Booth I think it would be best if we go through this again," Taylor then announced as he interlocked his fingers. His hands had been rested on the open file in front of him the whole time. He then lifted his eyes to meet with Booth's.
Booth, having been sat in one position for the past six hours stood up to have a good stretch. Wrapping his hands behind his head he also let out a wide yawn. His face was pale, his eyes almost sunken due to lack of something called sleep. His clothes had been sent to forensics and he had now been reduced to sweatpants and a matching top courtesy of the FBI. Without warning he approached the table and slammed one fist down."Why is nothing I say getting through to you. I mean what kind of idiots does Cullen have working for him these days? Literally how many more times do we have to go through this?"
Agent Taylor stood up "Agent Booth sit down!" He then began to speak more calmly. "Now let's start again from the beginning shall we. Begin from the time when you ran into Dr Saroyan at the hospital."
Booth let out a huge sigh, but then relented in the fact that these goons were insistant on milking him for every small insignificant detail for what it was worth. "Yesterday morning I recieved a call that my girlfriend was in the hospital."
Agent Taylor referred to his notes. "That would be Dr Temperance Brennan, correct? Am I right to believe that this is the famous author, forensic anthropologist and your partner Dr Temperance Brennan?"
Is this guy seriously lacking a large amount of brain cells? I mean how many other Temperance Brennan's could there possibly be? Resigning to the fact though that these men obviously had not been properly briefed about his present relationship with Brennan he decided to ignore his dumb question. "The one and the same," Booth declared proudly.
"I see." Booth could tell by his expression that he found that unethical and probably totally unprofessional. "Why was she in the hospital?" He then asked.
Booth couldn't help but fuel the fire. "Well if you had bothered to do your homework you would know why."
At this point Agent Steddler who had remained mostly silent cut in. "Agent Booth may I remind you that you are here being questioned as a part of a murder investigation, so enough with the quirky remarks."
"She had been attacked by Cam..I mean Dr Saroyan. After I recieved the call Agent Quinn drove me straight there."
"Then what happened?"
"Well after I heard what happened I was mad."
"How mad?" Taylor probed further, hoping to get a little more helpful insight into Booth's state of mind.
"Well how mad would you expect someone to be when they have just learned their girlfriend has been attacked, not to mention that my unborn child's life was endangered also."
Suddenly Taylor's attitude changed "Yes I guess I would be angry too," he gladly admitted, but i'm not the one being suspected of murder now am I? We also have a witness who heard you threaten the victim." According to the witness you were clearly heard saying, and I quote If you have done anything to harm Bones or our baby i'm going to kill you, Do you hear me i'm going to kill you. Now tell me if any of that was wrong?"
Booth lowered his head in shame. He knew he shouldn't have been so vocal but then at the time he wasn't exactly thinking straight. "No that is what I said but.. I wasn't myself..." he trailed off as he knew he had shot himself in the foot this time.
Who ratted on me though? Angela? or maybe Hodgins perhaps. Who else was there? Quinn. Yes Quinn was there. It must have been him. "Let me guess was it Agent Quinn who decided he couldn't keep his mouth shut?" Although neither agent commented, he just knew.
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Quinn hadn't really had what he would call a comfortable nights sleep. His back was killing him not to mention the awful cramp he had in both of his legs. Hopefully I won't be spending any future nights on the couch. He sat up and gave himself a good old stretch paying close attention to his aching legs. Then he began silently thinking that he could always ask Brennan to give his back a rub for him. Steady on there Charlie. That is certainly not a good idea. He picked up his watch which had been thrown to the floor the previous night. Six thirty. Listening for any obvious sounds of movement from either bedroom he slowly got up and crept across the living room. He hadn't bothered to get dressed yet, as he was quite satisfied that his silky red boxer shorts would be sufficiant enough for now.
He started to the bathroom for his morning relief, but as he passed Brennan's bedroom door something caught hs attention. A noise was clearly coming from inside, more of a moan really, but nethertheless he couldn't ignore it and he couldn't help but investigate further. As the door was tightly shut he would need to be very quiet. He grabbed the door knob and turned it slowly, only hearing a slight click as it opened allowing him access.
Brennan was tossing and turning, rolling over to the empty void in her bed which would normally be occupied by her one and only affectionate lover. She was dreaming. No not a dream it was more of a nightmare, a really horrible nightmare.
She found herself sitting in a courtroom. Angela and Hodgins were sitting either side of her whilst Zach sat a row in front and she was crying, yet she was unsure why. That was until she looked towards the front of the courtroom and she set her sights on Booth. He was seated in the defendants box accompanied by what she figured must have been his lawyer. The judge then began mumbling something in Booth's direction.
Will the defendant please rise.
She watched as Booth stood up. He turned his head so he was now looking directly at her. His eyes were teary and as he was about to mouth something to her he was nudged by the man sitting next to him and he turned around again.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. How do you find the defendant?
We the jury find the the defendant Seeley Booth... guilty.
Horrified faces filled the courtroom along with cries of obvious objection. She sat there in complete and utter shock, completely numb. Her hands trailed to her stomach which was now huge like she was about to give birth. No! No! She cried.
She felt several hands touching her, comforting her but not a single person could ease her suffering. It was then that she felt it, a pain rocketing through her. It was just like the braxton hicks she had been experiencing recently, but these were no braxton hicks, these were like ten times stronger and much more painful... she could only come to one conclusion... she was in labor.
Quinn stood there holding his breath. He couldn't bear to take his eyes off her. She looked so small and vulnerable, and by the looks of it caught in some painful nighmare. The way her face contorted told him that much. The covers had been instinctively shuffled down her body revealing her scantily clad lower half. He moved closer so he was almost at the side of her bed. It wasn't his fault what happened next. How his body reacted in the the way it did. He had absolutley no control over it whatsoever. His boxers tightened as he felt his erection pushing it's way through. He had to use every ounce of will and restraint not to just force himself upon her. No! I am not that kind of man, I am not some degeneratewho is only after one thing. Besides any amount of trauma could seriously harm her and my baby. He still let out a devilish grin. Soon though Temperance. Soon you will accept me, and then you will be mine.
"Hey Mr what are you doing in there?"
Quinn froze when he heard the childs voice behind him, and that was when he realized that it belonged to Booth's son. He desperatley began to try and hide his bulge and along with the fact that Brennan was stirring awake he burst from her bedroom and raced to the living room to grab his pants.
Parker began following him closely "Hey mister."
"Quinn. It's Quinn or Charlie if you prefer," he quickly informed the youngster. He was feeling rather humiliated that he had been discovered lurking in her bedroom by a five year old child, who probably now thought he was some kind of deranged pervert. In reality children are not exactly known to keep secrets. He would be sure to tell her about this little episode.
"Charlie? What were you doing in Dr Bones' bedroom? Daddy and me are the only ones allowed to go in there."
In an effort to explain himself he somehow felt foolish that he had to justify his actions to this kid who really shouldn't have been be sneaking up on people in the first place.
"Parker I was only went in there because Dr Brennan was having a bad dream. Have you ever had bad dreams?"
"Yes."
Who comforts you when you have a bad dream?" Quinn asked.
"Mommy."
"Mommy. Okay what happens if mommy isn't around?"
"Daddy comforts me."
There you go then. You need someone to be there for you if you have a nighmare so I would think Dr Brennan would need someone too."
"She has my daddy," he said raising his voice.
"Well maybe you haven't noticed but your daddy isn't here right now." This wasn't helping at all. The last thing he wanted to do was get on the wrong side of Parker. "I'm sorry, but I just wanted to make sure she was okay. You understand don't you?"
"I think so," Parker nodded.
Quinn knelt down in front of the boy "I don't think we should tell Dr Bones about this though.. right?"
"Okay, but next time just let me take care of Dr Bones." He let out a disappointed huff then headed for the bathroom and slammed the door.
This kid really does take after his father.. being overprotective and all that.
"What was all that about?" Brennan asked sternly obviously overhearing their little conversation. It seemed she had only caught the tail end of it though, which for him was pretty damn lucky.
"Ah nothing. I think Parker is just upset about Booth not being here that's all."
"Yeah me too." It was strange but only after just one night she was missing him like crazy. "Well i'll just go start on breakfast then."
Quinn stopped her from taking another step to the kitchen "You sit down, i'll take care of breakfast. Just remind me again of what time we need to leave for Parker's school."
"Eight thirty," she reminded him.
"Great."
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Quinn had offered to drive and although he wasn't exactly used to driving her sports car he just relished he was sat in the seat where she had been sat so many times before. He was touching the steering wheel she had touched. The car still smelt of her perfume which drove him crazy. Once they arrived at the school Brennan took Parker along to his kindergarten class. As they drew up outside his classroom he insisted he was old enough to go in all by himself.
"Now i'll be back to pick you up at three okay. I want you to wait right here until I come and get you..understand?"
The little boy nodded and then before she turned to leave he rewarded her with a small kiss on the cheek causing a couple of other children entering the room to giggle. She blushed immediatley, instantly moving her hand to her cheek to hide her embarrasment. That was something she wasn't expecting. After clambering back into the car she gave Quinn directions to the health center.
The whole journey to her appointment Brennan was having second thoughts about Quinn coming in with her. Maybe he'll be happy just to wait outside. I mean i'm sure I won't be too long. It just kept nagging at her that this was something that only her and Booth should share and nobody else..even if it was Quinn who had been extremely supportive it still didn't seem right. Once they were parked up Quinn hurried and courteously helped her out of the car.
"What exactly would Booth do at the appointment?" He asked rather excitedly. He would be sure to make this as enjoyable as if it was Booth who was with her.
I'm going to have to tell him. "Charlie."
"Yes."
"I know I said you could come with me.. and I really appreciate you offering... but I just think I wouldn't be comfortable going in with anybody else but Booth."
He tried to remain strong but the disppointment he was feeling was agonizing "Oh. I just thought you were okay with the idea."
Hearing his lowered tone she felt guilty "I was.. but this is Booth's baby and..."
Quinn interrupted her, his tone of voice had now turned harsh. "Booth isn't here though is he? Booth doesn't even have to know. I'm here and i'm more then willing to be there for you. I may not be Booth and this may not be my kid but that doesn't mean I can't experience this wonderful thing."
Brennan was a little startled by his reaction that is almost scared her. "I'm sorry Charlie. It just wouldn't feel right." Her watch now read nine fifty five so she knew she had to go. Without any further exchanging of words she hurried on inside.
Quinn didn't follow. She had said enough. What a bitch. He kicked her tire a few times. He was furious and for once it was with her. No I can't be angry at her. I love her. I love everything about her. We are going to be a family. His foot throbbed now so he limped back to the car. Figuring she would be there for a while he headed to town. He would buy her something to make up for his aggressive behavior.
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"Temperance! Such a pleasure to see you again," Dr Hamilton greeted as he called her in. He checked into the empty hallway before closing the door and then took her coat. His eyes widened in surprise "No Seeley today?"
No he's being accused of murdering Dr Camille Saroyan. Head of the forensic department at the Jeffersonian. Yeah she would have liked to see his face if she told him the truth. "Oh he's in middle of a big case and he couldn't make it."
"Such a pity. I really believe in seeing both parents at each appointment," he went on to say.
Brennan shrugged. "Sometimes work just get in the way of our personal lives I guess."
Dr Hamiliton smiled "Yes, yes it does. Now let's see..." There was a bout of silence before the doctor spoke again "Gosh Temperance I would have thought that by now you would have learned not to put excess stress on yourself and the baby, but here you are again being admitted to the hospital with bruising to the abdomen. This really won't do you know."
"I know and I can assure you it won't happen again." He sure got out of the bed the wrong side this morning.
"Well be sure it doesn't, otherwise it is not going to do you or the baby any good. Right first off let's start with taking your blood pressure."
Brennan was upset she was even trying not to cry. Dr Hamilton seemed to firmly believe that everything that had happened recently was her fault.
After taking her blood pressure he seemed to have settled down. His voice was calmer and he seemed happier. "This is wonderful. Your blood pressure is normal today. Now as you are into your second trimester you should start to feel more comfortable. The nausea should have passed, the trips to the bathroom should have stopped. The danger stage is over, although I wouldn't recommend you getting into anymore cat fights anytime soon. This stage is ideal for you and Seeley to really bond with the baby." Now if you could you go and do me a urine sample and then we'll listen to the baby's heartbeat again."
This was the highlight of the whole appointment when she was able to hear her baby's heartbeat once again. It was louder and much more clearer this time. The doctor moved the dopplar vigorously over her stomach aiming to pick up the best signal. "That's one hundred and forty four beats a minute, very strong and healthy."
Once Brennan was seated back down Dr Hamiliton handed her some leaflets. I was wandering if you would be interested in attending Lamaze classes."
"Lamaze what?" She questioned, slightly confused.
"Lamaze classes. We hold them here three times a week. We have afternoon or evening classes whichever are more convenient. It would be important for you to bring Seeley along though. It is important for him to to understand just how supportive he will need to be later on, especially when you are in labor."
"What exactly will I have to do?"
Dr Hamiliton offered a small smile. "The classes will help you prepare for labor and childbirth. They teach you signs of labor, and if you do opt for pain relief the different methods available to you. You'll be taught different breathing exercises which can help tremendously. There will be help with learning about the basics of newborn care, including diaper changing and breastfeeding."
After hearing his description of what Lamaze classes entailed she wasn't sure it was for her. "I don't really think i'm a strong advocate for some stranger telling me what I should and shouldn't do when it concerns my body and my baby. I want to be in total contol when the time comes."
"Temperance of course you can be in control. You and you alone can be the only one who decides what to do regarding labor and birth. I only ask you to consider it, seeing as this is your first pregnancy. Think of it as if you are going into unchartered territory where neither of you will know what to expect. This will merely help prepare you and it can be quite fulfilling."
Scanning through the leaflet she had been given put her off even more Just the thought of being in the same room as several other women rolling around the floor or on huge inflatable balls didn't really sound all that fulfilling to her. "I'll have a word with Seeley and see what he thinks." Although she knew it wouldn't matter what he thought... she was not going.
"Yes think about it. Now it seems that is all we need to do today, but I do have some good news and that is i've sheduled your next ultrasound. It will be in six weeks time where you'll be just over eighteen weeks pregnant. From this appointment they will be able to get alot more accurate measurements and should even be able to tell you the sex of the baby. If of course you want to know."
Yes we are definitley keen on finding out the sex." She was excited, yet six weeks seemed so far away but she was determined Booth would be there for it. As Brennan left and stepped outside she switched on her cell only to find there had been ten missed calls and they had all been from Angela's phone. She called her back immediatley.
"Angela," the artist answered.
"Ange it me." She was glad to hear the familiar voice of her best friend on the other end.
"Bren where have you been? I've been so worried."
"I'm sorry Ange. I had my obg-yn appointment this morning which I had almost forgot about. I just thought i'd check in to see what was so urgent."
"I'm sorry sweetie nine out of ten times of calling did seem a little overboard but i'm really worried."
"About what?" She quizzed.
"Jack and I are on the way to the FBI. Cullen called this morning. He wants us to come down to give a witness statement."
Brennan stopped in her tracks. "About Booth?" She didn't need to be a genius to figure that one out.
"Looks like it. What do you want me to do sweetie? Jack says he'll lie if he has to."
Brenann rubbed her forehead "No! Quinn already told Cullen you both heard what Booth said to Cam. There is only one thing you can do and that is you need to tell the truth."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. This is the only thing they have against Booth at the moment, and they are using it to their own advantage, but i'm pretty sure once they get their asses in gear and get some real proof they'll have to let him go. Now i'm on my way over there myself so i'll talk later."
"Okay sweetie see you then."
Brennan put her phone away and then began scanning the parking lot realizing her car was nowhere in sight. Where is Quinn?
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"How much longer is this going to take?" Twelve hours later and they were still going around in circles. Booth could hear his stomach rumbling.
"Until we have all the information we require," Taylor reminded him. "Now we had the results back from the lab who tested for GSR, and i'm glad to tell you it was negative both for your hands and clothes. It also seems your gun hadn't been fired recently either."
Booth folded his arms "Well I could have told you that, since I didn't do it."
Steddler flashed him a look of contempt "Doesn't mean you didn't fire a gun. You're an FBI agent and I would think of you as not very smart if you used your own weapon to kill someone."
"I didn't kill anyone... let alone Cam. You may not be aware of this but I was in love with her once."
"I'm afraid that doesn't mean a thing these days," Taylor stated. "Now if you could just tell us again what happened after you left your apartment yesterday evening.. sorry your partner's apartment yesterday evening."
He was surprised he hadn't fallen down dead from lack of sleep and nourishment. It was nice to know how well he was being treated whilst being held captive here. "Hey do you think i could get a pizza?"
Taylor nodded to Steddler who got up though notably displeased he was the one who was in charge of getting the pizza.
"And a nice beer wouldn't go amiss," he joked.
Steddler just smirked "In your dreams Agent Booth."
Taylor nudged Booth's leg "Hey focus. Let's start with when you left your partner's apartment."
Booth told him the story again from the time he left Brennan's place, to the time he arrived a Millers Pond until the time he left. It wasn't until after he told him about the phonecall he made to Brennan did it hit him. That's it! "In my jacket pocket there should have been a card, a business card."
"What do you mean?"
"On my way back I saw some family stranded by the side of the road." He was even able to confidently recite their names. "Tina Wilcox and her three kids. Rachel, Melissa and baby Robby."
"Where did you meet this family?"
"About ten minutes after I left Millers Pond. I turn onto this road and see them standing there. One of the car tires had blown and I offered to change it ."
"How long would you say you were with them for?"
"I'm not sure, but a while. If you get the business card there should be a contact name and address. I can assure you if you speak with them it'll be the proof you need that I didn't do this."
Taylor picked up his cell. "Hey did you retrieve all the belongings from Agents Booth's jacket?" There was a moments silence. "Yes just what i'm looking for... thanks."
"So?" He eagerly awaited his answer.
"They found the business card. We'll contact the family immediatley. If this woman can put you with her at the time of Dr Saroyan's death then I believe you've got yourself a alibi which really will go in your favor and probably one step closer to you getting out of here." Taylor cast a small comforting smile. I never thought for one second this Booth guy was guilty. It does sometimes suck, but I am just doing my job.
Booth sat there not quite believing how lucky he had been to have met this family. This was the only thing that could possibly prove his innocence and save his ass. His heart ached to see Brennan, so the sooner he was out of here the better. Once he was back in her arms he was going to show her just how much she meant to him.