They sat for a long while but said little and Bones had dosed off beside him. She had decided to return to Booth's apartment and he was thankful of that. He had just remembered to phone Angela when his cell started ringing. "Booth," he said answering.
"Did you find her?" Angela asked obviously worried.
"Yeah, she's fine. Sorry I didn't phone sooner. Everything's fine here. We are just headed back over to my place."
"I really want to know what happened but I'll save it for later. I also wanted to let you know that we got another gift in the mail today. We really need you to come to the lab for this one Booth."
"I don't think I can do that right now. I really don't want to leave Bones," he answered dreading finding out what was sent this time. The frequency of deliveries was increasing and Booth didn't like the feeling he got about that. To his way of thinking, the bastard was becoming more volatile and that was not a good situation for Bones.
"Why don't you bring her?"
"I doubt that would be a good idea. What have you got Angela?"
"He sent her shirt to us. At least we think it is hers. Hodgins is pulling particulates from it now and they are running DNA on the blood found on it."
"Was there a message that went along with this one?"
"Thought you would like a little souvenir, Booth. You should have seen what was underneath this." Booth gripped the phone tighter as anger filled him.
"I'm going to head back to my place and drop Bones off. I want to come in and see this for myself. Maybe you could drive over and sit with her while I go to the lab." He did not want to take any chances with leaving her alone. Booth was sure that they were being watched and it was simply too dangerous to leave Bones alone.
"Sure, I'll leave here in a few and see you soon."
"Bye Angela," he said before closing the phone. Brennan stirred beside him and groggily opened her eyes.
"Were you talking to someone?"
"Yeah, Angela called. She's going to come over and see you while I go out if that is okay."
"I don't need a sitter Booth." She rasped.
"I know but until this freak is caught I don't want to leave you alone. Blame is on my alpha-male tendencies." He smiled warmly at her and was pleased when she smiled back. "Come on, let's get going."
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Angela arrived shortly after them. Brennan was still not totally pleased with having a babysitter but she understood why Booth felt the need to have someone stay with her. She even admitted to herself that she felt better with someone there as well. "I'll be back in a little while. Do you want me to stop by Wong Foo's and bring something home?"
"Sure and Booth…" He turned to look at her. "Thank you. You know…for this morning and everything."
"Anytime Bones." He left shaking his head. She was surely amazing. He enjoyed the fact that she almost always blurted out whatever she thought. To him it was honest and it was one of the things he loved most about her. I love her, he kept repeating in his head. It was still a strange and new sensation that he was getting accustomed to.
"So sweetie, do you want to tell me what happened this morning?" Angela asked after Booth had left.
"I decided to try out my wings and made a big mistake."
"Somehow I think there is more to it. You guys fought?"
"We had a simple misunderstanding. He can be very irritating Ang. He drank last night and actually he just annoyed me. I shouldn't have run off the way I did. It's not fair to him after everything he has sacrificed for me. He is a good friend." She said thinking to herself how appreciative she really was.
"Just a friend?" Angela asked slyly.
"Of course," Brennan supplied quickly.
"You guys surprise me. I thought with all of time you have spent with one another that you might finally admit that there is more than friendship in this little scenario but you guys are so stubborn."
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Booth stepped to the platform and swiped his card. "Hey Hodgins. Found anything yet?"
"I'm still pulling everything I can off of the shirt. As soon as I am finished with that, I'll start analyzing. The preliminary DNA is back and it appears that this is Dr. Brennan's shirt. I hope to get some clue as to where she was."
"You're doing a good job buddy. What about the note? Was there anything there?" Booth asked.
"Nothing. He must be in a clean room when he puts this stuff together. The shirt is the best piece of evidence that we've had yet."
"Can I see the note?" Hodgins went to his desk and got it for him. Booth read the words several times. He racked his brain trying to think of someone that would do something of this magnitude to him. It was clear that he was the intended target and he had simply used Bones to get to him. That angered him, as well as knotted his stomach. At some point he would have to explain to her that she was hurt because someone was trying to hurt him.
He was reading over the message again when his phone rang. "Booth," he answered sourly.
"Agent Booth, this is Director Cullen. I was wondering if you would be able to come to the Bureau. We've been in contact with the Jeffersonian and are aware of the messages they have been receiving. I would like for you to address our taskforce to see if we can get a clue as to who is out to get you."
"I'm at the Jeffersonian now sir. I can stop by on my way out. It'll probably be a half-hour or so." He answered.
"Fine, we'll see you then." Booth flipped the phone closed and walked down from the platform in search of Cam.
He walked in to the autopsy bay and found Cam working at her computer. "Booth, how are things going?"
"Aside from some sick S.O.B trying to get my partner because of me, fine. I'm concerned Cam. I have no idea who would be doing something like this to me and I hate the fact that they hurt Bones." The look of pain on his face explained volumes to Cam. She had suspected for a long time that the reason she and Booth did not work out had something to do with the good doctor.
I was painfully obvious that her suspicions were true. He was in love with Dr. Brennan. Try as she might, she couldn't despise Brennan for this. "Seeley, I'm sorry for you. I suspected your feelings ran beyond partnership and friendship but I can see that you really love her and I'm sorry you and she have to go through this horror."
Booth did not want to confirm her belief that he was in love with Bones. He knew, however, that he wouldn't be able to hide that fact from Cam. "I'm sorry Cam. I never meant for it to happen and that is not the reason I…that we…"
"I hope she knows how lucky she is."
"That's just it, she can't know. She is not ready for my feelings Cam. She would take off running so fast that no one could catch her." They laughed together.
"I think you would be surprised by what she is ready for. In the year and a half that I have been here she has evolved tenfold. Her awkwardness is waning and she is beginning to let people get close to her. I would have to say that I think she is closer to being ready than you think."
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"Sir?"
"Come in Agent Booth. How is Dr. Brennan doing?' Cullen asked thoughtfully.
"She is doing well physically and she finally agreed to see a psychiatrist. Hopefully she'll be able to return to work soon." Cullen studied Booth for a moment.
"We have reviewed the correspondence that has come through the Jeffersonian. Do you have any idea who?"
"None, I have thought and thought and I can't get a clear bead on this guy. He is pouring salt in the wounds but it all seems to be directed at me. Bones is just his way of hitting his mark." Booth stood and paced the office.
"We've got some men working up a profile. Is there anything that Dr. Brennan can tell us?'
"Not much. She has a vague description but that's all. As soon as she gives us something concrete you guys will be the first to know. My main concern at this point is to make sure he can't get to her again."
"Have you or she thought about hypnosis? There are researched cases in which it has been fruitful for the victim to be hypnotized. They are more able to see their attacker without the fear they feel consciously." Cullen wasn't convinced that the technique was totally effective but he was willing to make the suggestion.
"I'll talk to her about it but she hates psychology. I'm not sure she will be amicable to the idea of hypnosis."
"Keep in contact Booth. We have to get a lead on this case soon. I can't keep this taskforce together much longer without a single lead," Booth did not like the sound of that but he was well aware of how the Bureau operated. There were few cases that would allow for a taskforce staying assembled for this length of time. He owed a great deal to Cullen for authorizing their formation.
Thanks Leah for your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!