Thanks for the reviews. This story is hopefully going to be finished soon, which has gotten me thinking about a prequel of sorts for this story. If it were to be written it would be about Booth and Brennan's past and everything that got them to this point, if anyone is interested in seeing something like this, please let me know, because if it is wanted I can start to think of ideas and have it starting when this finishes, so let me know if your interested. Hope you enjoy this chapter and as always keep the reviews coming. :D

Chapter 20

Brett wasn't stupid, he knew that the second he took Temperance the he would have endless people after him. He realised that his actions weren't very well thought out and he would have serious consequences to deal with when they finally caught up with him that is if Booth didn't kill him before that. He would be up for two murder charges at the least, maybe three depending how things turned out, but he knew if he was caught he would never be let go. He had dreamed of this day for years, when he got his property back. Booth had taken her and he was only re-claiming what was rightfully his. Brett decided it was time to inflict some physical pain on Temperance and show her why she should never run form him again.

When he went up to her old room, where he was keeping her, when he opened the door he saw her tied to the wall and looking at her absolute worst. When she heard the door open she jumped and looked even more scared when she saw him standing there. He quietly walked over to her and bent down to eye-level with her, before she could do anything he spat in her face and punched her in the eye. He then jumped up and kicked her legs and her stomach repeatedly. When he was content on what he had done he left her in the room bleeding and slightly disorientated.

*********

After he left she began to cry, tears of pain and tears of fear. She had heard her ribs crack and could feel them so everything she did hurt. She was pretty sure her legs had multiple damages to them and that she would be in excruciating pain very soon. She had complete faith that Booth would be looking for her and would eventually find her, but she wasn't sure what state she would be in when he found her. If Brett continued like this she wouldn't be surprised if in a few days every bone in her body would be broken or extremely sore. While waiting for Booth to find her she tried to think happy thoughts and remembered the day she had met Booth for the first time.

…

Temperance Brennan was starting at her new school, in a new city, without anyone she knew. At her old school, even though she didn't have many friends, no one would hassle her for being a nerd or a loner, because she had her big brother Russ always looking out for her and protecting her. She now had no body. The only people she knew in the whole state were her foster parents Brett and Sam, who weren't the nicest people you could meet. As the bell rang to indicate the start of the day she rushed inside the building to find her classes.

After her first class, she had already made more enemies then friends. She knew from her appearance and town gossip that every student knew she was a foster kid and obviously had no family. It didn't help her at all that she loved her schoolwork and had a genius level IQ. She already knew she struggled in social situations, which made it even harder to relate to her peers.

Eventually lunch arrived and she was able to momentarily escape all her classmates and retreat to somewhere where she would be alone and away from the whispering. She found the most secluded in the school and proceeded to eat quickly and read, which was the only thing that would help her escape the world.

After a few minutes she heard footsteps approaching her table and assumed they would be more jocks and cheerleaders, there to poke fun at her. She briefly looked up and saw about five boys, who were probably seniors coming in her direction. She looked back down and decided to ignore them, if only it was that easy.

"So, why are you here? Did mommy and daddy leave you because they realised what a freak you are?" one of the boys asked.

"Or did they return to the mother ship and leave you behind," another commented which erupted laughter amongst the group, she knew what these types of boys were like, it wasn't that she hadn't encountered them before, but thanks to Russ it used to be rare. She continued to ignore them as they made further insulting comments. She hadn't realised they had stopped until she heard a new voice.

"Daniel is there a problem here?" the voice asked, Temperance looked up and noticed a new boy had joined the group. He was tall, handsome, everything a girl could want in a guy.

"No, man, just 'introducing' ourselves to the new girl," the leader of the group said while the other boys snickered.

"Well, I think you've introduced yourself enough, maybe you could find someone else to bother," he said intimidating the group of guys.

"Yeah, sure, we were just leaving, right," the leader said motioning for them to leave. After they left the boy sat down opposite her and was silent for a few minutes.

"I hope they weren't hassling you too much," he said speaking to her for the first time.

"No, I find ignoring them is the best," she said looking up at him.

"So, what's your name?" he asked.

"What's it to you?" she asked him.

"Well, I thought it would be polite to have a name to associate to the face, instead of the beautiful, new girl," he said flashing her a heart melting smile.

"Brennan," she replied.

"First name or last?" he asked unsure.

"Last, I hate my first name," she said.

"There we go we already have something in common, I hate my first name too, name's Booth by the way," he said holding out his hand, she hesitantly shook it.

"Don't I get a first name?" she asked.

"Not until you tell me yours," he replied standing up to leave. "Well, Brennan, I hope to see you around," he said before flashing her another charm smile and walking off. Brennan sat there frozen for a few minutes and could feel her heart thumping in her chest. She hoped she saw him again; maybe he would be one person who wouldn't think she was a freak.

…

Brennan smiled at her memory and still had the same feeling when she thought of Booth, as she had the first day she met him. She didn't believe in God, but began to pray that he would find her soon and they would be able to get on with their lives. She thought of her daughter, who would be scared as hell and wished she didn't have to go through this. The only thing that made her feel remotely better was the fact that she knew Booth and Angela would be there reassuring her that her mother would be ok. Her injuries began to weaken her as she began to fall asleep, wishing in the morning everything would be different.