A/N For all of you had faith I was not going to kill Booth you were right. I really appreciate all the reviews you guys have left me they encourage me to keep writing.

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Chapter 25.

Brennan was lying comfortably on the bed playing some of her favorite classical music to her daughter. She had flicked through her entire collection of cds before choosing the appropriate three, well more like her favorite three. Now with her hand resting flat on her stomach she could feel the tiny flutters these only gave her the pure notion she was soothed by it, so much so a sense of calm quickly enveloped her herself. Her cellphone ringing loudly from the other room however interrupted the pure serenity of the moment. Once she reached the phone, she answered softly. "Brennan."

"Dr Brennan it's Cullen. I'm down at DC General."

As soon as he mentioned the name of the hospital she knew it was Booth. His gut instincts must be starting to rub off on me. Her heart was racing, but as she was about to ask for confirmation Cullen spoke again.

"Dr Brennan i'm calling you concerning Agent Booth. He was attacked this evening. I need you to come down here right away."

Her hands were trembling as she put the phone away. Focus Tempe, just focus. Cullen said Booth was attacked, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's that serious does it? A moment later she found herself pulling on some comfortable clothing and a jacket. She then grabbed her purse and car keys and was out the door.

Driving through the traffic she quickly dialled Angela's number. Then she placed the phone in the special holder allowing her to be able to talk handsfree. She was still taking a considerable risk engaging in conversation whilst driving, especially considering her state of mind. More worrying was the speed she was whizzing up the beltway at. Booth would kill me if he knew I was driving this erratically.

"Hogins I have to get this," she distinctly heard her best friend voice. "Hi sweetie," Angela answered, although Brennan could tell she was obviously precoccupied, therefore she remained silent. The giggles coming from her and the sexual comments coming from Hodgins had told her as much. "Bren is that you?"

"Y-yes it's me," she sobbed. She used one hand to wipe the tears from her eyes temporarily distracting her. The sudden honk of a horn and the sound of a car whooshing past her caused her to swerve nervously.

"Bren where are you? Are you driving?" Her friends panicked voice quizzed.

"It's Booth. Something's happened to Booth. Cullen called me and told me he's been attacked."

Angela's high pitched voice suddenly took on a more serious tone. "Oh my god. Is he okay?"

"If I knew that I wouldn't be in this hysterical state now would I?" she practically yelled down the phone.

It was understandable her friend would be this upset. It certainly didn't help with raging hormones attributing to it. "Which hospital?"

"DC general. Please hurry Ange I'm really going to need you."

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Ben stumbled rapidly into his apartment. He quickly took of his hoody and pants that had accumulated some blood from his victim. He then hurried into the bathroom, turning on the tap and began splashing cold water on his face. He faced himself in the mirror. What have I done? He then shrieked as a seering pain shot up his arm. Goddamn it! he cursed loudly. He nursed the injury, then able to the conclusion that it was just a sprain and nothing was broken like he first suspected.

As he sank onto the couch a can of beer in his hand he recalled the events of the evening. His little rendevous with Booth hadn't exactly gone to plan. Charlie is going to kill me. How was he going to explain that he couldn't do it. He had wanted to, that much was certain. He had killed before he should have been an old hand at it, though as he had stared into the pleading eyes of his target a sense of humanity overwhelmed him. He has raised the gun aiming for a fatal shot to the heart, but instead of piercing the flesh of the agent it had instead lodged itself into a nearby car. He did however finish off their little encounter by giving him another couple of firm kicks to the stomach before fleeing the scene.

I have to get away. he announced to himself. He scooted to the bedroom and opening a set of drawers grabbed a handful of clothes and stuffed them quickly into a small suitcase. Charlie is my brother and I love him dearly, but lately he has been acting psychotic, obssessing over something that will never belong to him. Also once he finds out I didn't kill Booth, most likely i'll be next.

Ten minutes later he was out the door and descending the steps reeking of urine of his apartment building stairwell. He almost urged from the stench. Then the sound of footsteps now accending towards him caused him to freeze. He was able to breathe a sign of relief though when it happened to be just the couple of junkies living down the hall from him. Stop being so paranoid. He continued on down more confident of a quick getaway now that the exit was in sight.

"Going somewhere!" came the dangerous voice at the bottom of the stairwell.

Ben turned to run but Quinn was on top of him after he managed to only make it up two steps. Quinn grabbed the back of his jacket, then squeezed his hand around the back of his neck forcing him to drop the suitcase. He then he proceeded to drag him back up the stairs and back to his apartment.

"Thought I could depend on you Ben. I thought I could trust you to get the job done. You really disappoint me you know that." His voice was deadly, obnoxious even.

Ben was shaking. He had never heard his brother talk this way, so desperate and crazy. "I don't know what you're talking about," he lied.

Once they were back in the cockroach ridden apartment Ben shoved him to the floor and stood menacingly over him. "Here I was expecting some good news. The news that would have made me a very happy man. The news that Seeley Booth was dead." He crouched down so he was closer to his brothers face. Instead when I get back to the bureau you know what news I 'do' get?"

"W-what," Ben stuttered anxiously although knowing exactly what the answer was going to be.

"I get to hear that my dear friend is in the hospital with multiple injuries. MULTIPLE INJURIES!" he repeated more harshly. "Do you know how that may me feel?"

"No Charlie," Ben said his lips quivering.

"It made me feel that my little brother betrayed me."

This time Ben put up more of a defense "I did not betray you! I was going to do it. I had meant to do it, but when I looked into his eyes I just couldn't force myself to pull the trigger and put a bullet in him. He is going to be a father, and you remember how that feels don't you?"

"Once yes, but not anymore. He doesn't deserve to be a father, not now not ever," he screeched pulling at his hair in a fit of rage.

"Charlie please.. get a grip. Why don't we get away, far away from here. We can go anywhere you want to go, leave all this behind you. You don't need to worry about that doctor or Booth again."

There was silence as Quinn thought it over. It was tempting, but not tempting enough. He couldn't shake the feeling that even if he was a thousand miles away he'd never be able to get her out of his mind. "No! she is too important. My child is too important."

"Your child?" Ben asked, wandering if he had heard him correctly.

"Oh Yes. I think I may have forgotten to mention that Temperance is mine and so is little Lily."

"Lily? He really has lost it. "Please Charlie you need help."

"Don't say that. Don't ever say that!" he screamed. "You're lucky to still be breathing after defying me. Your poor performance in all this is intolerable, but you are still my brother all said and done. Although don't think for one minute i'm done with you yet."

What'dya mean bro?" he asked nervously.

"We'll finish up later. Don't even think about skipping town at all tonight, because you won't get far. One phonecall and the entire FBI will be hot on your ass."

"What are you going to do?" His brother was out of his mind, and his behavior was so inpredicatable he was afraid he'd be capable of anything.

"I'm off too take care of some unfinished business," he told his brother. "As the saying goes if you want something doing then you've got to do it yourself."

"What exactly are you going to do?"

"To finish what you started," Quinn beamed.

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On arrival at the emergency room Brennan tapped the counter of the reception desk. "Excuse me. My name is Temperance Brennan. I've been informed that my fiance is here Seeley Booth."

The older nurse smiled sympathetically at the woman standing before her "Who dear?"

Seeley Booth. He was brought in just over a half hour ago." She watched as the woman approached the computer. "Ah yes, but you can't see him yet he's still in surgery."

Surgery! How bad was this attack? "Do you happen to have any information on the extent of his injuries?"

Before the nurse was able to speak a gruff male voice interrupted "Dr Brennan."

She turned to face the balding older man. "Cullen?"

"Come with me." She followed him to a family room situated on the third floor. "Would you like something to drink? I mean that is if you can take the lumpy coffee from the vending machine."

Brennan flashed a small smile. I never would have thought Cullen had a sense of humor. "I'm fine thankyou."

"Can you tell me anything about what happened?" she asked desperation apparent in her weepy voice.

"The attack took place in the parking garage at headquarters around 8.15. With all Booth's skills there is no way he would have just let this guy get the better of him, so my only conclusion is that he was struck from behind."

"What kind of injuries? and please the truth," she demanded.

"Severe concussion, two broken ribs, ruptured spleen and some minor cuts and bruises."

Brennan slapped her hand over her mouth sobbing violently into it. "Who would have done this?"

Cullen took a seat next to her "I just want to let you know I have a team of my best agents scouring the streets for this guy. I'm having the security tapes assessed as we speak. I have to tell you though that Booth was parked in the area of the garage with limited visibility from the cctv cameras."

Brennan couldn't hold back the tears. Everything was going well, perfect in fact, and now this had happened. "He will be okay won't he?"

"Your the forensic anthropologist here," Cullen reminded her.

"Yeah with a PHD not a MD," she replied. Who am I kidding? She knew exactly the severity of his injuries and the complications which could occur.

For the first time in his career Cullen found himself comforting a squint. He put an arm around her shoulder and she leant into him, finding surprising warmth and comfort.

A few minutes later the door opened and Angela popped her head around. After her appearance Brennan left the safety of Cullen's arms and embraced her best friend. "Angela i'm so glad you're here."

"How is he?"

Brennan nodded "I haven't been told anything. I've been sat here for over thirty five minutes and not one doctor has come to see me. That means it's bad isn't it? I mean the longer it takes the worse it's gotta be right?"

Cullen made his way to the door "I'll go see if I can find something out."

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Cullen arrived back not more then five minutes later with a tall, burly looking Doctor. The deputy director then gave Brennan a peck on the cheek before announcing he had to leave so he could overlook the investigation. Before he left he informed her he would be posting two agents outside Booth's door. They had since introduced themselves as Agent Hollier and Benson.

"The doctor was fnally able to catch their attention. "Hello i'm Dr Chandler. His eyes flicked from one woman to the other. "Which one of you two ladies is," he checked his clipchart. "Dr Temperance Brennan."

"That would me," Brennan announced as she stood up to meet the doctor.

"Mr Booth is out of surgery and in recovery. His condition is stable, although he is did suststain some serious injuries. The most worrying was some internal bleeding caused by a ruptured spleen, and unfortunatley we had to remove it."

"Remove it?"

"Yes. Please rest assure that one can survive without it, but there is a much higher risk of infection. He'll need to be monitored closely for the next few days at least. Any further questions?"

There was just one. "When can I see him?"

"As soon as he's out of recovery. Please be aware though that visiting hours finish at 10."

"I'm going to call Jack and tell him of the situation, " Angela told her friend. "Why don't you wait here to see Booth."

A mere fifteen minutes later and Brennan entered the dimly lit room and approached the bed. It was quiet except for the bleeping of the heart monitor. The doctor had made it clear that he had been heavily sedated in order to aid his body to heal. Bringing the uncomfortable looking chair to his side and sitting herself down she was now able to get a complete view of his injuries. His head was bandaged and he had another larger bandage around his abdomen. His face was swollen with some small abrasions on his cheek. "Oh baby what did he do to you?"

"Em Brennan," Angela whispered from the doorway. The doctor just told me visiting hours are almost over. Did you want to come back with me?"

Brennan shook her head. "That's okay. I'd just like to stay another five or ten minutes."

"I'll drop by in the morning okay?"

"Thanks Angela."

"Hey so who's the damsel in distress this time?" she joked as she regained her position by his side, though he didn't stir. "I had Lily listening to some classical music earlier. I know you probably would laugh at that but I think she liked it. I'll call Rebecca tomorrow, maybe she'll allow Parker to visit when you're a little stronger." She pressed her lips gently against his then stroked his bruised face. It pained her to see him this way and it had seemed to have a reverberating effect on Lily also, as she hadn't felt much movement since she arrived. "It's okay baby girl. Daddy is going to be just fine." She suddenly began feeling queasy, realizing the last time she had eaten was at lunch. She promised she would grab something on her way home.

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As much as he would loved to have strolled into the hospital and put a final end to Seeley's Booth life, he had decided it was far too risky. There would no doubt be FBI swarming the building, not to mention that Brennan would be there and possibly those damn squints. He glanced at his watch, it now read 9.55. Once inside he flashed his badge at the young nurse at the reception desk "Seeley Booth's room please." The nurse offered up his room number without a second thought. Quinn smiled sweetly as he stalked down the corridor. As he gained the distance between him and Booth's room he was promptly intercepted by two agents.

"It was Benson who stepped forward "Can we help you?"

What fools. "Agent Quinn," he informed them, again flashing his credentials.

"What brings you down here this late Agent Quinn?"

His acting skills had to be perfect so they wouldn't need to question his genuineness. "I was just at headquarters and heard what happened to agent Booth. It's awful isn't it? I'm one of Booth's closest collegues and personal friend to his fiance," the word sickened him. "Dr Brennan. That's when I thought it was my duty to come down here and offer my loyal support."

"I'm sorry you're..." They were about to tell him he needed to leave when Brennan stepped into hall and interrupted them.

"It's okay you can let him come in."

"Dr Brennan," Hollier answered her. Cullen gave us firm instructions that Agent Booth was to have no further visitors tonight."

"Well Cullen isn't here and I say he can stay." Her voice told them she was deadly serious.

The two agents relented unblocking his path. "Ten minutes Agent Quinn," Hollier warned.

Quinn almost skipped past them casting them both a malicious smirk as he did so. "Told you personal friend." He then followed Brennan into room 206. The sight of Booth unconscious on the bed delighted him. Oh Booth you poor thing. At least whilst you in here you won't be able to interrupt any more of my plans.

"I can't understand who would do this," she whimpered. "He must have been so scared there... alone facing that monster." More tears threatened to fall. "I just can't bear seeing him like this, so hurt, so vulnerable."

Quinn took her in his arms and she sobbed more uncontrollably. "He'll be okay," he reassured her. The fact she was visibly shaking fueled him to hold her closer. "Booth has had to endure alot more then a beating. You wait and see. He'll be back on his feet before you know it."

The doctor then made an entrance "Dr Brennan..oh sorry I didn't realize you had company."

"That's alright. This is Charlie he's a friend from the FBI."

Dr Chandler smiled "I just came to let you know that visiting hours were over fifteen minutes ago."

She wiped her tears "Oh okay."

Quinn grasped her shoulders "I really don't think it's a good idea you driving home this late and in your current condition. Come on why don't I give you a ride."

It wasn't that she was ungrateful, far from it. There was just that nagging feeling that somehow she was giving him the wrong impression. The kind of impression that she only depended on him when Booth wasn't able to himself. "I can't."

Try harder Charlie. It really would make me feel better, and besides how would Booth feel if anything happened to you and the baby?"

Brennan picked up her jacket, keys and purse "I don't think so."

Quinn was furious. Ungrateful bitch! Are you sure I can't change your mind?"

Brennan leant over to kiss Booth yet when she got up again she suddenly felt sick and the room began to spin. "I-I don't feel too good."

Quinn caught her and pulled her close so she was leaning against him for support "I really do think you're going to need that ride." This time he wasn't taking no for an answer.

"She mumbled incoherently as she was led from the room. Quinn looked back at Booth. Don't worry. I'll take good care of Temperance and little Lily too. Hollier and Benson eyed him suspiciously on his exit.

"Is Dr Brennan okay," Benson inquired.

"She isn't feeling too well. I'm going to take her home," he stated flatly

"Shall I inform Cullen?" Hollier then asked.

Quinn shook his head "That won't be necessary." He then continued down the hall half dragging a mumbling Brennan with him.

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"There you go Tempe." As soon as Quinn had sat her down on the bed her head instantly met the pillow. "Don't you want to get out of these clothes?"

He was met by a serious of unidentifiable words, although he couldn't imagine she'd be comfortable with them on. "Come on let's get you undressed." He lifted her up so he was able to take of her jacket and the top she was wearing, leaving her in just her white bra. Beautiful just beautiful. He then started on the pants she was wearing. He loosened them down her legs with ease taking her boots off at the same time. There she was lying in front of him practically naked. He could have done anything he wanted without her knowledge, but he restrained himself once again. Instead he reached down and stroked her stomach. The strong kick from within startled him. I see. You're a feisty one just like your mother. Then he proceeded to tuck Brennan in under the duvet and then left the room.

Now completely alone he was able to get a good look around her home. He picked up some books but tossed them aside uninterested. Some pictures then caught his eye most of them were of Booth and Parker, but one he noticed was of Booth alone with Brennan. He grasped the frame and slammed it down on the table shattering the glass. The picture fell to the floor and he swooped down to pick it up. Carefully folding it in half he shoved it into his jacket pocket.

His stomach was rumbling so his next stop was the kitchen where he fixed himself a snack. Once he was done he slouched himself comfortably down on the couch and switched on the tv. Now I guess it's time to think about my next plan of action. It would have to wait a while, a couple of weeks perhaps. If another little accident were to happen so soon it could definitely raise suspicion. No he would wait. There was no way Brennan could ever find out he had been involved in Booth's attack or any future attack for that matter. If she did that would certainly have very bad repercussions, and he would have to do something he might regret...