Disclaimer: I don't own Bones
Nertooold54: Soon, I promise =D
Babybones: Who knows? Oh wait I do...
Archerblad3: LOL DB can do the broody and angry very well. So you just have to superimpose Angel over Booth and tada! =). Yumminess ensues
jrfanfrommo: Awww come on I don't usually mess things up for long...usually...
Chkgun93: Okay maybe you should leave the speculation to Booth ;-P
Thank you everyone for your wonderful reviews. They make me squeee like Angela.
Chapter 25
"Angela," Sully stopped and smiled.
"I was just going to talk to Booth but maybe you'll know. I've been trying to get an update but no one is saying anything. What is going on?" Sully said with a worried frown.
"Sully," Angela said, sighing she stopped not knowing what to say.
Sully stopped suddenly at her quiet tone. Looking around he saw the bullpen had fallen silent. Half were staring at them, the other half were watching Booth in his office. Booth sat slumped at his desk holding a picture. Cam stalked by the two of them and walked into Booth's office.
Closing the door quietly, she dropped the blinds and slid into one of the chairs in the corner. Sully caught a glimpse of Booth before Cam snapped the blinds shut. He turned to Angela with a grimace.
"What happened to Tempe? Booth looks like shit," Sully said in a low tone.
"We'll go with the quick and dirty version, if you want more details talk to Charlie," Angela said quickly and quietly.
"Bren's in a coma. They're saying she will have renegade amnesia, or something like that. She may wake up and not remember any of us. We don't know how far back the amnesia will go," Angela said biting her lip.
"So, Booth's upset because his partner won't remember him?" Sully said incredulously, purposely ignoring the girlfriend aspect.
"No, he's upset because his girlfriend and the love of his life might wake up and not remember him," Angela said. Sully rocked back on his heels and frowned.
"Look, Sully, we know that you two cared about each other. You had a good thing for awhile, but we knew you weren't her forever guy. I believe subconsciously you both knew you weren't her forever guy. That's why she didn't get on that boat and that's why you left her standing at the docks," Angela said with an understanding smile. Sully jammed his hands in his pockets and sighed.
"Yeah, yeah, I guess so," he said with just a touch of sadness.
"If you want more details talk to Charlie. Just for now stay away from the hospital. It's all everyone can do to hold Booth together," Angela said.
"Okay, I'll go talk to Charlie," Sully said, turning on his heel and heading towards Charlie's desk.
Angela watched as Sully and Charlie spoke for a few moments. Sully's head suddenly snapped towards her, his eyes going wide. Angela strode swiftly towards Booth's office and walked in, closing the door firmly behind herself. Booth and Cam looked up as she walked in the door.
"We need to move now or things are going to get very painful, very quickly," Angela said softly. Cam stood up and grabbed Booth by the arm.
"Let's go, Big Guy. I'm driving you to the hospital and Angela's going to take care of everything else," Cam said firmly.
Angela walked out the door ahead of them and strode to the elevator. Pushing the button she held the door open waiting for Booth and Cam who were moving at a normal pace. Sully stepped forward and Angela shot him a death glare. He paused for a fraction of a second and that's all it took for everyone to step on the elevator. Sully watched as the door slid closed on them. Letting out a huff of air he spun around.
Cam ushered Booth down to the Sequoia,then, climbing into the driver's seat, held out her hand. Booth dropped the keys into her hand with a sigh, Cam took the keys and rifled through until she found the proper one. Putting it into the ignition she started the vehicle and pulled out of the garage into the traffic. Angela shook her head as she watched the Sequoia drive off and climbed into her mini-van.
She drove from the parking garage and towards Brennan's apartment. Arriving at Brennan's apartment she made her way to the door and slid her key into the lock. Pushing the door open, she stepped inside. Looking around her face fell. How was Brennan going to be able to walk into this apartment if she didn't remember Booth.
Angela spotted pieces of Booth all over the apartment. With a sigh, she walked to the bedroom and dug in the bottom of the closet for a piece of luggage. Pulling it out, she laid it on the bed and unzipped it. Glancing at the clothes in the closet, she grinned at the accumulation of Booth's clothing. Grabbing handsful of hangers, she laid them on the bed.
She dug through the clothing, picking out a black suit, and laid it on the bed. She walked to the dresser, pulling open the top drawer and she dug through the clothing, laughing as she realized that their underwear and socks were mixed together. Methodically, she pulled out his socks and boxers from the drawer. She piled them on the bed next to the suitcase. Going back to the closet she pulled out a duffel bag and set it on the bed.
Going through the drawers, she pulled out what looked to be Booth's shirts. Digging through the last drawer she pulled out Booth's jeans, sweats and shorts. Sweeping into the bathroom, she cleared his hygiene items and piled them on the bed with his clothes. She walked to the dryer, opened it and dug out any of Booth's clothes. Carrying them back to the bed, she piled them with the rest.
She made quick work of folding and packing his clothes. Some in the duffel bag, but most in the suitcase. She threw his showering supplies in the duffel as well. Looking around she sighed again and grabbed the alarm clock on his side of the bed. Walking back to the living room she scanned the room looking for items that clearly did not belong to Brennan.
She picked up a signed baseball, a hockey puck, a few sports magazines and a coffee cup. Carrying them to the bedroom she piled them in the suitcase along with the alarm clock. Back in the living room, she walked to the bookshelves. Sitting down, she opened the bottom cabinet. Sifting the items to the side, she began spinning the dial on the safe. Brennan had given her the combination years ago for emergency purposes.
As the door popped open, she saw several guns sitting in the safe. Pulling one out with two fingers, she set it to the side. Reaching in, she began dragging out the second gun, an envelope got caught on the handle. The envelope fell on to the floor. Angela glanced at it and her mouth fell open. Setting the gun on the floor, she picked up the envelope. On the front, in Brennan's handwriting, she saw;
If anything should happen to me, deliver to Special Agent Seeley Booth
Picking up the envelope she hefted it in her hand. Slamming the door closed, she spun the lock and moved the items back in front of the safe. Closing the doors, she picked up the guns and stood up swiftly. Going back to the bedroom, she shoved the guns in the suitcase and zipped it closed. She looked around but left the pictures, they were friends after all.
Zipping the suitcase closed, she picked up the duffel and the suitcase. Pausing before she left, she glanced around with a smile. She grabbed Brennan's pillow and tucked it under her arm. Locking the door after leaving the apartment, she walked to her minivan, loaded up the luggage and then climbed in.
Driving to Booth's apartment, Angela walked to his door and picked up the obvious rock. Huffing out a laugh she took the key and opened the door. Walking through the apartment, she put the suitcase on the bed and unzipped it. Pulling the suits out she quickly hung them in the closet. Tucking Brennan's pillow near Booth's, she left the bedroom.
Looking around, she groaned and sent a quick prayer up for this to all go right. Leaving Booth's apartment, she drove to the hospital. Climbing out, she grabbed the duffel bag and his suit. She made her way through the hospital to the elevators, ignoring the strange looks she was getting.
Booth looked up when Angela strode through the door. Taking a deep breath, she set his duffel bag down next to the chair he was sitting in. She stood waiting for him to say something. He sat with his head propped by his knuckles at the temple. He sat staring at the bed, brooding while the bleep bleep bleep of the heart monitor kept steady rhythm. Angela pulled a chair around next to Booth and perched on the edge.
"Booth," Angela prodded.
"I can't do this, Angela. What if she doesn't remember me? I spent all these years working to get her to open up and now...now," Booth said in a raspy scared tone.
"Booth, even if she forgets, her memories will come back. You are the other half of her and she feels it, she always has. We just have to wait and see what happens," Angela said with an urgent tone.
Standing up, she dropped the envelope in his lap and quietly left the room. Pausing at the door she looked over her shoulder. She slipped into the hallway and to the elevator. As the elevator doors opened, Cam stepped out. Angela ushered her back in and hit the button.
"We're going back to the lab. I found an envelope marked for him in case anything happened to her. I just left it with him," Angela explained.
Cam winced then shook her head. The two women left the hospital and headed back to the Jeffersonian.
Booth stared at the envelope in his lap. His body had gone numb at the words on the front of the envelope. He ran his fingers along the edge, should he open it, should he not. Grabbing the table with the computer he pulled it over towards himself. Clicking the whistle in the bottom corner, he waited. Wendell came running in the door and sat down.
"What's up, Booth?" Wendell asked, concern written all over his face.
"Is James there or is he at the Hoover?" Booth asked in a low tone. Wendell rocked back in the chair at the pain and frustration pouring off Booth.
"Yeah, Booth, hang on," Wendell said as he stood up. Booth sat staring at the envelope until he heard James sit down.
"James, I need you here now. I have something important I need to do," Booth said, looking up at James.
"Caroline is working on the warrant so I will be there soon," James said then he stood up and quickly left the office.
Booth turned to look at Brennan, lying so pale, so bruised on the bed. Underneath her eyelids he saw her eyes moving as she dreamed. He sat in silence praying with everything he had. The minutes rolled by and he waited. Becoming antsy, he stood up and began pacing. He continued to pace until James strode through the door. Booth turned and walked quickly out the door. Not saying a word, he was headed toward the elevator when Marie called out.
"Agent Booth, Agent Booth, wait," she said as she came running down the hall towards him. Booth paused and looked over his shoulder at her.
"Here, Dr. Saroyan, left these at the desk for you," Marie said, handing him his keys.
"Thank you," Booth said with a small smile.
Tossing the keys in the air, he caught them then turned back to the elevator. Making his way through the hospital, he left and climbed in the Sequoia. As he drove across town he tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. His mind ran a hundred miles an hour, his concentration only half on the road in front of him. Should he open the envelope? If he did, does that mean he has given up hope? What to do? What to do? Pulling into the nursing home parking lot, he walked quickly into the lobby. Walking to the front desk, he smiled at the lady behind the desk.
"Oh, Mr. Booth, are you here to see your grandfather?" She asked with a smile as her fingers crocheted a few quick stitches.
"If he's available, Margie," Booth said, a fake smile quirking at the corners of his mouth.
"Yes, he's in his room reading, I believe," Margie said, waving him off with her hand. Booth walked softly down the hallway and knocked lightly on his grandfather's door. The door was pulled open and Hank looked at his grandson and smiled.
"Shrimp, come in, come in. It's been a few weeks," Hank said, still smiling but noting that the smile was not returned. Booth walked into the room, stopped suddenly and stood holding the envelope. Hank watched as his grandson ran his hands through his hair and started pacing.
"Shrimp, slow down, son. sit down," Hank said gently, pushing Booth towards the recliner.
Booth fell into the recliner with a thump. Hank walked to his closet and opened the door. Reaching into the back, he pulled a bottle of scotch off the shelf. Walking to his dresser, he poured two glasses and carried one to Booth. Pushing the glass into Booth's hands he sat down in a chair near him.
"Shrimp, what's going on? I don't think I've seen you this bamboozled since you found out Rebecca was pregnant," Hank said softly. Booth took a gulp of scotch and hissed as it seared down the back of his throat.
"Boy, I've taught you to treat good scotch better than that," Hank admonished. Booth clutched the glass in his hands and passed the envelope to his grandfather. Hank took the envelope and read the familiar scrawl across the front. Hank gasped as tears shot into his eyes.
"Temperance," he whispered in a pain laced voice.
"She's not dead, Pops. She's in a coma. We don't know when she'll wake up, or what she will remember," Booth said in a choked voice. Hank handed Booth the envelope back and sat back to sip his scotch.
"By the looks of it you finally got smart and asked her out," Hank said thoughtfully.
"Yeah we've been together for a few months. Things have been hectic," Booth said with a pause.
"What's really bothering you, Shrimp?" Hank asked sensing there was something more weighing on his grandson's mind.
"If I open it, I'm giving up on her and I'm not ready to do that. But what if she wakes up and doesn't remember me. Should I open it? Should I not? I just don't know," Booth said in a voice close to panicking.
"Take a deep breath, boy. Temperance is strong and you know that. Hold on to it, don't open it and see where it goes," Hank advised him.
"Pops, I'm at a complete loss. She's been with me for months and now it could go back to the way it was. Or worse before she even knew me," Booth whispered.
Hank let out a sigh, knowing his grandson's pain but not how to fix it. Standing up, he walked over and picked up the bottle of scotch. Sitting back down, he poured his grandson more scotch. Hank sat in silence, letting Booth roll things over in his mind. Sighing, Booth stood up and set down the glass of scotch.
"Thanks, Pops," Booth said, striding to the door.
"Keep me updated, Shrimp," Hank said softly then he heard the door close.
Hank sent a prayer up for both of them. Booth walked out to the Sequoia and made his way back to the hospital. Parking at the hospital, Booth climbed from the Sequoia and entered through the main lobby. Walking to the elevator, he pushed the button and waited. Riding the elevator up, he jammed his hands in his pockets and sighed.
Walking back into the room, he found Max and James staring at each other. James glanced at Booth as he walked in. James nodded then stood up and left the room without saying a word. Sitting down, Booth picked up Brennan's hand and ran his thumb across the back of her knuckles.
"Booth, son, even if she loses her memory, she will remember you on some level. Tempe loves you, you know that, right?" Max said softly as he watched Booth clutch Brennan's hand.
"Max, please, just stop. I'm tired of the pep talks. They're depressing me," Booth muttered. Booth heard a chair roll in front of the computer and glanced over. Wendell sat in front of the computer with a frown on his face.
"Booth, is James still there? Caroline got the warrant," Wendell said. Max jerked his head around and glared at the screen.
"He just left a few minutes ago," Booth told Wendell. Booth stood up and shooed Max to the seat he had just vacated. Sitting down in front of the computer, he plugged in the blue tooth. Picking up Brennan's hand again, he sat and waited for James to arrive at the Jeffersonian.
"Why are you still working, Booth? You should be taking care of Tempe," Max said in a slightly snarling tone. Booth looked up with a frown and glared at Brennan's father.
"Max, I have to work. I still have bills to pay. This is the only way that I can stay here with her," Booth said in a low tone edged with pain. Booth sat rubbing his thumb across Brennan's knuckles when her felt her fingers twitch. Booth's head shot up to her face and he saw her face start to twitch.
"Max, I don't think it would be a good idea for you to be here. It's one thing if she wakes up to someone she doesn't know. It's another to wake up to someone she knows, but was really angry at. We don't know how much she will remember," Booth said quickly but gently. Max let out a sigh, his eyes teared up but he nodded. Standing up he turned to leave the room.
"Booth, take care of my little girl," Max said quietly.
"I always have, Max," Booth returned with a smile. Max nodded then left his little girl in the hands of a man who loved her as much as he did.
A/N Dun Dun Dun is she waking up? Or is she sleep twitching? Read on tomorrow to find out. You'll also find out about, Sweets, Welcome backs, tests, 13 years, grown up words, acting coach, and a letter.
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