26. A Ruined Weekend
It had been nothing but chaos since they entered the warehouse. The group had been much larger than they had anticipated and were incredibly well equipped. Booth and his men had managed to overtake most of the group without any serious injuries and had cornered the remaining few into a large room.
Only a few more minutes of carefully executed moves and the whole ordeal would be over. Booth picked out his five men and four of the shooters. One of the remaining men was the proclaimed leader, Mark Spectre. If Booth could simply get a clean shot, he was certain the others would fold.
Booth looked to his left and saw Agent Fischer in a precarious position. He was a fairly new agent and Booth had been keeping a careful eye on him. Apparently Spectre saw the same scene as a prime opportunity. He quickly circled around to attack the young agent from behind. Booth barely hesitated as he shouted to Spectre to distract him. Unfortunately he had also given away his position and he felt the bullet only seconds later. However, Spectre had opened himself for a shot and Booth winced as he took his target out.
After he saw the man go down, Booth slumped forward and rolled on his back. The first image that came to his mind were sparkling blue eyes and how angry they would be when she found out he wasn't going to keep his promise. As he blacked out, he hoped she would forgive him.
It was 9pm and Brennan and Angela were sitting in Brennan's office, Brennan on the computer and Angela reading a familiar novel. Angela had forcibly shut Brennan in her office after hearing about Booth's mission. Brennan had been reluctant to share what she knew, but after making two of her graduate students cry, Angela eventually found out what was wrong.
Angela was now keeping her distracted by making her do paperwork. She was simultaneously comforting her friend with her presence and also allowing her to handle the situation by closing herself off. Angela knew it was a strange and delicate balance that many did not understand.
They had both been sitting so quietly for so long that they both jumped when the phone broke the silence. Brennan immediately grabbed the phone.
"Booth?" Angela's heart broke a little at the obvious concern radiating from her friend. Brennan's concern only increased when the voice answered. The only voice she needed to hear from was Booth's.
"No, Dr. Brennan. This is Cullen. Agent Booth has been injured; you need to come down here."
Only one thought ran through her mind.
"Which hospital?"