(The Hole in the Heart)

I don't own Bones.

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His phone ringing incessantly, Joseph threw up his hands in disgust and picked up his phone, "I'm taking a damn nap, Max. You know I nap in the afternoon. What the hell is so important that . . ."

Interrupting him, Max snarled, "Shut up and listen, someone just shot and killed one of the interns at the Lab. He was standing next to Seeley and Temperance. Larry says that everyone is pretty sure it's Brodsky, the guy that killed the Gravedigger."

Stunned, Joseph rubbed the head, "How did he get into the Lab? They have pretty tight security."

Sighing, Max answered, "He didn't have to get into the Lab. He found a high place somewhere and shot through the glass roof. Larry says that he was below the platform working with Hodgins but he could hear what was being said up there and I guess Seeley was trying to trace Brodsky through his phone. The problem is Brodsky used Booth's I mean Seeley's phone to track him. The English intern held a phone that Seeley was going to trace and when the kid answered it, Brodsky shot and killed the holder of the phone, the English intern. Temperance was standing right next to the boy when he was shot. Seeley tried to stop the bleeding until the EMTs got there but Larry said it was hopeless. The boy was shot in the heart or something like that and he bled out."

Feeling his ragged breath expelled forcefully, the older man placed his hand over his heart and felt it beating wildly. "My God, that means if Seeley or Temperance had been holding the phone they'd be dead now."

Clearing his throat, Max responded, "Yeah. That's exactly what it means. There's a man hunt going on right now and everyone is trying to track down Brodsky. He's a former Ranger and a sniper and they've been looking for that guy for months. He isn't going to be easy to find."

Pressing his hand against his chest, Joseph had to ask, "And you're sure the kids are alright?"

Pressing his hand against his temple, Max replied, "I guess as well as they can be considering someone they knew was gunned down right in front of them and considering that one of them could just have easily been hit."

Nodding his head, Joseph felt his heart still racing, "Okay, okay, thanks for calling me. I, uh, I don't feel well. I'm going to lie back down for awhile."

Concerned, Max responded, "Joseph, are you alright? Joseph?" Not hearing anything, Max ended his call and quickly left his apartment. Hurrying to his car, he pulled out of his parking space and entered the road, "I'm coming Joseph, just hold on, Buddy."

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Arriving at Joseph's apartment, Max took his spare key to Joseph's apartment out of his wallet and let himself in. Walking across the living room, he entered his friend's bedroom to find him lying on the bed, pale and sweating.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Max patted Joseph's face, "Joseph, are you having a heart attack? Tell me what's going on."

Opening his eyes, Joseph frowned, "I just had a panic attack, Max. Don't worry about it. I've had a few of them in the last few months. They don't last long."

Grimacing, Max sighed, "You got medicine for that?"

Nodding his head, Joseph licked his lips, "Yeah, I just took it." Pointing in the general direction of his nightstand, he swallowed, "Damn child proof caps. I told them I don't need them but no, they won't listen to me."

Turning Max saw the bottle lying on its side with pills scattered on the nightstand and on the floor. Picking up the pills he put them back in the bottle but left the cap off.

Sitting on the bed, Max smiled, "You know, if you wanted me to come over you should have just said so. All of this melodrama isn't good for me."

Nodding his head, Joseph felt his heart rate start to calm down, Joseph tried to smile, "Yeah, sorry about that. . . . I'll try not to be a drama queen the next time."

Patting his friend's arm, Max stood up, "Hey, I'm hungry. I'm going to see what you have in the kitchen and I'll make us dinner."

Closing his eyes, Joseph remarked, "Just don't make a mess, Oscar."

Laughing, the younger man squeezed Joseph's arm, "So you admit you're like Felix Unger."

Smiling, Joseph wiped his forehead with his hand, "Only if you're admitting that you're Oscar Madison."

Standing, Max moved to the bedroom door, "Yeah, that's what we are, the Odd Couple."

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After staying over night, Max was helping Joseph make breakfast when he heard his phone ring. Answering it, he listened closely. Turning towards Joseph, he held his thumb up and smiled.

Ending the call, Max laughed, "Damn, Seeley didn't waste any time. It's just getting on 9:30 and Brodsky's been captured."

Looking up from buttering toast, Joseph smiled, "Who called?"

Placing his phone down on the counter, Max picked up the plate of scrambled eggs and placed it in on the dining room table. "Larry over at the Lab. He hung around Tempe this morning because he heard that the FBI had a lead and he knew that Seeley wouldn't waste anytime going after Brodsky. He said that Brodsky was captured over at the port and your son is okay."

Closing his eyes, Joseph said a quick prayer. Opening them again, Joseph picked up the toast and took it to the table with a jar of blackberry jam. Placing the plate on the table, Joseph sat down, "Thank God."

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