An: Sorry that this is so short, and it took me forever to get this up; I got totally caught up in my AU AC story, and just lost contact with my others. I'll try my best to fix that I promise. Like I've said, many times before, I know where I'm going with this story, but I don't know the road to get there, so if there are time jumps up ahead, I'm sorry. Just bare with me. The angst will probably kill you, but the ending will be the much needed happiness injection you need. :)

Twit Shit: twitter(dot)com(slash)alexosaurus

"How are your ribs?"

"They're fine," she smiled; automatically resting her hand against her stomach. "They still hurt, but they don't hurt as bad as they used to. Though, that might be due to the small amounts of morphine they are giving me."

"Most likely," he laughed as he stretched his hand forward, and tenderly brushed the tips of his fingers against her cheek. "You're looking better. You have more color in your face."

"I feel a lot better, overall. Though, I'm not looking forward to this meeting that I have with CPS today," she sighed. "I'm terrified of what they're going to do."

"Hey," Booth muttered; hooking his finger under her chin, so her eyes would return to his own. "Listen to me, alright? I'm not going to let them take you away. I don't know exactly what I can do in a legal standing, but I'll make sure I find out all of our options. Even if it means ignoring the system entirely...I'm not going to let you go."

"Some things are out of your control Booth," Temperance whispered in return. "You might not be able to do anything in a situation like this. I wish I could avoid this entirely. I wish we could be able to avoid all this harm in our lives that is trying to tear us apart."

"I'm still here," he chuckled. "Sad thing for you, I know, but I swear...you aren't leaving."

"Are you going to hold me hostage?"

"If that's what it takes."

"I wouldn't complain," she smirked; their smiles sweet, before a soft knocking interrupted their moment. They both looked up to notice a sheepish looking nurse, poking her head into the room.

"Um, Temperance," the nervous nurse whispered. "There is someone from Child Protective Services that is here to speak with you. Is it alright if I let her in?"

"Of course," Temperance sighed; looking over to Booth, and reaching out to grasp his hand.

Stepping in with a heels that were made solely to destroy your arches, and weaken your ankles; a busty blond woman with square green glasses rested low on the bridge of her nose, entered with a smile on her lips. "Temperance Brennan, it's nice to see you again sweetie, though this is hardly the atmosphere that I would have liked to speak with you."

"Terra," she smirked. "Please, tell me when it would ever be an 'good' atmosphere to talk."

"Hmm, you're right," she smiled. "I'm assuming that this is your...close...friend-"

"Boyfriend," Booth corrected immediately; standing by her side as if to defend her. "Seeley Booth. It's nice to meet you Terra...?"

"Terra Hindman," she fully introduced; extending her hand to the obviously distressed teenager. "For the sole purpose of making sure that both of you are comfortable, I will allow you to stay here with each other throughout this interview, but I ask that you guys don't shoot the messenger. I don't know all of the facts as of right now, but Temperance, we've gone through this before, and you have to know that I have your best interest at heart."

"Well, my best interest is here...with Booth. Though that might be in your 'heart', I doubt that's something that you can let slide in your job position."

"One can always try," she smiled; moving to perch on the edge of Temperance's bed. "So, let's start off from the beginning. You won't mind telling me anything that has happened when you were under Dan and Selene's care, will you?"

"Not if it means you'll try and help me," Temperance sighed. She sat up straighter, and absently reached for the water resting on the table at her side, before she let her hands fall in her lap, and she opened her mouth to begin her statement. "It didn't take long for Dan to step to the abusive side of things. He was never around much because of his work schedule, but when he was he used me as the brunt of his stress relief. He would always keep my mouth covered so Selene couldn't hear, and afterwards he would usually tell her some bullshit lie about how I was sound asleep, and shouldn't be disturbed. At first it was a couple punches to the ribs, but then he started to get even more violent; bashing my head off my desk, or off the wall. And once he threatened me with a knife, but Booth was there to fight him off."

"How many times do you say this has happened?"

"Three, maybe four times? Like I said, he wasn't around much, and I tried to stay away as much as possible."

"Where were when you tried to stay away?"

"With me," Booth interrupted. "My father is never home, because he rolls around in his drunken stupor, and my mom just up and left. When Dan was off work, Temperance stayed with me."

"Is it just you in your house?"

"No," he answered. "I have a little brother. He's 12. His name is Jared."

"How old are you sweetie?"

"18."

"And you knew of her attacks?"

"Yes," he growled. "I help teach the gym classes at the high school when I have nothing to do. Temperance was in one of my classes after her beat her, and I had to take her to the hospital because she couldn't breathe. Her ribs were broken, and her bruises were...they were terrible. That was the first time I found out."

"Has he ever...sexually...?"

"No," she answered. "No. He's tried. He was drunk, and tried to push that on me, but it only ended in violence. It was the violence that got me here, but I would rather be sitting here in a hospital a victim of abuse...instead of a victim of rape."

"Even though this situation is far from ideal for the both of you, it's a relief for me to hear that," Terra whispered. "I have to formally look over Dan and Selene's foster permits before I put anything together, but I want to know what it is that you want out of this deal. The worst thing I hate seeing is a child being moved away from the small amount of stability that they have been offered in a certain place."

"I'm not letting her leave," Booth growled. "That is something final. I don't care if you can't do anything about it, and I don't care if it's against the law. I know how to keep her safe, and I'm not letting anyone tear her away from me."

"Is that what you want Temperance?"

"Yes," she answered. "I...I don't want to leave. I don't want to leave Booth."

"Alright, well, this might be really difficult. I can't promise anything at this point...other than that I will try my best to please your wishes," Terra stated; standing onto her ankle-breaking heels, and handing a small card with her number printed on it to Temperance. "If you two need anything, please call me. Also, have the cops call me if there is any sort of problem involving you two in the near future. I don't trust some of these city cops to take into consideration both the hardheadedness of teenagers, and the personal hell they are put through day to day."

"Thank you," the couple whispered together, as they nodded and watched Terra disappear.

"I'm still scared," Temperance whimpered, once the last flash of blond had disappeared, and all that was left was the monotone beeping of a nearby heart monitor, and the sound of conversing nurses out in the hall. "Booth...I'm terrified."

"Hey," he soothed; sliding down beside her, and wrapping his arms around her slightly quaking body. "Listen to me. I swear...nothing is going to happen. Lord knows I'll be flown off to some far away land before I ever let them take you away from me. Temperance, I love you with all my heart, and you're mine now. I hold it my silent responsibility to make sure you are safe and happy. Even if it fucking kills me, to achieve both of those things, I will make sure they remain true for eternity."