Dear readers,
the story bit me again today and completely against my planning, made a 180.
Hope you enjoy reading it, I certainly enjoyed writing it.
Max returned home that evening, troubled by the latest developments in his daughter's recovery. He was very excited that she had recovered physically from the altercation with his former gang members, but the amnesia was the real problem. He knew deep within him that if she had her memories, she wouldn't be in his care. She'd have gone undercover with Booth. And if this had been any other criminal threatening his daughter's life, he would have happily let Booth deal with it, but this was his former gang. The gang that was still wanted in more than one state. He couldn't let Booth deal with this. He knew the gang best and his daughter was safest with him. At least if he could keep her by his side and that was getting harder with every day that passed. He had her safe in the cabin, up in the woods - a cabin that only he and his deceased wife knew off. Even her brother wasn't aware of the existence of the cabin. And that was how he liked it, but he had failed to take her independence into account. She was recovering slowly but surely and he should have known that recovering would mean a longing for her independence.
Max sighed and went to make a cup of coffee. Sweets had been in contact with him a few times. And to give the younger guy credit, he was trying hard to help profile the gang, to help predict what their actions would be. The net was tightening around them, but he had to be sure that they were behind bars before he could stop protecting her. And as long as she didn't have her memory, he couldn't let her contact Booth either. She wouldn't be able to understand the reaction Booth would have to her. His daughter was logical and rational, she wouldn't be able to handle his strong emotions and his need to protect her and because of it, control her. He sipped his coffee. No, this was best. There was just nothing else for it. He looked up when his burner phone went off. "Talk to me, kid," he told the other man on the line.
"Max, good to reach you. How was your visit with Dr. Brennan?" Sweets asked as he closed the door of his office. Unfortunately, he didn't realize that the door didn't close fully. Turning around, he walked back to his desk and leaned against it as he watched out the window, his back to the door.
"She's getting fed up with being secluded," he answered honestly. "I gave her my laptop and I suggested that she could try and figure out what the next step in her life should be."
Sweets frowned. "Are you sure that's safe? It's important that we keep her safe and out of harm's way. If she has access to internet, she'll only want her independence more, Max. Yes, I mean, she's without her memories, but she is still Dr. Brennan, under it all."
Booth smoothed down his tie as he approached Sweets' office. It was late, but lately Sweets had been doing ridiculously long hours and coming from him, that was not a statement to be taken lightly. He had thrown himself into his job and he had often wondered how badly both Sweets and Bones would have denied it, if he would have told them they were made of the same material. He could no longer care for his partner, but that didn't mean he couldn't still take care of his people. As he walked closer to the door, he heard Sweets' voice. He was about to knock, when he could actually discern the words he was saying."... access to internet, she'll only want her independence more, Max. Yes, I mean, she's without her memories, but she is still Dr. Brennan, under it all."
Booth's whole reality slowed down as the meaning of those words truly sank in. She was alive. He had been played. Again. And from the sound of it, the ones who had betrayed him had once again been people he had trusted. Feeling weak in his knees, he reached out to touch the wall and allowed it to help stabilize him. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath. And another. By the third, rage took over. His heart started beating a wild, violent rhythm, threatening to slam out of his chest, as he found his balance and pulled his gun. With deadly calm and precision, he pushed the door open and entered. As he closed the door, the small click sound made Sweets turn around.
A small sound distracted Sweets and he turned around as a result. When he saw Booth inside his office, his gun drawn, he frowned. "Booth, is everything..." He never got a chance to finish his question.
"Don't." Booth cut him off. "Turn the speaker on. I heard you. Who is it? Who is hiding her?" When Sweets didn't react quick enough, his teeth grinded together. "Speaker, Sweets. Right fucking now."
Sensing the true danger of the situation, Sweets turned the speaker on and put his phone on the table, holding his hands up non threateningly.
"Sweets? What's going on there?" Max demanded to know when the younger man no longer responded to him.
"God damn you, Max," Booth cursed, his voice sharp and venomous. "Where is she?"
Shit. That was the only thought he could formulate. "Booth, son is that you?"
"Dont fucking try it, Max. Answer my question. I'll deal with you later. Where is she?"
"I can't tell you, Booth. Just know that she is safe and out of danger. I can't tell you right now..."
Sweets was brave enough to interrupt. "Max, I think you should."
Max sighed and Booth narrowed his eyes as he truly looked at Sweets. He seemed a lot more troubled than the last time he had covered up a death - namely his own. Nevertheless, the rage was still roaring through his veins and he only had one goal. Get to her. Bones.
"I am losing what little patience I have left. You either tell me what I want to know, or I will rip down the entire department until I find what I'm looking for."
A tense silence filled the room. Eventually, it was broken by a deep sigh from Max. "Damn it son, give him what he needs to know." Max ended the conversation, poured his coffee down the drain and grabbed his keys. It would be a matter of hours before Booth would storm in to the cabin. The least he could do was prepare her for it the best he could.
"Damn it," he muttered softly. "Damn it all to hell."
Dear readers,
Thanks for all of the reviews so far. I'm curious to hear what you think!
WHAK (With hugs and kisses)
Absynthe