Chapter 126

After Ryan explained everything to Liam, the older man agreed to meet him at the 24HR Money Store, on the terms that Ryan doesn't do anything stupid until they're not there to back him up. The fact that he saw a parolee while off duty is another problem that he'll have to face, or Liam will just let it slide and not mention that part in the report. Their first priority right now is to find Alex.

The news about Alex spread like wildfire around the office, and most of the agents were out on the streets looking after they mapped out the city, whilst Liam gathered the others to go with him to the location Ryan gave. Since it was nearly 5PM, and time to go home Caleb gave Shelby the message about their goddaughter, and she headed towards day care to get Phoebe and CJ because Caleb was out with Liam. She pulled up and got the kids, stopping by the house to get Phoebe some clean clothes in case she has to sleep over tonight.

Getting the two of them out of the car again, she unlocked the front door and walked inside, Phoebe running into the house stopping in the kitchen.

"Mama!" She called out of habit knowing her mom was usually somewhere in the kitchen or in the lounge.

"Hey, Mama will be home a bit later today. So you will spend the night with us!" Shelby said enthusiastically and Phoebe walked over to her box of toys, getting things out and handing one to CJ, wo gripped it but let it fall again. Phoebe picking it up and repeating the action.

"Aaauuww, he's still too small to play with you. Keep an eye on him for me all right." Shelby said laying him down on her play mat as she walks towards the nursery to retrieve some clothes, diapers and formula for Phoebe. Before leaving a note on the fridge, as the three of them walked back outside again.

"Okay, so now that we're finally alone let's get to it." Roy said sitting on the edge of the mattress looking down at Alex. "I would've played us some music, but we have limited resources right now, and the setting sun makes the mood just right, or what do you say?" He smiled stroking her cheek and she turned her head to the other side.

"What do you want from me?" Alex asked yanking her hands in desperation to get out of this place.

"It's not what I want, it's what you're going to give me." He bend down and kissed her mouth, biting down on his bottom lip as hard as she could until he pulled away.

"Aaaagggghhhh, you just love making me mad don't you!" He yelled yanking her hair once again, and another blow to her face with his balled up fist. "You know, I tried making this as painless as I possibly can but right now, you get what's coming to you." He said spitting in her face once more before he walked away, mumbling to himself grabbing the lighter and walking over to where she laid.

Yanking her blouse open as the buttons fell in all directions, he stood above her, turning around swiftly before lifting his leg and swinging it in the direction of her ribs, making her cry out in pain. "Just. Stop. Acting. So. Damn. Tough." He repeated and with each word it gained her another kick.

Ryan pulled up to the store, and didn't see the FBI in tow. Torn between waiting for them to arrive and going inside to take matters into his own hands, he chose the latter and walked into the small stuffy store. Opening the door he was the only customer in there and the owner didn't even bother looking up to see who was entering. Locking the door behind him he walked inside further. The air was stale and smelled weird, a radio was playing music in the background and behind the counter was a man who was reading a newspaper. Grabbing a drink and a granola bar he placed the two items on the counter, the man barely paying attention to Ryan as he ringed up the items.

"$11,50" he said shifting his attention back to the newspaper, and Ryan reached for his pocket.

"Jenkins?" Ryan asked and the man looked up and nodded.

"Who's asking?"

Ryan walked towards the left of the counter as Mikhail stood up straight, and punched him in the face. The blow unexpected as he fell to the ground. "Where's Alex?" Ryan asked hovering over the man, and when he refused to answer Ryan punched him again. "Want me to ask again?"

"Ask away boy scout." Jenkins coughed, as a small stream of blood escaped from the corner of his mouth. Ryan punching him again, grabbing his service weapon pinned to the side of his pants he pointed it towards Jenkins. "I can do this all day but it ends now, where is she?" He asked again, shooting at a rack of magazines that was behind the counter, the sound of the gun firing echoes in the small store and Mikhail cringing.

"The next one doesn't miss." Ryan warned, aiming the weapon again.

There was a loud and persistent knock on the door, and the sound of the door being forced open, as Liam and the rest of the team followed. "Ryan don't." Liam said harshly but the young man paid them no mind. Ryan fired another shot in the direction of the coolers, as glass breaks and falls to the ground.

"Okay, okay. Warehouse down on 35th." He answered hurriedly, and Ryan punched him one final time before getting up from his crouched position, walking away paying no mind to the stares he received from colleagues and the dissatisfied look he received from his boss, as the rest worked on questioning and arresting Jenkins Liam walked outside with Ryan who opened the door of the car, but Liam closing it forcefully again.

"What happened to wait until back up arrives?"

"I don't have time to waste O'Connor! We got the address what more do you want?" Ryan asked hurriedly and out of patience.

"Dammit Ryan! I get that this is personal but there is rules that even you need to follow." Liam reprimanded moving away from the door of the car. "This discussion is far from over, Booth." He said as he got into his own vehicle and drove down to the address with Ryan, informing the others about their destination.

Alex laid there, fear, pain and shock making it impossible for her to move. Not that she could go anywhere because she was tied. "Please stop." She cried as he continued to hold her head in one position to try and kiss her. She was at the point where she'd given up on any help arriving, let alone have any self-esteem left. The strong and confident woman she was a few hours ago before all of this happened, is no longer inside of her. Silently she wept as tears fell from her eyes.

A commotion at the door making her thankful for the time being, as Roy gets up and put the lighter up when the door opened, revealing the agents and two female paramedics.

"I'd be careful about my next move if I were you." He warned threatening to let go of the lighter, sending Alex's body into flames.

"Okay." Liam answered nodding his head, and the paramedics walked into the warehouse but stopped in their tracks when Roy shot them a look. Ryan felt like they took too long to take action, and he fired a shot in Roy's direction but missed.

"Dammit Ryan!" Liam cursed as the lighter flicked and he smiled smugly as he let the flame dance around, Caleb acting on instinct, rushing over and jumping Jenkins, the lighter falling and slid across the floor away from Alex. Ryan making his way to Alex, untying her hands as she holds onto him not saying a word. The paramedics taking her away after some time so she can get checked out, while the rest of them handled Roy.

"Ryan, I want to see you in my office tomorrow morning. Go, Alex needs you." Liam dismissed him and he nodded, taking the opportunity given to him to be with his wife. He'll deal with work issues tomorrow, as he drives off towards the hospital.

Alex was seen by a doctor who monitored the severity of her injuries. The doctor tried to keep the conversation to a minimal as Alex didn't say much from the moment she was brought it. Looking at her file, and seeing that it is not the first time she's been admitted for similar work related incidents, he became suspicious and wanted to talk to her about it, although not now but at some later stage. She was sent for x-rays and when she came back down to the room, a few minutes later Ryan entered the room.

She wasn't in the mood for visitors, nurses faffing around her and constantly checking up on her, not even in the mood for people for that matter. Least of all Ryan Booth.

"Hey." He greeted softly walking over to the bed, Alex still not saying a word. "I was worried about you, how are you feeling?" He asked reaching for her hand but she pulled away, shaking her head slightly.

"How am I feeling." Alex repeated the question dryly, fresh tears sprung to her eyes. "Filthy, to begin with, no female deserves to be treated the way I was today. I have so much anger and rage inside of me, and as much as I want it to be directed at him, it's not. It's towards you, Ryan." She said looking up at him seeing the look of surprise on his face.

"How… wh… I didn't know something like this would happen, why are you feeling this way towards me?" He asked trying to wrap his head around all of this.

"This is not the first time something like this has happened, Ryan. I can't be a target for people who have a vendetta against you for the rest of my life." She answered looking up at him with blurry vision as tears ran from her eyes. "I…I can't do this anymore."

"I am sorry. I…I don't know how to make this better, or make it go away. Please just liste…"

"That's the whole point Ryan. You can't give me back the dignity that was taken from me today. There is nothing you can do that's going to make this whole situation better!" She sobbed as her eyes pleaded for answers. "Please leave."

"Alex don't do this."

"Please. Leave. Ryan." She said again through clenched teeth, seeing him get up slowly, walking towards the door and closing it behind him.

Ryan leaned with his back towards the closed door, blowing out a long steady breath. As much as he hated to admit it, but Alex is right. Nothing he can do can make this better. He can deal with a lot of things, even the fact that he might loose his job, or be stripped of his rank having to start at the bottom of the FBI food chain again. But he cannot lose his wife. Walking down the hall he sees the hospital chapel, no one was in there and he sat down right at the back staring blankly ahead of himself, looking at the dancing flames of the burning candles at the front.

Hey guys! In the reviews it stated that you guys want it to be a few days that Alex is missing. I tried coming up with scenarios for it but couldn't find ideas that would make it credible, so I opted for a few hours and added more drama like it was asked. How they solve this is still a mystery (yes even or me because I didn't think that far ahead yet.) Also, I went through all my mails and wrote down all the requests that I will get around to and write them in as soon as I have a chance. I'm trying to write less notes at the end of each chapter but I can't seem to. Last point, how do you guys feel about some tension between Alex and her mother when she finds out about what happened to her daughter? Let me know your thoughts.

I hope you enjoy this one and thank you for all the love and support. I know I've said it a bunch of times but I mean it every time, you guys are awesome.

Lovies-S