Pieces—Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or anything associated with BONES.

Author's notes: Thanks to all of you who are reading this story and special thanks for those who have taken the time to review.

Hate me today/

Hate me tomorrow/

Hate me for all the things I didn't do for you—Hate Me, Blue October

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"So…" Russ studied his sister as she closed the front door. He saw a few aspects of the Temperance he knew fifteen years ago as she stood in front of him awkwardly waiting for him to finish his thought. Over the past few days, he realized that his little sister was now a beautiful, successful, powerful, independent and tough woman. Russ also learned through his limited interaction with Angela and Agent Booth that Temperance was also very much loved, whether she realized it or not.

"So…" Brennan echoed, walking slowing into the living room.

Russ grinned at her as he plopped his body down on the soft plush sofa. "I didn't mention this last time I was here, since we were busy arguing you know…but nice place, sis."

Returning his smile, Brennan mimicked his action and sat beside her brother. "Thanks. Most of the paintings and art work are from countries I've visited."

"Travel a lot, huh?"

"Not much lately. And when I do, it's usually with Booth on a case for the FBI."

Russ smiled slightly, deciding to keep his comment about Booth's obvious affections to himself. He knew that he would have to work his way back to big brother status as his sister had never been one to forgive easily.

Brennan stifled a yawn as she leaned her head back against the cushion.

"You tired?" Russ questioned.

"A little," Brennan admitted. "It's been a long week."

He nodded as he continued to survey her apartment. "Whaddya say we watch a little television and then we can get some rest?"

"I don't have a television."

Russ looked over at his sister as though she was from another planet. "What do you mean you don't have a television? My girlfriend's four-year-old daughter has a television!"

Brennan lifted her head and stared at her brother. "What does a four-year-old child need a television for?"

"Dora the Explorer mostly."

"I don't know what that means." Brennan stood and grabbed Russ' empty beer bottle from the top of her coffee table. "I've got plenty of books for you to read and there are several cds you can listen to…"

Russ groaned slightly. "Books?" He whined as he turned and watched her walk toward the kitchen. "Of course you've got books. You've have shelves upon shelves of books since you were three and learned to read."

Brennan smiled slightly at her brother. "Are you through whining for the evening?"

"You should have asked if I wanted a little cheese with that whine."

"Oh…" Mentally filing the comment to use on Booth the next time he started whining about a case, Brennan stepped into the hallway and returned a minute later with an extra pillow and blanket.

"Here," she said as tossed the pillow to Russ, "you seemed to think my couch was soft enough to use as a trampoline…make yourself comfortable. Feel free to help yourself to anything in the refrigerator. The bathroom is down this hallway, second door on the left. I'll put some extra towels and toiletries in there for you…"

"Tempe," he interrupted, ceasing her hostess commentary. He took the blanket from her arms, placed it on the back of the sofa and then turned back to her. "Thanks Tempe."

Tilting her head slightly, she stared at her brother. "It's just a blanket Russ."

Chuckling softly, Russ stepped toward her and gave her a hug. "No, silly. Thanks for driving down and talking to me….for letting me back into your life. I know that was hard for you. I know….Tempe, if I had been in your shoes, I would have hated me too."

Brennan returned the crushing hug in which her brother had encased her. "I don't hate you Russ."

"I know." He let go of her and stepped back. "I know you don't. And I want you to know that I'm not going anywhere ever again. You let me back into your life and you're stuck with me."

She found that she couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth. Russ had always had that effect on her. If she was upset or mad or hurt, Russ was the only person who could get through to her and make her feel better—until Seeley Booth came along that is. Now she would have to contend with two overprotective alpha males in her life and at that moment, Temperance Brennan would not have wanted it any other way.

"Russ, about Dad…"

"Tempe…we'll discuss that in the morning. But regardless of what you decide, I promise you that you're stuck with me." He gave her a reassuring nod as he placed his hands on her shoulders. "Now I think we both need to get some sleep. Besides, if you don't get some rest, Booth might hurt me…he has a gun you know."

"Yeah I know. He likes to remind me of that fact quite frequently." She rolled her eyes, mentally replaying the numerous times that Booth had rejected her repeated attempts to file for a gun permit.

"Good night sis." Russ leaned in and kissed her forehead.

"Good night." Brennan slowly padded off to her room, feeling exhausted but content that her brother was back in her life.

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Tossing and turning, Brennan found that sleep would not come to her. She had pulled on her most comfortable pajama pants and a tank top, relishing the idea of a few hours sleep in her comfortable bed. Now, an hour and a half later, most of her pillows were on the floor, the comforter was hanging haphazardly off the end of the bed and her legs were tangled in her 1000 thread count sheets.

Groaning slightly, Brennan kicked at the sheets until her legs were untangled and the sheets were hanging with the comforter at the end of the bed. She rolled onto her stomach and looked at her alarm clock, red lights indicating that it was three o'clock in the morning. She let her head drop to the mattress, praying that her overactive brain would read the time and allow her to rest.

The last time Brennan remembered sleeping was on her couch in her office for about five minutes a day or so ago. She knew that just lying on her bed and wishing for sleep was futile. Her body and mind were both exhausted but too exhausted to actually shut down at the moment. Brennan had experienced this particular problem before while working at dig sites in El Salvador and Guatemala, where time was of the essence and she had worked through sleep deprivation to finish a job.

Slowly she pushed her body off of the bed, stood and stretched. She paced back and forth in her room for a few minutes. Brennan decided to go to the lab and finish up her portion of the paperwork on her mother's case. Maybe she could rest once everything was settled with the case and she knew that her mother could finally be put to rest.

Grabbing a pair of jeans and an old tee shirt from her wardrobe, Brennan quickly got dressed and pulled her hair into a loose ponytail. Slipping on a pair of sneakers, she grabbed her car keys from her dresser and quietly opened her bedroom door. She stopped in the living room to ensure that she had not disturbed Russ, who appeared to be in a deep sleep. Brennan stepped over to her desk and jotted down a quick note to Russ to let him know that she would be back in a few hours.

She glanced over at her brother's sleeping form as she placed the note on the coffee table so that he would find it with ease. She quietly made her way to the door and out of the apartment.

Russ sighed as he heard the door close and the lock click. He had listened to her toss and turn in her bed and wondered if he should go talk to her. When he had heard her pacing he knew that Temperance would not get any sleep that evening.

Her actions reminded him of the few days after their parents had disappeared. She had refused to eat and she stayed up all hours of the day and night, waiting for them to return. Russ' heart had broken then and he felt the familiar ache return as he listened to Temperance leave the apartment. He found himself in the same position he had been in all those years ago without knowledge of how to help his sister.

He briefly contemplated calling Booth, whom he knew Temperance trusted completely, but he decided to wait. Russ reminded himself of his promise to be there for her and he was intent on keeping that promise. He would allow Temperance to have this time by herself to do what she needed to do but tomorrow, big brother would be in play whether she appreciated it or not.