Chapter 18

"Ok, ok, whatever you want." Brennan tried to control her fear. Where is Booth? She wondered. Mantelli lowered the handgun and bent down so their faces were only inches apart.

"I had hoped you'd see it my way." He whispered. Suddenly, he pulled his attention away from her. Something nearby had caught his attention.

"I do believe we have company." Bernard told her softly. Brennan knew this was her chance she had to do something.

"Booth!" She screamed at the top of her lungs. Immediately, Mantelli swiveled around and stared at her.

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The FBI Agent climbed out of his car and raced toward the police cars. An officer was busy on his radio and Booth could hear what he was saying.

"We've located Dr. Brennan and her kidnapper." There was a gunshot in the background.

"He's firing on us. We need backup at the empty warehouse by the new computer factory." Booth knew where that was and he ran in the direction of the firing. He slid his bullet proof vest on as he ran.

"Hang in there, Temperance."

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Brennan watched Mantelli unload his Glock, replace the cartridge, and feel around for another. He looked nervous and that's when she noticed that he only had that one. It's only a matter of time before he will run out of bullets and then, logically, he'll turn the gun on me and then himself. Temperance's mind reminded her. She tried not to think about it and hoped that Booth was out there.

Without warning, the bullets stopped and Mantelli turned to her the Glock leveled at her. Before she could get any words to form, Bernard made a sad smile and said,

"I'm sorry, my love." Those were the last words she heard, as the Glock 22 released his shell. In an instant, Brennan can feel pain and suddenly cold. The chair she is tied to, tipped over from the force exerted on her body.

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Booth charged past the police officers before they could stop him. He saw Mantelli holding his weapon, still pointed at Brennan. Blood oozed onto the floor and the FBI Agent's first reaction was to go toward her but then he stopped.

"You were trying to keep us apart but now we'll be together forever." Bernard raised the gun to his head and was about to pull the trigger when Booth raised his own weapon and squeezed the trigger.

Booth's bullet pierced Mantelli's left kneecap and the man howled in pain and dropped his weapon. Quickly the FBI Agent was on him and he handcuffed him. Leaving the man to bleed and be in pain, Booth quickly rushed over to Brennan.

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Her breathing is labored and a warm sticky substance trickles down from her stomach. The floor is cold but her body seems to be getting used to it, as she couldn't feel much anymore. Nerve synapses fire slowly as her thoughts turn to the only good thing in her life, FBI Special Agent Booth.

The moments began to slow as the very first kiss they shared replayed in her head. They would've been able to work out a relationship if… suddenly she was afraid of what was coming. I don't want to die! She screamed inside her head. Darkness was calling to her; she knows she can't let it win. Brennan tried to fight the feeling that was taking over her body but it seemed impossible. Her eyes began to slowly close as a light appeared, seemingly beckoning her to it.

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"Temperance, please stay with me. Oh God, please." Booth said to her. Her eyes fluttered at his words but that was all he could get out of her. The FBI Agent tried to stop the bleeding like he had unfortunately done so many times before, back when he was a sniper.

"I NEED AN AMBULANCE! HURRY!" Booth shouted to the police officers outside. Tears started to form in his eyes.

"God no, Temperance, don't leave me. I'm so sorry." He said.

"The ambulance will be here soon." A voice said behind him but he barely heard it. His only focus was on Temperance and the blood leaking from her stomach.

To Be Continued…