Here is the concluding chapter. I hope it satisfies everyone. It's been a blast writing this story and I'm thrilled with all the positive reviews. Enjoy!
CHAPTER FIVE
PART ONE
Brennan wakes with a throbbing head and shivering from top to bottom. She quickly learns that her wrists have been bound by something and when she blinks open her stinging eyes she realises it is duct tape. She winces as the tape rubs against her skin, irritating it. She lies on a cold damp concrete floor and with the darkness and her blurred vision she can see nothing but the feint glow of a candle at the far end of whatever room she is in.
Where am I? She wonders. Where's Booth? She recalls Daniel arriving at the Sunshine Lodge and Booth being injected with something. She begins to hyperventilate when she realises that she doesn't know where Booth is or if he's alive. Breathe Brennan, just breath she tells herself. It works and after a minute she has regained control. Brennan then assesses the rest of her body and discovers it is only her wrists that are bound. She doesn't appear to have any other injuries, which is a relief but at the same time she's still in a very dangerous situation. As she pulls herself up off the floor into a seated position she hears a thud and a crack of light appears at the far end of the room. Her eyes narrow as light flood into the room and a dark figure walks towards her.
"Hello Temperance."
PART TWO
The swirling darkness begins to fade as Booth wakes. He quickly establishes he is lying on the floor of a room in the Sunshine Lodge. He drags his eyes open and through blurred vision he sees a chair on its side and a smashed lamp by the bed.
"Bones." He mumbles as he pulls himself together. "Bones." He sits up and drags himself to his feet, using the bed to keep steady.
As his vision clears up he sees that day has turned to night and Brennan is definitely not here with him.
"Bones." He calls louder hoping for a reply. But he knows deep inside she is gone. She's gone. Daniel has her
PART THREEBrennan scuttles backwards as Daniel sweeps his way over to her.
"Daniel?" Brennan tries to focus on his face.
"I am not Daniel." He announces. "I am Gabe, leader of the Starlights." He takes another step closer to her.
"Where's Booth?" she asks. I need to know.
"I don't care about him, he's pointless." Daniel growls. "You shouldn't have ignored my warnings Tempe." He says.
"If you ever knew me Daniel you would know I don't give up so easily." She croaks. She makes the mistake of calling him Daniel and angered by this, he strides the last couple of steps to her side and smacks her across the face. Brennan falls into the wall, wincing as her shoulder meets the concrete.
"Tough little cookie aren't you." An evil laugh escapes his lips. "That's going to make tonight's ceremony all the more difficult…for you." He laughs again as he backs towards the door.
"What are you talking about?" Brennan shouts as he walks to the door.
"You won't have to wait long to find out." Daniel says as he closes the door on Brennan, thrusting her once more into darkness.
PART FOUR
Sheriff Underwood looks around Brennan's room as Booth sits in the chair, his head hung and two fingers pinching his nose.
"Are you sure I can't call the Doc for you Agent Booth?" Sheriff Underwood asks.
"I'm fine." Booth growls. "We need to get up there and find her. He took her." Booth grunts in frustration. The sedative he was injected with isn't wearing off quickly enough for his liking.
"We can't just go barging in up there." Sheriff Underwood replies. Booth jumps to his feet.
"Fine, I'll go alone if you won't help." He reaches for his jacket but a strong hand on his shoulder stops him.
"I didn't say we wouldn't help. We just need to do it the right way. I've called in all my officers and Deputy Anderson is going to get the warrant signed while we drive up." Sheriff Underwood explains.
"Thank you." Booth sighs. I have to help her. She needs me. I can't lose her.
PART FIVE
Brennan has been feeling her way around the room trying to establish where she is. She figures with no windows or fresh air coming in she must be in some kind of basement, probably under the Starlight complex. There is no way out the room except the locked door at the far end. Next, Brennan tries to get the tape off her wrists. It isn't easy and she has barely managed to loosen it when she hears footsteps. He's back she gasps.
Again the door creaks open but this time there are two strange men in robes standing in the doorway.
"It's time." One of them says as he steps forward. Brennan backs into the corner, trying to put off the inevitable. As the men advance upon her Brennan tries to shrink back. I need you Booth. Where are you? As the two men reach out for her Brennan's fight or flight instinct takes over and she struggles back. With her wrists bound though she makes little impact and the men are able to grab her and hold onto her. As they pull her towards the door Brennan screams and kicks but it does her no good. She is dragged up the stairs and into the Starlight complex.
After being dragged through a maze of halls, Brennan is taken out a door and into the dark of night. In the distance she can hear the same chanting she and Booth heard a couple of nights ago. There is no doubt in her mind what is going to happen next and she's terrified.
PART SIX
Sheriff Underwood skids the truck to a stop as close to the Starlight complex as he can get. The other deputies and officers are right behind him and with Booth, now feeling much better; they make their way to the complex.
They approach from all sides, guns drawn. Booth kicks the front door down and enters, all the time shouting for Bones. The place seems deserted.
"I'll check down here." Booth shouts when he finds a door leading down to some steps. He cautiously makes his way down but his stomach drops when he finds the room empty. Shining his flashlight around Booth catches sight of something on the floor at the far end. He walks over and crouches down. He picks up a white button and knows immediately that Brennan was here. He turns and runs back up the stairs to meet the Sheriff.
"She was here." He shows him the button. "They've gone into the woods." He realises that Brennan is in serious danger and he has to get to her.
"Let's roll." Sheriff Underwood calls his men.
PART SEVEN
Brennan can see the Starlights in the distance, gathered in a circle. She doesn't have much of a chance to get away so she knows she has to do it now. She immediately relaxes, gathering her strength.
"So you've given in to fate then." One of the men laughs. "About time." The two men laugh as they drag Brennan. After a minute she takes a deep breath and with all her strength she kicks out. She manages to get one of the guys in a very sensitive area and he drops his grip on her, falling to the ground. Brennan then uses the power of her two arms bound together to smack the other guy across the face. He stumbles and falls, letting her go.
Barely taking time to find her feet, Brennan takes off into the dark of the night, running in the opposite direction from the Starlights gathering. In the dark she has trouble seeing where she is going and she falls several times. Without the full use of her arms to help she picks up several cuts and bruises. But the need to get as far away from the Starlights as possible drives her onwards. As she runs all she can think about is Booth. I need him she thinks. Since when did I need a big strong man to help me? I don't care anymore, I need him.
PART EIGHT
Booth, Sheriff Underwood and all his men take off into the woods. They head for where they hear chanting. The noise they make, however, alerts the Starlights' to their presence and they scatter as the law approaches.
Booth sets his sights on Daniel who is easily picked out by the different coloured robe he is wearing. As Booth advances, Daniel makes a run for it. But determination to rescue Brennan drives Booth forward and he lunges at Daniel, pinning him against a tree.
"Where is she?" he demands through gritted teeth.
"I don't know." Daniel replies. Booth doesn't like this answer and he pulls his arm back, letting loose a heavy punch to Daniel's face.
"Where is she?" he demands again. Daniel doesn't even answer this time and this enrages Booth. He smacks him two or three times against the tree.
"If you've hurt her I will kill you." He threatens. He then punches Daniel again and practically throws him to the ground for the Sheriff to deal with. Booth looks around and realises that Brennan has to be out here somewhere. He takes off into the dark leaving the Sheriff to take care of the Starlights.
PART NINE
Brennan hears footsteps and she sees the distant glow of a flashlight. They're coming for me she panics. Stepping carefully she stands behind a large tree, concealing herself from whoever is out there. As the flashlight moves she slides around the tree. She takes a couple more steps trying to avoid being seen when her back collides with someone. In the dark and in her panic she lets out a scream. A hand clamps over her mouth and she tries to fight her way free from the arms wrapped around her. Her heart is racing and she can't breathe until her captor whispers in her ear.
"It's me."
Brennan instantly relaxes and the arms around her loosen so she can turn around. Standing there with an anxious face is Booth. The one person she wanted to be here is here. He's here and I'm safe. All the emotion inside her is ready to burst out and she feels the tears burning behind her eyes.
"It's okay, you're okay." Booth whispers. Brennan lifts her bound wrists up and slips them over Booth's head so they come to a rest at the back of his neck. I need him to hold me. Booth pulls her in close and Brennan collapses against him, the tears falling. He strokes her hair and whispers over and over that everything is okay.
"You're safe Bones. I'll take care of you." He adds.
PART TEN
Brennan stands shivering in the middle of her room at the lodge with her arms wrapped around her chest. Fresh bandages are taped to her wrists where the duct tape caused some bleeding and irritation. The local Doctor told her she would be fine. Daniel is in jail and has confessed to killing Andrew Davidson and Tina Rossi. Sheriff Underwood will be interviewing him in the morning when Daniel's lawyer arrives. Hopefully then they'll get the full story.
As she stands motionless in the room, Brennan realises her clothes are still damp from the light rain in the woods and she should get changed. But when she tries to undo the buttons of the shirt she is wearing over a vest, her fingers are too cold and are shaking too much to do it. Booth appears from the bathroom door where he had been washing up and he walks over to her. She looks so vulnerable. He isn't used to seeing her like this and he's sure she isn't used to showing this side of her.
Booth closes his hands over Brennan's and pulls them away from her shirt. He can feel how cold they are and he lifts them to his face and breathes his warm air onto them.
"Let me." He whispers as he lowers her hands. They lock eyes and Brennan sees his concern for her. She lowers her head and allows him to undo the buttons and take her shirt off. But now wearing just a vest top she is even colder. Booth rubs her arms to get some warmth into her.
"You okay Bones?" he asks. She nods. Her eyes are glassy and Booth isn't sure if that's from the cold or if she's going to cry. His hand reaches out and cups her face, his thumb stroking her cheek in the most caring gesture Brennan has ever known. She closes her eyes and mixes this moment together with the memory of when he did this at his house the night he was attacked.
"I thought I was going to lose you." He tells her softly. Her eyes open and lock with his again. She feels her heart pounding as he leans in closer to her. Brennan knows what he's going to do and while a part of her wants to run, a bigger part wants to stay. Booth dips his head down and very slowly he brushes his lips across Brennan's, so softly she wonders whether it happened at all when he pulls back.
"Booth…" she whispers, about to protest. But Booth doesn't give her time to say or think anything else. He leans in again, this time capturing her lips with his and applying more pressure. Brennan moans softly and her arms slide up and around his neck, pulling him closer. She feels like there are a thousand butterflies fluttering in her stomach and her heart is beating faster than she's ever known it to. Booth's arms slide around to her back and he pulls her in to him so their bodies are pressed together. He deepens the kiss and brings one hand up to cradle the back of her head.
Eventually breaking the kiss, Booth and Brennan pull back but they remain in each others' arms. Booth can see panic rising in Brennan's eyes and he's afraid she's going to run. He strokes her hair softly.
"Don't run from this." He whispers. "Please." Brennan feels her hands shaking and she leans forward to rest her head on Booth's chest, her hands gripping the fabric of his shirt. Booth wraps his arms tightly around Brennan and just holds her as they both process the leap they've taken. Whatever happens from now, their relationship has been forever changed.
PART ELEVEN
Brennan picks up the phone and calls the only person in the world she trusts to talk to about this. Booth has gone for food and drinks giving Brennan time alone to think.
"Angela, it's me." She says when her friend answers.
"I was just thinking about you sweetie." Angela replies.
"Are you busy? I need to talk to you." Brennan says.
"You sound serious. Did something happen?" Angela asks with worry in her voice.
"You could say that." Brennan replies. She doesn't need to tell Angela about her ordeal with the Starlights. What she needs to talk about is Booth.
"Sweetie, tell me." Angela is curious. Brennan's silence has Angela twisted in knots. "Tempe, what's wrong?" she presses her friend.
"It's Booth." Brennan finally says.
"Is he alright, did he get hurt?" Angela asks.
"No, no nothing like that." Brennan quickly answers. "I…well we…" she can't think how to phrase this.
"Oh my God." Angela beams widely on her end of the phone. "Oh my God sweetie, he kissed you didn't he?" she asks like an excited child.
"Yes." Brennan almost whispers.
"And?" Angela asks.
"I'm confused." Brennan tells her.
"What's to be confused about?" Angela asks. "I've been telling you for so long that he likes you and you know you like him too."
"But I'm worried about what will happen if we do this." Brennan says.
"Stop worrying and thinking and just do it." Angela tells her. "He's a good man Tempe. He'll treat you right and you are so good together." Angela waffles. Brennan rises from her position on the bed as Angela recounts her and Booth's past and all the good things that will come from being in a relationship with him. She doesn't hear Booth come in the room until he is behind her. He cheekily grabs the phone.
"Hey Angela." He smiles. "I hate to interrupt but Bones and I…" Angela cuts him off.
"Oh don't mind me sweetie." She says. "I know exactly what you two need. Just have Tempe call me later."
"Bye Angela." Booth closes the phone ending the call.
"I knew I shouldn't have left you alone." He smiles at Brennan who is now facing him. He places the beer and pizza down on the bed and takes her hands in his. He leans down and kisses her gently, their hands linked at their sides. Brennan finds herself responding but she pulls back before she lets it go too deep.
"We need to talk." She says.
"Okay." Booth steps back. I knew this would happen. Brennan walks around him and sits on the end of the bed. Booth joins her.
"What just happened." She starts. "It was…well I think we both know what it was." Her voice is soft.
"I know I do." Booth sighs. "Bones, if you're going to tell me it's not a good idea, please don't." he sounds upset.
"Booth, I…" Brennan is lost for how to explain herself.
"I thought we were finally on the same page." Booth states. "I guess I'm alone in that." He rises from the bed and walks towards the door. Brennan wants desperately to stop him but she can't seem to get herself to move. "I'm sorry if I upset you." He says sadly as he walks out into the hall. Brennan is itching to jump up and run after him but something is holding her back. Instead, as the door closes behind him she starts to cry. Why?
Booth is about to go into his room when he decides he needs some fresh air. So instead he heads downstairs and out the front door to the porch. He spots the swing seat and sits down, stretching his arm across the back. Pushing the swing back and forth he swings gently as the night breeze ruffles his hair.
I should have known she would do this he says to himself. His heart is aching because he got so close to getting what he's wanted for months but she pulled back, probably afraid. I can't blame her really he thinks. A relationship between them might complicate their work. They are both very career focused and Booth knows he'd hate for anything to happen to screw that up. But his feelings for Brennan are so strong he doesn't think he can put them aside any longer. Not following through with this might cause them more problems. Booth leans his head back and closes his eyes. I just want to be with her.
Up in her room Brennan pulls herself together. Maybe this is for the best she thinks. Brennan and Booth in a relationship could be dangerous. But I need him around. I don't want to lose him. She has gotten so used to Booth coming to see her, working cases with him and even just hanging out at Sid's after work with him. If she rejects him now she could lose their friendship. I'm so confused.
PART TWELVE
When Booth checks out of the Sunshine Lodge in the morning he finds Brennan sitting on the steps out front ready to go. She looks tired, like she didn't sleep. He didn't sleep much either for thinking about what happened. She looks up when he walks down the steps beside her.
"You ready Bones?" he asks. His voice sounds despondent and Brennan feels incredibly guilty. She nods and rises to her feet, following him to the car silently. In all the time she has known Booth she has never experienced such discomfort in being around him. There is no sexual tension. There is only hurt and rejection. And I'm the cause of it.
The interview with the Daniel is difficult. Brennan doesn't want to face Daniel but she has to know the truth. As she stands behind the glass window she desperately wants Booth to wrap his arms around her and tell her everything will be fine. But that isn't going to happen. She rejected him despite every bone in her body telling her not too. Now they stand five feet apart but it feels like miles. He is silent and broody and she knows it's because of her.
Brennan's face hardens as Daniel explains what happened. Now that he's caught he is admitting to everything. It apparently started out as a research project but the power Daniel was able to wield over these people became intoxicating and he got carried away. His followers urged him to be true to the faith he preached and that's when the animal sacrifices started. Andrew and Tina were killed because Andrew discovered who Daniel really was and confided in Tina. They wanted to leave but Daniel didn't want to risk the rest of the Starlights finding out so he told the Starlights that Andrew and Tina were non believers and the Starlights took care of them. He denies having anything to do with their actual murders but he did help dispose of the bodies hoping they would never be discovered.
Brennan is sickened by his tale and she has to get out. She leaves the Sheriff's office and steps into the fresh air, inhaling deeply. The trauma of what happened last night is still fresh in her mind, as is what happened with Booth. She's afraid she's ruined things for good.
"Our flight is in a couple of hours, we should go." Booth says behind her. Startled, Brennan spins around.
"Okay." She whispers. Booth jogs down the steps and past her to the car. He gets in and turns on the engine waiting for her. She walks over and climbs in. Booth puts the car in gear and heads for the highway.
The car ride back to the airport is in silence. Brennan looks out the window, afraid to looks at Booth while he concentrates intensely on the road ahead. The sooner we get back to D.C the better he thinks.
PART THIRTEEN
Brennan arrives back at her house and dumps her bags in her bedroom. For the next couple of hours she changes between pacing the floor and sitting down nervously twisting her hands together. I need to talk to him she thinks. I need to sort this out once and for all. She grabs her car keys and leaves the house without a second thought.
The ride over to Booth's goes quickly. Brennan's mind is filled with thoughts of what to say. But when she gets there and parks outside she can't bring herself to go in. She sits in the car for fifteen minutes before finally getting out. But even once out of the car she can't walk up the drive. She stands by her car leaning on the bonnet watching the house. I don't know how to do this.
Inside Booth peeks out the window. She's still there. He noticed her car arriving twenty minutes ago but she hasn't made a move towards the house. Part of him is excited. He wonders if she's changed her mind. The other bigger part thinks she's just here to clear things up and get things back to normal. Finally he can't take the waiting any longer. He walks to his front door and pulls it open.
Brennan looks up when she hears the front door creak open. Booth appears in jeans and a T-shirt with his hands shoved into his jeans pockets, his shoulders hunched slightly. He doesn't say anything he just stands there looking at her with that puppy dog face she can't resist. She has to come to me. Brennan pushes herself off the bonnet of her car and in this moment everything becomes crystal clear. Booth has a little smile on his face; the smile that says 'everything will be fine, trust me.' She does trust him and she needs him in her life. She starts to walk towards him, slowly at first, but her steps get quicker as she gets closer to him. Booth's hands pull out of his pockets and he stands up straight as she hurries towards him.
Brennan runs the last few steps to him and throws her arms around his neck. Their lips meet in an explosion of passion. Booth wraps his arms around her and lifts her into his home. He kicks the door closed with his foot and sets her down in the hall. Their kiss lasts a few moments more before Brennan pulls back and finds his eyes.
"I've been an idiot." She tells him. He shrugs and flashes a cheeky grin. "We are on the same page and I want this more than anything." She finally admits. "I was just scared of what was going to happen."
"I'm scared too Bones." He tells her. His fingers run through her hair and his lips hover millimetres from hers as he talks, his breath tickling her. "But I know this is right." He whispers. "We'll make it work." He assures her. He leans in and captures her lips again, his arms pulling her close to him, never wanting to let her go. This is where they should have been all along. Together.
