Disclaimer-Not mine, you know the drill.
A/N- Thanks again to everyone who reviewed. You guys very much make my day! And warning people- Somebody dies. Just figured I'd give you a heads-up, but please don't let it deter you from the story.
Chapter Three:
Booth had been on high alert ever since he realized how truly dangerous the killer was. Even the squints were wary, keeping their eyes out for suspicious happenings. Nearly nine days had passed since the last victim had been discovered, many of which Booth had spent with his Bones and her squints. He wasn't sure whether it was due to boredom, or if he truly considered them friends, rather than merely people whom he worked with upon occasion, and he really didn't want to analyze it. It was what it was, and he was content to just let it be. But he knew that that wasn't the only reason, as well. He had a bad feeling in his gut, which despite Bones's disbelief in it, had on many occasions proven to be right. And at the moment it was telling him that something big and bad and scary was going to happen, and to stick close to the people he cared for the most. Again, the fact that they were the squints? Not something he wanted to look at too closely.
As the end of the day neared, and people began to drift out of the Jeffersonian, Bones decided to head home as well. Concerned for her well being, despite the fact that she could kick just about anyone's ass, Booth announced that he would walk her to her car. She protested a bit at first, saying that she could handle herself, but finally conceded, and they headed out into the dark parking lot. When they reached her car, she noticed that the tires had been slashed, and though she would never admit it, she was glad that Booth had walked with her. It was creepy enough out here in the dark. Add a sociopath and slashed tires to the mix and it made it something out of a horror movie. All you needed was the ominous music.
When Booth noticed the damadged tires, his worry for the doctor doubled. He insisted on being the one to drive her home, and was relieved when she agreed without a fight. They slid into his black SUV, and began their journey to Brennan's place. The ride was comfortable, despite the killer hanging over their heads, as they enjoyed each other's company, occasionally arguing over music choices on the radio.
When they arrived at their destination, Booth walked with Bones up to her door, and waited until she unlocked it and was about to step inside before saying goodnight, and heading back to his car. He was half way there when he saw the light in her living room switch on and heard her startled scream.
His heart tripled it's pace when he heard that scream, and he raced back to her door in a matter of seconds. Stepping into the living room, his eyes quickly sought out Bones, visually checking her over, telling himself that she was okay when he saw no sign of injury. He sighed, relieved, until Bones clutched tightly at his arm, grabbing his attention. She was staring up at something, eyes wide with horror.
He followed her line of sight, and saw her. She was nailed into the wall, several feet off of the ground. A long knife ran through her forehead, and grey matter had mixed with her blood, staining her face. Her arms were spread wide, and on the inside of her forearms were carved the words "Stay Alive." Booth felt his heart accelerate even faster, though he wouldn't have believed it possible. He knew the woman hanging before him. It was Rebecca.
"Parker," Booth whispered.
He moved like lightening to his SUV, and Bones followed right behind him, hopping into the vehicle as he started the ignition and put it into drive. He floored it, driving like a madman through the street-lamp lit roads, blaring his horn whenever anyone dared to get in his way, not caring that he was breaking a million traffic laws. His only concern was his son's safety.
Bones quickly dialed the number to get a hold of Cullen, and told him shortly to send agents to her place. When she snapped her cell phone shut, she looked to Booth, noticing the panic in her partner's eyes, and the white in his knuckles as he tightly gripped the steering wheel.
"Booth," she told him softly, "He'll be okay. I promise, he'll be okay."
He nodded once, afraid to do more than that, afraid that if he tried to speak that he would break down, afraid that if he so much as gave conscious thought to his fears that they would come true, that his son-
Bones unknowingly stopped his morbid thoughts as she gently laid a hand over his where it resided on the steering wheel. She could feel him trembling beneath her palm, and she wished more than anything that she could just take all that terror and fear away, because he had that look in his eyes, that look like small children get when they get lost in a theme park. She knew he was trying to be strong, that he was trying so desperately not to break down, for Parker, because they had a better chance of getting to him quickly if he could just keep a tight reign on his emotions. But God how she wished that he didn't have to be so strong. That just this once she could be strong for him. Because that helpless look he got on his face was killing her.
Booth slowly moved his hand from the wheel to curl his fingers around hers. He gave their fingers a gentle squeeze, and Bones smiled just a little, glad that she could at least offer him this comfort.
As soon as they made it to Rebecca's house, Booth put the car into park, and jumped out, engine still running. He moved to the door, and threw it open, rushing inside.
"Parker!" He cried, terrified of what he may or may not find. Terrified that perhaps his son was missing, or he was there but that bastard had-
"Parker!" He cried again, searching the house, still refusing to let his thoughts go there. As he moved into his son's room, he heard a small whimper come from the closet. He pushed it open, and saw his son. His beautiful little boy, who was there, and alive, and as he dropped to his knees to gather the child in his arms, he sobbed in relief.
Bones watched as Parker threw his small arms around his father's neck, clinging to him tightly as he too cried. Booth rocked him back and forth, trying to sooth him as he kept whispering his son's name over and over, like a prayer.
He was alright. His son was alright, just like his Bones had promised him.
He felt like he could breathe again.
A/N Okay, so how was that chapter? Please review, I have several hundred hits, but only a few handfuls of reviews, and even I know enough math to know that that doesn't equate... I even like tiny little reviews, just so that I know what you think... Pretty Please? With sugar on top?