A/N - I don't own Bones unfortuntely but I do like to tinker a little with the characters. My sister asked me why I made Angela the victim and I told her it was because she was an incredibly strong person and a good example for everyone really. And I don't think anyone else would be able to deal with it as good as she does. So enjoy and I hope you like my second attempt at Bones fanfiction.
Fighting For Angela
Chapter One – Heavily Broken
"Temperance, can I speak to you in your office for a moment?"
Dr. Goodman stood off to the side of where Temperance was working, hands twisting a little in front of him. What caught her attention was not the obviously nervous look but the use of her first name. He never used it; he always called her Dr. Brennan.
"Sure Dr. Goodman."
She led the way into her office, closing the door behind them before taking a seat behind her desk.
"What can I help you with Dr. Goodman?"
Temperance watched as the Dr. struggled so clearly with his words and he passed Temperance a somewhat desperate look.
"I don't know what to tell you Temperance."
She gave him a tight smile, feeling sick to her stomach.
"Just tell me. You're making me nervous."
Dr. Goodman sat heavily in the seat across from her, his breath leaving him with a sigh.
"Angie was attacked last night."
Temperance felt her blood freeze, her heart stopping dead in her chest.
"What?"
Dr. Goodman spoke softly, his eyes on hers.
"She was at the ATM on Grove road when she was attacked from behind, dragged into an ally, beaten, raped and robbed."
Temperance shrugged off her lab coat, standing, gathering her cell phone and keys.
"Which hospital?"
"St Vincent's."
Temperance was out of the lab and in her car before Dr. Goodman could say another word, her heart pounding in her ears.
Temperance Brennan was not by nature, a fearful person. She didn't mind holding a gun, shooting one if necessary and enjoyed the rush of adrenaline she got when she was with Booth casing out a suspects house. But now, standing alone in a cold near empty waiting room, the normally unfelt fear sat heavily on every limb and soaked every pore.
"Bones what happened?"
And there he was. The only man that could put her world back on it's axel and make her see sense. She had obviously woken him up with her frantic phone call because his clothing was rumpled and she could still see the clear creases of his pillow imprinted on his cheek.
"Angela was attacked last night. She was raped."
Booth ran a hand through his hair, cursing under his breath. It was then that he ran a careful eye over Temperance and realized just how hard she was shaking, her skin a deathly white.
"You ok Bones?"
She shook her head as tears of shock and relief at seeing Booth began to make their way down her pale cheeks and she allowed Booth to pull her into a tight hug, clinging to him like a lost child. Booth held her tightly, continued to hold her long after the shaking and tears had stopped, enjoying the proximity of her body, enjoying the way her smell teased his senses. Temperance was the one too break the embrace, her face red and swollen from crying. Booth handed her the clean handkerchief that he had in his pocket and watched as she wiped her cheeks and blew her nose loudly before offering it back to him, stuffing it into her jeans pocket when he waved off her offer.
"So can we see her?"
Temperance shrugged, her feelings of helplessness returning.
"I'm still waiting to hear from the doctor, but no one's telling me anything because I'm not immediate family."
Booth took her hand in his own and pulled her down into the seat beside him as he sat.
"So we wait."
They sat in silence, Temperance's grip on Booth's hand hard, Booth returning the grip trying to offer what support he could. He was still trying to figure out why anyone would want to hurt Angela.
"Temperance Brennan?"
A tall, bald man wearing a white coat stood addressing the almost empty waiting room. Temperance gave the doctor a short nod.
"That's me."
The doctor approached and settled himself in the seat next to her.
"My name is Doctor Cole and I'm Miss Montenegro's surgeon."
Temperance's hand flew to her mouth.
"She needed surgery?"
The doctor nodded and Temperance could feel her world start to spin again, the only thing holding her in place was Booths hand gripping hers.
"When she came in last night, she was in terrible shape. She had to have surgery to repair a tear in her spleen, which was a lot bigger then anyone expected it too be. She needed a blood transfusion and was in ICU over night. She's improved greatly but she has broken fingers and a sprained wrist and extensive bruising all over her body."
Temperance's voice was low and croaky as she spoke.
"And the rape?"
The doctor gave Booth a quick glance before glancing at the file he held in his hand.
"There was extensive tearing to the vaginal walls but mostly it's just deep bruising. We collected a rape kit for the police and did all the necessary tests for AIDS and any other STD's. Physically she should recover."
Temperance gave the doctor a hard look.
"But mentally?"
"She hasn't spoken to anyone since she arrived last night. The only thing the rapist didn't take was her ID card from work, which is how we got in contact with you. Mentally it doesn't look good."
"Can we see her?"
The doctor nodded and Temperance said thank you as she strode past him, Booth following closely behind. All the fierce determination seemed to drain out of her when they located Angela's hospital room, her feet seemingly frozen in place.
"She needs you Bones."
Temperance gave a short nod, taking a deep breath as she walked into the room. Angela looked so tiny in the white sheets and Temperance almost checked the room number to make sure they had gotten the right room. The Angela she knew was much larger then life and filled a room with her happiness and laughter. This Angela was quite different. She was sitting up slightly in the bed, her eyes locked on the wall in front of her. An IV twists lazily down into her arm and there is no part of her that doesn't appear bruised, damaged by a vicious rapist's hands. Temperance made her way around the bed, her hand seeking out Angela's good hand, feeling the icy cold flesh against her warm skin.
"Angela."
Temperance reached out a hand and gently pushes away the strands of matted black hair that have fallen across Angela's face, her fingers finding an unbruised section of skin on her friend's forehead. She focused her eyes on Temperance and a well of unshed tears made their way down her cheeks.
"It's ok Ange, I'm here now. I won't let anyone hurt you."
Temperance manuvoured herself onto the small strip of bare bed and laid herself carefully at Angel's side. Angela curled herself against Temperance, her face resting on her friend's collarbone. Temperance pulled her into a loose hug; wary of just how much squeezing her friend's body can take, stroking her fingers gently through the tangles in her hair. Without meaning to, Temperance began humming a nursery rhyme her mother had used when she was younger to comfort her. She was certain she was off key and that she missed parts but it seemed to have the desired effect. Angela's body had stopped shaking and her breathing was deep and even. Temperance stayed where she was, continuing to stroke Angela's hair and taste the salt of her own silent tears.
Booth had left the room as Temperance had comforted Angela, feeling rather like an intruder in an incredibly personal moment. So he had taken his time in making a trip to Starbucks, had even gone to the one a good twenty minutes away to give both women enough time to gather themselves together. Now armed with coffee and cookies, Booth was relived to hear Angela's voice as he re-entered the room, pasting a smile on his face.
"I brought coffee ladies. Bones, a tall hazelnut espresso, Ange a tall double foam, soy caramel latte."
He laid a quick kiss on Angela's forehead as he handed her the coffee.
"Oh and chocolate chip cookies."
Angela gave him a half smile, her split lip limiting her movement.
Our hero. You've got him well trained Brennan."
Booth swallowed the anger that came up his throat again as he looked at Angela's face, pushing it back into his chest for later. Later he would vent and hunt down the bastard that did this. But right now both women needed him.
" Miss Montenegro?"
A pair of very young looking uniformed police officers stood at the end of Angela's bed, their hats in their hands. Booth exchanged a quick look with Temperance before they both looked at Angela.
"That's me."
The youngest of the police officers stepped forward, his voice halting and unsure.
"We got a call from the hospital about a rape that occurred last night and we need to get a statement off you."
Angela nodded before her attention came back to Booth and Temperance.
"Guys do you think you could pick up some things from my house? I really would love to sleep in my own PJ's and listen to some music. Make sure it's good music ok Brennan?"
Temperance frowned at Angela.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure."
Temperance reluctantly left her friend's side, flashing the police a hard look as she moved past them and out of the room, Booth at her side.
"I want to be there with her."
Even though her voice was low and barely audible, it had enough anger in it to carry to Booth's hearing range.
"I know you do but she's going to give them details that she might not want us to hear."
Booth opened his car door for her and waited for her to slip in before he closed it behind her. He felt ok to drive; in fact Angela's orders gave him something clear and precise to focus on. They travelled silently towards Angela's house, the highway strangely quite for mid morning.
"I should have known something was wrong."
Temperance kept her head down as she spoke.
"She wasn't at work, I should have known something wasn't right."
The car swerved suddenly as Booth pulled it to the side of the road, before unclipping his seatbelt and turning toward her completely.
"Look at me Bones."
Temperance shook her head, her hair falling in front of her face, almost as if she wanted to hide from the world. Booth reached out a hand, breaking through the soft curtain of hair, locating her sharp chin, pulling her face towards his. Her blue eyes were defiant and shining with unshed tears, a deep frown in her normally smooth brow. He reached up ad smoothed it with the pad of his thumb.
"Do you really believe that?"
Temperance nodded slightly, her eyes still holding Booth's. He shook his head and let his hand drop from her chin.
"I think that for the first time in our relationship Bones, you are wrong. And very wrong at that."
Temperance started to cry again, the tears making her voice dry and scratchy.
"I should have been there with her sooner, been with her for everything not just after the fact."
Booth shook his head this time, allowing her doubts to fall on empty air.
"Unless you have a sudden talent as a psychic, there is nothing you can do. Save your anger for the bastard that did this too her ok? Don't doubt yourself when Angela needs you."
Temperance gave Booth a brave smile.
"We should get to Angela's."
With a nod, Booth pulled the car back onto the highway, the traffic now coming thicker then before.
A/N - I hope that you enjoyed the story and I promise many more chapters. Please make sure your reveiws are constructive and helpful. Thanks!
