A/N - It's a short chapter but it's good. Thank you for all the reveiws, it inspires me to keep going with this story, so keep them coming!
Chapter Four – Mental Notes
Angela hadn't really moved from her place in Temperance's office since her friend had left. She was doing well in most areas but she found herself dreading the time when she was alone, the time where she could think of what had happened. It was still too fresh in her mind for her to make up a happy ending, still too fresh to face alone. So she settled for clearing out Temperance's office, putting some much needed organisation into the sometimes-neglected space.
"Have you been here all day?"
Hodgins stood in the doorway, watching as Angela began to arrange Temperance's files in order of urgent to not so urgent.
"Yeah I have. Brennan and Booth got to Nevada in one piece."
Hodgins smiled.
"At least we know they travel together well. A few days away might be just what they need."
Angela smiled back.
"Maybe."
He took a seat across from her, his eyes still watching her never ceasing movements carefully.
"Do you have any plans for tonight?"
Angela shook her head.
"Not really. I was going to stay at Brennan's until she gets back. But I have to move my TV in first of course. A girl needs her early morning cartoons."
Hodgins nodded his agreement.
"Of course you do. It's a staple in any sane person's television diet. Where else would we learn how the world works?"
Angela gave him a wide grin.
"Brennan really needs a TV doesn't she?"
Angela nodded.
"She really does. She hasn't even seen Pirates of The Caribbean yet and the second ones already out. I'm trying to desperately to educate her but she's a really crappy student."
Hodgins stood and stretched, his body lapsing into it's normal position as he spoke.
"Well if you want some company I could come over and watch a movie, order pizza maybe."
Angela nodded; glad to not be facing another night alone.
"Sounds good. Give me thirty minutes and I'll meet you out front."
Angela watched as Hodgins struggled slightly under the weight of the TV as he climbed up the steps to Temperance's apartment, following closely behind with her DVD player and a bag full of DVD's from her collection.
"Thanks Hodgins, I don't think I could have managed that as well as you did with those damn stairs."
Hodgins clapped his hands together after settling the TV down and connecting it to the power socket.
"Not a problem. I might grab myself a beer, want one?"
Angela nodded as she connected the TV to her DVD player, stacking the DVD's neatly beside the equipment.
"Yes please."
Hodgins disappeared, reappearing moments later, a six-pack of beer in his hands.
"So what movies are we going to watch with out pizza and beer?"
Angela held up a handful of DVD's.
"We have Payback, Finding Nemo, Wedding Crashers, Gone in sixty Seconds, Harry Potter and Ace Venture. I have every movie in the world. What one do you want to see?"
"How about Finding Nemo? I always liked those sharks."
Angela throws him the cordless phone as she begins to load the DVD player.
"Order two, I can eat a lot."
Hodgins smiled.
"I know. I've been to dinner before with you and your appetite. Any special request toppings?"
"Half spicy apricot chicken with extra spice and olives and half cheese, mango and salami."
Hodgins pulled a face.
"Yuck"
Angela gave him her own look.
"This coming from a man who voluntarily eats seven organ soup?"
Hodgins shrugged.
"At least that makes sense. Yours sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie. I'm going to order before I lose my appetite."
Soon the food arrived and Angela and Hodgins had settled themselves in front of the movie, gorging themselves on pizza and beer. Angela realised that despite the absence of her two main support systems, she wasn't alone or feeling lonely in any way. It felt good to be able to relax and forget for a little while, to be able to laugh as a small clown fish tried to find its way back to its father. It felt normal and normal was exactly what Angela needed to be.
"What now?"
Temperance stood on the steps of the police station, a silently brewing Booth at her side. The policemen had all but laughed in their faces, saying that there was no possible way that Samuel James had gotten through security, that they would have spotted him before he got beyond the gates. And if Temperance didn't trust Booth, she would have believed it as well. But why would Harry lie when Booth would just kick his ass, make his life hell?
"We go to the big guns."
Booth began to walk briskly, hands in his pockets, his face down. They walked for a while in silence, weaving their way in and out of the walking traffic.
"Where are we going Booth?"
He ignored her question, clasping her elbow as he pulled her into a dark alleyway. He continued to stride, counting under his breath until they came to stand in front of a wall.
"Booth what are we doing?"
Again he ignored her as he thumped loudly on the wall. A small strip of wood moved across, exposing a pair of dark green eyes.
"Password?"
Booth gave the eyes a smile.
"Agent Seeley Booth."
The wall slid back, exposing a room swallowed by the dark. Booth's strides were confident, Temperance still by his side slightly annoyed at the lack of explanation. A large, bald long bearded man approached them, flashing a gap toothed grin, his large tattooed arms extended.
"Agent Booth, as I live and breath! How are you?"
The two men embraced quickly, the man's leather jacket creaking slightly.
"I'm good Macca. I want you to meet a friend of mine."
Booth urged Temperance forward a little more.
"This is Temperance Brennan, she's an anthropologist. Bones this is Macca, bounty hunter of the escapee's that flood into town."
She shook Macca's hand, surprised by the gentleness of his touch and the softness in his voice.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Brennan."
"Call me Temperance."
Macca nodded as he released her hand, turning his attention back to Booth.
"So please clear up the confusion old friend. Why are you here?"
Booth pulled out a picture of Samuel James, the same one he had showed the police officers earlier.
"We need to find him."
Macca frowned.
"I know who he is but what business do you have with him?"
Temperance stepped forward.
"He raped my best friend."
Macca's eyes softened as he studied Temperance.
"I am sorry to hear that. No woman should ever have to endure such a terrible crime. I see why you want justice."
He turned his eyes back to Booth.
"Do you want the boys to take him in or did you want a little alone time with him?"
Booth shook his head, choosing justice over his own desire for revenge.
"No we just want to drag him to the cop shop, show them they were wrong. Can you and the boys do that for me Macca?"
Macca nodded as he handed the picture to someone in the shadows before turning back to them.
"I will be happy too. You want a drink?"
Booth exchanged a glance with Temperance who nodded.
"Sure Macca, we'll love one."
Macca led them through the shadows into a make shift kitchen, handing them beers before taking a seat, the pair following suit.
"So what you been up to lately Booth? It's been two years since I last saw you."
Booth shrugged.
"No much really, just the same old. What about you? How are Sheena and the girl's?"
Macca grinned and pulled out his wallet, handing both Booth a Temperance pictures. It was once of those family shots that you get professionally done, all of them smiling brightly for the camera. Three girl's, two no older then sixteen, the other no older then five were gathered around their mom and dad. They all had Macca's wide easy smile and their mother's dark smooth hair.
"You have a beautiful wife and children Macca."
Macca continued to grin.
"Thank you Temperance. Elizabeth is sixteen, Hazel is fourteen and little Makenzie is five. Everybody calls her little Macca after me. She a little bit too much like me I fear. The other girls are exactly like Sheena, my wife."
Booth handed him back the pictures.
"You give that wife of yours a hug from me ok? Tell her to make sure you stay out of trouble."
"Oh she does, don't worry."
It was then that Booth heard the approaching sirens and he gave Macca a hurried glance before jumping from his seat and grabbing Temperance's elbow.
"We gotta go Bones. Macca, stay in touch."
Macca nodded and watched them leave safely out of the false wall before closing it firmly behind them. Booth kept his head down until the police cars had sped past before finally relaxing and sitting on a nearby bench.
"Why did we leave in such a hurry?"
Booth ran his hand through his hair as Temperance took a seat beside him, watching as people walked past.
"Because Macca wasn't always one of the good guys. He used to deal in drugs, getting young kids to sell on the street. Then he met Sheena and she turned him around. Now he's got the bounty hunting business and he's trying to prove himself but the cops think it's all a front. So every now and then they do a raid. Problem is they always put their sirens on, trying to fool him into believing that they are going somewhere else. He's got nothing to hide so he's never worried. But we had to leave because otherwise they would ask questions."
Temperance nodded as they continued to sit, her legs swaying back and forth. She never knew that ex criminals could be so nice. And to have such a beautiful family.
"He's a good guy and him and his boys are good at their jobs. If Samuel James is here, Macca will find him."
"How do you pay him? He doesn't seem like the type to have a bank account you can wire things too."
Booth smiled.
"I send them season tickets to basketball, baseball and football. Most of them have families so I usually throw in some fun park tickets too. They have never accepted money from me."
Booth stood, offering a hand to help Temperance off the seat.
"Let's head back to the motel. It's getting cold out here."
It wasn't until later that night, after they had eaten, that either of them gave a thought to sharing a room. They both stood, PJ's in hand as they realised that they would somehow have to go about their daily and nightly routines with each other there.
"Do you want to get changed in the bathroom or should I?"
Temperance gave a half shrug.
"Makes no difference to me. You can have it."
Booth nodded and closed the door quietly behind him, Temperance stripping off as fast as she could, stuffing her clothes into the suitcase. She was brushing her hair when Booth's voice travelled through the door.
"You decent?"
"Yes."
Booth came into the room, dressed in a plain white under shirt and a pair of plaid PJ bottoms. He paused as he spotted Temperance's bed attire, a laugh escaping before he could stop it. She wore pink and lime green PJ's, with 'Boys Have Cooties' written all over them. Temperance gave him a reluctant smile.
"Don't laugh. Angela gave me these for Christmas last year. I need to wear them just to say that I have. I thought they were cute. Until you laughed that is."
Booth just shook his head as he began to pull the bed open, unaware of Temperance watching him closely. With every movement he made, his back muscles moved and rippled beneath the thin material of his shirt and Temperance could feel another tug of attraction. She hated it when Angela was right. Why did she feel so attracted to Booth? He had a nice body but that didn't mean anything. He was stubborn, arrogant and irritatingly charming. And she hated him for it. But behind the hate, she wanted nothing more then for him to kiss her.
"Night Bones."
"Night Booth."
And as the light went out, Temperance turned her back to him on purpose, trying to convince herself that staring at the wall was far more interesting then staring at him. She really hated it when Angela was right.
