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Ch. 4

Temperance sighed and gazed around her apartment. In the time since the officer and his crew left, she'd made considerable progress, however she was going to need to purchase new furniture, and perhaps some new art to adorn her walls. Blinds were also a definite need. It was a good thing she lived on the 2nd floor, with the trees to help shield the sunlight and provide some semblance of privacy.

She was also saddened at the plants that were tipped and destroyed. There were 4 large garbage bags in a row next to her front door, as well as the remnants of her destroyed plants, broken blinds, and a box of other ruined possessions. Fortunately, her music collection was spared, however her stereo was not. Another added expense she'd have to take care of. She'd wiped down all the surfaces that displayed fingerprint dust as well.

She planned on calling the building manager, and superintendent to assist her in removal of her sofa and 2 chairs that were shredded. Sitting on the bar stool and resting her head in her hands, she felt the last 24 hours catch up with her, and found herself exhausted, both mentally and physically.

The rest of what she had to do could wait, she decided, she needed to get a few hours sleep. Padding off to her bedroom, which was for whatever reason spared, she slipped into a pair of black shorts and tank top, and without removing the comforter, lie down on her bed and fell instantly to sleep, exhausted.

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Seeley Booth pulled into Brennan's apartment parking lot and drove into the parking garage below her building. After parking his SUV, he strode purposefully towards the stairs that would bring him into her building, glancing quickly to the side; he spotted her sporty little car. Stopping abruptly, he noted the pool of brake fluid surrounding each of her rear tires. He walked to her car and stooped down, reaching around the back of her driver side rear tire, pulling out the brake line – a clean cut. Her brake lines were cut, they didn't fail. Raising, he took a step towards the front of her car, and noticed the front end damage. Turning and striding quickly towards the stairs, he was anxious to see if she was okay, and in what condition her apartment was. Who in the hell would target her and why he thought to himself angrily. And WHY didn't she call him! Well, he sure as hell would find out.

Knocking for the second time on her door, he could see the slit in the wood where the hunting knife had been thrust. He tried the door knob, and was angry as hell to find it unlocked. After this happens, she leaves the door unlocked. Nice.

Swinging the door inward, and calling out "Bones? Hello? I've been knocking for 5 minutes here, where are you? Hello?" looking down, he spied the trash bags, broken art, blinds, and plants. He saw her destroyed furniture, and stereo was also in a box by the door. Walking slowly, he could see she had taken care of most of the clean up, and a lot of damage had happened. He saw her bedroom door ajar, and he approached it slowly, and opened the door, only to find her sprawled out on her bed, uncovered in a tank top and shorts, sound asleep. Her lips were slightly parted, her auburn hair fanned out on her pillow, she lie slightly on her side, breathing deeply. Observing her a moment, he was startled that faint stirrings of arousal he was feeling for her as she lie, looking so beautiful as the light streamed into her room, casting her in a golden glow. "Come on, this is Bones, get a grip, she's your partner for crying out loud" he told himself, as he shrugged out of his jacket, tossing it on the chair by the door, and approached the opposite side of the bed. "I will just lie here until she wakes up". He told himself, carefully lying down beside her, and closing his eyes, inhaling her scent on the pillow.

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Matthew Brennan stood, gazing out the window of his small, efficiency apartment, just outside the city limits of Virginia Beach, Virginia. He'd taken a big chance leaving that message on her answering machine, but he hoped and prayed she'd take heed and stop seeking him out. The danger was too great to her, and he didn't know any other way of warning her. He couldn't believe how his life had turned around so fast so many years ago. He missed his children so much; he missed his wife even more. He was now alone and it couldn't be helped. He had been following Temperance's career skyrocket for years. He was so proud of her, of her accomplishments. His son, well, Russ was Russ. He loved him no less for the things he's done. He only wished they had been they're for each other all those years, instead of apart.

In the cover of darkness, he'd gone to visit his late wife's grave, and wept bitterly. The warning ringing in his ears what the strong-arm crew gave him over 5 years go. "We took out your wife as punishment. We knew of her plans, she was making plans to contact your daughter, we told both you, no more family ties. It's bad enough you two knew about us, and some of the crimes we've committed, now your wife has paid the price. Most of the crew you knew are in jail or dead. There are a few left in hiding. We will not be caught. We will not be punished. We are watching you; we are watching your daughter and son. If you ever see or contact your daughter or son again, we will kill them both. We will not hesitate. We know you have enough knowledge to put the rest of us away. Don't test us. Your daughter is next."

Temperance knew nothing of the warnings, or his watching over her and her career. Nor did Russ. Perhaps if she did, she'd stop looking. Although she was always strong willed. He didn't know what to do to stop her search.

Matthew stepped away from the window, and sat down at the small card table that served as a kitchen table. He sat with his head in his hands and wept.

End chapter 4

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