Ch. 10

Temperance woke, groggy and disoriented; inhaling the scent on the pillow, she knew she wasn't at home, the scent was masculine, and yet comforting somehow. Momentarily confused, she blinked in the darkness, trying to orient herself to her surroundings. This didn't feel right somehow…sitting up slowly, her head not quite as painful as it was hours ago, she gazed around the room, and she suddenly recalled where she was. She was in Booths bedroom, lying in his bed. Touching her fingertips to her lips, she remembered the searing kisses they shared. What came over him? What came over her for that matter? She'd never felt that way before with him, yet she also found herself wanting to do that again, to go even farther.

Frowning slightly, she recalled that he was supposed to check on her and wake her up occasionally. Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed, she got up and padded over to the bedroom door. She could hear a television set blaring in the living room; she quietly opened the door, and walked to where the sound was coming from.

He was currently sprawled out on the couch, 2 empty beer bottles on the coffee table, with a mass of files and paperwork scattered across his chest and the couch. The television was droning on about some new chopper and dicer that was the next best and greatest invention ever.

The light from the TV was casting a blue glow across the room. She stood there a moment, taking in his presence, able to look at him fully without fear of embarrassment. His shirt was partially unbuttoned, his arm behind his head, supporting his neck and head, his legs crossed at the ankle, propped up on the end of the couch, and his hair tousled. He looked so relaxed. He must have been very tired; he appeared to be deeply asleep, she could see REM movement behind his eyelids, indicating the deepest part of the sleep cycle.

Curiously, she glanced down at the files he had strewn everywhere. Catching a glimpse of her father's name, she snatched up the file, reading about the investigation into his possible whereabouts, and the fact that they were certain they had found his location in the Virginia Beach area that the agents had been doing some surveillance on.

Anger surged through her. Why hadn't he kept her in the loop on this? She fumed to herself. She was tempted to wake him up and demand he tell her exactly what he thought he was doing, not telling her, when it was HER father, she had a right, and a need to know what was going on. If he was going to be all cloak and dagger about this, then I'll just find out for myself then she thought to herself.

Gently, and carefully, she picked up all the files he had scattered all over, and gathered them up. Peeking over at him, he never even stirred; she could still see his eyes moving beneath his lids, his facial features totally relaxed.

Glancing up at the clock on the shelf above the TV, she noted it was after 2am. She had slept longer than she thought. She knew he'd figure out what she did, and try to go after her, so she hoped he'd sleep for a few more hours to give her a head start.

Slipping into her shoes she'd left by the door, she spied the keys to his SUV on a hook that was carved from wood that said "KEYS". She grabbed the keys, and as quietly as possible left his house, and strode quickly to his vehicle. She'd just go and find her father herself. After all, it's not like this is a big top secret case, she was actively involved in the investigation, she was just checking out a potential lead she told herself.

Hesitating for a moment, she briefly stopped and glanced back at the house, keys in hand, she knew he was going to be very upset when he woke up and saw that she took her fathers files, and he'd have to figure out where she went, she also realized she didn't even have her cell phone with her, it was back at her place, but that wasn't important right now, she had to find her father before he disappeared again.

While it was true, Booth was going to be mad, but he didn't understand being alone, with no answers. He had family, loved ones. Other than Russ, she didn't. Resolutely, she unlocked the SUV started it and drove away. Her head was still pounding, but she wasn't dizzy or nauseous anymore. She would feel so much better if she could just see and talk to her father. Pressing the accelerator she sped down the freeway towards Virginia Beach, not noticing in the rearview mirror the black sedan that pulled away moments later from the curb a block away.

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