Ch. 12

Temperance Brennan had been driving non stop for over 3 hours on the freeway that led to Virginia Beach. There wasn't much traffic on a weekday, and she was cruising along at a good speed, anxious to get to her father. He held so many answers for her and Russ.

She was nearing her destination that the FBI agents had outlined in the files she'd found at Booths place. She'd been feeling slightly guilty over the way she left him, knowing he was going to be not only worried, but mad that she'd taken not only the files, but his vehicle too. Logically though, he should have known she'd awaken and go looking for him, so part of the blame was on him, she reassured herself smugly. She'd smooth it over when she got back and explained everything to him.

Her head was beginning to pound, and she'd left Booth's place so abruptly, she'd forgotten the pain pills the Doctor had prescribed for her. Passing a sign that said "Rest Stop, next exit" she decided perhaps if she closed her eyes for a little while, the pain would ease. She really didn't want to stop, after making such good time, but saw no other alternative. With her luck, her father will have vanished before she had a chance to talk to him, but driving was becoming more difficult and she didn't want to get into an accident in an effort to get to him, especially in Booths FBI issue vehicle. She had so many questions for him, so many things she wanted to tell him about, and to say. Her mind was reeling at the fact she could be seeing him after all these years, in just a matter of hours. She wondered momentarily if she should call Russ and have him go with her, but he was working, and couldn't afford to loose his job. Plus it could be a dead end or cold lead, she thought absently, hoping she was wrong.

Pulling into a nicely shaded, woody area, she pulled Booth's SUV into the far corner of the lot, and shut it off, sliding out of the driver's seat, and stretching. The sun was bright with a light breeze, in the distance; she could hear the twitter of birds chirping, and wind blowing through the trees. There were picnic tables scattered around the wooded area, with barbeque grills nearby. She was the only one here. No other cars were parked in the lot, no people anywhere around.

Walking up to the building, she used the restroom, and splashed cold water on her face and neck. She noted her eyes were still slightly dilated, and she removed the bloodied bandage to examine her wound and stitches. Her hair covered it satisfactorily, so she threw the bandage out.

Passing a bank of pay phones on the way out of the building, she hesitated momentarily, wondering if she should call Booth or Angela and let them know where she was, since she did not have her cell phone with her. Booth was going to be absolutely furious with her, and Angela would probably side with him, or call him after talking to her anyway, so with a slight shrug she walked out of the building and back to the SUV. Opening the drivers door, she got in, and put the key into the ignition, long enough to roll the power windows down a bit to let some air in. She tiled the seat back and closed her eyes. She had to rest for a bit because her head was killing her.

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Special Agent Seeley Booth had been driving for just over an hour on the freeway, he'd removed the T-Tops of the vintage Corvette, to let the wind blow through his hair and let the sun shine on his face. He was very happy with the engine restoration, the car was responding as though it were a new car, not a sports car from 1968. He'd sure to get a good amount of money on the sale.

He wasn't as angry as he was before, and could even understand why she did what she did, but he was also worried. Whoever had trashed her apartment, assaulted her, and went after her on the freeway, damaging her car, could still be out there watching or following her. She had a way of getting herself into a jam, and he had to make sure she'd make it out of this one alive. These people they were dealing with were dangerous criminals, who'd not think twice at taking her out to insure the remaining crew members didn't go back to jail, or get in trouble with the law. They clearly did not want her to find her father.

Pressing on the accelerator, he passed the cars that were going too damn slow, and went around 4 of them, speed passing 80 miles per hour. Engine roaring, he signaled back into the right lane. Hearing a wail, he glanced in his rearview mirror, to see a State Highway Patrol's lights flashing behind him.

"Great" he muttered, slowing the car and pulling onto the shoulder.

This was all he needed right now. Some rooky rent a cop trying to get his quota of tickets for the month. Strumming his fingers on the steering wheel impatiently, he tried to remain calm and patient as the young officer approached the side of the car.

"Sir, do you realize how fast you were going back there?" the young man asked him calmly, pen poised above a ticket book.

"Yes. I was going 81 miles per hour. FBI, Special Agent Seeley Booth" he said, flipping open his ID and flashing at the officer.

"I am in pursuit of a victim, who may be in danger and needs protection" he said, willing his temper to stay in check. calm calm calm, cool and collected he chanted to himself, grinding his teeth so much his jaw ached

"I see, is this a standard issue FBI vehicle?" the trooper said, a trace of humor in his voice, smile across his face

"Okay, you know what? I don't have time for this. What is your name?" he demanded, rifling behind him for a pen and paper.

The officer paled slightly, and stammered "Johnathan….Officer Johnathan Osbourne, sir…Sir, I was merely..." he said fidgeting with his pen and pad, removing his dumb looking hat

"Yeah I know what you were doing. I am not going to report you this time, for obstructing a federal agent during an investigation, but you can do this, why don't you get on outta here, so I can get on my way, huh?" he said to the terrified kid.

"Yes sir, thank you sir, I will do that…" and with that, the kid dashed back to his car, and sped away.

With a grin, he glanced in his rearview and merged back into traffic, quickly picking up speed. Hopefully he would have no further trouble with the state troopers. He had to catch up to Bones. The only way to do that was to see what this baby could do.

Swerving through traffic, he kept his speed at a minimum of over 85, cursing over how much gas money this was going to cost him, and at how he was going to let Brennan reimburse him for it.

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After resting for awhile, she opened her eyes, and quickly looked around the rest area. There was a dark sedan pulling into the lot on the far end of the entrance. Other than that the place was still deserted.

Starting the SUV, she put it into drive and slowly drove out to the exit of the lot. The sedan seemed familiar some how, but she dismissed the thought quickly, her thoughts returning to her father, and to Booth. She was almost there, and she wanted nothing more than to see her father again. Smiling, she set the cruise control and turned on the radio. Her head still hurt a lot, but right now, it didn't seem to matter.

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The older gentleman sighed a sigh of relief as he pulled into the wayside rest and spotted the SUV she'd taken from her FBI boyfriend. His tire had blown out during the drive, and while he was perfectly capable of changing it himself, his trunk had been recently used to transport illegal items and the tire and jack had been removed to allow more room. He must have forgotten to replace them once the former task was completed. Therefore he had to call triple A for assistance, causing a long delay. He was concerned he'd lose her, however it was no mystery as to her destination.

The rest area was simply a spot for him to use the facilities, imagine his luck at seeing her pull out.

Interesting. If he'd only gotten there sooner he'd have taken care of her then and there, but it was no matter. It would be better if he eliminated her in front of her father anyway, if for no other reason than effect. Flipping open his cell phone, he called and reported his whereabouts, and findings to his partners.

End ch 12

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