She waits at the bottom of the garden next to Jared's truck as he hugs his mother on the porch. Hugging her arms to her body she smiles unconsciously at the display of affection. She has only been in the open air for a few moments but her hair is already dampened by the snow. Jared bounds down the path towards her and flashes, what she can only compare to Booth's signature, 'charm' smile. Mrs Booth waves happily to them both as they climb into the truck. After buckling himself in, Jared reaches across the console and gives her hand a quick squeeze. She smiles and leans her head against the window to watch the powder coated streets as they drive back to town. Booth's face flashes into her mind and she feels a pang of regret for her decision to come along to dinner. She hadn't meant to intrude and she had thought their friendship strong enough to survive a relationship with his younger brother. Her thoughts are interrupted form a noise, looking down she sees that it has come from the radio in the central console.

Jared reaches down and brings the radio to his mouth. "Go ahead."

"Chief.. We've been called down to warehouse twenty four by the docks. Some big bust is going down tonight. They've called for back up and you'll need to get down here."

Jared glances across at Brennan and shrugs apologetically. "I'll be there as soon as I can."

Placing the radio back in the holder he looks at her quickly. "I'll just drop you off, I'm sorry.. It's not quite how I had imagined tonight playing out."

She shakes her head and smiles. "It's ok. It'll take longer for you take me across town, we could be at the dock in five minutes. You can drop me off later."

"You wouldn't mind?"

"No. I wouldn't."

Jared grins and concentrates on driving them to their destination.

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Pulling the truck into a space, Jared grabs his gloves and cap from the glove compartment. "I'll leave the truck running, that way at least you'll be warm. I'll be as quick as I can."

"Ok."

He leans across the cab and places a gentle kiss on her lips and when he pulls away a small contented smile has been left in their place. Giving her a wink he jumps out of the cab and into the snow. She watches him run into the distance towards the blue and red flashing crowds of cars and officers. She's become accustomed to the sight of police and yellow tape, she scans the crowds for familiar faces, mainly to pass time until Jared returns, not really expecting to see anyone she knows. She glances at her hands and then out of the passenger window. Frowning she watches a man with a radio, her eyes close together as she tries harder to focus on the man's familiar face. Getting out of the truck she briskly walks over to him. The FBI letters emblazoned on the back of his jacket spur her on.

"Cullen?"

The man spins around to face her, the radio still held close to his lips. Something passes through his eyes that she can't read. He holds a hand up to her as he turns back to face the warehouse "Just get them out. We don't have time for this."

"Is Booth in there?"

Cullen spins around to face her, his mouth about to confirm her suspicions but a blast ripping through the warehouse causes them both to be knocked to the floor. Seconds feel like hours as Cullen and Brennan push themselves to their feet. The devastation in front of them seems to play out in slow motion as Brennan watches agents flee from the building. Cullen immediately starts to bark orders into the radio but she doesn't hear what he is saying, her unusually numb legs come into action as she starts to run towards the warehouse. A strong arm grabs her around the waist and she doesn't even take the time to register that the arms belong to Jared, another larger explosion rips through the building and she screams out for him.

"Boooooooooth! Let me go! Booooth!"

Jared holds her fast as they shield themselves from the fiery heat. She fights against him and he tightens his grip. "Temperance stop it."

"No, Booth is in there."

He drags her over to an officer who is standing staring at the building in shock. "Hey, take care of her. Don't let her out of your sight."

The officer open his patrol car door and she slides inside grudgingly. Jared kneels in front of her and puts his hands on her knees. "Please Temperance. I'll find him, just wait here… I promise I'll find him."

She nods mutely, her cheeks stained with tears, already blackened by the air.

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Sorry it's taken so long to update. X