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Chapter 11

Temperance Brennan struggled up from unconsciousness. She kept here eyes closed, mostly because it seemed as if it took too much effort to open them. Her body felt leaded, and heavy.

Judging by the way she felt, she was lying on a bed, the room was quiet, off in a distance she could hear a television set. Her mouth felt dry and sand papery and she was starving.

She didn't know where she was. The last thing she remembered was working on her book…why was she lying down? Why couldn't she open her eyes? Why was she so tired? These questions ran over and over in her mind. Then she realized her hands were bound. How did her hands get bound? Where was Booth? He should have called or came to see where she was by now. Was her baby okay? Why couldn't she remember anything? She panicked at the thought

She heard footsteps approaching, with fierce effort; she managed to open her eyes. She was in a dark wood paneled room with a small window covered with heavy forest green draperies. There was nothing adorning the walls, no clock. She glanced down. She was lying on a dark green chenille bedspread on a double bed. She felt mildly comforted by the fact she still wore Booth's oversized shirt.

The door opened, and light flooded the room as the light was switched on. Temperance squinted at the onslaught of bright light, she almost felt blinded for a moment.

"Ah so you are awake now, and no doubt hungry. Do you remember anything?" a female voice asked her

Bringing her eyes more info focus, and adjusting to the light, was the book fan who'd come to her door. Remembering now the blow the back of her head, she struggled to sit up, but felt too weak

"Why did you hit me? Where am I? What did you give me?" she croaked, her throat dry, tongue sticking to the roof of her mouth

"I hit you because I needed you to come with me. I knew you wouldn't come with me voluntarily. I am sorry about that. Really. You've been given a sedative often given to expectant mothers in mental wards of hospitals or institutions who need to be relaxed for a variety of reasons, as for the where you are, why you are in the very cabin you had planned on renting to work on your book and get ready to have my baby" the red headed plump woman finished, her hand on one hip, the other on the door frame.

Temperance digested this information for a moment before responding. "Your baby?" she said finally

"Yes, my attorney had been in contact with yours, and my husband and I were the couple chosen to adopt the child" she smiled, and had a far away look on her face

"But I changed my mind" she protested "I am not putting my baby up for adoption any more, I told my attorney that, he should have been in contact with your attorney to tell you. There must be some misunderstanding" she said, trying to make the woman understand the situation.

Where was Booth? He had to be worried out of his mind with half the FBI looking for her… she hoped he didn't think she planned to give up the baby anyway.

"NO" the red headed woman exclaimed impatiently, and then in a calmer tone "No. I want this baby. The baby of Dr. Temperance Brennan, brilliant forensic anthropologist and author" she chanted as if it were her mantra.

Slow realization hit her. This woman was going to take her baby. Swallowing she licked her cracked lips and changed the subject, this woman was clearly unbalanced

"Could I have something to eat and drink?" she said in a polite voice "I'm very hungry, at this stage of my pregnancy, I am required to eat approximately 1,000 more calories a day to provide for the fetus's development, as well as a significant volume of water" she pointed out

"Yes. Of course. I am going to release your hand cuffs, but don't bother trying to get away" she said matter of factly, her face eerily blank

She went on after a moment "We are in a secluded cabin, that you chose as a matter of fact, so you know its miles from nowhere. I will shoot you before I let you get away with my baby. So as you can see, it's in your best interest and my baby's best interest to just go with it. I also have a supply of Ketamine and have no problem administering that to you. At this stage in the baby's growth, the major developments have already taken place, so I am willing to take a risk and keep you fully sedated as much as possible until your due date. " she advised her in a firm voice, and stepped into the room, gently rolling her over and removing the hand cuffs. She helped Temperance sit up and then stand.

Dizziness engulfed her vision. Her legs felt weak. She placed on hand on the woman beside her, and the other protectively around her middle.

"The dizziness will fade. Come on. I have some lunch on the table for you. Eat slowly though, you haven't had solid food for awhile" she advised as she led Temperance to the small dinette area beside a bay window overlooking a small lake. The sun shone brightly through the trees.

"Awhile? How long have I been out? How have you been feeding me and keeping me hydrated?" she questioned, trying to keep the hysteria out of her voice. Russ and Angela had to be frantic with worry. She had to find a way to get in touch with them; she glanced around the small cabin. She saw no phone, and recalled when she set up the arrangement, that was one of the specifications she'd requested.

"We arrived at the cabin three days ago. Lucky for you, I use to be an RN, so I will have no problem caring for you and delivering our baby. It's been a few days we've been together, and I am sure you've forgotten, but my name is Trista. My husband, Doug and I will be adopting the baby. I will turn the TV on for you later. I contacted the media anonymously, to muddy the waters, so no one would know where to look for you. The assumption is now is you have disappeared, just like your parents did 15 years ago. Some guy with the FBI is causing the local police a lot of problems, but I am confident that my plans will go without a hitch." Trista droned on and on, and Temperance tuned her out.

Her mind was racing at any possibility of escape

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Angela looked at the FBI Agent. He looked terrible. He hadn't shaved in days; his clothes were rumpled, dark circles under his eyes. "Booth. You need to go home and get some sleep" she said gently

"Sleep? No. I can't sleep yet. I have too much to do. I have a few leads I need to look into. I have to go and interview her lawyer and see if he has anything that could point to where she went" he said quickly, pacing around Bones' apartment. He stopped over to see if there was something the police and FBI missed. Angela had just appeared a bit ago.

"Sweetie…" she began, reaching out to him

He pulled away. "I am going to find her, okay Angela? I have to…" he trailed off.

"You need to get some rest. You may be missing things because you are so tired. I am worried sick too. We all are. She is strong though, believe that, okay?" she comforted him. "They're going to find her Booth" she tried again to reassure him

"I'm going back to work. I just wanted to see if there was anything I could do" she said finally.

She stared at him. He didn't move. He just stood there, eyes downcast. She let out a sigh and left him there.

He knew Angela was right. He couldn't sleep though. Not until he knew she was okay. Not until he could see her and know.

Because of his personal involvement in the case, the FBI wouldn't allow him to work on it; he'd taken a personal leave to go and look for her and leads on his own. He knew he was risking his career, but at this point, he just didn't care

He went into her bathroom to take a shower and shave. The hot water coursed down his body, and the flowery scented body wash she used aroma assaulted his senses, reminding him of her and the last time they'd been together. Finishing his business quickly, he looked up the number and address for the lawyer; he'd get some coffee on the way. This guy better give him some answers.

She was nearly seven months pregnant now. He had to find her. He knew statistics were that if you heard nothing within 48 hours, the person was most likely dead, he refused to face that. She was not dead. And when he found out who did this, he'd kill them.

3 hours later

He walked into a plush office. Dark cherry wood furniture in the waiting room, and a older receptionist greeted him as he walked in "Can I help you?" she asked him, her name plate read "Carol"

"I am with the FBI" he flashed her his badge "My name is Special Agent Seeley Booth, I have an appointment with Curtis Walker regarding a missing person investigation" he stated

"Of course. I will let him know you are here" the older blonde woman replied automatically. "Please have a seat" she gestured for the chairs in the waiting area

"I'll stand thanks" he replied curtly. He turned from the reception desk and paced around the waiting area.

"Agent Booth?" he heard a male voice behind him

Turning quickly, he was being approached by a tall, lean man. Dark hair, glasses.

"I'm Curtis Walker, I am assuming this is about my client Temperance Brennan?" he asked, and let him around the corner to the corner office, where he shut the door and sat down behind his mammoth desk.

Not a paper out of place, not a spec of dust to be seen on the highly polished cherry wood desk. He folded his hands and stared at Agent Booth expectantly

"I need to know the name of the attorney representing the couple who was to adopt her baby" he said, getting right down to brass tacks

The attorney chuckled mirthlessly "I'm sorry. That is privileged information. As I told the other FBI Agents who were here before you. There is really nothing I can tell you Agent Booth, I apologize" shrugging he finished. The lawyers face was arrogant.

Booth sat there and stared at the man behind the desk. He knew there was no argument he could give the man to give him what he needed. He rose slowly and reached inside his jacket and withdrew his gun, released the safety and aimed it right at the lawyer's forehead.

"Let's try this again" he said between clenched teeth, anger barely in check

The attorney paled and gulped, arrogance gone "Of course…I…" he stammered, his hands shook

"I need the name of the attorney who you were working with on the adoption of Temperance Brennan's baby. Which you may be interested to know is also MY baby. You have 5 seconds to get that file and put it in my hand" he said in a low even voice

Booth knew he'd gone over the line. This was the last idea he had as to someone who may have some answers. It had been the longest four days of his life. Cullen and the agents assigned to the case came up with absolutely no information. This was the only possibility left, and the media was only making matters worse with their wild speculations.

The attorney's hands continued to shake as he pulled out a file from his enormous desk

"Here…please…take it, just don't hurt me" he stumbled over his words, fear bright in his eyes

Booth snatched the file and without another word strode out, armed with information that he hoped would point him in her direction.

End this chapter

Well? I didn't get as many reviews last chapter…you guys still out there reading this? Let me know! Thanks!