Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bones or its characters. All credit goes to their rightful owners

Chapter Ten

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"I can't just stay here indefinitely. It's been two weeks, Booth. I'm going crazy!"

Booth let out an exasperated sigh. "I know. But Willis…"

"Isn't going to be dumb enough to show up at the lab. And this is Broadsky we are talking about. I want to help."

"Bones." He sounded pained. Like the idea of her being out in the world was physically paining him.

"Booth, I'm on the mend. My sprain is better, my wrist is better. Most bruising is gone. Even my ribs are almost pain-free. And I'm not asking to come out in the field. And," she said loudly because he was getting ready to interrupt her. "I can walk out that door if I want to. I don't need your permission."

"I'm just trying to keep you safe here."

"And I'm going nuts sitting here, doing nothing. You can take me to the lab and I swear I won't leave it until you pick me up. I'm doing this, Booth."

He ran his hand down his face. "I don't want you to even think about leaving the lab. And I'm going to have everyone constantly check in on you."

"Fine. As long as I get to be in the lab."


The fact that being back at work made her so happy might seem odd to some, but this was one of her favorite places. And the fact that she could do something outside of heal and watch TV made her giddy.

It was odd though. She thought coming back would feel normal. It felt good, but she still felt a little odd. Maybe because unlike normal she was stuck in the lab. She was cleared to be in the lab, but she wasn't cleared for fieldwork, and even though she felt she would be fine, Booth was right. It wasn't safe for her to be out and about.

By the end of the day, she found herself in her office, ready for a nap. Her brain was tired, and her muscles ached. Her shoulders felt like they were on fire. And she was worried about Booth. He was currently on a mission to take down Broadsky, whose target seemed to be at the courthouse. They just weren't sure who that was.

A knock on her door had her looking over. With a greeting, Sweets walked in. "So you want to do this at your desk, or over there?" He asked, pointing her where her couch and chairs were.

She knew she had a session with Sweets today. Knew he was coming to her since she couldn't leave the lab, but she still hated psychiatry.

She stood, going to her couch. "This will likely be more comfortable." She asked him to shut her door before sitting.

"How are you feeling today?"

Right to it then. "Good. I'm glad to be back in the lab. I wish I was able to be in the field with Booth, but I'm not medically cleared for that." Not to mention mentally cleared, but Sweets knew that.

"And did you find it easy to adjust to being back?"

"Yeah. This is my domain. I could never be uncomfortable here." Except now because she was getting questioned. At the beginning of the day, she'd get a bit odd. But no need to mention that to Sweets.

"How about other things? How are you adjusting?"

She shifted, uncomfortable. She'd told him about the nightmares. Told him about being afraid. Told him about her aversion to darkness. She couldn't sleep without a light on. Couldn't stand being in a dark room.

"I'm healing up satisfactory."

"Dr. Brennan, I'm well aware your body is healing. What about your mind?" He waited. There was no sense in pushing. She would tell him only what she wanted him to know.

"I still have nightmares. And I'm still afraid of the dark. The nightmares I can handle. Being afraid of the dark? I don't like that. It's irrational and irritating."

"I don't think it's the dark you are afraid of. It's what the dark reminds you of. You were blindfolded for two weeks. Stripped of your sight. It left you feeling vulnerable. You have to come to grips with what happened, and overcome that fear."

"How?" Seriously, because she couldn't stand not being able to be in the dark without feeling like she couldn't breathe.

Sweets thought on it a moment. A direct approach seemed best. A head-on collision. "Blindfold yourself." She stiffened, but tried to act as of his suggestion didn't freak her out. "Blindfold yourself and be in control of what happens while blindfolded. It's not the loss of sight. It's the loss of control while you couldn't see. Remind yourself that you are still in control. Even in the darkness."

She let out a nervous laugh. "You want me to just walk around blindfolded?"

"No. I want you to be with someone you trust. Let them blindfold you. Let them help you with whatever you decide to do. Your captors fed you. Maybe let someone feed you, but you are in control of what you eat. Let someone help you do a task. Just be around people you trust, and be blindfolded."

"That seems silly." She sounded scared. Did she look scared?

"I think a head-on approach is best for you. You're strong, Dr. Brennen. You don't do well with beating around the bush. So you must face that fear."

"This whole thing is absurd. I know that I'm safe. I know that, just because the light is off, it doesn't mean Willis with suddenly appear."

"I know you don't like this answer, because to you, if it's not rational, it has no meaning. But sometimes? The human psyche simply isn't rational. And as absurd as you feel it is? That fear isn't going to go away overnight."

He was right. She didn't like it. "I don't know that I can. The idea of putting a blindfold on?" She didn't finish the sentence. Wasn't sure how.

"That's the purpose of the exercise. Do what you fear. So you can conquer it. You don't have to do it. And certainly not before you're ready. But if you do, make sure it's with someone you trust undoubtedly."


Booth looked over at Bones as she moved a piece of broccoli, back and forth, absentmindedly. She'd seemed okay when he picked her up from the lab. Seemed okay when they got home, and she'd listened to his frustrations about losing Broadsky, and his worries about who might be next on his list. She'd even seemed okay when she left him to take a shower and he ordered takeout. But now she seemed tired, and a little down.

"First day back make you tired?"

"Hmm?" She looked over at him.

"You've hardly touched your food."

She looked down at her plate as if she were surprised to find it there. "Oh. Yeah. I am tired. But not from work. My session with Sweets was a little hard today. Talking about what happened takes a lot out of me."

"Are you okay?"

She gave him a sweet smile, taking his free hand and giving it a squeeze. "Yeah. I'm just going to turn in early. I can take the couch?"

"Not happening. I'll take the couch." Every night since she's been here she's offered to take the couch. And every night he refused.

"Night, Booth."

"Night, Bones."


Her screams jerked him awake. He was on his feet and heading to her before his mind had a chance to catch up. The screams stopped before he reached the room, but that didn't stop him from going in.

Bones sat up, tears running down her cheeks, eyes round with fear. "I'm sorry." She closed her eyes, looking ashamed. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"Never mind that." Booth sat next to her, pulling her to him, though she resisted.

"I don't need you to comfort me. I'm fine."

He studied her. Her hair messed with sleep, eyes red from tears that still fell making the blue in her eyes pop. She shook with remnants of the nightmare.

"It's not a crime to let someone comfort you." And he wanted to. He wanted to hold her, remind her that she was safe here. He also wanted to hold her for him. To remind him that she's real. She's here and she's safe.

She thought on it a moment. He could practically see the gears in her mind spinning. Whatever conclusion she came to, it had her moving to him and allowing him to hold her close. Thank god.

"I dream of darkness." Her voice broke the silence around them, slicing Into him like a knife. Her words came out in shaky whispers as she spoke again. "That's it. Nothing bad is happening. I don't dream of being abducted. I don't dream about the pain or lack of food and water. I don't even dream about being raped. I just dream about waking up to darkness. I call out and no one is there, and then I fear what I cannot see and that fear builds and builds and builds until it's choking me and I scream because it's better than the deafening darkness."

Booth held her tighter, though he wasn't sure if it was for him, or her. Maybe both. He hated that there wasn't anything he could do to take away the lingering fears she felt. Nothing he can do to take away the trauma she suffered.

Anger settled into him, and he had to force himself not to tense up. He wanted to find Willis and kill the SOB. The rage he felt for that man, made his blood boil.

"I spoke about the cases we worked on." She pulled him from his thoughts. "When things became unbearable, I recounted the cases we worked on out loud."

"Did it help?" He asked through a clenched jaw.

"Yes. It gave me something to focus on. And reminded me that you were out there. Restored my faith that you would find me."

Booth let out a long breath, stroking up and down her arm in circles. "I'm sorry it took so long."

She moved so she could look at him, but her body was still pressed into his. Her lips were so close that all he'd have to do to close the distance was lean over ever so slightly. And he wanted to kiss her so bad he swore his lips tingled with need.

"You had nothing to go on. And you did find me. Don't beat yourself up over something that's not you're fault."

"I never would have stopped. I would look for you forever."

She let out a laugh, and the sound made his heart soar. "I believe you. If the tables were reversed, I'd look for you forever too."

It was his turn to laugh. "If the tables were turned. Or if the roles were reversed."

She shook her head but smiled. "You know what I mean."

"I do. And I know." His eyes drifted to her lips, lingering only a moment before going back to her eyes. To give his hands something to do, he tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Booth?" He didn't miss her eyes flicker to his lips and god he hoped she'd lean in and close the distance.

"Yeah?"

She said nothing for a moment, then sighed before falling back into her back. "We should try to get some more sleep."

"Yeah." He cleared his throat as the word came out a little strained. "Are you okay in here?" He'd stay. If she'd asked him to. He wanted to offer but didn't want her to feel pressure. Even if it was just so he could hold her as she slept.

"Yes, Booth. I'm okay. Thank you."

He nodded, getting off the bed. He checked to make sure the bathroom light was still on, though he didn't comment on it. He knew she didn't like her aversion to darkness. Knew she chose to leave the bathroom light on after he purposefully left it on the second night she was here. Because he'd realized that darkness freaked her out.

"Night, Bones." So much he hoped she understood with those words. I'm glad you're here. Glad you're safe. I love you. I want you to stay. I want to be with you and to live with you and grow old with you. I'll never let anyone hurt you ever again. Please stay.

"Night, Booth."


"Bones?" Booth gave her a smile when she looked at him. They were at the diner for lunch, but she hadn't taken a single bite of food. She seemed a little off today.

"Our victim was starved to death." She replied, looking down at her food. "She was dehydrated. Bound, raped, and we found a blindfold shoved into her mouth."

Booth dropped the fry he'd been about to eat. That's why she wanted to fill him in at the diner. She wanted to make it so he couldn't react the way he wanted to. Because fuck. His fist clenched and released. "You guys think it's Willis?"

She nodded before looking at him. "I think it's a message. He's saying that he's still out there. And he'll do to others what was done to me."

Booth took her hand. "This isn't your fault."

"I know. I can't control what other people do." She squeezed his hand. Needing to reassure herself. Hated that she needed him for that. Needed him to feel safe. Happy. "I'm angry."

"Me too. But he messed up, Bones. He sent us a body. And you and I? We have an excellent closure rate. He gave us the tools we need to find him."

She looked at Booth, her stomach fluttering with nerves. There was that anger again. That murderous look in his eyes. "When we catch him, are you going to let him live?"

Booth sat back, clearly surprised by her question. Or maybe he was just surprised she'd ask it out loud. "I will put him behind bars. Unless he gives me a reason to shoot him."

"Is that the outcome you're hoping for?"

"Bones."

"I don't want to be the reason you abandon your belief system." It unsettled her.

Booth leaned as far forward as he could, getting so close she could feel his breath on her face. "I'm not abandoning my belief system. I protect what's mine and I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe. If that means shooting him dead? Then that's what I'll do without hesitation. If he comes without a fight? I will see him put behind bars for the rest of his sick, miserable life."

Her cheeks warmed. Sure, maybe she shouldn't like that he called her his in that possessive tone, but she did like it. Because she's been his since the moment she started going out in the field with him. And she couldn't find it in herself to truly hate that.

At first, she was his to protect. He'd always been protective. Always trying to put himself between her and possible danger. Even when she resisted and ignored his commands because she doesn't need his protection. Then she was his to cherish. He'd always made her feel wanted. Always made her feel like she was the most important person in his world. Even when Hannah was in the picture, he always wanted her around. Now? Whether he knew it or not, she was his to love. Because while it was so confusing. While she wanted to resist her need for him in every way, she loved him. She needed him. She was bound to him.

She looked away from him, breaking whatever it was that had her wanting to bridge the distance between them and kiss him. "You're right that he made a mistake." She took a bite of salad, to ease Booth's worry. "We will catch him. And this woman's death won't be in vain."


"Megan was a bitch." Heather let out a nervous laugh. "I guess maybe that's not what I should be saying, right? I should say she's a peach and everyone loved her. But that's a lie."

"Why didn't the two of you get along?" Brennan asked.

"It wasn't that we didn't get along. We got along most of the time. She just didn't have regard for anyone but herself. She never did anything that didn't benefit her in some way. She talked about everyone behind their backs and wasn't afraid to tear you down." She shifted in her seat. "She didn't deserve to die. But you're going to find most people who knew her to feel the same way about her that I do."

"Can you think of anyone who hated her more than anyone else?"

"Marcy. She's the new intern at the firm. Wicked smart and efficient. She has a stutter. Sometimes you don't even know she has one. But sometimes it's bad. Megan wasn't too kind to her about it. And often made jokes at Marcy's expense."


"M-M-M Megan's de- dead?" The woman shook as she spoke. She tried to go on, but let out a sigh when the stutter became too much.

"Please take your time, Ms. Santiago," Brennan said

Then she nodded, composing herself. "I s-suspect you he-heard we don't get along."

"We heard she doesn't get along with most people. But that she made waves with you."

Marcy laughed. "She liked to re-re-remind you that she was su-su-su." She paused and took a deep breath. "Superior."

"She made fun of you." Booth looked at Brennan.

"Yes. She'd make fun of a-anyone. Unfortunately, she m-made m-me nervous. That makes it worse."

"The stuttering?" Booth clarified.

"Yes. Lack of s-sleep. Being nervous. Upset. A-a-all those things can d-do it." She shook her head. "I wouldn't k-kill her though. Sh-sh-she isn't the first mean girl I've ever en-encountered. She won't b-be the last."

"Do you recognize this man?" Booth gave her the picture of Willis. When her eyes grew wide, hope filled his chest. "You know him?"

"I don't know him. B-But Megan showed me his p-picture. They had a d-date. The next day she was s-so h-happy. Said she found the one. He to-took her to a cabin. Said it was so romantic."


"Nothing. No forensic evidence to lead us to him!" Booth paced Brennan's office. "We can't even get a lead with the cabin."

"We will find something, Booth," Cam said, though she didn't sound like she believed it.

"I have an idea." Both of them looked at Brennan as Angela walked in. "I think I should go home."

"What?" Booth said with an incredulous laugh. "Are you out of your mind?"

"I'm with Booth in this one, sweetie." Angela put in.

"No, hear me out. He wants me. If he thinks that I'm going back home, then he thinks I'm easy picking. He got me once, he can do it again. He's cocky that way. If he thinks I'm going home and going home alone? It might draw him out."

"No. I'm not using you as bait."

"And I'm not taking no for an answer. We can do it safely, Booth, and I'm not helpless. The only reason he got me the first time is because he drugged me. This time he will be more careless. He's pissed. I'm positive he's watching my place."

Booth shook his head. She had a point. He'd thought it once too, that he was likely stalking her place. He would try to get her again. Sweets even agreed. "I don't like it."

"I know. But I think it's the best way to catch him. And if he's out there hurting and killing? We have to try."

Booth looked at her. She looked calm. Sure. Except for her eyes. He could see the fear in her eyes. But the set of her jaw was stubborn. She wasn't going to back down from this idea.

"Fine. But we do it my way, and you are never to be truly alone." He wanted to reach out for her but stood his ground. He hated this idea. But it was likely their best shot at getting Willis quickly.

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks :D