A/N: thank you for the kind reviews. They are appreciated.

There is some violence in this chapter which some readers might find unsettling.

Still reeling from that morning's events, Andrew Hacker had spent the last thirty minutes desperately trying to convince himself that he'd had no part in the unfortunate circumstances that had resulted in the deaths of two FBI agents. It wasn't his fault, and definitely not his responsibility...it just couldn't be. He was merely doing what had needed to be done for the sake of law and order when things had taken a terribly unexpected turn.

He hadn't actually been there at the scene of that crime, after all, and he had no way of knowing that things would go to Hell so damn quickly. He was in a completely different part of the city at the time the perp was spotted at that apartment complex. And surely it wasn't his fault that the hired gun...the man he'd engaged to scare off Seeley Booth so the agent would discontinue his work on that undercover RICO investigation...had gone rogue, murdering two FBI agents before escaping in the confusion that followed.

Booth didn't scare easily anyway, so, as it turned out, Hacker's hiring of Vorstenbach had been a waste of time and resources, and now...well, trying to undo the hit on Booth was going to be practically impossible. Vorstenbach was notorious for having a one track mind. If he'd been hired to take out Booth, that's what he'd try to do, unless Hacker could find him and call it off, which seemed unlikely. Booth's life was in serious danger now, and unfortunately, it might be Hacker's fault.

No matter how Hacker looked at it, the results of placing a price on Booth's head had been disastrous, and deep down, he knew he was to blame, but still…he couldn't quite bring himself to admit it. He needed a fall guy...someone he could point to as being the cause of all these problems.

"God damn Booth!," he muttered under his breath as he drove to the hospital to meet Cullen. "That son of a bitch always has to be so fucking 'perfect'...so smart...such a fabulous FBI agent…he should've been there at the Esplanade! He's a Special Agent in Charge! He should've been at that apartment complex supervising that detail...coordinating with the agents at the scene...calling the shots...and then this all could've been avoided."

Hacker groaned in frustration as he waited for a light to change at a busy intersection. Over the years, his envy of Seeley Booth had evolved into a deep seated hatred. Booth had everything that the Deputy Director had wanted out of life: good looks, brains, spectacular investigative skills...and Temperance Brennan.

Booth and Brennan's mutual attachment, which went well past the normal boundaries of a work partnership, had long been a hot topic of the gossip among the FBI agents at the Hoover, much to Hacker's chagrin. He'd enjoyed some limited success in gaining Temperance's favor, and she'd occasionally joined him for drinks or for dinner, but whenever they'd been out together, the subject of Booth always came up, no matter how hard he worked to avoid it. Finally, Hacker had conceded that he'd never really stood a chance with the beautiful anthropologist. She was obviously enamored with her partner...and Hacker would never be able to overcome that obstacle to get what he wanted from her.

"Booth did this...Booth did that...Booth's so brilliant.," the Deputy Director chanted in a singsong voice as he checked his mirrors. "That's all she can talk about. I bet she thinks that motherfucker can walk on the water if he has to…and she thinks I'm basically nothing compared to him..."

Even Hacker's promotion had been because of Booth's talents. He knew he'd become Deputy Director only because Booth had turned down the promotion. Cullen had made no effort to hide the fact that he...Andrew Hacker...hadn't been the first choice for the post by any stretch of the imagination. The Director had wanted Booth to take the promotion, and was willing to do what it took to tempt him away from Major Crimes, but no amount of pressure would change the Special Agent's mind. He was happy doing field work alongside Brennan, so Cullen had been forced to choose an agent with a less than stellar record instead.

"But I guess that doesn't matter.," Hacker said to himself. "I've got the title now...I'm making more money...and I've got the prestige that goes along with it...so even if Booth is a much better agent than I'll ever be, I'm ahead of where he is now. Stupid bastard...he passed on taking a promotion just so he could work with Temperance longer…and now he works for me, doing undercover shit and taking the heat while I sit in my nice cushy office and direct traffic."

Trying to convince himself he was actually the better man, Hacker couldn't help but cringe at how happy C-Synch had been to hear that his best 'Bro' was now an FBI Director and so in a position to smooth things over for his cronies. The impresario had already laid out plans for his protege', wanting to make sure that the Gang Task force was engaged in other things besides taking down The Council. Hacker hadn't made any promises, but he knew what was expected of him, and he wondered how long it'd be before he was called to fulfill his end of that devilishly crooked bargain.

Looking back over the current situation, Hacker realized that he should've known Booth would put two and two together, quickly figuring out that Vorstenbach was threatening Dr. Brennan because of his RICO undercover work. As much as he hated the guy, Hacker had to admit Booth was smart and good at his job, and he'd do what was needed for justice to be served, no matter what the cost.

"...and of course, Booth would go all gung ho and put out an APB on the hit man. Anything to make himself look good to Temperance, right?," Hacker grumbled to himself. "Booth should've just let it go, but no...he's got to be a bigshot, doesn't he? It's not like Temperance was going to get hurt...I told Dick just to scare her…and Vorstenbach was just going to rattle Booth's cage a little bit...warn him off of investigating the Council...and then things would go back to normal."

The Deputy Director paused as he thought over Brennan's injuries. He'd been shocked when he'd seen her at the Jeffersonian that morning. Covered with bruises and favoring a surgically repaired right wrist, she actually looked terrible. "I guess she's lucky that I'd called Dick when I did…and we were all lucky that the fall didn't kill her..."

Shaking his head, he pulled into the hospital's parking garage, panic once again welling up inside of him as he parked his black SUV. This wasn't supposed to happen...no one was supposed to get hurt...how am I gonna fix this? Jesus...

Mentally rehearsing the story...and the excuses...he was going to give Cullen for the major league fuck up that had happened that morning, Hacker tapped his foot nervously as he waited for the elevator. Booth was the wildcard in this situation. There was no telling how much the Special Agent in Charge had already told Director Cullen during his visit that morning, but Hacker had quickly realized that Booth was probably on the verge of pointing a finger his way when Cullen had gotten the call about the incident.

'I have to assume the worst.,' he thought, trying to keep himself calm. 'I just need a rational explanation for bringing Vorstenbach in on the case…but I won't volunteer any information. I'll let Sam do the talking...nod...act concerned...that should do it...and I'll fix things later...'

Straightening his tie, he entered the ER waiting room and looked around, wondering where Director Cullen was. Hearing someone's sobs, he glanced in that direction. The Director was sitting with a young woman, patting her hand in an obvious attempt to console her.

Not wanting to become more involved than necessary with the emotional shit that came with his title, Hacker cleared his throat and waited expectantly to be acknowledged. After a few minutes had passed with nothing being said, he spoke softly. "Director Cullen?"

"Yeah? Oh, there you are." Trying to smile at the weeping woman, the Director rose from his seat and joined Hacker, speaking in a hushed tone. "God, that never gets easier." He glanced over his shoulder at her. "She's Agent Strohm's fiancee. She had no idea he'd even be doing that kind of security detail this morning, since he normally works with internet fraud and shit like that. It came as quite a shock to hear that he'd been killed in the line of duty..." He shook his head sadly. "They were supposed to get married next weekend...but that won't be happening….not now..." Swallowing hard, Sam pointed to an alcove in the waiting room. "Let's go over there and talk…"

Upon entering the small space, Cullen found a coffee pot, fixing himself a cup before handing one to his companion. Slumping onto a chair, he sighed softly before explaining exactly what had happened earlier that day. "So...the security detail that Booth had requested from Charlie Burns had the apartment complex staked out because Dr. Brennan was supposed to be staying there after her release from the hospital, and they were gonna keep an eye on her until Booth got over there since she'd been kidnapped recently. Fortunately for her, she saw the bad guy as he was walking down the street in front of the place, and she and her ride never entered the complex, driving over to the Jeffersonian instead." He hesitated for a few seconds, he stared at his cup, willing himself to be calm. "The agents had received the APB alert on their phones, so when Agent Strohm spotted the suspect, one Dick Vorstenbach, entering the complex on foot, he took action…"

"But protocol states that agents work in pairs...he shouldn't have approached the gunman by himself!," Hacker exclaimed. "He should've known better…"

"He wasn't by himself...Agent Gonsalves was on his six...not that it did any good." Cullen swallowed hard. "Their bulletproof vests didn't help, either.."

Hacker was aghast. "So they confronted the guy? But that's insane! He was described as armed and dangerous on the APB, right?"

"Yep, he was, but our guys were just doing their job, you know? They were from the Cyber Division, so maybe they were inexperienced with apprehending a guy like that. I don't know. I mean, I know they have the same training as Booth's guys, but still…they had probably very little actual experience taking down an active shooter...and they probably had no idea how dangerous Vorstenbach is, either. Anyway, I guess that doesn't make any difference, does it?" Cullen exhaled slowly. "They tried to apprehend a wanted man, and things went to hell in a matter of seconds. Agent Marcel told me what happened." Cullen pulled a notebook from his jacket pocket, flipped it open and read the agent's statement. "Approaching the suspect as the suspect entered the complex, Agent Strohm flashed his badge, drew his gun and ordered the suspect to halt, but the suspect discharged his weapon instead, hitting Strohm in the forehead." Cullen looked up from his notes. "As far as the paramedics can tell, Strohm died instantly. Gonsalves was trying to back him up, and got off a single shot before being hit in the thigh, which severed his femoral artery. He was DOA...bled out on the way to the hospital despite the heroic efforts of the paramedics. Agent Marcel got off a few shots, possibly hitting the suspect, but he also took a bullet to the left shoulder. He's probably going to survive, but it's going to be touchy for a while. He's lost a lot of blood as well."

"That's terrible…" Hacker's blood ran cold as he shuddered in horror. "But why was Vorstenbach even there? What reason would he have for being at that apartment building?"

Closing his notebook, Cullen regarded Hacker intently. "Booth seems to think that someone gave away our plan...you know, 'the faking his death bit'? And somehow, Vorstenbach knew where Dr. Brennan was supposed to be this morning, and he also knows that Booth's alive and hiding out somewhere. He's probably looking for both of them right now, and you know what that means, right? This isn't just a set of weird coincidences. We've got a big fat intel leak at the Hoover."

"Oh my God." Looking ashen, Hacker nodded slowly. "They're both in terrible danger…"

"Exactly. Now, Booth's gonna protect Dr. Brennan as best he can, so our priority needs to be finding Vorstenbach and getting him off the street. I'm making that your focus, Andrew...we need to do everything we can to nab that guy…"

Stunned, the Deputy Director felt like he might vomit, wondering if Cullen suspected how he was connected to the hit man. "Me?," he stammered. "I'm supposed to find him?"

Cullen narrowed his eyes at the man next to him. "You used to be in RICO, Hacker. If anyone knows how to find The Council's mechanic, it'd be you, right? Use your contacts...put the word out and see what turns up." He opened a file on his phone. "I'll send you that list of CIs that Booth was working with...you can ask some of them, too." Seeing Hacker's reluctance, the Director grunted in frustration. "Look, if being Deputy Director is too hard for you, I'll find someone else who can handle it. I don't mind one goddamn bit finding someone better to do that job..."

"That won't be necessary, Sam." Quickly rising from his seat, Hacker pulled out his phone. "I'll get right on it."

"Good.," the Director growled. Watching as Hacker walked away, he tried to quell his suspicions. Something was off with the guy, but he wasn't exactly sure what. Was the Deputy Director the source of the leak? Maybe Booth's suspicions were on the money and Hacker was the rat.

Cullen sipped his coffee as he thought over his meeting with Booth that morning. I sure wish Seeley had taken the deputy director's job. I'm not gonna let him off the hook so easily next time. Maybe I can figure out a way he can be a deputy director and still go out in the field with Dr. Brennan from time to time...

Hearing his text alert sound, Cullen groaned softly as he checked it. It was time to talk to Agent Gonsalves' wife. "Son of a bitch...I'm too old for this shit. I need to retire…"

Pocketing his phone, he rose from his chair and walked down the hall to the hospital's chapel. It was going to be a long day…

Ooooooooo

Hacker took the elevator down to the parking lot, looking over his shoulder to make sure nobody was following him. He'd had a bad feeling all day, as if a trap was about to be sprung on him, but he'd tried very hard to shake the feeling off.

He quickly found his car and started the engine. As he pulled out of the lot, he hit the speed dial on a burner phone. "Hey, it's me. We need to talk...now. Meet me at the usual place at ten this evening. Yes, I know it's risky, but I have to see you. Okay."

Ending the call, he shook his head as he put the phone away. It was time to end his alliance with the Devil.

#%#%#%#%#

It was a few hours later when Hacker pulled his SUV up to a set of squat, dilapidated concrete block buildings that used to house a factory. Long abandoned, tall grass grew up through cracks in the walls and trash was strewn along the driveways. Wrinkling his nose in disgust, he got out and pushed open the rusty gate before driving down a paved road to what looked like a small outbuilding.

He parked and dialed the number again. "I'm here."

He heard a rough voice growl in annoyance. "Okay. Just a minute."

The building's overhead door rose slowly and a man waved for Hacker to pull inside. Satisfied that the large SUV would fit, the man pushed the button to lower the door.

Hacker got out of the car and slowly walked into the main part of the building followed by the man who'd opened the door for him. Glancing at his companion's injuries, the Deputy Director shook his head. "What the hell happened to you?"

"Aw, this little scratch?" He pointed to his bandaged arm. "It's just a flesh wound." Dick Vorstenbach laughed sarcastically. "A little present from a very recently deceased FBI agent. You know, it seems you guys aren't training them fellas very well anymore. That son of bitch walked right up to me and let me just blow him away..."

Horrified, Hacker gasped softly as he sat on a metal folding chair. "I...I didn't mean your arm." He shuddered as he studied his fingernails. "I meant the black eyes…"

"Oh….that." Vorstenbach sat down opposite Hacker. "It's from that bitch, Brennan. She tried to get away from me by running down the stairs over in Building D. She pushed me down and made a dash, and I grabbed at her ankle as she headed for the stairs, but she kicked me in the face! She was wearing boots, and so she broke my goddamn nose, okay? I bled so much that I thought I was gonna pass out. Blood was everywhere, man. That's why I couldn't take her with me. I was too woozy, and I couldn't carry her, so I left her to bleed out at the bottom of the stairs. She should be dead..."

"However, she was found but a maintenance man, so she survived, although she was badly injured." Seeing Vorstenbach's leering grin, Hacker nodded. "But you knew that...you still want to use her as bait to get Booth's attention, don't you?!"

"Maybe. I mean she's got a great pair of tits, so I figured he'd come running if I could get my hands on her again. That's what I would do if I thought I could get that piece of ass." Vorstenbach's wicked smile twisted into a grotesque expression. "Who knows? If I'm lucky, I may still have a chance to get some before I end her. That'd be a lot of fun..."

Hacker closed his eyes as he heaved a shuddering sigh. "Listen, Dick. I need you to drop the Booth project, okay? With his recent brain surgery, he doesn't remember anything about the Council or the Persians…he won't be able to link anything to you...so that means you can forget about kidnapping Temperance as well." Seeing Vorstenbach's grim expression, he continued. "This needs to be over, okay? There's no need to kill anyone else…

"Yeah, well, the guys I work for can't take that chance, you know?" The hit man reached for a table behind him and picked up his gun. "I'm gonna make Booth watch while I rape Brennan and slit her throat, and then I'm gonna shoot him right between the eyes...put him out of his misery, so to speak…"

"There's no need, I tell you. Listen, I'll still pay you, okay? You've already done enough to scare them off." Springing from his chair, Hacker began to pace the small room. "They haven't seen you...they can't identify you…"

Vorstenbach grunted in disgust. "Don't give me that shit, okay, Andy? She saw me...she knows who I am. Besides, you were on board about getting rid of Booth when C Synch suggested it, remember? Couldn't wait to get rid of the bastard, as I recall. What's the matter? Ain't ya man enough to stomach a kill?"

Hacker was becoming desperate. "All I wanted was for you to scare him off! And I definitely didn't want Temperance to get hurt…"

"Oh, I get it now. With Booth gone, you might have your own chance with that nice piece of ass, right?" Vorstenbach laughed at the deputy director's disconcerted expression. "Give it up, alright? She's way out of your league."

"Whatever. Look, Dick, I paid you half already, and I've brought the rest of it with me, so please...lay off Booth and Dr. Brennan. I'm calling off the hit…"

"Well, here's the problem, buddy boy." Pursing his lips, she hit man calmly checked to see if his pistol was loaded. "I don't actually work for you, see? I'm the Council's guy, and I do what they want. You may think it was you who put the hit on Booth, but It was really C-Synch who ordered it. He just used the info you provided from your RICO days, okay? So...now that we've got what we need…"

Vorstenbach quickly raised his pistol and fired twice, hitting the defenseless Hacker on the upper left side of the chest. As he stood over the dying deputy director, the assassin grinned wickedly. "Thanks for all your help, Andy. I'll be sure to tell everyone what a great guy you were…"

Stepping over Hacker's body, the hit man casually removed the man's money and car keys from his pocket. Raising the garage door, he started the SUV and drove away, leaving his latest victim to bleed to death in an abandoned garage.

You may have noticed the lack of Booth and Brennan in this chapter, but the next chapter will make up for it, I promise.