Booth was feeling a little nauseous as the small air craft bounced it's way over the country. The pilot was talking with Max quite animatedly up in the front. Brennan and Nora were back with him.

"So, where should we start looking?" Booth asked.

"Palermo," Brennan and Nora said at the same time.

"Really?" he asked.

"I know my son," Brennan answered. "That is the first place he will want to go."

"You're sure we shouldn't try to find the guy who sold the canes and see where he saw them go first?"

"No. We go to Palermo," Brennan said firmly.

"So what do we do when we see them?" Nora asked. Booth gripped his seat hard as they hit turbulence. Neither Brennan or Nora were fazed by it.

"I suspect Agent Booth will pull his gun on Jamie," Brennan said, looking at him.

"You brought your gun?" Nora asked, surprised.

"I had to convince them to let me keep it, yes, but I have it," Booth answered.

"So then what?" Nora pressed.

"We take him down, arrest him, and bring Dom home," Brennan finished for him. "Right?"

"Right."

"Almost there," Max said to them, giving them the thumbs up.

"Can we land somewhere close to Palermo?" Brennan called. The pilot nodded.

"You think he's there?" Max asked her.

"Yes."

"All right. I trust you," Max said. Brennan didn't respond. She was still angry her father had gotten himself involved. She bit back her retort about trust. It was not the time or place.

Dominic & Jamie

"Oh wow," Dom said, looking around in awe. He still couldn't believe he was here. Jamie was smiling at him, proud that his son was so into culture. They had a lot of exploring to do that day in Palermo, where art, culture, history, music, and food was so rich and abundant.

"This is the best day of my life," Dominic said, grinning up at Jamie. It pleased Jamie that his son was slowly forgetting about Temperance. He hoped after a few years Dominic would forget her altogether. Then, Dom grew sad.

"What's wrong?" Jamie asked a little impatiently. "I thought this was the best day of your life?"

"It is, but then I remembered Mom's gone. I wanted to do this with her," he said, starting to cry. Jamie could barely contain his frustration. Would the woman never stop haunting him?!

"I'm sure your Mom would want you to be happy," he said, trying to make Dom stop crying. "I know it's sad that she's gone, but she wouldn't want you to miss all this because you're sad about her."

"I know. I'm t-t-trying," Dominic stammered.

"Come on, let's go check out some churches," Jamie urged. Dominic only nodded, and they headed over to one together. He couldn't understand why Cole was not more upset about his mother being dead. If he was his real father, didn't he miss her too? Surely he had loved her? Dominic started to get a funny feeling in his stomach about this whole thing, but he had no one to ask or tell about what was going on. He was completely at the mercy of Cole.

Booth

They landed, but it was more like skidding. Booth had never been more grateful to get off of a plane in his life. He wanted to go home in one piece. He had talked to Sweets earlier, and Sweets was now home with Daisy, who was still recovering from her attack. Sweets had collected Parker from his friend's house, and he would look after him until Booth returned. Booth just hoped he would get back before Rebecca because if she knew he had left their son to do a case, she would give him a hard time with visitation again, and Booth didn't want that.

"Okay, so what now?" Max asked, looking around. "Isn't Palermo big?"

"We rent a car and we search," Booth answered.

"I'll go on foot," Brennan said.

"Okay, then Max and Nora go in the car while I go with Dr. Brennan," Booth said. She looked at him, annoyed.

"You think I can't look after myself?"

"I think you need someone to help take down Jamie if we see him."

"What if I see him first?" Max asked.

"You call me on this," Booth answered, handing him a phone. "And you wait until I get there."

"That's not how I work," Max argued.

"You do that or I get your ass arrested for something," Booth said, glaring at him.

"All right," Max agreed, taking the phone gingerly. "Come on, Nora."

"We meet right here in four hours," Booth said to his receding back.

"Got it," Max said over his shoulder.

"Okay, where to?" Booth asked Brennan. She was thinking hard.

"One of the best things in this place is its churches. I think Jamie would start there first."

"You're sure?"

"I know him better than I want to," Brennan admitted.

"Okay, lead the way," Booth said. They started walking together, and Brennan started to feel both an excited and sick feeling in her stomach. Her son was here. She could feel it.

...

Nora could barely sit still. She wanted to find Dominic so badly. She needed him to know that she wanted him to come home, that she would never be mean to him again. Max drove slowly and carefully, scanning the crowds. Nora looked as well. After what seemed like hours, something caught her eye.

"Stop!" she shouted. Max hit the brakes, causing her to pitch forward and lose sight of what she thought was Dom. Cars honked angrily behind them.

"What did you see?" Max asked, pulling into a parking spot. They were at the bottom of the steps that lead to a magnificent looking church.

"I think it's him," Nora answered, getting out.

"Whoa, whoa! Don't leave the car," Max ordered. She slammed the door in response.

"Ah crap," Max grumbled, turning the car off and following her. He pulled out his phone to call Booth. He really didn't feel like getting arrested again.

Jamie & Dominic

"Almost there," Jamie said as Dominic conquered the last step. He felt irritation that his son had this weakness, that he wasn't perfect. Jamie strove for perfection; his son having a disease irked him. He blamed Temperance for her bad genes. This would not have come from him.

"I'm coming," Dom panted. He wished his father would help him a little. He knew he had to be independent, but his mother used to give him a hand every now and then. They walked inside together. Jamie twisted his head suddenly, feeling as though they were being watched. The guard at the door was looking at them, but Jamie noticed it was more a look of pity towards Dominic and his canes. He bristled inside.

"Come along," he urged, maneuvering Dominic away from the guard.

Booth & Brennan

"They've spotted him," Booth said, hanging up. Brennan inhaled sharply beside him.

"Where?!"

"Come on," Booth said, starting to run towards the church that was about a block away. Brennan ran beside him. Her heart was pounding.

"Is he in there?" Brennan asked when they stopped at the bottom of the church stairs.

"Damn it, he's gone inside. I told him to stay out here!" Booth snapped.

"My father is not one to listen to orders. You're lucky he even called you," Brennan pointed out.

"Argh. Up we go," Booth said, taking the stairs two at a time. Brennan was on his heels. She just wanted her son. She had no idea what was going to happen.

Nora

She ignored Max yelling at her. She pushed through the crowds until she got a clear view of them. It was definitely Dominic and Cole. Nora felt her stomach sink when she looked at Cole. She could now see a very small resemblance to Jamie. She didn't want it to be true, but here it was in front of her, plain as day. She surged towards them, dodging Max.

"No!" he hissed. "You're gonna scare him off!"

Nora didn't care. She just wanted her brother.

Dominic

He was looking up at the ceiling when a hand grabbed him. Startled, he looked at his assailant. Cole was up ahead and didn't see.

"Nora?!" he gasped.

"You have to come with me," she said, pleading. "He's dangerous. He tried to hurt Mom. He's going to hurt you!"

"Mom's dead," Dom said, confused. Nora shook her head viciously.

"No, she's not. She's here looking for you! He's lying, Dom!"

"I don't believe you, and why should I?" Dominic said angrily, but his mind was racing. Cole had said Nora was in hiding with Max. Why was she here?

"Because I'm your sister, and I'm trying to save you!"

"Nora, get him out of here," Max ordered.

"Grandpa?" Dom asked.

"Yes. That man is a world renowned criminal, Dominic. Go with your sister."

"But...he's my real father..."

"We know," Max said sympathetically. "But he's a bad man, Dom."

"Come on!" Nora hissed, tugging on Dom's arm. Cole/Jamie was just realizing Dominic wasn't with him.

"Hey!" he shouted.

"Now!" Nora cried, yanking Dom along with her. They half ran, half hobbled towards the door.

"You little bitch!" Jamie shrieked. He lunged, but Max caught him midair. They fell to the floor, and Max got a punch to Jamie's face before Jamie started to fight back.

"Don't look back!" Nora shouted to Dom, who was trying to see. "Come on!" A gunshot went off then, and they both stopped in their tracks.

"No," Nora whimpered, seeing Max on the floor bleeding while Jamie stood with the gun aimed and going straight for them. She pushed Dom ahead of her.

"RUN!" she screamed. The security guard was moving into action now, but Jamie shot him too. People were screaming and shouting, trying to hide. Just when Nora thought they were done for, Booth emerged with his gun aimed at Jamie, and their mother was behind him.

Brennan & Booth

"MOM!" Dominic and Nora shouted together. They ran into her arms, and she grabbed them both.

"Get out of here," Booth ordered. "Now."

"You can't take him!" Jamie screamed. "He's MINE!"

"Keep going," Brennan urged her children. "Don't listen to him. Don't look back."

"Put the gun down, Jamie," Booth said.

"You cannot do this to me!" Jamie screeched.

"I'm going to count to three," Booth said calmly. "One..."

"I'LL KILL YOU!" Jamie roared. "TEMPERANCE, YOU'RE A DEAD WOMAN! YOUR BITCH DAUGHTER TOO!"

"Two..."

"Keep going, keep going," Brennan said. "We're almost there."

"GET DOWN!" Booth shouted. Without even knowing, she knew he was talking to her. Brennan pushed both her children to the floor as a bullet flew over their heads. She crushed them underneath her, using her body as a shield. She clenched her eyes shut, hearing about three more gunshots going off in a row.

Booth looked at Jamie on the floor in front of him, blood seeping from his wounds and his mouth. He didn't understand how someone could be so horrible as to shoot at a child. He looked around at the bystanders, who were staring in shock. One guy applauded him, then others joined in. Brennan checked to see that it was safe before letting her children get up. Policemen surged into the building then, conversing with Booth and checking Jamie for vitals. He came over to them after they were done talking to him.

"Thank you," Brennan said, looking at him meaningfully. She still had a tight hold on Nora and Dominic. "For everything."

"You're welcome."

"Grandpa!" Nora cried, remembering. She broke free and ran to the other motionless figure on the ground. Booth hurried after her.

"Hey, Max, time to get up," he said, rolling Max over. He pressed his fingers against Max's throat.

"Is he...?" Brennan started, feeling afraid suddenly. Yes, she was mad at him for getting involved, but she didn't want him to die.

"A very small pulse, but it's there. Medic!" Booth shouted. One rushed over to them, and soon they had Max loaded onto a stretcher.

"Where are they taking him?" Dominic asked, his voice small. He felt guilty. If he hadn't believed Cole, then none of this would have happened.

"To the hospital. Come on," Brennan said. "We'll go wait there. He'll be all right." She shared a look with Booth, who looked grim. She swallowed hard. She hoped her father would survive after all this. She had to tell him that she had changed her mind about him. He had fought for Dominic. If that didn't prove how much he loved them, she didn't know what did. She gripped the hands of her children as they walked to the car. Booth got directions to the hospital and offered to drive. Brennan sat in the middle seat in the back with Dom on one side and Nora on the other. Booth looked back at them in the rearview mirror and prayed that Max would pull through. His family needed him.

We hope you enjoyed that very intense chapter! For those asking about how it's going to end between Brennan and Booth, you'll have to stay tuned...

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